2 Broke Girls x 1 Rich Man [TV series 2 Broke Girls ff]

Words: 3.7k. MORE POWERSTONES. Way too low this week.💎💎

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Caroline woke up to the soft glow of morning light filtering through the floor-to-ceiling windows. She stretched lazily, feeling the pleasant feeling of waking up without any worries, that she had forgotten after she lost everything. She blinked a few times, taking in the unfamiliar but beautiful room. It still felt surreal to be in Tokyo, staying in a place this fancy.

She turned her head toward Max's bed, expecting to see a messy tangle of blankets and a half-asleep brunette mumbling about coffee. Instead… it was empty. She glanced toward the bathroom's door and it was closed, the kitchen area too was empty. Max was nowhere to be found.

Caroline sighed, rubbing the sleep from her eyes. "Figures." Max always woke up early, even if she spent half her life complaining about mornings. That meant she was probably already up to something—either causing trouble somewhere in the hotel or annoying Alex before he'd even had his first cup of coffee.

Caroline threw off the blanket and swung her legs over the side of the bed, stretching her arms overhead. She went to the bathroom, quickly freshened up, and tied her hair into a loose ponytail.

As she stepped back into the room, she spotted the hotel's welcome pamphlet sitting on the desk. She picked it up and flipped through it, scanning the different amenities. "Gym, spa, rooftop garden, infinity pool…" She mumbled.

Her stomach twisted slightly at the thought of a rooftop garden. Something about it sounded romantic, like the kind of place someone might take their significant other to watch the sunrise. She shook the thought away and focused on the gym instead.

Yeah. That's a good idea. A workout would help shake off this weird feeling.

She grabbed a pair of leggings and a fitted tank top from her suitcase, quickly changing before slipping on her sneakers. As she tied the laces, an idea popped into her head.

'Maybe I should check on Alex and Max before I go. See what they're up to.'

It was a totally normal, friendly thing to do. Max was probably raiding Alex's minibar, and Alex was probably sighing dramatically while letting her get away with it. Maybe they'd all get breakfast together. Just a normal morning. No big deal.

She left a little note for Max.

Then as she stepped out into the hallway and neared Alex's suite, she hesitated. She wasn't sure why. It's just Max and Alex. It's not like anything weird is going on… right?

Then she heard voices.

Caroline wasn't trying to eavesdrop. Not at first. But the moment she caught Max's voice... she froze.

Max: ["What's the plan with Caroline? Are you really gonna talk to her in the morning? Or were you just saying that to keep me from spiraling into one of my anxiety monologues?"]

Caroline's heart skipped a beat. She pressed her back against the wall, suddenly feeling like she'd stumbled into a moment she wasn't supposed to hear. But Max was talking about her and Caroline very well knew what Max was talking about. 'Did she really manage to get Alex to accept that? A three-way relationship?'

Alex: ["I meant it. I'll talk to her. But, you know, gently. I'm not going to just waltz into her room and go, 'Hey, so Max and I had a naked therapy session, and by the way, do you want to join our potential love triangle?'"]

Caroline's face went up in flames. A what?!

Her brain short-circuited so hard she was surprised she didn't pass out right there in the hallway.

'A naked therapy session? A potential love triangle?'

Max… actually did it. She somehow bamboozled Alex into considering something that sounded like the plot of a questionable romance novel.

Caroline's first instinct was to run. Run far, far away. Maybe all the way back to New York. Maybe even join a monastery where relationships were strictly forbidden. But instead, she stood frozen outside the door, her face hotter than the surface of the sun, her heart hammering against her ribs like it was trying to escape.

She needed to move. Now.

Very, very slowly, she tiptoed backward, her hands outstretched like she was defusing a bomb. Or, in this case, backing away from a metaphorical big red button labeled 'DO NOT PRESS.'

Except she kind of wanted to press it.

And that was the part that made her even more embarrassed.

Because, sure, a three-way relationship was unheard of, and she'd never in her life considered something so unconventional. But at the same time… wasn't that the appeal?

A forbidden realm. A "Do Not Enter" sign with flashing lights. The unknown.

And it wasn't just anyone proposing this madness. It was Max, her best friend, her partner-in-crime, the most chaotic but loyal person she'd ever met. And Alex, the man who made her heart flutter since the moment she met him.

Caroline's stomach did an involuntary flip, her mind spiraling into unknown territory.

Would it really be so bad?

'No. Stop. Don't go there.'

'But... Arggg!'

Shaking her head so hard her ponytail bounced, she continued her careful retreat. But in her flustered daze, she miscalculated her steps.

Her heel caught the corner of a decorative rug in the hallway.

Her entire life flashed before her eyes.

And then...

Thud.

Caroline landed flat on her back, arms splayed out, eyes wide in sheer horror.

Inside the room, the voices paused. (She had no idea that Alex and Max were so deep into their own world that they didn't even hear that.)

'Shit, shit, shit!'

Caroline scrambled to her feet like a baby deer learning to walk, her limbs flailing as she practically sprinted down the hallway toward the gym.

If anyone asks, she was never here.

[The Gym]

Caroline burst into the gym like she was fleeing a crime scene, her breath coming in sharp gasps as she skidded to a stop near the treadmills.

'Okay. Play it cool. Just work out. Pretend you didn't just hear your best friend discussing a potential three-way relationship like it was a brunch reservation.'

She took a deep breath, trying to calm her racing pulse. It wasn't working.

Her brain, of course, refused to let this go.

"So Max and I had a naked therapy session, and by the way, do you want to join our potential love triangle?"

Caroline groaned into her hands. "Oh my God, Max, why are you like this?"

She needed to do something.

Without thinking, she jumped onto a treadmill, cranked up the speed, and started running. Hard. Like she could outrun her own embarrassment.

Spoiler alert: she couldn't.

Her thoughts kept racing faster than her feet.

'Alex is actually considering it?'

'Max really pitched this idea?'

'Do they both think I'd just say yes?!'

'Wait… would I actually say yes?!'

Caroline screamed internally.

This was so out of her depth. She was the responsible one, the planner, the one who always made the "safe" choices.

This? This was unhinged.

And yet…

Why did she feel kind of excited?

That was the worst part.

Because no matter how much her rational side tried to shut it down, there was another part of her whispering, What if?

What if she stopped overthinking everything?What if she let herself try something different?What if, just this once, she let herself take the risk?

Caroline's fingers tightened on the treadmill handles.

The big red button was right there, tempting her.

And for the first time in her life...

She kind of wanted to press it.

[After gym...]

Caroline had never eaten breakfast so mechanically in her entire life. Sitting alone in the hotel's elegant dining area, she absently poked at her plate of fruit and toast, chewing with the enthusiasm of someone watching their life spiral into chaos in real time.

Her brain was still running on overdrive from this morning's incident. And it kept repeating like one of those annoying YT ads... 

'Max pitched a love triangle.''Alex is considering it.''And I—oh God, I'm actually thinking about it.'

She bit into a piece of pineapple.

'Nope. Not happening. I refuse to be seduced into whatever rom-com nonsense Max has planned.'

Her inner turmoil was so strong that she barely noticed when the waiter came by to refill her coffee. She nodded absently, taking a sip and staring blankly at the Tokyo skyline. The rational part of her was screaming to get a grip, to focus on literally anything else, but the damage had been done.

Because deep, deep down, past all the anxiety and self-doubt... she didn't hate the idea.

Caroline nearly choked on her coffee.

"NOPE. Not going there," she muttered under her breath, slamming her mug down like it owed her money.

But Alex's face and that sexy smile and face and... 'Argggg! Haaa... I really need some time to think about this. Must talk to Max and Alex. Need to fix this. I'm going to go there, tell them that I... What should I tell them? I can't possibly tell them that I was sneaking there! Why is this so complicated? If Alex asks me, I'll probably... No, I am 100% sure I'll say yes... A threesome with Max and Alex...'

She needed a distraction, and she needed it now.

So, when Max texted her to meet in the lounge, Caroline practically jumped out of her seat. Yes. Normal things. Friend things. A totally non-life-altering outing. That's what I need.

With a newfound determination (and mild panic), she left the dining area and made her way to the hotel lounge, hoping Max wasn't about to make things even weirder.

[Hotel Lounge]

Max was definitely making things weirder.

Caroline spotted her immediately—lounging on one of the plush sofas, wearing a very satisfied smirk, and casually swirling a glass filled with some highly questionable liquid.

It was... green. But also kind of brown? With bubbles?

And was it smoking?

Caroline stopped dead in her tracks. "Oh, hell no. Whatever science experiment you're holding, keep it away from me."

Max grinned, lifting the glass higher like she was toasting. "What, this? It's just a little morning motivation. I call it the 'Tokyo Wake-Up Surprise.'"

Caroline slowly sat down across from her, arms crossed. "Why is it bubbling?"

Max peered into the glass. "You know, I also would like to know that."

"...Did you make this?"

"That depends. Do you mean 'Did I take random stuff from the minibar and mix it together in a way that should probably be illegal?' Because in that case, yes."

Caroline groaned. "Please tell me you didn't—"

Max raised a hand. "Before you judge, let me explain! It's a mix of energy drink, matcha, soda, and… maybe one tiny splash of whiskey. And a couple of other things that were written in Japanese. Just a little morning fuel."

Caroline gaped at her. "You're insane."

Max shrugged. "Not my fault Tokyo inspires greatness. Also, we're going on an adventure today, so you better be ready. Car's waiting downstairs."

Caroline blinked, momentarily forgetting the abomination in Max's hands. "...Wait, what?"

Max sipped her drink (and made a very suspicious face before setting it down). "Yeah, we're heading out. Alex booked us a private driver, and we're going to see Mount Fuji. Figured we should actually do tourist stuff instead of just eating our weight in sushi and wasting our time. Remem"

Caroline hesitated. "And Alex is…?"

"Getting stuff sorted," Max said vaguely, waving a hand. "He'll meet us there later. Probably dealing with business billionaire things. Or planning his next scheme to make me blush like a schoolgirl. Who knows."

Caroline fought very hard to keep her face neutral.

Max's chaos energy was overwhelming, as always, but Caroline could tell she was in a very good mood.

Which meant only one thing.

She definitely spent the night with Alex.

Caroline took a deep breath, forcing herself to stay casual. "Right. Fuji. That sounds... nice."

Max raised an eyebrow. "That was the least convincing 'nice' I've ever heard. What's up, Blondie? You look... jumpy."

'Don't panic. Act normal.'

Caroline forced a smile. "What? No! I'm just excited! Totally normal, casual excitement! Nothing weird going on here!"

Max squinted. "...Right. And I'm the Emperor of Japan."

[A Few Minutes Later]

After Caroline recovered from the Tokyo Wake-Up Surprise™ (which she was pretty sure was an actual biohazard), they headed downstairs to meet their driver.

As expected, the black luxury car was waiting out front, sleek and spotless, with a driver standing by.

Max slid into the backseat first, stretching out like she owned the place. "Ahhh, nothing like being chauffeured through Japan like the VIPs we clearly are."

Caroline, still recovering from the drink incident, climbed in beside her. "You are so lucky I haven't committed actual crimes against you today."

Max smirked. "Blondie, you love me. And besides, I'm about to make it up to you with breathtaking Fuji views and real coffee when we get there. Can't stay mad at this face." She batted her lashes dramatically.

Caroline sighed but couldn't hide her smile. "You are so lucky I have the patience of a saint."

As the car pulled away from the hotel, the city streets buzzing with life, Caroline stole a glance at Max.

Her best friend. Her absolute menace of a best friend.

And maybe… just maybe…

The person about to change her life forever.

...

[The Tour]

Max and Caroline had been on plenty of wild adventures, but this was shaping up to be one of the best. A full-day tour around Mount Fuji? Scenic views, cultural stops, food, and the occasional existential crisis about their love lives? Perfection.

The private car was sleek and comfortable, their driver was polite but probably very confused by their antics, and the weather? Absolutely perfect. Clear blue skies stretched endlessly above, and Mount Fuji itself stood in the distance, majestic and calm—unlike the two women currently fighting over a bag of mochi in the backseat.

"Max, give me the peach one!" Caroline whined, reaching across the seat.

"No way, Blondie! You already had the strawberry one, and we both know I called dibs on peach before we left the hotel." Max shoved the mochi into her mouth and made a dramatic show of chewing. "Mmm. So good. So peachy."

Caroline narrowed her eyes. "I will dump you on the side of the road."

"Joke's on you," Max grinned. "I'd make friends with a wandering monk, learn the ways of inner peace, and become the next great traveling cupcake master."

Caroline groaned and leaned back. "You're impossible."

The driver chuckled quietly to himself, and Max pointed at him. "See? He gets it."

With their very important mochi dispute settled (Max won—because of course she did), they settled in to enjoy the scenery.

...

[Stop 1: Chureito Pagoda]

When they arrived at Chureito Pagoda, Caroline took one look at the many, many stairs leading up to it and sighed dramatically.

"I suddenly regret all my life choices," she muttered.

Max clapped her on the back. "Come on, Blondie! Think of it as a workout! You'll get your cardio, and at the top, we'll take cute selfies with Fuji in the background."

Caroline groaned. "I hate that you know exactly how to motivate me."

They began the climb, and within five minutes, Max was already regretting her choices. "Okay," she panted, pausing halfway. "Why did no one tell me this was actually Mount Stairway to Hell?"

Caroline smirked, barely winded. "Maybe you shouldn't have eaten all those dumplings in the car."

Max shot her a glare. "I carb-load for my future self's survival. Future Max needed those dumplings."

When they finally reached the top, however, it was all worth it. The view was breathtaking—Mount Fuji stood tall in the distance, framed perfectly behind the pagoda's red structure. Cherry blossoms weren't in season, but the sheer beauty of the moment was enough to make even Max speechless.

Caroline took a deep breath, letting the tranquility wash over her. "Okay. I take it back. That climb was worth it."

Max flopped onto a bench dramatically. "Still. If I die, tell people I went out fighting for mochi and mountain views."

Caroline laughed and pulled out her phone. "Alright, let's take some pictures. We must document our suffering for the internet."

They spent a good 15 minutes taking selfies, arguing over the best angles, and forcing a poor tourist to take at least five photos of them until they were satisfied.

Max wiggled her eyebrows. "I should send one to Alex. Let him know we're out here being mysterious and gorgeous."

Caroline rolled her eyes. "Or, you know, just two American tourists annoying everyone."

Max smirked. "Same thing."

[Stop 2: Kitaguchi Hongu Fuji Sengen Shrine]

The next stop was the Kitaguchi Hongu Fuji Sengen Shrine, a place steeped in history and spiritual significance. Caroline admired the towering torii gate at the entrance, taking a deep breath as they stepped inside.

"This place is so peaceful," she murmured, looking around at the moss-covered stone pathways.

Max, meanwhile, was peering up at a wooden prayer plaque. "So people write their wishes here and hope they come true?"

Caroline nodded. "Yeah, travelers and climbers leave prayers for good fortune and safe journeys."

Max smirked. "Bet mine would be very different from the usual." She grabbed a wooden plaque and scribbled her message before handing it to Caroline.

Caroline read it out loud: 'Dear Shrine Gods, please grant me unlimited love, endless foot massages, and maybe, just maybe, make Alex shirtless more often. Plus help me rope in my bestie into a unique relationship. Thanks in advance. Love, Max.'

Caroline let out an exasperated sigh while Max beamed proudly. 'I knew it. They planned it. Max must have told Alex that she'll try to persuade me. Arggg! What to do? What to do? What to do?'

"You are not leaving this here," Caroline said, trying to grab it.

Max dodged her and ran to hang it up. "Too late! The gods have spoken!"

[Stop 3: Oshino Hakkai]

When they arrived at Oshino Hakkai, Max was immediately obsessed with the crystal-clear ponds.

"Look at this!" she gasped, staring into the water where giant koi fish swam. "You can see all the way to the bottom! It's like a fish Instagram filter in real life!"

Caroline knelt beside the water. "It's from Mount Fuji's melted snow, filtered for years through volcanic rock."

Max dipped a hand in. "So this is basically magical mountain juice."

Caroline sighed. "Max, everything doesn't have to be food-related."

Max, already walking toward a food stall: "That's where you're wrong."

[Stop 4: Lake Kawaguchiko & Oishi Park]

By the time they reached Lake Kawaguchiko, it was lunchtime, and Max wasted no time dragging Caroline toward a lakeside restaurant.

She dramatically inhaled the scent of grilled fish. "Ahh, I love the smell of fresh seafood in the morning."

Caroline smirked. "It's almost 2 PM."

"Time is a social construct, Blondie."

They ordered grilled river fish, soba noodles, and the fluffiest Japanese pancakes for dessert. As they ate, the lake sparkled under the sunlight, and Mount Fuji loomed in the background like something straight out of a postcard.

Caroline sipped her tea, her expression softening. "This is nice. I feel like we never slow down like this back home."

Max chewed thoughtfully. "Yeah. We're usually too busy surviving."

Caroline nodded. "And now?"

Max grinned. "Now we're thriving."

[Final Stop: Mt. Fuji Panoramic Ropeway]

Their last stop was the Mount Fuji Panoramic Ropeway, which took them high above the landscape for one final breathtaking view.

Max pressed her face against the glass. "Oh. My. God. I feel like a rich villain looking down at my empire."

Caroline laughed. "You do have that chaotic CEO energy."

Max sighed dreamily. "All I'm missing is a dramatic romance subplot…"

Caroline stiffened slightly but covered it with a sip of water. Yup. Not thinking about that.

The gondola reached the top, and they stepped onto the viewing platform.

Max turned to Caroline, holding out a hand. "C'mon, let's take one last selfie. We need proof that we survived the Ultimate Mount Fuji Tour of Chaos."

Caroline smiled, slipping her hand into Max's. "Fine. But only if I get to pick the filter this time."

They both grinned as the camera clicked, capturing the moment.

...

[Back to the hotel]

After a long day of sightseeing, questionable snack choices, and at least one near-death experience involving Max trying to feed a particularly aggressive swan at Lake Kawaguchiko ("He looked hungry, Blondie! How was I supposed to know he had murderous intent?"), the two of them finally returned to the hotel.

The second they entered their room, Caroline groaned and flopped onto the couch, kicking off her shoes. "That was… amazing. But I swear, if I have to climb one more set of stairs today, I'm throwing myself into the nearest koi pond."

Max smirked, dropping her bags on the floor and stretching like a cat. "Pfft. That's quitter talk. You handled those stairs like a champ. I, on the other hand, am ninety percent sure my legs are filing a lawsuit against me."

Caroline peeked at her. "Should I be concerned that your body parts are planning legal action?"

Max waved a hand. "Nah, I got a great lawyer. He works for cupcakes."

Caroline chuckled, letting her head fall back against the couch. Silence settled between them—the comfortable kind—but Max could feel something buzzing beneath the surface. Maybe it was the exhaustion, maybe it was the fact that Caroline had been weirdly quiet whenever Alex came up during the tour, or maybe Max just knew her best friend too well.

Whatever it was, she decided she couldn't put this off anymore.

She plopped down next to Caroline, turning to face her. "Alright, Blondie. We need to talk."

Caroline cracked one eye open. "Uh-oh. That's never a good sign."

Max smirked, nudging her with her elbow. "Relax, it's not that bad. I just… we need to revisit a certain topic."

Caroline immediately sat up, alert. "If this is about that time I accidentally put salt instead of sugar in the cupcake batter, I already apologized."

Max's eyes widened. "Wait—what?!"

Caroline blinked. "Oh. Uh. Never mind. Forget I said anything."

Max groaned. "Okay, that topic for later. But right now, I'm talking about Alex."

Caroline stiffened. "Oh."

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