Chapter 17 - Fair and Square (1/2)

”Don't blame the beer, silly. I was just happy that I found 'Sir James' and now… I can hang them side by side,” Olivia said while wiping the lone tear that smeared the light coat of make-up on her face with a finger.

”You have to thank me for letting you win.” Olivia moved her gaze from the portrait to the ”ten-year-old” beside her who had a smug look on his face. She playfully tapped his arms while saying, ”I have won him fair and square. Why were you antsy to get your hands on him anyway?”

”I promised an old friend to collect it for her,” Maxen replied, his voice almost a whisper. Olivia c.o.c.ked an eyebrow with what she heard. She felt a sudden prick in her heart after hearing him mention a girl, which was totally not a sign of jealousy… so she coined it curiosity, that she couldn't help but ask, ”Old friend… or old flame?”

”Old friend. Nothing else.”

Maxen noticed Olivia's sudden interest that he gave her a small smile and decided to walk back to the sofa, picking up the beer cans they left on the floor. He didn't want to talk about that person, not after what she did to him that until now he still had to pay for something he shouldn't have to. He made himself at home, walking around the place like he's the owner as he looked for the recycling bin in the kitchen.

His retreating back told Olivia that he didn't want to talk about it so she shrugged her ”curiosity” off and replied with an 'okay'.

”So how are you liking the country so far, Olivia?” Maxen asked, the smile on his face was different than what he showed earlier. This time it was not forced but a genuine, eager smile that reached the corners of his eyes.

”So far so good. I have a question though. Why do people here love to smile?”

Maxen fixed his gaze on Olivia and watched as she tiptoed from the living room to the bar stool by the marble kitchen island that he completely forgot to answer her question until he heard her call his name.

”Maaaax,” Olivia singsongy called. It was like a piece of music to Maxen's ears that he even wished he could hear it upon waking up.

Maxen's attention was caught by the clock on the kitchen wall. He almost forgot that he had a scheduled breakfast with his father tomorrow so he cleared his throat and had to say goodbye for now.

”Thanks for showing me Ophelia. She's lovely,” Maxen said, pulling out the phone in his pocket. ”But before I leave, would you mind me asking for your number?” Olivia curtly replied and watched Maxen's long fingers dance on his phone's screen. When he was done typing, he raised his phone and said, ”Cheeeese!” Olivia was caught off guard that she was a hundred percent sure her photo didn't look nice.

”Hey. That's not fair. Change that.” She hopped off the barstool and made her way to Maxen, grabbing his phone from him.

”Now say cheeeeeese,” Olivia said and raised the phone over their faces, her smile was cheeky yet her beauty still breathtaking that Maxen was photographed staring at her. He checked the photo one more time, a devilishly handsome smile painted on his face. He saved the photo in his contacts and changed his wallpaper and homescreen with their photo too.

”This one's better. Thank you, Olivia.”