Chapter Six
Show Stopper
"What is she doing here?!" Clarke was mortified, her voice sharp enough to slice the air.
"I don't know Clarke"
"She's clearly moving in—but how could she afford it? I'm sorry love but this apartment is crazily expensive" She planted her hands on her waist
"Or maybe this is your dad's doing too?"
"I don't know anything anymore. My brain feels like a scrambled egg right now but I do know one thing is for sure—She and August are about to go on a bumpy ride with me right next to them"
I dialed my dad's phone. I need to know the root of this matter and it all goes back to him
"Maya, I'm about to step into a meeting—"
"Well, I'm sure you can spare me some minutes"
A sharp sign "Okay, what is it?" His voice was impatient
"I wanna know everything"
"Everything about what?"
"You know Dad. About my wedding. I'm the one in it and tell me why August's ex is moving into the same apartment? What is going on? He thinks he can eat his cake and have it?
"No no. Maya, that's not the case"
"Then what is the case?"
"You know I needed a groom and I just thought of him randomly"
"Oh, I see" I didn't believe him but that wasn't even the point today.
"So what happened?"
"Well, I offered his girlfriend a sweet deal in exchange for breaking up with him"
"You did what?"
"Maya. Listen to me. I don't wanna go back and forth on this matter" my dad said with a firm final voice and I listened to him talk.
I hung up after the conversation and was even more unsettled with everything he said.
"What did he say?"
I burst out laughing—a sharp fake laugh. "This is a joke, Clarke"
"What's going on?"
"You know what? Let's go inside and relax first. Oh, this is tea." I chuckled, still in disbelief.
We stepped into the penthouse. The cool air conditioning brushed over my skin, carrying the faint scent of polished wood and leather.
"Wow, this is absolutely beautiful!" Clarke gasped as we toured the space, admiring its sleek interior design.
"So?" she pressed. "What did he say? Don't keep me in the dark."
"Okay here was what happened. You know Dad said he was gonna 'hire' a groom right?"
"Right"
"And according to him August Sinclair— my worst enemy was the right person but then he was in a relationship with Tracy. Dad went to meet Tracy first gave her a blank cheque"
Clarke's gasp echoed through the wide room. She nearly jumped. "Wait, what?" She stood up, I need a drink for this one.
I watched her go to the wine cellar. "I'm not even done yet" she gulped down the drink in one go
"She filled the cheque, even got a Bentley."
"Is he aware that she traded him for money ?"
"That's the tricky part. After she agreed, Dad went to see August for the arranged wedding in exchange for saving his mother's life—the kidney transplant"
"Yeah yeah, so he accepted?"
"Dad said he refused at first, but then Tracy called and broke up with him. That was the final push"
"Oh, that's dark. So he went from being taken to
single in a blink?"
"Yeah so he just accepted the offer and here we are"
"Wow."
Here's my theory: Tracy accepted the money because, well, money calls bullshit. However, she's clearly still in love with him—or perhaps delusional. I mean, we both saw what she did in the elevator."
Clarke frowned. "So you think she moved in to get him back?"
I snapped my finger "Bingo"
"That's wild, but do you think August is fully aware and would take her back even if she tries?
"Well, there's only one way to find out. August is at the celebration party for the completion of his fellowship program, I'm sure Tracy is there too."
"So…you wanna go?"
"Go big or go home, darling." We went to the master bedroom to prepare for my appearance at an uninvited party. My heart pounded with the thrill of it. Even without an invitation, I'd step in like I owned the place.
"What are we going for right now?" Clarke's hand skimmed through the gowns in the closets
"A dress that says Maya Martha Sinclair is here" I twisted my wedding ring on my finger chuckling
"Oh, you're acknowledging his name now?" She laughed softly
"If you can't beat them, join them"
"Found it! Try it on let's see"
"I love it" I stood before the mirror falling instantly for the sleek, black, skin-tight dress. Its low back and thigh-high slit screamed elegance and danger. The stretchy fabric hugged my curves perfectly — bold, commanding, unforgettable. I smiled—this was exactly what I needed.
Later, I drove off to the party, makeup flawless, adrenaline buzzing through me.
I stepped out of the car, heels striking the pavement like a countdown. I took a deep breath "Time to ruffle some feathers" I walked inside.
The room went silent. The faint hum of music died, whispers catching fire as I strode forward. Even August, mid-speech at the podium, froze. His words crumbled into silence.
My smile widened. I moved toward him, aware of every pair of eyes— Some stared at the dress. Some at the curves. Some at my cleavage. But August — he stared at me. All of me.
"—Thank you," he finished abruptly, his voice tight, and came down from the podium. His eyes hadn't left mine once.
"Congratulations, hubby" I leaned in, hugging him tightly, pressing my body against his. His chest was rigid beneath my touch, his scent warm and distracting.
The fellows' jaws dropped. Whispers broke out, low and urgent, until one line rose above the rest:
"August Sinclair married Maya? The hottest girl on campus?"
For a moment, he just stared, breath caught in his throat. His lips parted, like he wanted to say my name — but then his eyes flickered across the room, landing on Tracy.
And just like that, my victory didn't feel so sweet.