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Once Upon a Lifetime – By Kazza Part 44
As Liz climbed out of bed, she couldn’t deny how sick she felt. Her head throbbed, her throat was sore and she felt physically sick to her stomach. It was the first day back at work after the Christmas break, and Liz just knew couldn’t take time off already. Bolting from her bed, Liz made it to the bathroom just in time, just before she threw up. Laying her head back against the wall, she tried to regain control of her body, taking in deep breaths to calm her churning stomach. Liz climbed in the shower once she felt better, in a bid to clear her head and make herself look more respectable. The walk in the cool morning air helped her somewhat and the flu remedy tablets she took before leaving the house slowly started to kick in, but she still felt bad. “Hi Liz ……… wow you look rough!” Max exclaimed when Liz brought in his morning cup of coffee. “Gee thanks Max, you make me feel so much better!” She replied. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean it like that, you just look ill. Are you sure you should be here?” He questioned “I’ll
be fine, it’s just a heavy cold.” Liz
defended. The morning sped past, and Liz found herself very busy with a large project Isabelle had given her. Normally Liz loved getting her teeth stuck into something like that, but as the morning progressed she felt worse and worse. Her head continued to throb, hot and cold flushes, nausea and an incessant cough didn’t help her cause. Getting up, she decided a cup of hot coffee might make her feel a bit better. As she poured the liquid, Liz suddenly felt very dizzy. Putting the cup down and bowing her head, she placed her hands on the work surface in an attempt to try and stop herself from fainting. Her actions were to no avail however, as when Liz lifted her head up everything around her suddenly went black. Looking up, Maria saw Liz beginning to wobble. “Liz?” Maria called out, as Michael looked up from his vantage point by Liz’s desk. Spotting the danger, Michael strode over to Liz and caught her before she fell to the ground. “Is she ok Michael?” Maria shouted to him. On hearing the commotion outside, Max put his head round his office door. On seeing Liz passed out in Michael’s arms, he couldn’t help but panic. Ushering Michael into his office, Max instructed him to place her on his leather couch. Sinking to his knees, Max placed his hand on Liz’s ashen forehead. “She’s burning up!” He panicked. “I’ll get some damp towels.” Maria said, heading off to the ladies. Stroking her damp hair, Max was getting increasingly worried about his girlfriend. Liz was unconscious and looked extremely pale. He knew she had a cold, but passing out wasn’t normal was it? Taking the damp paper towels from Maria, Max placed them gently on Liz’s forehead. Her lifeless body didn’t even flinch as the cold compress touched her burning skin. “Liz?” Can you hear me?” Max asked softly, trying to wake her up. “Open your eyes for me babe.” He added, looking for some sort of a response as he placed fresh wet towels on her head. “Mmm.” She mumbled as her eyes started to flicker open. “Where am I?” She croaked, totally disorientated. “You’re in my office Liz, you fainted.” Max informed her. “I’m ok.” She said as she started to sit up, a strong wave of nausea washed over her though, forcing her to lie back down. “You’re not going anywhere but home Liz.” Max said firmly. This was definitely one argument Liz wasn’t going to win. She was going home even if it meant he had to drag her there. She was his girlfriend and she looked very ill, he wasn’t going to let her work and make herself even worse. “But ……” She started to protest. “No buts Liz, you’re too ill to be at work. I’m going to take you home, to where you should have stayed when you woke up this morning.” Max insisted. Although colour was slowly returning to her cheeks, Max still worried about Liz. Knowing she was fighting a loosing battle, and the fact she was in no state to argue, Liz conceded defeat. Once she was feeling a bit better, Max drove Liz home. Tucking her up in bed, Max then headed downstairs to make a phone call. “Ok, here’s some juice, and Doctor Lorkin should be here shortly.” He said, placing the glass by her bed. “Doctor Lorkin?” Liz queried. “Yes, she’s coming over to take a look at you. She’s Isabelle’s doctor and she’s really nice.” “It’s just a cold Max, really.” Liz tried to assure him. “Liz, you passed out for over five minutes. Simple colds don’t normally do that. I’m worried about you ok, so humour me please.” Max replied, praying she wouldn’t kick up a fuss. For his own peace of mind he needed Doctor Lorkin’s assurance Liz was ok. Half an hour later, Doctor Kathryn Lorkin arrived. After showing her up to Liz’s room, Max gave them so privacy and headed back downstairs. “Ok Liz, how about you start by telling me your symptoms.” Kathryn said gently. “Erm, well really it’s just a bad head cold.” Liz replied. “Uh huh, any dizziness or nausea?” “Erm yeah, a little, and I fainted at work today.” Liz said feeling slightly sheepish. “Max mentioned that when I spoke to him. When did you last eat anything?” “Last
night I guess.” “Ok, well I think you’re very run down, but it’s nothing serious. I’ll prescribe you something to help with your head cold, but you need to drink plenty of fluids and get some rest too. You should start feeling better in a couple of days.” Kathryn said, as she wrote out a prescription. Once she left Liz, Max jumped on the doctor. “Is
she ok?” “But she fainted earlier.” Max countered. “Lack of food mixed with over doing it.” Kathryn said simply. “She’ll be fine in a few days, I promise.” She added, sensing Max still wasn’t happy. Max stayed with Liz until she fell asleep, which didn’t take too long. She was totally exhausted, and all she wanted to do was sleep. Kissing her cheek softly, Max headed back to work, still worried about his girlfriend’s state of health. It took a further four days for Liz to start feeling something that resembled human. Her appetite slowly returned, and the overwhelming nausea slowly passed. Although she felt much better, Max refused to allow her to return to work until the following week. He couldn’t help but still worry about her, even though she was feeling better. He hated seeing her ill, he felt so useless and out of control. So the following Monday morning Liz returned to work, feeling much more refreshed and full of energy. She threw herself into her work, trying to catch up on all that she had missed out. The buzzing of his phone tore Max’s attention from the file he was busy surveying. Absentmindedly, he picked up the receiver and started to speak. “Max
Evans.” He said as if on
autopilot. His mind certainly
wasn’t on the call in hand. “Yes, who is this?” He replied, suddenly putting the file down and giving the call his undivided attention. The voice sounded vaguely familiar his mind registered, it was someone he was supposed to know, but he was at a loss to place it at that moment. “Max, it’s Tess.” She replied softly. “Tess! What do you want?” He asked, kicking himself mentally for not picking up on her squeaky voice. What on earth did she want with him after so long, he thought. “I ……….. I need to see you.” She said hesitantly. “I’ve
got nothing to say to you Tess.” Max
said firmly, wanting to end the conversation there, he wanted nothing to do with
Tess. “It’s not something I want to discuss over the phone. Can we meet for lunch?” She suggested. “Lunch?” He said, unsure if he wanted to do that. “Ok, I guess so. This better be important though.” He warned her. “Oh it is Max, I can assure you. I’ll see you about 1.00pm, how about we meet at Lorenzo’s?” She suggested. “Whatever.” He replied before putting the phone down. Brushing his fingers lightly over his eyes, Max wondered what he’d just done, ore more importantly, what he’d just agreed to. He hadn’t seen Tess in nearly two years, and something inside screamed out this wasn’t a good idea. She had always been manipulative, always knowing the right things to say to get Max on her side. Yet it was too late now, he was going to see her again. He’d have to keep his guard up though, he knew that for sure. The niggling thought in his head as he picked up his jacket was Liz. He couldn’t help but feel like he was cheating on her, without even doing anything. He felt guilty meeting with Tess, like he was doing something he shouldn’t. He didn’t want to say anything to Liz, there was after all nothing to tell at that moment, but he still felt like he was lying to her or something. As he left his office for lunch, he passed Liz’s desk. She was busy typing away, obviously snowed under with work. “I’m just going out now ……… a client lunch.” He told her, hoping she wouldn’t ask too many questions, so that he wouldn’t have to spin a tangled web of lies to her. “Ok, see you later.” She replied, kissing him softly before allowing him to leave the office. As he walked towards Lorenzo’s Café, he could see her sitting on one of the tables outside. She hadn’t changed much, her hair was a little longer and she’d obviously dried it so the curls were accentuated. She’d also put on some weight and her face was showing signs of age and tiredness, Max thought as he got closer. She certainly didn’t look like the same person he’d fell in love with those few years previously Watching him approach, Tess couldn’t deny the familiar pangs of emotion for Max that she still had. He looked exactly the same as when she’d last seen him, except even more fitter and leaner than before. Fleeting thought ran through her mind quickly, she remembered what it was like to be held in his arms, to feel his soft lips. It was something that she didn’t think she’d feel again, and it made her feel a bit sad. Tess knew it had been her fault they’d spilt up, she’d given him the ultimatum, but in truth she hadn’t thought he’d end their relationship over it. She’d just wanted to call his bluff and win him round to her way of thinking, but it had back fired, and she’d lost big time. But she was here for a different reason, to do with Max but not on a romantic side. It was something Tess needed to do, although wished she didn’t have to somewhat. She wasn’t used to having to ask for help, but this time she had very little choice. “Hi Max, thanks for coming.” She said standing up as he reached the table. “What’s this about Tess?” He asked firmly, getting straight to the point. “What no exchange of pleasantries? No hi Tess, how yah been, you’re looking good, what have you been up to?” She joked, trying to lighten the mood. She could tell he obviously wasn’t happy to be there, and certainly wouldn’t have come if she hadn’t told him it was important.
“Fine, no problem Max.” She replied, reaching for her bag that was sitting on the floor by her feet. Delving inside she pulled out a photograph. Pausing to look at the picture for a brief moment and then smiling, Tess handed it to Max. Taking it from Tess, Max pulled it closer and stared at the image. The picture was of a little girl, not too old Max suspected. She was quite cute, definitely had Tess’s blond curls and crystal blue eyes. Cute enough, but he didn’t know what it had to do with him. If Tess had been careless it was her fault, he certainly wasn’t about to bail her out. “A child? Yours I suspect. Very nice Tess, but how about you get to the point. I don’t have all day to play your games.” He insisted, anxious to know the truth behind why she’d contacted him out of the blue nearly two years after they’d split up. “You’re
right, the little girl’s name is Paige and yes she is my daughter.
She’s a great kid, I love her very much Max.”
Tess told him As he took in her words, Max did the mental sums in his mind. The child was just over a year ……… plus the nine months ……….. that meant Tess had fallen pregnant around April two years previously. It didn’t take a genius to work out the next thought that jumped alarmingly quickly into his head. He knew he’d still been dating Tess then; they hadn’t split up until early June, that meant she’d of been pregnant while they were still together, and when they’d spilt up, he thought. Taking a deep breath, Max paused for a moment. He knew his next move was very obvious, almost scripted, but had to ask the one question that was bouncing crazily around in his mind. He had a strange sense that the potential answer to his next question would most certainly change his life, for better or worse. “Is she mine?” He questioned firmly, watching her face for any signs of a reaction.
Part 45
Silence reverberated around the street the café was on, serving only to heighten the anxious and queasy feeling Max had in his stomach. Max didn’t know what to say or think, he needed an answer to his question, and he needed it quickly. “Tess?” He prompted her. “Ok, I could lie to you Max, I could say you’re her father and be done with it. But I just can’t do that. Yes there is a chance you are Paige’s father, but …………” She trailed off, not wanting to tell him the rest. She knew she would hurt him with the rest of her sentence. “But
what Tess?” “What!” Max boomed, “You …….. you had an affair while we were going out? And not just with any guy, no, you chose that ………that bastard!” He yelled. Max couldn’t believe it. The fact he could be the father of the little girl was hard enough, but he’d also since learnt that Tess had cheated on him while they were going out, and not just with any guy. No, she’d chosen Max’s archenemy in Trey Houser. It was common knowledge that Trey and Max didn’t get on; they’d had many a courtroom bust up during their careers. Max couldn’t stand the underhanded tactics the guy used to win cases. Trey didn’t have a heart, he didn’t care about justice, all he cared about was the almighty buck. He was well renowned in the trade for helping certain ruthless villains get away scot-free. “How could you?” Max spat out, his voice full of contempt. “Look it’s complicated ok. I guess, I don’t know, I was angry at you for pushing me away. Angry you didn’t want the same things as me. I knew our relationship was doomed then and I guess I just wanted a little revenge. If it’s any consolation I really am so sorry Max. I know I’ve hurt you, and I just hope you can forgive me. If not for me, then for Paige, she deserves a father in her life. Someone to give her the love she deserves, she really is a wonderful little girl.” Tess replied, feeling genuinely awful at what she’d done. Her very short fling with Trey had been a huge mistake, she knew that. She’d been young back then though, used to getting her own way. When Max had pulled away she’d tried to win him back, and when that didn’t work she’d sort revenge. It had been a very wrong thing to do, and she hadn’t wanted to hurt Max. She’d grown up a lot since Paige had arrived, she wasn’t the same person who had cheated on Max the few years previously. Turning back up in his life, she hadn’t meant to cause him pain, but Tess couldn’t lie to Max, she couldn’t guarantee he was the father of the blue-eyed little girl. And her days of lying and deceiving were long gone now. “Forgive you? You cheat on me and you expect me to forgive you? Not a chance Tess, and definitely not since it was with that bastard!” Max hollered at her. Pushing his chair back, Max started to get up, he’d heard enough. As they drove along the street, Liz ‘bopped’ away to the tune blaring out on Isabelle’s radio. It was a lively tune, fitting Liz’s personality perfectly at that moment. Staring out the window, she watched the people rushing along the street. They were the only two who hadn’t gone for lunch come 1.30pm, so it had been Isabelle’s idea to go out together. She had warmed immensely to Liz since finding out her brother was dating her, and Isabelle enjoyed the occasional girlie sessions they had. Pulling into a quieter street, Isabelle continued to drive along the road that had many cafes on it. Staring out the window, Liz suddenly spotted a familiar face. It was Max, she was certain, and he had someone with him. Liz didn’t recognise the blond girl, but Liz was sure she wasn’t a client of Evans Associates. Normally Max conducted his meetings in the office, only going to lunch with very important clients, and the girl he was with didn’t look that important. “Isabelle, who’s that with Max?” Liz asked, as they drove slowly past the café. “What? Oh erm ……… I’m not sure.” Isabelle lied. Inside though she was secretly cursing her brother. She knew the blond girl all right; it was Tess, someone Isabelle hadn’t seen in quite a while. She couldn’t believe how stupid her brother was being. Here he had a wonderful girl in Liz, yet he was also meeting his ex-girlfriend for lunch, what was he playing at? “Are you sure Isabelle? You seem like you know her. Please tell me. If she’s meeting Max for lunch she must be important.” Liz probed. “I’m sure Max must have just bumped into her, he’s probably waiting for someone else to turn up.” Isabelle replied, trying to cover for her brother. “Then tell me who she is.” Liz said, intrigued as to why Isabelle was being so cagey. “Ok, look I am sure it’s nothing ………” Isabelle started. “Just tell me Isabelle.” Liz replied firmly, suddenly getting worried. To Liz it was now clear that this woman was important, why else would Isabelle be so evasive in giving out details? “It’s Tess Harding.” Isabelle said quietly. “Tess?” Liz replied, searching in her brain. That name meant something to her, she knew it. She just couldn’t remember why or who the blond girl was. Suddenly though her mind thought back to that dreamy night she’d spent in front of the fire in Aspen. The night where she told him her secret about her parents ………..and Max had told her about his demanding ex-girlfriend …………Tess. “His ex-girlfriend?” Liz queried, struggling to drag in an air of breath. “Yes.” Isabelle replied, cursing Max for putting her in such a position. “Why would he be meeting with her? Max told me he hated her.” “I really don’t know Liz. I guess you’ll have to ask my dumb brother that question.” Isabelle replied. “Wait
Max, I need to ask you one more thing.” “I don’t even know if she is my daughter.” He countered. “That’s exactly my point. I’m not certain who the father is, and I want Paige to know her father when she grows up. I want you to take a blood test Max, so I’ll know once and for all if she’s yours.” Tess replied calmly. “A
blood test? God you’ve got a
nerve!”
“Well, I guess I thought I could cope on my own. I wanted to be able to, I really did, and at first I could. But ……… but my parents don’t like the choices I’ve made and have basically kicked me out. I can’t afford to raise Paige and work full time, it’s just not possible. So, I need to find out who her father is so …….. I can claim child support.” She replied honestly. “So that’s it? This all boils down to money?” “Basically,
yes. But Paige also needs the right
to get to know her father, whether her father likes me or not.” ”I’m outta here.” He said getting up once more. “Please Max.” She pleaded. “I have to think about it.” He replied. “Here’s my phone number, call me when you make a decision?” She said, handing out a card to him. Taking the card from her hand, Max stuffed it into his pocked and disappeared quickly down the street. By the time he reached his car his pulse was beating fast, his breathing very laboured. He was totally stunned by what he’d just experienced. He’d known Tess was good at mind tricks, but she’d totally screwed him up this time. She had a kid, maybe his kid, but then again it could be Trey’s. He still couldn’t believe she’d done that, of all the guys to have an affair with. Getting into his car, he knew without a doubt she was a total bitch for doing that to him. When she got back into the office, Liz knew she couldn’t face Max. He’d lied to her; Max had told her he was meeting a client for lunch. She couldn’t believe he’d done that. Liz knew in her heart he wouldn’t of lied unless it was something big. And meeting his ex-girlfriend for lunch was most certainly big. When she brought his afternoon cup of coffee in, Liz hardly said a word. The normal exchange of a sweet kiss and light banter didn’t happen, and by the time she’d left, Max could sense something was wrong. Putting it down to the pile of work decorating her desk, he brushed it aside. His mind was still drowning under the weight of Tess’s admission earlier. The though that he could be a father was indeed scary. Max was due to come over to Liz’s for dinner that night, but Liz couldn’t help but wish she could find a way out of it. She knew she wouldn’t be able to hide her anger at his lies, but she had little choice. When Max arrived a little after 8.00pm, he went to kiss her, but Liz turned her head at the last minute meaning all Max connected with was her cheek. As she walked away, Max was totally baffled by her actions. Never before had she rebuffed him, always eager to accept his kisses and so much more. Something was wrong, he knew that, and there was only one way to find out what it was. “Ok Liz, how about you tell me what’s going on.” He said, following her in to the kitchen. “What do you mean?” She replied, stirring the sauce for the pasta. “You’ve hardly said a word to me all afternoon, and back there you turned away when I tried to kiss you. Have I done something wrong?” He queried. “You tell me Max, do you have a guilty conscience?” She countered, still not looking at him. “What are you talking about Liz? How about you stop doing that and just tell me what’s bothering you.” Max replied, taking the spoon from her hand and pulling gently on her arm so she would turn to face him. “Ok, who did you have lunch with today Max?” She asked bluntly, her eyes blazing with anger in his direction. “Huh?”
He said, completely stunned. How
did she know about him meeting Tess? “No.” Max replied, knowing he’d have to tell her everything. “Then tell me Max, why were you having lunch with your ex-girlfriend, but lying to me in saying you were going to visit a client?” Liz asked angrily. “Ok,
you’re right, I had lunch with Tess. She
called me today at work and said she needed to see me.
I wasn’t going to go but she said it was really important.” “What did she want?” Liz asked, moving back away from his advances. She needed space between them, she needed answers before she could even begin to forgive him for lying to her. “At first I thought she just wanted to try and get back together, but that would never happen Liz. She ………… she showed me a picture ………. of a little girl ……… her little girl.” “That’s nice, what’s it got to do with you?” Liz queried. “The child is just over a year old.” Max added. “And?” Liz said, still not grasping what he was saying. “And there is a possibility she could be mine.” He replied, watching Liz’s face register pure shock. Drawing in a raged breath, Liz felt like she was falling. She couldn’t believe what Max had just said. It was bad enough Max had lied about going to see Tess for lunch, but the possibility he could have a child with her, that was just too much for Liz to take in. Tears formed in her eyes and threatened to cascade down her pale face. Her body started to tremble as the enormity of Max’s words hit her hard, her body swayed as her mind forgot how to compensate for gravity. She felt as if she’d just been railroaded by a ten ton lorry. Her mind was spinning, she felt like she was hyperventilating through shock. Staggering backwards, she leant her body against the cooker, desperately needing something to help her keep her exhausted body upright. At that moment, she wasn’t sure if she possessed the ability to remain standing. He could see what a tough time Liz was having at that moment. He hadn’t wanted to tell her, not wanting her to worry about the consequences. Yet she now knew, and Max wasn’t sure how she was going to react. He loved her so much …………how would he cope if Liz pushed him away? Tears filled up in his own eyes. He’d never felt as scared as he did at that moment. He was so afraid she’d rebuff him, tell him to get out, or worse, not want anything to do with him. He was angry, why did Tess have to come in and screw up his life, screw up the one thing that actually meant something to him. His relationship with Liz. Lifting his eyes, Max looked towards Liz, pleading silently for her to forgive him.
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E-mail me at : Kaznstu@btinternet.com
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