The Beautiful Guardian: Vengence

Chapter Three: The Ride

Maxine sits beside Ivanova, facing the rear of the limo. She stares out of the window as the vehicle crosses over a river via a very long bridge. She is mostly oblivious to the conversation that Ivanova is having with her mother, Illiana, and her sister, Natalia. She seems to be lulled by the rhythmic sounds that are caused when the limo passes over the joints of the sections that make up the bridge.

"So what brings you two to our part of the world?" Ivanova asks, snapping Maxing from her daydream.

"Well, Natalia is here for that tournament set for next month, what type was it, Natalia? MMO?" Illiana asks.

Natalia cracks a smile in response to her mother's question, "It's called MMA mother."

Illiana rolls her eyes to her forgetfulness, "Oh that's right, MMA, Which reminds me, we still need to find a local gym to keep you in peak form while we await the date of the tournament, Do you know of one Ivanova?"

Ivanova brings a smile to her face, "Why yes, Maxine runs her gym right here in the city, I'm sure she won't mind letting you use it while you are in the city, Right Maxine?"

Maxine looks at Ivanova like she said something crazy. She then looks at the two women in front of her, changing her expression to a more cheerful one.

"Uh, yeah, Sure, of course, whatever you need, just let me know, " Maxine quickly stammers, hopefully before Ivanova's family notices her hesitation.

Even though the expression wasn't lost on Ivanova, she didn't let on that she noticed. She instead looks over to her sister, puts out a disarming smile, and asks, "Natalia, what made you decide to go into MMA?"

Natalia smiles slightly when she adjusts her seating position as she answers, "Well, I needed something to keep me in physical shape since my retirement from the military and this seemed to be the perfect way to pay the bills."

Ivanova nods and then turns her attention to her mother, Illiana, "And what are you doing now mother?"

"I have restarted your father's business, my dear, picked right where he left off," she answers.

Ivanova's face seems to lose some of the joy she felt upon hearing her mother. Maxine notices Ivanova's change and eyes Illiana with a small amount of suspicion.

"And what business is that?" Maxine inquiries.

"Imports my dear, expensive imports to and from my home country," Illiana answers with an air of superiority, that severely irritated Maxine.

The limo finally arrives at the Hotel Malone. The four women exit the vehicle with the luggage carried by Natalia. Maxine tugs at Ivanova's dress, urging her to follow Maxine. Ivanova makes an excuse toward her mother and follows Maxine into the hotel's women's restroom.

Maxine enters and goes to the far side of the restroom, stopping in front of the last stall. She rests her hands on her hips as she paces for a moment as Ivanova catches up with her.

"Maxine, what's wrong?" Ivan ova asks placing her hand on Maxine's arm.

"Something is up Ivanova, I know she is your mother but something isn't quite right," Maxine states as she paces.

"Maxine, relax, It's going to be ok I promise," reassures Ivanova.

"Your face told me otherwise, What was your father's business anyway?" Maxine asks.

Ivanova leans against the sink counter as she crosses her arms, " I'm not sure what it was, but I remember it wasn't altogether legitimate."

Maxine scoffs, "Damn, It would seem that you were preordained to the life of a mob boss huh? First your family, then your marriage to Rusk."

"Oh, Maxine just stop it, You know that I have been working to make Rusk Holdings legitimate, and I will not be like my mother," protests Ivanova.

"And volunteering me for your sister, I mean really?" Maxine quips.

"Yeah I'm sorry, but I really want them to like you, It would make things go smoother if they did, so, please could you just for me, despite your reservations?" Ivanova asks as she slides closer to Maxine, "I promise to make it worth your while."

Maxine looks upon Ivanova's face, she then focuses on her lips, "Well, I suppose I can, but first, "

Maxine suddenly pushes open the stall at the end of the restroom. She enters and pulls Ivanova in with her and quickly leans her on the wall inside of the stall. She then begins to kiss Ivanova's neck.

"Maxine, what are you doing?"

"Getting a down payment for putting up with your family, " Maxine purrs.

Ivanova's eyes roll back as they close. Maxine passionately kisses Ivanova causing her to moan softly. She then begins to work her way down her neck. Ivanova begins to gently push Maxine back.

"No, not here."

"Why not?"

"It's too public, can we do this later? Please?"

Maxine sighs as she steps away, allowing Ivanova to open the stall door to exit,  "Ok."

Ivanova stops to a standstill, her face getting red. Maxine exits as Ivanova lowers her head and begins her exit of the restroom.

There at a sink is an elderly woman, dressed as if she was on vacation. The glasses she wore were so thick that her eyes seem like little pebbles in a sea of glass. She eyes Ivanova as Ivanova passes her from behind. She steps back as Maxine gets closer, causing Maxine to stop beside her.

"You know, If I was just forty years younger," the elder lady begins, "I would switch teams as well."

Maxine looks up at Ivanova, who gets bright red as she quickly leaves. She then looks at the old woman with a slight smile.

"Uh, I better go," Maxine stutters as she follows after Ivanova.