The next morning, Maya felt a tension she could not shake. Vanessa had been unusually quiet, which meant she was planning something far more calculated. Every glance from the hallway, every whisper behind her back, felt like the calm before a storm.
Maya tried to focus on her classes, but her thoughts kept drifting to Liam and the rooftop. The memory of their closeness, the way he had looked at her, the reassurance in his words, was impossible to ignore. She realized that part of her wanted Vanessa to make a move, to see if they could face it together.
When the last bell rang, Maya hurried toward the stairwell. The rooftop had become their safe place, a place to breathe, plan, and regroup. She needed it now more than ever.
As she opened the rooftop door, Liam was already there, standing by the railing with that effortless confidence that made her pulse quicken. He looked at her with a faint smile, but his eyes were alert.
"You made it," he said calmly.
"I said I would," Maya replied, moving closer.
Liam gestured toward a corner of the rooftop. "Stay here. Watch the stairwell. Vanessa is probably waiting. She wants a reaction."
Maya's stomach twisted, but she nodded. "I am ready."
They waited, the wind tugging at their hair and the city stretching endlessly below. Then a shadow appeared at the stairwell. Vanessa stepped into view, her heels clicking against the floor, her eyes sharp and calculating. She did not smile this time. Instead, there was an unmistakable intensity, a promise that she had planned something dangerous.
"Hello, Maya," Vanessa said softly. "I see you are still enjoying your little secret with Liam."
Maya straightened, refusing to show fear. "This is not a game for you, Vanessa. Whatever you are planning, it will not work."
Vanessa's lips curved into a faint smile. "We will see about that." She paused, letting the words hang. "I enjoy watching people like you. You think you can handle this world, but you are just beginning to understand it."
Liam stepped closer to Maya, his presence protective but calm. "She can talk all she wants. But this rooftop is ours. Whatever you try, it will not affect us."
Vanessa's gaze flicked between them, measuring, calculating. "You think you are untouchable up here. That you are safe. But the world is bigger than this rooftop. And people like you, Maya, attract attention."
Maya's chest tightened. She could feel the tension building, a mix of fear, excitement, and anticipation. She realized that this confrontation was inevitable, but she was not alone. Liam was there, his presence grounding her.
Liam spoke calmly, but there was a sharpness in his tone. "We do not need to worry about the world or your schemes. This is between you and us. And we will not let you intimidate her."
Vanessa's eyes narrowed. "You will see, Liam. Everyone has a weakness. And I always find them."
Maya felt a surge of defiance. "Not this time. You will not find mine."
Liam placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder, his touch grounding her. "She will not. You are stronger than you know. And you are not alone."
Vanessa stared at them for a long moment, her expression unreadable. Then she turned and walked slowly down the stairwell, leaving a lingering threat in the air.
Maya exhaled slowly, her heartbeat still racing. "That was intense," she said quietly.
Liam gave her a small smile. "This is only the beginning. But remember, whatever comes, we face it together."
Maya nodded, feeling a mixture of relief and exhilaration. The rooftop had become more than a sanctuary. It was a place of trust, courage, and connection. And she realized that with Liam by her side, she could face anything Vanessa, or Ridgewood International, could throw at her.
For the first time, she felt truly ready.
And she knew that together, she and Liam would not just survive. They would take control of the storm around them.