200 Lunch at the Alpha Group HQ 2

"You either leave on your own, or I will get security to throw you out.", Valerie said arrogantly.

Liz was exasperated. Why is Valerie asking for trouble?

Liz imagined that Max will come to pick her up, Valerie will realize that she made a huge mistake and stare at them with her mouth open wide and learn her lesson. But it seems that is not happening, and now that Valerie mentioned Liz being thrown out by security, there is no way that Liz will let it go. Especially not now when she sees that their audience is increasing.

Liz narrowed her eyes at Valerie. "Throw me out? Based on what?"

Valerie lifted her chin arrogantly. "You have no right to linger here."

"This is a public space. If not, it would be a requirement to show some ID at the entrance."

Valerie bobbed her head. "Yes, it's public. For people who have some business in this building. You have none." Valerie paused and narrowed her eyes at Liz. "Don't think that I believe that Max is expecting you. I don't believe that you texted him, and don't bother showing me that you actually sent a text because that could be sent to anyone."

Every time Valerie said 'Max', Liz's ears ached. "Valerie, I wonder what gives you the right to address Mr. Anderson so casually."

Valerie was surprised by this change of topic. "That is none of your business."

"You believe that you have the right to question my presence here, and I believe that I have the right to know why you are addressing him like you are close."

"Maybe we are close.", Valerie said smugly.

Liz didn't believe Valerie. "I doubt that. If you are close to him you would not be stuck here at the reception. If you are close to Mr. Anderson, he would keep you… closer." Liz pointed up, indicating to higher floors.

"Maybe I am stuck at the reception, but I still have the right to get security to kick you out of here.", Valerie said through her teeth.

"What is going on here?", Max's stern voice boomed from the side.

Max didn't hear what is going on, but the body language of Liz and Valerie didn't look like they are having a pleasant conversation.

In a few quick steps, he was by Liz's side.

Max looked at Liz and smiled apologetically. "Sorry that it took me so long."

"It's OK. You are on time." Liz nodded at Foxy who was two steps behind Max before her gaze moved to Valery whose expression showed how shocked she is.

Liz smirked. If Valerie had any hopes that Liz will drop this, she is gravely mistaken.

"Max, if you arrived a few seconds later, I would be kicked out by the security by this woman who claims to be close to you."

Max was not sure he heard Liz right. "What?"

Liz gestured with her eyes toward Valerie who was so pale that she looked like a ghost.

Max understood that Liz is upset because of Valerie, and that the latter needs to explain. He looked at her nametag and demanded sternly: "Valerie. Explain."

"Mr. Anderson…", Valerie stuttered.

Liz lifted her hand, interrupting Valerie impatiently. "Mr. Anderson? Until a few seconds ago, you called him Max and you insinuated that the two of you are close. Which one is it?"

"I… I…", Valerie was unable to come up with a response.

Liz sneered. "What happened? You can't talk? And just a minute ago you had no problems talking ambiguously like you are Max's lover."

"I have no idea who this woman is.", Max told Liz seriously.

Liz forced a smile and spoke to Max while her mocking glance didn't leave Valerie. "Maybe you should tell her that because she accused me of being some random woman in a pretty dress and that I'm lying that you will have your lunch with me."

Max glanced down at Liz's skirt and leaned closer to Liz while speaking softly: "She is right about the dress. That is a pretty dress. You are beautiful."

Liz frowned at Max and whispered: "This is not a good time for flirting."

Max whispered back: "I can flirt with my girlfriend anytime I feel like."

"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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