Chapter 60 No Match for Me


    It was almost 6 p.m., and Maia wondered why Aiken hadn''t arrived yet as she gazed into the


    distance.


    Cedric approached her and held her hand.


    “Let''s board the ne.”


    Maia yanked her hand free as she saw two people approaching. “Your family is here.”


    Rita hurried over, pulling Zera along.


    “Why didn’t you tell me that you chartered a flight?” Rita smiled motherly at Cedric. “It''s too windy out here. Let’s board the


    ne.”


    Pulling Zera along, Rita tried to board the ne, but Maia stopped her.


    “Did | say you could board the ne?”


    Rita snapped, “Why should | ask for your permission?*.


    “Because I''m the one who chartered it.”


    Rita was stunned.


    Composing herself, she asked, “Cedric, is that true?”


    “Absolutely.”


    “You''d better not be lying to me. How could this be? What about me and Zera?”


    “I''m sure you can find your own way home,” Cedric said coldly, without even looking at them.


    “| don’t care! I’m your mom, and we''re going back with you!” Like a madwoman, Rita tried to force her way onto the ne, but


    the security guards stopped her.


    “Get your hands off me! I’m Cedric’s mom for Christ’s sake!” Rita was used to throwing her weight around.


    She looked toward his son and pleaded, “Cedric, how can you stand by and do nothing? Say something!”


    Instead of answering her, he removed his coat and draped it over Maia’s shoulders.


    Caught by surprise, Maia relished in the warmth from the coat. In a smooth pulled her into his arms.


    gesture, Cedric


    “What are you doing?” Maia tried in vain to struggle free and red at him.


    “Don’t move, or you''ll hurt my back.”


    “Let me go!”


    “Don’t you want to upset them?”


    He understood that doing so was far from enough to make amends.


    Exasperated, Zera burst into tears. “What the hell have you done to Cedric? He used to hate you so much!”


    “How could you do this to me and Mom? How could you?”


    Maiaughed and said, “You''re a pretty good actress


    huh?”


    “You can say that again,” Cedric said.


    rmed, Zera frantically exined. “This isn’t an act, Cedric! You mustn’t be fooled by her. She’s a goddamn liar. She’s always


    been one!”


    “Oh, yeah?”Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.


    Zera nodded repeatedly and shouted, “I’m telling the truth! You must get rid of her while you still can, or you’re going to suffer.”


    “Is that so? Well, if it’s for her, I’m willing to even die.”


    Maia was surprised by what he said, but she refused to be moved by his words.


    Zera, on the other hand, lost herposure and fell to the ground.


    Seeing this, Maia recalled how they had kicked her stomach after she had a miscarriage. She strolled over and smiled before


    bending over.


    “You''re no match for me, Zera.”


    Zera was speechless as she met Maia’s fierce re.


    Maia then turned and boarded the ne. Just as she reached the cabin door, someone shouted


    cheerfully.


    “Maia!”


    She turned and saw Aiken, carrying his luggage.


    Taking off his sunsses, Aiken winked and hurried over. “I’m punctual, aren’t |? | got here at exactly 6 p.m.”


    “Right on the dot, huh?” Maia smiled.


    “Thanks for giving me the ride! If | don’t head back today, my agent mighte to Eldertown to hunt me down, you know,” Aiken


    grinned. “As a token of my appreciation, I’ve bought something for you.”


    That was why Ailen almost missed the flight.


    Aiken gave her a box of fruit cookies. “The shop owner opened for business today and was giving them to those who came to


    help. | didn’t want to take them for free, so | bought one.”


    From the moment Aiken appeared, Cedric had knitted his brow and looked so furious that the flight attendant timidly took a few


    steps away from him.


    Cedric took the box from Aiken. “That’s perfect, I’m starving.”


    “Come on, man. | bought that for Maia,” Aiken said, upset.


    “I''ll hang on to them for her.” Cedric took Maia’s hand and tried to lead her to the nearby


    seats.


    “Let go,


    Cedric!” Maia said immediately.


    “Sit with me.” He sat down and did not let her


    “Let me go!”


    She tried to break free.


    1. go.


    “Be gentle, okay? You might re-open my wound.” He frowned.


    Maia was exasperated. “Cedric, can you stop being an asshole for once?”


    “Just sit with me. Please?”


    As he had saved her, Maia couldn’t bring herself to turn him down. “All you want is for me to sit with you, right?”