Hate at First Sight by Addie

[Addie]

Chapter 16

Stepping out of the terminal, Alexis changed the weight of her carry-on from her left shoulder to her right. They had only left the plane minutes ago, but the insurmountable weight of her laptop, books, and snack foods was causing her to tilt to the side from fatigue. Walking, almost jumping, beside her was Izzy with her patent grin pasted across her freckled face.

“Will you stop being so, so happy?” Alexis said trying to find the right word.

“Do you know how long it’s been since I’ve been out of England? Fifteen years!” Izzy replied. “And just because you get cranky when you fly, it doesn’t mean I have to be.”

“I’m not cranky. I’m just tired.”

“Hmmhmm. You’re also eager to see a certain 6’4”, Russian athlete,” Izzy laughed winking at Alexis as they waited for their luggage in baggage claim.

“I hate baggage claim,” Alexis said folding her arms across her chest.

“Trying to change the subject, I see. Well, it won’t work.”

“I wasn’t trying to change the subject. I really hate baggage claim. I swear, people spend half their lives standing in front of this thing, watching as bags fly by in a relentless circle,” Alexis explained staring at the baggage carousel as it began to move.

“Maybe it’s a simile for your life,” Izzy shrugged.

“What’s that supposed to me?”

“Okay, I’m not a philosopher but here goes. When you’re standing in front of the baggage claim, you’re waiting for your bag. You want your bag, just like you want something in life. But if you stand there and watch it fly by, you’ll lose your chance. But if you get in their and fight for it, you’ll get your bag, you’ll get what you want or who you want.”

“Yeah, but when you go for your bag, you get hit by other people trying to get their bags. Sometimes you back off without your bag, and you’re bruised and disappointed,” Alexis said sighing to herself.

“What’s the point in being alive if you don’t live life to it’s fullest?”

“You know, I’m tired of this philosophy crap. We’re so tired we’re trying to analyze the meaning of waiting in baggage claim,” Alexis groaned walking into the crowd to find their bags.

*****

In the darkness of her hotel room, Alexis laid sleeping in her bed. The room was quiet with the exception of the faint sound of the air conditioner as it worked on the other side of the room. But soon the room was brought to life again as Alexis’ cell phone rang angrily on her bedside table. Taking her arm out from under the sheets, she turned on the lamp and opened her phone.

“Hello?” Alexis croaked.

“I thought I was going to see you when you got here.”

“Who is this?”

“Do you have that short of a memory?”

“Ah, I remember. It’s the guy who loves to insult me then be nice to me,” Alexis replied rubbing the sleep from her eyes. “How could I forget?”

“You sound tired.”

“I was asleep before you called.”

“Oh, I’m sorry. That would explain why you didn’t call to set up a meeting. Do you want me to call you later?”

“No, I need to wake up,” Alexis said struggling to sit up in her bed.

“Fighting jet lag and you lost?”

“Pretty much,” Alexis sighed. “What time is it?”

“It’s 7:30 at night,” Marat replied.

“Ugh, I think I missed dinner with Izzy. She’s probably still asleep though.”

“It’s because she doesn’t have a debonair Russian to wake her from her beauty sleep,” Marat laughed.

“Oh, the poor thing. I’m so lucky,” Alexis said trying to suppress a smile from forming on her face.

“Are you hungry?”

“A little bit.”

“How about I offer to take you out to eat?”

“I don’t know, Marat,” Alexis said biting her lip.

“It’s not a date, Alexis. We don’t have time tonight for you to actually get dressed up for a date. Think of it as two starving people keeping each other company.”

“You think I’d get dressed up to go on a date with you?”

“Don’t all women love to get dressed up?”

“Depends on the guy,” Alexis smiled.

“Would you get dressed up for me?”

“Maybe. I guess you’ll have to ask me out if you want to find out.”

“Well, I’m starving so let’s plan for one in the near future. Tomorrow night at 6 o’clock?” Marat asked.

“Let me check my schedule,” Alexis laughed.

“That’s not what you’re supposed to say,” Marat laughed as well.

“What am I supposed to say?”

“Something like: ‘Oh, my God! I’d love to!’ And then you’re supposed to call your friend and scream into the phone how you can’t believe your luck in having me ask you out,” Marat teased.

“I’m not that kind of girl.”

“Well, I can’t wait to find out what kind of girl you are.”

“So, are we still on for tonight though? I’m getting hungrier by the minute,” Alexis asked as her stomach rumbled.

“Of course, and ask your friend to come along.”

“Are you sure you can handle us?”

“I could handle the blondes in my box during the Australian Open a few years ago. I think I can handle you two.”

“Yeah, but our IQs are bigger than our waist sizes.”

“Okay, so I wasn’t talking to them for their interesting conversational skills. So what? You can’t tell me you haven’t talked to a guy just because he was good looking.”

“No, I mean I’m talking to you after all,” Alexis teased.

“Just meet me with your friend in front of the French restaurant, Sassafraz, in thirty minutes,” Marat laughed as he hung up the phone.

“Yup, no idea what he’s in for.”

*****

“Remind me again why I’m coming with you?” Izzy asked as they walked into the small French restaurant, Sassafraz.

“Because I’m hungry, Marat’s hungry, and you’re hungry, so we might as well eat together,” Alexis replied looking around the restaurant for Marat.

Rotating her head from side to side, she made eye contact with a pair of intense, green eyes. Without even looking at the rest of the face, Alexis knew it was Marat and grabbed a hold of Izzy’s wrist. Winding through the tables to get to him, she never took her eyes off of Marat’s. It was almost like a contest between them, who would look away first.

“Marat,” Alexis nodded. “Thank you for inviting us.”

“It was my pleasure,” Marat replied, his eyes still drilling into Alexis’. “And it’s nice to see you decided to join us, Izzy.”

“I was hungry. I guess,” Izzy shrugged looking from Marat to Alexis. “But one of you had better pay for my dinner since I have to chaperone your date.”

“It’s not a date, Izzy,” Alexis said as they all sat down.

“Then will you two please take your eyes off each other and look at me when you’re talking.”

Making a face at Marat for him to break eye contact first, Alexis waited, but Marat made no move. Sitting and watching the spectacle before her, Izzy sighed loudly before standing up from the table.

“I’m going to the restroom to fix my hair. By the time I get back, I want to see some progress,” Izzy said and walked off.

“She’s serious,” Alexis said continuing to stare into Marat’s eyes.

“After you,” Marat grinned.

“There’s no way I’m losing this game, Safin.”

“What game?”

“You know this is a competition. Just be a man and bow out gracefully.”

“Hmmm,” Marat hummed.

Searching back into the reaches of her mind, Alexis thought of the stupidest, funniest face she could think of at that moment. Tilting her head to the side, she stretched out her tongue at Marat, bugged out her eyes and crossed them, and spread a smile across her face. Instantly, Marat’s face turned bright red, and he erupted in laughter.

“I win!” Alexis shouted raising her arms up in the air.

“Yes, you win,” Marat said between laughs. “You have the ugliest face imaginable.”

“Excuse me?!”

“That face, not the one you have on right now,” Marat said quickly to keep Alexis from anger.

“Well, thanks,” Alexis blushed pushing her hair behind her ears.

The rest of the meal, Marat and Alexis talked about everything, even Marat’s current tennis state. Alexis tried to bounce off a few suggestions on him, but Marat was adamant that he had to play his game, his way. In a way, Alexis admired the fact that he was who he was and wasn’t ashamed of it.

“Did you notice anything?” Marat asked.

“Like what?” Alexis asked as she finished her dinner.

“Like the fact that Izzy never came back from the bathroom?”

“Oh, my God! I should have known she was escaping when she took her purse and jacket with her,” Alexis said slapping her palm against her forehead. “Remind me to kill her.”

“If you remind me to thank her,” Marat said smiling across the table.

“Huh?” Alexis mumbled as she melted from the effects of his smile.

“I’m glad we got to talk tonight. It’ll make our first date easier,” Marat explained.

“Don’t call it a date. It makes me nervous.”

“Why is that?”

“Listen, I’m going to be honest. I haven’t had the best of luck with relationships, and you don’t have the best of reputations either.”

“I’ll promise you one thing, Alexis,” Marat said taking her hand. “I won’t ever hurt you.”

“You promise?”

“I promise,” Marat smiled squeezing her hand. “Now, let me take you back to your hotel. We both have work tomorrow.”

“And our…,” Alexis tried to say.

“You don’t have to say it.”

“Thanks.”

[Addie]

Chapter 17

Walking to the door of Alexis’ hotel room, the atmosphere was eerily quiet and uncomfortable. Fiddling with her room key between her fingers as they walked, Alexis glanced over and up at Marat. He was staring straight ahead, and she watched as his eyes darted from door to door expecting it to be hers. When they finally reached her door at the end of the hallway, they stopped in front of the door and faced each other.

“Hmmm,” Marat murmured.

“What?”

“I think your room is right above mine,” Marat said looking down at the floral-printed carpeting that covered the hallway.

“Really? I didn’t know we were in the same hotel,” Alexis asked as she fiddled further with her square, plastic room key. “That’s interesting.”

“Is this going to be just like the night in London? We stand here and say nothing till one of us leaves?” Marat asked as he lifted Alexis’ face up with a hand under her chin.

“I don’t want it to end like that,” Alexis nodded with Marat’s hand still gently cupping her chin.

“Me neither,” Marat whispered as he lowered his face to hers.

As soon as his green eyes met her silver eyes, Alexis could feel her breath quicken and her heart flutter. She stared at the angles of his face, the lines of his jaw, and the shape of his lips. A part of her wanted to grab him by his shirt and kiss him till they were out of breath and their cheeks were flushed a deep pink. But the other part, the part that could still feel the sting of finding Bryan with another woman, wanted her to push him away and run into her room.

“Alexis?” Marat whispered trying to take her out of her gaze.

“Hmmm?” Alexis said snapping out her thoughts.

“Good night,” Marat said against her ear as he placed a soft peck on her left cheek.

“I messed it up again, didn’t I?” Alexis asked as he started to walk away down the hall.

“No, you didn’t do anything like that. I’ll see you tomorrow night at six o’clock in the lobby,” Marat reminded her. “Don’t stand me up.”

“I wouldn’t dream of it.”

*****

“How could I have let this get so out of control?” Alexis moaned as she sat in front of her laptop with her hands on her head grasping at her hair. “How am I going to be able to finish this story in time? We have a deadline to make!”

“Relax, Alexis. You can do this. All you have to do is focus,” Izzy said calmly as she placed her hands on Alexis’ tense shoulders.

“Ugh. I hate when matches run over, and then I have to scramble to make a deadline that is pushed up because of the damn time difference!”

“Concentrate, Alexis. You have an hour to finish the story. It’s six o’clock now,” Izzy said looking at her watch. “Get to work. I’ll be back to check on you in half an hour.”

“Okay, you’re right. I can do this,” Alexis said between deep breaths. “I’ve got the time, and all I need is the story.”

Typing at her keyboard, Alexis never noticed the tiny numbers at the bottom of her screen as they ticked away the minutes past six o’clock and her date with Marat.

*****

A half hour later and five stories down, Marat was still sitting in the couch he had sat down in 45 minutes ago to wait for Alexis to come downstairs. Watching the guests walk in and out of the lobby, Marat started to feel anger and embarrassment consume him. Closing his eyes to escape the feelings and calm down, he listened to the sounds of shoes clipping against the expensive marble floors of the lobby. Suddenly, he heard footsteps coming towards his chair.

Opening his eyes and sitting up straight, he expected to see Alexis walking quickly towards him. He was praying that she had just been caught up in work and was running behind. But instead of Alexis standing in front of him, it was Miguel who was traveling with him to tournaments while Peter was vacationing. Slamming his fist against the arm of the chair he was sitting in, Marat stood up and started walking towards the elevators.

“Marat, what’s going on?” Miguel asked as he ran after Marat.

“Nothing’s wrong,” Marat shouted above the noise of the lobby. “Absolutely nothing. I should have seen it coming.”

“Is this about that girl? The reporter?”

“Yes, it is. She stood me up. And she was the one who acted so afraid about being hurt. How does she think this makes me feel?” Marat continued to shout as he slammed his fist against the elevator doors. “What is taking this thing so long to get down here?”

“Marat, what are you going to do?”

“Nothing. I’m not going to do anything,” Marat answered as he leaned his forehead against the cool, metal doors of the elevator. “I was going to do something, but I’m not going to waste my time on her.”

“That’s a good idea,” Miguel replied. “Come on. We’ll take the stairs. You need to blow off some steam.”

“Blow off steam? That’s an understatement for the atomic bomb that just went off in my head.”

*****

“Come in!” Alexis called from her temporary work space at the small table near the window of her hotel room.

“Sorry, I didn’t come in earlier. I know I said I’d be in thirty minutes ago, but I got caught up in this reality show,” Izzy apologized letting herself into Alexis’ hotel room.

“Any good?” Alexis asked as she clicked away with her computer mouse.

“What? The reality show? No, it was terrible.”

“Then why did you get caught up in it?”

“The people on it were so incredibly stupid that it was hilarious,” Izzy laughed remembering the hour-long reality show. “And they’re everywhere. American television is overflowing with reality shows.”

“And idiots,” Alexis added as she made a final click of her mouse before turning off her laptop.

“Did you just send in your story?”

“Yup, and now I can relax,” Alexis said leaning back in her chair.

“I’d be careful how much you lean back in that chair. The one in my room is missing a screw,” Izzy commented staring at the legs of Alexis’ chair.

“Let me guess, you found that out when you fell on the floor,” Alexis teased.

“No, that’s your job,” Izzy retorted sticking out her tongue.

“Shut up!” Alexis said throwing her pencil at Izzy’s head.

“You could take an eye out with that!” Izzy cried covering her face with her arms. “Ooo, I almost forgot. I got this amazing picture of Nadal in action today. Let me go get my camera,” Izzy said jumping up from the edge of Alexis’ bed. “I’ll leave the door open a crack so I can get in again.”

“Okay, hurry up,” Alexis said turning back towards her desk.

Hearing her hotel room door squeak shut but not click closed, Alexis began straightening her desk up. Old Starbucks coffee cups and newspapers were strewn across the surface of the desk hiding Alexis’ notebook and day planner underneath. Closing her notebook and shoving it into her bag, she stared at her open day planner. Written in purple ink across the day’s events was her date with Marat at six o’clock. Alexis was stunned that she had forgotten all about it and frantically located her discarded watch on the floor and looked at the time.

“Holy shit!” Alexis shouted as she saw that it was 7:15 at night.

“What’s wrong?” Izzy asked as she entered Alexis’ room.

“I was supposed to go to dinner with Marat tonight at six o’clock. It’s past seven!” Alexis groaned getting up from her chair to search for her cell phone.

“Dinner with Marat? You stood him up?!” Izzy asked as Alexis dug through a drawer in her bedside table.

“I didn’t mean to. I got caught up in the deadline. I’ve got to find my phone and apologize,” Alexis answered as she continued to search for her cell phone. “I hope he can forgive me.”

Finally locating her cell phone under a stack of dirty clothes in the corner of her room, Alexis dialed Marat’s number. Waiting with the phone to her ear and a hand on her hip, she stared across the room at Izzy. The phone continued to ring until it came to Marat’s voicemail.

“Marat, it’s Alexis. I completely forgot about the time. Izzy and I were at the courts late this afternoon, and I had a deadline to hit. I’m so sorry I forgot about our date. Please call me back as soon as you get this message.”

Throwing her phone back into the pile of dirty laundry, Alexis looked hopelessly over at Izzy. Izzy shrugged her shoulders and gave Alexis a comforting smile. They both knew that all they could do now was wait for Marat to call back, but it was too much for Alexis to handle. Grabbing her room key, she charged out of her room to find Marat’s room a floor below.

Calculating how many doors over she was on her floor before leaving, she arrived at the floor below to search for Marat’s. When she finally arrived at her destination, she took a deep breath before she knocked on the door. Alexis was still not entirely sure this was the right room. But seconds later, a familiar figure opened the door and stared down at her.

“Marat! Thank God I found you!” Alexis sighed. “You cannot believe how bad I feel that I forgot about our date.”

“What are you doing here?” Marat whispered with bloodshot eyes.

“I’m here to apologize,” Alexis replied noticing the smell of alcohol on his breath. “I lost track of time. I had an impossible deadline to make.”

“You know Alexis, if you didn’t like me or want to go out with then you should have said so before you stood me up.”

“That’s what I’m trying to explain; I didn’t stand you up,” Alexis explained reaching for his hand.

“Then you didn’t stand me up. You’re just playing sick mind games with me,” Marat said flinging Alexis’ hand away from him. “Forget I even asked you out.”

“Marat, you’re drunk and overreacting. I’ll call you tomorrow when you’re back to your senses.”

“I have all my senses about me for the first time since I met you. I thought you were the most beautiful and most interesting woman I had ever met, but it turns out you’re just like the rest. Let me guess, your boyfriend dumped you, and now you’ve devoted your life to getting back at every man you meet?”

“That’s harsh, Marat,” Alexis whispered as she felt the sting of his words.

“Well, life’s harsh,” Marat said slamming his hotel room door in her face.

[Addie]

Chapter 18

It was a night and day experience that week for Marat and Alexis. In the first round, Marat lost to Tommy Robredo. For that reason, it was easy to understand why he stomped out of the hotel with his bags to fly to Cincinnati just hours after his loss. But for Alexis, the first week of her US Open Series coverage turned out to be the best decision she had ever made. For the first time in years, England was glued to the London Times tennis section. They had never shown that much interest in tennis after Wimbledon.

Even though she was becoming one of the best sports reporters at the Times, there was still an indescribable ache in the pit of her stomach. Every night before she went to sleep and after she had sent in her story, Alexis would lie in bed thinking about that night from earlier in the week. Marat was right when he said life was harsh, especially with their current situation. She wanted nothing more than to go back in time and be there for that date. Sighing to herself before she went to sleep, she wondered what would have become of them if she hadn’t forgotten the time.

But with a sullen heart and heavy suitcase, Alexis and Izzy flew to Cincinnati after they had covered Roger Federer winning yet another title. Arriving at their hotel, they checked in before climbing into the elevator. The ride to the top was slow going as one floor took at least a minute. The elevator ride seemed even longer to Izzy as Alexis wouldn’t talk or continue a conversation.

“So, this going to be an interesting week,” Izzy commented as the elevator climbed slowly to the second floor. “Any predictions from England’s newest tennis guru?”

“Hmmm,” Alexis murmured as she continued to stare at the buttons on the inside of the elevator. “I have no idea.”

“Oh, come on!” Izzy said elbowing Alexis in the stomach. “I’m trying to make conversation.”

“Is that what that was?”

“That’s mean, Alexis. What’s gotten into you? You were so excited to come to the States when we left. And when we got here, you were enjoying work, and you were enjoying – oh, now I get it,” Izzy whispered looking down at her feet. “It couldn’t have been as bad as you said.”

“It was, Izzy,” Alexis sighed leaning back against the wall. “He hates me, and there’s nothing I can do about it.”

“Weird.”

“Weird how?”

“It’s weird how the tables have turned. At first, the two of you hated each other’s guts. Then before you knew it, he was chasing after you, and you were warming up to him. And now, you’re depressed and angry, because he won’t talk to you,” Izzy explained. “What a turn of events.”

“I just wish I could do it all over again,” Alexis groaned as the elevator passed the fourth floor.

“Which part?”

“Every part. The confrontation at the restaurant, the fight on the sidewalk after Roland Garros, the assumptions I made, the forgetting of our date, everything. I created a disaster,” Alexis said banging the back of her head against the wall.

“I don’t think you really want to do those all over again. For one, they’re who you are, and you can’t change that. Second, I think all the yelling and fighting attracted Marat to you. He wasn’t used to a woman who put up a fight.”

“What woman would?” Alexis asked as she rolled her eyes.

“Finally!” Izzy shouted as the elevator doors opened to their floor. “Next time, we’re taking the stairs.”

“Agreed,” Alexis nodded as she followed Izzy down the hall.

A half hour later, Izzy and Alexis were unpacked and settled into their hotel rooms. Meeting outside their rooms in the hallway, they discussed what they were going to do for dinner. Deciding upon a deli they had seen as they drove to the hotel earlier, Alexis and Izzy walked to the elevator. Pushing the call button, Alexis looked into her purse to find her cell phone. As usual, it was buried at the bottom, and she was still searching for it when the elevator doors opened.

“Um, Alexis. The elevator’s here,” Izzy whispered staring ahead at the open doors.

“Okay, one second. Hold the doors for me,” Alexis replied as she continued to dig through her purse.

“You might want to look up and decide if you want to take this elevator.”

“Izzy, what are you talking about?” Alexis asked looking up.

Standing inside the elevator with his arms folded against his chest, Marat stared back at a stunned Alexis. Neither one them moved or spoke as Izzy climbed into the elevator.

“Izzy, what are you doing?” Alexis asked through clenched teeth.

“You never decided, so I’m making up your mind for you. Now get in the elevator before the doors close,” Izzy answered with a smile.

“No,” Alexis replied.

“Alexis, just get in,” Marat said as he spoke for the first time in days to her.

“Fine,” Alexis replied stepping into the elevator and standing between Izzy and Marat.

“Well, isn’t that the luck,” Izzy said snapping her fingers and stopping the elevator doors from closing. “I forgot my wallet in my room. Alexis, why don’t you go wait for me at the hotel bar? I’ll be there soon.”

“Izzy, don’t you dare,” Alexis growled but Izzy had already left the elevator.

“Have a nice ride,” Izzy said before the elevator doors shut.

“Ugh, I’m going to kill her,” Alexis moaned.

“She’s a tricky one, isn’t she?” Marat asked as he stared over at Alexis.

“But maybe I should thank her,” Alexis said cooling down. “This might be the only way to get you to listen to me.”

“We might be stuck in this slow elevator together, but I’m not going to listen to any of your shit. I’ve had enough of it.”

“Marat, you don’t really believe I stood you up on purpose? It was an accident, an honest mistake,” Alexis explained and then whispered, “I would do anything to go back in time and redo what I did.”

“Do you mean that?” Marat asked.

“Yes, I do,” Alexis said looking up at him with watering eyes. “I wouldn’t put someone through the same thing I went through.”

“Are you crying?”

“No, just getting upset,” Alexis said turning away from Marat as she wiped her tears with her sleeve.

“Alexis, I didn’t mean to be so angry,” Marat whispered as he turned her around to face him. “I can see you’ve been hurt before, and I don’t want you to go back to that.”

“I don’t either,” Alexis replied as they elevator doors opened into the lobby. “Here’s our stop.”

“Are you going to the bar still to wait on your friend?” Marat asked as they stepped out of the elevator.

“Yeah, I guess so,” Alexis said shrugging her shoulders.

“I’ll wait with you until she comes,” Marat said placing his hand on the small of Alexis’ back as he steered her towards the bar.

“I have a feeling she’s not coming though. Another one of her schemes.”

“Good. I’m starting to like her schemes,” Marat whispered into Alexis’ ear as they sat down at the bar.

“Okay, so you’ll listen now to what I have to say?” Alexis asked.

“If you find it necessary to explain, then go ahead, but I’ve already forgiven you.”

“Really? You seemed so angry with me only minutes before,” Alexis commented.

“The last girl I was with I let slip away. I’m not going to do that anymore, and I’m starting over with you,” Marat said holding Alexis’ hand in his. “That’s why I reacted the way I did. I didn’t want a repeat of what happened before you.”

“I completely understand that.”

Smiling at each other, relieved that they had finally sorted everything out, they ordered drinks and moved to a table at the back at the restaurant. For the next few hours and into midnight, Marat and Alexis continued to get to know each other. But as the conversation turned to family, Marat could tell that Alexis was hiding things from him. And the more Marat pried, the more Alexis would crawl into her shell.

“So, what about your parents?” Marat asked.

“Ummm, you know, just your everyday parents. And yours?” Alexis asked fiddling with the straw in her drink.

“Why do you keep answering my questions with a question?” Marat smiled as he tried to make her uncomfortable. “If there’s something you don’t want to talk about yet, then you need to say so.”

“I don’t want to talk about my family.”

“See? That wasn’t so hard,” Marat replied as Alexis yawned. “Am I that boring?”

“Oh, not at all. It’s getting late, and I’m beginning to feel the effects,” Alexis explained as she tried to suppress another yawn.

“And with that,” Marat said getting up from the table and extending his hand to Alexis, “it’s time to leave.”

“Thank you,” Alexis said taking his hand and walking with him to the elevators. She was so exhausted that she didn’t even notice that he held her hand all the way up to her hotel room door.

[Addie]

Chapter 19

“Ugh, not again,” Alexis moaned from the stands as she watched play his first round match.

Situated at the front of the press box, Alexis and Izzy felt noble. Word was spreading quickly about Alexis’ writing skills. When they had arrived for the match, the other reporters and photographers had moved over so that Izzy and Alexis could have the best seats. Trying to not let it go to her head, Alexis ignored their looks of admiration and fascination and focused on Marat’s first round match.

“Why is he letting this happen? He has points to defend,” Izzy groaned along with Alexis as she took pictures of Marat hitting a backhand straight into the net.

“I thought he would win against Monfils easily,” Alexis commented as she typed away in her laptop.

“I thought he would win mostly because he was no longer fighting with you,” Izzy shrugged as Marat missed another backhand.

“Our fight in Cincinnati had nothing to do with his early round loss.”

“I’m not saying it was the fight. I’m saying that you have an effect over him.”

“Izzy, that’s ridiculous. We haven’t even been on a date yet,” Alexis said rolling her eyes.

“It’s only a matter of time till you’re sitting in his box instead of here, and you’re following him around the world. Heck, maybe you’ll even dye your hair blonde so you can fit in with the rest of the tennis trophy wives.”

“Trophy wife? Me? No way in hell!” Alexis smiled.

“We’ll see,” Izzy murmured as they continued to watch Marat’s match.

Twenty minutes later, the match was over, and Marat was out of yet another tournament in the first round. Gathering their things, Izzy and Alexis headed toward the pressroom. As they walked down the hall near the room, Alexis began to cringe in anticipation of the press conference. The last time she had been apart of his press conference, she had crippled their relationship. Her breath continued to quicken, and her palms started to sweat.

“Izzy, I can’t do this,” Alexis said stopping in the middle of the hallway.

“What do you mean?”

“I can’t go to his press conference. You go for me, and I’ll look at the transcript later.”

“Alexis, there is no way in hell I could take notes as fast as you can. Now suck it up and let’s go,” Izzy said trying to pull Alexis down the hallway.

“Here, take my tape recorder,” Alexis said throwing the recorder at Izzy. “I’ll see you at the hotel.”

“Alexis, you have to do your job eventually. You don’t want this relationship to ruin your career,” Izzy lectured with her hands on her hips.

“Please, Izzy. Just this once. I’ll go next time,” Alexis asked with pleading eyes.

“Fine, but just this once.”

“Thank you, Izzy,” Alexis said hugging Izzy.

“I’ll see you later.”

Turning around, Alexis scurried down the hall and away from Izzy. Izzy sighed and continued to walk in the other direction to the pressroom. If Alexis didn’t figure everything out soon, she wasn’t going to like it when someone figured it out for her.

*****

After she had arrived back at her hotel, Alexis changed into a pair sweatpants and a Columbia University sweatshirt. Nothing felt better to her than lying on her bed and ordering movies off the television. It had been so long since she had done anything but work or worry about her relationship with Marat. And now that she could sit around and vegetate, Alexis started to remember things from long ago.

She remembered the times when her mother would take her to the movies and the park for the day. It was their tradition to go every Wednesday until the tradition ended when she had started Kindergarten. After she had started school and her mother was left at home by herself, Alexis had started to see her mother changed. Caught up in her memories, Alexis was no longer watching the movie and barely heard the knock on her door.

“Who is it?” Alexis called as she walked to the door.

“It’s Marat.”

“What are you doing here?” Alexis asked as she opened the door.

“Well, you weren’t at my press conference. So, I got worried.”

“I’m sorry. I just didn’t want the same thing to happen.”

“Alexis, you have a job to do. I don’t expect you to give up your career or how you do it because of me. If you do that, you’ll grow to hate me,” Marat said.

“But what if you don’t like the questions I ask?”

“I’ll get over it,” Marat smiled.

“You didn’t last time.”

“True, but I wasn’t prepared. But now that I’ve been around you more, I’m ready for anything.”

“Because I’m so outrageous,” Alexis said sarcastically.

“If you were a tennis player, I’m sure you would break a few rackets,” Marat teased.

“Except for the fact that I would never be a tennis player, because I can’t play to save my life,” Alexis laughed. “Besides, you’re the king of breaking rackets.”

“I am, aren’t I?” Marat said with pride.

“You’re impossible,” Alexis giggled hitting his shoulder playfully.

“And so are you,” Marat replied as silence took over their conversation.

“So, are you leaving tomorrow?” Alexis asked.

“Yes, but you have to stay here.”

“Right.”

Neither of them said another word but stood inside Alexis’ hotel room looking at the floor. Out of nowhere, Marat leaned down and pulled her against him until their bodies were pressed together. Trying to say something, Alexis was quieted by Marat’s lips covering her own. Falling into the rhythm of his lips, Alexis melted into his hands as she massaged the back of his neck. They didn’t separate until they were almost out of breath.

“Marat, I…,” Alexis tried to say.

“Do you ever shut up?” Marat asked capturing her lips again with his own.

The kissing lasted a few minutes longer until they stopped, and Alexis fell into his arms. Standing together in each other’s arms, they silently said goodbye before Marat left. Alexis had never liked saying goodbye, but she hated it even more when Marat said it.

*****

“How about ‘Roddick Finds His Mojo In Cincinnati’?” Izzy suggested as they drove back to their hotel after the TMS Cincinnati final.

“No way! I feel bad for the guy. The commercial wasn’t even his idea, but he got all criticism for it after his first round loss at the US Open,” Alexis said turning onto the highway.

“That was great, though. I wonder what else American Express will think of,” Izzy smirked.

“Hey, he’s a nice guy. Give him a break.”

“You’re just defending your fellow American.”

“You do the same thing with Tim Henman. At least Andy won today, and he’s now won the US Open series. What about Tim?”

“Okay, so both of us are devoted to men we barely know or that don’t deserve our attention.”

“Don’t deserve our attention? We’re not exactly Angelina Jolie and Nicole Kidman,” Alexis teased looking at her disheveled appearance in her rearview mirror.

“No, we’re better. We are real women with wrinkles, split ends, and cellulite.”

“Speak for yourself,” Alexis replied. “I’m perfect.”

“Haha. Well, Marat could have anyone he wants, and he picked you.”

“Yes, but I thought you said it was because of my opinionated self,” Alexis commented as she turned off the highway towards their hotel.

“Yes, I did. But I’m sure there’s still some physical attraction there as well,” Izzy said with a wink.

“You’re ridiculous.”

“Yes, but you love me,” Izzy smiled. “Speaking of physical attraction, what’s been going on in that department between you and Marat?”

“That’s none of your business.”

“Ooo, so something has happened? Do tell.”

“Actually, it’s the opposite. We haven’t gotten too far.”

“But you’ve kissed him, right? How was it?” Izzy asked as curiosity sparked in her eyes.

“It was good. No, it was amazing!” Alexis said as she remembered their kiss before he had left. It had been their first kiss, and what a kiss it was!

“Amazing? When did it happen?”

“It happened when he came to say goodbye to me after he lost this week. I have to say: he has a way with more than just a racket,” Alexis giggled as she parked their rental car in front of their hotel.

“I wish I was you right now.”

“I’m so happy right now; I can barely believe I am me.”

[Addie]

Chapter 20

“New York City! The Big Apple! We’ve finally arrived!” Izzy shouted as she raised her arms in the air.

“And unfortunately, I’ve returned,” Alexis mumbled as she tried to wave down a taxi at the front of the airport.

“I thought you’d be excited to watch Marat play. And besides, you guys have got an entire week of no tennis before the US Open starts. It’ll give you plenty of time to figure out what side of the bed he sleeps on,” Izzy said wiggling her eyebrows mischievously.

“You need to get a life.”

“No, what I need is a boyfriend. Maybe you could set me up with one of Marat’s friends,” Izzy smiled.

“Would you like a Russian or a Spaniard?” Alexis asked as a cab finally pulled up beside them.

“It depends,” Izzy murmured.

“On what?”

“Well….”

“Oh, Izzy! Get your mind out of the gutter!” Alexis admonished as she threw their suitcases into the trunk of the cab.

“Fine. I’ll be good for the rest of the day,” Izzy said as they sat down in their cab and Alexis’ cell phone began to ring.

“Alexis Moore,” she said answering her phone.

“How was your flight?”

“I’m sorry. I don’t think I know who this is,” Alexis teased knowing very well it was Marat.

“Really? What hotel are you staying at?”

“Why would I tell a stranger where I’m staying?”

“Alexis,” Marat growled.

“The Millenium Hilton Hotel,” Alexis answered reluctantly.

“Perfect. I’ll remind you who I am in a few minutes,” Marat said as he hung up the phone.

“What’s he doing?” Izzy asked.

“I have no idea, but I can’t wait to find out,” Alexis replied as they pulled up in front of their hotel.

Standing on the curb in front of the glass doors of the Millenium Hilton, Marat waved the cab over to where he stood. Pocketing his cell phone, Marat opened the door of Alexis and Izzy’s cab. Marat pulled Alexis out the cab and grabbed her by the waist. Lifting her in the air so that she was eye to eye with him, he placed a lip-numbing kiss on her mouth. Setting her back down on the sidewalk, Marat smiled at her triumphantly.

“Do you remember me now?” he asked.

“Hold on a second. Let me catch my breath,” Alexis said pushing her hair out of her face as the wind continued to blow around them and her heart raced uncontrollably.

“I’ll take that as a ‘yes’,” Marat said as he walked behind the car to get their bags out of the trunk.

“Wow!” Izzy said as she climbed out of the cab. “When did you get so lucky?”

“I have no idea,” Alexis replied shaking her head as she watched Marat wheel their suitcases toward them.

“Here you are, ladies,” he said setting them down in front of them.

“Thank you,” Izzy said grabbing her suitcase. “I’m going to go check us in. You two can go catch up while I do that.”

“Unfortunately, not for long,” Marat commented.

“Why?” Alexis asked.

“I have to go to practice. But I’ll see you soon. After all, if you didn’t already figure it out, we’re staying at the same hotel,” Marat said kissing her forehead. “I’ll see you soon.”

“Okay, bye,” Alexis waved as he got into a taxi.

Turning around and walking into the hotel, Alexis waited with Izzy to check in and get their room keys. When they did finally get their room keys, the two of them headed to the elevators. Nearing the elevators, Alexis’ cell phone began to ring.

“Go on ahead, Izzy,” Alexis said taking out her cell phone from her purse. “I get bad reception in elevators.”

“Okay,” Izzy said as she continued to walk to the elevators.

Taking her cell phone from her purse, Alexis smiled to herself. She was pretty sure she knew who it would be.

“Yes, king of kissing?” she said answering her phone.

“Alexis, how many times have I told you that a reporter’s cell phone is like their office phone? What if I had been your editor?” a familiar voice lectured her.

“Dad?”

“Who did you think it was? Oh, yes. You thought I was the ‘king of kissing’.”

“I’m sorry. I thought you were someone else,” Alexis replied feeling her face turn red.

“I’m not going to ask who the ‘king of kissing’ is. I am calling to invite you to dinner,” David explained.

“How did you know I was in New York?” Alexis asked as she began to walk to the elevators again.

“I figured you would be here for the US Open since you’re a – a sports reporter,” David said in disgust.

“I see. And may I ask why you want to have dinner with me?” Alexis said pushing the button for the elevator.

“I want to make sure you are doing your job, no matter how ridiculous it is. So when you come to dinner, bring along your laptop so I can take a look at the stories you’ve done.”

“Great. When do you want to have dinner?”

“We’ll eat at Zhou at eight tonight,” David replied. “It’s the only night I have free for awhile.”

“Fine. I’ve got to go,” Alexis said hanging up her phone so she could get into the elevator. She had officially lost any appetite she had before.

*****

After calling Marat to explain her plans for the evening, Alexis changed into a pair of black dress pants and a red blouse. She grabbed her laptop carrier before leaving her room and left the hotel to find a cab. Twenty minutes later, she was walking into the Chinese restaurant, Zhou. Sitting at his usual table to the left of the front doors, David raised his hand to get her attention. Even if he hadn’t, Alexis would know where to find him, because he always asked for that table.

“Do you ever experiment with new restaurants, Dad?” Alexis asked as she sat down in the chair opposite him.

“Why bother? I know I’ll always get a good meal here,” David said watching Alexis look through her menu. “Red’s not your color.”

“Thank you, Dad. I appreciate your fashion advice,” Alexis replied rolling her eyes.

“Let me see your laptop.”

“Could you ask nicely?”

“We have quite the ego now, don’t we?” David asked as he leaned back in surprise at his daughter’s retort.

“No, but I deserve respect,” Alexis said setting down her menu and handing her laptop to her father.

“I’m sure you get plenty of that from your new boyfriend,” David commented as he opened one of her stories onto the computer screen.

“Excuse me?”

“I’m going to give you some advice, Alexis: don’t get involved with a tennis player when you’re a tennis reporter,” David said looking at her from above his silver-framed glasses. “Especially one so notorious as Marat Safin.”

“How did you know about Marat?”

“I am a journalist, Alexis. I’ve heard through the grapevine that many sports reporters are itching to write about the two of you. They just need one encounter to support their stories,” David informed. “You need to end it now before it ruins your career. Your editor will never respect you if he finds out about it.”

“I don’t have to listen to you. You’re not exactly Dr. Phil.”

“True. Do whatever you want, Alexis. It’s your career you’re killing. And if you lose this job, I won’t be finding you a new one,” David said shrugging his shoulders.

“I didn’t lose the last job I had. You turned in my resignation papers for me,” Alexis snapped.

“You have such a temper. Now where did you get that from? Not from me,” David murmured as he sat back in his chair once again. “It must be from your mother.”

“I can only thank God I’m more like her than you,” Alexis replied.

“Really? If you were smart, you would pray to God to be more like me than that woman.”

“I’m leaving,” Alexis said standing up from their table and grabbing her laptop. “I no longer have to listen to you if I don’t want to.”

“Remember what I said, Alexis.”

“I don’t give a shit what you said. It’s my life, and I know what I’m doing,” Alexis said before she stormed out of the restaurant and into the rain outside.

Walking down the street to get as far away as she could from the restaurant, Alexis couldn’t believe her luck as thunder crashed and lighting struck above her. Trying not to slip and fall on the soaking wet sidewalks, she flagged down a taxi. But instead of stopping for her, it stopped for a woman protected by a large umbrella. Alexis felt anger and frustration invade her body as large drops of rain drenched her to the skin.

“What the hell?!” Alexis screamed into the sky. “Why do you hate me?”

When a cab finally did come to her, Alexis slid into the back seat and gruffly told the driver where to take her. She paid the cab fare, with a very small tip, and stomped into the hotel. From the looks on people’s faces, she could tell she must have looked like a drowned rat. Deciding against her better judgement, she walked straight to the hotel bar.

[Addie]

Chapter 21

Knocking on the door of Alexis’ hotel room, Marat’s knuckles started to feel sore from the repeated knocking he had been doing. Calling through the door to get Alexis to come to her door, he began to get worried. He had gotten her message about her dinner with her father, but she should have been back by now. Memories of their dinner in Wimbledon ran through his mind as he walked towards the elevators. He knew from their conversation that night that she didn’t get along with him.

“Marat?” a voice called from behind him.

“Yes?” Marat said hoping to find Alexis when he turned around.

“Is Alexis back now? I figured you two were together,” Izzy said.

“No, I’ve been trying to get a hold of her for an hour. I was beginning to get worried,” Marat said running his hand through his hair.

“So, she wasn’t with you?” Izzy asked raising her eyebrows.

“Nope,” Marat replied nodding his head.

“This isn’t good.”

“What do you mean?”

“How much do you know about her relationship with her father?”

“Enough to know they don’t get along.”

“Her father can say some harmful things. And when Alexis is upset or hurt, she tends to drink. At least that’s what I’ve noticed since we’ve met.”

“So, this is very bad,” Marat said rubbing his forehead. “Where do you think she could be?”

“I’d say any bar in a file mile radius of here,” Izzy sighed.

“Well, that narrows it down a lot,” Marat said rolling his eyes.

“Tell you what; I’ll start looking around at the bars and clubs around the hotel. You can search out the hotel bar and keep a look out for her if she comes back to the hotel,” Izzy suggested.

Taking the elevator to the lobby together, Marat and Izzy separated as she walked across the lobby to the front doors. Before he went to check the bar, Marat asked around at the front desk about Alexis, but nobody had seen her. He made sure they all knew what she looked like and to find him if they saw her.

Walking into the hotel’s bar, Marat noticed a woman sitting at the bar. She was hunched over the bar clutching a bottle of beer like it was a lifesaver. Her dark hair was tangled and damp, and her soaking wet clothes and shoes were dripping water onto the floor under her barstool. Shaking his head at the woman’s appearance, Marat leaned against the bar of the hotel as he surveyed the room.

“Excuse me,” the woman next to him croaked out. “Another beer. No, wait. Make it a vodka.”

As the man behind the bar hurried to get the woman’s drink, Marat looked over at her more closely. Although her face was smeared by mascara, he could tell she was young and attractive. The woman must have felt his stare, and she turned her head so she was facing him. When she did this, a pair of silver eyes drilled through him. It was Alexis! The wet, intoxicated woman at the bar was his Alexis.

“Alexis? Are you okay?” Marat asked as he tripped over barstools to reach where she sat. “What happened to you?”

“Huh? What?” Alexis muttered as she looked up at him with hooded eyes.

“Alexis, it’s me. Marat.”

“Oh! Marat!” Alexis exclaimed slapping his chest with her hands as if he was an old friend she hadn’t seen in years. “How are you?”

“I’m fine, Alexis. But I’m more worried about,” Marat said softly as he moved a piece of wet hair away from her face.

“Oh, I’m great. I’m just great,” Alexis said as she tried to drink from her empty beer bottle.

“Sweetheart, I think that’s empty,” Marat said as he gently removed the beer bottle from her hand.

“Yeah, I think you’re right,” Alexis replied as she watched Marat move the bottle away from her with clouded eyes.

“Your drink, miss,” the bartender said as he set down the drink in front of Alexis.

“That’s not necessary,” Marat declared pushing the drink back towards the bartender. “She’s had enough for the night.”

“Why’d ya do that?” Alexis said as she slurred words together.

“Alexis, you’re drunk. You’re also soaking wet and out of your mind. Another drink is the last thing you need.”

“Aww, you’re so cute. Looking after me like that,” Alexis said slumping forward on her barstool. “Woah! Got a little dizzy there.”

“Alexis, what happened before you came to the bar? Was it your father?”

“Don’t mention my father!” Alexis suddenly shouted. “He’s dead to me. And if I had the money or the connections, I’d make sure he was dead to the whole world.”

“Is he that terrible?”

“I’d rather have Satan for a father,” Alexis said laughing to herself. “Actually, my dad is Satan.”

“I think it’s time I take you up to your room. Do you have your room key with you?”

“Room key? Uh, I don’t know,” Alexis giggled. “But I’d be happy to go to your room.”

“It might come down to that,” Marat said as he tried to lift Alexis off her barstool.

“Ooo. This is going to be fun,” Alexis continued to giggle as she tried to grab Marat’s butt.

“Alexis, sweetheart. Not right now.”

“You’re turning me down?” Alexis asked with big, puppy dog eyes as she looked up at him.

“For now, just for now,” Marat said as he tried to drag her away from her barstool.

“Marat,” Alexis said as she continued to look up at him leaning against his chest. “Do you think red’s my color?”

“Any color is your color,” Marat replied kissing her forehead and walking her out of the bar.

Making their way across the lobby, Marat tried to use his body to shield her from the looks of other guests. It was slow going to the elevator as Alexis kept either stumbling into him or tripping over furniture. When they got to the elevators, Marat stood her up against the wall and took out his cell phone. He was going to call Izzy, but then he remembered that he didn’t have her number.

“Alexis, do you remember Izzy’s cell phone number?” Marat asked.

“Of course I do, honey,” Alexis said scratching her head. “It’s umm, it’s, well, nevermind. I forgot.”

“I have no idea why I asked,” Marat said. “You probably don’t even remember your birthday.”

“Yes, I do. “It’s December 17th, thank you very much.”

“Okay, Einstein. Let’s get you up to my room,” Marat said pushing Alexis into the elevator that had just arrived.

After five minutes of trying to get Alexis down the hallway to his room, he sighed in relief at the sight of his hotel room door in front of him. Taking his room key out of his pocket, he unlocked the door, turned on the lights, and ushered Alexis into the bedroom. As soon as she saw the bed, she flopped onto the mattress like a fish on land. Smiling to himself, Marat couldn’t believe the side of Alexis he was seeing. She was vulnerable, confused, and hurt.

Standing over Alexis on the bed, Marat leaned down and took off her shoes. Even after he took off her shoes and jacket, he could tell she was still shivering in her wet blouse and pants. Alexis’ eyes were closed, but she still wasn’t asleep yet. Throwing caution to the wind, Marat grabbed an Adidas shirt from his bag and started to remove Alexis’ pants and blouse. As quickly as he could, he placed the t-shirt over her head and over scarcely covered body.

“Alexis, if you get up, I can get you tucked under the sheets,” Marat whispered into her ear.

“Hmmm,” Alexis replied but didn’t move an inch.

Knowing it was pointless to expect her to move, he lifted her limp body off the bed, pulled down the covers, and laid her gently down onto the bed. Pulling the sheets over her body, Alexis rolled over onto her side. Watching her go to sleep, Marat felt like he was looking over a small child. She was so peaceful when she slept, that it was as if she was never down at the bar screaming like an idiot. As those thoughts ran through his mind, Marat heard his cell phone ring.

“Hello?” Marat answered his phone as he walked to the other room.

“Hey, Marat. It’s Izzy.”

“Hey, Izzy. How did you know my number?”

“It was in Alexis’ phone,” Izzy explained.

“Wait, why do you have Alexis’ cell phone?”

“I found it on the sidewalk out side of the hotel. She’s lucky no one stepped on it and that it was protected from the rain.”

“Very lucky. By the way, I found her.”

“Why didn’t you tell me sooner?”

“I’m sorry. I was too busy asking questions.”

“Where did you find her? Is she okay? Where is she now?”

“I found her at the hotel bar. She was soaking wet and drunk. She’s fine now. She didn’t have her room key, so I brought her back to my room.”

“Do you want me to come up there and take her down to my room?”

“No, she’s asleep. We’ll be okay,” Marat assured.

“Alright. Well, thank you for being there for her.”

“Of course. You should know Izzy that I really like her, and I want to be there for her.”

“I know she feels the same way. I’ll see you tomorrow morning, Marat,” Izzy said as she hung up the phone.

“Bye.”

Throwing his cell phone onto the couch in the sitting room, Marat walked back into the bedroom, discarding his street clothes and changing into a pair of sweatpants as he went. Lying down next to Alexis, he wrapped his arms around her, pulled her closer to him, and fell asleep.

[Addie]

Chapter 22

Feeling the warmth of the sun on her face, Alexis opened her eyes to a ray of light coming through the window and into her eyes. The moment the light hit her eyes, she winced in pain and sat up in bed. The quickness with which she sat up in bed made her instantly dizzy and nauseous. Throwing the covers off her, she swung her legs over the edge of the bed and got up to go to the bathroom. When she noticed that the bathroom door wasn’t in its usual place, that’s when she noticed something was wrong.

Swiveling around to face the bed, Alexis almost threw up on floor beneath her feet. Lying on the other side of the bed with a head of messy hair, Marat was sound asleep. Looking down at herself, she was wearing one of the shirts he commonly wore to practice. Her headache became worse and doubled over with nausea. Finding the bathroom door, she locked herself in the room and sat on the floor next to the toilet.

“Alexis, what did you do this time?” she asked herself as she rested her head in her hands.

Listening to the quiet humming of the bathroom light on the ceiling, Alexis waited for her stomach to calm down. Her mind continued to swirl, but she could take that over the nausea. For the life of her, she couldn’t remember anything that had happened after she had went to the bar last night. Somehow, she had ended up in Marat’s hotel room with only her underwear and a t-shirt on. Getting up off the cold, tiled floors, she walked to the sink and splashed cold water on her face.

Her face was a mess. There were lipstick smudges near her mouth and trails of mascara going down her cheeks. If they had had sex, it must have been the weirdest encounter with both tears and kisses. Taking a washcloth of a rack near the shower, she scrubbed her face of all the leftover makeup until her skin was rubbed red and raw. Once this was done, she started to think again. She had never wanted her first night with Marat to be like this. She couldn’t even remember coming to his room with him.

“You are in deep shit,” she said to herself shaking her head.

“Alexis? Are you in there?” Marat asked as he knocked on the bathroom door.

“Uh, please stop knocking,” Alexis said as her head began to pound again from the sound.

“I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay.”

“Are you okay?”

“Not exactly.”

“Can you unlock the door? I want to make sure you’re okay.”

“One second,” Alexis said taking a deep breath before she opened the door.

“There you are,” Marat said as Alexis winced and grabbed her head.

“A little quieter.”

“I’m sorry,” Marat whispered. “You must be confused.”

“A little,” Alexis lied.

“Poor girl,” Marat said pulling Alexis into his bare chest and wrapping his arms around her. “Can I get you anything?”

“My clothes?”

“They’re probably still wet. I forgot to hang them up last night to dry,” Marat said wrapping his arms tighter around Alexis.

“It’s okay. It’s not your fault.”

“Do you want something else to wear?”

“Maybe a pair of shorts or something.”

“Let me go find you something,” Marat said kissing her cheek before he went to search through his bags.

As he did this, Alexis looked around the bedroom. The sheets on the bed were twisted and wrinkled, dirty clothes were in a pile in the corner, and hanging on a chair near the door, were her wet clothes. Walking to the chair, she picked up the clothes feeling how wet they still were from the night before. It probably hadn’t been the best decision to walk around in a thunderstorm without an umbrella.

“Found your clothes, I see,” Marat said from behind her.

“Yeah, they’re soaking wet,” Alexis said placing them back on the chair.

“Would you like to tell me how they ended up that way?” Marat asked as he handed Alexis a pair of shorts.

“After I get dressed,” Alexis said walking to the bathroom and closing the door.

“Okay, I’ll be in the sitting room if you need me.”

A few minutes later, Alexis emerged from the bedroom and sat down next to Marat on the couch. Neither of them said anything for the first few minutes. Marat was too involved in his thoughts of how cute Alexis looked in his clothes, and Alexis was too carried away with her own. Should she tell Marat she had no idea what had happened the night before? And how would he react to the fact that she hadn’t remembered anything about it?

“So…,” Marat said.

“So.”

“Do you want something to eat? I could order room service,” Marat suggested.

“Ummm….,” Alexis murmured.

“But if you’re not hungry, I can understand that. You did have a lot to drink last night.”

“True.”

“Alexis, can I ask you something?”

“Anything,” Alexis said stretching out onto the couch.

“Why did you get so drunk last night? What made you do that to yourself?”

“Remember how I left that message that I was going to dinner with my dad?”

“Yeah?”

“It didn’t go so well. Actually, it kind of did in a way. It was the first time I stood up to my father and told him exactly what I thought. He can go to hell for all I care.”

“Okay, I understand why you were at the bar mad. But why were you soaking wet?” Marat asked.

“I had to get out of that restaurant. So I ran out of there, and I couldn’t find a cab for awhile.”

“And once you did get to the hotel, you ran to the bar to get drunk?”

“Yes,” Alexis said quietly. It was obvious from her turned down head and red cheeks that she was embarrassed about her actions.

“Alexis, don’t feel embarrassed. We all make bad choices sometimes,” Marat said putting his arm around her shoulders.

“But it gets worse, Marat,” Alexis said taking a deep breath. “I don’t even remember coming up here with you last night. I don’t remember anything at all.”

“Well, you weren’t exactly sober. It was the hardest thing in the world to get you ready for bed. But eventually, you did go to sleep soundly.”

“Wait,” Alexis said suddenly awake. “We didn’t sleep together?”

“We slept in the same bed. But we never had sex, if that’s what you’re asking.”

“Oh, my God!” Alexis exclaimed slapping her forehead.

“What is it? Did you actually think I would put a move on someone as drunk as you were?” Marat asked laughing.

“I was drunk. I had no idea what had happened. When I woke up in your bed and not mine, I freaked out.”

“That explains why you were locked in the bathroom this morning.”

“Pretty much.”

“Alexis, Alexis,” Marat replied shaking his head from side to side.

“I’m sorry, Marat.”

“Believe me, Alexis. When we do sleep together, you’ll remember,” Marat said giving a sheepish smile.

“Oh, I don’t doubt it,” Alexis laughed as Marat began to place kisses across her jaw line. “Hmmm, Marat?”

“Yes?” Marat answered between kisses.

“I’m starting to get hungry.”

“Ugh! Alexis!” Marat moaned laying his head against Alexis’ shoulder in frustration.

“Don’t give me that. Nothing too interesting was going to happen.”

“Oh, really?” Marat asked.

“If you want me to go anywhere near the bed again, you have to at least buy me dinner,” Alexis said with a smile.

“Oh, I can do more than that.”

“I never thought of you as the romantic kind.”

“It depends on the woman,” Marat replied.

“And in my case?” Alexis asked.

“You’ll have to wait and see. How about tonight?”

“What time?”

“I’ll meet you outside your room at seven o’clock.”

“I can’t wait,” Alexis said kissing Marat softly on the lips. “I should probably go now. You need to go to practice.”

“I guess you’re right,” Marat said helping Alexis off the couch.

“Do you know where my laptop is?”

“Oh, no. I must have forgotten to pick it up for you last night,” Marat groaned running his hand through his short, curly hair.

“It’s okay. I’m sure the bartender put it away for save keeping. Do you have my room key?”

“No, that’s why I took you to my room last night. You didn’t have your room key on you. It’s probably in your laptop carrier.”

“Well, I’m going to head down to the bar and find my laptop,” Alexis said walking into the bedroom. “But I’m changing first.”

“Are your clothes dry?” Marat asked staying in the living room so Alexis could have some privacy.

“They’re dry enough,” Alexis called from the other room.

Ten minutes later, Alexis walked into the living room with her wrinkled clothes on, and her hair back in a bun. When Alexis entered the room, Marat immediately turned off the TV and walked her to the door.

“I borrowed your comb,” Alexis admitted smoothing down her hair. “I hope you don’t mind.”

“Not at all,” Marat said kissing the top of her head. “You look beautiful.”

“Oh, yes. With my wrinkled, alcohol-stained clothes and no make up, I must be gorgeous.”

“That’s the thing. You don’t need expensive clothes, or make up, or perfectly styled hair. You’re beautiful as you are.”

“Woah,” Alexis said opening the door to leave his room. “You do want me back in your bed tonight, don’t you?”

[Addie]

Chapter 23

“So, what time is he coming?” Izzy asked as she sat on Alexis’ bed.

“He’s coming at seven,” Alexis replied walking past Izzy to go to the bathroom. “I’m so nervous.”

“I can tell,” Izzy said as Alexis walked out of the bathroom and past Izzy again. “You can’t sit still.”

“Is it that bad?” Alexis asked.

“You’ve walked past me ten times to go to the bathroom, and you come out looking the same every time.”

“You’re right. I haven’t done anything,” Alexis said looking at herself in the mirror. “I’m not even dressed yet.”

“Do you need my expert fashion advice?” Izzy asked twirling around in front of Alexis in a pair of bright orange pants and a blue and green striped shirt.

“Why do you dress like that? I know you have more sense than that.”

“I don’t know to be honest. It reflects my personality,” Izzy shrugged and walked over to Alexis’ hotel closet. “Not again.”

“What?” Alexis asked stopping behind Izzy at her open closet doors.

“We’ve been at this hotel for a grand total of two days, and your closet is already a mess,” Izzy sighed.

“I’ve been a little busy.”

“Oh, yes. I know,” Izzy said rolling her eyes. “You never told me what your father said to make you react that way. I mean, according to Marat, you were out of your mind.”

“I really don’t want to talk about it. I don’t want to think about him right now. Marat and I are finally going on a date, and things are starting to look up. Why would I want to ruin it all by thinking about my father?”

“I understand. But you have to tell me eventually.”

“I will, but not right now,” Alexis replied as she started looking through her clothes hanging in the closet. “Now, what do you suggest?”

“The last time I suggested things for you to wear, it was either too short or all wrong for the event.”

“But you did find me something.”

“We only have so long, Alexis. You’re very picky.”

“I know, I know. But I trust you to find something great,” Alexis smiled.

“Let’s see,” Izzy muttered flipping through the hangers of clothes. “I’m not even going to mention that black dress. Last time you tried to kill me when I suggested it.”

“No, wait. You might have something now.”

“You mean you’ll wear it?” Izzy asked.

“Well, it is a date after all.”

“I thought you said it wasn’t even appropriate for a first date.”

“Oh, let’s be honest. That interview in London was practically a first date.”

“You finally admit it!” Izzy shouted. “Finally!”

“Okay, okay. That’s enough,” Alexis said. “Now help me finish getting ready.”

“Sorry. Let’s move on,” Izzy said. “This dress will go great with your Jimmy Choo heels.”

“I haven’t worn them in forever,” Alexis said looking through the bottom of her closet for the pair of shoes.

“Why not?”

“I have no idea. I brought them with me, but I haven’t given them a second look since I packed them in my suitcase before we left London,” Alexis replied as she continued to search for them. “Here they are!”

“I’m surprised you found them so quickly.”

“Do you want to clean my closet for me again?”

“No way! I did that once, and I won’t do it again. It was a nightmare!”

“It couldn’t have been that bad,” Alexis said throwing the pair of heels near her bed and taking her black dress out of the closet.

“No, it was.”

“Well, while you relive that supposed trauma, I’m going to get dressed,” Alexis said walking to the bathroom and closing the door.

“What are you doing with your hair?” Izzy called through the door.

“I was thinking you could do it. I’m no good at those kinds of things. Your hair is always in really cute braids and up-dos,” Alexis replied.

“No worries. I’ll take care of it.”

“Do you think I’ll be ready in time?” Alexis asked as she walked out of the bathroom.

“With me on your side, you’ll be more than ready,” Izzy smiled as she pushed Alexis back into the bathroom to work on her hair.

*****


Standing nervously in front of Alexis’ door, Marat tried to put himself together before he knocked. No one, let alone a woman, had ever made him feel this uneasy or uncomfortable in his life. He wasn’t used to this feeling nor could he describe it. Lifting his fist, he rapped his knuckles on the door. From inside the room, he could hear Alexis turning off the lights and rummaging through the room. He fought as hard as he could to slow his breathing, but it wasn’t working too well.

Ending his agonizing wait, Alexis opened the door of her hotel room. She was wearing a short, black dress and matching black shoes. Her hair was softy curled and was cascading down her face and past her shoulders. To finish off her look, a delicate, silver necklace hung from around her neck with a small pearl and diamond pendant hanging from it. Marat had never seen Alexis look so beautiful before. Of course, she always looked put together but in a serious way. Tonight, she seemed to radiate beauty and happiness instead of her usual hard appearance.

“How do I look?” Alexis asked making a quick twirl.

“You look alright,” Marat laughed bending down to kiss her on the cheek.

“Just alright?” Alexis asked with puppy dog eyes.

“Okay, so you look better than alright,” Marat replied staring at her long legs. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen you show off this much skin in public.”

“Is it too much?” Alexis asked trying to push down the hem of her dress self-consciously.

“No, leave it,” Marat said brushing her hands away from her dress. “You look beautiful.”

“Are you sure? It’ll only take me a minute to change,” Alexis said searching through her black clutch for her room key.

“No, don’t change a thing,” Marat said taking her hand in his. “We have a dinner reservation to make.”

“Sounds good,” Alexis replied enjoying the feeling of Marat’s hand wrapped around hers.

After climbing into a taxi and surviving the evening traffic of New York City, they arrived at an Italian restaurant ten minutes from their hotel. The outside of the restaurant was covered in ivy, and the windows were in need of new paint, but all of those things made it more endearing to both Marat and Alexis. And since it wasn’t the hippest place in town, the restaurant was almost deserted.

“Do you like Italian?” Marat asked Alexis as he pulled out her chair for her.

“I do,” Alexis replied surprised at how Marat pulled out her chair for her. It wasn’t that she hadn’t expected to him to have manners, but there weren’t many men who still did things like that.

“And how do you like this place?”

“I’ve lived in New York my whole life, but I’ve never been here. I thought I knew where every restaurant was,” Alexis said taking a sip of her water.

“Then I know more than you for once,” Marat said laughing.

“Enjoy it. That won’t happen everyday,” Alexis replied looking over her menu. “So all-knowing one, what would you suggest?”

“Everything.”

“I’m not that hungry.”

“How about I just order for you?” Marat suggested.

“That would be great,” Alexis said putting down her menu.

After Marat had ordered for them and they had gotten their food, they sat around their table eating and conversing. It was clear to Marat that Alexis was holding something back. She seemed to wince at even the mention of the word “family”. He knew that if he didn’t ask her soon, it was going to cause problems later on.

“Alexis, I have to ask. Why won’t you talk about your family?” Marat asked.

“It’s not the easiest thing for me to talk about,” Alexis said taking a sip of her red wine.

“I figured that,” Marat said. “But I want to know more about you. And your family is a very important aspect in your life, whether they are a good or bad aspect.”

“You’re right,” Alexis said taking a deep breath. “What do you want to know?”

“Why don’t you get along with your father?”

“Nobody gets along with him; it’s impossible. My father has always been obsessed with his job. He’s a reporter at the New York Times. And I’ll admit he’s a good reporter, a Pulitzer prize-winner. Unfortunately for me, he was a terrible father and husband. He never showed his love, if he even had any, for me. And after what he said last night at dinner, I know he could care less about my happiness.”

“What did he say? You never went into detail about that.”

“Somehow, he found out about us. Apparently, a lot of sports journalists have picked up on us and are waiting for proof of our relationship. You know, like pictures of us in a restaurant like this or hanging out at the hotel. He warned me that if I didn’t end our relationship now, my editor would find out and then fire me. He just couldn’t bear to see me happy. Well, I finally told him what I thought and ran out of there. I never want to see him again. I mean, can you believe him?”

“He might be right.”

[Addie]

Chapter 24

“Uh, what? Did you just say my father was right?” Alexis asked almost dropping her wine glass.

“Your father is right. If your editor was to find out about us, he probably wouldn’t be happy. He wouldn’t necessarily fire you, but you would most likely lose some of his respect. I know that your career has just started, and you’re doing amazing. I really don’t want you to lose all you’ve worked so hard for,” Marat explained.

“What are you saying? That we should stop dating?”

“No, Alexis,” Marat said reaching across the table to hold her hand.

“I’m confused. What are you saying?”

“I’m saying that your father is right. And I’m glad he decided to warn us and give us advice. But just because he’s right, it doesn’t mean we have to listen to him,” Marat smiled. “We’ll have to be careful though.”

“Of course,” Alexis said nodding her head in agreement.

“I care about you too much for you to lose your job.”

“That’s very sweet of you. Most of the men I’ve dated only cared about themselves and their careers,” Alexis said remembering Bryan.

“So, you’ve had the same dating experiences as I’ve had?”

“Pretty much,” Alexis said twirling her fork through her food.

“Anything major I should know about?”

“I broke up with my last boyfriend right before I left for London,” Alexis explained. “It wasn’t the most agreeable of endings. I found him with another woman.”

“Ouch.”

“Yeah, exactly. It was a very big ‘ouch’.”

“We’ve all been played at least once in our lives,” Marat said squeezing Alexis’ hand. “It’s how we deal with those things that makes us stronger.”

“You’re right, but I didn’t deal with it very well.”

“How so?”

“Well, when I met you, I ran the other direction. I couldn’t, no I wouldn’t, accept the fact that I felt something for someone again,” Alexis said with a sigh. “This is why I basically attacked you at any opportunity I could get my hands on.”

“I wasn’t exactly helping the matter,” Marat replied. “I mean, I tried to steal your table at a busy restaurant, I ignored your request for an interview, and I got mad at you for doing your job. I’m no angel.”

“Neither am I,” Alexis said as the waiter brought their check.

“Let me take care of this,” Marat said extending his hand to pay for the check.

“I’d rather you let me,” Alexis replied trying to grab the check as well.

“Alexis, please. I asked you on the date, let me pay.”

“Marat, you still need to learn a few things about me. And one of those is that I have to pay at least half,” Alexis said with a stern look in her eyes.

“Ugh,” Marat groaned. “Fine.”

“Thank you,” Alexis said putting the money down on the table for her half of the check.

“You’ll have to let me pay eventually,” Marat said getting from the table to pull Alexis’ chair out for her.

“That’s never going to happen. If it ever does, you can be certain something is wrong with me.”

*****

Standing behind Marat as he unlocked his hotel room, Alexis fiddled with her clutch. When he had finally got the door open, he gestured for him to go ahead of him. Walking into the room, Alexis was surprised to see candles lit around the room and a bottle of champagne in a bucket near the couch. Playing softly in the corner, a portable CD player added music to the room.

“What do you think?” Marat whispered in her ear as he wrapped his arms around her waist.

“It’s very romantic,” Alexis replied resting her head on his chest.

“You can thank the hotel for the candles and champagne. But the music, I decided upon that.”

“You did?”

“Yes, I put some songs together on a CD that I thought you might like.”

“I like the selection so far,” Alexis said as Ella Fitzgerald’s “The Nearness of You” wafted through the room.

“Champagne?” Marat asked.

“I’d love some,” Alexis replied as Marat went to pour them a glass.

Looking around the sitting room and into the bedroom, Alexis was surprised to see that there were no piles of dirty laundry sitting in the corners. Marat had actually cleaned his room for tonight, or the hotel staff had, either way. Watching Marat pour the champagne, Alexis heard the previous song end and the next one start. It was one she had never heard before, but it made her listen from the first few notes.

Ever since I was a baby girl I had a dream
Cinderella theme
Crazy as it seems
Always knew that deep inside that there would come a day
When I would have to way
Make so many mistakes

"Here you are,” Marat said handing Alexis a glass.

“Thank you,” Alexis whispered accepting the glass.

“Is something wrong?”

“No, not at all. Everything is perfect actually,” Alexis replied looking up at Marat. “It’s wonderful.”

“Then why do you look so sad?”

“No one has ever done all this for me. And to think, I almost let you go. I was such a bitch to you.”

“It’s okay, Alexis. I understand that you haven’t had the easiest time with falling in love.”

I couldn’t comprehend
As I watched it unfold
This classic story told I left it in the cold
Walking through an open door that led me back to you
Each one unlocking more of the truth

“I want to make sure that you understand what you’re getting into. I’m not the easiest person to get along with. I can be too involved with work, I get angry too quickly, and I’m a slob,” Alexis explained.

“Alexis, you’ve just described me. Can’t you see? We are the same. That’s why I understand you so well, and you understand me.”

“But I don’t always want to be like that. And strangely enough, I think you’ve helped me get over some of my insecurities.”

I finally stopped tripping on my youth
I finally got lost inside of you
I finally know that I needed to grow
And finally my maze has been solved

“I’m glad I could do that, and I’m hoping you’ll do the same for me,” Marat said taking her glass out of her hand and setting both their glasses on a nearby table. “May I have this dance?”

“You are so cute, you know that?”

“I know,” Marat said placing an arm around her waist and taking her hand in his.

“This is nice,” Alexis sighed as she laid her other hand on his shoulder and rested her head against his chest. “This is very nice.”

“It is,” Marat said waltzing her across the room awkwardly.

“You need dance lessons,” Alexis laughed as Marat stepped on her toes.

“You just had to ruin the mood,” Marat said smiling down at her.

“I warned you.”

“True,” Marat said sweeping Alexis up in his arms.

Holding her tight against him, he trailed kisses across her exposed collarbone and up to her neck. Coming to her lips, he stopped and barely kept his lips from touching hers. Smiling devilishly at her, he moved upward to her forehead and her cheeks. Enjoying the feel of his lips against her skin, she sighed but continued to wait for him to kiss her puckered lips. Finally he ended her suffering and captured her mouth in a feverish hurry.

Finally
Now my destiny can begin
Though it will have a different set
Something strange and new is happening
Finally
Now my life doesn't seem so bad
It’s the best that I've ever had
Give my love to him finally

“Alexis,” Marat mumbled between kisses.

“Yes?”

“Should we move this to the bedroom?”

“I don’t know. Should we?”

“It’s your decision. I don’t want to rush you,” Marat said kissing her harder.

“You’re not rushing me. I’m not running away from you anymore,” Alexis whispered slowly moving in the direction of the bedroom.

I remember the beginning you already knew
I acted like a fool
Just trying to be cool
Fronting like it didn't matter
I just ran away
On another face
Was lost in my own space

Taking her cue, Marat swept her up in his arms and carried her into the bedroom. He placed her gently on the bed before starting to remove his clothes. Signaling for him to join her on the bed, Alexis pulled Marat on top of her and helped him take off his shirt. Alexis had never felt so sure of something in her whole life. She was barely thinking as Marat unzipped her dress and slid it off her.

Found what it’s like to hurt selfishly
Scared to give of me
Afraid to just believe
I was in a jealous, insecure, pathetic place
Stumbled through the nets that I have made

Before either of them knew what was going on, they were both naked under the cool sheets of Marat’s bed. Neither of them could believe they were finally ready to make such a big step in their relationship. Marat, who was usually calm and in control when he was with a woman, felt nervous as his fingers traced the shape of Alexis’ bellybutton.

Finally got out of my own way
I've finally started living for today
I finally know that I needed to grow
And finally my maze has been solved

Hours later, Marat and Alexis were lying in bed together wrapped in each other’s arms. They were exhausted, and their breathing could have been heard through the walls. Snuggling up to the security and warmth of Marat’s chest, Alexis listened to the quickened beating of his heart. Remembering the words from the song they had danced to, she fell asleep to the words echoing in her head.

Finally
Now my destiny can begin
Though we will have a different set
Something strange and new is happening
Finally
Now my life doesn't seem so bad
It’s the best that I've ever had
Gave my love to him finally

[Addie]

Chapter 25

Waking up in Marat’s bed for the second time in a row, Alexis smiled to herself, because this time she remembered everything from the night before. She didn’t have a headache, and she wasn’t nauseous. Of course, she was exhausted and her lips felt swollen, but none of that mattered. The morning sun played across her face as she rolled over in bed so that she was facing Marat.

Marat was still asleep with his mouth slightly opened and his curly hair tangled on the top of his head. Sighing loudly, Alexis ran her fingers through his hair as he began to wake up. Nuzzling her nose against his chest, she placed kisses up his chest to his face where she placed a final one on his lips. His eyes opened slowly after the last kiss and settled upon her face with a smile.

“Good morning,” Alexis whispered nibbling his ear gently with her teeth. “This is your wake up call.”

“Good morning as well,” Marat said closing his eyes as he enjoyed the feel of her teeth on the sensitive skin of his ear. “This hotel pulls out all the stops doesn’t it? A beautiful woman to wake me up, champagne, music; they’re amazing. I’m definitely staying here next year.”

Laughing against his neck, Alexis let her exhaustion from the night before take over her before sliding back down his body to lay her head against his chest. Still beating but less quickly, Alexis listened to Marat’s heart as he massaged her back with his hand. Last night had been perfect, but this morning was turning out to be equally impressive.

“Did you have a good time last night?” Marat asked running his hand down her bare spine.

“I had a very good time. And you?” Alexis asked with a yawn.

“Let me put it this way: I think you should just move your stuff into my room and cancel your room.”

“That good, huh?” Alexis said laughing softly.

“One way or another, you’ll be sleeping in this bed for the rest of your stay in New York,” Marat replied holding her tighter to his chest.

“So, I might as well not fight it, huh? Go pack my bags and move them up here?”

“Exactly.”

“Will you help me?”

“I’ll do anything to get you to stay in my room. And if that means I have to haul your one hundred pound bags up here, so be it.”

“How romantic,” Alexis said sarcastically.

“It is romantic. I want you to be with me.”

“No, you want easy access to get inside my pants,” Alexis said bluntly.

“You know, there have been many women I wanted and got. But none of them did I ever ask to stay with me. I want you with me, because I don’t want to be without you,” Marat said pulling her up to his face.

“You’re so adorable,” Alexis laughed placing a kiss on his lips.

“I’m serious, Alexis.”

“I know.”

“Does that scare you?”

“Honestly?”

“Yes, the truth, Alexis.”

“A little. But at the same time, I’m very excited about it. It feels good to be wanted,” Alexis replied as she began to kiss Marat with the same fervor as the night before.

“I thought we were going to get you packed and moved,” Marat said between tastes of her mouth.

“In a little while,” Alexis replied. “But first, I need you to remind me of how much I’m wanted.”

*****

“Where should we start?” Marat asked following Alexis into her hotel room.

“I have no idea,” Alexis said looking around her hotel room. It was still in disarray after her rush to get ready the night before.

“I’ll go through your drawers and take everything out for you,” Marat said walking over to the dresser where the TV sat.

“Okay, I’ll be in the bathroom clearing that out,” Alexis said disappearing into another room.

Opening drawer after drawer, Marat removed Alexis’ socks, underwear, pants, and t-shirts. Placing them on the bed, he began folding them for her. Looking at each shirt after he had folded it, he shook his head at his lack of folding skills. Once the clothes were in the neatest pile he could make, he started to go through the bedside table’s drawers. There were fewer things in there, just her cell phone charger and a pack of gum.

But looking at the top of the bedside table, Marat saw a framed picture sitting next to the hotel phone. At first, he thought it was a picture of Alexis with a young child. But as he looked at it closer, he noticed that the woman who he thought was Alexis was actually shorter and had a smaller nose. Staring closely at the girl next to the woman, Marat recognized the tiny face as belonging to his Alexis.

“That’s my mother and me,” Alexis said from behind Marat.

“I’m sorry. I wasn’t snooping around,” Marat said putting the picture frame back down on the table.

“No, it’s okay. It was out in the open after all,” Alexis said standing behind him and picking up the picture frame. “This picture is from when I was four.”

“You look so much like your mother,” Marat commented. When I first saw it, I thought your mother was you.”

“I get that a lot from people who see this picture,” Alexis said smiling down at the picture. “We took this outside of the children’s zoo in Central Park.”

“It looks like you two really loved each other. Why don’t you talk about her? Is she as bad as your father?”

“No, she was the complete opposite of him.”

“Did she die?”

“No.”

“Do you talk to her often then?” Marat asked.

“No.”

“I’m confused, Alexis.”

“I haven’t spoken to my mom since she left my father and me years ago,” Alexis said softly.

“Do you know where she is?”

“No, there were never any return addresses on the birthday cards she sent me. And I haven’t gotten one of those since I was 18.”

“I’m so sorry, Alexis,” Marat said hugging her to his chest.

“It’s not your fault. My father made her do it. She couldn’t take him any longer.”

“But why didn’t she take you with her?”

“I don’t know. And I guess I may never know,” Alexis said holding onto Marat tighter.

“Have you ever tried to find her?” Marat said stroking her hair.

“I’ve always wanted to, but my father was always in the way. Also, I never had enough money to pay for something like that. But I think I’m getting there. I might be able to afford one soon.”

“I could help you out.”

“I don’t want you to do that. This is my problem, and I have to solve it myself.”

“As long as you know I will be here no matter what.”

“I know that, and I love you for that,” Alexis said placing a kiss on his cheek.

“What’s going on in here?” a voice asked from the other side of the room.

“I guess we forgot to shut the door all the way,” Alexis said as she turned around to find Izzy in her room.

“Why is all your stuff out? Did Thomson call? Is something wrong?” Izzy asked.

“Nothing’s wrong, Izzy,” Alexis replied walking over to her friend. “I’ll be back in a minute, Marat.”

“Okay, I’ll finish getting your stuff out,” Marat said before going back to work.

“What’s going on? Why is he getting your stuff out?” Izzy asked as Alexis dragged her out into the hallway.

“I’m moving up to his room for the rest of our stay in New York. He insisted,” Alexis said excitedly.

“No way! Two dates and he already can’t get enough of you!” Izzy said excited for Alexis. “So I’m guessing the date went well.”

“It went very well. Anyway, I’ll be up there from now on. I’m going to cancel my room.”

“Wait. Don’t you think Thomson will get suspicious if you suddenly don’t have a room?” Izzy asked.

“You’re right. I didn’t think about that.”

“Keep your room, just in case then,” Izzy instructed.

“Will do,” Alexis replied. “I better get back in there and help Marat.”

“Okay,” Izzy said as Alexis began to go back into the room. “Oh, Alexis?”

“Yeah?”

“You’re one lucky bitch.”

[Addie]

Chapter 26

Izzy was right; Alexis was one lucky bitch. She knew that she was lucky to be able to get to know this man that no one could understand. She also knew it was an honor for him to want her next to him every night. But as picture perfect as it seemed, the week and a half that rolled by with her staying with Marat was less than magical. Since Alexis still had a job to do, Izzy and she spent the entire day at the courts watching matches and interviewing any player they could get their hands.

Every morning, Marat would wake up to find the spot beside him in the bed empty. Alexis had to get up early every day to ensure that Izzy and she would have the best seats for the matches. And when she returned to the hotel in the late afternoon, she would find their hotel room deserted as Marat was practicing. But when night fell, and they were finally in the hotel room at the same time, all they could do was collapse in each other’s arms on the sofa. Neither them had the energy to do anything, especially going out to eat.

“So, room service again?” Alexis asked as she typed away at her laptop in the sitting room.

“Again?” Marat asked dropping his racket bag by the door.

“What do you expect, Marat?” Alexis replied continuing to type. “I have another deadline to make, and there’s no way we could go out.”

“Then we’ll wait till you’re done,” Marat said falling into the couch beside her.

“That could be awhile,” Alexis said looking over at him. “It’s already eight o’clock now. By the time I get this finished, and we get a table at a restaurant, it’ll be nine o’clock easily.”

“I’ll wait. I’m tired of eating room service. This hotel already makes enough money off of me paying for this suite. The last thing I need to do is keep giving them money for room service.”

“Well, we have to eat somehow.”

“Yes, and we have the choice to go out and we will,” Marat said getting up from the couch signaling the end of the conversation. “I’m going to call your friend, Izzy. She might want to go out as well.”

“Go ahead. I’m not going to stop you,” Alexis said going back to her typing.

Twenty minutes later, Marat came back into the room showered and dressed. Falling on the couch once again, he stared at Alexis’ computer screen as she continued to type furiously at her keyboard.

“You’re going to kill your fingers. Not to mention your keyboard,” Marat said smiling over at her.

“I’m trying to make my deadline and do it quickly so we can go out to eat,” Alexis replied not taking her eyes off the screen. “Did you call Izzy already?”

“Yeah. She said she’ll meet us in the lobby at 8:30,” Marat answered laughing at Alexis’ intense concentration. “Are you done yet?”

“Almost.”

“Ten minutes, Alexis. And you’re not even dressed yet.”

“I know, I know,” Alexis said sending her story. “Done!”

“Go get dressed. And hurry!” Marat shouted as she ran into the bedroom.

“You can be such a butt sometimes.”

“I know, but so can you.”

*****

Forty minutes later, Alexis, Marat, and Izzy were seated at a table at Alexis’ favorite Japanese restaurant in New York City. Looking around the room, it took Alexis back to her college days. She could remember sitting in the back of the restaurant with her friends eating lunch and chatting about their futures. It reminded her about how she hadn’t spoken to any of them since she had left New York She knew that at some point while she was here, she would have to go see them. But considering how most of them were still friends with Bryan probably, she didn’t like the idea of it.

“Earth to Alexis,” Izzy called waving her hand in front of Alexis’ face. “Anybody home?”

“Oh, sorry!” Alexis said leaving her previous thoughts behind.

“Don’t apologize to me. It’s the waiter you should be apologizing to. He’s been waiting for your drink order for the last five minutes,” Izzy explained pointing to the man behind her.

“I’m so sorry. I’ll have an ice water with lemon, please.”

“What happened to you?” Marat asked.

“I was thinking about all the memories here,” Alexis said. “I used to eat here everyday.”

“That explains why the owner hugged you when we came in,” Marat said smiling at her from across the table.

“It’s good to know people remember me,” Alexis said going through her menu.

“Oh, shit!” Izzy said.

“What is it?” Alexis asked.

“I think I want a drink from the bar instead. Do you think it would be faster for me to go order it from the bar instead of waiting on the server?” Izzy asked.

“Probably,” Alexis replied.

“Okay, I’ll be right back,” Izzy said getting up from the table and taking some cash with her.

“And now that she’s gone,” Marat purred from across the table as he took Alexis’ hand in his.

“You invited her,” Alexis reminded him.

“I know, but it was the nice thing to do.”

“And you’re such a sweetheart,” Alexis said blowing him a kiss across the table.

“Maybe we should have stayed at the hotel and had room service,” Marat whispered raising an eyebrow.

“Once again, your idea smart one.”

“I’m getting myself in all kinds of trouble tonight, aren’t I?”

“Naughty, naughty boy,” Alexis said shaking her head.

“Maybe I should leave you guys alone longer,” Izzy said standing next to the table.

“No, sit down,” Marat said gesturing to her chair.

“We’ll keep it clean,” Alexis added.

“Good. Ooo, I have something to tell you!” Izzy said excitedly.

“What?” Alexis asked.

“I met this amazing guy at the bar. He was so handsome!”

“Tell me more.”

“He’s got light brown hair and light blue eyes. He’s so sweet looking,” Izzy gushed.

“You should have invited him back to our table. We have an extra chair after all,” Alexis said.

“You think so?”

“Yeah, bring him over here.”

“Okay, I’ll be right back,” Izzy said getting up from the table to get the guy.

“That was nice of you,” Marat commented.

“If he’s eating with us, I’ll be able to figure out if he’s worthy of Izzy,” Alexis said smiling.

“Alexis, meet Bryan,” Izzy said from behind Alexis’ chair.

Turning around in her chair, Alexis began to extend her hand until she saw who was standing next to Izzy. Dressed in a dark green, buttoned-down shirt she had given him for Christmas a year before and blue jeans, Bryan smiled down at her as if he had never met her before.

“Nice to meet you, Alexis,” Bryan said shaking her limp hand.

“And Bryan, this is Marat,” Izzy said introducing Bryan to Marat.

“Nice to meet you as well,” Marat said gesturing to the seat between him and Alexis. “Have a seat.”

“Thank you,” Bryan said sitting down and smiling at Alexis.

“So Bryan, why are you in New York?” Izzy asked.

“I’m studying to become a doctor at Columbia University’s medical school,” Bryan explained.

“Really? Do you and Alexis know each other then?” Izzy asked.

“A little bit,” Bryan replied winking at Alexis.

“Hardly,” Alexis said through gritted teeth. She could feel her hand closing around the handle of her knife, and she had to control herself from not throwing it in Bryan’s direction.

“I see,” Izzy said starting to feel the tension coming from Alexis. “Is something wrong, Alexis?”

“It’s nothing. If you’ll excuse me, I’m going to go to the bathroom,” Alexis said standing up from the table.

“I’ll go with you. I’ve never been here before and I need to use it as well,” Bryan said standing up from the table as well.

“Right,” Alexis said remembering how he was the first one to take her here.

Walking to the bathrooms ahead of Bryan, Alexis balled her hands into fists in anger. She couldn’t believe the gull of him to do what he was doing. After all, he was the one that ruined the relationship and not her. Stopping in front of the bathroom doors for the men and women, Alexis turned around and slapped Bryan as hard as she could across the face.

“What the hell do you think you’re doing? Haven’t you hurt me enough?!” Alexis shouted.

“I have to say I kind of missed that temper,” Bryan said putting his hand against his red, stinging cheek.

“You’re sick. I want you to leave.”

“Leave? Why would I do that?”

“Because I want you out. Leave Izzy alone. She’s too good for you.”

“We’ll see about that.”

“I won’t let you do this to her. I’m calling you out as soon as I get back to the table.”

“You won’t do that.”

“And why not?”

“Because you wouldn’t want your new boyfriend to hear everything I have to say about you,” Bryan said with an evil smile.

“How do you know he’s my boyfriend?”

“I was talking to your father last week. He told me you were getting yourself into trouble again.”

“And what are you supposed to be? My knight in shining armor who’s come to save me from the dragon?”

“Exactly.”

“News flash, Bryan. You’re the monster,” Alexis said walking quickly back to their table.

“Is something wrong?” Marat asked noticing the upset look on Alexis’ face when she arrived back at the table.

“Nothing’s wrong. I’m going back to the hotel. I don’t feel very good all of the sudden,” Alexis said looking at Bryan.

“I’ll go with you,” Marat said picking up Alexis’ purse for her.

“No, stay here with Izzy. I’ll be fine,” Alexis said taking her purse from Marat.

“Are you sure?” Marat asked.

“I’m positive. I’ll talk to you later, Izzy,” Alexis said giving her friend a hug before whispering in her ear. “Be careful.”

“What?” Izzy asked.

“Bye everyone,” Alexis said waving and walking out of the restaurant.

Waiting for a taxi cab on the sidewalk, Alexis tried to take a few deep breaths before she gave up on the idea of her calming down. Looking up and down the street, Alexis knew she had to do something fast, but what to do was the problem.

[Addie]

Chapter 27

The room was dark and quiet as Alexis opened her eyes slowly. Her travel alarm clock was beeping and flashing on top of the bedside table next to her. Flinging her hand at it, she sent it crashing to the floor but at least it finally stopped beeping. Rolling from her side to her back, she stared up at the ceiling cursing herself for ever suggesting this trip to Thomson. But as she heard rustling from beside her, she changed her mind as she saw Marat’s angelic-looking face as he slept.

If it hadn’t been for her constant pressuring, she would have never had the opportunity to be here and with Marat. Kissing him gently on the tip of his nose, she tiptoed out of bed and into the bathroom. After showering and getting dressed, she walked out of the bathroom with her hair dripping wet as she searched for her shoes. Feeling a set of eyes on her as she bent down to look under a chair in the bedroom, she stood up and turned around to see Marat lying in their bed. His arms were behind his head, and he was sipping coffee slowly.

“I ordered breakfast from room service,” Marat said pointing to the tray next to the bed.

“Thank you, but I really have to be going,” Alexis said continuing to search for her shoes.

“You didn’t eat last night, because you weren’t feeling good and left the restaurant early,” Marat said getting up from bed to drag her back to bed. “Now sit down and eat.”

“Marat, this is really sweet, but…”

“No, Alexis. You need to eat. You’ll be no good during the day if you don’t have something in your stomach.”

“Can I eat after I finish drying my hair?”

“Do you promise not to run out of here and not eat?” Marat asked.

“Yes, sir,” Alexis said kissing his cheek and walking back into the bathroom.

Ten minutes later, she emerged from the bathroom with dried hair and a small amount of make-up on. Marat was still lying in bed sipping his cup of coffee.

“Where’s my cup?” Alexis asked with puppy eyes as she lay down on the bed next to him.

“One second,” Marat said putting down his coffee and grabbing hers. “I’ll get your plate as well.”

“Thank you,” Alexis replied taking a sip from her steaming cup.

“Here you are,” Marat said placing a warm plate on her lap. “Eat every bite on that plate.”

“Or what?” Alexis asked with an evil smirk,

“Or else.”

“Ooo, I’m scared,” Alexis laughed taking a bite of her eggs.

“Good? I wasn’t sure how you like your eggs so I just guessed when they asked,” Marat said shrugging his shoulders.

“I don’t usually get them this way,” Alexis said gesturing toward the sunny-side eggs on her plate, “but they’re good.”

“How do you like them?”

“Scrambled.”

“I’ll remember that next time. Maybe I’ll even make them for you,” Marat replied.

“I don’t want to die of food poisoning.”

“You won’t. I can make a few things.”

“Adding milk to corn flakes does not count as cooking.”

“If you didn’t have food balancing on your lap right now, you would be so dead,” Marat said.

“Well,” Alexis replied setting her plate on the floor beside the bed, “here’s your chance to follow through on that promise.”

Lunging for her, Marat grabbed her shirt and pulled her towards him. Kissing her collarbone, Marat caused Alexis to sigh and moan as he moved to her neck and face.

“Marat, I have to go to work,” Alexis whispered as Marat unbuttoned her blouse.

“Who cares? Be rebellious for once,” Marat said throwing her blouse to the other side of the room.

“But I have matches to cover,” Alexis sighed as he continued to undress her.

“Let Izzy take notes for awhile. You need to stay here with me,” Marat said pulling her pants down her legs.

“Marat, I can’t. I really need to talk to Izzy anyway,” Alexis replied trying to pull her pants back up her legs.

“About what? Her new boyfriend?” Marat asked brushing his lips against her stomach.

“He’s not her boyfriend. He’s not good enough for her,” Alexis asserted sitting up in bed and pushing Marat aside.

“You left early, so you really didn’t get to know him. He’s a nice guy.”

“No, he isn’t,” Alexis almost shouted getting out of bed and putting her pants back on.

“Alexis, what is wrong? Is there something you’re not telling me?”

“No, well, not right now. I can’t tell you right now, but soon,” Alexis said finding her blouse and putting it back on.

“Alexis?”

“Not right now,” Alexis said picking up her laptop and running out of the bedroom. “I’ll see you later.”

“Will you be at my quarterfinal match?” Marat asked following her to the door.

“I’ll try to be there.”

“Alexis? Alexis?”

“What?”

“Have a good day,” Marat said kissing her gently on her forehead.

“Thanks, Marat. You have a good day too.”

*****

“Izzy, over here!” Alexis waved from their seats in the press box.

“Where have you been? I’ve been looking all over for you,” Izzy said when she reached Alexis.

“I’ve been here.”

“You weren’t in the lobby this morning, though. That’s why I left without you,” Izzy explained as she got out her camera.

“Marat kept me a little while longer than I thought,” Alexis said sitting in her seat and getting out her laptop.

“Can’t get enough, can he?” Izzy laughed. “I’ll have to throw some water on him when he comes on court to cool him down.”

“I’m sure he’d love that. I can see the papers now, ‘Crazed Fan Throws Water on Safin Explaining He Was Too Hot to Play’,” Alexis laughed.

“And what would the other title be? ‘Safin’s Girlfriend Kills Crazed Fan’?”

“I will if you break his concentration.”

“You’ll do that easily when he comes on court to see you wearing that shirt.”

“There’s nothing wrong with this shirt. It’s a conservative blouse. Not even a bright color.”

“Then you didn’t mean for some of those buttons to be opened?”

“Huh? What?” Alexis asked looking down to see a few buttons undone and a glimpse of her bra showing.

“I guess you didn’t,” Izzy said as Alexis frantically worked to button her blouse. “Too late now. He already saw your peep show.”

“They’re on court?” Alexis asked looking up from her blouse to see Marat walking on court smiling at her.

“It’s okay. If anything, it’ll make him play better,” Izzy said as she smirked at Alexis and sat down to take pictures.

Marat’s quarterfinal match was against Tommy Haas. The first set did appear like Marat was played better from Alexis’ unintentional peep show, as he won 6-4. Unfortunately, he lost the second set but came back to win the third set. The match continued on this way. Alexis could barely take notes as she felt she was riding a roller coaster with no ending in sight. But then it happened; Marat lost the fifth and deciding set in a tiebreak.

Alexis wanted to cry, and she could feel tears building in her eyes. But remembering her father’s words from earlier and the other reporters around her, she blinked furiously to make the tears go down. Putting away her laptop, she could feel the eyes of other journalists on her face. She kept her composure and even seemed indifferent to the results.

“Alexis, are you okay?” Izzy asked as they walked to the press room.

“I’m fine.”

“Did you not see the results? Do you not feel anything?”

“I can’t at the moment. There are reporters everywhere, and they’re just waiting for me to react so that they can write about Marat and me.”

“They know?” Izzy asked.

“They’re just waiting for proof. Anything they can get their hands on. So there’s no way I can feel anything right now. Understood?”

“Yes. I understand now.”

“Good,” Alexis replied as they arrived in the room where Marat’s press conference would be held. “We’ll wait here and catch the press conferences before Marat’s.”

“Okay, but it might be awhile. It takes your man forever to get showered and walk his butt down here.”

“True.”

When Marat finally arrived, he didn’t look as upset as Alexis would have thought. Taping the side of her laptop aimlessly, Alexis wondered if someone had slipped him a Valium, he was that calm. Raising her hand to ask a question, Alexis waited patiently until the press conference moderator called for her turn.

“Marat, you seem very relaxed. Why is that?” Alexis asked trying not to let her feelings show as he rested his gaze on her.

“I played a long, tough match. It went to five sets, and it was a quarterfinal match. I have improved a lot since the earlier in the summer. Why should I be mad or upset?”

“So what can you take from this match? And can you apply it to the upcoming Davis Cup semifinals?”

“What can I take from the match? Well, I know I can play again. And I will try to continue doing that during Davis Cup.”

“Is that all?” Alexis asked.

“Yes, sweetheart. That’s all,” Marat said before he realized what he had said.

Alexis froze. Her fingers no longer could type, and her face turned red. Every reporter turned to face her. They all knew what this could mean to them. Taking a deep breath, Alexis prepared to handle this before it got too out of hand.

“Sweetheart? You’ve spent too much time in America. You’re starting to sound like one of us,” Alexis laughed trying to be convincing.

“Yeah, you’re right. But now that the US Open is over, I can go home.”

“Yes, and have a good journey home,” Alexis said quietly in return as she realized that Marat would not be with her soon.

The press conference ended soon after that, and Alexis avoided the stares of other reporters as they walked out of the room. Slinging her laptop carrier over her shoulder, she walked with Izzy in silence until they were safely inside the women’s restrooms.

“That was close,” Izzy said leaning against a sink.

“Yeah, it was too close.”

[Addie]

Chapter 28

After watching the rest of the men’s quarterfinal matches and the women’s semifinals matches, Alexis and Izzy found a cab and arrived back at the hotel. Everything about the day had been a long, drawn out process where something had gone wrong. For one, Marat had lost and then made that little mistake during the press conference. That little mistake had bogged Alexis down all day, making her wonder if the other sports journalists would blow up the incident or not.

“What are your plans for the rest of the night?” Izzy asked as they arrived at the elevator doors and pushed the button.

“It’s 9 o’clock at night. I have no plans,” Alexis said massaging her neck. “And who knows what kind of mood Marat will be in.”

“He looked pretty calm during the press conference. I’m sure he’s fine, and all he wants to do is see you.”

“You think so?” Alexis asked as the elevator doors opened and they walked inside.

“I know so.”

“Izzy, I’m scared.”

“Of what? Marat’s not going to get mad at you, Alexis.”

“No, it’s not that. I’m scared that the media is going to find out about Marat and me. I’m worried about my career, and I’m worried about us.”

“It’ll be okay, Alexis. Marat and you are too smart for them. You’ll be able to work around them,” Izzy said patting Alexis on the shoulder as the elevator doors opened for her floor. “I’ll talk to you tomorrow, okay?”

“Okay,” Alexis said trying to cheer herself up. “Bright and early.”

“Or at least as bright and early as Marat will let you,” Izzy smirked.

“Goodnight.”

“Night.”

Riding the elevator alone to the floor of Marat’s suite, Alexis weighed the threat of the reporters. Did they really have any support? But she knew that if they didn’t, they were going to look even harder now. Swiping her key through the lock, Alexis strolled into the sitting room kicking her shoes off as she went. Placing her laptop carrier in a chair, she collapsed onto the couch and closed her eyes.

“Rough day at the office?” a voice asked.

“Very,” Alexis said opening her eyes as Marat sat down on the couch next to her. “You don’t look so hot yourself.”

“I don’t know how to react. I’m proud that I got so far, but I wanted to go farther. I wanted to win,” Marat sighed putting his arm around Alexis’ shoulders.

“Why didn’t you say that when I was asking you questions? That’s a better answer than the one you gave me earlier.”

“Sorry, I don’t want to be too easy on you. After all, reporters are watching everywhere.”

“They were definitely watching when you called me ‘sweetheart’,” Alexis reminded Marat rubbing her forehead.

“I apologize for that. I thought we were doomed till you saved us.”

“I’m amazing, aren’t I?” Alexis said stretching her arms above her head.

“You’d be an amazing publicist. You’re a quick-thinker,” Marat said moving a piece of her hair out of her face.

“Room service?”

“Already on that topic, are we?”

“Yes, because I’m starving,” Alexis replied feeling her stomach rumble.

“Well, it’s 9 o’clock. We might as well order room service, especially since Izzy is going out on her own anyway,” Marat shrugged.

“Excuse me? She’s going out? She didn’t say any of this to me.”

“Yeah, she’s going to dinner with that Bryan guy. He was even willing to wait for her to get off work.”

“What?! She’s going out with Bryan?! No way in hell I will let her do that. He will not hurt another innocent girl,” Alexis shouted getting off the couch to find her discarded shoes.

“Alexis, what is wrong with you? Why are you giving this guy such a hard time?”

“I can’t explain right now. I have to find her before she goes out with him,” Alexis said putting on her shoes and reaching for the handle of the door.

“Oh, no you don’t,” Marat said grabbing her hand and pulling her back towards him. “You tell me now, or you don’t get out of here.”

“Marat, let go. I have to stop her!” Alexis said trying to wrestle out of his grip.

“No, Alexis. Tell me why you need to stop her.”

“Marat, please don’t make me do this,” Alexis said calming down.

“Alexis, tell me and then I’ll help you find Izzy.”

“I know Bryan.”

“I know that. You both already said that.”

“I know Bryan more than either of us let on. We dated, Marat. He was my first boyfriend, and he’s the guy I broke up with right before I left New York City for London. He cheated on me, Marat. I caught him sleeping with another girl.”

“Why, why didn’t you tell me sooner?” Marat asked letting go of her.

“I thought he would disappear. I didn’t know he was going to try to ruin me or my friend,” Alexis said shaking her head.

“That’s why you left last night?”

“When we went to the bathroom, I turned around and slapped him. He told me he was there to save me from you.”

“How did he know we were together?”

“My father told him.”

“Mudak!” Marat shouted slamming his fist against the wall. “Who does your father think he is?”

“God,” Alexis scoffed.

“That’s it. Grab your purse, and let’s go find Izzy. And when we’re done with that, we’re going to visit your father.”

“Marat?”

“I’m not letting him get away with this, Alexis. He’s done enough harm to you,” Marat said stomping out of the hotel room as Alexis followed behind him.

*****

As the elevator doors opened to Izzy’s floor, Alexis and Marat hurried past them and to Izzy’s room with startling speed. Bu as they turned the corner to the hallway where her room was, Alexis’ heart sank in her chest. Bryan was already there to pick Izzy up. Standing in front of him in a new dress and shoes, Izzy looked so excited and prepared for a great evening out. Alexis didn’t want to do this to Izzy, but she didn’t want her to get hurt either.

“Get the hell away from her, Bryan!” Alexis shouted as he began to move his hand towards Izzy’s hand.

“Alexis,” Bryan said, “I’m glad to see you’re feeling better.”

“And I’m going to feel much better after I do this,” Alexis said stepping back and then stepping forward to send a fist straight into Bryan’s face.

“Alexis! What are you doing?” Izzy asked as Bryan fell to the floor in a heap.

“I’m finally doing what I should have done last night,” Alexis replied. “Izzy, I know more Bryan more intimately than you know. He was the guy I dated right before I left for London. I caught him sleeping with another girl. Before I left the restaurant last night, he told me he was there to ‘save’ me from Marat,” Alexis explained as Bryan continued to writhe in pain on the floor of the hotel hallway.

“Why didn’t you tell me sooner?” Izzy asked.

“I couldn’t. I wanted him to go away, but he wouldn’t. But when I heard that you were going out with him tonight, I told Marat everything.”

“I was as clueless as you were a few minutes ago,” Marat said to Izzy as Bryan began to get up.

“I’m just so confused right now,” Izzy said rubbing her forehead. “I thought he was such a nice guy.”

“So did I,” Alexis mumbled as Bryan stood up with his hand clasped around his bleeding nose.

“You bitch! I was trying to help you! The last thing you need to do is ruin your career by marrying some loser of an athlete. The guy couldn’t even beat a two-year-old in tennis,” Bryan screamed. “You’ve lost it, babe. You could’ve been happy with me.”

“How in the hell would I be happy? You cheated on me. What kind of happiness can I have with a guy like you?” Alexis shouted back.

“You don’t know what happiness is. You’ll screw it up with him just like you did with me!”

“I didn’t screw anything up!”

“Yes, you did. Why do you think I cheated on you? You were a wet blanket,” Bryan said walking past Alexis and Izzy and stopping by Marat. “I know you think she’s worth it in the sack now, but it’s all theatrics. Eventually, it’ll be like sleeping with your mother.”

“Get the hell away from me! And don’t you ever talk about Alexis that way again!” Marat shouted as he towered over Bryan.

“Your choice, man. But I warned you,” Bryan shrugged as he walked down the hallway with his bleeding nose held in his hand.

“Ugh! Why do I always find the bad ones?” Izzy asked leaning against her hotel room door.

“Oh, sweetie. Don’t worry about him. He’s an ass, and we all know it,” Alexis said placing her arm around Izzy’s shoulders.

“How can you not be affected by all those terrible things he said to you and about you?” Izzy asked.

“I’m used to it. He had a terrible temper. He would blow up at me for the oddest reasons sometimes,” Alexis explained.

“Alexis, maybe you should stay here with Izzy and I’ll go find your father by myself,” Marat said as he noticed how upset Izzy was.

“You still want to do that?” Alexis asked.

“Yes, I need to. I want him out of our lives.”

“Go with him, Alexis. I’ll be fine,” Izzy said.

“Are you sure?” Alexis asked.

“I’m positive. I need to go back to sleep after all of this drama. Go kick your dad’s ass for me.”

“We will,” Marat said grabbing Alexis’ wrist and pulling her down the hall. “We will.”

[Addie]

Chapter 29

“Is this it?” Marat asked as their taxi arrived in front of Alexis’ father’s apartment building.

“This is it,” Alexis said opening the door of the taxi. “Are you sure you want to do this?”

“I’m positive. We can’t go any farther in our relationship with him trying to stop us.”

“You’re right,” Alexis said getting out of the car as Marat paid the cab driver.

“The New York Times pays well,” Marat commented looking up on the Park Avenue penthouse building.

“My dad always works overtime for a reason,” Alexis said walking to the doors of the building.

As they approached the opening, Alexis felt Marat’s hand grab hers and squeeze it tightly. Looking up at him in the darkness of the night, she smiled as a voice stopped them from walking inside the building.

“Good evening,” the voice said.

“Good evening, Bill,” Alexis replied.

“Alexis?” the doorman asked in surprise.

“Yes, it’s me,” Alexis said hugging the gray-haired man.

“Your father didn’t tell me you were coming tonight. I didn’t even know you were in New York.”

“Well, he doesn’t know that I’m visiting tonight,” Alexis replied.

“It’s a surprise,” Marat said from behind them.

“And you are?” Bill asked.

“This is my friend, Marat,” Alexis said introducing the two.

“Boyfriend,” Marat corrected as he shook Bill’s hand.

“Nice to meet you,” Bill replied glancing at Alexis thoughtfully. “I’m glad to see you moved on. Bryan always reminded me of your, well, he just reminded me of someone.”

“My father?” Alexis asked.

“I didn’t say it,” Bill laughed opening the door for them. “Have a good evening.”

“Thank you. We will,” Marat replied taking Alexis’ hand and leading her inside.

“The elevators are this way,” Alexis said taking her hand away from Marat’s.

“What’s wrong?” Marat asked when he caught up with her.

“Why did you do that?”

“Do what?”

“You told Bill I was your girlfriend,” Alexis said raising her voice a little as the elevator doors opened and they steeped inside.

“I thought you were.”

“Whether I am or not, you shouldn’t have done that,” Alexis said pushing the button for her father’s floor and crossing her arms against her chest.

“You are.”

“Huh?”

“You’re my girlfriend. That is, if you want to be,” Marat said trying to hide his vulnerability.

“I’ll consider it,” Alexis said feeling tight mouth turn into a smile.

“Just consider it?”

“I have to weigh the pros and the cons,” Alexis replied trying not to laugh.

“You do that,” Marat said as the elevator doors opened. “Are you ready?”

“Born ready.”

Coming to the door of her father’s penthouse, Alexis tried not to laugh at the ridiculousness of the situation. A man was trying to defend her honor, and they had been dating less than a month, against a man who should have been defending her honor her whole life. As these thoughts ran through her head, Marat knocked on the door and pushed the buzzer. A few minutes later, her dad finally decided to grace his visitors with his presence.

“Alexis,” David said looking at Marat. “And the infamous Marat Safin.”

“Not as infamous as you are,” Marat replied icily.

“May we come in?” Alexis asked not wanting this scene to unfold in the hallway.

“Why should I let you in?” David asked.

“Fine, be that way. But tomorrow morning when your neighbors complain about the live Jerry Springer Show outside your penthouse, don’t blame me,” Alexis shrugged.

“Get in here,” David said quickly. “Now what is this about?”

“Don’t play innocent, Dad.”

“You still call him, Dad?” Marat asked looking David up from head to toe. “He strikes me as more of a Satan, than a Dad.”

“True,” Alexis agreed. “We’re here to tell you to stay out of our lives. You’re not God, you’re far from it. You’ve messed up my life enough. And the whole Bryan thing: it failed miserably.”

“By the way, he might be suing you for medical expenses. He’ll need a new nose after your daughter finished with him,” Marat added almost proud of Alexis’ right hook.

“Why are you here? Get out,” David shouted at Marat.

“He stays,” Alexis said. “And we’ll both leave as soon as I get your word that you’ll leave Marat and me alone. I don’t expect an apology.”

“Neither of you will ever get an apology out of me,” David replied through gritted teeth.

“Then your word that you’ll leave us alone. That’s all I ask,” Alexis said pleadingly.

“Fine. I’ll leave you alone, but don’t come crying to me when he leaves you for the next piece of ass that catches his attention.”

“I’m going to pretend I never heard that,” Marat said indignantly. “But I’ll say one thing before we leave. You are the worst father and human being I have ever had the misfortune to meet. You might have never hit your daughter, but what you did will stay with her longer than a bruise caused by a blow. You’re sick. And if you ever fall back on your promise, whether Alexis and I are still together or not, I will find you. And it will become the biggest mistake of your life.”

“Marat,” Alexis whispered in awe of his duty to her.

“Let’s go,” Marat said taking her hand and walking out of David’s penthouse.

As they walked to the elevator, neither of them said a word but a few light squeezes between their hands. Alexis was almost on the verge of tears the whole ride down in the elevator. No one had ever stood up for her that way and it pulled at her heart strings. Getting into their taxi, Alexis leaned up against Marat’s chest as he folded his arms around her.

“That was beyond the call of duty, you know,” Alexis whispered.

“I was protecting you. As my girlfriend, you’re also my friend first and foremost. I would do that for any of my close friends. And I don’t have many of those.”

“I feel honored then.”

“You deserve to be treated fairly.”

“I hope I can do the same for you someday,” Alexis said snuggling deeper into his chest.

“What? Threaten my father? I don’t think you’ll have to worry about that,” Marat said laughing softly.

“Oh, yeah. You have good parents,” Alexis said as the car fell into silence again.

“Do you think he’ll really leave us alone?” Marat asked as their car pulled up in front of their hotel minutes later.

“No.”

“I didn’t think so either,” Marat said helping Alexis out of the car.

Holding her hand all the way up to their suite, Marat unlocked the door and followed her inside. The clock above the couch read 11:30. Absentmindedly, they walked into the bedroom, changed into their pajamas, and fell into bed. Lying in the darkness in each other’s arms, neither of them knew how to break the silence.

“Are you leaving tomorrow?” Alexis asked.

“I haven’t even gotten the chance to call Sasha about that,” Marat replied remembering the fact that he had lost.

“But do you think you’ll leave tomorrow?”

“Probably. Davis Cup is next, and I have to get used to clay.”

“I see.”

“Come with me,” Marat said out of nowhere.

“You know I can’t do that. I have to finish up here and then go back to London.”

“Can’t you take some time off?”

“Not right now. I’ll save it for when the season’s over, and you have time to relax.”

“We can go somewhere nice,” Marat said dreaming of great vacation spots.

“It doesn’t have to be anywhere extravagant. You know, I’ve never been to Russia.”

“Would you really like to go there, or are you just trying to make me happy?”

“Both.”

“Russia it is then.”

“Watch out Russia. Here we come.”

[Addie]

Chapter 30

“Time to wake up, Alexis,” Marat said gently nudging her.

“Forget work,” Alexis groaned throwing her pillow over her head.

“I agree, but it’s not only work you have to worry about. I’m leaving today,” Marat said cradling her in his arms.

“Don’t remind me. What time does your flight leave?”

“Sasha arranged for a flight around three. Do you think you could take your lunch break to see me off?”

“Of course, I will. I just wish it didn’t have to come to this,” Alexis sighed.

“We knew this time would come eventually,” Marat replied holding onto Alexis tighter.

“But we never discussed it.”

“We didn’t want to think about it.”

“And now the day is here.”

“As much as I hate to say this, you need to get up. We both do,” Marat sighed loosening his hold.

“You’re right,” Alexis said untangling herself from the sheets and getting out of bed.

“I kept the room reservations, by the way. You can stay here and not have to move your stuff again,” Marat called as Alexis closed the bathroom door behind her.

“Okay, thanks. It won’t be the same without you in the room, though.”

“I do have a dynamic personality, don’t I?” Marat laughed as he began to throw his dirty and clean clothes into a suitcase.

“I hope I don’t hear what I think I hear,” Alexis called back.

“And what would that be?”

“You throwing your sweaty, nasty tennis clothes into a bag with your clean clothes.”

“What am I supposed to do with them? Leave them here in the hotel room?” Marat asked.

“Don’t you have a bag or something you can use to separate them from the clean ones?”

“I can look for one,” Marat said rummaging around the bedroom.

“It doesn’t have to be anything special, just a plastic shopping bag.”

“I found one. It’s one of yours though. Do you mind?”

“Not at all. I’m just trying to save you from having to do rewash all of your clean clothes,” Alexis said walking out of the bathroom dressed for another day of the US Open.

“Well, thank you.”

“You’re welcome,” Alexis said standing on her toes to place a kiss on his cheek. “I have to leave now.”

“Right now?” Marat asked wrapping his arms around Alexis’ waist as she tried to walk out of the bedroom. “Can’t you wait a little longer?”

“I’ll see you at the airport. Besides, I have a feeling that Izzy is going to need me more after the kind of night she had.”

“You’re right, unfortunately,” Marat said thinking of the confrontation with Bryan.

“I’ll see you at noon,” Alexis said unwrapping herself from his arms. “Be good until then.”

“I always am.”

“No, you’re not,” Alexis replied reaching for the handle of the door.

“I know.”

*****

“Hey, sweetie,” Alexis said embracing Izzy in a tight hug. “How are you?”

“I’m tired. I spent the whole night trying to figure out why someone would do something like that. Are people really that terrible?”

“I’m afraid they are,” Alexis replied.

“How did it go with your father?” Izzy asked.

“It was actually quite fun. I’ve never seen my father so perplexed before. He had no idea what to make of Marat,” Alexis laughed remembering her father’s face when they had entered his apartment. “It was so sweet when Marat stuck up for me. You should have been there.”

“I wish I had been. I also wish I had a guy like Marat. Do you realize how lucky you are?”

“I know, I know.”

“Don’t screw up!”

“I won’t,” Alexis laughed throwing her arm around Izzy’s shoulders. “Shall we go find our seats?”

“Aren’t you nervous?” Izzy asked as they walked toward the press box.

“About what?”

“How people are going to look at you, the reporters that is.”

“I hadn’t even thought about it,” Alexis said already feeling paranoid.

“Well, then nevermind. I think you handled it pretty convincingly at the press conference.”

“We’ll pray that I did. Could you imagine what would happen if I didn’t?” Alexis asked as they walked past the rows of empty chairs to their seats.

“I’m worried about that, Alexis,” Izzy whispered as they sat down in their seats. “What if Thomson finds out? What will you do? What will he do?”

“I don’t know,” Alexis said shrugging her shoulders and getting out her laptop. “I don’t want to think about it either.”

“Being ignorant is the best policy, huh?”

“Works for Bush. Why not me?”

“Just be careful, Alexis.”

“I will. Now be quiet. Our fellow reporters are joining us,” Alexis whispered as a group of them sat behind Izzy and her.

For the rest of the match, they were silent as Alexis took notes, and Izzy took pictures. As exhilarating as a match it was, Alexis couldn’t help but look at her watch between every point. The match was taking longer than she thought, and she didn’t want to miss saying goodbye to Marat.

“How much longer is this going to take?” Alexis asked through gritted teeth.

“I thought you liked these kinds of matches.”

“Not the ones that keep me from seeing Marat off from the airport.”

“Oh, I didn’t know that. I’m sure it won’t take much longer.”

“It better not,” Alexis said typing random words into her computer.

But as the minutes ticked by and the players exchanged breaks of serve, it was evident to both of them that it wasn’t going to finish any time soon. Alexis was becoming more and more aggravated as she banged her fists against her keyboard at every match point lost. An hour and a half later, the match had ended and Alexis was already to go. Slinging her laptop carrier over her shoulder, she nodded at Izzy before running out of the stadium.

Waiting for a cab to stop for her, Alexis tapped her foot nervously on the sidewalk and cursed every cab that didn’t stop for her. When one finally came, she hoped into the backseat and almost shouted to the driver to head for the airport. Sitting in the back of the cab, she took out her compact and fixed her hair and make up. She was so nervous and anxious that she almost applied mascara to her lips.

“In a hurry to catch a flight?” the taxi driver asked from the front seat.

“No, but I’m in a hurry to meet a passenger before he leaves,” Alexis said putting on lip gloss.

“This guy, is he your boyfriend?”

“Why all of the questions?” Alexis snapped.

“Sorry, you just seemed nervous. I thought I could calm you down.”

“No, you’re right. Thank you for trying to help. That was beyond the call of duty.”

“So, is he your boyfriend?”

“Yes, he is,” Alexis said smiling from ear to ear.

“Now look at that. That got you to smile. He must be one hell of a guy,” the taxi driver said smiling into his rearview mirror.

“He is. He is one of the best things that have happened to me,” Alexis replied sitting back in her seat to relax.

“Why is he leaving you?”

“Neither of us lives here. I’m a reporter for the London Times, and he’s a, a banker,” Alexis answered not knowing who to trust.

“A banker, huh? He must be loaded.”

“He sure is,” Alexis laughed mostly at herself. She couldn’t believe that she was becoming that paranoid. She had told a complete stranger a lie who probably didn’t even know what tennis was.

“Well, here we are. I hope you find him in time.”

“Thank you. I hope so, too,” Alexis replied handing him the money for the fare and jumping out of the cab.

After waving to the driver, she half- walked, half-sprinted her way into the airport. Walking past check-in, she focused her attention on the many faces in the airport. Looking down at her watch, it read 2:30 in the afternoon. By now, Marat’s plane was probably already boarding. Slinging her laptop carrier onto a bench, she collapsed next to it in defeat. She knew he was gone, and he was most likely hurt that she hadn’t come to say goodbye.

“Well, this is a great way to end our time in New York,” Alexis moaned placing her face in her hands. “What a nightmare.”

“I didn’t think our time here was all that bad.”

“Huh?” Alexis said looking up from her seat. “Marat!”

“Happy to see me?”

“I’m so sorry,” Alexis said running into his arms and holding him tightly. “The match went forever. I tried to get here as fast as I could.”

“It’s okay. All that matters is you’re here now.”

“Why aren’t you on the plane?”

“I couldn’t leave without saying goodbye to you. Sasha thinks I’m crazy.”

“You are,” Alexis said smiling up at him. “But I’m glad you are.”

“I am, too,” Marat agreed scooping Alexis up in his arms and placing a kiss on her lips.

“I’ll miss you,” Alexis whispered as they pulled apart.

“I’ll miss you, too.”

“Now get out of here. Don’t miss your flight,” Alexis said pushing Marat away playfully.

“Okay, I’m gone,” Marat said jogging away towards security. “I’ll call you as soon as I get to Moscow.”

“I’ll be waiting,” Alexis called as he disappeared.