The Hurting Kind

It's You and Me

Three Days Later...

Maya sat at a round table with Rick inside Forrester Creations International. It had been over thirty minutes since Carter left with Justin, and she found herself tapping her fingernails on the oak surface. Looking at the door for the second time, Maya crossed her legs and ran a hand nervously through her thick wavy hair. Rick reached out for hand before she could place it on the table again. Intertwining their fingers, he slowly brushed his lips along her knuckles and Maya dropped her shoulders.

"No matter what happens, we will be together." Rick tried to assure her.

Maya darted her eyes toward the door before looking into his. "But at what cost, Rick? The reason I even went to Bill was so that you could remain CEO of Forrester Creations."

"I know. And I don't care." Rick stated.

Before Maya could say more, he explained, "They can have it all. The title, the company - all of it."

"Rick, you can't mean that. You-"

"I mean it, Maya. Without you with me, none of it matters."

Maya blinked back tears as she saw the truth in Rick's eyes. When the first tear fell, Rick brushed it away with his thumb. "Mom said you did this for me, but Maya...I am nothing without you."

Her bottom lip trembled, but before Maya could speak, the conference room door opened. Seeing Bill march into the small space first, Maya gripped Rick's other hand and the two remained silent as Justin and Carter, both carrying manilla envelopes, entered the room. 

She watched Justin as he glanced between her and Rick back to Carter and Bill before clearing his throat. "After discussing the verbal terms of your agreement with both legal teams, it seems that you did not infringe upon the terms you set with Bill."

Carter's grin was almost blinding, "Which allowed me to draw up a new contract. A more...inclusive yet far beneficial one, between you and Forrester Creations International." 

Placing the envelope in front of Maya and Rick, Carter continued, "Forrester Creations International has offered you the lead model position, along with any and all work that you would like. As long as they are your priority client."

Maya stared at Carter and tilted her head, clearly confused. "What does that mean, exactly?"

"The short answer is you are a free agent. And with this new agreement, you are able to work with any company of your choosing - including Forrester Creations." Carter explained with a smirk.

Seeing Bill grit his teeth, Maya's eyes went to Justin for further confirmation. When he nodded once, while meeting Bill's stare, Maya felt the corners of her lips turn upward. Before she allowed the newfound hope spread, Maya turned her attention to Bill.

 "What about Rick as CEO? How will this affect him?" 

"It doesn't." Bill answered bitterly. "Not since the others have decided to rally around this...union of yours."

Bill flippantly gestured his hands toward her and Rick, and for a moment Maya wondered if it really pained him to see them together, as Bill tightly shut his eyes and whipped his head toward the window.

Carter must have seen the stunned look on Maya's face, as he stepped in to explain, "Everyone at FC saw the photos and live feeds from the fashion show. And when Ridge tried to call an emergency meeting to vote again for CEO, he was met with resistance." 

"From my sweet Steffy, of all people!" Bill spat out. 

Maya stared at Carter and he nodded. "Steffy argued that since Rick has been performing well as CEO, the public may respond negatively to seeing him removed after such a traumatizing incident."  

She felt Rick's stare and squeezed his hand. While gazing at him, Maya almost missed what Justin said next. "So, as Carter stated, we have drawn up contracts this time. After signing, Maya will be able to work with both Forrester Creations International and Forrester Creations again, if she so chooses." 

Looking at Rick, she whispered, "With RIck as CEO?" 

When no one spoke, she turned her attention to Bill who rolled his eyes. 

"Yes." he hissed. 

Without hesitation, Maya grabbed the papers and looked back at Bill before snidely asking, "Pen?"

When Bill scoffed at her, it was Carter that gave Maya what she requested. Once she signed the new contract, Maya and the others watched as Bill stormed out of the office. So did Justin after he spoke to Carter about receiving copies of the new agreement. 

"I'll leave you two to celebrate." Carter said with a wink as he left the room. 

This time, with no one else in the room, Maya allowed herself to sink back into the chair as Rick reached out and caressed her face.

"Is it wrong that seeing you handle Bill just now turns me on?" 

A blush crept up in her cheeks before Rick quickly placed a kiss each one. 

"I really can work at Forrester Creations again? I almost can't believe it!" 

"Believe it Maya. Because from now on, it's you and me. Forever." 

Hearing the truth in his words, Maya leaned in and pressed her lips against his. When she finally pulled away, she rubbed away a smudge of lipstick from Rick's smug face. 

"I love the sound of that." 

Rick then pushed his chair back and reached out for Maya's hand. "Then let's go home." 

She accepted his hand and the two walked out of the office.