Disclaimer: Obviously, I do not own GH, Maxie, Johnny or Spinelli. (Winnie would be dead already if I did, lol)
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"Yet another amazing success Maxie."
A practiced smile had been frozen on her face for the last hour, but the whispered words in her ear had Maxie Jones' face transforming into genuine happiness and she turned towards the voice with a squeal.
"Johnny, you made it!"
With a grace that belied his brawn, John Zacchara shifted the two glasses of champagne he had just lifted off a passing waiter to his left hand and caught the beautiful blonde in his free arm. Maxie giggled slightly, her careful mask she'd worn for the past few hours of haughty indifference and polished politeness completely gone as he lifted her off her feet and swung her in a half circle.
He put her back on her feet carefully and handed her the extra glass of bubbly with a grin. "Surprised to see me?"
She smiled up at him, "Happy to see you. I thought you were going to be in Tuscany until next month?"
"And miss "Fashion's fastest rising star" basking in her most recent glory while the press and the public worship at her feet?"
Maxie rolled her eyes at him, "Please – nobody's worshipping at my feet." She grinned and extended a tiny foot, "But with these shoes, they totally should."
He laughed and slung an arm around her waist, "Your feet - like the rest of you - are gorgeous. And don't give me that false modesty crap Maxie, I know you a little better than that. You don't have to pretend with me."
She arched an elegant eyebrow at him, "Oh, is that so Mr. Zacchara? I'm afraid I have no idea what you're talking about."
Johnny scoffed, "That Fashionista crap may fly with these self-indulged morons who can't be bothered to pull their heads out of their own asses long enough to see the real you, but I know you better than almost anyone. You're thinking of all the ways you could have done tonight differently and wondering if they would have been better. You're second guessing yourself and I want you to stop right now. Tonight was a huge success and no one deserves it more than you." He pulled her closer and pressed a soft kiss to the fragrant golden curls piled artistically on her head and she snuggled into his familiar embrace with a sigh.
It was true, these days there was no one she was closer to then him. They'd left behind their life – and all the heartache that went with it – in Port Charles over six years ago. And with just their dreams and each other, they'd done it – they were successful beyond their wildest dreams. With a few lucky breaks and a lot of hard work, Johnny had made a name for himself in the Real Estate game – granted it wasn't his name, but his company B&D Inc, was well-known the world over, even if it's founder and CEO remained a mystery to most.
And he was right, tonight was officially a success for Georgiana Fashions and Designs, Inc. She had added yet another fabulously talented designer to her label and tonight's fashion show had been met to raving reviews yet again.
Maxie pulled back with a smile, "I'm so glad you're here Johnny, I've missed you these last few weeks."
Johnny gently rubbed his fingertips down the soft velvet of her cheek, "I missed you too, Angel-face."
She wrinkled her nose at him, "How many times have I told you not to call me that ridiculous name?"
He gave a careless shrug, "Not my fault you have the face of an angel and besides as your fiancée, I'm supposed to have sappy pet names for you." He caught her left hand in his and pressed a kiss to the ring nestled on her tiny finger. "Besides, with the size of this rock here, I think I'm entitled to call you pretty much anything I want."
Maxie shook her head at him with a fond expression, pulling her hand from his and extending it in front of her to admire the "rock" on her finger with a grin. "I have to give it to you Johnny; you do know how to pick out a diamond."
He gave her an indulgent smile, "So I take it you like your engagement ring, then?"
She looked at him baffled, "Uh, duh? It's freaking huge, of course I like it – I love it." Her face softened and her voice caught a little, "And, I love you Johnny."
"I know." He pressed a soft kiss to her forehead, "Love you too Angel-face."
"Uh, Miss Jones?" A frazzled voice sounded from behind them. With a sigh, Maxie turned, her face slipping easily back into the careful mask of cool indifference and haughty disdain. "Yes Clarisse, what is it?"
Her assistant smiled at Johnny in greeting and he returned the gesture with a nod.
Maxie snapped her fingers impatiently in front of her assistants face and gave her an irritated glare, "Did you come over just to drool over my fiancé, or was there something you wanted?"
Clarisse flushed and silently berated herself for being caught staring at Mr. Zacchara – yet again. She jerked her head towards the makeshift stage behind her, "They're ready for you Miss Jones."
Maxie nodded, "Tell Andrew that I'll be there shortly."
Johnny chuckled and shook his head at Maxie as they watched her assistant scurry away. "I see you're still running poor Clarisse ragged."
"Poor Clarisse?" Maxie sniffed, "If I didn't know better, I'd think you liked that twit slobbering all over you."
He bit back a grin and wrapped his arms around her, "Hey – none of that, I'm marrying you Maxie Jones and no one else. That rock I put on your finger means it's you and me Angel-face, just the two of us. Forever."
Tears shone in her beautiful eyes at his words, "Forever – you promise?"
He brushed his thumb gently over the tear shimmering on her eyelash and whispered, "I swear. I'm not him, Maxie – I will never hurt you like that, I swear it."
Maxie laughed shakily and swiped at her eyes, "I know. God, I don't know what's wrong with me tonight." She smiled up at him, "I do love you Johnny."
"I know."
She stepped away from him with a smile and drew a deep breath before making her way to Andrew, her friend and business partner. He'd been invaluable these past few years, passing on advice and infusing her company with ridiculous amounts of cash at its startup. Tonight Andrew was making the official announcement of his retirement from the business after nearly forty years. Maxie had hoped to buy him out of his shares of Georgiana F&D, Inc. but had been unable to raise the cash in time.
An anonymous investor had come forward and bought him out for nearly twice the asking price and she'd had no way of matching that kind of offer. So tonight would not only be the end of her partnership with Andrew but the beginning of her new one with the mysterious benefactor.
She'd tried many times over the past two weeks to get Andrew to tell her about her new – and hopefully silent – partner but had no success. Whoever it was had insisted on absolute secrecy until the announcement tonight.
Her smile frozen firmly in place, Maxie stood next to Andrew as he spoke into the microphone. She was the very picture of poise and elegance, but tremors of apprehension ran through her as she waited for her new partner to be announced.
Moments later the announcement made, she stared blankly out at the crowd and when her eye caught Johnny's, she watched as he went pale beneath his tan and the delicate glass he held shattered in his hand. Still she stood, shock running through her body keeping her frozen in place.
Dear God, no. Please, not him. Anyone – anyone, but him.
She knew that name; she knew the voice as it thanked Andrew politely. She stared at his face as he threw a sardonic smile her way before addressing the crowd. She shut her eyes briefly and willed herself to keep up the calm façade. At least until she could escape his presence and collapse in Johnny's arms.
It couldn't be him. But she knew it was. She'd always known that someday she'd have to face him again, but not like this. God, not this way.
Andrew glanced at her baffled but at her frozen expression, he stepped back to the microphone and before she knew it, it was over and she was off the stage. And just like that, she was face to face with him again.
After six years.
For long agonizing moments, they just stared at each other. He'd changed; the boy had matured into a man. The laughter in his eyes, the warmth in his face that she remembered – they were gone. He looked very little like the sweet gentle beanie-wearing social misfit that she remembered. No, this man looked every inch the wealthy and privileged playboy in his Armani jet-black tuxedo that clung to his muscular body.
Vaguely, Maxie was aware of Johnny stepping up behind her, his hand on her shoulder offering silent support. But all she could do was stare at him, at her Spinelli. Memories came rushing back to her, emotions running rampant through her causing the hand she extended to shake slightly.
"Mr. Spinelli."
He glanced down at her outstretched hand with a raised eyebrow before taking it in his and pressing a kiss to the back of her hand. "It appears we'll be partners Miss Jones, I think you should call me Damien."
"Sweetheart, I promised Antonia an exclusive on our engagement. I'm sure Mr. Spinelli understands."
Maxie nodded, grateful for the reprieve and snatched her hand back. Spinelli broke eye contact with a sneer, his face hardening as he matched the glare Johnny was sending his way.
Johnny laid a gentle hand on the small of her back, guiding her into the relative privacy of a nearby darkened corner. "You okay?"
The combination of the shock and Johnny's gentle concern broke her stoic resolve of the last few minutes and she broke down in tears. Johnny gathered her into his arms and held her tight as she sobbed. His initial shock at seeing his one-time friend had worn off and now one emotion stormed through him – anger.
That Spinelli would show back up now and in this way; it stirred up every protective instinct in him. And when it came to Maxie, there wasn't anything he wouldn't do for her, nobody he wouldn't protect her from. He'd once called Spinelli friend, but he would use every resource at his considerable disposal to crush him if he had to. He would never allowed Spinelli to hurt her ever again.
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Maxie smile was brittle as she approached Spinelli. She'd stayed in the corner with Johnny for nearly an hour before deciding she'd had enough hiding. She hadn't done anything wrong after all, he'd been the one who'd broken her heart – if anyone should be hiding in corners, it was him. He had nearly broken her, her trust in people destroyed. Only Johnny knew the whole truth. Maxie felt a surge of confidence at the thought of her fiancé and smiled down at her engagement ring, it was a reminder of how far she'd come.
"Hello Spinelli. That was quite the surprise you arranged for me tonight."
"Actually – its Damien now, nobody calls me Spinelli anymore." He smiled thinly, his eyes cold "That's a lovely engagement ring you have there Miss Jones."
Maxie took a deep breath before taking a quick glance around and lowered her voice to a whisper, "What the hell do you care about my engagement, or fashion for that matter?"
He shrugged, "I'm always looking to expand my holdings. As for your engagement, a man likes to think his wife would tell him when she's getting married again." He stared hard at her as Maxie swallowed thickly and glanced around fearfully at the thought of someone overhearing them. "Especially when she's still married to him."