327 The new CEO of the Alpha Group 9 (1/2)

Tonight, they were supposed to celebrate a big milestone in their lives, but instead, a seed of doubt was planted into Liz's heart.

”How long will that take, Max? How many meetings will you have with her? How many lunches? How many coffee breaks? How many of those will be with just the two of you? How many times will you stay late in the office discussing her latest marketing plan for the Alpha group? Can you guarantee that she will not sway your heart? Or how about the rest of your body which froze when you saw her? I know that you don't have answers to those questions and that it's not fair of me to ask you that but… this is what is on my mind and I need to think if I can live with that.”

Max looked at Liz with desperation obvious in his face. ”Liz, I can't prove to you that I am faithful if you push me away.”

”Max… I don't think that I can survive the heartbreak if I get any deeper. I want to believe that you mean it, how you will be faithful, and that I am the only woman in your heart. But there will always be a knot in my chest because of the question if you are deceiving me or yourself. Her presence is impacting you more than you wish to admit. How do you expect me to be confident that you are mine only if you are not sure about it yourself?”

”Is this it? Is this how we end? Because of a doubt? Because of the possibility that I might make a mistake sometimes in the future? That is not fair, Liz.”

”Life is not fair, Max. I am not breaking up with you. I am only asking you for some space. I need to think. Please, don't come to my apartment tonight.”

All the strength left Max's body and his legs refused to move as he helplessly watched Liz walk into the elevator.

The elevator door closed, and she didn't look at him.

The Elizabeth Max knows was gone and he was looking at a stranger… and the pain was so unbearable that he was sure his heart broke into a million pieces.

…

Max entered his future office, grabbed a bottle of Johnnie Walker, and slumped on the sofa. He didn't bother with a glass; he drank from the bottle.

”Where is Liz?” Mia asked.

Max frowned from the sharp sting in his throat caused by the alcohol.

”She went to her place and told me not to come.” Max saw that Mia reached for her phone. ”Don't bother calling. She said that she wants to be alone.”

Max put his lips on the bottle and started drinking again.

”Max… don't.” Quentin said as he reached for the bottle. ”Drinking will not solve anything.”

Mia, Brianna, Quentin, and Hunter watched Max as his eyes turned red and then he took another swing from the bottle.

None of them knew what to do in this situation. Both Max and Liz are hurting, and they all feel their pain, yet they don't know how to fix it.

Quentin finished his drink and stated the obvious. ”Well, this party is over… Max, where will you sleep? Do you want to crash at my place?”

Max rejected. ”I have a bed here.”

”You will not go to your apartment?” Hunter asked.