332 Thanksgiving morning 1

Thursday

8:41 AM

In Max's apartment…

Liz woke up and acknowledged that she is in Max's bed, in his apartment.

Max is sleeping next to her, and she gently removed the pillow-barrier from between them which was there with the purpose of protecting Max from accidental bumps of Liz's elbows.

Liz is missing holding onto her favorite bolster pillow (aka Max), but he is still sore, and she does not want to risk hurting him.

This is the second day since she accepted to have his apartment as 'their base' how Max called it and she is almost used to the place even though there are some areas she still didn't explore, like spare bedrooms. Max told Liz that she can redecorate the apartment if she wants, but she does not think it's appropriate. After all, Max was staying in her apartment for several months, and other than bringing his clothes, toiletries, and a few other necessities, he didn't change a thing.

Liz took a deep breath, inhaling Max's scent, and appreciated the calm and peace that came with the fact that Max is by her side.

When Liz saw the time, she was shocked. She never sleeps this late! But the last week was hectic and her sleep schedule is completely messed up.

Liz remembered that last night they spoke about Irene (again).

"Do you know why Irene came to the Alpha group?" Liz asked the question that is like a thorn in her side. 

"No. Nathan does not know who she is, but she definitely knew that he is my father and that I will take over as the CEO by the time she signed the contract. Foxy spoke with Irene during dinner, and Irene acted like she does not know me."

Liz found how this is suspicious. "It is one thing not to mention your relationship, but why would she deny knowing you? Didn't you go to the same school? It's easy to confirm that she lied."

Max rejected looking into that further. "I don't think that is worth pursuing. Even if there is proof, she can say that she forgot. I don't know why she accepted to work in the Alpha group, but it can't be anything good and I don't believe that it's for sentimental reasons. Hunter and Foxy will help me keep an eye on her."

Liz trusts Max, but she does not trust Irene. And she definitely does not trust Irene next to Max. Max explained that if there is nothing specific to marketing, Irene's and his interaction will be reduced to a weekly meeting that other directors are attending. However, Liz is confident that Irene can use this as an opportunity to see Max without others present. What is a better reason than: 'I'm new and I would like my boss to give me a few pointers?'

"Do you need to tolerate her? Can't you fire her?" Elizabeth huffed.

"Corporate espionage?" Liz repeated while her stomach sank. That sounds serious and malicious and last week, at the party, Liz thought that it's a case of Max's old flame reigniting. "I feel stupid. Because of my insecurities, you lost a chance to find out more about her motives."

"Don't worry about it. My first priority is you, no matter what else is in the queue. I hope that we clarified that part. And to be honest, when I saw her that evening, I was too shocked to think clearly, and focusing on you was the right thing to do."

"Thank you for comforting me," Liz mumbled. She was not happy that Irene managed to shock Max to the point of him being non-responsive. Max told Liz that Irene is not important (romantically), but Liz can't stop feeling uneasy whenever she remembers that moment. Liz told herself to stop returning to the point of how Max reacted when he faced Irene because Liz can't prove it one way or the other, and this boils down to if she trusts Max or not. Liz decided to trust him because the other option will shatter her heart and it would make her wonder for the rest of her life if she made a mistake. By deciding to trust him she is exposing herself to a potential heartbreak, but at least she will know that she tried, and there is a chance for a happy ending.

"Max… If someone wants to plant a spy, shouldn't they use a person you will not be suspicious of?"

"True. However, she can use our history as a diversion. At this point, I'm just guessing. This time off from work will give me time to think through things and collect information. I will ask Ian to look into her history and see if anything suspicious comes up. I also need to look into the contract Nathan signed with her. For directors, usually, there are special clauses, including a hefty sum attached for termination of the position earlier than stated without a cause. I need to know what she requested in order to join the company."

"You should look more into what she requested so that you can't kick her out.", Liz grumbled.

"That also."

"Do you plan to tell your father who Irene is?"

Liz wanted to tell Nathan more than once while Max was in the hospital, but she thought how this is something Max should disclose.

"I didn't want to talk about my past with Irene with Nathan because it will bring back memories of six years him seeing me as a failure. That evening, I was confident that I'm the new CEO and that he will not go to the Alpha group and in that case, it didn't matter if he knows or not. However, for the next few weeks, he will be back to the office while I'm recuperating, and I believe that he should know."

"You should tell him soon so that Irene does not take advantage of his ignorance." Liz reminded him.

Max exhaled. Liz is right. "Irene starts working on Monday so I will tell him when we go for Thanksgiving dinner. I will use that chance to discuss the contract he gave her and to see if there are any loopholes we can use. I have this planned. Foxy will come in the afternoon as well so that everyone relevant is present when we talk about Irene so that we are all on the same page."

Back to the present…

Liz observed Max's face as his eyelids fluttered open.

"Good morning, handsome…" Liz greeted him.

"Good morning, beautiful…" Max mumbled back.

Max frowned and turned to the side, hugging Liz in the process.

Liz his erection on her belly and saw him smiling smugly.

"Don't give me that look. You are hurt and I have no intention of making it worse."

Max pouted but he didn't object. This was not his first car crash and he was in the hospital for various injuries which were mostly the outcome of his wild partying, but it was never this serious. Max woke up after three days in a coma and Liz told him that there was a chance for him not to wake up. It made him think about all the things he could have missed, and the most he would regret would be all the sweet moments with Elizabeth. Not seeing her smile and not hearing her sweet voice would be the closest thing to hell and he promised himself that he will take care of himself and of Liz because he wants to enjoy her company for a very long time.

Max was thinking that it's about time for him to make some moves about the future. He knows that he loves Elizabeth, and he can't imagine his life without her, and that means it's time to pop the question. Ah, just thinking about it is making him nervous. What if she rejects? He exhaled. There is no way that she will reject because she loves him and two people who love each other will get engaged and married. Or that is how it should be.

"Where are you going?" Max asked when Liz started wiggling out of his hold.

"It's almost nine o'clock. Olivia will come." Liz saw that Max frowned, so she explained: "It's her first time here, and it will be nice that she is not on her own especially because we are both here."

Max was not happy about this, but… "I will shower. It takes me time to get ready for the day, so I might as well get a head start."

"Don't force yourself. If something is hurting, wait for me to help out…"

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