Filed to story: The Breaking Point (Maya & Julian) Book PDF Free
“What’s the matter?” His voice was instantly filled with concern and worry.
“I’m scared… There’s something in the room… I don’t know what it is… Julian, come over and take a look for me.” With that, Selena screamed again.
He mumbled a reply. Ending the call, he turned to look at Maya, who placed a hand against the wall as she spoke in a distant and polite tone, “Give me the drafts, and you can go. I just tried to land my foot, and it doesn’t seem injured. I was probably in a rush, and I somehow dislocated a bone. It hurt for a moment, but it’s okay now.”
“The doctor gets to decide if it’s okay. Let’s go.” With his arm around her waist, Julian tried to get her to leave with him.
In that instant, she shoved him away. Looking coldly at him, she stated in an even colder tone, “I only came for the drafts. I’m already happy enough that you came here in person and gave them to me. I don’t want to cause you any more trouble.”
“So, you’re only here for the drafts?” His voice turned cold. “You came to meet me tonight just because of work?”
Maya bit her lip. Then, she nodded and expressed, “Yes. I know you’re very busy. I’m so sorry for causing you trouble. Give me the drafts, and we won’t have to do this again.”
Reaching up, Julian tugged at his collar and said coldly, “Sure, but you have to perform well for Luna. I’ll wait for the day you succeed in life.”
He even changed his shirt and tie specifically for their meeting. His efforts had gone to waste!
He retrieved the drafts from his pocket and tossed them to her. She lowered her gaze, looking at the documents, and said emotionlessly, “Thank you.” When she looked up, the man had left without even looking back. Leaning against the wall of the rockery, she breathed lightly. Then, she crouched and sat on a rock, slowly pinching her ankle.
He never understood that she had said it out of anger. She was mad simply because he was still getting involved with Selena.
He actually left her, who was potentially injured, here. Maya found it laughable that she could not help but hold on to a faint hope when she saw Selena’s name flashing on his phone earlier. She wondered if, just this once, Julian might stay by her side and look after her because she was hurt.
Just as usual, he disappointed her.
She unfolded the design sketch and looked at it briefly before folding it back up. She leaned against the wall, slowly making her way toward the artificial hill. She had considered asking Luna to pick her up, but it was so late that she did not want to bother her friend.
Walking into the rose garden, she came to a halt when the man who had just finished his call noticed her presence. Standing in the dim garden, he had long, slender legs and a lean figure. His shoulder-length hair was tied into a small braid at the back of his head.
“Miss Quinn?” The man immediately recognized her.
Seeing that it was Victor Mendez, one of the models for this shoot, Maya nodded and said, “Yes. Are you out for a walk?”
“Yeah… I was making a call to my family. Did you hurt your leg?” He noticed she had been favoring her right foot and immediately approached her.
Her usually calm face showed a hint of embarrassment as she replied, “I was taking a walk and accidentally tripped over a stone. It’s a sprain, but it doesn’t seem too serious. I’m just worried about delaying work tomorrow, so I’m being cautious.”
With his angular and handsome face, Victor looked solemn. “You can’t just rely on assumption. You have no experience, and making random guesses won’t do you any good.”
Maya could not argue with that. As such, he helped her and guided her to a garden bench, where he squatted before her and reached out for her ankle. Immediately, she flinched, puzzling the man. Slightly uncomfortable, she quickly explained, “I’m not used to people touching me.”
“I’m a model. I’ve gained some experience judging minor injuries and sprains from walking on the runway. Will you trust me this once?” He gazed into her eyes, showing sincerity.
She hesitated. “Maybe I should just ask a doctor tomorrow – “
“If it’s injured, it might be too late by tomorrow. Don’t forget; tomorrow is the day for fitting. You’ll be running around distributing fabrics. If your boss finds out your injury hinders his work progress, he won’t be pleased,” he earnestly advised her.
Maya had no choice but to concede. “Alright, please help me take a look.”
Victor held her ankle and applied some pressure, to which she could not help but inhale sharply. “It’s a minor strain in the muscle tissues. It’ll hurt tomorrow, but it won’t stop you from walking around. If you can, remember to apply ice when you get back. And keep yourself warm, too. It’s best to limit movement.” He provided his diagnosis.
She nodded appreciatively. “You seem very professional.”
“As a model, there are times when the runway isn’t in great condition. That’s how I learned the hard way. Shall I send you to your room? Your left leg shouldn’t be overexerted.” He rose and extended his hand to Maya, who did not refuse his kindness and got up.
Finally, they arrived at the hotel elevator. She stood on one leg, leaning on Victor. Just as the elevator was about to reach her floor, it suddenly stopped. Julian entered the elevator, his face impassive. When he saw Maya leaning against Victor, he did not frown. His gaze swept over their contact, and when he turned away, a shadow crossed his eyes.
As the elevator slowly ascended, Julian suddenly turned to Maya and Victor. “What are you two doing so late at night?”
She felt that he was doing it on purpose. Why would he ask such a question when he knows I injured my leg? Just after comforting Selena, can’t this jerk of a man have a little self-awareness and just mind his own business?
Victor, oblivious to Julian’s displeasure, immediately replied, “Her leg is injured. I’m helping her back to her room to rest.” As the elevator was about to arrive, he added, “Remember to apply ice when you get back. If you have some massage oil, use it for a gentle massage. Tap lightly. Remember to keep warm at night and avoid putting too much pressure.”
Maya affirmed, “Got it. Thank you.”
Julian’s eyes grew frosty, his mind filled with images of Victor and Maya entangled together. He radiated displeasure, and the entire elevator seemed to drop several degrees in temperature.
Ding. The elevator stopped on the floor where Maya and Julian were staying.
Victor was about to help her out of the elevator when Julian piped up, “I live in the room next to hers. I can help her, and you can take the elevator down.”
She glanced at Julian.
Seeing his cold expression, Victor quickly realized what was going on after recalling his previous interactions with Maya that had caused a stir online. He promptly released her wrist. “Well, then, I’ll be going,” he politely said to Julian.
Julian stepped forward, helping Maya, and gave a nonchalant grunt before leading her out of the elevator with an icy expression. As soon as they exited the elevator, she planned to push him away but was then grabbed by the wrist. His eyes were chilling as he questioned, “What’s wrong? Upset that I interrupted your little rendezvous with the young man? You seem pretty angry, huh?”
Maya’s face remained cold, and she did not argue. “Whatever.”
Julian’s molar shifted slightly. He held her waist with one hand, his gaze icy. “So, once you’ve got the draft, you’re ready to turn your back on me. Without any leverage, you couldn’t care less. Is that it?”
Hearing that, she felt wronged. She looked at Julian, took a silent deep breath, and suddenly smiled. “Mr. Graham, what are you saying? I’m just afraid Selena might think we’re getting too close and get jealous, giving her a reason to slander you and Alana again.” Without giving him a chance to speak, she continued, “I’m aware of my limitations. I don’t expect anything from you, especially not after you left me, injured, to check on Selena. I only believe in independence and self-reliance.”
Julian finally caught the drift. She’s bothered about my departure.
“I won’t argue with you. Let’s go back and check on your injury first,” he said, reaching an arm toward her.
Maya pushed his hand away. “No need. I can walk by myself.”
As she took a step with one foot, Julian suddenly wrapped his arm around her waist, lifting her effortlessly onto his shoulder. Her head spun, a feeling of nausea rising from her stomach. She grabbed onto his clothes, kicking her legs in a struggle. “Put me down…”
Somehow, Julian’s hand landed on her hip. His voice was calm, neither cold nor warm. “You can shout louder, wake everyone on this floor, and let them witness us. It would help solidify the fact that Alana and I have a close relationship.”
Maya immediately covered her mouth, clutching his clothes and attempting to free herself. “Don’t move!” His hand tapped her butt, and her face turned red. She was already flushed from being tossed onto his shoulder, and that action made her even dizzier.
“Maya, if others think I’m giving Alana special treatment, then I won’t help you, nor will I explain myself,” Julian continued, threatening her.
With her head feeling heavy, Maya grabbed his shirt, struggling to make the blood pooled in her head flow back. His new suit, which he had just changed into, was all crumpled. She was uncomfortable, swinging her legs, tilting her body, hugging Julian’s neck with both hands, and breathing heavily. “My head hurts…”
The man allowed her to hold onto him like this, her long hair swaying in the midst of it. Finally, he carried her back to the room. He gently placed her on the bed, and she collapsed onto it, silently feeling the sensation of blood returning to her body.
Julian stood by the bed, removing his suit jacket and loosening the tie on his shirt. He then threw them aside. Meanwhile, Maya’s hair fell loose, spreading across the bed like seaweed. As she gradually came to her senses, she saw the man standing in front of her, rolling up his sleeves. She could not help but swallow nervously. “What are you doing?”
He looked at her with deep, mysterious eyes but did not answer. His arms were exposed, and the muscles on them gave him a powerful and sexy look. As she watched him unbuttoning his shirt, she sat up on the bed, placing one hand on his waist. “Julian, what are you doing?”
“What do you think?” He slowly unbuttoned another button, his eyes as if he wanted to devour her.
Maya felt flustered and clutched the black silk sheets. “I didn’t do anything with Victor. There’s no need for this. I haven’t held anything against you, so you shouldn’t hold anything against me, right?”
Listening to her words, Julian undid another button. His collarbone was revealed, and a hint of his chest was visible through the open collar. His fair skin glowed under the light, looking glossy. The woman sat up straight, one hand placed on his waist. “It was you who left me in the garden. I found someone to help me. What’s wrong with that?”
Julian undid the third button, then abruptly seized Maya’s hand on his waist and pulled it downward. She winced as if she had been scalded and yanked her hand away, her cheeks flushing crimson. He held her hand in place, a cruel glint in his eyes, and leaned down, asking in a tone dripping with insolence, “Do you prefer the waist or here?”
“Let me go!” Her face was hot as she stared at him, astonished by his audacity. He released her hand, then crouched down, taking hold of her ankle and lifting her leg.
