Something to Believe in

PART 3

She was stunned.  For the first time in a very long while, the normally cool, calm, collected Liz Parker was flabbergasted! 

Here he was, in the office of James Valenti, on her territory, with that big, annoying, smug smile spread across his face.  His grin stuck there, as if it was laughing back at her, as if it was an every day occurrence for him to be sitting opposite her boss. 

At that moment, Liz wasn’t sure what to do, quickly running scenarios through her brain that was pounding hard.  She knew she’d gone just a little too far earlier that day, verbally abusing him at the scene of the accident.  In the cold light of morning, away from the incident, Liz had realised she’d been just a tad harsh on the guy.  But ……. she hadn’t expected to ever see him again. 

Now she wasn’t sure what to do, play it cool and collected, or throw apologetic eyes his way.  Cool and collected was her normal air of business, but looking sorry for earlier, albeit not meaning it, would definitely throw him off guard.  Thinking to herself as she slowly sat down, Liz knew knocking him off balance was her only real line of battle.

Glancing casually towards her, Max could see she had been knocked off her feet with him being in the room for the meeting.  It was obvious he was the very last person she’d expected to bump into again.  He’d hazard a guess that she wouldn’t have blown up at him earlier if she’d known she would have to do business with him barely an hour later. 

Inwardly, Max couldn’t help but smile to himself.  It wasn’t a contest, they were about to become work colleagues for the duration of the project, but he’d certainly scored the first point against the renowned fire-eater Liz Parker was.  Scoring points was his goal in life, along with making money, and bagging a point so easily and early on in their working relationship felt good.  He had the upper hand, even on her territory, Max was sure of that.

“So …….. Mr Evans, what are you here for?”  She asked pointedly regaining her composure and turning to face him squarely.  Without even trying, and probably even knowing, Liz flashed a warning stare through her eyes towards him.  A clear message of ‘I’m gonna fight’ flew Max’s way, a message he easily picked up.

“Now Liz, let’s not be rude to Mr Evans.  I invited him here actually.”  James interjected.  He noticed Liz’s wariness towards Max, and couldn’t help but wonder why.  Liz was normally so composed and professional, but finding Max Evans in his office had shocked her for some reason. 

Somehow Jim Valenti got the feeling this wasn’t the first meeting for his Head of Special Projects and the Director of Evans Consulting.

“You invited him?”  Liz queried, trying to relax her voice as she turned to face Jim. 

She really wanted to ask James directly why he’d involved Max in ‘her’ project, but business sense told her this was neither the time nor the place for a confrontation.  A professional front was her only defence against Max, she wasn’t going to give him more ground and let him know she was angry at his appearance.

“Yes Liz.  Look I am aware I haven’t seen your presentation yet, but I know this takeover is going to be extremely risky and a lot of hard work on your part.  I have decided to bring Mr Evans in to advise and help us.”

“Help us?”  She asked.  “Help us how?  I though this was to be a confidential project.”  She protested, trying to stay composed, but sounding somewhat like a whinging schoolgirl.

“It is confidential Ms Parker, and I can assure you I do know how to be discrete, especially when it comes to business.”  Max said calmly, not rising to Liz’s imaginary bait.  “Perhaps it would help if I explained a little about my company?”  Max offered to James.
”By all means.”  Jim replied.

“Ok, I am a Director of Evans Consulting, a company I started from scratch after graduating from Harvard.  We specialise in consultancy work, providing help, advice, support and such to companies who are merging, taking over, or just starting up.”  Max stated.

“I have heard of Evans Consulting, and I do know who you are Mr Evans.”  Liz interjected firmly.

Inside though, she couldn’t help but mentally kick herself.  She’d been so riled up after the accident, Liz had been completely blind.  She hadn’t realised it was none other than the infamous Max Evans who had rammed her car.

Liz had heard all about Max, he was a big player on the commercial front.  She’d heard about his ruthlessness, his blindness towards people’s feelings, his pure goal was to succeed and win big, nothing else mattered. 

His Hollywood lifestyle sickened her though.  He wasn’t just a businessman; he was a playboy for all the rich, beautiful movie star women.  And living in Beverley Hills meant there were plenty at his beck and call.  Glancing at him, she hazarded a guess that he definitely liked all the attention he got from women and the Press.  She was sure that a different woman each week occupied his bed, if the multitude of women he was photographed with had anything to do with it.  Not that she cared, he was a rival to Liz’s praise but apart from that a nobody in her eyes, what he did was his choice.

It wasn’t that she didn’t like his business tactics to an extent; he did, in the end, want the same concluding results as she did from business.  It was more that Liz didn’t want someone else to blaze in and steal all the glory for something she would put all the hard work in for.  That was certainly not how she played. 

But, if Max Evans was to come on board for the duration of the takeover, Liz most certainly could play him at his own game.  Somehow the thought of duelling with the renowned Max Evans sounded like so much fun to Liz.  A businessman finally worthy of a decent challenge, someone who could at least give her a fight rather than running at the first sign of trouble.

“Good, then you will also know that I am good at my job Ms Parker, and that I have a vast amount of experience when it comes to handling takeovers.”  Max replied pointedly and firmly.

“I am aware of that, but I have done my fare share of takeovers too Mr Evans.”  She countered equally as resolute.

“I am certain you have Ms Parker, but I think I will be able to bring a new angle to this project for your company.”  He argued gently.

“That remains to be seen Mr Evans.”  Liz shot back, staring straight at him.
”Yes it does, so how about you let me prove it to you before you pass judgement.”  Max added, meeting her stare straight on and holding it firmly.

She was richly passionate and fiercely protective of her work, that he was one hundred percent certain.  She had the same fire raging through her bones that contrived his whole being.  Watching her unyielding eyes staring at him made the hairs on the back of his neck stand up on end.  He had finally met an equal worthy of a potential challenge, and just the thought of it made the blood thunder loudly in his ears.

Watching their bantered exchange, James Valenti bit his bottom lip to hide the smile that threatened to light up his rough face.  It was very intriguing to be an onlooker at that moment, a watcher as two people fought a verbal fight in front of him. 

He was well aware of Liz’s intense need to succeed, to prove to everyone and, more importantly, herself that she was good enough to make it in the cutthroat world of business.  But she normally won ……… with very few exceptions. 

But watching Max’s quick returns to her sharp words, James realised that maybe Liz had finally met a worthy opponent, someone who would actually give her a proper challenge rather than throw the towel in at the first sign of trouble.  The fact that she was a stunningly beautiful woman didn’t seem to have even crossed Max’s mind as he palmed her verbal attacks away with ease.

Jim had watched Liz change so much since his son’s untimely death.  She’d started out as a sweet, somewhat naïve girl, but after University, and loosing Kyle, she’d changed.  There was a hardness about her, a rough exterior like she’d erected a wall that was impenetrable by anyone. 

In business she was a tough fighter, and as the years had rolled by, James saw that look more and more away from the office as well.  It was as if she’d forgotten how to be a normal person away from the boardroom. 

James struggled to remember the last time Liz had actually dated someone.  He was still close to the young girl; despite the fact the one link binding them had been severed.  Something in her body language told the older man that Liz didn’t often let people get close to her.  It was as if she was afraid to let herself love again.

It pained him to watch her sometimes.  He missed Kyle terribly, even after the few years that had passed, but he was old, and well aware that his life was spent when it came to children and happiness.  He was alone in the world, apart from his vast empire, and he’d long since accepted it. 

His brief moment of happiness had lasted approximately four years, and Kyle had been the only good thing to come out of his marriage to stunning model Michelle Watson.  They’d been young, and Michelle had been very attracted to James’ rich, vast, fortune. 

After Kyle had come along though things had gone down hill drastically.  Michelle still wanted to jet set around the world, and refused to accept that her priorities should change once she became a mother.  So a little after Kyle’s second birthday, Michelle had upped and disappeared, leaving James to pick up the pieces and care for his son alone.  Even the death of Kyle hadn’t brought her rushing back; Michelle hadn’t even bothered to return for his funeral. 

Since then he’d had other women, but they weren’t love, they weren’t true happiness.  Most of them didn’t even come close, only serving to quell his desire and look good when he attended corporate functions and events.  No, to James Valenti, the only thing he could rely on, the only thing he truly loved without reserve, was his grand empire.

Liz was different.  She was young, a successful businesswoman certainly, but she deserved to feel love and joy filling her life.  James had tried to introduce Liz to acquaintances, ensuring handsome eligible bachelors were invited to openings of new hotels and corporate functions, but she always seemed to talk business. 

In his heart, James feared Liz’s ability to love had died the day Kyle was lost, and that made him very sad.  It was such a waste of a wonderful woman, someone who deserved to be loved by a good man.

“Ok, I think we need a time out here.”  James interjected, calling an imaginary truce between the two.  “Now Liz, I know you think you can handle this project on your own, but I think you need help.  You’re not superwoman, however much you’d like to think you are.  You have a private life too, I don’t want this consuming it.”  He added.

“But James, I *want* to do this.”  She stressed, trying to sway her boss.

“I know, and I’m sorry Liz but this isn’t open for discussion or debate.  Mr Evans is coming on board for this project, and that’s final.  This is a very important takeover, and I think pulling resources together will help us secure the Edwardian Group.”  James replied, putting his foot down firmly.

“Yes sir.”  She said dutifully.

Taking a deep breath, Liz tried to control the growing anger building up inside her stomach.  She was good at her job, she could handle this challenge, she didn’t need a smarmy consultancy guy to sweep in and take over.  Yet she had to adhere to James’ wishes, he was the President of the group after all. 

Although she had some leeway with him, even Liz knew she couldn’t push it too far.  The last thing she wanted was to force the point and have James blow up at her in front of Max Evans, that wouldn’t look professional at all.  Keeping up a composed front, and a cautious stance was the way to beat Max Evans at his own game, Liz was certain of it.

Steeling a fleeting glance, Max tried to take in how Liz was feeling.  He was sure she wouldn’t like being undermined or put in her place even by James Valenti, especially not in front of him. 

Her body language screamed determination, defiance and just a touch of anger.  Her legs were crossed, her arms folded across her chest, and a thin line of frustration covered her lips instead of a smile.

Something told Max that it would certainly be eventful working with Ms Parker.  Perhaps rather volatile at times, maybe a few fireworks, but definitely lively. 

A challenge, something he lived each day for, a reason why he started his company. 

“Yes”, he thought to himself, “I am certainly glad I didn’t pass this job on to Michael, and kept it for myself.  I have a feeling I’m gonna enjoy this one.”  He chuckled inwardly to himself.

PART 4

“Ok Liz, why don’t you start with your presentation and we can take it from there.”  James suggested, breaking the silence that had quickly descended upon the room.

Setting up her laptop, Liz took in several calming breaths.  She’d done many presentations in the past and never got nervous before, but somehow this felt different.  She got the feeling Max would judge her on the strength of her project, plan and presentation. 

She couldn’t understand why though, it had never bothered her before what people thought of her ability.  She’d been proving people wrong from the moment she stepped into the Amber Inn Group.  But Max was different. 

He was self-assured and somewhat cocky, at least that was what Liz thought, and his impression of her seemed to matter for some reason.  Why, she couldn’t quite put her finger on it, but to Liz she wanted to project to Max that she was indeed good at her job.

Watching her present her plan, Max tried desperately hard to concentrate on the matter at hand.  It wasn’t that it was a boring presentation, quite the opposite actually, but he most certainly was struggling to remain motivated.

He’d started out fine, but he’d found her lips fascinating him very quickly.  They were deep red full lips that almost danced as she spoke.  His mind had started to drift, and then suddenly he found himself wondering what it would be like to kiss those sweet lips.  To hold them hostage in a passionate clinch that practically drooled emotion.

Subconsciously shaking his head, Max tried to rid his mind of such ridiculous thoughts.  He had no feelings for Ms Liz Parker, so why was his mind playing tricks on him? 

Lifting his eyes away from her lips, Max decided to lock eye contact with Liz, believing it was a safer choice.  But somehow his plan was flawed, somehow it didn’t work.

Her eyes were deep brown in colour, a velvety texture almost like hot melted chocolate.  There was an assured look in them, like she was trying to radiate confidence to her listeners.  It intrigued him to see the way they changed as she spoke.  They became softened when she was talking generally, but took on a hard, granite like appearance when she was stressing or pressing a point across.  It was as if Liz believed the key to winning people over was through the window of her eyes.

Watching her was like nothing he’d ever seen before, and he felt literally blown away.  She was definitely something else, a very cunning businesswoman, who knew pretty much every trick in the book to reel you in to trusting and believing what she said. 

Her changes in appearance and demeanour were like watching a kaleidoscope of colour, the changing bands of a rainbow, the blending camouflage of a chameleon.  Just when you thought you’d nailed down who she was she’d change, showing a completely different angle to her personality. 

She was shrewd and clever in a way that Max instantly warmed to.  He like her deviously stylish stance, it meant she was even more of a test for him, he couldn’t necessarily read her first off any more.

“So Mr Evans, what is your opinion of this plan?”  Liz threw at him, once she had finished.  For some reason she found herself eager to know his views, see what he had up his sleeve to pull out and surprise her.  For she was sure Max Evans would have a view on her presentation, he didn’t strike Liz as someone who would say ‘very nice’ and be done with it.  Max certainly had a voice, and Liz had a feeling he enjoyed using it.

“My opinion?”  Max queried, having been brought brutally back to reality.  “Well I think it is a very good plan Ms Parker.  I think between the two of us we can fine tune it …….. but overall I’d say it is an excellent starting basis.”  He replied, flashing a smile across his face as if to soften his words.  It wasn’t that he disliked Liz’s plan, he did approve of most of it, but he had ideas of his own to bring to it, freshen it up just a touch to make it perfect.

“Fine tune it huh?”  Liz queried, pursing her lips together in an effort to try to control her raging temper. 

The arrogance of the man, a voice screamed inside her head!  She’d spent all weekend on the presentation, yet he’d just swaned in and seemed to have the final say in it?  Well that just confirmed Liz’s feelings towards him.  If he wanted a challenge he’d certainly come to the right place.  There was no way she was going to just roll over and let him have a free reign on the project she’d found. 

Watching his employee, Jim Valenti could sense the steam rising from inside Liz.  Although her face showed calm, he was certain her blood was bubbling deep inside her body.  He sensed it was good though, Jim was sure he’d get even more of the best out of both Liz and Max with their competitive focus.  That, most certainly, would be good for his business and the deal.

“Well then, Mr Evans, I’d say you’ve got yourself a deal.  I am certain between you and Liz you can come up with an exciting takeover bid, and a plan to refurbish and relaunch the new hotels once we’ve secured them.”  James said, brushing over the obvious disgust radiating from Liz.

“Then I think we should get to work, don’t you Ms Parker?”  Max threw at her, watching Liz’s eyes for flickers of her true feelings.

“Whatever you say Mr Evans.”  She replied, flashing a fake, sickly sweet smile his way.

“Great.  Well Liz, perhaps you and Max should adjourn to the boardroom and get to work on this takeover.”  James suggested, rising to his feet and offering his hand to Max in a symbolic confirmation of the deal that had just been made.

“So Mr Evans ……………..”  Liz stared, as they reached the boardroom.

“Please …….. let’s drop the formalities.  Call me Max, after all we are going to be working together Liz ……… it is ok for me to call you Liz isn’t it?”  He queried, slightly concerned he’d overstepped the mark.

“Sure ….. Just remember Max, this is purely business ……… and work and friendship don’t go hand in hand.”  Liz warned him.

“No business and friendship don’t go hand in hand …….. but friendship can be borne out of spending time together.  And spending time together is something we’re gonna be doing a lot of with this project.”  He countered. 

It wasn’t that Max was trying to imply he wanted to be more than friends with Liz, more that to have a good working relationship they had to learn to get on.  At that moment there was way too much animosity between them, something he wanted to quash somewhat.  A good working environment, Max knew from experience, was the key to a successful deal.

“Don’t push your luck Mr Evans.”  She replied sharply, before getting down to the business in hand.

Pushing open the wooden doors to the bar, Max was grateful his work was well and truly over for one more day.  It was rare that he didn’t enjoy a day, but this had most certainly been a rough one.  It wasn’t that he didn’t enjoy the challenge, more that he hadn’t exactly been prepared for a verbal feast, and he was somewhat worn out now.

“Hi Michael.”  Max said, patting his friend on the back.  “Beer?”  He added, in a language normally only men understood.

“Sounds great.”  Michael replied lifting up the bottle in his hand to indicate which drink he was after.

It was a familiar place for the two friends to meet up.  Remy’s was a lively wine bar, slightly more upper class than the average establishment, but one that catered for most needs.  It was a place Max and Michael often congregated to if they needed private time to catch up on business.  Somewhere more informal than the office, where they could talk about personal stuff as well as keeping the other up to date on latest projects.

“So Max, Isabelle told me about your car.”  Michael broached as Max placed a fresh bottle of Bud in front of him.

“Oh yeah!”  He groaned, the mental image of the mangled wreck formally known as his car jumping vividly into his mind.

“Is it really that much of a mess ……. Or was Is just exaggerating?”  Michael queried, knowing how Max’s sister could stretch the truth occasionally to make a story sound better.

“Nope, she wasn’t exaggerating, it’s pretty much trashed.”  He replied sadly.

“I’m sorry mate, I know how much it means to you.”  Michael consoled.  “So …… how did your meeting going with James Valenti?  Boring as expected?”  Michael queried, steering the conversation onto safer ground.  Although he wasn’t particularly in the mood to talk about work, Michael was keen to know how their latest potential client had been.

He couldn’t help it though, Michael was very glad Max had offered to handle the project himself.  He’d heard a lot about the President of the Amber Inn Group, particularly how proper James Valenti could be …….. and sticking to the rules wasn’t Michael’s forte.  He liked to have a free reign, a blank canvas, so he could make his own plan rather than adhere or adapt to someone else’s.

“No ……. Actually it was rather ……… interesting.”  Max replied casually, swigging a large mouthful from the bottle as his mind subconsciously thought of the tyrant also known as Liz Parker.  Allowing the liquid to slip down his throat, Max tried to keep his face relaxed, not wanting to give anything away to Michael.  There was, of course, nothing to tell when it came to Liz Parker.

“Really?”  Michael queried, staring at his friend.  “Who is she then?”  He added after a few moments, reading his old friend like a book.  It was so obvious to Michael, despite Max’s attempts to hide it, something had definitely happened in the meeting.

“You’re too good!”  Max whipped back, smiling at his friend, residing that he had been exposed.

“Yeah, don’t yah know it!  ……… Now spill.”  Michael insisted.

“Ok, she’s …………… a spitfire, a time bomb just waiting to explode.  She’s got passion in abundance and she’s fiery protective of her business projects.”  Max said, before taking another swig of his ice cold Bud and allowing a flash of Liz’s passionate eyes to dance in his mind.

“She sounds just like you Max.”  Michael pointed out, struggling to stop a smile from decorating his rugged face.

“Oh no, she’s nothing like me.  She’s ………. stubborn, set in her ways, and doesn’t know how to ask for help.”  Max replied strongly, fervently defending himself. 

However much he admired Liz’s spirit, Max was certain they were still very different when it came to conducting business.  He was smooth and calming, she was rather more erratic and less able to accept help when placed in front of her.

“Really?  Intriguing.  So …….. just when did you realise you were falling for her?”  Michael queried casually. 

He knew, just by looking at his long time best friend that this woman had got Max’s head spinning.  Something also told Michael that Liz was very similar to Max, no matter what his dear friend told him.  They were clearly two peas in a pod, and Michael was sure sparks flew when Max and Liz were left in a room alone to fight it out.

“What?!  I’m not falling for her Michael …….. this is purely business.”  Max defended vehemently.

“Business?  Right, whatever you say Maxwell!”  Michael grinned, patting his friend on the back.

It was plainly obvious to the astute and observant Michael Guerin that no matter what Max said, or how strongly he denied it ……… his friend was most certainly falling for the lady he’d so easily labelled as a ‘Spitfire’!

Turning off the taps to the bath, Liz shed the black silk robe and let it drop softly to the floor with a quiet thud.

Lifting her foot, Liz gently climbed into the bath of bubbles and allowed the warmth to soak her bare skin.  It had been the strangest day she’d had in a long time, she thought casually as the water encircled her body.

It certainly wasn’t one she wanted to repeat any time soon.  The mess with the car accident was something she wanted to forget.  Each time she thought about how she’d blown up at Max Evans it made her cringe.  But then walking into James Valenti’s office and finding him sitting in a chair, arrogant grin spread over his face, that was just the worst.

The thought of having to spend the next few weeks, possibly months, with him made her skin crawl.  She still didn’t understand why James thought she couldn’t handle it on her own like she’d done so many times before.

The problem Liz was also having thought was the fact that when she thought about working with Max ………… she also felt her heart skip a beat.  No matter how she tried to deny it, the feeling still existed inside her.

She wanted to hate him, she really did, but there was something about the smooth talking consultant.

He was well built and tanned, obviously spending his free time out in the LA sun.  Lying in her bath she also assumed he must work out to keep his muscles in check.  He also had a mop of thick dark brown hair that fell over his forehead in pangs; making him look young yet mature all at the same time. 

But it was his eyes without a doubt that were his most intriguing feature.  They were also the most dangerous asset Max Evans owned.  They were deep brown pools of pure, mesmerising passion.  Bright amber flecks of golden honey that seemed to speak volumes without using verbal tongue.

The one thing Liz worried most about was she had the feeling she’d get lost in those eyes if she allowed herself to.  They were dangerous caverns, ones that could captivate and swallow her whole if she let her guard down for even a millisecond. 

A shiver ran down her spine just at the thought of where her mind was going.  It was wrong, very wrong.  She was a strong woman, with an even stronger backbone; the thought of anything other than working with Max Evans was totally out of the question. 

There was no way she could allow him to know he had even remotely got into her head or under her skin.  Allowing him to know that would give him even more of an upper hand, and earlier in Jim’s office she had given him enough of that. 

“Geez what’s wrong with me!  He’s a conniving, smarmy son of a bitch who just wants my success and praise.”  She cried out aloud to no one in particular before ducking under the water of the bath and submerging her face for a few seconds, as if to regain her sanity and wash away strong images of Max Evans from her mind.

In saying the words out loud, Liz tried desperately to make them sink in so she’d believe them.  She had to get her senses back, remind herself she wasn’t looking out for anything other than a successful business deal. 

Once the whole Edwardian Group takeover was complete she would be able to banish Max Evans from her life once and for all.  That particular day couldn’t come quickly enough for Liz, something she did allow herself to think about.

Yet in the back of her mind, a quiet niggling voice called out that maybe, just maybe he was someone a little bit special.

TBC .......................?

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