200 Lunch at the Alpha Group HQ 2 (2/2)

”This is your work.”, Liz reminded him.

”Yeah. But it's a lunch break, so I can flirt.”, Max saw that Liz threw him a glare, and he quickly added: ”Only with you, of course.”

Max and Liz spoke softly between each other, but Valerie was close enough to hear their exchange and her legs became weak. Her mind exploded and she was not sure what is going on, but she knew that she is in trouble. And she didn't need to wait long in order to hear in how much trouble she is.

Max's playful expression became serious when he turned to Foxy. ”Let's not waste our lunch break. I've heard enough. All three of them who are currently working at the reception will have a choice of moving to an office in some other state of their choice or to collect this months' salary. I expect that their replacements will be at this station within one hour, and until then, find someone from administration to fill up the spots.”

Foxy confirmed that she understood that Max is talking about three receptionists and she glanced at two women behind the counter who stared at them in disbelief.

Liz tugged Max's sleeve to get his attention. ”Only Valerie was unprofessional. The other two were silently observing.”

Max paused for a second before turning to Foxy. ”OK. What I said about moving to another office applies only for...” He looked at the nametag again. ”Valerie. The other two are to be placed at some position where they are not required to talk, with 50% of the salary cut for the next three months. That should teach them to speak up when they see that someone is abusing their position.”

Foxy nodded in understanding. ”It will be done.”

”Also…”, Max added while gazing lovingly at Elizabeth: ”Arrange for Miss Williams to get security access to the whole building, so the next time when she graces us with her presence, she does not need to stop at the reception, but she can go straight to my office.”

”Yes, boss.”, Foxy responded while her lips curled into a smile.

Max's palm landed on Liz's back and he guided her toward the elevators. ”Allow me to show you my office. Are you hungry? We can do lunch first…”

”I would love to see your office...” Liz responded with a smile.

The two of them walked toward the elevators, leaving frozen Valerie behind.

Foxy waved the security to come closer and started giving instructions to Valerie: ”You are to leave this building immediately and contact HR by end of day with your preference of a state you want to move your job to, or you want your salary deposited to your account.” Security was there, and Foxy continued: ”Escort Miss Valerie to pick up her personal belongings, and then she needs to leave this building.” Then Foxy moved to the other two women behind the reception. ”The two of you made a grave mistake for allowing Valerie to bully Miss Williams. Consider yourself lucky that she is Mr. Anderson's girlfriend, and that she spoke up for you. If she is a business partner, you would lose your jobs. Leave this station and head to the HR department…”

…

Max opened the door of his office for Liz and she walked inside. Liz observed the office of a generous size. At the center of the office, slightly toward the large window which shows a great view of Seattle downtown is a desk with a computer and a laptop on it, a comfy leather chair behind it, two chairs in front. On the right is a sofa and a coffee table, a file cabinet is next to the wall, closer to the window. On the left are a smaller desk with a simple office chair and a huge whiteboard on the wall.

”What do you think?”, Max asked.

”It's an office… I don't see any personal belongings. If it doesn't have 'Maximillian Anderson' at the door, I would not know that it's yours.”

”Yeah. I come here to work, and most of the time I'm in Nathan's office or in meetings so I don't spend much time here. Maybe we could take a nice photo that I can keep on my desk?”

Liz smiled and reached into her purse. She handed him a flat rectangle-shaped box which is slightly bigger than his palm (when his fingers are fully extended).

Max's eyebrows shoot up in surprise. No matter how he looks at it, it's a present. ”For me?”

Liz nodded.

Max opened the box and saw inside a simple black picture frame. Inside is a photo of the two of them which they took during the bicycle tour of Seattle. They are standing at the vantage point with Seattle skyline in the back, Max's hand is on Liz's shoulder, and both of them are smiling. The tour guide took that photo with Liz's phone.

”A present for your office. From our first date.”, Liz said nervously when she saw that he is not responding. His expression is blank and she was not sure if he likes it or not.

That morning, Liz had time after styling, so she thought of getting something for Max as a present. A nearby photo studio developed the photo and she got the frame and the gift box there as well.

”I thought you said that it was not a date.”, Max reminded her.

”But you said it's a date, and you are a dating expert so… it was a date. It even ended with a kiss.”

”I kissed you and you didn't kiss me back.”, Max said dejectedly.

Liz smiled. ”I was young and foolish.”

Max laughed bitterly. Ah, that was one of his biggest blunders that scarred him for life: he charmed Liz to the fullest and after the goodnight kiss Liz told him that she thinks he is gay!

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