340 Max comes to work 1

Wednesday

Irene picked up printouts that she needs for the upcoming meeting and checked the time. She has ten more minutes until the meeting of the directors.

Irene was irked. When is Max going to show up to work? This is her third week here and other than at the event where she was announced as the new director of marketing, she didn't see him. On her first day in the office, she found out that Max is not well and since then Nathan is acting as the CEO.

Irene thought that this will be straightforward, however, Max's behavior is confusing, and she has so many questions.

Since she arrived here, Irene is carefully asking questions about other executives, and of course, about Max. 

From the people close to Max, there is Foxy, Hunter, and Nathan. Everyone else is strictly professional and just as Foxy told Irene previously, Max does not mix romance and work.

'Well, this will be awkward...', Irene thought.

Irene found out that Max was not reliable at work for several years, and that matches with all the rumors and online gossips about his flamboyant lifestyle that was filled with women and parties.

Irene left Max more than six years ago, but she still occasionally checked the news about him. Partying and women was not the Max she knew, and Irene had a strong hunch that he changed his behavior because of the shock of their breakup. She is wearing that as a badge of honor: breaking a golden boy.

For Irene, making strong and promising men kneel before her proves that she is a strong woman who does not need a man to feel good about herself. Irene is the opposite; she takes pride in proving to everyone that she does not need a man.

However, something changed in late spring this year. All the news and gossip about Max disappeared, and she couldn't find any damaging information about him online. There were only his professional profile and information related to the Alpha group.

Irene asked a few people about Max and she heard a rumor was that he found a woman and that he straightened up, but that was just a rumor and Irene was not willing to accept it.

And then… Nathan showed up. At first, Irene was not interested. Why would she work at the Alpha group, and put herself in a situation where Max will be pestering her? Or even worse, as her boss, he can impact her career negatively. But then… she got a tempting offer: push him down on his knees, where he belongs.

"I'm not stupid to go against the Alpha group. I could ruin my career.", Irene responded.

"I'm not saying to go against them. Take Nathan's offer and get their trust. Eventually, you will be exposed to some sensitive information and you will send it my way."

Irene snorted. "I was not born yesterday. I know how this works. As soon as I get in, you will ask me to find things for you. To act as your mole."

Irene could not believe this. First, how can that person know from where she is getting her kick? And second, what was that nonsense about Max bouncing back? "What?"

"Check your inbox, Miss Brooks. Max has a new woman, and his life is back on track. It seems that he forgot about you and you lost your right to say how you made him eat out of your hand."

Irene gritted her teeth. Those are Irene's words which she shared with only a handful of people, and it's obvious that someone leaked that information. But Irene was curious about what is in her inbox. She found four photos of Max with a woman by his side. And even though the woman's face was not fully visible on any of the photos Irene received, she could see that Max is happy.

"Assuming that you are correct. Why would I want to go and work for my ex? Won't I be at a disadvantage with him as my boss?"

"I thought that you are more confident in your capabilities as a woman, Miss Brooks. Or are you saying that Maximilian Anderson can not only resist you, but also manipulate you?"

Irene's vanity acted up, and she decided to talk to Nathan about the position. She can accept the offer and check out the situation. If she does not want to be a spy at the Alpha group, she has the option of not acting on it. No matter how she thought about this, she had nothing to lose. The Alpha group is a good company and being a director of marketing there is not a small feat. As a bonus, she can give Max a few more kicks and remind him who is the dominant one between the two of them. No one forgets their first love, not even Maximilian Anderson, and their first encounter at the party proves that point.

"Director Brooks, it's time for your meeting…", Irene's secretary reminded her as she peeked through the door.

Irene frowned. Did her secretary knock? She probably did but Irene was deep in her thoughts and didn't notice. "Coming…"

Irene got her laptop and printouts and headed to the conference room.

…

Irene was in the conference room with the other directors. They were going through their notes about their status because this is a weekly meeting where they go around the table, and everyone takes a few minutes to share current information about their department.

"I'm glad to see that you are back."

"Are you feeling better?"

"No one told me that you are back to work..."

Irene's attention was pulled toward the commotion and her eyes flashed when she saw Max at the door of the conference room with Hunter by his side.

"Sorry I'm late…", Max gestured to the directors who were on their feet to go back into their chairs. "Thank you for your concerns, I am recuperating well. Let's start the meeting, and we can chat at the end."

Irene observed Max. This was her chance to stare at him and not to be awkward. His features were more manly than what she remembers, and he extruded confidence.

During the meeting, Max was focused and his gaze didn't waver from the person that was talking, other than to take notes occasionally.

Sporadically, Max would glance at Hunter and give some hand-signal at what Hunter would nod and type on his laptop. Based on their seamless communication without a word spoken, Irene could see that Max and Hunter are working together for some time.

"Director Brooks… Director Brooks!"

Irene jolted when Max called her name. Was she lost in a daze?

"It is your turn."

Irene scrambled on how to answer. Where are her notes? Which one is the first page? "Uhm… I need a minute. Can the next person go?"

Max nodded. "We will skip Director Brooks and get back to her at the end…"

Irene smiled, happy that Max didn't give her a hard time for spacing out. Also, with her being last, she can drag it and maybe get her one-on-one interaction with Max.

Irene was proud of herself that she managed to turn this near-blooper into a sure win. Or so she thought.

With each next director that was giving status, Irene was getting more nervous. Why are they taking so long? And why is Max asking them questions? At this rate, she will not have much time left. But that is good because she will take advantage of that opportunity.

The last director (other than Irene) gave his status and Max shared a few updates before calling out that the meeting ended.

"Excuse me! I didn't give my status.", Irene reminded people in the conference room.

Max frowned slightly and pointed at the large wall clock. "It seems that we are out of time, Director Brooks. Send your status in the email and we can review it. If anyone has follow-up questions, we will be in touch."

Irene watched Max stand up together with other directors and she could not believe this. She was not willing to let it end like this. "It will take only a minute."

Max paused. "Good. Then the email will be short. I have an important meeting after this one, so if you excuse me…"

Irene was in disbelief while rage swelled inside her. He just brushed her off and she didn't get a chance to talk at all! And what important meeting after this one? These are lunch hours!

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