CHAPTER THIRTEEN

Last night had went not like I expected. Of course, in a sort of good way though. Max's parents had been extremely sweet and nurturing with Mia and me. After the utterly awkward question about a 'maybe' soon-to-come baby, Grace, Patrick, Max and I chatted for a while until Mia fell asleep and Max said our farewells. He helped me bring Mia back upstairs and had her car seat transferred back into my car before he left. I took Mia out of her dress, putting her into more suitable and comfy clothes for sleep. After taking care of her, I proceeded to get myself comfortable, knocking out as soon as the feel of my fluffy pillow and fresh sheets hit me.

This next few days were going to be hectic at the office. The release date of our project was near and everyone was working to their maximum, overdosing on stress. It was a little bit after midday and I really needed lunch otherwise I would end up passing out on my office. I gathered my purse from the cabinet in my office and headed downstairs.

"Julia, I'm heading out for lunch. If anyone comes or there's something else I have to do, please leave it in my desk and I'll get to it when I get back" I informed my secretary

"Will do"

"Would you like anything to eat or drink?" I asked, Julia and I weren't very close but I was friendly to every single one of my co-workers.

"No, thank you" She replied. Julia was a bit shy and quiet. She was more outgoing with the other secretaries which were her friends. She reminded me of myself when I was in college. However, Livie made sure I threw away that persona.

"Well, I'll be back in a bit"

As I made my way through the corridor full of offices, stress could be felt through the air. Everyone was trying their best and working their hardest like we always did before a launch. Before exiting the building, I noticed Braden. He was wearing a white shirt - the sleeves were rolled up up to his forearms - with black trousers and shoes. He was talking to one of our co-workers. As soon as Braden spotted me, I smiled. He excused himself and walked towards me.

"I see you didn't decide to become a stranger" I teased

"Well, I made a certain promise and said I wouldn't" Braden joked back "How are you?"

"Incredibly busy with the launching of the project. And you? I have to say I am surprised to see you here" I spoke

"I decided to help dad a bit. This time in the company is pretty overloaded with work and I guessed another pair of hands wouldn't be too bad"

"I have to agree with that" I said, then adding "I'm actually heading out for lunch. I wouldn't mind some company if you can come"

"Okay, okay. If you insist" Braden grinned, bringing his hands up in surrender. I contained my laugh as I playfully punched his arm and rolled my eyes.

Braden and I walked to a small deli near the offices. I ordered a bacon sandwich and coke. Braden ordered a ham and cheese sandwich and coke, as well. As we waited for our orders to arrive, Braden and I spoke about the project, his father's plan of how it was going to be, etc. Our level of anticipation was equally high. My chat with Braden was interrupted when my phone declared the arrival of a new text message.

Livie Harris: Just landed. Still up for lunch tomorrow? X

The smile that appeared on my face, knowing Livie was back, had Braden wondering who it was.

Absolutely! Can't wait to see you :D x

I put my phone back into my purse before saying, "Livie is back in New York."

Braden and Livie had only met once and it was only a hello-goodbye sort of conversation. Livie had come to the offices of Kerrington Enterprises to pick me up and get me ready for a girls night out during my post-Max breakup depression.

After finishing our lunch and walking back to the offices, Braden and I kept the chatter. As I entered the lobby, I noticed Max sitting on one of the couches. He was on his working attire; a black suit with a white button up shirt and black polished shoes. He had removed his blazer and set it on the arm of the couch. The first few buttons of shirts were unbuttoned. Braden and I's voices caught his attention, his eyes coming off of his phone screen. The glare on Max's face was noticeable and there was no doubt it was directed to Braden. Jealousy. Braden was oblivious to Max's presence since his face was towards me as he kept speaking, giving me his full attention.

"Ella," Max spoke curtly. Max's voice made Braden stop talking, his attention on us now.

"I'll see you around the office then" Braden said

"Okay. Thank you for having lunch with me" Max's eyes turned dark as I finishing speaking my last sentence.

"You're welcome and thank you for asking me to join" Braden grinned, heading to the elevators and leaving Max and I alone.

"What are you doing here?" I was genuinely curious, we had just seen each other yesterday.

"I came to ask you out for lunch but clearly that has been taken care off" He snarled

"Don't" I warned before he said something else or his jealousy went even further "You know he's just a friend"

Sensing how mad I was getting, Max's demeanor soften before saying, "I'm sorry. I was just upset I didn't find you here" He got closer to me, his hand reaching out to cup my cheek and caress it with his thumb. Clearly, he was lying but I decided not to call him out on it. I knew he wasn't very fond of Braden since the dinner at Mr Kerrington's house but this wasn't the place to push him for an answer.

"I have to go. There's tons of work waiting for me"

"Text me when you get home," He said before kissing me. I didn't allow him to kiss me for too long, knowing we were being watched by other employees and Mr Kerrington didn't support PDA.

"I will"

***

I had left Mia at Mum's house this morning. Dad hadn't seen her in a while and Mum deserved a break from driving to my apartment early in the morning. After work, I drove to Mum's house to pick her up. I had spoken to her this morning agreeing to bring Mia back again tomorrow. It was something we agreed to do more often since not only did Dad get to see her but also Bliss and Reeve who visited them often throughout the week and Mia also enjoyed being around them.

I had conversed with Mum before and after my dinner with Max's parents. She was obviously happy. Since the first time Max and I gain contact again, she had wanted us to work out the relationship we had. According to her it was for Mia's sake and having her father involved her life but I knew it was also for my sake and having back the happiness I felt when I was with him. I appreciated her concerns but I wouldn't force his feelings or him to be with me. I knew the way I felt for him and I sort of knew were his feelings for me and Mia stood but I was still uncertain of how strong they were. It was a conversation I definitely wanted to have with him in the future to be able to forgive him completely. I wasn't going to put my heart back in my sleeve so easily.

I parked my car outside my mother's driveway and headed inside. Dad greeted me, opening the door.

"Hi Dad!" I said as I hugged him. "How are you?"

"I'm good but I've got to say Mia has worn us out today" He lightly laughed "But don't worry it was in a good way, you know we love having her here"

Mum and Dad told me of their adventures around the house with Mia. Apparently, she wasn't happy in any of the rooms of the house, getting grumpy, crying and throwing tantrums. Mum had to constantly move around the house with Mia in her arms and her favorite toy in the other. She was having one of her sappy days. I should've seen this coming since Mia was too attached to me and spending the weekend with me and Max had probably triggered her grumpy mood.

I spoke with Mum and Dad for a little bit longer until I decided to pick up Mia's things - I had brought this morning - and let them rest. Hopefully, Mia wouldn't be this bad tomorrow. These days didn't come up often so I was pretty sure she would be calmer by tomorrow.

I arrived home at 9:47pm. I got Mia and myself comfortable as soon as we got home. She was fighting the sleep as she waited for me to prepare her bottle. As soon as she had her bottle, Mia surrendered and fell asleep. Instead of texting Max as soon as I got home, I decided to text him before bed. I had too much stuff to do to be able to text him as soon as I arrived; I had to bathe Mia and get her comfortable and ready for bed, who at the time was half-sleep and half-awake, I had to organize the bag she had taken to Mum's house and put the things back where they belonged. By the time I was getting into my bed, it was 10:52pm.

Hiii! Made it home safely. Goodnight..

Ella .x

Instead of texting me back, Max had decided to call me -Incoming Call: Max Wilde

"Hello" I spoke, as I accepted the call

"Why did you get home so late?" He immediately asked, his tone seemed upset.

"No 'Hi Ella. How are you'?"

"Ella May" Yup, he was definitely upset.

I sighed before answering, "I got home about an hour and a half ago but got carried away doing some things. I just finished and was heading to bed"

"You had me worried" I could picture him running his hands through his hair in frustration and anxiety.

"I'm sorry. Anyways how was your day?"

"Same as always. Things have been going well lately and hopefully we'll be able to start working on something new soon"

"That sounds great"

Max and I chatted for about 20 more minutes until we said goodnight. I didn't mention about us discussing our feelings towards each other since I felt like it was something I didn't want to do through the phone. I'd rather wait until the next time I saw him. I was excited for tomorrow. I was finally seeing Livie after nearly 2 months. I had to admit, I had missed her to shreds.

***

The next morning, I was woken up by the sound of my alarm - like every morning. I took a quick shower and dressed myself. I was wearing a nude pink blouse with a black pencil skirt and nude heels. I tied my hair up into a ponytail, brushing my bangs to the side. I got Mia and her bag ready, before taking my belongings from the kitchen counter and leaving. I quickly dropped Mia off at Mum's house. Traffic was a nightmare this morning and I was going to be late. Luckily, I arrived to the offices of Kerrington Enterprises just a couple minutes over my normal arrival time.

I spent all my morning working on the launch of the project. Livie had texted me this morning letting me know the place we would meet up and at what time. I was finishing organizing my desk before leaving to meet her. I let Julia know my lunch would probably be a tad longer than usual and headed to the parking lot. I was pretty sure Livie was going to pried me over Max and his relationship with me and Mia. But as best friends and her being trustworthy, I would end up telling her no matter what. Anyways, I felt like I owned her to her. She, Mum and Bliss had been the ones who had been there for me the most after the break-up and during my pregnancy.

I parked my car on the restaurant's parking lot. As I entered I instantly spotted Livie. Her black hair was curled. Her amber eyes were clean of make-up, only having mascara and eyeliner. She was wearing a turquoise maxi dress with brown wedges. Livie was a fan of heels just like me.

Livie squeezed the living hell out of me as she hugged and said," I missed you so much!"

"I missed you too" I barely whisper, feeling out of the breath.

"We have so much to talk about" Livie smirked. I couldn't help but roll my eyes at her, knowing what she was referring to. "Let's go take a seat and start our chat about everything I've missed"

"You really are eager to know about Max and I's relationship" I said, as we sat on a table for two near a corner.

"Of course!"

"I should find you a boyfriend, maybe that way you won't dig your way into my relationship" I joked. Livie scowled and I laughed at her response.

Like expected Livie asked me about Max and Mia, everything that had to do with them; from the first time I saw Max after the breakup till now. Our lunch was based more on talking than eating, which was also expected. I really enjoyed seeing her. We planned on seeing each other during the week but this time she would be coming to the apartment since she wanted to see Mia. We said our goodbyes and I headed back to the office. Max hadn't texted not called me today yet. I figured he was probably busy and would call me tonight. I entered my office and returned to working the launch was closer and closer each day. Everybody had high expectations about it and we had to fulfill them.