Chapter 12

2 weeks later……

Maks was in his office at his Soho studio when his phone indicated he had a tweet. He looked at his phone and seen that 4EVERBRANDY had tweeted that she will be on Lopez tonight and to please tune in. Maks tweeted her back and said, Hey there you are I haven’t heard from you in a while…. Where have you been? Brandy replied call me.

Maks pressed the number 1 on his phone that instantly connected her number.

 “I have to wait until you send out tweets to hear from you?” He accused angrily.

“Can I get a hello or how are you? Before you rip into me, she laughed nervously.

“Fuck the formalities Brandy. I haven’t heard from you since you went running back to LA. Out of respect to you I gave you time and space, but I guess you have no regard to my feelings. What was I to you, your experiment?”

“No Maks I have just been really busy, I have been in the studio trying to finish my album, we just completed the taping of our reality show, and I had some appearances in San Diego, Miami and Chicago. I’ve been busy, buddy.”

“So we’re back to being buddies, you are a trip Brandy, but how about I bring you back to home. Are you pregnant? Have you forgotten as to why you went running scared back to LA? Well I haven’t, and I deserve at least a little bit of courtesy if you say we are ‘buddies’.”

“I don’t know, I should know in a couple of days when my cycle is suppose to start. Listen Maks, I’m going to be straight with you, I have been ignoring you, because it helped me to forget the possibilities of an impending pregnancy. I’m sorry if you have felt neglected, but I really have been busy.”

“Too busy to pick up the phone and say hey I made back to LA, will call you later, or better yet, hey Maks I’m busy but just wanted to call you for a minute and say hello.” He replied sarcastically.

Brandy paused and said, “I digress, you’re right I could’ve called, but I was being a coward. So how have you been doing? How are the expansions coming for your chain of dance studios?”

“Thank you for admitting to being a coward, and I have been okay. The expansion is going well and the studio in Philly will be ready in January, and then we will open the other in March. Thanks for asking.”

“Maks I do care for you, but this separation has been good for us. We have been on a whirlwind and Kelly said we moved way too fast. I have to agree with her, because I was out of my mind with lust. You make me feel things that I thought were not possible, and I was excited, and honored that you wanted me for me. Maks can I ask you an honest question?”

“Ask me anything, sweetie?”

“Do you trust me?”

“Yes I trust you, but what does trust have to do with me wanting to be with you?”

“Because if you trust me, you will trust what we have as friends more than the physical. What I’m trying to say is this; trust that I love you and I will not go out of my way to hurt you.”

“Brandy I’m not the one with trust issues. Yes I trust you with my heart, but do you trust me with yours? 

Brandy took a moment to ponder his question, and replied. “Based on my reaction to everything that has happened I guess I would have to say no, but I want to trust you. I want to be happy and carefree with you, but I’m scared Maks, I’m terrified that my heart will be broken and I may never recover from it.”

Maks heard her sniffling and knew she was crying. “Don’t cry, baby I’m not there with you to comfort you, I hate to see or hear you cry. Brandy this is so hard for me, but I know I have to give you space and some time to figure out what you want. Just know that I want you, and I love you deeply.”

“I love you too Maks, but I have to go to the set of Lopez Tonight, to promote Family Business, I’ll call you later okay.”

“Okay I love you.”

Maks ended the call, and sat back in his chair and rehashed his conversation with Brandy in mind. He knew he had to be gentle with her, because he could see that his moving too fast with her; could cause him to lose her, and he couldn’t handle that.

Maks got up and stretched he grabbed his coat from the coat rack and walked out of second floor office. He walked down the stairs and saw his brother Val talking to Joan Killury, a runway model he had been casually seeing for a couple of months before he went to LA and had his heart stolen by Brandy Norwood.

“Well, well, well, it’s the famous Maksim in the flesh.” Joan purred.

Joan walked up to Maks and kissed him on the lips.

Maks stepped back and his reaction caused Joan to frown.

“What’s the matter? You used to love when I kissed you, Maksim.”

Maks ignored her question and asked a question of his own. “What brings you by?”

“I came to see you, why else would I be in Soho, I’ve missed you love, why didn’t you call me when you got back in town?” She said taking his hand and kissing the palm of his hand.

Maks looked over at his brother who was practicing on the dance floor for his upcoming Latin Dance Competition. Val looked at his brother and mouthed the words good luck and continued with his routine.

“I’ve been busy.” He replied.

“To busy to just say hello.” She coyly replied.

Maks mind did a flashback to his earlier conversation with Brandy when he had asked her the same question.

“There was a lot to do with my dance studios, and I have two new studios opening.”

“That’s wonderful Maks, I’m so proud of you and all your great accomplishments. I watched Dancing with the Stars and you and that beautiful girl were robbed, I actually cried when you guys didn’t make it to the finals. However, I’m glad you are finally home where you belong. Let’s go to dinner to catch up on old times?”

“I’m really tired and just want to grab a sandwich, and turn in for the night.”

“I can’t entice you for a little dinner and nice conversation, come on Maks, it’s the least you could do after abandoning me three and half months.”

Maks thought about it, and what harm could come of him having dinner with Joan.

“Alright we can go and grab a bite to eat, but I want to be back home by eleven; my friend will be on Lopez tonight.”

“Sure no problem. Which friend of yours will be on Lopez?”

“Brandy.”

“Oh that’s nice, I’m going to go to the ladies room and freshen up. I’ll be just a moment.”

“Okay, go ahead,” he replied.

Maks walked over to his brother Val who was now leaning against the wall checking his phone. Val looked up at his older brother approaching him and smiled at him.

“What’s up big bro?”

“I’m about to go and have some dinner with Joan. Would you like to come with us?”

“Naw, I’m going to finish up here and go home. I’m a little tired, besides I think Joan wants you all to herself.” Val said chuckling.

“I know, that’s why it would be nice if you came with us.”

Val smirked and replied. “I faith in you; you can handle Joan all by yourself.”

“That’s what I’m afraid of; I don’t think I’m up for her aggression tonight. I was looking forward to some peace and quiet. I have a lot on my mind dealing with Brandy,” he said rubbing the back of his neck, trying to rub out some of his frustrations.

“Did you receive her tweet earlier about her being on George Lopez’s show?”

“Yeah I got it, it was the first time I had heard from her in two weeks. We had a heartfelt conversation, we needed it.”

Val looked at his brother and searched his eyes and saw the sadness and pain in them, he hadn’t seen this from his brother since he and Karina called off their engagement. He was about to ask him if he was okay, but then Joan walked up.

“I’m ready, Maksim.” Her words having a double meaning.

Maks looked at her and then looked back at his brother and rolled his eyes.

“Let’s go.” He replied grudgingly.

Maks and Joan walked out of the studio and Joan reached for Maks hand, but instead he put his hand in his coat pocket.

“You use to love holding hands. Why are you so distant towards me?” She asked slowing down and then stopping completely.

Maks looked at Joan and instantly he felt guilty for treating her this way.

“Joan, it’s not you, it’s just that my heart is somewhere else, and I can’t pretend not even for you. I’m sorry, because I know you want more, but I can’t give it to you.”

“Wow you’re in love with that Brandy woman, I could see it when the two of danced together. It was the way you looked at her, I know that you have to look that way when you are dancing in order to tell a story, but you looked at her like you had finally found your lifeline. It made your dancing real and breathtaking, the chemistry exploding through the TV.”

Joan walked up to him and studied his face and then she smiled and said. “I can’t be mad at you, I’m so happy for you, because you can’t help who you love.” Joan hugged him and then grabbed his hand and said. ”Let’s get some burgers and beers and go back to my place and watch your Brand y on TV.”

“I’m still working on making her mine, but it’s taking more of an effort than I hoped.”

“Patience, my dear friend and then more patience. You have to give her a little time, you can be a little overwhelming, and especially for someone who appears to be as fragile as she was on the show.”

“Patience and I are not good friends.” Maks replied roughly.

“Well you better become best friends with patience if you want to end up happily ever after with Brandy.” Joan winked at him and then they walked to the corner to hail a cab.

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