Once Upon a Lifetime – By Kazza

Part 28

The following day, Max agreed to allow Liz and Maria the afternoon off to go shopping to hunt for a dress for the party.  It had been Maria’s idea, but she’d persuaded Liz to go in and ask their boss since she was his secretary.  Liz had been reluctant at first, not wanting Max to think she was abusing her position as his girlfriend.  Despite her reservations, Liz had gone in and asked Max.  He’d been only too happy to allow them the time off, knowing how important clothes were to women.  Things were pretty slow in the office, not many people suing around Christmas time, so there was no harm done in Liz and Maria not being there.

“Here, take this towards something really nice.”  Max said, taking some notes out of his wallet and handing them to Liz.

“No Max, I don’t want to take your money.  I’ve saved up some of my own to get a nice dress.”  Liz replied, not accepting the cash.

“Please Liz, I want to do this for you.  If I thought I could get way without anyone being suspicious I’d come with you, but I can’t.  The least I can do is help you pay for it.”
“But ………”

“I want you to take it Liz, it’s important to me.”  He insisted, forcing the money into her hand.

“Well, ok, but any money not used will be brought straight back.”  She replied adamantly.

“If that’s what you want to do then fine, but I won’t take it.”  Max insisted.  “The money is there for you to spend Liz, you deserve a very special dress after all the effort you’ve put into this party.”  He added, before she headed out of the office.  A few moments later he heard a squeal from Maria, and he knew Liz had told her his answer to them having time off.

Walking along the New York sidewalk, Liz and Maria linked arms as they giggled loudly.  Liz knew the origin of her friend’s good mood.  Liz had set Maria up with her ‘man’s’ hunky friend.  Maria was so excited she couldn’t wait to meet her date for the party.  Of course, Maria had no idea of the true identity of her mystery man.  Had she of known, Liz doubted whether her friend would be in such high spirits.

Between her and Max she’d managed to persuade Maria and Michael it was a good idea.  Max’s persuasive tendencies finally winning Michael round.  Michael, at first, had been very apprehensive not liking the idea of a ‘blind’ date for the company Christmas Party.  But Max had managed to persuade Michael that the date was very ‘hot’, just the sort of girl he liked, and as Michael had no other potential dates lined up, he finally caved in.  Maria on the other hand had been a push over.  In Maria’s mind, going on a date with another man would help to steer her mind away from a certain ‘Mr Spiky’.  Little did she know she was going to run head long into him!.

Turing onto the Main Street, Liz and Maria glanced in the window of the first boutique.  There were one or two nice dresses, but none that jumped out at them as stunning.  Walking on to another shop, this time the two girls headed inside to look at the clothes.  Pulling out two dresses each, Liz and Maria disappeared into the changing rooms to try them on.

Liz was the first to emerge from the small cubical, smoothing down the dress, she glanced at herself in the mirror.  The light blue chiffon style dress was very pretty, but it didn’t give Liz the classy look she was going for.

“Looking good Chica!”  Maria chirped, watching her friend staring into the mirror.

“I’m not sure, it’s nice, but nothing special.”  Liz replied before heading back into her cubicle.

The second dress she tried on was more what she was looking for, it was a midnight blue glittery halter neck dress, full length with a split up the back.  It hugged Liz’s curves slightly, but still left some to the imagination.

“Oh Liz, that dress is lovely, not sure about mine though!”  Maria said, her dress was an emerald green, three quarter length dress, with a plunging v neck.

“Yeah, sorry ‘Ria I have to agree, that does nothing for you!”  Liz replied before they both headed into the cubicles to get changed again. 

Although Liz like the midnight blue dress, she was hankering on something even more special.  Placing it back on the rack on the way out, Liz decided if she found nothing better she’d come back for that one.

After visiting a few more shops without any success, Liz and Maria headed to a nearby coffee shop for a much needed break.  It was a quaint little coffee shop, just off the main high street.  Sitting outside in the cool afternoon sun, Maria and Liz chatted away over a cup of coffee each.  As they got up to leave, it was then that Liz’s eye caught a glance of the most amazing sight.

“Come on ‘Ria.”  Liz said excitedly, grabbing her friend’s arm and practically dragging Maria across the road.

“Hey, what’s the rush?”  Maria said, as her eyes looked towards what Liz was transfixed by. 

Liz couldn’t’ lift her eyes away from the glass, there it was, staring back at her from its position in the window, her dream dress.

“Oh, wow.”  She exclaimed, putting her fingers against the windowpane.

“Oh Liz, you’ve simply got to try it on!”  Maria squealed, taking Liz’s arm and dragging her into the shop.

“Hello girls, may I help you?”  The middle aged lady asked as they stepped inside.
“Yes please, my friend would like to try on the dress in the window.”  Maria said politely.

“Your friend has very good taste, that is an exquisite garment.”  She replied before heading out the back to get the correct size for Liz. 

While she was gone, Maria hunted through the mounds of dress, trying to find her dream attire.

“There we go.”  The assistant said, handing the dress to Liz.

“Thanks.”  She replied as Maria chose a couple of dresses and joined her in the changing room.  The two girls giggled as they slipped into their respective outfits. 

As the cool material slipped over her bare form, Liz felt a tingling sensation run down her spine.  The dress was a soft material that crinkled in sound as it fell to the floor.  Adjusting the straps, Liz pulled open the curtain to her cubicle.

Walking out and looking at herself in the full-length mirror, Liz knew she had found her dream dress.  It was a shimmery silver colour that reflected slightly in the light of the changing room.  It was made of tight material that clung to every curve in her body.  Thin straps, a slit high up to one thigh, a plunging neckline, a very low back, and a tiny train that draped onto the floor made the dress perfectly exquisite in every way.

“Oh, Liz, you look amazing, it’s like that dress was made especially for you.   You simply *have* buy it.”  Maria squealed enthusiastically.

“She’s right dear, that dress is just perfect for you.”  The assistant added, admiring how beautiful the dress looked on the pretty young girl.

“Ok, I’ll take it,!”  Liz replied staring at the price tag that was attached to the side of the dress.  Silently, she was grateful Max had insisted she take the money from him.  It was a lot more than she’d planned to spend on the dress, but it was so right in every way, she just had to have it.  Everyone was right, the dress was beautiful, and Liz knew that if Max could see her in it, he wouldn’t be able to resist her. 

“One down, one to go.”  Liz stated as they stepped back out on to the New York sidewalk, her new dress wrapped in a bad in her hand. 

“Yeah, let’s try Lucie’s Boutique.  It’s a bit further down the road, but she normally has some lovely dresses.”  Maria said.

As she had hoped, Maria found the perfect dress for the Party.  It was a deep red wine coloured dress, a tight bodice with a slightly flowing skirt.  It had fitted Maria like a glove, and from the moment she’d seen it on the peg it was just what she wanted.

As her friend paid for the dress, Liz knew Michael would be blown away.  Maria looked simply amazing in the dress; it enhanced all her assets in just the right way.  As they headed back up the sidewalk, both girls chatted about how wonderful the party was going to be.  Now that she had her dress, Liz felt much more relaxed about the whole event, she couldn’t wait to see Max’s reaction to her outfit.

“So, do I get a private showing of your new dress?”  Max asked as they curled up on Liz’s sofa.

“Not a chance.”  She replied.
“Oh?  Why not?”  Max complained.
“Because it’s going to be a surprise for you.”
“Ok, what does it look like then?”  Max probed.

“Max you are terrible!  I am not going to tell you anything about the dress, I want your first view of it to be when I’m all made up, and looking wonderful.”  Liz replied, determined not to give into his persuading.

“But you already look wonderful.”  He countered.

“Please Max, it’s only a couple more days.”  Liz pleaded.

“Ok, I’ll wait.  I just know that no matter what you wear you’ll look simply amazing.”
“Thanks.”  She blushed.

“What about Maria?  Did she find something?”
“Oh yes, and Michael isn’t gonna know what hit him when he sees her!” 

“Ooh so it’s nice huh?”
“Most certainly.  Oh I really hope it goes well for them, and that we’ve read the signs right.  Maria likes Michael so much, she’d be devastated if he brushes her off.”
“Somehow I really don’t think that’s gonna happen.  Michael is just as smitten by Maria, he just doesn’t want to admit it to himself.”  Max replied.

“What about Isabelle?  Has she got a date yet?”  Liz asked.

“Not sure, she was on the phone before I came here tonight, so I guess she’s trying to drum up someone.”
“Brad?”
“No, I have the feeling he’s well and truly out of the picture now.” 

“Oh well, I’m sure she’ll have no end of guys lining up to be her escort for the night.”
“No doubt, that’s my sister.  Oh I meant to ask, has my mother said anything to you recently?”
“About?”

“Us.  I suddenly remembered today what I was doing before the incident in the office.  My mother was quizzing me as to the identity of the beauty who has captured my heart.”  Max said smiling at her.

“Oh my gosh yes, we had lunch together that day.  She did ask me if I knew who your new lady friend was.  I didn’t tell her though.”

“It’s ok, I have a feeling she’s guessed already.  My mother is notorious for her motherly instincts.  She even came out and asked me if it was you.”

“What!  Oh my gosh, what did you say?”
“Well actually I didn’t have a chance to answer her question, things outside kinda took preference.”

“Mmm, that was pretty lucky then.”
“Something like that.  Anyway, she’ll know for sure soon enough.  Only two more days.”  He replied tilting her head up to his so he could brush against her lips with a light kiss.

The feather light kiss soon turned into a long lazy smooch, as they enjoyed the uninterrupted peacefulness of Liz’s house.  Apart from the occasional meow from Tabby the cat, not a sound could be heard.  Laying her head on Max’s chest, Liz found herself dozing into a dream sleep, imagining what it would be like to be able to kiss Max in the middle of the office with everyone watching her. 

Snuggling further into Max’s warm, welcoming arms, she couldn’t help but remind herself of one important fact.  “Only two more days.”  a sleepy voice in her head called out.

Part 29

Gently drifting out of his deep sleep, Max was suddenly aware of something tickling his nose.  Subconsciously brushing the object away, Max also became aware of a strange noise.  Upon registering the sound as that of a cat, Max’s eyes sprung open.

“Oh no, I fell asleep!”  He thought to himself.  Staring at the clock on the wall in front of him, it registered a little after 7.00am.  Seeing the sleeping form in his arms, he felt reluctant to wake her up.  Liz looked so angelic and peaceful as she rested; he knew it would break his heart to bring her out of her deep slumber.  Knowing though that he had no choice, Max gently whispered in her ear.

“Liz honey, it’s time to wake up.” 

“Mmm, huh?”  She mumbled as she slowly drifted awake.

“Hi sweetie.”  He said, gently brushing against her lips.

“Max!  Oh my god you’re still here.”

“Erm, yeah!  It would appear so.  I guess I fell asleep.”  He confessed
”What’s Isabelle gonna say.”  Liz said, struggling to sit up on the sofa.

“I have no idea.  I’m sure I’ll think of something to tell her.  Look I should get home; I need to have a shower and get a change of clothes.  It really will look mightily suspicious if you and I turn up together with me wearing jeans!” 

“Yeah you’re right.”  Liz conceded, knowing it was the best option.

“I’ll see you in a couple of hours.”  He replied, kissing her passionately before heading for the front door.

Flumping back down on the sofa, Liz couldn’t believe they’d both managed to fall asleep.  She couldn’t even begin to imagine how Max was going to explain it to Isabelle.  Max’s sister wasn’t the easiest of people to brush off.  Deciding she needed a shower to wake up properly, Liz climbed up stairs and headed for the bathroom.

“Max?”  Isabelle said, knocking on the door to her brother’s room.  She’d gone to bed early the previous night, suffering from a severe migraine.  In the darkness of her room, her headache had abated and she’d fallen asleep almost as soon as her head hit the pillow, and she hadn’t heard Max come in.  Not getting any response to her knock, Isabelle twisted the doorknob and pushed open the door.  Peering in, Isabelle wondered where her brother was, as she couldn’t see him in his room.

As the steaming hot water tumbled over her hair, Liz felt all tension drain out of her body.  For the first morning in a long time, she felt like she didn’t have a care in the world.  Her panics about the Christmas Party the following day felt a world away as she soaped her hair.  All Liz cared about was that very soon she and Max wouldn’t have to sneak around, wouldn’t have to worry about thinking up excuses if Max stayed over.  It wasn’t that she minded too much about not telling people, she just thought it was time to come clean.

“Hi Isabelle, you ok?”  Max asked, a large towel wrapped around his waist and another around his neck as he stepped out of his bathroom.

“You didn’t answer when I knocked.”  She stated.
”Sorry, I must have been in the shower, anything wrong?”
”No, I’m fine.  What time did you get in last night?”
”Pretty late, you were already in bed.”  He replied, hoping she’d gone to bed early.

“Yeah, I had a headache, over worked I guess!”  She joked.

“Oh well, it’s nearly Christmas.” 

“Yeah, I’ll let you get dressed.”  Isabelle replied. 

As she turned to walk away, she noticed Max’s bed was already made.  Walking into the kitchen she was puzzled by that sight.  Normally she had to nag him to make his bed, just like his mother had done when they were younger. 

Yet he’d only just got up and it was already made, now that was strange, she thought.  She couldn’t help but wonder what was going on with her brother.  She knew she’d fallen asleep very quickly the night before, but she normally heard him come in.  Brushing it off as one of the affects of the tablets she’d taken for her throbbing headache, Isabelle foraged around in the fridge for breakfast.

Breathing a welcome sigh of relief, Max unwrapped the towel from his neck and started to rub his hair dry.  He knew that was extremely close, he’d very nearly got caught out by his sister.  He’d only got in a few minutes previously, and was extremely grateful that the back door didn’t creak too much.  Disappearing into his room, he’d jumped straight into the shower so that Isabelle wouldn’t question why he was already dressed in jeans.  He silently commended himself on thinking of getting into the shower, putting Isabelle off the scent.

Two hours later, Liz and Maria were busy chatting away at work.  Liz had eventually managed to finalise the seating plan, making sure none of their guests ended up sitting on the floor.  They were busy scrolling up the cream coloured menus and wrapping some gold ribbon around each scroll.  They were to be placed at each place setting, it was a simple idea, but something more fun than just putting the menu on a card in the middle of the table.

“So Liz, how will I know when my mystery man appears?”

“Oh you’ll know Maria, trust me.”  Liz replied, peering round to make sure Michael was safely in his room.  The last thing she wanted was the ‘cat out of the bag’ so close to the party.

“But what if I don’t, what if I miss him?  I can’t walk into the party on my own.”  Maria worried.
”Maria, don’t fret over it.  I promise everything will be perfect.”  Liz replied, seeing Max and Isabelle enter the office. 

Flashing a secret smile Max’s way, Liz returned to the job at hand.

“Having fun girls?”  Max asked, stopping at their desks.

“Ooh yeah, this is great fun, wanna help?”  Maria whipped back.

“But you’re doing such a fabulous job, and enjoying it so much, I really wouldn’t want to deprive you.”  Max smiled before heading into his office.

That afternoon, Maria and Liz headed off to the hotel to take the seating plan and various other items for the following evening.  This time Liz noted that the Manager, Mr Sanderson, bent over backwards to help her, unlike the previous time when he’d struggled to even acknowledge she existed.

“So if we leave these here, they’ll be put one to each place setting?”  Liz said, putting the box of scrolls down on the table.

“Certainly Miss Parker, we can do whatever you need.”
”Good.  The band will be arriving just after 9.00pm, and will need to be able to set up quickly.  The dinner should finish around 9.30pm, so they can come in straight after that.”  Liz instructed.

“No problem.”  He said, writing down her instructions.  “And you have the room list for the hotel rooms?”

“Yes, here it is.”  Liz said, pulling the list from the leather binder she was holding.

“Ok, so we’ve got Mr and Mrs Evans in room 1, Mr E Evans and ………”
”I think you can read it perfectly clearly, please just follow the instructions.”  Liz insisted politely but sharply, stopping Mr Sanderson in mid sentence so he didn’t read out the following name after Max’s.

Fortunately for Liz, Maria was totally oblivious to Liz’s quickness at cutting him off, least of all thinking Liz’s name was the next to be listed.

“Right then, if that’s everything we’ll be off now.”  Liz said, standing up.

“Right Miss Parker.  Well we look forward to greeting you and your party tomorrow night, for what promises to be an excellent event.”
”Thank you.”  Liz replied, before heading out of the room and down to the reception.

“So who’s Max going to the party with?”  Maria asked as they headed towards her car.

“How should I know?”  Liz countered somewhat defensively.

“Well you had the list Liz, wasn’t it detailed on that?”  Maria questioned.
”Erm …….. no it wasn’t, it just said and guest.  Who Max takes to the party is his business, I’m just his secretary, nothing more.”  Liz snapped.

“Hey ok, I get the message, no need to snap my head off!”  Maria whipped back, holding her hands up defensively.

“Oh I’m sorry Maria, I didn’t mean to snap at you.  I guess I’m just nervous about tomorrow night.”  Liz replied, realising how it must have seen to Maria. 

It wasn’t that she minded Maria asking, more that she was afraid she’d say something that would give the game away.  She wasn’t particularly good at keeping secrets, and if Maria was to find out, then everyone would know before the party.
”Yeah I understand.”  Maria replied, knowing Liz had taken the party to heart.

“So Michael, are you all ready for the party tomorrow night?”  Max asked, entering his friend’s office.
”Yeah, I guess so ………..”  Michael trailed off.

“But?”
”But what?”
”I just sense a ‘but’ there, nothing’s wrong is it?”
”No, I guess I’m just a bit apprehensive at this blind date thing.  You sure she’ll be ok Max?  There will be a lot of important clients at this party and I don’t want to turn up with someone who will create the wrong impression.”  Michael admitted.
”Hey, relax mate, she will be perfect I promise.  Remember, I’m the one who’s set this up, not Isabelle.”
”Yeah I guess you’re right.  God some of the dragons Isabelle’s tried to set you up with, I really would be worrying if it was her choice in women.  God imagine if it was that Sabrina chic.”

“Don’t even go there Michael, that is just too scary.”

“So Max ……… who are you going with?”

“Oh it’s a surprise.”  He replied cagily.
”A surprise huh?  Why, is she someone special?”  Michael probed.
”Something like that.”
”And Isabelle?”
”Not sure really, I heard her on the phone earlier talking to Cameron Masters, so maybe it’s him.”

“The merchant banker’s son?”
”Yeah, that’s the one.”

“Wow how did she manage to snag him?”

“Oh you know my sister!  Put it this way, I know who she’s not taking.”
”Yeah?”
”Mmm, Brad.”
”Dead in the water?”
”Totally.”  Max replied.

“Oh well, I guess there’ll be surprises all round tomorrow night.”  Michael said.
”Yeap, I think we can safely say that.”  Max replied heading back to his office.

Sitting down at his desk, Max pensively thought about the following evening.  Michael was definitely right, there would certainly be surprises all round when they turned up at the party! 

TBC ……………………?

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