Page 4 of Forbidden Love

I gesture to the chair opposite mine. “Please, sit.”

She pauses for a second, then moves forward, taking the seat. The piercing stare of her eyes never breaks away from mine, and there’s a challenge in them. It’s a dare, it seems.

I sit down across from her, leaning forward slightly. “I wanted to have this conversation because we both care about what happens here, even if we’re coming at it from different angles.”

She crosses her smooth bronze legs, resting her elbow on the arm of the chair. “You care about the land now, do you?”

“I do. Let’s make this work for us.”

Her pupils constrict. “Work for you, you mean.”

I breathe and relax my shoulders. “No, forus. Why would I arrange this meeting and then bulldoze over your concerns, Maya? I’d like to find common ground.”

She scoffs and feigns a smile. “Sure. That’s believable.”

Leaning back, I observe her. “I’m not asking you to trust me blindly. I’d like you to give me a chance to prove it.”

She tilts her head, studying me. “Shouldn’t you be meeting with the city council or something? Since when does someone like you care what I think?”

Pausing, I ponder my next words. “I respect you, Maya. I see what you’re doing, and I think there’s more to you than just this fight.”

Her brows crease. “Gee, I hope so.”

I continue on my original train of thought, despite her sarcasm. “You’re smart, capable, and you’ve got a lot of passion. But you’re fighting a battle you don’t fully understand.”

She bristles at that, sitting up straighter. “What’s there to understand? You’re building on sacred land, and I’m stopping you. It’s pretty simple.”

I decide to counter. “It’s not that simple. There’s more at play here than the land. There’s the community, the jobs, and the economic impact. This isn’t only about you, me, and the planet—it’s about everyone involved.”

She stares for a long time. “So, what’s your plan? How do you propose we find common ground?”

I smile, sensing a shift in the conversation. “We start by talking about what matters most to you. What are your non-negotiables?”

She raises a skeptical brow. “My non-negotiables?”

I pick up a pen and position my hand on a notepad, ready to write. “Yes. Your must-haves. Lay it on me.”

While twisting her mouth, she peers into a corner before she focuses on me again. “Fine. Number one: No destruction of the natural landscape. That means no bulldozing, no cutting down trees, and no filling in natural water sources.”

Nodding, I jot down her first point. “Okay. We can work with that.”

“Number two: The local wildlife needs to be protected. That means no disrupting their habitats and no driving them out.”

While holding the pen in my hand, I look her in the eye. “Agreed. We’ve already started planning for wildlife corridors and habitat preservation.”

She blinks, clearly not expecting that. “And number three: The community needs to benefit, not only your investors. That means local jobs, fair wages, and resources going back into the area.”

I put down the pen and settle in my chair. “Already done. We’re working on partnerships with local businesses, and we’re committed to hiring from the community.”

She squints, analyzing me. “You’re just saying what I want to hear.”

“Let’s not play games, Maya. I’m here to move forward. With you.”

She seems to consider that, her gaze never leaving mine. “Why with me?”

“Because you’re the key to making this work. You’ve got the passion, the drive, and the connection to the community. I need you on board to ensure this is a success.”

She’s not used to hearing this from someone like me, and it’s throwing her off.

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