310 Isaacs birthday weekend 8 (1/2)

Liz was happy that she didn't crack in front of Mona and Helen, but the whole situation was suffocating. She knows about Max's past, and she accepted it as his past. But now that past was standing in the hallway and staring at Liz in the face and… is it past? Liz felt that it's difficult to breathe.

She leaned on the concrete rail and inhaled deeply while wondering if she can go through this without collapsing.

Liz shook her head while trying to disperse graphic mental images of Max and Mona which were forming in front of her closed eyes. Mona and Max… who knew that his conquests reached New York? Did he sleep with Helen as well? Or with some other woman who is in tonight's attendance? With how many of them? Will Liz always be in danger of facing women who slept with Max? With her Max? Liz's heart cracked. She chanted how that is in the past and that now she is the only one, but the pain didn't subside.

She was not sure how much of this she can take, and she was not sure if she can take this either.

Liz was convinced that she accepted Max's past, but now that she reacted like this and her heart is aching to the point of fainting, did she accept him? Or did she just push it on the side and ignored it?

It was easy to be happy in their little bubble when it's just the two of them and a handful of selected friends, however… can Liz claim that she loves Max when a woman like Mona can cause her this much pain with only a few words?

”Elizabeth…”

A familiar male voice made Liz's insides churn. 'What does he want?'

”Patrick.” Liz responded without turning to face him.

”You look upset.”

”Maybe because I am. I came here to cool off in peace and you are not helping.” Liz squeezed through her teeth.

Patrick stood next to Liz. ”I could help.”

Liz took a step away from him. ”I don't think so.”

Patrick balled his hands into fists. Why is Liz rejecting him? Why is he not good enough?

Patrick decided to speak up. ”Elizabeth… I heard that Max is not a decent man. Why would you be with him? He changes women more frequently than underwear, assuming that he has time to put underwear on between all the women who went through his bed.”

Liz's head was buzzing. Did she hear Patrick right? How come Patrick knows about Max's past? Did he investigate Max in advance? Not possible. Liz remembers the poisonous exchange between Max and Patrick from before dinner, and if Patrick knew this at that time, he would definitely use it. That means only one thing: Patrick found out about it in the last hour. Was it from Mona? Why would Mona talk with Patrick about her one night stand with Max?

”Where did you hear that?”

Liz nodded knowingly. ”Let me guess… and you are.”

”I built my company from scratch and I don't have thousands of women in my past. I am hardworking and clean. I can take care of you. I can give you security and I promise to treat you well. With me by your side, you will never lack a thing...”

Liz was not in the mood to entertain Patrick. ”Get lost.”

”Elizabeth…” Patrick called and extended his hand toward Liz.

Liz slapped his hand away. ”Did you hear me, or do I need to call the security? Get lost!”

Patrick was not willing to give up easily. ”Elizabeth, are you really going to stay with that playboy? He is full of scandals and he will drag you down and Isaac as well...”

He stopped talking when he saw that Liz waved at the security guard who was standing in the corner of the terrace.

Patrick lifted his chin defiantly. ”You will regret this!”

”How can I help, Miss Williams?” The security guard asked when he was two steps away from Liz.

”False alarm. Sorry to disturb you.”

”No problem.” The man smiled and returned to his spot.

Liz leaned back on the rail and exhaled. She remembered Patrick's words, how she will regret her choice to stay with Max. Does she have regrets? Probably. She regrets that she is not stronger, that she can't fight those black clouds above her head which are suffocating and preventing her from seeing all the good in her life.

She has a loving father, more money than she could ever spend, a dazzling career… and Max. Yes, she has Max. Max is a man who always has a solution, to everything. How come she can tackle all the problems, but when it comes to Max's past, she shrivels, overwhelmed by the helpless need to cry and disappear?

…

A few minutes earlier…