A/N: Thanks again for the reviews :) Please feel free to e-mail me if you have any comments or feedback at raydyan@yahoo.ca. To Laura, thanks for your help :)
**Part 4**
Logan readjusted his glasses as he read the financial section of the Seattle Times. Biotech's stock market shares were as strong as ever and Logan, though unwillingly, attributed that to Max. The performance she gave in her first press conference was every publicist's dream. She was beautiful, well spoken and had the right sense of humor to charm and captivate the reporters while diverting questions she didn't want to deal with.
Since the press conference when Max announced that everything was going well with Biotech, Logan had tried very hard to stay out of her way. At first because his ego was still a bit bruised by how Max walked all over him, without him realizing so until it was too late. But after he recuperated, he needed a few days to examine himself about how he felt about Max. He couldn't buy off Max's share of the company, especially since Max had already made a nice niche for herself as the head of their three journals. Not that he would want to if he did have the opportunity because he liked the idea of working with Max.
Logan searched his heart for what he wanted to happen. He and Max could no longer continue their scripted drama. It was exhausting to always wonder if he said the right words or if he was polite enough. After all, Max wasn't a little girl anymore needing his protection. Besides, Max had proved that she could take care of herself and did not need him to be kind to her. In fact, *he* needed to reassert himself or she would step on him whenever he got in her way, she already had actually.
After hours of deliberation, Logan decided that he would attempt to be himself and not hide behind some corporate executive mask anymore. All he had to do then was make sure that Max did the same. If the past was better left where it was, as they both implicitly decided, then at least the present would not be a contest on who could appear to be the most well mannered while trying to maneuver the other down. Finally, he could only hope that what Max felt about him would change with time.
***
Max was starting to learn the dynamics of everyday operation in the publishing world. Her desk was covered with financial statements, research papers and other relevant documents that she needed to know to function effectively. The Friday morning of her first week was generally going well.
Logan let himself in Max's spacious office, which was still barren except for a tiny picture of a motorcycle that was posted up on her tuck board. Max obviously hadn't had the time to add her personal touch to the room. Or maybe she liked the simplicity, Logan wasn't sure.
"Hey Max, I hope that you're adjusting well." Logan commented.
Max's head quickly turned up from a genetic research paper she was reading, "Yes, thank you." She couldn't help but add, "I hope that you will knock next time.".
"Have you had a chance to see the city yet?" Max wasn't sure if this was an indirect apology or if he just completely ignored her remark, at least he asked it with a smile.
"No, I've been busy. " She tilted her head towards the pile of papers on her desk.
"Of course." Logan continued, "Listen, I made dinner reservations at Angelo's tonight, we're expected around 8:00."
'Did he just say 'we'?'. "Excuse me?"
Uh-oh, she sounded pissed. Testing how Max would respond... "I said be ready by 7:30 because we have reservations at 8:00."
Max was not accustomed to Logan's treatment toward her. He was acting genuinely kind. She got suspicious and as a result, she doubled up on the imaginary protective gates around her. She gave Logan a sharp look that would have went through his head if it was a knife. "How very kind of you to concern yourself with my social life..."
Damn! Logan had to regurgitate back under his mask as he felt rejection coming. He quickly interrupted, "Who said anything about social? Tonight's dinner is about business."
"Well, how presumptuous of me, I apologize." They both knew the apology was shallow. "Why wait for dinner when we can discuss business right now?"
"That won't be possible, I'm running late for a meeting as it is and I'm occupied for the rest of the day." That was a lie, would Max buy it?
"On Monday then." Ok, she bought it, but not entirely.
"It can't wait till then." Another lie.
Max thought for a moment. So the man couldn't lie, but he was very good at hiding his intent because she certainly couldn't read him then. He came in treating her as if she was his best friend and then all of a sudden, he seemed so distant. What was he up to? She knew better than to agree but she gave in to her curiosity nonetheless. "Fine. I'll meet you at Angelo's at 8."
Logan was about to suggest that he would pick her up when he realized that this was the best offer he would get.
***
Angelo's was in a very posh part of downtown Seattle. The smell of good Italian food greeted the well-dressed patrons as soon as they entered the door. The dim lights inside with scented vanilla candles and soft jazz music created a romantic atmosphere that promised a lovely evening.
Logan kicked himself for picking Angelo's for the night's setting. The place had served him well with the ladies in the past but he wasn't seducing Max as he had been the others, well, not exactly.
A waiter escorted Max to the table where Logan was waiting. Again, she confirmed how beautiful she had become in her red strapless dress. A black chiffon shawl that draped from her shoulders did a horrible job covering her bare smooth skin, much to Logan's pleasure.
"You look charming." Logan stood up, took Max's hand and led her to the empty seat opposite his chair.
"Thank you." Max was tempted to return the compliment. After all, he did look great in his tux and the sheepish grin on his face, as if apologizing for the place, was almost irresistible. But she opted not to.
Max was halfway through her pasta when she decided that she had enough conversation about the weather, the market and all the other "neutral" topics people talked about.
"Logan you said this was about business. Obviously, it's not. So what did you really want to talk about." Though not showing it, Max was a little nervous because it was still too soon to break their status quo.
'Where should I start, Max? The letters? Uncle Don? Maybe we should talk about the fact that you hated me in a time when all I could think about was having you back? No, better yet, never mind.'
"The matter I wanted to discuss was resolved this afternoon. I realize that I could have told you that earlier but I saw no reason why we couldn't take this evening to get reacquainted instead." Logan hoped that he didn't sound too rehearsed. Cooly, he added, "But if you prefer to leave..." then left it at that.
Max hadn't figured out yet what Logan was up to, he was getting harder to read by the minute. She consoled herself with the fact that at least she could tell when he was lying, like then, again. She would let that one slide.
"No, I'm fine. The food is delicious." she said flatly but she really meant it.
Logan took her response as an invitation and he started talking about his trip to Sicily where he had the most fantastic Italian meal in one of his friend's villa.
Despite of her self, Max couldn't help but remember how much she enjoyed Logan's company. And if she had watched herself tonight, like Logan had, she would have realized that a couple of smiles she gave him were not the fake kind that she had mastered through out the years.
Logan felt that he was doing a great job at not hiding behind his mask. Max needed some more work though.
***
Soft claps filled the air as the band resumed their position on the stage. The ensemble consisted of two piano players, a saxophonist, a violinist and a singer. All were dressed in black, except the only lady in the group who took the mike and invited everyone to dance. Her navy blue dress floated across the stage as she stepped aside while the others prepared their instrument.
Max and Logan were finishing up their coffee when the familiar melody reached them.
~~~FLASHBACK~~~
Max trailed her fingertips along the staircase as she tiptoed her way down. She sat on a step halfway through her descent and surveyed the salon in front of her. She recognized a few people as friends of her parents; they were chatting in their usual self-glorifying tone with glasses of champagne in their hands. Her inquiring eyes then noticed some light movements below her. She peered down between two posts and saw several couples, including Logan's parents, on the floor dancing. As if on cue, Logan walked in from the garden. He seemed oblivious of his surrounding and had his complete attention to the figure who was helping him arrange his bow tie. He had a smile that Max had never seen before as he took in everything about the adoring face looking intently up at him. Logan held his hand and the girl took it and both walked toward the dance floor.
Max stood up quickly and continued her way down, annoyed that her Winnie the Pooh nightgown was too long and she kept stepping on it. She ignored the hello-Maxie-aren't-you-supposed-to-be-sleeping comments and went directly to where Logan and the girl were. Both didn't see her approaching so they were startled as she tugged on the girl's skirt. Max took the girl's leg with one hand and Logan's with the other as she separated them and forced herself in between.
"Hey Max." Logan said amused as he looked at her then back to the girl.
"Hey" Max said almost shyly, embarrassed about interrupting the dance, but quite not sure why she did it.
"Well, what do we have here? I didn't realize there was a line up Logan. I think I just finished my turn dancing with you." The girl laughed and pointed toward the cocktail table.
Logan nodded and winked, then turned her attention back to Max, who was starting to get upset because she couldn't understand the subtext of what was happening around her. She pouted, feeling very small around the grown ups towering over her.
Logan couldn't help but pick her up and kiss her forehead. Max finally giggled and wrapped her tiny legs around Logan as she rested her own forehead on his. Logan balanced Max with one arm and took her right hand with his left one and he swayed both of them around the dance floor.
"You are supposed to be sleeping." He said as he readjusted Max's weight.
"I was, but the music woke me up, it's so loud" Max complained as she nestled her head on Logan's left shoulder. She noticed how Logan's hand was so big compared to hers.
"Do you want to sleep downstairs? It's less noisy there"
"OK" Max closed her eyes. She felt like she was flying, like an angel with the music propelling her wings. She started to hum and decided that she liked the song.
"It's Valse Triste" Max heard Logan say.
"What?" She tried opening her eyes, but her lids were heavy, she was very sleepy.
"The song, it's called Valse Triste."
"Oh."
~~~END OF FLASHBACK~~~
Max blinked, "I'm sorry what did you say?"
"I asked if you wanted to dance." Logan put his serviette on the table and offered a hand to Max.
She took it gently and Logan lead her to the dance floor. Logan's hand found its way on her back as his other one claimed her hand and they started to dance. He guided both of them around the room, with every step synchronized with the music.
Max didn't understand the sudden overwhelming sensations around her stomach. She felt lightheaded so she clutched on Logan's arm to support herself. Then it hit her; she was feeling it again. She swore that she would never let Logan make her feel that way, but there she was in his arms, feeling so desperately insecure and helpless.
'Max what were you thinking? He just fed you pasta and you start crumbling apart. No! Never again! Get yourself together!'
"Max are you ok?" Logan whispered softly.
"Yeah, I'm fine." And Logan had a feeling that whatever door he opened on Max's protective gates just shut in front of his face.
**Part 4**
Logan readjusted his glasses as he read the financial section of the Seattle Times. Biotech's stock market shares were as strong as ever and Logan, though unwillingly, attributed that to Max. The performance she gave in her first press conference was every publicist's dream. She was beautiful, well spoken and had the right sense of humor to charm and captivate the reporters while diverting questions she didn't want to deal with.
Since the press conference when Max announced that everything was going well with Biotech, Logan had tried very hard to stay out of her way. At first because his ego was still a bit bruised by how Max walked all over him, without him realizing so until it was too late. But after he recuperated, he needed a few days to examine himself about how he felt about Max. He couldn't buy off Max's share of the company, especially since Max had already made a nice niche for herself as the head of their three journals. Not that he would want to if he did have the opportunity because he liked the idea of working with Max.
Logan searched his heart for what he wanted to happen. He and Max could no longer continue their scripted drama. It was exhausting to always wonder if he said the right words or if he was polite enough. After all, Max wasn't a little girl anymore needing his protection. Besides, Max had proved that she could take care of herself and did not need him to be kind to her. In fact, *he* needed to reassert himself or she would step on him whenever he got in her way, she already had actually.
After hours of deliberation, Logan decided that he would attempt to be himself and not hide behind some corporate executive mask anymore. All he had to do then was make sure that Max did the same. If the past was better left where it was, as they both implicitly decided, then at least the present would not be a contest on who could appear to be the most well mannered while trying to maneuver the other down. Finally, he could only hope that what Max felt about him would change with time.
***
Max was starting to learn the dynamics of everyday operation in the publishing world. Her desk was covered with financial statements, research papers and other relevant documents that she needed to know to function effectively. The Friday morning of her first week was generally going well.
Logan let himself in Max's spacious office, which was still barren except for a tiny picture of a motorcycle that was posted up on her tuck board. Max obviously hadn't had the time to add her personal touch to the room. Or maybe she liked the simplicity, Logan wasn't sure.
"Hey Max, I hope that you're adjusting well." Logan commented.
Max's head quickly turned up from a genetic research paper she was reading, "Yes, thank you." She couldn't help but add, "I hope that you will knock next time.".
"Have you had a chance to see the city yet?" Max wasn't sure if this was an indirect apology or if he just completely ignored her remark, at least he asked it with a smile.
"No, I've been busy. " She tilted her head towards the pile of papers on her desk.
"Of course." Logan continued, "Listen, I made dinner reservations at Angelo's tonight, we're expected around 8:00."
'Did he just say 'we'?'. "Excuse me?"
Uh-oh, she sounded pissed. Testing how Max would respond... "I said be ready by 7:30 because we have reservations at 8:00."
Max was not accustomed to Logan's treatment toward her. He was acting genuinely kind. She got suspicious and as a result, she doubled up on the imaginary protective gates around her. She gave Logan a sharp look that would have went through his head if it was a knife. "How very kind of you to concern yourself with my social life..."
Damn! Logan had to regurgitate back under his mask as he felt rejection coming. He quickly interrupted, "Who said anything about social? Tonight's dinner is about business."
"Well, how presumptuous of me, I apologize." They both knew the apology was shallow. "Why wait for dinner when we can discuss business right now?"
"That won't be possible, I'm running late for a meeting as it is and I'm occupied for the rest of the day." That was a lie, would Max buy it?
"On Monday then." Ok, she bought it, but not entirely.
"It can't wait till then." Another lie.
Max thought for a moment. So the man couldn't lie, but he was very good at hiding his intent because she certainly couldn't read him then. He came in treating her as if she was his best friend and then all of a sudden, he seemed so distant. What was he up to? She knew better than to agree but she gave in to her curiosity nonetheless. "Fine. I'll meet you at Angelo's at 8."
Logan was about to suggest that he would pick her up when he realized that this was the best offer he would get.
***
Angelo's was in a very posh part of downtown Seattle. The smell of good Italian food greeted the well-dressed patrons as soon as they entered the door. The dim lights inside with scented vanilla candles and soft jazz music created a romantic atmosphere that promised a lovely evening.
Logan kicked himself for picking Angelo's for the night's setting. The place had served him well with the ladies in the past but he wasn't seducing Max as he had been the others, well, not exactly.
A waiter escorted Max to the table where Logan was waiting. Again, she confirmed how beautiful she had become in her red strapless dress. A black chiffon shawl that draped from her shoulders did a horrible job covering her bare smooth skin, much to Logan's pleasure.
"You look charming." Logan stood up, took Max's hand and led her to the empty seat opposite his chair.
"Thank you." Max was tempted to return the compliment. After all, he did look great in his tux and the sheepish grin on his face, as if apologizing for the place, was almost irresistible. But she opted not to.
Max was halfway through her pasta when she decided that she had enough conversation about the weather, the market and all the other "neutral" topics people talked about.
"Logan you said this was about business. Obviously, it's not. So what did you really want to talk about." Though not showing it, Max was a little nervous because it was still too soon to break their status quo.
'Where should I start, Max? The letters? Uncle Don? Maybe we should talk about the fact that you hated me in a time when all I could think about was having you back? No, better yet, never mind.'
"The matter I wanted to discuss was resolved this afternoon. I realize that I could have told you that earlier but I saw no reason why we couldn't take this evening to get reacquainted instead." Logan hoped that he didn't sound too rehearsed. Cooly, he added, "But if you prefer to leave..." then left it at that.
Max hadn't figured out yet what Logan was up to, he was getting harder to read by the minute. She consoled herself with the fact that at least she could tell when he was lying, like then, again. She would let that one slide.
"No, I'm fine. The food is delicious." she said flatly but she really meant it.
Logan took her response as an invitation and he started talking about his trip to Sicily where he had the most fantastic Italian meal in one of his friend's villa.
Despite of her self, Max couldn't help but remember how much she enjoyed Logan's company. And if she had watched herself tonight, like Logan had, she would have realized that a couple of smiles she gave him were not the fake kind that she had mastered through out the years.
Logan felt that he was doing a great job at not hiding behind his mask. Max needed some more work though.
***
Soft claps filled the air as the band resumed their position on the stage. The ensemble consisted of two piano players, a saxophonist, a violinist and a singer. All were dressed in black, except the only lady in the group who took the mike and invited everyone to dance. Her navy blue dress floated across the stage as she stepped aside while the others prepared their instrument.
Max and Logan were finishing up their coffee when the familiar melody reached them.
~~~FLASHBACK~~~
Max trailed her fingertips along the staircase as she tiptoed her way down. She sat on a step halfway through her descent and surveyed the salon in front of her. She recognized a few people as friends of her parents; they were chatting in their usual self-glorifying tone with glasses of champagne in their hands. Her inquiring eyes then noticed some light movements below her. She peered down between two posts and saw several couples, including Logan's parents, on the floor dancing. As if on cue, Logan walked in from the garden. He seemed oblivious of his surrounding and had his complete attention to the figure who was helping him arrange his bow tie. He had a smile that Max had never seen before as he took in everything about the adoring face looking intently up at him. Logan held his hand and the girl took it and both walked toward the dance floor.
Max stood up quickly and continued her way down, annoyed that her Winnie the Pooh nightgown was too long and she kept stepping on it. She ignored the hello-Maxie-aren't-you-supposed-to-be-sleeping comments and went directly to where Logan and the girl were. Both didn't see her approaching so they were startled as she tugged on the girl's skirt. Max took the girl's leg with one hand and Logan's with the other as she separated them and forced herself in between.
"Hey Max." Logan said amused as he looked at her then back to the girl.
"Hey" Max said almost shyly, embarrassed about interrupting the dance, but quite not sure why she did it.
"Well, what do we have here? I didn't realize there was a line up Logan. I think I just finished my turn dancing with you." The girl laughed and pointed toward the cocktail table.
Logan nodded and winked, then turned her attention back to Max, who was starting to get upset because she couldn't understand the subtext of what was happening around her. She pouted, feeling very small around the grown ups towering over her.
Logan couldn't help but pick her up and kiss her forehead. Max finally giggled and wrapped her tiny legs around Logan as she rested her own forehead on his. Logan balanced Max with one arm and took her right hand with his left one and he swayed both of them around the dance floor.
"You are supposed to be sleeping." He said as he readjusted Max's weight.
"I was, but the music woke me up, it's so loud" Max complained as she nestled her head on Logan's left shoulder. She noticed how Logan's hand was so big compared to hers.
"Do you want to sleep downstairs? It's less noisy there"
"OK" Max closed her eyes. She felt like she was flying, like an angel with the music propelling her wings. She started to hum and decided that she liked the song.
"It's Valse Triste" Max heard Logan say.
"What?" She tried opening her eyes, but her lids were heavy, she was very sleepy.
"The song, it's called Valse Triste."
"Oh."
~~~END OF FLASHBACK~~~
Max blinked, "I'm sorry what did you say?"
"I asked if you wanted to dance." Logan put his serviette on the table and offered a hand to Max.
She took it gently and Logan lead her to the dance floor. Logan's hand found its way on her back as his other one claimed her hand and they started to dance. He guided both of them around the room, with every step synchronized with the music.
Max didn't understand the sudden overwhelming sensations around her stomach. She felt lightheaded so she clutched on Logan's arm to support herself. Then it hit her; she was feeling it again. She swore that she would never let Logan make her feel that way, but there she was in his arms, feeling so desperately insecure and helpless.
'Max what were you thinking? He just fed you pasta and you start crumbling apart. No! Never again! Get yourself together!'
"Max are you ok?" Logan whispered softly.
"Yeah, I'm fine." And Logan had a feeling that whatever door he opened on Max's protective gates just shut in front of his face.