MAYA'S DESIRE

Mila's POV

"Thief!"

Thief?

"Stop right there you bastard!" Alarmed, I raised my head to see a bald man going after my little brother, Jett. Frightened to death, I dropped the little food item I was able to get and ran after them, feeling my heart tighten in my chest. I ran with every fiber in me, increasing my speed as I felt the adrenaline rush in.

I couldn't understand why my brother was being called a thief, but I chased after them anyway. Getting to a stop, I watched as Jett ran straight to a deserted area and halted. The bald man smirked and inched closer, only to stop upon hearing my voice. "What do you think you're doing to my little brother?" I yelled, glaring at him as anger filled my chest. Even if he was a thief, I was going to protect him with the last drop of my blood.

Ever since our mother's death, life has been tough and hard. For now, we only had each other, and I was going to be his strength whenever he needed me.

"Are you talking to me? Wait, both of you came to my store to steal from me?" The bald man asked, raising a brow in question. "Steal? Did you see us with anything? Would a thief leave a shop empty-handed?" I asked as I threw him a disgusting gaze, making him chuckle. "You're feisty and I like it. Your brother stole from me, but would you like to pay with your body instead?" he smirked as he inched closer, making my stomach churn in disgust.

"Never!" I spat, disgusted by his lame words. "Well then, I'll make your brother pay," he said coldly as he walked closer to my brother, Jett. He stretched his hand and grabbed him by the neck, as his eyes glowed with malicious intent. I felt my heart skip a beat as I watched his inhumane act.

"What do you think you're doing?!" I yelled, my eyes widening in terror.

The bald man tightened his arms around his neck and raised him, and I watched as my brother's legs dangled in the air fighting for his breath. "One step closer and I'll end him," he warned, strictly telling me the consequence of coming closer.

"Your brother here is a little thief. He stole some money in my shop, and I'm sure he has it in here. While you were trying to beg for some food, you asked him to steal from me? How dare you?!" his voice thundered, scaring the hell out of me. I watched as his grip on Jett tightened, and the thought of him losing his life because of a small amount of money riled me up.

Jett kicked his legs in the air, his face turned red as he was in a lot of pain. Tears stung my eyes as I watched him, and I suddenly didn't feel like adhering to the man's instructions. Stay put when he was this close to killing my brother? Never!

I picked up a stick from my side and attacked him from behind. "Leave my little brother alone!" I yelled at the top of my lungs, only for him to kick me to the side like the wave of a disgusting bug. Falling to the ground with a loud crash, I whimpered as I scratched my knee which was already bleeding.

Jett groaned in pain as the bald man flung him like a ragged doll, making him crash against a wall. "Jett!" I cried out as I watched him collide against a wall. The bald man approached Jett, but I ran towards them, placing myself in between the man and my brother.

"Please, leave us alone. We're orphans." I pleaded, my voice croaked with pain. Taking this bald man alone would only cause our deaths. After all, we were orphans. After our mother's death, our life took a drastic turn as our father chased us out because of his new wife. The thought of that simply made my blood boil.

That man? There was no way he was my father. He chased his children out on the streets just to satisfy his newlywed wife, who happened to be his late wife's sister- my aunt.

I shook my head and turned to the bald man, "Please..." I whispered, only for the man to grip my chin with his rough and large hands, "Spend a night with me, and I'll consider not ending your brother's life." he said as he licked his lips, staring at me with lust.

Hearing him mention the disgusting offer of his the second time, I controlled the urge not to puke. Spend a night with him? That would be over my dead body. I turned to Jett, my gaze demanding an explanation but I knew now wasn't the time. A few minutes earlier, I asked him to wait while I tried to plead with the shopkeeper for some food.

Eating a three-square meal was now a thing of the past. Getting a nice breakfast to eat was now something impossible. Unable to watch my siblings go hungry, I decided to go out to beg for some food, but Jett initially disagreed with the idea. He was strong-headed, just like father but that was going to make us starve.

Who would have thought he already planned to steal?

"Do I even need to give thieves an option?" The bald man's crooked voice rang out, interrupting my thoughts as he dragged my legs against the ground, making my eyes widen in fear. "Don't you dare touch her!" Jett snapped as he tried to stand, but he kept on falling every time he tried to take a step. "Leave her alone, you bastard!" I heard him yell again, and tears stung my eyes when I noticed the helplessness in his voice.

I kicked the man's hands with my legs, but he was way too strong. His grip on my legs was tight, his eyes boring holes into my body like he was looking at a feast that he was gradually going to enjoy. I felt a lump in my chest when I felt him Inch closer, but I raised my hands to slap him. I couldn't stand it. The disgusting grin on his face when he brought his face close to mine.

And at the same time, he brought his hands upon my face and slapped me hard. I groaned in pain as my face twisted to the side, wondering why my life was filled with so much misery. The bald man wiped his lips and stared at me, "There there. You're only going to make it more fun." he smirked as he placed his hands on my dress, wanting to tear it apart.

Jett's screams echoed in my ears as I struggled with the man, but it was to no avail. When should I give up? My heart tightened when I heard him tear my dress, exposing my underwear. I tried to cover myself, but he only slapped me again, making me bite my lips hard as tears flowed out of my eyes.

However, as the man brought his face closer, I heard the most reassuring voice. Compared to the helplessness in Jett's voice, I could sense the authority and superiority oozing from this one.

"You dare lay your filthy hands on her?"

Mila's POV

I turned my head to the side, as I wondered whose voice sounded so assuring, just like the sweet sound of a mother's lullaby. My heart skipped a beat when I saw him. That man looked so familiar like I had seen him before. His raven black hair was slightly disheveled, giving him a unique look, maybe an angel sent from heaven; but he looked like a demon instead.

One sent from hell to steal my heart away. Merely by looking into his eyes, I was trapped. I couldn't stop staring, and I didn't know why. Angered by my emotions, I closed my eyes and pushed the bald man away immediately I noticed that he got distracted.

He fell to the ground and groaned, "You little bitch! Come back here." he snapped as he got up to move closer, but the mysterious man's voice made him halt. "What do you think you're doing?" he asked, tilting his head as his lips stretched into a wide grin. I could sense the deadly aura around him, and deep down I felt like running away to hide. By his presence alone I was frightened.

What does he want and why was he coming to my rescue?

With my clothes slightly torn, I covered up my exposed skin and moved to the back, my cheeks stinging with pain. The bald man smirked, "Do you think you're in the position to bail thieves? Do you want to act like their knight in shining armor?" he asked, his voice dripping with disdain.

The mysterious man walked closer, his striking features becoming more evident, "But do you think you have the right to talk to me that way?" he asked with a smile, making the bald man raise his head to stare at him, "Look, these people here are thieves, and I'm only giving them what they truly deserve." Baldy continued, making me roll my eyes in anger.

Ever so slowly I approached Jett and wrapped my arms around him, controlling the urge not to cry. A few minutes earlier, he almost lost his life in the hands of that bastard. Seeing him in one piece filled my heart with so much joy, but as I hugged him, he winced in pain. "Mila, I'm hurt. Please, don't hug me like that." he groaned, closing his eyes in pain.

Frightened, I moved to the back, giving him an apologetic smile, "I'm sorry."

The mysterious man turned to look at me, a smug look on his face, "He called you and your lover thieves. Did you steal from him?" he asked, his voice laced with impatience. Frightened by his Intense gaze, I shook my head and said, "I..we didn't steal from him."

The bad man chuckled, "You bastard! Now you want to lie? Won't you tell him how you pleaded with me to give you some food earlier? You wretched loser. You and your lover joined hands together to rob me! And now you're trying to act innocent?" he spat, his eyes blazing with fury.

Each of his words stabbed my heart a million times, making it hard to breathe. He had called me a wretched loser just because I came to him for food. Never in my life had I felt so embarrassed, and for once, I was at a loss. Yes, I was that poor. Going from shop to shop to beg for some food. Not because of me, but because of my siblings. Going without food for a few days wouldn't harm me, but my little sister and brother need to eat.

The mysterious man stared at me, his brows raised in question. Sensing his gaze, I didn't bother to raise my head. I was embarrassed. Too embarrassed to face him. Even though we only met once at the deserted cemetery, I ignored him completely. That day my mind was filled with grief. I noticed he tried to approach me but I didn't bother to spare him a glance. Drenched in the rain, I picked up my black umbrella and walked away.

Who would have thought we would cross paths again?

"That's okay." I heard him say after a while, giving the bald man a look of warning. There seemed to be a threat in his words, like if he didn't stop, he was going to do something he would regret. The bald man chuckled darkly, "Pretty boy, this isn't your place. Leave before you get hurt." he said coldly, perhaps warming up before a fight.

"Did you just call me a pretty boy?" he laughed out loud, the melodious sound like music to my ears. "I agree that my face isn't the kind you see every day, but being threatened by a weak man like you is a stain on my reputation."

"What a narcissist," I muttered under my breath, surprised one could be so full of himself. He seemed confident he would defeat the man no matter what, and indirectly he was praising his good looks. I rolled my eyes and turned to Jett who stiffled out a laugh. I glared at him, only for him to feign a frown, "What? He's funny."

"You're calling me weak?" The bald man asked, his voice laced with anger. "Yes. Can I not?" the mysterious man smirked as he took a few steps closer while the bald man moved backward. The bald man seemed scared, but he was still trying to hold his ground. "Y..you can't! I'll beat you to a pulp if you don't leave this instant." he hardened his voice as he stared at the stranger.

"But you're the one who needs to leave because you have no right to threaten me." The stranger replied confidently, "I wonder if this is how you go around harassing women, but isn't that true? I mean, you just showed your animalistic behavior."

Hearing his words, I controlled the urge not to laugh. The stranger sure had a sharp mouth. Poking baldy in the right places.

"You bastard!" The bald man seethed as he raised his fist to punch the stranger, but before he could strike, the stranger twisted his arms backward.

The bald man groaned in pain as he tried to break loose, but the stranger was way too strong. If one should look at it from the body perspective, the bald man was supposed to beat him up.

He had a huge build, and the stranger looked slender with his muscles In the right places. "Too weak." I heard him say as he flung the bald man to the side like a ragged doll. Seeing him get a dose of his own medicine brought a smile to my face.

The bald man tried to stand, but he fell to his feet after every trial. His forehead had blood oozing out from it, and I wondered if he was too weak to fight back.

The stranger approached him again, but instead of him to fight back, he ran off without looking back. The mysterious stranger laughed out loud when he saw him run.

He approached Jett and me, giving us a forced smile, "Need some help?" he asked as he stretched his hands forward. I stared at his hand, wondering if I should hold onto him or not.

Men were bitches. Just because they help you once, they would want something huge In return. I raised my head to look at him directly In the eye, "We're fine, thank you for your help." I said coldly as I got up to help Jett.

"Do you.."

"I remember. The creepy guy at the cemetery. Thanks for your help, but I'll take it up from here." I said coldly, cutting him off. I wasn't ready to be indebted to a man, or rather because I wasn't ready to get stabbed again.

Mila's POV

The creepy guy I met at the cemetery, who gave me the chills was the one who saved my life. I didn't know if I was meant to be grateful or wary of him. I turned to Jett who had a hard time standing up, "Did you have to do that?" I asked, my voice stern and unyielding as I stared at him. If he didn't steal from the bastard, we wouldn't have had to experience this kind of embarrassment.

"I'm sorry." Jett lowered his head, not daring to look at me in the eye. I sighed, "Thank God you're okay, but you still need to be treated." I frowned, a strange feeling in my heart. Presently, I didn't have a dime in my account, and the money for Jett's hospital bills would take ages for me to get. Currently, we have no shelter over our heads and no food on our table.

We sleep outside shops and battle with the cold at night. Sometimes, it becomes so unbearable that I feel like breaking down. I mean, sleeping outside for several weeks wasn't something a weak person would be able to handle. I sighed inwardly, not knowing how Jett would be treated.

Perhaps taking him to the hospital would be the best option. He would only stay there a bit longer while I gathered up the money for the bills. Getting up, I covered myself up and tried to help Jett up.

"Let me." the mysterious man said as he walked closer, helping Jett up with just an arm. He had raven black hair, a perfect build, and the most beautiful set of eyes. I shook my head and turned away. Even if he looked better than all the men, I wasn't going to have my heart swayed by him.

"You need to take him to the hospital." I heard him say after a while, and I smiled, "Yes, I'll take him to the hospital. Thank.."

"My car is over there. I'll help you guys there." he cut me off, getting me suspicious. He was a stranger, someone I didn't know from anywhere. Why was he helping me if he didn't want something in return? Wanting to refuse, I parted my lips to utter a word,

"You don't have to. You've badly injured yourself," he said, not wanting me to say a word. I frowned, "Don't have to do what?" I asked curiously.

The man chuckled, "You don't have to repay me. Not yet." he smirked as he helped Jett into his car, and my car was the limited edition of Bugatti. The inside was well-furnished, and the design was insane. I gawked at the car, wondering when I last had touched something so expensive.

Ever since the unfortunate event of my mother's death, I haven't given my father a chance. Since he chose his new wife over his children, I left his home in search of a better life. My siblings followed suit, as they couldn't allow my mum's sister to be their stepmother.

Moments later, we arrived at the hospital and Jett was being treated. Sitting calmly on a bench, the young man turned to look at me, "Don't you think you have to get treated too?" he smiled, making me widen my eyes in surprise. More treatment means more money. "I'm fine, it doesn't hurt," I explained, not wanting to be put in even more debt. What if he wasn't planning to pay Jett's hospital bills?

"If you say so," he said curtly as he adjusted himself on the chair. "What happened back there? Did your lover steal from him?" he asked, curiosity written all over his face, but did he just call Jett my lover? I then realized that the bald man had referred to Jett as my lover too.

Were they blind?

Didn't they see that he looked younger than me?

"He's my little brother," I explained, and at the same time, he smiled brightly just like a huge weight had been lifted off his chest. "I see." he said shortly, "Then he stole from him?"

I averted my gaze and played with the hem of my dress, embarrassed to say my brother stole some money from a shopkeeper. He seemed to have sensed my worry, "You don't have to feel that way. Your brother must have been driven to the edge. I'm glad I stepped in quickly." he comforted, making my eyes sting with tears. Well, maybe he was. I couldn't remember the last time I had a reasonable meal. Most times, we don't eat for a whole day and search for work only to get scammed. Life had been really tough and draining, and I badly felt like falling to the ground to let out a heart-wrenching cry. To tear my heart out.

"Thank you," I whispered, controlling the urge not to cry. "What's your story? I can help you," he said after a while, making me frown in confusion. "He... help me?" I stuttered and he nodded. "Yes."

"I'll get you and your sibling out of this predicament, give you a place to stay, and give you food to eat."

"How did you...."

"Your appearance says it all, and the bald man also mentioned it." he simply said, and I lowered my head to look at my palms, which had dirty patches on them. My clothes were torn and my hair would probably look like a bird's nest. He must have mocked me inwardly for looking like a wretched loser, but maybe I was. After all, I watched my little brother get beaten right in front of me.

But he was going to help me? Help my siblings with everything they need? Provide food on our table and give us a place to stay. It looked too good to be true. I believed in angels, but then, I couldn't just trust anyone. Anyone willing to help would want something in return, and I knew the mysterious man wanted something, but what?

"Why are you helping us?" I asked, confused by his actions. I knew he was rich, but he was still someone I'd never heard of.

"I'm helping you because I want to, but then, I want something in return," he said coldly, turning his head to meet my gaze. I frowned. Presently, I was a homeless girl with nothing to call my own. What could he possibly want? There was nothing on me. Nothing that would satisfy someone of his status.

"Sign a contract with me, and pretend to be my fiancé for four months. "

What?