Ok, so yeah, I'll have to post and run cause I have a class in 20 mins and I thought it would be a good surprise to give you a chapter a day early.
And just an FYI, I have till Chapter 12 written already.
Thanks again. *hugs*
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CHAPTER TEN
Lunch that weekend with the Evans was quite exciting. Michael and Maria announced to the entire family that they have just gotten engaged. Philip and Diane were so happy for their eldest. Isabel and Liz were “ooohing” and “ahhhing” at the 2 carat pink diamond that Maria wore on her finger. Max, on the other hand just observed everyone. And once again, he envied his brother.
“So do you have a date in mind?” Isabel asked.
“Well we haven’t discussed it yet but I want to have a summer wedding.” Maria replied after a quick glance at Michael.
Michael only grinned. The wedding was going to be Maria’s day. He was happy to let her decide whatever she wanted to have on her day.
“Actually, we haven’t really talked about the details. I’m still reeling from the shock that this man finally proposed.” Maria commented to which everyone laughed.
“Although, I do know that he would want his siblings to be a part of this special ceremony. So…” Maria turned to face Isabel, “will you be my maid of honor?”
Isabel gasped, “Are you serious?”
Maria only nodded.
“Oh my gosh! I would be my pleasure, Maria.”
“I don’t have a sister so I don’t know who else to ask. And this way, we’d be able to hang out more when the planning gets started.” Maria said.
Michael kissed her temple, grateful that his fiancée was including his family into the wedding party.
“And of course, Max, you gotta be my best man.” Michael stood up and went to the other side of the table and stood in front of Max with his arms outstretched.
“Of course, bro.” Max stood up and gave his brother a manly hug.
After the two boys shared a hug, Maria was quick to add. “And Liz, I want you to be one of my bridesmaids, if that’s ok with you.”
Liz was surprised; she wasn’t expecting to be included in the bridal entourage since she wasn’t really a part of the Evans clan.
“Um, I’d be honored, Maria. Thank you.” Liz said and looked at Max to see him smiling brightly at Maria.
Max knew what his brother’s fiancée was doing and he was thankful for the gesture. He turned to Liz then and gave her a small smile.
“Oh and we have to get my cousin to be one of the groomsmen.” Maria told Michael after he sat back down on his seat. “Remind me to give him a call when we get home.”
“I can’t believe one of my babies is settling down.” Diane spoke.
“Mom!” All three Evans kids whined.
“What? Can’t I get a bit sentimental?”
“Reserve that at the wedding, Mom.” Michael said.
“Don’t worry, Diane. Sunday lunches will be compulsory.” Maria assured with a laugh.
Diane had to smile at that. And lunch went on without a hitch.
***
As they were driving home, Liz shifted in her seat to face Max. “Did I tell you that I’m having an interview about the restaurant in a couple of days?”
Max gave a quick glance at Liz before returning his eyes on the road. “What? No you didn’t. That’s great, Liz.”
“I know. I’m so excited. I thought I told you about it.” Liz was grinning.
“So where are they having the interview?”
“At the restaurant. They want to take shots of it too.”
“You do know that once that interview comes out, you’re going to have a whole lot more customers.”
“Yeah, that’s why I’ve got you to help me.” Liz teasingly looked at him.
Max returned the gaze and both friends just laughed.
***
“So you’ve got everything? Toothbrush?” Liz asked for the nth time.“Yes, Mom.” Max rolled his eyes.
The two were at the airport both waiting for Michael.
“What time is your interview?”
“Around noon.” Liz answered, wringing her hands together.
Max covered her hands in one of his. “Are you nervous?”
“No.” Liz said a little too quickly for her own taste.
Max chuckled. “You’ll do fine. Food is your forte.”
“I know, it’s just…this is the first time my restaurant will get recognition.”
“What are you talking about? Elizabeth’s is well known already.”
“Yeah, but that’s mostly because of you. And all those girls that want to see the hunky Max Evans.” Liz said that in a high-pitched voice while batting her eyelashes at her best friend.
Max could only laugh. “That’s not true. People love your food, Liz. Don’t ever doubt yourself.”
Liz smiled. This is why Max was her friend. He always knew how to make her feel better.
“Hey guys.” Michael greeted the two. “Ready to get out of here, Max?” he goaded, waiting for his brother’s response.
Max just narrowed his eyes at his brother. In all honesty, ever since Michael helped him realize that he was in love with Liz, he’s been scared of the two being in the same room, or even just within hearing distance of each other.
“Yeah, Mike. You go on ahead.” Max practically pushed his brother towards the check – in counter.
“See ya, Liz.” Michael leaned forward and kissed the petite woman on the cheek.
“Have a safe flight.” Liz replied.
“So, I’ll see you at the end of the week.” Max said after Michael left.
Liz nodded.
Max wanted to kiss her so badly but knew that he couldn’t…yet. He was resolved, as soon as he comes back from New York, he was going to tell Liz how he feels about her.
So instead of giving her the most passionate kiss she will ever have and leave her dazed and breathless from it, he leaned in and engulfed her in a tight embrace.
Liz was baffled by the gesture but nevertheless, hugged her best friend back just as strongly.
“I’ll miss you.” Max whispered in her ear before letting go. Without another word, he turned and headed to where Michael went.
“Max!” Liz called out.
Max turned around to face Liz.
Liz gave him a sweet smile then said, “I’ll miss you too.”
***
The past two days that Max was in the east coast, Liz pretty much just worked at making the restaurant look spic and span for the interview.That day itself, she was a bundle of nerves as she looked like a chicken with its head cut off running all around the place to ensure that everything was ready.
Liz still felt anxious but Max’s words rang in her ears. People loved her food and the restaurant was already well-known for it. The interview will just be icing on the cake.
The crew for the show came about half an hour past 11 o’clock. They set up immediately while Liz got to know the person interviewing her.
“Hi, I’m Cal Langley. You’ve really got a nice place here, Ms. Parker.” The man said as he looked around the restaurant. He also instructed one of the cameramen to take some still shots of the establishment.
He was older, probably the age of Liz’s father. And he clearly screamed Hollywood, with his dark blue suit that probably cost thousands, and the dark sunglasses that he had no intention of taking off even after he has entered Elizabeth’s.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you Mr. Langley. And please call me Liz.” She said with a smile.
“Alright Liz, then I’m just Cal.” He sat on the seat situated across her and fixed the mic on the lapel of his coat.
One of the women in Cal’s staff also adjusted the mic on Liz’s uniform.
“So are you ready?” Cal asked.
“Yes.” Liz nodded and got comfortable in her seat.
“Ok, so tell me about yourself Liz, how Elizabeth’s started.”
“Well, I grew up in Roswell, New Mexico with my grandmother. She owned a diner and we lived in the apartment upstairs. I studied to be a microbiologist, but when my grandmother died, she left the diner to me. I couldn’t keep up with school and work so I decided to sell the diner and move out here.” Liz told Cal.
Cal then asked, “And what about your parents?”
Liz felt uneasy but she did agree to this. She took a deep breath and went on, “It’s just me and my grandmother.”
“What do you mean?”
“My grandmother said they weren’t fit to be parents. They left me with her and the next thing she knew about them was that they died a couple of months later.”
“Was it an accident?”
“No, it wasn’t.”
“They were murdered?”
Liz shook her head, “Look is this really necessary?”
“Well no, but we’re trying to know more about you.”
“Can we just move on to talking about the restaurant?”
Cal let that one go and began to ask questions about Elizabeth’s. “Ok, so how did the restaurant start?”
Liz began to relax a bit and went on to tell the tale of how the now famed restaurant began. “My grandma taught me how to cook. And I still had the money from selling the diner. So I figured, I should put it to good use, something that would be about her too. And here we are.”
“Yes, the food here really is fabulous. So how did Max Evans start working here?”
Liz was surprised at that. “Uh, we’re friends. He helps out from time to time.”
“And you’re just friends? Could he also be the reason why your restaurant is so famous? Because the Evans come here a lot, and fans could have a taste of Max serving them.”
“No, that’s not why.”
“The two of you have been seen being too close for comfort nowadays. Is there something more going on between you too?”
“We’re just friends”, Liz said getting agitated.
“Then why were you heard yelling at the airport a few days ago, telling Max that you’ll miss him?”
“Huh? How—?”
“Actions speak louder than words, Liz.” Cal sneered.
Liz stood up abruptly. “You need to leave.”
“The interview’s not done. Besides, we’re airing live, hun.”
“I am not your honey. Now get out.”
“Aww, come on, Liz. Thousands of viewers would love to know more about you and Max.”
“Get out!” Tears were already falling down Liz’s face.
Patrons began turning their heads to watch the commotion and two of Liz’s wait staff rushed to her.
Sarah pushed the swinging door to the kitchen open and poked her head in. “Wayne, we need you out here.”
Wayne was one of the cooks in the kitchen, but he also had a huge built. He looked more like a bouncer than a chef.
Megan, another waitress, reached Liz and led her away from the scene.
“I think you and your crew better leave.” Sarah demanded.
“Says who?”
“Says me.” Wayne said while brandishing a huge cleaver whose very sharp blade glinted in the light.
“Fine. We got what we wanted.” Cal grinned creepily and ordered everyone he brought with him to pack up.
As Cal was about to step out of the restaurant, he looked back at Liz who was already crying her eyes out.
“I thought this was an interview for a food show.” Liz spoke.
Cal simply shrugged and said, “I lied”, and he walked out without another word.
Ok, remember that club scene, the one that Erin was in, that was what it was about. Jack grabbed Mike Landry's character by the nape and he stared at him because he was making a complete fool of himself in front of the reporter (forgot her name). Oh, and if you reacted this way to this part, I can't wait to see how you'd react to the one below, and the one after that. Hmmm, I think I might need to run and hide.