Here is the introduction of one of the new characters in the story.
“I’ll Be Part 6a/Update 5/4/04”
(About 15 minutes to Max and Liz’s time)
Max was finishing the last of the things he needed to do before he was to meet up with Liz. But for some reason, his thoughts would just fly away to the events of yesterday (to when he was introduced to Liz, to be specific).
Focus, he thought while trying to get back to the things that needed his undivided attention.
Just then, there was a knock on the door. Followed by the entrance of Lana.
“Sir,…Mr. Fox is here to see you.”
Max frowned and mouthed What the hell is he doing here?
Before she could respond, a tall blonde man with sharp, handsome features entered the room. He had a cocky smile on his mouth.
Max motioned for Lana to leave them. After she closed the door quietly behind her, Max groaned.
This, unfortunately, did not go unnoticed by the blonde guy.
“Aww…Max, what’s with the sad look?” the guy asked. “I know a great surgeon who can wipe the frown right off your face. Permanently.”
Max smirked. “You mean the one that did every single part of your body? No thanks. I’d rather not be fake.”
The guy only laughed.
“What are you doing here, Jesse? Are you trying to annoy the shit out of me –coz’ you’re doing a mighty fine job…” Max said, irritated.
“Well, not really, but I guess this is an added extra.” Jesse answered.
“I want you to get right to the point of all this nonsense banter.” Max commanded, trying not to lose what little patience he had for this guy.
Jesse rolled his eyes. “You’re such a spoilsport, Max.”
“Look, I have a meeting in a few minutes. It would be fine if you would just get out of here.” Max said through gritted teeth.
“Can’t you be a little more nicer to your old colleague?”
“No, I cannot. At least not after that colleague backstabbed us in the past by stealing all our business plans and making them your own, you plagiarist.”
Jesse walked around the office, observing the interior.
“Not bad…who designed this place?” he asked holding up a vase.
“Get out.” Max said firmly.
Jesse sat on one of the comfy couches. “Alright, alright. I’ll get to the point. You’ve never been one to have fun anyways.”
“What?” Max asked tiredly.
“I’ll give you an offer.”
“Don’t bother.” Max mumbled.
“I’m thinking of proposing a deal to you. What if my company and yours could be joined together in business, making it a bigger and more powerful company.” Jesse said.
Max snorted. “You are such an asshole.” he said in disgust. “After what you did to us…you still have the nerve to come up here and suggest such a thing?”
“Let the past stay as the past…” Jesse started to say but was abruptly cut off by the knock on the door.
Lana opened the door and stuck her head in. “Sir, Elizabeth Parker is here to see you.”
“Send her in.” Max said. “…And give Miss Parker a copy of our catalogue.”
Lana nodded and closed the door.
Max turned to Jesse. “I’ll tell you what I think…your ’proposal’ is a load of bull. I’ll only say this one more time. Get out or be booted out when I call security.”
Jesse scowled and stood up.
The door opened and Liz stepped into the room. Upon seeing her, Jesse smiled brightly.
“So you’re Elizabeth Parker…” Jesse said to a confused Liz.
“Yes, I am.” She answered with a small smile.
“You’re beautiful.” He said, taking Liz’s hand in his and shaking it.
“Uh-…thanks.” Liz said.
Max cleared his throat. “Liz, this is Jesse Fox and he was just leaving.” He said to Liz, putting as much emphasis on ‘leaving’ as possible.
“It was nice meeting you, Miss Parker.” Jesse said giving Liz a wink before heading out the door.
Max was immediately relieved after seeing Jesse leave. He turned his attention back to Liz and smiled.
“I’m sorry for that…” he said, trailing off as he got a better look at Liz. She was wearing a white blouse and a short black skirt. Her outfit was plain, but it fit her perfectly.
“…Jesse and our family…um,…didn’t really have the best of histories together.” Max continued, trying to pry his eyes away from Liz.
Liz nodded. “That’s alright.”
Standing up, Max led Liz to the couch that Jesse had sat on earlier, trying not to stare too much. After she was settled comfortably he went to sit on the other couch across Liz.
“Tell me something about the Café you’re about to open.” He said. “The ‘Crashdown Café’, right?”
“Yes. That’s the one.” Liz answered. “This is going to be the second one. The first one had originated in Roswell. It’s an alien-themed diner. But what I want with this L.A. branch is not too alien freaky. And not much of a diner but more of a coffee place with a touch of alien-enthusiasm.”
Max nodded in apprehension. “Okay. Do you have an idea of how you want the place advertised and what form of advertisement you are planning on using?” he asked trying to focus –on the business at hand, that is.
“Hmm…I really don’t know. I was hoping that you could give me ideas on it.” Liz replied.
“Have you had a chance to take a look at the catalogue Lana gave you?” Max asked referring to the booklet Liz was holding in her hand.
“Not yet.”
“There’s a list of other specific information in there that you’re going to have to send us so that we can have a better idea of what kind of advertisement we can recommend to be used on your business.”
Liz opened the booklet that Lana had given her earlier. At the end of the catalogue was the contact information of the company. “So I’ll just have to send the list here?”
“Yeah.” Max answered finding himself staring at her again.
“Great…and um…I’ll just have another appointment scheduled soon?” Liz asked, closing the booklet and looking up.
“Yes.” Max said looking away, not wanting to get caught.
“Great. Thanks.” She said standing up.
Max quickly regained his senses and stood up too. “Liz, can you give me your contact numbers or something?”
“Sure.” Liz said. She took out a pen and a piece of paper and wrote her cell phone number down. She later handed it to Max.
Not that I need it anyway, I can just ask Maria… he suddenly thought.
“So, I guess I’ll be seeing you…-at the next appointment, I mean.” Liz said blushing.
“I guess.” Max said, getting annoyed with himself for sounding like he was back in high school.
“Okay, goodbye…and have a nice day.” Liz said, walking to the door.
“Have a nice day.” Max said and watched as Liz walked out of his office.
He went back to his desk and sat there, thinking about what just happened and how much time he spent staring.
Which is pretty much the whole time she was here., he thought.
The sound of the telephone ringing had brought him out of his thoughts.
He put the call on speaker. “Sir, it’s a call from Ms. Deluca.”
“I’ll take the call.” He said leaning back in his chair.
This is should be interesting, he thought waiting for the call to be connected to his office.
There was a beep, followed by Maria’s voice.
“Max, is she gone yet?” she whispered.
“She’s gone.” Max answered already knowing what this conversation was going to be about.
“how did the meeting with Liz go?” she asked. Max could detect the excitement in her voice.
“It was okay.” He replied.
“Okay as in you asked her out?”
“No. Okay as in not.”
“Are you serious?!” Maria exclaimed. “Why didn’t you?”
“’Cause I just didn’t.”
“Ask her, you know you want to…”
“Maria-”
“I saw the way you looked at her yesterday! Just before I nearly passed out coz’ I was so tired, I saw it…and don’t you dare deny it!” Maria said. “Besides, I’m guessing that the reason you didn’t ask her out is that you’re just chicken!”
“I’m not.”
“You are.”
“You’re way too much like Isabel…”
“Yeah, yeah, yeah. I’ll give you her cell number…” Maria said getting impatient.
“Forget it. She already gave her cell phone number.”
“Than call her already!”
“That number’s for business purposes only.”
“When you end up as a couple, will it matter?”
Max sighed. “Fine. I will.”
“Good. Call her now.”
“What? While you’re listening?”
“Duh.”
He smiled. “Goodbye, Maria.”
“Wait. I-” Too late. Max pushed the button to disconnect the call.
Okay, time to call Liz… Max thought nervously.
(TBC-Be back soon.
)