406 Trouble in the jungle (1/2)

Monday

1:57 PM

Max stepped into the elevator, followed by Hunter and a few more people. Max's eyes paused at the familiar face, which is always welcome, but he didn't expect to see.

”Liz?”

Liz perked up when she saw him. ”Hey… Hi Hunter…”, Liz greeted before her attention returned to Max. ”Are you busy?”

Liz felt guilty for coming without an announcement, but this is important and if Max was busy, she would wait in his office.

Max could see distress in Liz's eyes, and he wondered why she is here. It must be important if she came to his office on a Monday afternoon without calling in advance.

All kinds of dark thoughts invaded Max's mind. Did someone harass her? Or blackmail her? It's not another set of gossip related to him, is it? Or what if it's one of his ex-hookups giving her a hard time? A man with stains in his past can never be relaxed.

Max shoot a glance at Hunter who nodded in understanding.

”No. I'm free. What's up?”, Max said and stepped toward her, his broad back blocking the view of the people who came in the elevator after him, but Liz still saw a flash of shock and frowns on a few faces before Max filled in her view.

Liz thought that she saw Irene present as well, but it was just a flash and she was not sure if she imagined it.

”Are you sure you are free? I can wait.”, Liz wanted to confirm.

Max smiled while thinking that Liz is so considerate. This is the first time she came unannounced, and she is already here. How can he deny himself her company? With Liz in the building, all thoughts about work and meetings evaporated from Max's mind.

”Hunter?”, Max called without removing his eyes from Liz.

Hunter hummed and fiddled on the tablet he was holding, before responding: ”Everything was rescheduled, the rest of your afternoon is free.”

”See?”, Max asked Liz and the elevator door opened. Max and Liz stepped out, leaving the others behind.

This time Liz confirmed that Irene was there, and Liz gave her a smug smile as she passed by her which irritated Irene to the point of her insides boiling.

”What do you mean, rescheduled?”, Irene asked Hunter before he exited the elevator.

They just finished one meeting and were going to the next one, Max included. How come his afternoon is free?

”Check your calendar. The meeting is postponed. CEO has something important.”, Hunter said flatly and stepped out because his office is on the same floor as Max's.

”Important? You mean, girlfriend?”, Irene called out Hunter blatantly.

”Yes. Important.”, Hunter confirmed, and the elevator door closed leaving Irene and a few speechless directors and managers inside. No one dared to say a thing so they only awkwardly smiled while Irene was fuming.

In Max's office…

”It's Dr. Thomas. She is in trouble.” Liz went straight to the point.

Max frowned. Since Dr. Thomas invited Liz to visit her, Max is unable to relax as Liz is mentioning that wretched lab in South America occasionally and coming up with all kinds of theories which belong in spy movies, or in movies that belong in the horror category where a lot of people die.

”What makes you think she is in trouble?”, Max asked while trying to stay calm. It seems that his Liz is eager to get herself in trouble. Sure, she is worried and wants to help that doctor, but doesn't she see that her actions are making him stressed? Max does not care about some unknown doctor in the middle of the jungle. The only person he cares about is right in front of him and she seems to be itchy to get herself into a dangerous situation.

”She sent me her research.”, Liz said.