144 Max and Liz have a lunch with Isaac

~ Seattle ~

Max and Liz are with Isaac in an authentic Italian restaurant.

The walls are painted with typical Italian motifs such as wine, olives, pizza, pasta, and there is a large map of Italy painted in green white and red (colors of the Italian flag). Top of the walls are lined with variety of exquisite Venetian masks.

The restaurant is close to several large buildings with offices, and it is usually packed on a weekday, but it's past lunch hours and only three tables are occupied out of more than twenty available in the establishment, so it currently gives off a lazy and private vibe.

Max is back to his usual calculative self and is focusing on observing Isaac.

At this point, Max is confident that Isaac came here to check on Liz, and that Isaac is reserved toward Max because of the whole 'bad company' business. At the same time, Isaac is doing his best to show his good side to Elizabeth and Max is correct in his assumption that Isaac is doing that in order for Liz not to find out how he came here after his talk with Dr. Snobby.

That confirms Max's understanding of Liz who wants to be independent and to prove herself. The new information is that Isaac is struggling to allow her to deal with the storms of adulthood as a doting father.

Isaac on the other hand is doing his best to act composed while maintaining small talk in an effort to find out more about Liz and her relationship with Max.

Liz told him that she met Max when he was in an accident and that was on the day of her job interview at the Franciscan Medical Center. After that she ended up renting an apartment in the same building where he lives and that is how the two of them started interacting. There are no red flags around it, how much Isaac can see (for now).

Isaac knows that Max is holding back on exposing him to Liz, but he is unsure about Max's motives. He can't wait to talk to this rascal in private!

At the same time, Isaac is also interested to find out how Elizabeth is doing overall. They are exchanging messages and talking occasionally on the phone, and Liz always says that she is fine, but Isaac remembers that few weeks ago Liz returned home in distress and now he heard things from Dr. Snow and he wants to check for himself if she is really fine or is she just trying to conceal her troubles.

As for Liz, she wants to know why is Max smirking occasionally and why her father is here, but she wants to talk to each of them in private. She was never the one to cause a scene. As much as Max and Isaac look OK, she knows them both and can sense that something is off.

"So, Liz… how is your work?", Isaac asked after some time. "In person we can talk with more details, right?"

"Work is fine.", Liz responded immediately and then paused before adding: "To be honest, it's going slower than I thought it will be, but I am optimistic that it will change soon. I just need that one patient, that one surgery and it will pick up from there."

Isaac perked up. "Do you want me to talk to…"

"No.", Liz interrupted Isaac. "If you make even a single call, I will never know how much I accomplished and how much was your influence."

Isaac sighed and looked at Liz with sadness in his eyes. Why is this girl pushing herself so much? "I know that you are trying to prove yourself, but you can't ignore the fact that you are my daughter. Why are you making it sound like it's a bad thing?"

"Sorry dad. You know that I am proud of you, right? My whole life you are telling me that I can do anything I set my mind to, and I want to see how far that goes."

"Liz, sweetie…", Isaac pleaded. "You know that I support you and I admire you spirit. But why do you need to do it by yourself? How I see it, you have as a goal to climb a hundred story skyrise, and each next floor is more challenging than the previous one. With a little push from me, you can have thirtieth floor as a starting point. That does not mean that you will not climb to the top yourself, but I can help you clear up those few initial levels which you can do on your own anyway… my help will only save you some initial time which you can spend on something else instead of dealing with trifling things."

Liz rubbed her temples in frustration. She heard these lines many times before she came to Seattle while Isaac was trying to dissuade her from leaving New York. Why is he repeating it? "Dad… do we need to have this talk again? You agreed to give me one year. Are you backing out?"

"No, I am not." Isaac looked at his mushroom ravioli for a second and then glanced at Max… and he got an idea. "While on the topic of doing things independently from you father… Do you think that what Max is doing is wrong?"

Max frowned. Why is the old man dragging him into this?

Liz narrowed her eyes at Isaac while wondering, why is he dragging Max into this? "What do you mean?"

Isaac was happy that he can use Max as an example. And he was happier that finally Max stopped smirking. It seems that the youngster cares about Liz's opinion of him. Isaac will not let go of this opportunity… "Max is helping his father. Do you think that he is not capable to succeed on his own, or that he is taking a shortcut because he took this path?"

Liz glanced at Max before her sight moved back to Isaac. She was irked that Isaac's words are laced with mockery. "We are not the same. He is working with his father so that he can gain knowledge about the company and trust of employees before he takes over."

Isaac inhaled more than necessary when he understood the hidden meaning behind Liz's words. "Are you saying that you don't want to take over after me?"

Liz paused. She always saw herself as a surgeon in scrubs, and not in a business suit spending most of her time in board meetings. But she knows that if she says that, she will break her father's heart. Liz told herself not to answer rashly, she needs a minute to compose her thoughts. How can she get some time away? She got an idea!

"I… need to use the restroom." Liz stood up and walked away.

Isaac looked after Liz with a complex expression.

When she was out of sight Isaac turned to Max.

Isaac bubbled with frustration. Oh, how he wants to erase that smug smile off from Max's face!

"What do you want?", Isaac asked after a second of hesitation. He knows that Max is keeping his secret for some reason and he wants to get that out of the way. Liz is not here, there is no need for him to be polite.

Max's smug smile turned into a smirk, irritating Isaac even more.

"Come on.", Isaac urged Max and gestured toward the direction Liz went. "We don't have much time. I know that you are not telling her what I told you in the garden for a reason. What is it?"

Max loves playing mind games. That is one of his strengths. But he can respect a man who goes straight to the point.

"I want you to keep an open mind.", Max told Isaac.

Isaac didn't understand. "Related to what?"

"If my assumption is correct, the man who called you with a story that Liz is in trouble is Dr. Christian Snow. I want you not to take his words for granted."

Isaac thought about Max's words before asking: "You are telling me that he lied?"

Max didn't deny it. "Every story has at least two sides. Based on how much I know, other than him telling you his version, he also omitted few things."

"Like what?" Isaac was unable to hide his impatience.

Max shrugged. "I could tell you, but… will you believe me? You already have a negative opinion of me."

Isaac has to agree with this. He sees Max as a wolf, an opportunist, a schemer. And during their talk in the garden, Isaac also found out that Max is highly intelligent and quick to respond. Those are perfect skills for a… manipulator. No matter what Max says, there is a high chance that Isaac will not believe him. But… "How can I find out the truth if you are not giving me any hints?"

"You don't need me. Ask Liz… when I am not around."

Isaac snorted unhappily. "She is always around you."

Isaac said this and realized that he sounds like a sulking child. But he can't take it back.

"After lunch I will be tired. That will be your chance.", Max offered.

Isaac nodded in agreement and then thought about what Max said. He will keep his secret only because he wants Isaac to investigate what Chris told him? Isn't that too easy?

"Is that it? No hidden catches?", Isaac asked while eyeing Max suspiciously.

Max chuckled. "Don't get me wrong. I am not doing this for you."

Isaac understood that Max is doing this for Liz. He can see that Liz cares about Max, and Max does not want Liz to be caught between the two of them. Isaac must admit that he approves of this approach.

Max saw that Isaac will go with it and smiled. With taking this path to tackle the issue, the old man will definitely feel indebted to Max, and at the same time his trust in Max will increase.

How Max sees it, it's a perfect way to get his father-in-law to be on his side.

Max paused and frowned slightly while wondering: 'Father-in-law? Where did that come from?'

"Are you OK?", Liz's concerned voice reached Max. She saw Max frowning and started getting wild ideas what caused it.

Before Max could respond, Liz glared at Isaac. "Did you do something to him?"

"No, no, no…", Max quickly pacified Liz. "He didn't do anything…"

"Is it your back again?", Liz continued guessing while her expression softened.

Max glanced at Isaac and responded to Liz: "It seems that I'm sitting too much. When we go back I will take some rest…"

"Sure… We should go right away. Can you stand?"

Max rejected Liz's offer. "Let's have a dessert. The Stracciatella gelato is amazing, and tiramisu is not bad either…"

Isaac observed the scene in front of him and felt his unhappiness rising. Why did Liz snap at him right away like he is the bad guy who bullied Max? And without even apologizing to her father for accusing him she is focused completely on Max? And that rascal does NOT have any back pain!

The more Isaac thought about this, the more he realized that Max is… dangerous.

He needs to find a way to warn Elizabeth! However, Isaac is aware how that is much easier said than done.

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