190 Worrying will not help (1/2)
~ Seattle, the Continental Views apartment building ~
Earlier that evening…
The group met in front of the Continental Views apartment building. They all agreed that everyone will get something for dinner on their way there.
Sabrina, Ashton, and Derek were the first group to arrive with boxes of pizza. Olivia, Jake, and Mike were second, and the three of them brought water and juice. Nathan, Madeline, and Mrs. Wilson came with the carryout from the Asian restaurant which Hunter recommended. Foxy and Rhonda brought desserts from the local bakery, and the two of them also picked up disposable plates, utensils, and cups. Hunter and Mia arrived with boxes of food from the nearby Italian restaurant.
Joshua observed the strange group who headed toward the elevators and he was about to stop them, but then he saw Olivia, Hunter, and Mia. All three of them have access granted by Max and Liz that they can come up anytime, so he assumed that either Max or Liz are throwing a party of some kind.
Mia led the way inside Liz's apartment and the atmosphere was solemn.
They arranged food in the kitchen, so that everyone can get a plate and help themselves, but no one ate.
Olivia was the one to speak up first. ”Why is everyone so gloomy? We are barely searching for a few hours. We didn't find Liz and Max, but that only means that we didn't consider all the options!”
Mia did her best to sound cheerful: ”Right! Let us take a step back and figure out what we are missing!”
”What if the two of them are enjoying somewhere, while we are here stressing out?”, Sabrina asked casually. Part of her hoped that she is correct and that all this is a misunderstanding, and that Max and Liz will walk in and everyone will have a good laugh and that the two of them are safe.
”That maybe sounds like Max, but that is not Liz.”, Mia responded to Sabrina's question.
Hunter clapped his hands loudly, making everyone jolt. ”We need to take a step back and revisit our strategy. We are all running on empty, so let's eat and think about the possibilities.”
”No one can think clearly on an empty stomach.”, Madeline said while urging everyone to help themselves.
”Let's stay optimistic. Worrying will not help.”, Foxy tried to encourage others (and herself).
Rhonda agreed with Foxy. ”It helps to take a step back in order to see the solution. We should try to think about something else and enjoy the food, and we will have a new outlook after a small mental break…”
”And some relaxing music might help!”, Olivia added while going to the television and picking a channel that plays ambient music.
People started chatting in small groups and the atmosphere eased.
”I saw Max and Liz last night, and I wondered if there is anything going on between them.”, Mrs. Wilson shared her thoughts with Nathan and Madeline. ”Max was next to Liz and they looked good together, especially at the end when they danced. Now that I know they are dating, it all makes sense.” She turned to Madeline. ”You are lucky. Max is an outstanding young man and Elizabeth is impressive. And I see that Hunter and Sabrina are kids who make you proud as well.”
”Hmph! Max was not so outstanding before he met Elizabeth. If you knew how many headaches that boy caused me…” Nathan stopped talking when Madeline pinched his arm.
”Why are you always scolding Max? He is not here. Our kids are missing, and they might be hurt, yet here you are, scolding him. Isn't he doing great? When will you stop mentioning the past?”, Madeline grumbled.
Nathan lowered his head. ”If that troublesome boy shows up now, I will not hesitate scolding him for making me worry sick.” Nathan snorted and his vigor returned: ”As for the past if I don't mention it, everyone will forget. And we should not forget that a woman can impact him to this extent. As much as he is the source of my pride now, I am concerned that he is not stable. What if Elizabeth leaves him?”
Madeline pinched Nathan again. ”Are you jinxing them? If they break up, it will be your fault.”
Mrs. Wilson shared her thoughts. ”You should not forget previous mischiefs. However, if Elizabeth is the one who made him a better man, doesn't that only mean that they are a good match? After all, what man does not change for better when they find their significant other?”
”Exactly!”, Madeline exclaimed. ”I want them to get married as soon as possible, and I hoped that Liz is pregnant…”
”Ah, you and your wishes put us into trouble. I will never forget Liz's expression when she asked us from where did we get the idea that she is pregnant.”, Nathan reminded Madeline. ”Stop pushing your thoughts onto kids.”
”As a mother, it's my right to push my wishes on my kids!”
Mrs. Wilson smiled at Nathan's and Madeline's banter. Foxy and Rhonda listened as well.
At the dining table, Olivia, Sabrina, Jake, Ashton, Derek, and Mike sat with plates filled with food.
”Sabrina Anderson…”, Olivia said between bites, unable to contain her curiosity. ”I would really like if you tell me something about yourself.”
Olivia saw that Sabrina was confused, so she decided to start first: ”I am Olivia. A twenty-three years old art student who works part time as Elizabeth's housekeeper. And… that's about it. Since working here I've got a chance to meet Max and Hunter, and I would really like to know something about you as well because you seem like a nice person.”
No one can stay tense around Olivia whose easygoing personality makes her a social butterfly.
Sabrina observed Olivia for a few seconds before responding: ”There is not much to tell. I am not into sports like Hunter or into office work like Max. My idea of a fun time is shopping and a good spa treatment. As for the part which allows me to shop and pamper myself, I have my own business.”
”What kind of business?”, Olivia asked.
”Interior design. Recently I got several larger customers and it picked up. I opened my store a few months ago.”
Olivia thought about interior design and asked: ”Do you sell lamps and paintings and such?”