Her Russian

Chapter 19-Do Not Come For Me

She woke up to yelling and screaming outside the door.  Sitting up slowly, Galina tried to steady herself and piece together what was going on.

Then she remembered.  Ilia.  His study.  Aleryia on his desk.  He was shirtless.  She was just a payday to him.  She had to get out of this house, she didn't belong here and she couldn't stay here another minute.

While the shouting continued, Galina grabbed her bag, threw all her clothes and other items inside, walked to the bathroom and grabbed those few things and then changed clothes.

She found Ilia and Maxim standing there with their mouths open and just staring at her.  She completely ignored Ilia and started talking to Maxim.

"Will you please drive me home, Max?  I can't stay here another minute.  I feel like I'm suffocating" she said, her voice hitching.  Ilia reached for her, but she recoiled like a snake.

"Galina, baby..." he started with but she stopped him dead.  "Don't.you.dare. Galina baby me" she yelled.  Her heart was starting to thump wildly in her chest.  "Galina, don't" Maxim said, talking about her heart and getting upset.

"Ilia" she said, swallowing hard.  "I gave you everything.  Everything.  All I ever was to you was a payday.  I want nothing to do with you.  Ever.again." she spat.  "Do.not.come.for.me" she said meaning every word.

He watched her walk away, her shoulders slumped in defeat.  Suddenly she stopped and turned around.  "You literally broke my heart" she said clutching her chest, the physical pain on her face was clear as day.

Maxim watched Ilia stomp away to his study.  The door slammed and then he heard glass shattering, things being thrown at the wall and it just sounded like World War III had erupted from inside the walls of that room.

Stepping to the car, he saw Galina, leaning against the vehicle, her shoulders shaking in anguish.  He had nothing comforting to say at this point.  He knew his boss and no matter how much he liked Galina, he could never be true to just one woman and he hated that it was her that had gotten hurt.

"Come on" he said gently, taking her case from her and putting it in the car.  Opening the door, he coaxed her to get in as she took one last look at the house.  Galina caught a glimpse of Ilia through the window.

It didn't matter any more.  Shaking her head, she disappeared inside the car as Maxim shut the door.  They slid smoothly from the drive and on to the main road.  Leaning against the door frame, Galina's head fell into her hands as she sobbed.

Maxim carried her luggage into the house.  "Do you need me to stay?" he asked gently.  She shook her head and just as he was getting ready to leave, she shouted at him.

"Maxim!" when he turned, she had thrown herself into his arms, breaking down again.  "Thank you for everything" she sniffed.  "I will really miss you."  He tightened his grip around her.

"I'm sorry this happened to you" he started, looking down at her tear-stained face.  "I could have warned you, but I doubt you would have listened.  Besides, I thought you were the one that could have changed him" his words sounded sad as they left his mouth.

"So long Maxim Adamov.  I was glad to know you" she said softly.  Max bent down and placed a sweet kiss on her head.  "So long Galina Ivanov.  I was glad to know you too" he said sadly.

Galina didn't bother unpacking anything.  She just left the suitcase opened at the foot of the bed and walked into the bathroom to draw a bath.  

She never bothered to open any of the curtains.  She didn't care if the sun was shining and she didn't care if it was a beautiful day.  Her world had been blasted to smithereens and left her caring about nothing.

Once in the bath, Galina realized that all the boxes from Zoya's were still at Ilia's.  Sighing, she just told herself that she would call Max later and she was sure he would get them back to her.

After her bath and some tea, Galina dressed in skinny jeans, flats and a light sweater.  Grabbing a shoulder purse, she put her wallet, cell, and lip gloss inside, then taking her keys she locked up the house and set off walking down the street.

Galina didn't know how long she'd been walking for, but she stumbled upon a really cute and quaint coffee house called Zoom Cafe and couldn't resist going inside.  She also noticed that there was a 'Help Wanted' sign on the outside.

"Good afternoon" the sweet barista said acknowledging her.  "Hello" Galina answered back with a smile she tried to force.  "What can I get for you?" the girl asked.  "Um, I'll just take a cup of whatever the local coffee is and a donut?  Please?" Galina answered.

"Sure you got it" she said ringing up the purchases.  "That will be $6.50" she said.  Galina fished a ten dollar bill out of her purse and handed it to the girl and when she received her change back, she stuck it in the tip jar.

"Hey thanks" she said excitedly.  Galina smiled, telling her she was very welcome.  Finding a seat by the window, Galina sat down and rested her tired feet, waiting for her coffee and sinful sweet treat.

"Here you are" she said putting down the steaming cup of the most wonderful smelling coffee and a freshly made sweet.  "Thank you" Galina said.  "Hey wait" the barista turned back around.  "Are you still hiring?" Galina asked her.  She nodded.  

"What do I need to do to interview with you?" Galina asked.  Putting her pen up to her lips, the barista said "Well, do you have coffee shop experience?"  Galina nodded.  "I worked at a little coffee house when I lived in Boston.  Worked there for almost three years" she told her.

Smiling the barista stuck out her hand and said "I'm Tori and you're hired.  Can you start tomorrow?"  Grinning at the girl, Galina took her hand and told her she would see her tomorrow.

This job would be a means to an end.  It would give her money and take her mind off Ilia.  Speaking of money, Galina needed to find the bank that was tied to the card that the lawyer had given her containing the money from Zoya.

She was gonna fry his mind by giving him the money willingly.  She didn't want it anyway.  Where in the world was she going to spend fifty million?  Let the bastard have it.

After finding the bank and getting a cashier's check, she headed home.  When she walked in the door, she took her phone from her purse and dialed up Maxim.

"Galina?  Are you alright?" his accented voice asked.  "I'm fine Max" she replied.  "I have something that I need you to come and get for Ilia.  I hate asking you to do this but I don't want to see him and I never want to set foot in that house again."

Sighing, Maxim told her that he would be there shortly as he was already in the area from previous business.  She knew that was bullshit because she still saw Ilia's men keeping a watch on her house but she didn't care.  Whatever helped that asshole sleep at night.

About ten minutes later there was a knock on the front door.  Rushing to answer it, she found a smiling Maxim on the other side of the screen.  Unlocking that door, she stood aside letting him enter.

Galina walked to the kitchen table, retrieved the envelope and handed it to Maxim.  He opened it carefully, looked at it for a moment and then stared at Galina.  "Are you crazy?" he asked incredulously.

"What?" she snapped.  "He was so willing to fuck me over for it, I figured I'd just let him have it.  I mean it, Maxim.  You give that bastard this and tell him to leave me the fuck alone."

Shaking his head, Maxim started to leave but then turned back around.  "Before I forget.  Irina's funeral is tomorrow.  Do you want me to come and collect you?" he asked.

"What time?" she asked.  "Eleven" was his response.  "Okay, wait just a second" she said picking up her phone.

"Tori?  It's Galina.  I was wondering if I could come in late tomorrow.  I just received word that my cousin's funeral is tomorrow at eleven."  The girl told Galina to not worry about coming in but to start on the next day, Thursday.  "Thanks Tori, I owe you one" Galina said smiling.

"Fine" she said looking at Max.  "Pick me up at eleven."  Placing the envelope she'd just given him in his suit pocket, he looked down at her and said "See you tomorrow?" she nodded and showed him the door.  This day couldn't get any worse.