325 The new CEO of the Alpha Group 7 (1/2)
Max and Nathan went over the list several times, ensuring that only the ones who are worthy are present. Of course, those were family, friends, and a number of executives from the Alpha group.
Max was at the table with Liz, Mia, Hunter, Brianna, Quentin, Sabrina, and Ashton.
”So, how does it feel to be the CEO?” Ashton asked Max.
”Ask me on Monday.” Max responded. ”That will be the first day officially without Nathan, and my name will replace his on the door, company's website, and any other place where the CEO of the Alpha group is mentioned. I expect that I will feel the pressure of working without Nathan's support and the relief of working without Nathan hovering over me.” Max gestured toward Hunter. ”Hunter will be my right-hand man. I know that he will help to keep me in check.”
”I am always your right-hand man.” Hunter chimed in.
Max smiled. ”I know.”
”Look who decided to join for dinner…” Nathan's voice rang from the door.
Liz didn't need to turn to see who that 'who' is because she felt Max stiffening next to her. His hand is draped over the back of her chair and he was touching her shoulder. His small caresses stopped after Nathan spoke.
Liz looked at Max and observed his expression.
She admired him. If not for those subtle signs she noticed only because he is touching her, she would believe that he is totally unphased. His face was unreadable.
”Max, son… Director Brooks is closer in age to you and she does not know anyone here, so I was thinking…”
Max stood up abruptly and turned to Nathan. ”You were thinking that she can join us for dinner and get to know people.”
”Yes, yes.” Nathan was happy that Max understood.
Max lifted his hand and two seconds later, Foxy was by his side.
”Foxy, Miss Brooks wants to join us for dinner. Can you tell the staff to set an extra chair for her at your table, please?”
”Of course… This way, Miss Brooks…” Foxy gestured to Irene.
Irene was looking at Max and wondered, how can he be so rude? She noticed that Max was shocked when he saw her at the hotel, and Irene was confident that Max will be eager to have her by his side. He always was. However, this Max is not welcoming and Irene wanted to know what caused this sudden change in attitude, but Max's gaze was on Nathan and she knows better than to make a scene. She didn't start working yet, and her current mission is to leave a good impression.
Irene plastered a smile on her face and walked after Foxy.
”It's director Brooks.” Nathan's voice conveyed disapproval. Why is Max addressing Irene like she is any other Miss instead of giving her a respect a director deserves?
Max was in a half-squat, about to sit when Nathan spoke…
”Can we have a word?”
Max leaned toward Liz and gave her a quick kiss on the cheek. ”I will be right back…”
Nathan stepped out in the hallway, and Max was right behind him.
”Max, you know that I wanted director Brooks to sit at your table.” Nathan went straight to the point.
”I thought that we agreed on the guestlist. At the hotel, you could invite whomever you wanted, but here we needed a consensus.”
It's not that Max is wrong, but Nathan had a point also. ”Director Brooks said that she can't make it but then her schedule opened up. What am I supposed to say to her? Max, you are about the same age, and it's a good thing to meet your director outside work hours.”
”My table is for my friends only. I wanted to be surrounded by people where I can relax and be myself. She does not fit.”
Nathan pursed his lips and he remembered that Max didn't want to have many people present. Nathan thought that this is a good networking opportunity, but Max said more than once that for him, this is personal, and outsiders can read about it in the magazine.
”Sorry, son. I didn't think about it.”
”You don't think about many things.” Max grumbled.