Chapter 5 FIVE

It's been a long day.

It's been meeting after meeting. After the board meeting with the tech team, he had a zoom conference call with the office in Bairya. Then there was another meeting with the hiring team, in Trabus. That meeting had lasted well over an hour. After that, he went over some details with the architects, then signed off on some projects. By the time he was done, it was already getting to 6pm. Time to call it a day.

Shooting out of his chair, he grabbed his jacket- he had draped it over the back rest- and his briefcase, Kevin grabbed some files and followed after him.

"Call Steve and tell him to pull up in front." He told Kevin and halted by Leah's desk, smiling down at her. "You can sign out for the day, Leah. See you tomorrow."

She dipped her head and returned the smile. "Thank you, sir. Have a good night." She called after him and he waved a hand in response.

On the ride back home, he let his head drop back and shut his eyes, trying to enjoy the quiet ride. He opened his eyes moments later and watched as other cars sped past. His mind had been so occupied that it didn't get to wander far off. He caught glimpses of people as they went about their day.

It interested him how people could live so freely without a care in the world. He envied them. Maximillian couldn't remember the last time he walked the streets, or hung out at a bar. He missed those times. Times where he looked forward to dates, to hugs and kisses, to walking down the streets together and sharing inside jokes.

He might be a man of his own caliber and tough in the boardroom, but he was a lover at heart. He loved love. He loved being in love. The last time had ended terribly and he had closed off his heart to love. But since that night he met her, his heart had not been the same.

He spared a look at Kevin and wondered if he thought or felt the same about Lily. Looking out through the window, he sighed deeply. Would it be awkward if he asked him about her? What if he had serious and genuine intentions about Lily? Then he won't be able to pursue his feelings for her.

Two ladies caught his eyes, as the car slowed down at a pedestrian crossing. They held hands and were laughing as they walked. His heart did a somersault as he recognized one of them.

Lily.

His eyes sharply cut to Kevin. His eyes were on them but his face remained the same. He didn't show any form of expression and that concerned Maximillian.

Looking back at the women who had got off the crossing and continued on the sidewalk, still laughing and swinging their linked arms.

As the car drove on, he watched as they minimized and disappeared from sight. That was when he realized his heart was still beating.

In few minutes, Steve was pulling up to the front yard. Without waiting for Steve, he opened the door and got down. He needed a drink, then a shower and food.

Yes, food! He had missed lunch.

"You can drop the files in there." He pointed in the direction of his study when they got into the house. Kevin was about leaving when his phone started vibrating in the briefcase. He reached in and pulled it out. His face darkened before he handed it to Maximillian. "It's your mother. She's been calling non-stop today... I told her to call back later that you were in a meeting."

Maximillian simply nodded and took the phone. "It's fine. I'll talk to her." He had completely forgotten that his parents had gone on a month long vacation. He had spoken to them in about a week or two ago, he couldn't really remember. He had gotten carried away and was sure his mother had sent him a thousand photos of them and random things. Or more.

While he thought if he should return the call right then or later after dinner, Kevin returned from the study. "I'll be heading home now sir. Have a good night sir."

As he started to walk away, towards the front door, Maximillian knew he had to find out. He had to hear it from him to know his position and if he stood a chance with Lily.

"Kevin...," he called and waited for him to turn. Kevin halted immediately and turned to him, looking askance. "about Lily...," he intentionally left it to hang in between them.

"What about her sir?" his face remained vacant.

"Are you two together?" shaking his head at that, he tapped his feet. "Let me rephrase that... Do you have any plans with her? Dating plans or just remain friends?" he asked. His voice remained flat and he held Kevin's eyes.

"No sir. She's just an ex. That's all." Kevin matched his tone..

Maximillian compressed his lips and nodded. "That's all. Have a good night."

Kevin bade him goodnight, turned on his heels and walked out.

It bothered Maximillian. He hadn't expected him to respond nonchalantly like that. He knew Kevin had another side to him but he never cared so much about it because it was just work and stuff between them.

Heading up to his room, he knew right then and there what he must do.

Lily and Kathryn had made it home, just in time for dinner. Her mother was setting the dining when they walked in.

"Hey mom! You're home." Lily called out.

"How was work today, ma'am?" Kathryn asked as she moved to give Helen a kiss on the cheek. Lily rolled her eyes at them.

"It was great dear. I'm off duty tonight, so I made dinner. Thank you love, for asking." Giving Lily side eyes, she sneered. "Unlike someone who doesn't care about her mother."

Lily's face dropped in fake shock. "Mom! I was about to ask but Kathryn beat me to it."

Helen only shrugged and retreated into the kitchen. Kathryn turned to Lily with laughter in her eyes and drew closer to pat her on the back. "I'm sure she's just being dramatic. It's not that deep."

Lily shrugged her off and was about responding when her phone started ringing. She rummaged through her bag to get it out. Finally succeeding, she blushed when she saw the caller ID.

Kathryn caught the blush and peered at the phone.

"Kevin?" she grimaced as though she's been slapped across the face. "Please don't take that call." She pleaded, annoyance in her eyes.

Lily looked at her. "Why? I have to hear what he has to say." She retorted, her voice going down as she saw her mom returning from the kitchen.

"What's the whisper all about? Go freshen up and come out for dinner." She dropped a glassware on the table. "I made chicken pasta. I cooked it the way you both like."

The call ended and started ringing again.

Taking a step away from Kathryn and towards her room, she mouthed to her. "I'm sorry. I have to take it."

Without expecting it, Kathryn gave her the finger and turned away, going to her own room.

Lily didn't have time to process that as she swiped right and placed it to her ear. Shutting the door, she whispered. "Hello Kevin."

She plopped down heavily on her bed. When his voice came on her heart started beating sporadically. She wasn't expecting the call that soon. All the same, she was happy he remembered to call her.

"How are you doing? I said I would call you."

Lily smiled to herself and nodded, as though he was there with her. "I'm doing very well," she twirled a strand of hair around her forefinger. "You said you would but I didn't think it'll be this soon."

There was silence.

Then she heard his sigh. "Well, I have been thinking about you since that day. So, I just thought to call and maybe, fix a date for that dinner."

Lily's heart gave a jump and she buried her face into her palm. "Any date you pick is fine." She responded, gently.

"Alright then. I'll get back to you on that."

"Alright."

More silence.

"About that night," he started, "Mr. Maximillian...," he paused and Lily's ears pricked at that. "Did he get you home safe?"

Lily heard the hesitation in his voice. She wondered if that was the question he really wanted to ask. "Yes he did. He seems like a cool guy."

She heard him scoff. "Sure! He's alright." Kevin retorted.

That unsettled Lily as she remembered Kevin had seemed to be in total awe of the man. In his words, he had said he's a good man. What had changed in just few days? She wondered.

"Everything alright at work?" she asked.

"Sure. Work is fine." He answered dismissively. "Hey! I've got to go now."

Stumbling over what to say, she nodded and replied flatly. "Alright. talk to you later."

And the line went dead.

After having his dinner, Maximillian relaxed behind his work desk in the study and proceeded to calling his mother. It had barely started to ring before his mother's voice came on. He smiled to himself and braced himself for the scolding that would start.

"Maximillian Johnson! Why have you decided to always ignore your poor aged parents? It's not fair the way you treat us! You don't care about us..."

He rolled his eyes, when he heard her sniffling. There she goes, Theodora at it again.

"Mom...!" he started, hating that he still hasn't got used to his mother's drama. "I'm sorry, I haven't checked in with you and dad. I have been so occupied with work -,"

She cut him off. "Work shouldn't be more important than family, Maximillian. You're going to get married someday, are you going to neglect her too?" she asked, her voice had grown firmer.

"Mom, how is the vacation going? I'm looking at the photos right now, you're having a good time, yes?" Swiftly changing the subject.

"Of course, we are. Max, this place is wonderful!" her voice cried in excitement,

Maximillian raised an eyebrow at her voice. He knew she would jump on that question and she did just that.

"Oh Max! This place is heaven! Thank you for letting us come here for vacation." She continued swiftly, voice ringing in excitement.

"I'm glad you're having a good time. What of dad? Where's he?" he asked.

"Oh! The old man is asleep...," she gave a little laugh. "We went to a beach party last night and he danced all night. He over exerted himself and this morning, he went on a run with some folks." She laughed more. "Since he got back, he's been asleep."

Maximillian laughed with his mother. He totally got why his mother was laughing. His father- Kristopher, can be really stubborn. He was sure Theodora warned him against those activities, but he didn't listen.

He smiled as he confirmed that they share same traits.

"Let him know when he's awake, that I called."

"Of course I will..."

"I have to get back..."

"Son, how are you?" she asked, her voice became thin and soft. It made him miss his mother.

Maximillian paused his lips and mulled over that question. He opened his mouth to answer but his mother was speaking again.

"Did you meet anyone? It's high time you did, Max. It's three years now, you need to move on."

He listened and gave a deep sigh. Running his fingers through his hair, he found his voice. "I'm working on it, mom."

There was silence and released sigh on the other end. "I know you have work to do, so I'll let you get back to it now. Good night son. Take care of yourself."

He scoffed. "Sure mom. Goodnight!"

When the lines went dead, he wondered why his mother brought it up. They never talked about that aspect of his life.

Was he beginning to look and sound lonely?

He shook his head and briefly thought about Lily. He wanted her and he was going to make his pursuit.

Turning on the computer, his mind raced. Tomorrow, he will make his move.

But he could only pray that things don't turn awry. He feared that he might not have the stomach for another failed chance at love.