OH...left you a little note at the bottom again
Hope you enjoy!Chapter 10
“Wow!” That was all Tess could say; her eyes opened wide when the limo finally reached the front gate of Liz’s home. It was a mansion, to say the very least.
“Damn! Maxwell, we need to step up our game. Shit, we need to live in a house like this!” Michael rolled the window down and stuck his entire body out of the limo for a better view.
Max barely heard a word they were even saying, he was too focused on the fact that beyond those iron gates was the love of his life. Not only that, there was something pulling at Max from the moment they started to approach the house. It was an overwhelming sense of uneasiness, something that wasn’t just coming from him. He didn’t have much time to think about it because a few seconds later, they approached the biggest mansion he had ever seen.
“Put your tongue back in your mouth Michael; you are starting to drool.” Tess said closing the window to the limo when they came to a stop.
“I was not drooling. Stop the exaggeration. You’re just excited to see Kyle, so just stop; you can’t hide it.” The banter began again accept this time, Max stopped it quickly.
“Yes dad,” both Tess and Michael mumble out when Max snapped.
“I’m sorry guys, but there’s just something…different.”
“Different?” Michael was looking for something a little more descriptive at the moment. Did Max sense danger or was something upsetting him?
“Yeah, I can’t explain it. It’s like, I feel this uneasiness but it’s not just me. It’s like, I can feel someone else…I…” Max was having a hard time explaining what it was he was feeling. He just hoped it passed soon before he saw Liz, if not surely she would think he was a basket case.
“Do you think we shouldn’t go in?” Tess asked worriedly. Max was never wrong about feelings but what did this one mean?
“No. It’s nothing bad, just weird. Let’s go.” Max said getting out of the limo followed by Tess then Michael.
“I feel so small.” Tess said in a whispered voice.
“Don’t feel bad, so do I.” Max said giving her a small comforting smile.
“No way! Do you see that?” Michael said, racing over to the six-car garage. There parked were one each of the most expensive cars in today’s market. He was speechless at this point.
“What is that? Michael doesn’t have anything to say?” Max said smiling. He had to admit the cars were nice; the house was what was really grabbing his attention. It was a Mediterranean style, three-story house, with a wrap around porch on the third floor and there were windows everywhere. Walking up the front steps you could see on either side of the steps were two butterfly fountains. Even the front door had butterflies etched into it. She must love butterflies, Max thought to himself.
After ringing the bell, Kyle opened the door and greeted them.
“Hi guys! How are you doing?” Kyle was more than excited to get to see Tess once again; maybe he would be able to talk to her alone later, or so he hoped.
“Hey Kyle, we’re doing alright.” Max and Michael state, and Tess…well Tess was too busy staring at Kyle to say anything. Max quickly nudged her a little and she snapped back to reality.
“Oh, sorry. Hi Kyle! I’m doing great!” Boy she’s a chipper one wasn’t she? Kyle thought; not that it mattered, he liked her.
“Hi guys! I’m so glad you could make it!” Maria breezed into the foyer quickly embracing Tess, Max and finally Michael. Michael closed his eyes briefly to take in her scent. She smelled like a mixture of the ocean and fresh pears; a weird combination but it was quickly becoming his favorite scent.
The exchange between Maria and Michael didn’t go unnoticed, and Max simply quirked his eyebrow at Michael after he pulled away from Maria. Michael just shrugged and followed Maria into the living room.
“This house is amazing.” Tess began but was quickly cut off by Liz descending the long spiral staircase.
Max sucked in his breath; he still couldn’t believe he was in the same room with her. His dreams were coming true; he was defenseless to stop them. He thought she was more beautiful than last night. He didn’t know how it was possible, but she was. Her hair was pulled back away from her face, allowing him an unobstructed view of her beautiful features. He wanted to reach out a hand to her when she reached the last step. Before he even knew it, he did.
“Thank you.” Liz smiled shyly at him. There was something about him that screamed at her to hold on, but she pushed it back. She couldn’t help but notice how he looked. She thought he was hot in dress clothes. He was dripping in sex appeal with a pair of faded blue jeans and black T-shirt. The fact that his biceps were stretching the material to its capacity did not go unnoticed by Liz. She suddenly felt the need to lick her dry lips. Was it hot in here all of a sudden? She thought to herself.
“I’m sorry I was late. I wasn’t feeling well this morning…”
“Are you okay?” Max asked quickly, not realizing how concerned he sounded; not only to her but also to everyone in the room. Maria just smiled; she knew she was right. Max was definitely the one Liz needed all her life. She just hoped that he could handle the Liz Parker only a select few got to meet and that after she pushed him away, that he would be able to see past her pain and really see the person she is inside.
“I’m fine. Thank you Max.” Liz smiled genuinely at him. She didn’t know what it was but she knew that he was concerned for her.
“How about we go outside? Lunch is waiting for us.” Maria led the way and everyone followed. They ate, while having a casual conversation. Unbeknownst to both Tess and Maria, they were at the same time trying to figure out how to get Max and Liz alone together.
“This house is just so beautiful.” Tess spoke up, after the plates were removed from the table.
“Thank you. My mother helped with the renovations, planning and decorating.” Liz said while taking a sip of her cherry coke. Max couldn’t lie; he was damn near jumping in his seat when he found out that was her favorite soda.
“Did she love butterflies?” Max asked. Liz’s head snapped up from her drink and she stared straight into Max’s eyes.
“Y-you noticed them?” Max simply nodded. Liz grew quite and Max knew that he must have said something wrong. Sensing the awkward moment, Maria quickly changed the subject; as if knowing that if she was waiting for an opportunity, it just presented itself.
“Michael? Tess? Would you like a tour of the house? Kyle and I would love to take you.” Maria didn’t leave much room for argument, quickly ushering them from their chairs and into the house.
“Hey, what the hell?” Michael didn’t know what the hell was going on but he wanted to know.
“Look…Michael, there are things about Liz that even I don’t know about and I’m her best friend. For some reason, I think that the only person that can help her is your friend Max.” Maria said seriously.
“What’s wrong with her?” Tess asked concerned. She saw the seriousness of the situation etched across Maria’s face.
“We don’t know, but something happened. She won’t tell either of us.”
“You are her best friend, so…” Michael wasn’t getting it.
“Maria? We shouldn’t be airing Liz’s business like this. It’s her choice.” Kyle quickly stepped into the big brother role.
“Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to pry; I just…I’m sorry.” Tess said softly and Michael quickly wrapped and arm around her shoulder. Kyle noticed Tess’ sad expression and wanted to kick himself for putting it on her face.
“Tess? I’m sorry, it’s just that she has people in her face every single day. Every move she makes is printed and lies about her life just escalate. I know you are not here to get information. It’s just I’m so used to it and…” Tess reached out her had to Kyle’s arm, telling him she understood.
“So, how about that tour blonde?” Michael said slipping back into his player role. Maria liked it a lot. He was cocky and confident; just want she was looking for.
“Sure thing.” Sexy. Maria added silently to herself leading them around the rest of the house.
Meanwhile, outside, Liz and Max sat in uncomfortable silence. Max felt terrible that he may have hurt Liz with his words. He quickly rose to his feet and bent down beside her chair.
“Liz.” He waited for her to look at him. He saw the sadness in her eyes and wished that he could take it away.
“I’m so sorry, I didn’t know. I’m just sorry.” Max said regretfully. Liz turned away and focused her attention to the far end of her property, then looked back at Max.
“You feel like taking a walk?”
“Sure.”
Liz stood and they both walked side by side until they reached what looked like a rose garden. There was a bench in the middle of the beautiful colored roses. Liz walked over and reached out her hand for Max to follow, which he did without hesitation.
When she didn’t speak up, Max decided this was going to be a lot harder than he ever thought. He didn’t think that mentioning her mother would have upset her, seeing as how she brought her into the conversation to begin with; now he realized that there must be some significance to the butterflies he mentioned.
“They’re so beautiful,” Max, said looking at his surroundings. There were roses in every color; red, white, yellow and pink. Some brighter than others but just as beautiful.
“It was my mothers. She loved to come out here everyday. She would sit here for hours just reading; it helped her deal with the craziness that became her life.” Max just nodded, not knowing what to say. He didn’t know her, not really. He was finally starting realize that. She wasn’t what he saw on television or in interviews; she was a person with feelings and emotions living in this un-perfect world, just like him.
Liz didn’t know why she was telling Max, a virtual stranger, all this stuff about her life. She just knew she could trust him; it was that feeling again; a feeling she tried to push back, but it was surfacing and she was defenseless to stop it.
“When she got sick, I’d bring her out here as often as I could. I’d just sit and read to her. When she got so sick she couldn’t come outside, I decided to take pictures and hang them all over her bedroom. That way, when she woke up, she would feel like she was sitting right here.” Liz finished sadly. She missed her mother more than words could ever express.
Max saw the longing and sadness in her expression, so he quickly reached out his hand and covered her much smaller one with it. She was so soft, just like he imagined. He wanted to help her, but he didn’t know how or if she even wanted his help for that matter. He wanted her to trust him; he decided that in order to trust someone you have to get to know them, so he properly introduced himself.
“Maxwell Philip Evans.” Liz turned to him and raised her eyebrow in confusion.
“That’s my full name. Just thought that if we’re going to be friends, that you should know that.” Liz just smiled at him and nodded.
“Well, since we are properly introducing ourselves, then I should give you my name.” Max was about to protest but Liz’s finger on his lips stopped him.
“Elizabeth Marie Evans…I mean…Parker…Parker that’s my last name.” Liz hung her head in embarrassment. Did she just say Evans? Kill me now! She thought.
Max was in shock for a minute, before he realized how embarrassed she was; he quickly recovered.
“Oh I know you’re rich but damn Parker, my name is not for sale. The only way to get it is if you earn it.” Max winked at her, but meant it in every way. He wanted her to carry his name more than anything but that was wishful thinking on his part.
Liz couldn’t believe he had just said that, but she appreciated that he didn’t let the awkward moment last too long. She just laughed with him when he said that his name wasn’t for sale, that she would have to earn it. How she wished she could earn it. Where did that come from? She didn’t know where these thoughts were coming from but it was getting out of control. What she needed was to stay in control but being with Max was making that an impossible challenge.
It was going to be a long day; she just hoped that she didn’t slip to far into the Max Abyss before nightfall.
TBC…I posted today a new part to Confessions of a Bachelorette AND I'll be back on Wednesday with another update for this one *hugs*
As far as Max and Liz talking, don't worry guys it's coming!