199 Lunch at the Alpha Group HQ 1 (1/2)

~ Seattle, the Alpha group HQ ~

11:57 AM

Sabrina stopped her car at the side of the road, in front of the Alpha group HQ building, and turned to Liz.

”Here we are.”, Sabrina said with a signing voice, before continuing cheerfully: ”Thank you for giving me a call, I had fun. We should do this more often.”

Liz confirmed. ”I had fun as well. Now my work is less tight, so I should have more free time, but I will need to see how it goes. I would love to visit your store.”

Sabrina nodded happily in agreement. ”Please, stop by anytime.”

Liz took a deep breath and glanced at herself in the side mirror before turning to face Sabrina. ”Am I OK?”

”Don't be nervous. You are stunning.”, Sabrina said with a gentle smile while observing Liz's hair, styled into a relaxed half-crown twist. ”Louis did an amazing job, and when you step inside, people will know that you are their lady boss…”

Earlier that morning, after the coffee, Sabrina took Liz to a specialized boutique on the 6th street. They were greeted by Louis who was friendly with Sabrina, and it was obvious that they know each other.

Sabrina introduced Liz to Louis as Max's girlfriend. ”Liz will visit Max at work for the first time and she hopes to leave an impression and I immediately thought of you…”

Louis beamed. ”Thank you, dear Rina, for thinking about me. I'm sure I can help your friend.”

”My future sister-in-law.”, Rina corrected him.

Louis stifled a laugh. ”I get it, I get it… I will not slack on this one…”

Liz was engrossed into checking out clothes on hangers and she didn't hear Sabrina saying the 'sister-in-law' part.

”She has great legs, so no pants...”, Sabrina told Louis.

Louis eyed Liz for a few seconds before he started pulling dresses for them to see.

Liz held one black and one royal blue pencil skirt, but Sabrina dismissed them. ”Those are great for employees, but you are not one of those. You are the boss, dress like one.”

Liz blinked at Sabrina in confusion. ”How am I a boss?”

”Max is the boss, or he will be soon. And you are his boss. That makes you the boss of the boss of all those employees, so you are the ultimate boss. Anyway… You need something smart and flattering but not too stiff and business-like. Show dominance in a casual way that only the boss-lady can have…”

As Sabrina spoke, Louis swiftly changed his recommendations.

After several dozens of choices and three trips to the dressing room, they all agreed that Liz looks amazing in a well fitted white shirt and a knee-length cream skirt with matching cream pumps that have bows at the front.

”This is perfect! Not showing too much skin, but it shows your to-die-for waist and long legs. It's classy and girly and demure enough to allow us to boldly accessorize without being too flashy…”, Sabrina said while putting a necklace with large crystals around Liz's neck.

Back to the present…

”Thank you, Rina, for everything.”, Liz gave Sabrina a hug before getting her cream-colored purse and stepping outside.

Liz could not believe that she is so nervous that her fingers feel tingly.

She took a deep breath and chanted to herself to be cool. She is only going to visit Max, and this is only a building, why is she making such a big deal out of it?

Liz walked through the extra-wide revolving door which had security guards on each side, and stepped into the huge entry hall.

The entry hall has seating arrangements on both sides, organized for groups from four to ten people as sofas and chairs around coffee tables. Straight in front (from the entrance) is a massive reception desk with the Alpha group logo at the bottom, and a wall behind it.

There are a lot of people, walking, sitting, talking, looking busy. Liz observed that most of the women are wearing pencil skirts and she had to admit that Sabrina was right. If Liz went with her choices, she would blend in with the workforce as she belongs there. Liz wondered if she is too casual. If she replaces her high heeled pumps for sandals, she could go to a classy brunch.

Liz started walking toward the reception, and even with all the clamor from the people present, she could clearly hear the crisp sound of her high heels hitting the white marble floor.

Based on the number of people holding disposable coffee cups and sandwiches, Liz concluded that there is a coffee shop nearby and maybe a deli, probably behind the reception, because the seating arrangements on each side are extending beyond the reception.