Chapter 7 - 7. Maximilian

I received too much-unwanted attention today. Not much I cared but it gave me the creeps, I don't know if they were looking at me or the cat. The ginger feline has taken one trip to the vet for a medical check-up. It was his first day at work, and he craved too much attention. 

I entered my office to see Margrot and Clark discussing the status report. Clark looked thrilled by Margot's work and patted her back countless times. She showed an emotion of gladness but when she finally caught my gaze, and in a second her expression turned normal.

Clark looked surprised while staring at me, probably because of the cat. Margot showed no signs of that, instead, she gave me her normal gaze and proceeded at my word.

Some part about that made my heart felt ease. I was finally able to hear about the stock investment, we were far ahead of Anton Real Estate and our sales prices were stable. Clark excused himself when his soon-to-be wife called him. I was left alone with Margot who was dotting on the cat.

This was the first time we had been alone ever since our chat at the diners, but after meeting her, she showed two sides, one was the working, busy, and serious Margot who drank seven cups of coffee in a day, the other was the casual, easy-to-talk-to Margot.

I shouldn't say but her wearing an oversized shirt with jeans is quite surprising. She looked ten times young her age. I wouldn't be surprised if she were a model.

'Miss Willer', I turned to her catching her attention, 'I wanted to ask you a favor, if it's possible?'. After hearing her at the Diners I thought a lot about what she was going through. Maybe this was a chance to get closer.

She nodded at my words. Ok, Maximilian, Your words this time, remember you took three hours for this decision.

'This coming Saturday I'm going to attend the Moon Spring Gala, mainly for business associates', before I could say anything further, I took a deep breath. 'But there seems to be a problem for me this year. Everyone expects me to bring a partner this time and I couldn't find a better person to play that role than you.'

I gave her a minute to align her thoughts, she was thinking really hard about what I just said. My heart filled with nervousness and my jaw straightened. It was like asking a girl out but I'm far behind that age.

'Saturday, huh', She murmured in her thoughts. Was it a yes or a no, wait she is still thinking Maximilian.

'The Moon Spring Gala, the event seems quite glamourous,' She looked at me with rejection, 'Sir, I'm not a celebrity, neither I'm a wealthy perfectionist like you, I'm just afraid if I will be bothered by some nasty rumors'.

Like hell, you would. Elvena told me about the way you didn't flinch when they were whispering about you, you didn't take Darwin's brat as someone as your status, you looked at her as if she were a rat. But what happened now? 

'On second thought', she spoke again, light in her eyes, 'I think It would be a wonderful experience'.

Excitement pulled my chest, her face showed a gentle smile but that didn't stop our conversation. 'You could send me the details about this event, I think there is a special theme'.

Exchanging numbers, 'Yeah the theme is the early 1950s, I'll send the details if, umm, you could tell me your phone number'.

She took out her phone, her hands clipped the case as she showed me her number. It took me a second to memorize it. We successfully exchanged numbers. Now all was left to send her the remaining details, I thought we could continue further conversations but she turned her attention to the cat.

'So, what name have you chosen for him'.

'Hmm, how about Max'. 

I was stunned at her response, 'Max? why chose that name?'.

'Cause it resembles the name of its owner', since when have I decided to adopt the ginger catnip, 'Also, I think it's kinda cute'.

Cute? She thinks it's cute, what am I supposed to think of this? Breathe, take deep breaths, inhale, and exhale. I tried to control my emotions but it wasn't working.

'Sir, are you okay?', Margot looked anxious, 'You don't look good, your face is red'.

Crap, she was too close, she reached her hand to my forehead, 'Sir, you seem to burn up, maybe you might have a fever.'

'Yeah you're right', I pulled myself back from her, 'Tell Clark I will be retiring right now', I grabbed the cat, 'Thank you for your company Miss Willer'.

I rushed out of my office. My head was covered in sweat, my chest was getting hot, and my hands were sweaty. What the hell is wrong with me, is it fever or some kind of disease when it comes to women?

I didn't care about my thoughts until I reached my car and drove to my house. I was Maximilian Lance, the Fucking CEO OF LANCE REAL ESTATE. What is wrong with me.

I called my personal doctor, Dr. Xavier for an immediate check-up. He asked certain questions about my fever and my increase heart beat. I told about it beginning, the time and place.

I said that the air conditioner was on but I still felt hot, how my face flushed red and how my heart burning.

My answers didn't matched his question but he took a guess and stared at me, expressionless and unamused.

'At the end of this discussion, I believe you are falling in love sir'.

Sometimes I don't understand Xavier, he was an excellent Doctor who helped me in certain devastated situations, he was my personal therapist after my parents death, he checked up on the cat, and he even brought me into this world. But rightnow I couldn't figure his words out.

'Love?', My tone was sarcastic enough.

'Yes sir, love', he said his tone cool and smooth.

You know what, I give up. Xavier excused himself out, I returned to my room with the cat. It stay on my bed and curved his body into a fluff ball. Now I was stuck with a cat name Max, in love with a expressionless girl, and have to deal with the stupid Gala.

I thought Margot as a close friend, I chose her since she was excellent dealing with me, and I thought I had someone with the same pain as me. I never thought of her romantically, not until four hours ago.

Shit, just what kind of mess have I gotten into.