The Hurting Kind

Alone at the Reigns in Paris

Being in Paris was nice.

It had been a week and Maya was...adjusting.

The first night she spent staring out the window until she cried herself to sleep. She kept thinking about what she had done, and the consequences she now had to accept. Maya knew the one thing that Bill would want more than anything - to make Rick suffer - and she knew after her last night with Rick what would be the best way to do that would be to lose her.

8 days ago...

"Well, hello Ms. Avant! I must admit that I didn't think you would have the brass to call me directly."

"Trust me Bill Spencer - you are the last person that I want to speak with."

Bill wasted no time with pleasantries. "So, what is it that you want to discuss?" 

"Rick keeping his position as CEO and how you are going to make that happen." Hearing his bellowing laughter over the phone made Maya's skin crawl, but she was going to get through this.

For Rick.

"And just how do you see that happening, Miz Avant?" he said. 

Maya didn't miss the cutting way that he chose to say the correct term. Instead, she chose to translate how she felt about it using her coldest and most unbothered tone. 

"I know that you don't like Rick or Ridge, but you do love power. I am offering you a chance to stick it to both of them while gaining more control within Forrester Creations. Which you do want - that much is obvious. Otherwise, why would you still be on the phone with me?"

After a few seconds of silence, Maya began to think that she went too far. Right before she thought to end the call, she heard Dollar Bill's answer. "You have my attention. Now let's hear your plan."

Bill Spencer had done just as she predicted and agreed to put his silent shares with Rick so that he would remain CEO of the company - once she had followed through with their verbal agreement. "My my Ms. Avant. You do continue to surprise me."

"I wish that I could say the same about you Spencer. Goodbye."

Once she ended the call the real work began as she headed to LAX. Bill then called Justin and had him set up a press conference on the company's jet. Within 4 hours, Maya was aboard the Spencer jet with several reporters and everyone else was summoned to FC per Bill's request.

___

Rick was on edge ever since he had woken up and realized that Maya was gone. He had called her phone every other hour trying to get a hold of her - Rick almost didn't go to FC at all. Finally, he decided to leave her one last message before going. 

"Maya. It's Rick - again. I...I don't know where you are or what hap- just please - please  call me when you get this. I will be at FC for a while. Bill has called a meeting. Just...know that I love you. And whatever made you leave - I don't care - we can talk about it and face it together. I love you."

When he arrived at the office, everyone else was already there. "So glad you decided to us, old Ricky boy." 

Ridge threw out testily. Choosing to ignore the intended jab, Rick addressed Bill. " I assume that this meeting is to announce your decision?"

"Yes. yes, it is." Bill answered. He then reached for the remote on the drawing table and turned on the main news. "Though instead of hearing me say it - I thought that it would be best if everyone heard it from a more...appealing face." 

The smirk on Bill's face as he saw everyone's confused stares only got wider as they heard Maya's voice and saw her face on the screen.

"...and as I am sure everyone knows by now, I am no longer working with Forrester Creations here in the US. This decision was not made lightly and was one that I made on my own. Forrester Creations will always have a special place in my heart and I could not thank them enough for their acceptance...and love. I have decided to spend some time abroad and work as a featured guest model for a few other Fashion houses while trying my hand at more editorial work. Now, I am sure you all are more interested in my response to the article published by Spencer Publications. This is all that I have to say on the matter. I do not care for the way that it was handled for all of the world to see, but I am not ashamed of my life and the journey that I took to get to where I am today. Spencer Publications is always welcomed to reach me for an exclusive follow up to their article. Once I find the time in my schedule to offer it. Thank you all for your time."

Rick continued to stare at the TV, even after Bill had turned it off. He tried to move and found that he couldn't. No longer working with Forrester Creations...no longer with Forrester Creations... 

"Congratulations Rick. It appears that you will remain CEO of the company after all. Thank you all for coming out." Bill said cheerfully.

"Unbelievable! Really?! This is how you do business these days Bill?" shouted Ridge. 

"Hey - you watch your tone! I am a businessman who was presented with a more attractive offer. That you couldn't meet up to. Your loss. Now deal with it."

Brooke made her way to her son. "Did you know that this would happen, Rick?" She almost didn't hear the 'no' that left his lips. 

As she looked at his face, tears began to collect in her eyes. Rick's eyes were bloodshot. Steffy and her father finally left in a huff as Dollar Bill turned his attention to Rick and his parents. He extended his hand to Rick who finally looked in his direction. 

"Where is she?" Rick whispered hoarsely.

"Paris, Rome, who knows! You heard the ladyboy - she's gone. Out. Done with FC - of her own accord." Bill taunted. "What a class act she was...Called me herself last night with this oh-so-lovely offer to keep you at the head of the table. A quite impressive offer too. Aren't you hap- "

Bill's gloating ended at the end of Rick's first for a second time. He managed to fall forward onto the conference room table instead of the ground. Rick's entire body was shaking at this point. Brooke screamed as Eric held onto Rick to keep him from going after Bill.

"I take that as a 'no' then? No matter - I am a businessman who keeps his word." Bill righted himself before continuing. "Ms. Avant did her part, and I will hold up to my end of our deal. See ya at the next board meeting junior." Bill made his way to the door and left.

"Son, I know this is a shock, but she did this for you. She knew how important the family company was to you and..." Eric tried to think of how to end that thought. 

Brooke looked at Rick again, "It's for the best honey. For both of you."

Rick looked at her and shook his head.

"No, mom, you are wrong. Without her by my side... I don't think that I can run Forrester Creations anymore. I-I can't. Not without her." 

He walked over to his desk and sat down. Rick then reached into his pants pocket and took out the small navy blue box that held the engagement ring that he had for Maya and placed it in the top left drawer.