Reckless Love

2: The Beautiful People

~ MAIA’s POV ~

“So, what’s your name?” I asked him.

As soon as I laid eyes on him, I knew was different from the usual guest list. The way he dressed, the way talked, and the way he stared at things — it was like he was new to all of this.

“Hunter,” he replied with a small voice, almost like a murmur. He seemed shy and incredibly nervous for no apparent reason.

“Hunter… what?” I pressed on.

“Hunter Allen Rhett, ma’am,”

“Did you just call me ma’am?” I scoffed. “We’re pretty much the same age,”

“Well… you sounded so demanding. I got nervous,” he stifled an awkward laugh.

This boy was a nervous wreck, but I found it kind of… cute. He reminded me a lot of Timothée Chalamet on his first talk show appearance. He was so nervous but totally cute. I couldn't help but stifle a laugh. Looking at him was like a fresh change of scene, compared to all the other arrogant, snobbish, assholes I was used to being around with.

“Rhett, huh?” I thought for a moment, “You must be Uncle Harold’s grandson. I did hear you were coming,”

“You heard about me?”

“Yeah. Uncle Harold and his wife came over for dinner a few times. He mentioned his grandson’s visiting for the summer, from… New York, right?”

“Upstate New York,” he paused before continuing, “It’s a habit, for some reason I always have to make that clear,”

“Hmm, I’ve never been to that part of New York before. What’s it like?”

“Just… a lot of nature. I live in a small town. We have a farm…” he said it so unconvincingly.

“Wow, you’re really selling it, huh?” I said with a laugh.

He started laughing too, and he had a nice laugh. Some people had really annoying laughs, you’d want to stuff socks down their throats. But he had the kind of laugh that would make you want to laugh with him. And his eyes were like this honest window into his mind, you could tell exactly what he was thinking just by looking at it. It wasn’t the kind of eyes that would lie to you. And then there were the dimples, oh the dimples.

What does a girl have to do to be able to stick her tongue on that delicious dimple?

Okay, he was absolutely cute, but he seemed a bit too tense. I was giving him the look all night, but he wasn’t flirting back with me. I didn’t sense any gay vibes coming from him, so what was his problem?

“You’re not used to this, aren’t you?” I shot a knowing look at him and handed him my flask, “you could really use some of this,”

He took my flask and gulped down the drink, a bit too fast. He almost spat it out too, but he held it back.

“What, climbing up the roofs of chateaus at a party?” he said with a dry laugh.

“No, I meant this,” I gestured between the two of us. “Talking,”

“Oh,” he laughs as he took another sip, “yeah, talking to beautiful girls scares me,”

If you think that he was being flirty, that was just him being honest. He really was scared of me. Aw.

I found that these types of guys always intrigued me the most as they are a rare breed. They were guys that were good looking but didn't know that they were good looking, so they actually developed personalities and weren't so full of themselves.

“Come on, I’m not going to bite,” I said as I lent out my hand to him.

He looked up at me quizzically before taking my hand and he stood right up. He was tall. A bit scrawny, probably not that much into sports. But that was a good thing. All the jocks I had met were narcissistic egomaniacs.

Putting my arms over his neck, I purposefully pressed my body against his a little too much before I started swaying.

“Err, what are we doing?” he gulped.

“We’re dancing,” I said as I took his hand and positioned it over the arc of my back.

We were so close against each other, I could almost make out the sound of his heart beating.

“I don’t really know how to dance,” he said quietly.

“You’re kidding me!” I gaped at him, seriously thinking he was joking. But he just shook his head innocently.

“This is France, you need to know how to dance. Girls love guys who can dance. Like my mother always say, ‘be careful of men who can dance’,” I said as I twirled my body out and back into his arms again.

His eyes were fixed on mine and mine on his. I led both our bodies to sway with each other against the soft, faint music. He wasn’t much of a dancer, but somehow I liked the way our bodies blended with each other.

“You just need to relax and follow the rhythm,”

“I can relax more if we’re standing on, I don’t know, floor instead of a 50 feet tall rooftop,” he chuckled sarcastically.

“You’re sassy,” I noted and he piped down.

“It’s better out here, you know? We have the fresh air, the moonlight, and the best part? There’s no people,” I said again.

“What’s wrong with people?” he asked.

I took a deep breath and sighed. Where do I begin?

If I started ranting about how pretentious everybody in that room was, or how my so-called friends were only here to make out with each other and get high, or how my parents’ marriage was basically a sham, or that my date the prince of Sweden was just using me as a front to protect his image — if I had said all that, this poor boy would be too overwhelmed. So instead I just said:

“People sucks,”

He looked at me for a while. There was this look in his eyes, not pity or disdain, something more like… understanding. Which was weird considering how little I’d elaborated on the topic.

“Well, in that case, you should visit Upstate New York sometime,” he paused for a second before saying, “you’re gonna love living in the farm,”

It was impossible not to laugh at that. My laugh started off small, but after a few seconds, I was laughing so much I was practically snorting like a pig.

My dear mother would be so proud.

Now, I knew I just said we must be careful of guys who can dance, but funny guys? Oh my, they were just as dangerous. If not more.

Our bodies were still swaying against each other, my chest pressed up against his. By now, I was starting to wonder if I was hearing the sound of his heart’s beating or if it was mine?

"So, if people are not your thing... what are some things you like?" he asked.

"I like dancing. I like this," I whispered as I leaned my head snuggly on his chest and put my gaze down.

That was when I noticed the cigarette that was burning away in his hand. Not wanting to waste it, I swiped the cigarette, flicked away the built-up ashes, and stuck it in my mouth. But before I could do anything else, suddenly I heard a loud yell coming from behind me.

“Miss Maia! There you are!” Ah, the unmistakable voice of Bernard, our house butler, roared into my ears.

“s**t,” I murmured instantly.

If Bernard sees this, I am going to be so dead!

Hunter noted the anxiety slapped across my face and he acted quickly. He took the cigarette of my lips and swiftly hid it behind his back.

I owe this boy my life.

I gave him a small ‘thank you’ smile before turning around to face my immediate doom.

“Bernard, lovely to see you. Thank you for looking for me, I will be right down,” I used my best lady-like voice whilst avoiding opening my mouth too much for fear of him smelling my breath.

“Was that a cigarette you were smoking out here, Miss Maia?” he demanded, his expression was as stern as a rock.

Shit, s**t, s**t. I’m done. That’s it. Here lies Maia Rose, sixteen years of age.

“Oh, Bernard, I can explain—“ I stuttered,

“It was mine,” Hunter spoke loudly, cutting me off.

“I am sorry Mr. Rhett, but cigarettes are not permitted in these premises, and especially for those who are under age,” Bernard shot daggers at Hunter as Hunter looked down.

“Alright, he’s just a tourist, let him off easy, will you?” I laughed nervously.

“I’m afraid I will have to tell Mr. Rhett’s grandfather about—“

“Please don’t do that. Look, it won’t happen again, right Hunter?” I turned to Hunter for affirmation and he nodded along.

“See? He’s sorry, I’m sorry, we’re all sorry. I mean, Bernard, you know what it’s like to be sixteen, right?”

…Like a million years ago.

“Let’s just forget about this, okay?”

“But, Miss Maia—“

“Come on now, let’s get me back to my party,” I chirped and made my way down towards the window, “oh, and did I mention how much I love your tie, it really brings out your eyes,”

Bernard’s eyes lit up as soon as I complimented him. Flattery was always his kryptonite. When you could understand people enough, you would start to notice what makes them tick. And then it was just so easy.

I stepped on the landing by the window, but before disappearing away completely, I took one step back and turned my head to face Hunter. He was still standing there at the same spot, blinking his eyes a few times without saying a word.

“Thank you,” I mouthed to him and turned away.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

With Bernard by my side, I walked back into that ballroom, back to reality. It was sad to say, but those fifteen minutes up on the roof was probably the best part of my night. Sure, my coming out party didn’t end up as planned. But that was the thing about plans, the best ones were the ones you never even see coming.

“Hey, Bernard, find out everything you can about Hunter Allen Rhett, will you?” I whispered to my trustee butler’s ears and he nodded his head quickly.

“Maia! There you are, we’ve been looking everywhere for you,” mom appeared at the corner of my eye. She looked upset, crossing her arms at me, but she still spoke in that lady-like voice of hers. “The reporters are waiting for pictures of you Prince Charles,”

“Yes, mother,” I sighed and smiled weakly. “I’m here now. I’m ready for the pictures,”

Mum pulled my hand and led me towards the study, where Prince Charles was already waiting for me. As we were walking, she put on a bright smile on her face, but when nobody was looking, she glared at me and hissed under her breath, “Where were you anyway?”

“Nowhere, I just went outside to get some fresh,” I replied innocently.

Mum narrowed her eyes at me as if to say that she didn’t believe me one bit. But before she could demand more explanation, we already arrived at the study and a swarm of reporters were taking pictures of us. Mum’s stern face turned into a bright, warm smile. I followed her lead and smiled at everyone in the room, before taking my place next to Charles by the bookshelves.

After my time on the roof, the rest of the night pretty much went downhill for me. But that didn’t matter. If I wasn’t excited about turning sixteen or about summer break before, I was absolutely ecstatic now. I had a feeling it was going to be an eventful summer. Because for the first time in a long time, I think I finally found a decent and interesting friend.

*

*

*

- - - - - To Be Continued - - - - -