Alexei, Her Russian Billionaire

“I won’t do it, Maya.”

Chapter 5

Maya didn’t like what he was insinuating. He thought she was trying to get pregnant to get money off him. Surely he would know she wouldn’t do that. The anger began to build up. Suddenly Maya didn’t want him there. She didn’t want to be anywhere near him.

She swung out of bed and reached for the over-sized t-shirt she used as a nightshirt, tugging it on over her head.

“I’m sorry I asked you to do something that might have been stupid.” She said stiffly. “But did you have to say that about children? I’ve always wanted kids.”

“Well, I don’t want any. Simple as that.”

Maya’s heart cracked. To think she thought they had something going. If they weren’t on the same page there was no hope. Her heart was set on marriage and children. She couldn’t have either if Alexei didn’t want it. Caring deeply about him and enjoying the s*x wouldn’t be enough to fill that part of her.

“Then there’s no point in carrying this on, is there?”

“What?”

Now Alexei was sounding surprised. Maya stood and turned to face him. Alexei was looking at her in confusion.

“I want something long-term, Alexei. Marriage, kids, the works. But you don’t want children and from the way you’re acting I’m guessing you don’t want to get married either.”

“No.”

So much for finding her dream man.

“Then how can we have a relationship if we want different things?”

“We could have great s*x.”

Maya growled. How could he say that?

“By that time I’ll be too old to have children.” Maya closed her eyes for a moment. “Look, this isn’t going to work. Just get out.”

“What?” Alexei stood up. Clearly he hadn’t expected to be chucked out. “Now?”

“Yes, now. I’m not having a relationship of any sorts with a man who doesn’t want what I want. It’s pointless before we’ve got anywhere.” Maya turned away and sat on the bed. “Just get out.”

“Maya…”

“Go!”

She didn’t want to talk to him. She didn’t want to look at him. This was far too painful.

She could hear Alexei leave the room. After a few moments the door to her apartment opened and closed. It was then Maya couldn’t hold it back any longer.

She slid off the bed onto the floor and burst into tears.

*****

Maya clicked the final frame and straightened up, barely looking at Sasha as she sat up on the sand.

“That’s it. Good. Next one.”

Sasha looked a little confused but she stood and walked away, going with one of the runners back to where the other models were sitting. All of them were a little subdued, giving each other worried looks. All of them were concerned about Maya’s behavior, which was extremely out of character. She had been bad-tempered and taking it out on everyone. Nothing seemed to be right and her usual enthusiasm just wasn’t there. It was unnerving.

Maya didn’t notice this, however, as she gave Howie the memory card and picked up another one. She was just focused on getting this set finished so she could go back to her hotel room and lock herself in. This was turning out to be a time when she didn’t want to be in Barbados at all.

“Maya?”

Maya looked up. Jenny had come onto the beach, her feet sinking into the sand. She moved her glasses to perch on top of her head as she frowned in concern.

“Are you okay?”

“I’m fine.” Maya tried not to snap. It wasn’t Jenny’s fault that she was in this mood and Jenny could give it back as good as she got. “Why do you ask?”

“You’ve been out of sorts the past few days and everyone’s noticed it. You’ve been snapping at the models. Even Sasha’s getting worried.”

Maya growled and focused on getting the memory card in, which didn’t seem to want to go.

“None of your concern, Jenny.”

“Maya, stop it.” Jenny sighed and pressed her fingers to the bridge of her nose. “We’re best friends, remember? You can talk to me. What’s going on?”

Maya realized that she was being childish. Alexei’s rejection and their fight had upset her. Now it was affecting her work, the one place where Maya thought it couldn’t infiltrate. Everyone was noticing it and her performance was going down. This wasn’t what she wanted. Deflating, Maya closed her eyes briefly and gathered her thoughts.

“I’ll tell you later.”

That was enough for Jenny, who walked away as the next model stepped up. Maya took a deep breath and focused on the task in hand. Her old self slowly slipped back and by the end she was back to her old self. Screw Alexei. He wasn’t worth her ruining her job.

*****

When everything was done, Maya gathered everyone at the side of the pool and explained that she had been given some news that had upset her and it was nobody’s fault, apologizing for lashing out at them. Everyone was understanding and gave her their wishes that things would be sorted out. Sasha and Rodrigo even came up to her and hugged her, telling her to take her time but Sasha did point out if it happened again she could cause a stink as much as Maya could.

Maya knew this and took this on board. Sasha was a sturdy opponent in a fight and next to her Maya would have no chance.

Jenny was in their shared hotel room when Maya got back. She was sitting on Maya’s bed, her legs crossed and her arms folded.

“Right. Tell.”

Maya knew she wouldn’t get Jenny off her bed or any sleep until she had told Jenny what had happened. They had met at the airport in New York and Jenny had immediately sensed something was wrong. But Maya was still upset and she had withdrawn into herself, refusing to talk about it. Jenny had understood and backed off but now she was clearly expecting an answer.

She sagged onto the bed beside her, flopping onto her back and staring at the ceiling.

“Alexei and I…” She felt her face getting red. This was too embarrassing. “We were intimate the night before Barbados.”

Jenny gave a whoop and clapped her hands.

“I knew it!” She squealed. “I knew you’d do it!” But she sobered up when she saw Maya wasn’t jumping up and down with her. “But from the look on your face he didn’t come up to your expectations.”