322 The new CEO of the Alpha Group 4

"Are you OK, sweetie?" Brianna asked.

Liz wondered, how did Brianna know that Max squeezed her shoulder? Liz was doing her best not to rub her aching shoulder, but… is it that obvious? And it was not really that hard of a squeeze. Why do Brianna and Mia have expressions like something is really wrong?

Mia looked at Max who was still nonresponsive and she sneered.

"Leave pig with his kind…" Brianna told Mia and looked at Liz. "Let's go, Liz. We need to get drinks…"

"I want to kick his ass." Mia grumbled as they walked away.

"Don't make a scene. Liz would not like it." Brianna responded.

"What? Why would you kick someone's ass?" Liz asked Mia and looked at Brianna in confusion. Why are they practically dragging her away? 

Brianna and Mia shared an understanding that Liz does not know who Irene is and that she didn't notice that Max spaced out. It only proves that Liz is inexperienced, and she probably trusts Max too much to realize that something is off.

Both Mia and Brianna hoped that Max will snap out of it and that there is no more to that story. But just in case, Liz should not be next to Max when he confronts the woman who managed to impact him to the point of him wasting six years of his life.

Mia and Brianna know that Liz gave herself completely into this relationship and if she suspects that Max is unfaithful, it will be devastating. They can't change the facts, but they can postpone the inevitable because if Liz needs to find out that Max's heart is not with Liz, that should not happen in public.

They were walking outside of the event hall without a word.

"What's the plan?" Mia asked Brianna.

"I don't have one." Brianna admitted. "Let's get drunk."

Liz stopped moving when she realized that they are in the entry hall of the hotel. Are they leaving the party? "What is going on?"

…

Inside...

Max was in a daze. It was like seeing a ghost.

That is the woman with whom he spent years, dreaming about a future which she ripped apart when she disappeared without a word. Max remembers that at first when she left, he was convinced that it's a mistake. Something happened to her, or it's a joke, and after some time of her not returning his calls and him hearing that she is living her life like he was never part of it, the reality sank in and his denial was replaced with anguish and then anger which he channeled into endless partying. Every girl was Irene, and he was getting his revenge by taking advantage of the girl and telling her not to come for seconds. Eventually, he forgot why he is doing it, but it became part of his routine and he convinced himself how that is the way it should be.

Sharp pain in Max's lower back got Max's attention. He turned and faced Quentin who was frowning.

"What?" Max barked angrily. Why did he pinch him so hard? That will leave a bruise.

Quentin tilted his head, indicating to Max to come to the side.

Max turned to the front and saw that Irene and Nathan are busy shaking hands with other people who are eager to meet Irene. This made it easy for Max to follow Quentin without an explanation.

"What the fuck is wrong with you?" Quentin squeezed through his teeth when he and Max were out of the earshot of others.

"I don't know what you are talking about."

Quentin sneered. "You don't? You just shook hands with Irene. Did it feel good to touch her again?"

Max frowned. Max was still processing the fact that Irene showed up in front of him, and this furious Quentin didn't make sense. "What?"

Quentin's expression twisted in anger. "Get your shit together or you will lose the only good thing you have in your life."

The more Quentin spoke, the more confused Max was. Since Irene showed up, Max's brain refused to process anything. "What are you talking about?"

Quentin took a step back and looked at Max in disgust. If not for causing a scene, he would punch Max straight in the face. "You don't know? Where is Elizabeth, M?"

Quentin's question had an effect of a bucket of cold water being dumped on Max.

Max started looking around frantically and he heard Quentin: "You saw a woman who played you and you were so lost in your thoughts that you missed seeing that the only decent woman who will put up with your crap left. Six years, M. It was six years ago, and you still can't get over her."

Max paused. "I am over her."

Quentin snorted. "I don't believe you, M. If you are over her, you would not be a dumbstruck shithead. You should tell Elizabeth that you are over Irene, and maybe she will believe you... If she is still willing to talk to you after the show you just gave her."

Max didn't have time for Quentin's preaching. "Where is she?"

"She left with Mia and Bri."

Max shoved his hand in his hair and then dashed toward the main exit.

He didn't have a plan, and he had no idea what to say, but he knew that he can't allow Liz to leave. Not like this. Last time she left for New York and he thought that he is losing his mind. He can't go through that again.

…

Outside…

Liz was at the main entrance with Mia. Brianna was asking the valet to get them a cab.

Liz was processing the information that Mia and Brianna dumped on her: the woman who was on the stage as the new director of marketing at the Alpha group is Irene Brooks, Max's ex.

Now the woman from stories has a name: Irene Brooks. The name makes her feel much more real. And Liz saw her; Irene is very attractive.

Irene, the one who caused Max to start drinking and partying like there is no tomorrow. Irene, the one who caused a decent and accomplished young man with a promising future to turn into a playboy who treats women as disposable objects. Irene, the only long relationship Max had in his endless stream of hookups. Irene, the woman with whom Max went to Europe and Max said that she left him, and it scarred him.

Liz didn't want to remember all those details about Max and the woman who damaged him, but she could not stop those bits of information resurfacing from unknown areas of her memory. She saw Max's pained expression and discomfort when he spoke about Irene and Liz knew how that woman is the only one who ever meant something to Max.

Liz wanted to believe that Mia and Brianna are wrong, that can't be the same woman. Why would she appear at the Alpha group? Did she say that she looks forward to working with Max? Since when Max knows that his ex is coming and that they will see each other every day in the office? Is this how she finds out that Max didn't change and that he is a cheater?

Maybe… just maybe, Liz would believe how that woman is not important; after all, six years passed and now Max and Liz are happy together… or are they happy? What if Liz is the only one who is deceiving herself how this is something special, while Max finds it convenient because… they live across the hall from each other.

And even if Liz finds an excuse for everything, she can't explain that shoulder-squeeze. Max always held onto Liz firmly, silently telling her that he is there and that he will protect her and not let go, but when Irene stepped on the stage, Max's grip hurt her, and then… he let go.

"It will be OK, honey…" Mia said softly while rubbing Liz's shoulder. "Let's get in a cab and find a joint to drink our sorrows away…"

Liz felt that her eyes are stinging, and her vision is getting blurry from the tears which started collecting, and she blinked a few times rapidly because she will not allow herself to cry.

"Let's go…" She responded to Mia with a whisper and they moved toward the cab that waited for them.

"Elizabeth!" Max roared breathlessly from the hotel. "Elizabeth!"

They were about to step in the cab and Mia asked Liz. "Do you want to talk to him?"

Liz was not sure what to say but maybe Max had something worth saying. Why else would he be here and call her name? Will he tell her that his ex is back, and that Liz is not important? Will he tell her that she imagined it all? Or will he come up with a lie she can believe in?

Liz's heart cracked. Everything was hazy and blurry, and her senses were dulled, the only thing sharp was her heartache. 

"Elizabeth…"

This time, Max's voice was much closer.

"Please… don't go. Listen to me…"

Liz turned back and saw shoes and pants that belong to Max. He was one step away from her.

Mia saw that Liz is facing Max and she understood that Liz wants to hear him out.

Mia and Brianna stood next to Liz and both had their arms crossed over their chest and their sharp glares were directed at Max.

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