“What the hell are you wearing, sir?” Was the first thing Brandon asked as soon as he saw Max stepping out of the car in front of their mansion. Max rolled his eyes, hoping to avoid the question, but as he turned around, he saw his friends, Ryan and even Bryce all ears, ready to hear whatever explanation he had to give. “To cut the long story short, it was used as a collateral to ascertain that I will come for the finalization of the divorce.” He explained, hoping they would understand. They looked at each other confused before Blake went on to ask, “I think everyone is as confused as I am. How does an ordinary suit serve as a collateral? Are they stupid or what?” “Actually, they are! Very stupid to think I rented a Tom Ford. One even said it was fake!” Max complained. “They believed I would make it there since I have to return the suit where I rented it.” He explained, this time, more to their understanding. Carl scoffed in disbelief, “Just when I thought they couldn’t go
“That kinda explains the resemblance.” Blake supported Ryan. “And the importance of the name too.” Carl chimed in his support. Max was shocked by their suggestion with the seriousness of the situation. He laid back and gasped, at loss for words. “Ryan, you’re an actor, right?” Max asked a rhetorical question which Ryan still had to answer. “Yes…” “What was the name of that movie you acted in… ‘A breath away from forever’, right?” He asked again, knowing the answer. Ryan was becoming anxious knowing Max must really be mad about his suggestion but so as not to upset him further, he quickly replied, “Yes.” “Well…that isn’t what we are talking about here, Ryan. If you can’t leave your fictitious life out of this, you might as well stop attending the meeting.” He scolded angrily. “Do you think everything in life is a f@cking drama? Are you also among the people who think I am just an overreacting actor in my life’s drama?” He bellowed furiously. Ryan felt guilty for bring
Max laid back on the comfy sofa in the private club room, partially drunk with several bottles of expensive wine resting on his table. He was trying to numb his mind of the painful thoughts of the past, but no amount of drink could relieve her of the pain of his father’s betrayal. Growing up, Max was closest with his Dad and would do everything together. He was his role model which was why it hurt more when his father started to misbehave. Even though he was closest with his Dad, he loved his mom to death, causing him more pain as he witnessed his parent’s fall out due to his father’s affair that started when Max was 17.Because he had the door of his room slightly opened, he could hear the noise and laughter coming from the room next door and instead of just closing his door, he stood up and staggered toward the room who also had the door of their room slightly opened. He angrily pushed it open and yelled at the top of his voice, “Keep it down or get the f!ck out!” Tate Wilson, w
Just as he was about to turn around to face him, the third person, Sam Dennis, quickly threw an unexpected punch at Max’s face, giving him a small cut on his lips as his ring brushed over Max’s lips. “He’s an annoyingly disrespectful waiter, of course. He has no idea who you are.” Sam explained. Eric frove as his eyes set on Max’s face. The light in the room was dimly lit but he could make out the face of the man he knew well and even saw just two days back. “I–I’m doomed.” He mumbled, dropping to the floor on his knees. “Sir…sir, I am so sorry, I didn’t know it was you…”Max scoffed loudly, intentionally interrupting him as he inspected his torn lip. “Eric Newman, I should have known it’s you. I just had no idea you prefer younger women despite being married with children her age.” He said.Unlike the other two staffs, Eric Newman was a high official at PetroVista and had been working there for years, he was quite acquintained with the Stratfords and knew Max from when he worked
As Max reached the receptionist counter at the lobby, he dropped his car key on the desk and ordered, “Get me a driver!”Seeing Max for the first time, the receptionist calmly asked, “Your card, sir?“I need to show you a freaking card? Where the f@ck is your manager?” He asked angrily, transferring his aggression to the lady. The lady tried to calm him down by apologizing and explaining, “Sir, I am sorry if I came out rude, but everyone needs a card to assess the resources available in this club. It is so that the club runs smoothly.” Max angrily smashed the telephone on the table, scaring the hell out of the lady. “I have had enough tonight. I swore to my mom that I wouldn’t drive drunk. Get me a f@cking valet right now before I do something worse.”Scared, the lady whispered into her ear pod, “Security, we have a situation…”“A situation? Do I look like a f@cking situation to you? And you dare call the security on me?” Max yelled angrily, pulling the land line from her. Hearing
After several minutes of driving in silence, the car came to a halt in front a familiar gate. She looked beside her at Max who was slowly dozing off and announced, “We’re here.”Hesitant, Max winds down the window hissed in disbelief, “I gave you this address?” He asked still tipsy. “Yeah…”“Stupid me. What’s so great about her that I can’t even forget?” He mumbled, clear enough for her to hear.Confused, she asked, “what are you talking about?”Max sighed, rubbin his palms roughly against his face. “This house, it’s my ex’s. I signed the divorce papers two night ago.” He replied, “Oh, I’m sorry about that.” she apologized. Max who didn’t want ot open up to anyone about his divorce just started to rant, “You know, it’s already bad that she was cheating on me with that twerp we met at the club earlier, but she lied about having a kid for me. Even though I never saw him, he was the best thing that ever happened to me.” “In fact, I already had his life planned out. I promised myself
With this response, Miguel was convinced something was up. Max was sensible enough to know that there was an extent to which he could lie about his look, so he decided to go with the most believable one. “Fine! I got into a fight.” Max lied. “With who? Why?” Miguel asked curiously. Max bit his lip as he tried to come up with a believable response, “Well, I met Tate Wilson. I just found out he was working with Mr. Newman. I was going to ignore him, but I couldn’t help listening to his trash.” He explained, stylishly readjusting his pants. With the details, Miguel had no reason to doubt Max and quickly believed him, saying, “Don’t worry, I will have the contract terminated.” Max let out a sigh of relief, seeing that he was finally free “There is no need for that. I have better plans for him.” He said. Soon enough, they arrived at the house, and fortunately, there was no one around to question him as they had already left for their respective businesses and homes. Max asked
The ladies exchanged glances and giggled, believing Max's words for the first time. This statement alone was enough to make Msx lose all his charm in Aria’s eyes. She moved closer and whispered in his ear, “This is the difference between you and Tate. He would never have a reason to steal or fear being fired.” Max smirked as he shoved her off and walked into the city hall, leaving them stunned. “That poor skunk. How dare he…” Aria scoffed in disbelief. Cynthia patted Aria's shoulder as she walked past her, reassuring her, “Don't worry. He has no one else except us. He will come back begging once Tate makes him lose his job. Then we will be able to pay him back for this embarrassment.” Aria agreed swiftly following her mom into the hall. Aria has already completed all the steps for the divorce and since they both agreed ‘on paper’ that they ended things on mutual consent, the divorce was quickly processed and sent to the city hall, thanks to Tate’s connections. Once
Charlotte’s eyes widened, almost popping out of its socket as she stuttered, “$7…$7 million? Are you out of your mind? Where do you expect me to get that kind of money from?” Max smirked as if he already knew what was going to happen, “You’re merely a waitress at a club, I already knew you wouldn’t have that kind of money. That’s why I prepared for it. Look at it and sign where necessary.” he said, pointing at the file Miguel had dropped on the table. Charlotte was confused and curious too, so she picked up the file and skeemed through it. “What? You’re literally asking me to be your slave! For three whole year!” She exclaimed in disbelief. Max stood up, his hands tucked in his pocket. “It’s a good offer considering the luxury you’ve enjoyed in the past years. Plus you don’t choice. Even if you were to miraculously pay up the money, I will always find a way to own you and ruin your life!” He threatened, his eyes narrowing into slits as he focused his gaze on her, which sent a shi
Charlotte’s eyes widened, almost popping out of its socket as she stuttered, “$7…$7 million? Are you out of your mind? Where do you expect me to get that kind of money from?” Max smirked as if he already knew what was going to happen, “You’re merely a waitress at a club, I already knew you wouldn’t have that kind of money. That’s why I prepared for it. Look at it and sign where necessary.” he said, pointing at the file Miguel had dropped on the table. Charlotte was confused and curious too, so she picked up the file and skeemed through it. “What? You’re literally asking me to be your slave! For three whole year!” She exclaimed in disbelief. Max stood up, his hands tucked in his pocket. “It’s a good offer considering the luxury you’ve enjoyed in the past years. Plus you don’t choice. Even if you were to miraculously pay up the money, I will always find a way to own you and ruin your life!” He threatened, his eyes narrowing into slits as he focused his gaze on her, which sent a shi
Charlotte was slowly losing her breath. She anxiously tried to fight Max off, but her little hands were nothing compared to Max’s firm hands. Her body slowly weakened by the second until she gave up.If this was her fate, she would have happily accepted it, but the thought of her son living without a mother and father figure scared the living hell out of her and she struggled again until help came when Max quickly moved his hand away with a little screaming.“Stay away from my mommy!” the little guy who had just bitten Max’s arm yelled, his blue eyes glittering with tears.The sight of him weakened Max. He dared not raise his hand or voice again— rather, he just couldn’t.While Charlotte tried to catch her breath and regain her strength, Max and little Liam had a face off as they stared intently into each other’s eyes.It looked like he didn’t just have his face, but his personality, too. ‘How can he not be mine?’ He mumbled to himself as he slowly moved his hand, aiming to cup his li
With the paparazzi around, they was no room for doubts anymore. Anne and her mother had already browsed his name and were shocked to see him all over the internet. Hearing the mind-blowing revelation, Aria felt dizzy, staggering backward. The thoughts of losing out on being the wife of the richest man in Wexissia made her breathe hitch. Max didn't miss seeing the priceless expression on her face before he started towards the car. Max's day was going great…until a report asked, “Mr. Stratford, it's been seen years since you last showed up publicly. Is this because of your mother’s incident?”Max’s composure quickly weakened hearing about his mom again. He didn’t want to talk about it and had strictly given this information, so he never prepared a response for such a question. Instead, he got into his car, angrily slamming the door behind him as he ordered, “Drive off!”Max had hoped his day would be wonderful by watching Aria in misery, but he didn’t know someone was going to ruin
The ladies exchanged glances and giggled, believing Max's words for the first time. This statement alone was enough to make Msx lose all his charm in Aria’s eyes. She moved closer and whispered in his ear, “This is the difference between you and Tate. He would never have a reason to steal or fear being fired.” Max smirked as he shoved her off and walked into the city hall, leaving them stunned. “That poor skunk. How dare he…” Aria scoffed in disbelief. Cynthia patted Aria's shoulder as she walked past her, reassuring her, “Don't worry. He has no one else except us. He will come back begging once Tate makes him lose his job. Then we will be able to pay him back for this embarrassment.” Aria agreed swiftly following her mom into the hall. Aria has already completed all the steps for the divorce and since they both agreed ‘on paper’ that they ended things on mutual consent, the divorce was quickly processed and sent to the city hall, thanks to Tate’s connections. Once
With this response, Miguel was convinced something was up. Max was sensible enough to know that there was an extent to which he could lie about his look, so he decided to go with the most believable one. “Fine! I got into a fight.” Max lied. “With who? Why?” Miguel asked curiously. Max bit his lip as he tried to come up with a believable response, “Well, I met Tate Wilson. I just found out he was working with Mr. Newman. I was going to ignore him, but I couldn’t help listening to his trash.” He explained, stylishly readjusting his pants. With the details, Miguel had no reason to doubt Max and quickly believed him, saying, “Don’t worry, I will have the contract terminated.” Max let out a sigh of relief, seeing that he was finally free “There is no need for that. I have better plans for him.” He said. Soon enough, they arrived at the house, and fortunately, there was no one around to question him as they had already left for their respective businesses and homes. Max asked
After several minutes of driving in silence, the car came to a halt in front a familiar gate. She looked beside her at Max who was slowly dozing off and announced, “We’re here.”Hesitant, Max winds down the window hissed in disbelief, “I gave you this address?” He asked still tipsy. “Yeah…”“Stupid me. What’s so great about her that I can’t even forget?” He mumbled, clear enough for her to hear.Confused, she asked, “what are you talking about?”Max sighed, rubbin his palms roughly against his face. “This house, it’s my ex’s. I signed the divorce papers two night ago.” He replied, “Oh, I’m sorry about that.” she apologized. Max who didn’t want ot open up to anyone about his divorce just started to rant, “You know, it’s already bad that she was cheating on me with that twerp we met at the club earlier, but she lied about having a kid for me. Even though I never saw him, he was the best thing that ever happened to me.” “In fact, I already had his life planned out. I promised myself
As Max reached the receptionist counter at the lobby, he dropped his car key on the desk and ordered, “Get me a driver!”Seeing Max for the first time, the receptionist calmly asked, “Your card, sir?“I need to show you a freaking card? Where the f@ck is your manager?” He asked angrily, transferring his aggression to the lady. The lady tried to calm him down by apologizing and explaining, “Sir, I am sorry if I came out rude, but everyone needs a card to assess the resources available in this club. It is so that the club runs smoothly.” Max angrily smashed the telephone on the table, scaring the hell out of the lady. “I have had enough tonight. I swore to my mom that I wouldn’t drive drunk. Get me a f@cking valet right now before I do something worse.”Scared, the lady whispered into her ear pod, “Security, we have a situation…”“A situation? Do I look like a f@cking situation to you? And you dare call the security on me?” Max yelled angrily, pulling the land line from her. Hearing
Just as he was about to turn around to face him, the third person, Sam Dennis, quickly threw an unexpected punch at Max’s face, giving him a small cut on his lips as his ring brushed over Max’s lips. “He’s an annoyingly disrespectful waiter, of course. He has no idea who you are.” Sam explained. Eric frove as his eyes set on Max’s face. The light in the room was dimly lit but he could make out the face of the man he knew well and even saw just two days back. “I–I’m doomed.” He mumbled, dropping to the floor on his knees. “Sir…sir, I am so sorry, I didn’t know it was you…”Max scoffed loudly, intentionally interrupting him as he inspected his torn lip. “Eric Newman, I should have known it’s you. I just had no idea you prefer younger women despite being married with children her age.” He said.Unlike the other two staffs, Eric Newman was a high official at PetroVista and had been working there for years, he was quite acquintained with the Stratfords and knew Max from when he worked