Forever in the making

Chapter 4: Secret And Lies

Piper watched as Max walked away, his phone pressed to his ear. She couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. What was going on?

As she stood there, trying to make sense of things, Sophia appeared beside her. "Is everything okay?" Sophia asked, her eyes scanning Piper's face.

Piper hesitated, unsure of how much to reveal. "I'm not sure," she said finally. "Max just got an emergency call."

Sophia's expression turned serious. "I see," she said. "Well, if anyone can handle it, Max can."

Piper nodded, feeling a sense of reassurance. But as she looked at Sophia, she couldn't shake off the feeling that there was more to the story.

"Sophia, can I ask you something?" Piper said, her curiosity getting the better of her.

"Of course," Sophia replied. "What is it?"

Piper took a deep breath. "What's going on with Max?" she asked. "He seems to be hiding something."

Sophia's expression turned guarded, and Piper knew she had hit a nerve.

"I don't know what you're talking about," Sophia said, her voice cool.

Piper raised an eyebrow. She knew Sophia was lying.

Piper decided to take a different approach. She smiled warmly at Sophia and said, "I'm just worried about Max, that's all. He seems like a great guy, and I want to make sure he's okay."

Sophia's expression softened, and she looked at Piper with newfound curiosity. "You really care about Max, don't you?" Sophia asked.

Piper nodded, feeling a sense of vulnerability. "Yes, I do."

Sophia took a deep breath and leaned in close. "I'll tell you something, Piper," Sophia whispered. "Max is in trouble. He's been receiving threatening messages, and we don't know who's behind it."

Piper's eyes widened in shock. "Threatening messages?" she repeated.

Sophia nodded. "Yes. It's been going on for weeks, and we're getting worried."

Piper felt a surge of fear. Who could be threatening Max?

Piper's mind was racing with questions and concerns. She felt a strong urge to protect Max and help him uncover the truth behind the threatening messages.

"I need to talk to Max," Piper said, her voice firm.

Sophia nodded. "I'll go get him," she said.

As Sophia walked away, Piper took a deep breath and tried to calm her racing thoughts. She was determined to help Max, no matter what it took.

When Max returned with Sophia, Piper could see the tension in his body. "What's going on?" he asked, his eyes scanning Piper's face.

Piper took a deep breath. "Sophia told me about the threatening messages," she said. "I want to help you figure out who's behind it."

Max's expression softened, and he looked at Piper with gratitude. "Thank you, Piper," he said. "I really appreciate your concern."

As they stood there, Piper felt a sense of determination wash over her. She was going to help Max, no matter what it took.

As Piper stood there, looking at Max with determination, she had an idea. "I want to help you, Max," she said. "But I need you to be honest with me. Can I ask you some questions?"

Max hesitated for a moment, then nodded. "Okay," he said. "I'll answer anything you want to know."

Piper took a deep breath. "What's going on with your business partner?" she asked. "The one you own the hotel with?"

Max's expression turned guarded, and Piper knew she had hit a nerve.

"I don't know what you're talking about," Max said, his voice cool.

Piper raised an eyebrow. "Don't lie to me, Max," she said. "I know there's something going on. Tell me the truth."

Max sighed, then rubbed his temples. "Fine," he said. "But you have to promise not to tell anyone else."

Piper nodded, her heart racing with anticipation

As Max hesitated, Piper's eyes locked onto his, and she felt a sense of intuition. "Max, I think I already know what's going on," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

Max's eyes widened in surprise, and he took a step back. "What are you talking about?" he asked, his voice laced with caution.

Piper took a deep breath. "I think it has something to do with the hotel's finances," she said. "And maybe even a rival businessman?"

Max's face went pale, and he looked like he had been punched in the gut. "How did you...?" he started to say, but then trailed off.

Piper felt a sense of satisfaction. She had been right.

But as she looked at Max, she saw something in his eyes that gave her pause. It was a look of fear, and it made Piper realize that she might be in over her head.

As Piper looked into Max's fearful eyes, she felt a surge of adrenaline. She knew that she had stumbled upon something big, something that could potentially ruin the wedding and put Max's business in jeopardy.

Without hesitation, Piper grabbed Max's arm and pulled him toward the hotel's private office. "We need to talk," she said, her voice firm and determined.

As they entered the office, Piper locked the door behind them and turned to face Max. "Tell me everything," she said, her eyes blazing with intensity.

Max took a deep breath and began to explain. "It's about the hotel's finances," he said. "We've been struggling to stay afloat, and I've been trying to find a way to save the business."

Piper's eyes narrowed. "What does this have to do with the wedding?" she asked.

Max hesitated before answering. "The wedding is a last-ditch effort to save the hotel," he said. "If it doesn't go well, the hotel will be sold to a rival businessman."

Piper's jaw dropped. She had no idea that the stakes were so high.

As Piper stood there, trying to process the information, she heard a knock at the door. "Come in," Max called out.

The door opened, and Sophia walked in, a concerned look on her face. "Max, I've been looking all over for you," she said. "We have a problem."

Max's expression turned serious. "What is it?" he asked.

Sophia hesitated before speaking. "It's about the wedding cake," she said. "The baker just called, and they're saying that they can't deliver the cake on time."

Piper's eyes widened in alarm. "What? That's a disaster!" she exclaimed.

Max rubbed his temples. "Okay, let's think this through," he said. "We need to find a new baker, and fast."

Piper's mind started racing. She knew a thing or two about wedding cakes, and she was determined to save the day.