Faking It With My Billionaire Husband

Chapter Two: A Desperate Choice

Chapter Two

Two days had passed since I met Max, and I had not been able to get him out of my mind. It was like he was imprinted on the back of my eye lids. My mother spent most of her time sleeping and the doctors wanted to discuss the next steps for her. I couldn't face it. My mother was going to die and there was not one thing that I could do about it.

“Maya, you know you need to take a deep breath and stop worrying. Your mum wouldn't want you to be like this.” my best friend Bessie tried to reason with me but I couldn't switch off.

“I know but it's hard. And what with Joe harrassing me.” I propped my elbows up on the dining table and rested my head in my hands. Life was so much easier when I was a child. All I had to worry about back then was what colour crayons I would use next on my drawing or learning the lyrics to the spice girls new songs.

I noticed how Bessie seemed to clam up at the mention of Joe.

“What is it?” I whispered worriedly but she shook her head and forced a smile. I knew my best friend to well and there was something that she was not telling me.

“It's no big deal. Maya.” she tried to brush it off but I was not going to let it go so easily.

“Just tell me what the hell happened.” I demanded and she frowned at me. She knew I wasn't going to stop until she told me everything.

“It's Joe. He came by today asking for you and he didn't look happy.” she finally told me and I learn back in my chair letting out a heavy sigh.

“You need to pay him what you owe, Maya. Your my best friend in the world and I love you but oh my days. I can't have him coming here beating my door down.” she carried on and my heart sunk. I didn't want that to happen either but I also had a bad feeling that this conversation wasn't going to end well.

“Bessie, I'm trying my best here but Joe is an arse. I told him I will get him his money by the end of the week.” I clenched my fists wishing that Joe would just back off. I knew that I owed him money but it wasn't like I was never going to repay him the ten thousand pounds.

Suddenly the bang on the door set both of us into a state of panic.

“Oh s**t. It's him again isn't it? He must have seen me come in.” I exclaimed and threw my best friend an apologetic look but she was obviously annoyed at me. I felt bad that I had dragged her into my problems yet again. Bessie had been good enough to pit me up at her place when I had nowhere else to go

Here's a possible continuation of the scene:

I jumped up from the table, my heart racing with anxiety. "I'll go talk to him," I said, trying to sound calmer than I felt.

Bessie's eyes flashed with frustration. "Maya, no! You're not going to deal with him alone. I'm right there with you."

But I was already heading for the door, my mind racing with worst-case scenarios. What if Joe had come to cause trouble? What if he had brought friends? I pushed open the door, and my heart sank as I saw Joe standing on the porch, his face twisted with anger.

"Maya, you've got some explaining to do," he growled, his voice low and menacing.

I felt a shiver run down my spine as I stepped outside onto the porch. Bessie followed close behind me, her eyes fixed on Joe's face.

"What do you want, Joe?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.

"You know exactly what I want," he sneered. "You owe me money, Maya. And it's time you paid up."

I felt a surge of anger at his tone, but I knew I had to keep my cool if I was going to get through this without things escalating further.

"I'm telling you, Joe, I'll pay you back by the end of the week," I repeated. "Just give me some time."

Joe snorted. "You've been saying that for weeks now. You're just stalling me."

Bessie stepped forward, her voice firm. "Joe, leave her alone. She's going through a tough time right now."

But Joe just laughed. "Tough time? You think you're tough? You're just a little poor girl who thinks she can play games with the big important people like me."

I felt a surge of rage at his words, but before I could react, Max appeared beside me, his eyes flashing with anger. I was shocked to see him and wondered how did he find me?

"Hey, arse hole back off," he growled at Joe. "Leave her alone."

Joe looked Max up and down and then he sneered at him. "Mind your own business, mate. If you know what is good for you that is.”

Max stepped forward, his fists clenched. "I'm making it my business. You're bullying her and that's not acceptable at all in my eyes.” I heard him say to Joe.

"You think you're going to step in and protect her, huh?" he spat. "You're just a punk kid who thinks he's tough because he's got a few muscles."

Max's eyes flashed with anger, and for a moment, I thought he was going to lunge at Joe. But instead, he took a deep breath and stepped back, his eyes never leaving Joe's face.

"Look, Joe," he said calmly, "I don't know what your problem is, but you need to leave her alone. She's going through a tough time, and she doesn't need your crap."

Joe snorted. "You think you can tell me what to do? You think you're some kind of hero or something?"

Max shrugged. "I'm just saying that bullying isn't the answer. You need to find a better way to deal with your problems."

Joe's face twisted with rage, and for a moment, I thought he was going to attack Max. But then he seemed to compose himself, and his expression turned cold and calculating.

"You're just making this personal now," he said. "You're going to regret this. Remember what I said Maya. I want it by the end of the week.” he grunted and with that, Joe turned and walked away, leaving us standing on the porch in an uneasy silence.

I turned to Max, my heart still racing with anxiety. "Thanks," I said quietly.

Max nodded. "No problem," he said. "I just came to tell you that I dinner is tomorrow at 7 and I will pick you up at 6:45. I have something I would like to discuss with you.“ he handed me his business card and I took it without looking at it.

“Dinner? But I don't understand?” I frowned.

“She will be there and she will be ready”. Bessie suddenly butted in and I threw her a certain look that caused her to smile sweetly back at me.

“Good, then I will see you tomorrow.” Max readjusted his tie and nodded politely to Bessie.

“See you soon, Maya.” he winked and turned to walk back to his car. I couldn't believe he has just turned up like that and my best friend had thrown me in the deep end.

As we went back inside, Bessie grabbed me and demanded to know all the gossip.”Who is this guy? He's so hot and so into you.” she teased me and I rolled my eyes trying not to blush. I hardly knew him but I already found my stomach doing flips and my heart pounding fast as the mere thought of him.