323 The new CEO of the Alpha Group 5

Max's felt that someone stabbed a knife in his chest when he saw that Liz's eyes are missing the loving spark which is usually there. She was hurt and confused, and it was all his fault.

Max ran after Liz and he didn't know what to say. His only goal was to stop her from leaving. When he saw her pained expression, he realized that she knows about Irene and who she was, and that the only thing he can do is to tell the truth.

"I am sorry, Liz. I was caught by surprise, but she does not mean anything."

"I don't believe you."

Liz was pleased that her voice was steady despite her cracking from inside and she hoped that her expression is not revealing how much she is hurting. In the last few minutes, Max ripped from her the joy and love and she will not give him any more of her, even if that is pain.

Max forced himself not to break eye contact. He wanted to kiss Liz and make love to her until both of them forget what happened, but he knows that will not solve the problem. They need to talk. "Love… remember… we spoke about this more than once. I have a past… and occasionally it shows up, but you are the only one that matters. You are the only one that has access to my heart and since I've met you, I haven't touched any other woman because they don't compare to you. They are insignificant. I need you to have enough self-confidence not to be intimidated by any of them. You are the only one in my present, and the only one I want in my future."

Liz blinked slowly. She felt as if all energy left her and she can't even blink properly.

"I wish to believe you, Max, but… your body betrayed you. You hurt me and then you let go. You didn't even notice that I left. That tells me that Irene is not insignificant."

Max gritted his teeth at the sound of Irene's name rolling off Liz's tongue. It sounded dirty and that is exactly how Max felt. Liz is pure and unspoiled, and his dirt ended up splashing on her. And now her spark is gone.

Max shook his head frantically. "Not true. That is not true, Liz. I was shocked. That's what it was. I saw a ghost when I least expected it."

Liz inhaled a shaky breath. "You call her a ghost, and I heard that she will be working with you. Do you really expect me to accept that? This is not about your past. This is about right now. If you don't understand me, I want you to reverse our roles. Would you be OK if I tell you that I will work with a man who makes me freeze and forget that you are by my side?"

Liz loves Max and she heard the sincerity in his words, but the crack in her heart hurt every time she remembered that Max lost control when he saw Irene and Liz was not sure if that crack will ever heal. Will she ever trust him completely? Liz didn't have an answer to this.

"Max, I am tired of not being able to relax. You are aware that I don't know much about dating, but you told me that dating is about two people who are having fun together. This… Is not fun. Every time I think that we are doing great, I get stabbed in the back. Maybe you have a thousand girls in your past, and you know how to deal when they resurface, but I have only you. Don't make me regret allowing you to be that one."

Max was not sure if Liz forgave him or not, but he saw that Liz's body relaxed and he pulled her into a hug. "I promise not to disappoint you, Liz. I promise… Give us a chance. Don't shut me out…" Max chanted.

It took a while for Liz to hug him back.

Liz decided to give him a chance to clarify things and to observe his behavior while secretly preparing herself for a devastating outcome in the case that letting Max into her life was a mistake.

Liz exhaled. Who is she kidding? There is nothing she can do to prepare for the anguish if Max betrays her and she has a need to cry it out. Liz bit her lip hard in order to focus on something else because there is no way she will allow him to see her crying.

After an unknown measure of time, Max and Liz inched from each other and Max kissed her on the lips.

He was disappointed by the lack of response from her side, but at least she didn't push him away.

"Thank you." He whispered. "I promise not to hurt you."

Max winced when Mia slapped the back of his head. He forgot that Mia and Brianna are watching them.

"Don't make promises you can't keep." Mia sneered. "Liz is a kind person who believes that people are good and that they can change for better if you give them a chance, but I am different. If you break her heart, I will break your balls. Got it?"

"Got it." Max responded stiffly. Somehow, he knew that Mia can make it come true. He wondered, how can Hunter love a girl who is so… violent? 

He glanced at Brianna and her stern gaze told him that she supports what Mia said. Liz is lucky to have such great girlfriends.

…

Max and Liz walked back into the event hall with Mia and Brianna who were three steps behind them.

The event hall was buzzing from the chatter and it seemed that no one noticed their brief absence.

"Go and resume your handshaking." Mia said to Max while waving to the area where most of the people were gathered.

Max was offended that Mia is telling him to go. "I will not leave Liz."

"You should. People will come to congratulate you and she is not in a good state to stand by your side and smile. Do you want a photographer to snap a photo of Liz breaking down at your party?" Brianna said before adding: "Don't worry. We will watch over Liz better than you can."

Max didn't like the current situation. Why are Brianna and Mia acting like he is the bad guy? He said sorry to Liz and that will not happen again, and he will make sure he follows through. How he sees it, there is no need for hostile treatment.

Liz dipped her shoulder and got out of Max's hold. "Go. I will be here."

"But I want to…" Max paused when he saw that Liz avoided his gaze. That small gesture made his stomach drop. Silently, she rejected him.

Max took a deep breath and told himself that in ten minutes they can leave this event hall and go for dinner and the things will be better there because it will be fewer people.

"Ten minutes… then I will come so that we can go for dinner." Max told Liz.

Max took a few steps and then looked back. He saw Mia and Brianna hugging Liz, one from each side as they walked away slowly with their heads lowered. Probably to get more drinks. He felt like a jerk.

No matter what Max planned, he didn't feel like shaking hands and he definitely didn't feel like smiling. He saw Hunter and Nathan chatting with people and Irene was not in the visible range. Max hoped that she left, even though he knew that would not solve his problem.

He decided to go to the men's room and splash cold water on his face. Maybe that helps to clear up his head because he needs to think and right now... he is out of ideas.

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