The wait is over... It's finally here. Chapter 37 (Both parts)!
Chapter 37 / Part 1
Max & Liz’s penthouse: Later that evening…
Max, Liz and their friends were sitting around the living room playing ‘Truth or Dare’ when the phone rang. Instantly, everyone reached for their cell phone. Spotting the cordless phone on the end table, Liz answered on the third ring.
“Hello…”
“Liz, this is Pam. Is Max around?”
“Um… Sure. Hold on.” Putting her hand over the receiver, she looked over at Max. “It’s Pam… She wants to talk to you.”
Taking the phone from Liz, Max talked to Pam. “… Isabel’s here too. No, it’s no problem… Come on up. We can talk in my office.” Listening intently, Max continued. “Kyle’s here too, so I’ll have him take the elevator downstairs to meet you…” He paused. “Okay, we’ll see you in a bit.”
“What was that about?” Isabel asked.
“I’m not really sure. She said she had something she’d like to discuss with us, so I told her to come up. I hope nobody minds…”
“Not at all…” everyone assured Max.
Taking out his master key card, Kyle stood up from where he was sitting. “Well, I’m going to head down. We’ll be back in a bit.”
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The game continued on…
Michael spun the bottle. It pointed to Liz. “Truth or dare… On a scale of one to ten, how would you rate Max’s performance in bed?”
“What?!? I can’t answer that!”
Blushing, Max glared at Michael as Maria reached over and smacked Michael on the arm. “What? It’s an honest question…”
“You don’t have to answer that…” Maria started.
“Sure she does. Either that or pick dare,” Isabel stated reminding Liz of the last time they played.
“Oh no… I’m not picking dare. The last time I did I ended up in the Viper Room getting three tattoos.”
“So, truth it is…” Serena stated.
“Um…”
Suddenly, the door opened and in walked Kyle and Pam. The conversation ceased as heads turned and everyone greeted her. “Oh, I’m sorry… I didn’t mean to intrude on your party…”
Standing up, Isabel crossed the room. “You’re not intruding… So, there’s nothing to worry about.”
Max stood up. “Let’s go into my office. We can talk in there.”
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Max’s office…
Stepping into his office, Max sat in the chair behind his desk directing the others to have a seat. “Would you like something to drink, Pam?”
“No, I’m fine. But, thanks for asking.”
“So, what brings you hear this evening?” Isabel asked.
“Um… Remember how you said earlier we could talk to you about anything at any time?”
“I do…” Max started.
“Well, after hearing Kyle discussing the updated security measures, I did some thinking after I returned back to my condo…”
“Okay…”
“I don’t know how else to say this… But, it’s all getting to be too much for me. I mean, first Alex was almost assaulted in Deuces Wild. Then, Liz and Serena were locked in the wine cellar where Liz got attacked…”
“And as Kyle mentioned, the building security has been updated with all new state of the art equipment along with new building policies and added security officers,” Max reminded her.
“I know. But, I’m still worried about my safety while working at 69 (gentlemen’s club) and when I’m in my condo. Since Tess left, I’m on my own… It makes me nervous thinking that I could be an open target.”
“You’re not an open target,” Isabel stated.
“But, how do you know? Anything can happen to anyone at any time… And there are seven floors to the building… Eight if you include the basement.”
“We’re aware of that,” Max started.
“It was a tough decision to make, but I’ve decided to give my two weeks’ notice…”
“But, where will you live? What will you do?” Isabel asked.
“I have a sister who lives in the city. I called her and she said I could stay with her for a while… And as for a job, there are plenty of clubs on the strip I could go work for.”
“It’s your decision... “
“And, we’ll both be more than willing to give you an excellent reference,” Isabel chimed in.
“We hate to see you go. If there’s anything you ever need, just give us a call…” Max stated.
“We’re definitely going to miss having you around, Pam. Be sure to keep in touch and visit the club any time.”
“We’ll even give you a free club membership,” Max stated.
*************************************
Meanwhile in the living room…
The game of ‘Truth or Dare’ continued as everyone sat around arguing about whether or not Michael’s question was appropriate. “Why isn’t it?” Maria smacked Michael in the arm again. “Ow… What was that for?”
“Hello… Need I remind you that Max is your best friend?”
“Yeah, so?” Maria hit him again. “Ow… Stop hitting me.”
“Um… No. Not until you admit the question was inappropriate.”
“Not happening…” Maria hit him again. “Ow… Stop it…”
“That’s enough. Do I have to separate the two of you?” Kyle asked.
“Um… No.” they both answered in unison.
“Good. Now, let’s take a vote shall we? Who all thinks Michael’s question was appropriate?” All but Liz and Maria raised their hands.
Sticking his tongue out at Maria, Michael looked over at Liz. “So, what’s it going to be… Truth or dare?”
Liz sighed. It was a no win situation. She sighed. “Fine, I pick dare.”
Michael gave her a vicious smile. “Looks like you’re going back to the Viper Room… Except this time, Max gets to pick the tattoo.”
“Oh, no… Anything but that.”
How do I get myself into these things?
“Looks like you don’t have a choice,” Serena chimed in.
“Won’t Max be surprised,” Kyle teased.
Liz glared at him. “Um… No.”
“Sure he will,” Michael assured her. “I’m going to tell him when he comes out from his meeting.”
“If you’re lucky, he’ll take you downstairs tonight…” Courtney stated.
Maria rolled her eyes. “Liz needs another tattoo like she needs a hole in her head.”
***********************************
Just then, Max, Isabel and Pam stepped into the living room. Taking a seat, Isabel invited Pam to join them. “Why don’t you join us? We’re playing a game of ‘Truth or Dare’.”
Remembering the last time, Pam laughed. “Sure, why not.” Sitting on the floor by the coffee table, she looked around the room. “What did we miss?”
Michael looked over at Max. “Well… Liz ended up picking dare. And, Max my friend, you get to take Liz back down to the Viper Room and give her the tattoo of your choosing…”
“What?!? Are you crazy? It’s against my work ethic.”
“Too bad… That’s the dare. However, to make it fair to Liz she can give you ideas and select the location of the tattoo.