Accident Prone

"Excuse me… can I have your attention?" Max spoke into the microphone while putting his hand around Liz's shoulders.

Liz wondered, what is Max up to? His grip on her shoulder was firm and she knew that he will take care of it because she trusts that even if everyone turns against them, Max will protect her and find a solution.

Once the clamor quieted down, Max spoke: "I became aware of certain rumors which are being spread about me, Elizabeth and her father, Mr. Isaac Williams and I want to address them. I don't know who started it, but we can confirm that easily by reviewing the security footage." Max gestured to the two nearest security cameras high on the walls. "You all came here as guests, aren't you ashamed to slander your host?"

Some of the guests lowered their heads and some looked at the nearby people, but no one dared to say a word. Max reminded them that they all came to Isaac's party, and now they are talking smack about him and his family.

"It's slander only if it's not true!" Patrick said loudly for everyone to hear. "Your dirty past is exposed, and you have the guts to make people feel bad for talking about it? How shameless can you be?"

Max could not believe how brazen Patrick is. He failed to provoke Max and to win over Elizabeth, and now he is causing a scene by fanning the flames?

But if he thinks that Max can't handle this situation, Patrick will soon find out that he is mistaken. 

Max's sight swept over the faces lined up near the stage and he spoke with sincerity: "I admit that I did some things in my past that I am not proud of. However, can't you use your head and think if what you are spreading is the truth or malicious exaggeration? Personally, I've heard some stories about myself which sound like fiction. I don't want to address the specifics of those rumors because I prefer to focus on facts. Don't we all have some things we wish didn't happen? What we can do is learn from it and make sure it does not happen again. That is how we grow as people."

Patrick was not willing to let this go. Is Max trying to wiggle out of this by turning his scandal into a motivational speech? "You said that you will use security cameras. Recording people without their consent and prior notice is a crime."

Max agreed with Patrick. "True. That is why I'm using this opportunity to remind everyone that you are on private property and that you are being recorded by security cameras present. If you don't agree with this, you are free to leave. For the ones who are staying, I want to inform you that starting now, if you talk badly about me or the hosts of this party, without evidence, I will sue you for slander and you will hear from my lawyers no later than Monday." 

"You are threatening us!?" Patrick half-screamed.

Patrick wanted to say something, but Ronald tugged his sleeve and warned him to keep quiet. From the moment Max mentioned that everyone is being recorded, Patrick needs to be extra-careful what he will say or do because that counts as prior notice, and them staying at the party can be interpreted as consent to be recorded.

Max looked at Isaac and spoke into the microphone. "Mr. Williams, I apologize for any inconvenience my presence caused you. If I knew that I would be the cause of rumors which tainted this perfectly planned event, I would not come. I hope that you know, no matter what others might say, I respect your daughter and I can only hope that one day I am good enough for her to rely on me."

Isaac pressed his lips into a line and responded with a reserved nod.

Max turned to Liz and his expression softened. The moment their eyes connected, everyone faded into the background and it was just the two of them in the world. "Liz, I know that my past is stained, and I am not worthy of you. No man is worthy of you because you are perfect. But I hope that you know… you made me a better man and I am still growing in my desire to match your greatness. You are not the love of my life; you are the life of my love. Now and forever."

Liz looked at Max without blinking and she could not believe that he just threw this huge love confession at her in front of everyone. And she would lie if she says that she does not like it. Max took the stage, acknowledged the problem, threatened people that he will sue them, and then apologized… and he said that she is the life of his love. Forever. And during the whole thing, his hold on her was firm and reassuring that everything will be alright. Can he be any sweeter?

"Forever…" Liz repeated dreamily and inched closer toward Max.

He smiled and closed the distance between them, and they kissed like no one is watching. On the stage, in front of everyone.

Several seconds into the kissing, someone started clapping. And then someone joined. And another one, and another… and it didn't take long for everyone to clap. Well, almost everyone. Patrick, Ronald, and Mona didn't clap.

Patrick wanted to go on that stage and punch Max into a pulp. How dares a nobody come here, and take the stage and Elizabeth!? Patrick swore that he will get back at Max for this.

Mona gritted her teeth. She confronted Liz and instead of drawing a wedge between Liz and Max, Mona ended up being verbally slapped, and then Max ignored her, and now Max admitted everything, and it turned out that he is the great man and everyone who talks smack about him is a lesser being. How is she supposed to spread gossip about him and Liz in these conditions? She wished that they stop kissing and that everyone stops clapping.

…

Max and Liz got off the stage and the music resumed.

Liz didn't want to talk to anyone, and it was the same with Max.

"Can we dance?" Liz asked.

"You are reading my mind…"

Max pulled Liz closer to him and they started moving with the beat of the music while gazing into each other's eyes.

From the side, Mona and Helen watched the couple.

"Now what?" Helen asked.

"Now, we think of something…" Mona hissed back.

"How about we join our dates?" Helen suggested.

Mona rolled her eyes. "Who cares about them? Don't you see that we have a situation here?"

Helen made a face. What situation? Mona didn't see as a problem when she heard people spreading rumors about Max, and they assumed that someone else knows about his past and joined in the fun. Mona was all giddy while thinking that Isaac will kick out Max, and Mona will get to comfort him. Based on the overall situation, that is not happening. Helen can see that Mona's plan to spend the night with Max failed. Why is Mona making it sound like that is Helen's problem? 

"There you are…" Jodi said in a singing voice when she approached Mona and Helen. "I was looking for you."

"You did?" Mona asked grumpily.

"Yes, yes. When Mr. Williams spoke about Liz and her boyfriend, I didn't get a good look at him from the back, but now when he got on the stage, I realized that is Max." Jodi spoke to Mona with glee in her voice.

"Why do you sound happy about it?" Helen asked. "Did you hook up with him also?"

"Me? No." Jodi exhaled sadly. "I was on two parties that he attended and unfortunately he never picked me. But Mona was lucky. I remember the party from last Summer, Mona and two other girls spent the night with him."

"Two other girls?" Helen asked while scrutinizing Mona. "Didn't you tell me that it was just the two of you, and that he was amazing, and that he complimented you? How come you forgot to mention that there were two more girls present?"

Mona cursed Jodi internally and responded to Helen: "Because it was not important."

"I think it is important." Helen grumbled at Mona. "You see… you set your eye on him and tried to drag me into that mess so that you can get even while telling me how you are someone special to him. But you conveniently forgot to mention that you had to share him for one night with two other women, while Liz has all of him for herself. And considering that Mr. Williams introduced him as Liz's boyfriend, she is having him for much more than just one night… Oh, and let's not forget that you approached him, and he didn't even recognize you."

"Lower your voice." Mona angrily reminded Helen. "I'm going to see how my date is doing."

Helen stifled a laugh. How come Mona is interested in her date? What happened with the situation they need to address?

"What? Mona approached Max and he didn't recognize her?" Jodi asked Helen when Mona was out of the earshot.

"Actually, I think he knows who she is, but he wants to avoid her so much that he denied being to that party at all." Helen snickered. "He said that she mixed him up with someone."

"Ouch…" Jodi said dramatically. "That burn must have hurt."

"Yeah. It's just as Liz said. Mona does not learn. She is bragging that she had a one night stand with him."

"Liz said that?" Jodi's eyes sparkled from expectation to hear more.

Jodi can tell that Helen is barely containing the next gossip which is about to burst out of her, and Jodi will be happy to help Helen relieve that pressure by listening carefully.

Jodi does not take sides in any feuds. Her parents are pressuring her to get married and settle down and she is aware that this is one of the last parties she is attending as a free lady. That is why Jodi is here for a fun time and of course: gossip!

Helen smirked and enjoyed Jodi's anticipation for a moment before she started talking: "Oh, you don't know… Mona wanted to slap Liz, but ended up slapping herself…"

"Slap?" Jodi blinked at Helen.

Helen rolled her eyes. "Not physically. Slap with words. Don't interrupt and listen…" Helen said in a low voice and gestured to Jodi to come closer. "You know that Mona dislikes Liz, and she wanted to spite her, so Mona waited for Liz outside of the restroom…"

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