*Two*

"Hello, Ms. Quintana, hello Alastair," Max's secretary greeted the two as they entered the sweeping Black Gold building.

"Hello, Raquel."

"I thought Mrs. Lorenzano was dropping off Alastair today."

"She was supposed to, but she's already off on her weekend getaway." Paulina didn't need to add 'another weekend getaway'. Raquel understood.

"I see. Mr. Lord is not back yet."

"That's okay, we're a little early." What were the odds he forgot again? she wondered. "We'll head upstairs and wait for him there."

"Alright, I'll tell him as soon as he arrives."

"Thank you." It always amazed her how Max's secretary would shuffle around all day in her ridiculously high heels. Paulina Quintana was much more of a jumpsuit and loafer type of woman. Her current pair were starting to look worn, but they were well-used and the leather had softened, and they were very comfortable. Poor Raquel didn't look very comfortable at all. But, Paulina supposed, it was her choice.

"Can I press the button?" Alastair asked as they stepped into the elevator.

"Of course you can."

"Yay!" He grinned and poked at the top floor button, making it glow with warm golden light.

When they reached the desired floor, Alastair ran out of the elevator as soon as the doors opened, dashing around the empty office space. It made Paulina sad that Max always put on the front of a bustling company when really, it was only him and a few employees in this grand, luxurious office building.

While Alastair rushed around the empty offices, she headed to the break room which was rarely ever used - due to the lack of employees, and, being on the top floor, the employees there was who worked in the lobby used the break room on that floor. She sat down on the couch and flicked on the T.V.

BREAKING NEWS!

A news report from the mall.

"Who exactly even stopped this crime? If the story around here is to be believed, it wasn't the police, but a mysterious female saviour that multiple witnesses saw. If this sounds familiar, it should. We have now had more than a half-dozen similar sightings like this one in the Greater D.C. area within the last year. Which of course begs the biggest question of today, who is this woman, and where did she come from?"

"No way-" That was so strange - they were just there. They would have just missed it. A bit of luck on their part.

She would be lying if she said she wasn't also filled with some disappointment though - she had been closely following the activity of D.C.'s 'Mystery Woman' (she even had a whole file full of newspaper clippings at home to prove it) and wished she could have seen the evasive heroine. That was another wish she had - to see her in real life. That woman was amazing, so brave.

Nearing footsteps broke her out of her thoughts. She could hear Raquel's voice calling from down the hall.

"Mr. Lord! Mr. Lord!"

"Not now, Raquel."

"DAD!" Alastair rushed into his arms.

"Oh!" Max was clearly surprised, but the biggest smile at the sight of his son lit up his face.

"It's your weekend again," Raquel panted, by the looks of it having chased him all the way up from the lobby, and in her heels no less. Paulina couldn't imagine how much her feet must ache by the end of the day.

"Yes, clearly. Alastair!" Max squeezed the young boy.

"Where's the pool, Daddy?" Alastair asked eagerly. "I want to go swimming!"

"It's not done yet, Buddy," Max admitted.

"But you said the pool would be ready in time for summer vacation."

"I know, but I also told you, you must be patient. The pool, the helicopter, the T.V. room, the go-kart track-"

"A go-kart track?!" Alastair could barely contain his excitement at this. "Did you hear that Lina? A go-kart track!"

"Yes, I heard it. Your dad thinks of everything, doesn't he?"

"He sure does," Max agreed. "Well if it isn't my two favourite people! Although, I thought your mom was supposed to be dropping you off." Well, at least he remembered that much.

"Yeah but there was a change of plans," Lina told him. "Again."

"She called you at work again?"

"Yes."

Max sighed. "Even after we've both asked her not to."

"It's fine. I'm happy to help."

"You are a saint, my darling." Max kissed her before turning back to his son. "Yes, Alastair, you'll have it all. These things just take some time."

While they continued to chat, Lina looked at the papers Max had tossed aside as if unimportant. Only they were important: overdue bills.

"But how long?"

"Rome wasn't built in a day, was it? No."

"But hasn't it been a lot of days?"

"Well it takes a lot of days to become a great, great, number-one man like your dad is going to be."

"Lying to your son like you lie to everyone else." A sudden new voice made her jump - and made Max almost choke on the gulp of water he had taken. It was Simon, one of the investors.

"Oh, sorry, we didn't realize you had guests," Lina said.

"Neither did I," mumbled Max.

That made her wary - that Simon had been lingering in the main office while they were there. And for how long? Raquel hadn't mentioned him.

Max quickly recovered from the surprise. "Simon! These offices aren't ready for guests yet-"

But Simon cut him off. "It's over Max, I don't want to hear it anymore. I'm out."

Sensing a work debate, Lina stepped in. "Come on Alastair, let's step outside for a moment." She wrapped an arm around Alastair's shoulders and guided him out of the office so Max and Simon could discuss their business.

"Thank you, Dear."

She gave Max a smile before sliding the office door closed.

However, the closed door didn't keep out the conversation from reaching them.

"I should have done some digging on you too." Simon scoffed. "Maxwell Lorenzano. Didn't take long to find out you're nothing but a low-life con man-"

"I am not a con man!" Max shouted back. "I am a television personality. And a respected businessman with a plan."

But clearly not respected by everyone.

"'If you can dream it, you can have it'," Simon mocked. "Or something like that."

Max chased Simon out of the office.

"I want my money, Max. Or the FTC gets an anonymous report." Simon called one last, "Loser," on his way out, just to add to the sting.

Paulina had been wanting to tell off the old man since the first time she had heard him insult Max, but had never felt confident enough to do so. She knew Max wasn't fond of him either, but he was an investor, and due to the state of Black Gold, Max needed all the support he could get, even if he would never admit to it.

Now though, she'd had more than enough. And the very hurt expression Alastair was wearing pushed her onward. It were almost as though he was showing the pain Max refused to. "Hey!" The old man stopped and turned around to see the angry woman standing behind him. "How dare you talk to him like that! And not to mention in front of his son."

"You won't be defending your boyfriend for long, Paula."

"It's 'Paulina'."

"What a wreck." With that, Simon left.

"I am not a loser," Max insisted. "He's a loser!"

Paulina didn't like him throwing back the insult at Simon, but she was angry enough with the man herself not to comment on it.

Max ran a hand through his hair in frustration. "And don't you ever believe a word that man says," he told Alastair. "He's a liar, and he's wrong. And he will rue the day he walked away from me." Now Max came over and knelt before Alastair, wiping away his son's tears. Max sounded close to tears himself, but, as usual, he tried to keep it hidden. "You are going to be so proud to be my son," Max assured him.

Alastair always seemed confused that his dad focused on this so much, but he managed a little nod and a 'M'kay."

Max pulled him into a hug. "You'll see. Everyone will."

Whew, I've been on a roll with updating today and I'm so glad I got to update this story too! :)

Thank you so much for reading and I hope you enjoyed! :)