**Chapter 10: Aftermath**

The warmth of Darian's arms and the soothing sound of his voice calmed Maya's racing heart, but the mortification still lingered, refusing to be shaken off. She buried her face deeper in his chest, feeling the heat of his skin and the gentle rhythm of his breathing. As she lay there, she couldn't help but think about the look on Nadine and Mona's faces, a mix of shock, disgust, and disappointment. Darian seemed to sense her unease and began to stroke her hair, his touch gentle and reassuring. "Don't think about them, Maya," he whispered. "Think about us. Think about how you feel." Maya lifted her head, her eyes locking onto his. She saw the sincerity and adoration in his gaze, and it made her feel a little better. She took a deep breath, trying to calm her racing thoughts. "I feel...embarrassed," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. Darian's expression softened, and he pulled her closer. "Don't be," he said. "You're beautiful, Maya. You're mine, and I'm not ashamed of that." As he spoke, Maya felt a surge of emotions: shame, arousal, and a deep-seated connection to Darian. She knew that she couldn't change what had just happened, but she could control how she reacted to it. She took another deep breath, trying to process her feelings. The door to the bedroom creaked open, and Darian's grip on her tightened. "I think I need to go talk to them," he said, his voice low and measured. "Make sure they're okay." Maya nodded, feeling a pang of anxiety. She knew that this wasn't over, not by a long shot. Darian got out of bed, his movements fluid and powerful. He walked over to the dresser, pulled out a pair of sweatpants, and slipped them on. As he turned to leave, Maya caught a glimpse of his body, and her arousal spiked. She felt a flush rise to her cheeks, and she quickly looked away, trying to compose herself. Darian's eyes met hers, and he smiled, a low, husky sound rumbling in his throat. "I'll be back," he said, his eyes locked onto hers. "And when I am, we're going to finish what we started." Maya's heart skipped a beat as he turned and walked out of the room, leaving her to process her emotions and wonder what the future held. The silence that followed was oppressive, and Maya felt like she was drowning in her thoughts. She got out of bed, her movements slow and deliberate, and walked over to the window. She pulled back the curtains, letting the sunlight flood the room, and gazed out at the city below. As she stood there, lost in thought, she heard a knock at the door. It was soft and hesitant, and Maya's heart skipped a beat as she wondered who it could be. She took a deep breath, trying to calm her nerves, and called out, "Come in." The door creaked open, and Nadine slipped inside, her eyes red-rimmed and her face pale. "Maya, I'm so sorry," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "I feel like I've ruined everything." Maya turned away from the window, her eyes locking onto Nadine's. She saw the guilt and regret etched on her face, and her heart went out to her friend. "It's not your fault, Nadine," she said, her voice soft. "It's complicated. Just...just give me a minute, okay?" Nadine nodded, her eyes welling up with tears. "I'll give you all the time you need," she said, her voice cracking. "Just know that I'm here for you, no matter what." As Nadine turned and fled the room, Maya felt a pang of sadness. She knew that things would never be the same again, that this was just the beginning of a new chapter in her life, one that would be filled with challenges and uncertainties. But as she turned back to the window, she felt a sense of determination rising up within her. She was ready to face whatever came next, as long as she had Darian by her side.