Chapter Two
Maron
As the morning light creeps through the silk curtains, my boner wakes me up.
I lie in the guest bedroom; my cock is so hard, it nearly hurts. Last night, I was going to fuck Eva, my girlfriend of two long years, but she got on my goddamn nerves with her neediness, so I changed my mind. I moved to the guest room for the night.
Eva’s a great girl, but last night, her jealousy reached new heights. So, when she started her “We've been together for two years, Maron. How much longer do I have to wait?” conversation right after I let her suck my dick, I couldn’t stomach her delusional bullshit anymore. So, I slipped out of bed, leaving her to her fantasies of a happily ever after. I knew she’d be a mess in the morning, but I was too tired to give a shit.
To be frank, I don’t know how I’ve stuck with her for two years. She’s been alright at the beginning, but lately, she’s becoming a fucking headache. It’s clear that she wants more than just a fuckbuddy, and I can’t give that to her. I’ve already found myself thinking about cutting her loose before she suffocates me with her clinginess.
For a moment, my erection makes me consider going back to Eva for a quick fuck, but then, my thoughts shift elsewhere.
Mindy.
It’s been seven long years since I kicked her out of that party. Right before Shirkov shot me and almost had me killed. Almost. The doctors tell me it’s a miracle that I’m still alive. Little do they know that it takes more than a bullet to take me out.
I’d been a ghost for the last seven years, carefully staying away from the spotlight. In fact, I saw that whole shitshow with Shirkov as an opportunity to disappear from the public eye. It’s better this way. More peaceful. And definitely safer for the little family I have left. Nobody needs to know that Maron Korolev is alive, except for my family, a few close allies, and business partners.
But even after all this time, I still think of Mindy Williams. Especially now that Eva is starting to get on my nerves. But the facts remain facts. Mindy betrayed me in the worst way possible and I can’t just ignore that. So, why is it that I still have a soft spot for her?
Cut it out, dolboyob.
It was me who terminated everything between us, and for a good fucking reason. Seven years have passed since I last saw her. And seven years is a very long time. It’s time to move on. Not to mention that love has no place in my screwed-up life.
A fuck would be good, though. My cock is throbbing hard. There is something about a morning glory - it’s not the kind of erection that I can just will away. It demands immediate release. And all it takes is one mental picture of Mindy to get me going.
For fuck’s sake, Korolev.
She’s the woman who betrayed you.
And you’ve not seen her for a fucking eternity.
I really don’t know what it is about her. For the last seven years, there hasn’t been a day when I didn’t think of her. Despite the way things had ended between us. The Tramoxine launch party was supposed to be my crowning achievement, but instead, it turned into a goddamn shitshow. All thanks to her. And Maurice, of course. My loser half-brother whose fuckup with the kidney deal almost led to my death.
I can practically hear Shirkov’s gunshot ringing in my ears. I can almost see the panic on everyone's faces before my world went black. Leonid Shirkov, that ruthless bastard, decided to make his move against me that night, and take revenge for his daughter's death. The chaos, the screaming, the blood - it's all seared into my memory.
Frankly, I can’t really blame Shirkov. I would have done the same thing in his shoes. It was the perfect night to enact his revenge. And after Maurice’s colossal fuckup, I can’t even hold him accountable for what he’s done. He did what any desperate, grieving father would do after losing his daughter. I had a daughter once, a long time ago. If anyone, I understand what it feels like to lose a child.
Maybe I did die that night. Sometimes, I wonder: am I still alive, or am I already on the other side? Whatever the case, when I saw Mindy cradling Maurice that night, I knew I lost her forever. And then, I lost Maurice too. It was the icing on the cake. I knew there was no coming back from that.
And then, Shirkov happened.
I fell into a coma.
And when I woke up from it, I found myself in a different world. Everything had changed.
It was a new chapter. Had to be. I knew I couldn’t continue living my life the way I did before. I had to move on. Disappear from the spotlight. Forget about Mindy and our complicated relationship. So why is it that, even now, I can’t get her out of my head?
For too many years, I haven’t seen that flirtatious smile of hers or those beautiful, feminine curves. Her divine tits. Her clean-shaven pussy. And those sensual lips around my cock. I haven’t smelled the vanilla scent around her, either. Mindy Williams has been a lingering obsession ever since I met her. And I thought not having her in my life will make that go away, but it didn’t.
Thinking of her, I instinctively wrap a hand around my shaft. I can almost feel her breath on my cock. I can taste her on my tongue. Like roses and vanilla.
I start stroking my dick, imagining Mindy’s lips around it. I keep pumping, and my fantasy takes me deep inside her. Jerking off is the only time I allow those feelings for her to come to the surface. As I keep pumping harder and harder, in my mind’s eye, I see her face, her bouncing breasts, her peachy ass, and her beautiful, smooth pussy. The image is so real that I can almost smell her close to me. Man, did I love that pussy. Being with her was the ultimate ecstasy.
I keep going, and the feeling intensifies. In my fantasy, I’m deep inside her now, the head of my dick touching her sweetest point. I know that this lonely release will only be a temporary fix, like putting band-aid over a bullet wound. But when the orgasm hits, it’s wild and electrifying; it tears through me like a bullet. And when it’s gone, it only leaves a fucking void and a desire to be with Mindy even more.
Alright Korolev, that’s enough.
Time to get your shit together.
After lying on the bed gasping for a few moments, I finally get up. Once I manage to sit, I take a minute to catch my breath and calm down. I place my hands against my temples and lean forward, balancing myself at the edge of the bed.
A visit to the gym is exactly what I need right now. A strenuous session to push my body to its limits and exhaust my mind. It's the only way to still the turmoil in my head these days.
Fifteen minutes later, I’m down at the gym, pushing myself much harder than usual. I run until my lungs burn, lift weights until my muscles scream with exertion. I tire myself to the point where I can hardly move.
Good.
Exactly the way I like to feel in the mornings.
On my way back to the house, I decide to drop by my mother’s wing of the mansion for a quick visit. As I step into her suite, I take a peek into her bedroom and see her sleeping peacefully. Not wanting to wake her up, I decide to find her night caregiver, Katia.
"How was last night?" I ask her in a hushed tone.
Katia stifles a yawn before answering, "Same as usual, Mr. Korolev. I let your mom know that Cordelia will be coming over soon. Then, she slept for about five hours, and then started wandering again. In the end, I managed to guide her back to bed."
"Sounds like a typical night."
Katia nods. "It was. She’ll probably be up soon."
" Spasibo , Katia. I’ll come visit her later today."
Making sure not to wake up my sleeping mother, I quietly sneak out and click the door shut behind me. It still breaks my fucking heart that she has to be in a state like this. Her condition has deteriorated in the last seven years, but not as quickly as her doctors thought it would. There are moments when she still recognizes me as her son. Then, a minute later, she has no clue where she is and she starts looking for Cordelia all over again.
Cordelia.
My mother’s love for her is a daily reminder of the daughter I’d lost. It’s a wound that will never heal, but I’ve made peace with that now. It’s become a part of who I am, and it makes me cherish the family I have left even more: my brother Timofey, and my mother, no matter the state she’s in.
***
I slump down on the couch in my office, enjoying the solitude and savoring a cup of coffee. It’s steaming hot and perfectly strong, just the way I like it. The rich scent of the fresh brew fills the air, and I eagerly take the first sip, feeling the bitter taste wake up my senses.
I like these late morning hours; they’re when I get the most of my shit done. It’s the most productive time of my day, the time I write my to-do list, make a bunch of calls, and go over my profit reports with my accountant. It’s also when I catch up with my closest ally and right-hand man, Pavel.
But just as I’m about to dive into some important paperwork, Eva barges in and ruins my peace with her presence.
Blyad.
I know it’s not her fault, but she’s really starting to annoy me. And it’s not just my girlfriend who bugs me after two years together. It’s also the invisible presence of her twin sister, Rachel, that really grates on my nerves.
Though I never actually met her, Rachel is almost like a third wheel in our relationship. It’s like her and Eva are joined at the hip or something. Eva won’t shut up about how close they are. They live together and do almost everything together. I don’t know shit about psychology, but I’m sure it’s not a healthy bond.
I can feel my eye twitching at the thought of Eva mentioning Rachel again. I just hope she’s not here to rant about her sister this time.
Eva saunters over to me, running her fingers through my hair. "Hey there, handsome," she coos. "How about we go back to bed and start the day right?"
Okay, at least she’s not here to talk about Rachel. Maybe it’s just my own fixation.
"Hey," I say, looking up. I make no effort to get up and show affection. The idea of romance makes me want to puke right now. All that lovey-dovey stuff is just a tool for women to control and manipulate men. Not to mention that these are my working hours. She should not be in my office.
Why did you even let her stay the night, mudak?
You could have just sent her home in a taxi, like you usually do.
Eva moves closer, her full lips curving into a seductive smirk. Her nightgown clings to her curves, leaving almost nothing to imagination. Her breasts are visible through the fabric. Normally, I would get turned on by this sight, but not today. I took care of myself a few hours ago, thinking of Mindy.
She hovers next to me, her nightgown now half-open. She puts her hand on my head, tousling my hair. As she moves, she deliberately flashes her clean-shaven pussy. I look at her, but all I feel is annoyance.
Gently but firmly, I remove her hand from my hair. "Not now, Eva."
She moves away a little, but it’s just not in her nature to give up. Especially when it comes to teasing me. "Be a good boy, Maron," she purrs with a mischievous glint in her eyes. Her fingers trail down my chest, leaving small goosebumps in their wake. With deliberate slowness, she kneels before me and undoes my pants, careful to maintain eye contact the whole time. I have to give it to her, the woman knows exactly how to get me going.
She slides off the nightgown as she kneels in front of me, putting her whole body on display. "I know you like me, Maron," she whispers seductively. Her breasts are perky, her pussy is silky and the view makes my cock erect.
I don’t move. I just sit there, staying in a half-slouched position, letting her do her thing. She positions herself in front of me, opens her mouth, and takes my dick into her mouth.
Well, fuck it.
My body betrays me, responding eagerly to her skillful tongue and her lips as they engulf my cock. But at the same time, my mind is screaming in protest. I know this isn’t what I want. I don’t want Eva’s lips around my dick.
Then whose lips do you want, dolboyob?
It fucking hate to admit it, but deep down, I know the answer. I’ve known it for the last seven years, despite all the shit that’s happened.
Eva sucks me greedily, and despite my lingering annoyance, I can’t help but feel a twisted feeling of pleasure coursing through me. I allow her to continue for a few more minutes. But then suddenly, something in my head snaps, and I nudge her head away.
"I'm not in the mood, Eva."
Her face falls, and she frowns. "What’s wrong, Maron?"
Blyad!
I want someone else to do that, that’s what.
I pull my pants back on. "Nothing. I just want you to stop."
"You know," Eva says, her voice shaking slightly, "Rachel’s always telling me I should be more assertive with you. She says it’s not healthy, the way you treat me."
I scoff internally. Of course, fucking Rachel would say that. The psychiatrist twin, always analyzing our relationship, always knowing what’s good for us.
"You just don’t seem interested anymore, Maron," Eva continues, and I sense her frustration rising. "I don’t know what’s happening to you, but I’m not happy with how things are going. You’ve changed."
She’s not wrong. I want to tell her that what’s changed is my tolerance for her symbiotic relationship with Rachel, but I know it’s more than just that. This thing between us was never meant to be serious, I just allowed it to progress. And now, she wants to take things to the next level. Which is the exact opposite of what I want.
She anxiously wipes a streak of tears from her eyes. "I’m trying to do everything to make you feel loved and all you do is act distant and unavailable. Sometimes it’s like you’re living in another universe, Maron. Just like last night when you left to sleep in another room. How do you think that makes me feel?"
Shit. I feel a pang of empathy for her, but I keep my face emotionless. I know she’s right. I have changed. I just can’t be bothered about it.
There is something else that fucks with me and it has nothing to do with Eva. It’s a lingering thought that I just can’t seem to force out of my head. A thought about a person. For a long time, I thought I’d moved on. Found my peace. But now that Eva is getting on my nerves, I find myself thinking about her even more often.
Mindy.
But then again, this is not the first time this happened in the last seven years. Her image continues to haunt me, despite my best efforts. I’ve tried to banish her from my thoughts, and erase her memory for good. I failed. It’s a weakness, I know. A vulnerability that has no place in my life. But no matter how hard I try, she’s there, lurking in the shadows of my consciousness. And in my sexual fantasies. That woman did something indelible to me. Something that makes all other women hopelessly dull in comparison.
The only thing that remains from my previous life is this lingering thought about a woman I once fell for. Everything else changed. I keep my life private. I’ve almost completely ditched the whole Bratva scene. I now have the privilege to live it up with all my riches. Tramoxine is selling like hotcakes, and Global Media is killing it. I even appointed a new CEO, but remained the owner. I have a good life now. A steady flow of passive income, way more than anyone could ever wish for. Except Mindy Williams just won’t leave me alone. She haunts my thoughts every goddamn day.
I take a sip of my coffee, realizing it has gone cold. I glance over at Eva, who is seated in the armchair across me, her dressing gown draped to one side. She’s clearly waiting for me to say something.
"I like to sleep alone, Eva." My voice is calm. "That’s why I went to the spare room."
"Right," she responds, her tone laced with disappointment. "But it’s more than just that isn’t it? Is there someone else, Maron?"
For fuck’s sake, I groan inwardly. Not her jealousy again. I’ve dealt with her insecurity many times and I’m getting fucking tired of it. I know I should feel sympathy for her, but I just can’t.
"There’s no one," I snap, trying not to lose my temper.
Of course, Eva’s not buying it. “I don’t believe you,” she says, standing up and moving closer to me. She towers over me with an anger on her face that could incinerate the room. My eyes are at chest level with her, and her breasts seem to swell as she lifts her hand to strike me. In a split second, my own hand snaps out and grabs her wrist tightly.
"You’re going to stop this shit, Eva," I growl through gritted teeth. "This isn’t about someone else." Each word is like a sharp blade cutting through the air, fueled by my building frustration.
Eva rips her arm from my grasp, her nails leaving angry red marks on my skin. "Don’t you dare feed me that bullshit, Maron. I see the way you undress every woman with your eyes! You salivate over every piece of ass that walks by!" Her voice rises to a shrill crescendo and her face is contorted with rage. "Do you think I’m blind? Do you think I don’t know you’re pulling away? Rachel says your behavior is textbook avoidance."
There it is. Fucking Rachel again. My jaw clenches at the mention of her name. Of course, she’s been analyzing me, probably dissecting every interaction Eva reports back to her. And knowing how close they are, she probably reports everything. The thought of it makes my blood boil.
Eva’s voice continues to rise. "Do you think I don’t know you’re still pining for your precious ex-girlfriend?"
My heart stops dead in my chest. What the fuck? Is it that obvious? How does she even know? Am I wearing my heart on my sleeve like some lovesick teenager?
"I know you still have feelings for her!" Eva is nearly shouting now, probably sensing my shock. "I know who she is!" I stare at her as she continues, "You want to hear her name from me? Mindy Williams! Rachel helped me figure it out."
Motherfucker!
The air leaves my lungs in a rush. How in the everloving fuck does she know that name? And Rachel’s involved? This is getting complicated. Too fucking complicated.
I pinch the bridge of my nose, sucking in a sharp breath. "That’s enough, Eva." My voice is low. "I’m not going to listen to your accusations."
Tears stream down her face, smearing her mascara into ugly black streaks. "Screw you, Maron! You’re a heartless monster!"
I shrug. I’ll take that. I’ve been called worse.
Eva fixes me with a glare that’s designed to turn me into stone. Her eyes shimmer with angry tears as she turns on her heel, and storms out of the room. Even through the closed door, her sobs echo through the house like a banshee’s wail.
And me? I guess I should feel guilty… or at least, I should feel some semblance of remorse for not giving her what she wants. But all I feel is annoyance. And I know I can’t continue doing this. I have to end things between us, and soon.
Driven by a sudden idea, I pull out my phone and open New York High’s website, my fingers moving deftly across the screen. With a few taps, I book a table for two.
New York High has changed a lot over the last seven years. They have a new management team and Kevin is no longer working with them. They even refurbished the place. The only thing they kept intact was the stage where Mindy used to perform. But that was a long time ago. These days they try to attract new and upcoming talent, musicians who will perform for free just to get their music heard.
Anyway, New York High is the perfect place to have a talk with Eva and put an end to our relationship. She’s a beautiful young woman and deserves a guy who is willing to give her what she wants. Unfortunately, that guy won’t be me.
Once the table is booked, I slip my phone back into my pocket and head upstairs. I find Eva in the bedroom, lying on the bed.
"Eva," I say, feeling like shit about the upcoming separation. I reach out to touch her shoulder, but she flinches away, her body tensing up like a coiled spring.
"Leave me alone, Maron," she snarls, her voice muffled by tears and anger. "I hate you."
I turn her back to face me. Her face is streaked with tears and smeared makeup, a sight that twists my gut. I fucking hate to do this, but I must. "We need to talk," I say. "I’ll take you out for dinner."
I feel uncharacteristically sorry for her. Like I’m the dirtiest cheat and liar. Which I am. But it’s time to cut this woman loose.
This relationship has become more trouble than it’s worth.