Honestly, I've owed y'all a chapter for a while now. I had lost motivation for this story. I had the first part of this chapter typed up months ago. Today, I finally forced myself to complete it, but i found myself getting more engaged as I typed more. Let's hope I ride out this motivation to grind out a few more chapters. Y'all are gonna hate what I'm about to do to Drew and May. Enjoy!~
Chapter 19
Today is Drew's wedding, and May has been feeling very down. The orphans have left her alone lately because they see her heart breaking more and more everyday. Despite telling the Haydens that she doesn't care about Drew, May knows she can't lie to herself. Everything just hurts so much, but she hopes time will heal her heartache.
Brenden has also been coming by often to check on May. He helps her with the legal aspects of the orphanage, and luckily, the city revoked its order. The orphanage is safe...for now. May knows she should just fall for the sweet Brenden who she had a crush on for over a decade. However, it's been hard when she's constantly reminded of that grasshead jerk. Brenden is so patient with her, and she hopes she will fall in love with him soon.
As May lays her head on her office desk, the door swings open. She doesn't look up because she thinks it's one of the teens checking on her, but when someone slams their hands on the table, she looks up fearfully.
"Dawn?" May questions the smirking bluenette in front of her as Dawn's purple haired bodyguard stands by the door.
"Are you just gonna mope here or go get your man?" Dawn crosses her arms over her chest.
"Didn't Solidad tell you? It's over." May sadly replies while sinking back in her seat.
"I told you that I'll help you protect the orphanage!"
"Then how come I got a letter last week saying it's shutting down?" Shouts May back. "The letter only went away because I promised to stay away from him!" She can't say his name anymore. It's too painful, which makes her blink back her tears. He doesn't deserve her tears.
"May! They can send you as many letters as they want. But me and Drew will protect you!" Pleads Dawn.
"No." May turns away from her. "Please leave and don't come back."
"May!"
"Stop it." Paul's voice gets both of the women's attention, especially May's since he never speaks that loudly. The bodyguard glares at Dawn. "You can't force her to do something she doesn't want to do."
"Oh, like how the board keeps forcing me to date these rich bastards, but I just want you?" snaps the angry bluenette. How dare Paul question her about this when she's fighting for them to be together too.
"I never asked you to be with me." he gruffly responds.
"Yeah, well I love you, Paul!" She shouts. "And I will keep loving you no matter what, just like how Drew will keep loving May! I want them to be happy as much as I want us to be happy!"
Paul looks away as he sighs. She's getting all teary eyed on him again, and he hates it. Those eyes always get him to do things, anything. "Troublesome." He mutters.
Dawn then returns her attention to the brunette at the desk. Taking a shaky breath, Dawn says, "Do you love Drew, May."
"It doesn't matter." May annoyedly replies. "Just go."
"It's a yes or no question, May. Answer it and I'll leave. You'll never see me again. I promise." Dawn raises her hand to show she's serious, which makes May sigh.
After a few minutes of glaring at her desk, the brunette tells her, "Yes."
"Yes what?"
"You said it's just a 'yes or no question.'" May's angry tone makes Dawn nod in defeat.
"Okay. Goodbye, May." The bluenette then leaves with Paul while May continues to glare at her desk. Yes, she still loves that jerk. How can he be so powerless? If he loves her, like Dawn claims he does, then he shouldn't be giving in like this! He doesn't deserve her, and she'll never let him have her again.
But if she loves him, she shouldn't be giving in like this either. She hasn't even given the orphanage a chance to fight. With the media and the law on their side, the wealthy will struggle to shut down the orphanage. Maybe it's her who doesn't deserve him? A tear escapes her eyes as she realizes she is still madly in love with him.
May quickly sprints out of her office, past Betty, and out the door where Dawn's car is still parked. The car door opens and the beaming bluenette hops out. "I knew you'd change your mind!"
Drew's Wedding
Dawn had called Solidad to tell her the plan is still in motion, which excited the older woman. Soledad is busy at the wedding trying to get everything set up for sneaking in May. Obviously, the guards are informed that she's the number 1 person not allowed at the wedding. Soledad is prepared for this though.
As guests start pouring in, Solidad soon spots a familiar bluenette and her purple haired bodyguard. Of course, Dawn and Solidad have agreed to avoid looking like they know each other for fear of being suspicious. Instead, they're communicating through texts. Seeing Dawn and Paul sit down gives Solidad her queue, so the older woman walks away from the large seating area.
It's all about confidence so that no one will suspect her. She's doing this for Drew. They're all doing this for Drew. He deserves to be happy, especially after the drastic changes he's come through to be this better person. Solidad will always look out for her friend she views as a younger brother. Hopefully, this will be enough for him to leave Brianna's and his parents' clutches.
Eventually, Solidad arrives in the kitchen. Walking to the back, she makes sure no one is looking before opening the door, and in slips a woman with black hair and brown eyes. Wow. Dawn really did a good job of disguising May. "Hey." Solidad is happy to see the once brunette.
Smiling nervously as she follows Solidad out through the kitchen, she asks, "Where is he?"
Since they had planned this infiltration months ago, everyone knows what they need to do. Dawn had to bring May to the location and disguise her. Solidad will help sneak in May to see Drew while keeping people's attention away from her. Finally, May is the last crucial part of the plan. She has to convince Drew out of all of this and then escape with him. Dawn and Solidad are prepared for the legal issues and media regarding the orphanage. They just need to rescue Drew first. With the wedding bringing in lots of news reporters, this is the perfect time for a statement against the oppressive wealthy families.
Solidad checks her watch. Just like how she planned with Dawn, Drew should be alone right now. The groomsmen are currently lining up with the bridesmaids in a separate room. Of course, Drew knows none of these people. They're just rich bastards his parents and Brianna chose for him, and Solidad knows this. Drew has been unleashing all of his pre-wedding angry rants at her, which she listens to as his good friend.
Unfortunately, before they reach Drew's door, someone calls Solidad's attention. She looks over to see one of the bridesmaids, so Solidad walks away from May. May turns away and continues walking without Solidad. She doesn't want to look like she's waiting for Solidad. Good thing May did walk away because the Solidad isn't coming back anytime soon. Brianna is calling for her, so the plan is in trouble. Solidad really hopes May can find Drew by herself. The doors should be labeled, and they weren't too far from him.
As May walks down the hall, she's careful not to look too suspicious. There are many guards, and she's already heard about how everyone is prepared to keep her out of the wedding. She figures the door up ahead must be Drew's because of the amount of guards standing outside it. Wow. They really don't want him to be getting cold feet for a woman he doesn't care for.
May's heart beats quicker with anticipation of seeing him again. Or maybe it's the adrenaline from the fear of getting caught? Or the repercussions the orphanage will face? Or maybe it's because she doesn't know how to get past the guards and into the room? Gosh, she wishes Solidad was here. She would at least be able to distract the guards to let May in. Or Solidad could let May know of another way to enter the room, like a window or something.
May chuckles because she saw plenty of guards outside too. Of course the windows near Drew would be heavily guarded. Dang. How is she going to get inside now? Does she want to risk it? It's not too late to back out and keep the orphanage safe. However, May's ache in her heart tells her she can't leave without letting this man know her true feelings.
Solidad and Dawn claim that Drew loves her. He's said it before too. If his feelings are still true, then she loves him immensely too. These months apart have made her realize that she can't get over him. She can't ever love another person like him, and it's not because he;s rich and famous. It was never about that. It's because he's Drew. He volunteers at the orphanage and he cares about the kids as well as her. Plus, she cares about him too, which is a reason she agreed to this plan. She needs to help Drew be happy. He's confided in her that it's all he's ever wanted.
However, before May can think of a plan, a voice behind her gets her attention. "How did you get in here?"
Gosh. She really just had to go and get caught before she could even attempt to see Drew. Even running past the guards to catch a glimpse of him would've been enough to show him she still cares about him. Turning around, May defeatedly looks at the angry woman standing there. "Hello, Mrs. Hayden."
To May's surprise, Mrs. Hayden doesn't alert the guards about her. Instead, the older woman opens a nearby door. "Come in before you cause a scene." Her chilling voice makes May weakly comply. Maybe she can try to convince Drew's mother to get him out of this marriage? Or at least request to see Drew?
Once inside, Mrs. Hayden closes the door. May is relieved to see that no one else is in the room. She had expected Mr. Hayden or Brianna who would team up against her. However, when Mrs. Hayden locks the door, this worries May. Why would Mrs. Hayden lock them in? What's going on?
Facing May, Mrs. Hayden sits down on one of the chairs in the small room. She motions to another chair nearby. "Sit."
May really doesn't feel comfortable with this, especially since the last time she saw Mrs. Hayden, the older woman was irate. Well, both of them were upset. "Ma'am-"
"If you care about my son, you will listen to me." comes the stern voice.
How dare Mrs. Hayden question May's feelings for Drew? May is the one risking the orphanage for him! Meanwhile, the Hayden parents are exploiting their son for this business. They don't care about his happiness! "If you cared about him, you wouldn't force him into this marriage!" fires back the angry young woman.
Mrs. Hayden is shocked, though intrigued, by May's outburst. Despite not having any power, May Maple has proven to be a worthy adversary. If only she had something to offer the company, then Mrs. Hayden would be happy to allow her to be with Drew. However, the older woman only has one child, so he needs to take over this company. "Sit." She repeats.
Sighing because she knows she has no other choice, and she doesn't have much time before Drew leaves for the wedding, May complies. "I need to see Drew."
Crossing her legs, Mrs. Hayden nods. "I know." Why else would May be sneaking around here? "Why?"
"He's not happy with Brianna." May replies obviously. Has Mrs. Hayden really not realized this? There's a reason why they beefed up Drew's security.
"What makes you say that?"
"He says it!" exasperates May. While she is normally very polite, especially to her elders, she feels like all these people are her enemy.
"And do you think you can make him happy?"
Mrs. Hayden's question makes May blink at her in confusion. It'd be selfish of May to say she can be the one to make Drew happy, but she isn't sure. Only he knows his feelings. "No. But I know when he's unhappy, and he's been very unhappy with Brianna."
Mrs. Hayden looks at May curiously. It really is such a shame that May is poor. "My son has changed a lot after his time at the orphanage." The older woman states. "Some traits are better while his priorities have shifted."
May has no idea what Mrs. Hayden is doing. Why are they even having this conversation? Why hasn't May been kicked out yet? Mrs. Hayden, despite fierce, doesn't seem like she's going to do anything to May.
The older woman looks May in the eyes. "He's happier and more passionate, but he doesn't care for money anymore. He was once guided by the money, and he wanted to take over the company." May can't help but smile as she recalls Drew trying to bribe his way out of community service. "But he's threatened to give up the company countless times since coming back from the orphanage. What happened?" Mrs. Hayden has been curious about her son's drastic change in a short amount of time.
May finds herself relaxing in the chair as a small nostalgic grin appears on her face. "He spent more time with the children." Honestly, May has no idea what changed Drew, but she does know he loves the children. They love him back just as much if not more. "We're all a family there." Drew always mentions how the orphanage is more of a family than his parents are to him.
Sighing, Mrs. Hayden can somewhat understand why Drew is more caring now. "When I was a child…" May looks at the woman with confusion. "I was poor. I fell in love with a poor childhood friend, but eventually, my father's business grew. To bring his business to the next level, he went to many meetings. I planned to take over, so I went too." Mrs. Hayden tearfully looks down at her lap, which makes May reach a reassuring hand out to her.
"Mrs. Hayden…" May isn't sure why Mrs. Hayden is behaving so weird or telling her all these things.
Shaking her head, the older woman continues. "I met Nicholas, Mr. Hayden, at one of these meetings. He asked to date me, but I was already dating my friend I love." Sighing, Mrs. Hayden closes her eyes. "My father begged me to date Nicholas. I refused. I chose love over someone who just finds me attractive from a wealthy family."
"Then why are you making Drew marry Brianna?" May inquires angrily. If Mrs. Hayden knows how painful this is, then May doesn't understand why she'd put her son through it too!
The older woman's glossy gaze meets May's intense one. "My father passed away in a car accident a year later, and his business plummeted. Nicholas came to me and said he'd save it if I married him." she lets out a breath. "I couldn't just let my father lose everything he's worked so hard to build, so I cut ties with the man I love and married into the Hayden Family."
"But now you have the power to help Drew!" insists May, which just makes Mrs. Hayden smile. May really cares about her son.
"You won't understand, Ms. Maple, and I hope you never will. This world is cruel. Happiness doesn't exist unless it involves money and power."
"But as Drew's mom, you should care!"
Shaking her head, Mrs. Hayden replies, "That is why I haven't reported you yet. While I can't go against Nicholas or the other wealthy families, I can help you meet my son."
"If Drew leaves, will you guys still come after him? Threaten the orphanage? Threaten us?" If Mrs. Hayden is helping May, then why didn't the older woman do this beforehand? Why did she let it get this far?
However, being in this world for so long, Mrs. Hayden has grown accustomed to its culture. She's learned that money is everything, so she chooses the choice that brings in more money. This is usually the same choice as her husband who she always follows. Nevertheless, seeing Drew's adamant fight for his happiness has slowly started to remind Mrs. Hayden of her youth. Moreover, seeing May fight so hard for Drew too just warms Mrs. Hayden's heart. The two really are young lovers, but it's a shame they can't be together.
"I don't know, but I assume Solidad and Ms. Berlitz has that handled?" The comment makes May freeze. Who else knows? Seeing her pale expression makes Mrs. Hayden smile warmly at May. "Count to 20 and then come out. Drew will be alone."
Before Mrs. Hayden can exit the room, May says, "Thank you."
"Don't tell Drew about this. He needs to continue hating me." the older woman then slips out of the room, and May sighs.
Drew doesn't hate his parents. If he did, this would all be a lot easier. He doesn't have room in his heart for hatred. May counts to 20 before getting up to leave the room too. Like Mrs. Hayden had said, the halls are pretty empty now. May quickly rushes down in case someone comes by; however, her hand hesitates above the knob.
C'mon, May! He's in there! She's mentally screaming at herself. Taking in one deep shaky breath, May places her hand on the knob. She's about to see the man she loves before he marries another woman who he doesn't love. May hasn't seen him in weeks, and the last time she did, she said she didn't care about him. Will he even want to see her? Shaking her head, May knows she doesn't have much time to ponder this. She pushes down the level doorknob, which allows her to open the door.