Chapter 78 - Bright and Vivid (1/2)

Maxen's car pulled over Rockaway Tower's dimly lit bas.e.m.e.nt parking lot. With the engine still on, it was idle for a few minutes by the penthouse suite's private elevator shaft which they would use since Jack got the master key to operate it to any floors they wished to stop—specifically Olivia's decoy apartment.

Olivia, who now behaved in the passenger seat, fiddled on the flap of her handbag as she tried to come up with an excuse so that Maxen would not accompany her up to her apartment.

She swallowed nothing but air in her parched throat and quickly shifted her gaze from her bag out to the window, yet she realized it was a bad choice when she saw her reflection—lost and gloomy, a far cry from her earlier demeanor as they drove away from the Notios Estate. Horrified at her image, she whipped her head and faced Maxen who mirrored the same likeness as hers; his blue eyes, no longer clear as it concealed his distress.

”Didn't expect it to suck this way.” A rueful smile painted her lips as she kept her eyes open, never blinking, afraid she might shed a tear or more.

Rubbing the back of his index finger on her cheek, Maxen watched as Olivia closed her eyes to his touch. Even when Olivia didn't want to acknowledge it, they both knew how every passing second riled them up. Playing it cool, Maxen huffed and joked, ”Tell me about it. If I could bring you with me, I would. Do you want to? I can sneak you in.”

”Will there be internet access 24/7?” Olivia shifted in her seat, her elbows rested on the center console as she contemplated seriously considering his offer.

”Oh, that's just wishful thinking, baby.” He unbuckled his seatbelt and faced Olivia. ”Baby, there will be days that I won't be able to reach you, especially if we're in the middle of the high seas, but worry not. I will call you as soon as I can. Okay?”

Olivia nodded, her lips pursed. ”I just thought,” she trailed off but bottled her words up because it was best to just go home. She thought the longer they dragged their goodbyes, the harder it was for them to let go. She unbuckled her seatbelt and smiled at Maxen. ”Let's go. We don't want you to be late.”

...

Inside the elevator, Jack watched in equal parts amus.e.m.e.nt and sadness, as the pair stood before him, silently holding each other's hands.

He'd been a soldier once too, and he knew how excruciating it was to be drafted in a far unknown place. You see, the thing about the inevitable was no matter how much you knew it was coming and no matter how many times you tell yourself how prepared you were, when it presents itself, it blows up on your face like a ticking time bomb.

Jack's thoughts were cut short when the elevator pinged, their signal that they arrived at Olivia's floor. The group found themselves again inside the apartment where Shadow and Jack stayed in the kitchen while Maxen followed Olivia in her bedroom.

Inside the bedroom, Olivia was sitting on the bed and tapped the space to her right. She slid open the drawer on her beside table and huffed, her toes nervously tapped on her fur indoor slippers. ”I bought this for you, so we could at least match in the party but I guess it will serve a different purpose now.”

”Baby,” Maxen grinned from ear to ear and offered his wrists. ”I'm all yours, Olivia. It would be an honor to be shackled by you.”

”Pfft! What nonsense are you spouting about?” Olivia rolled her eyes, yet pink tainted her cheeks. One after the other, Olivia changed the cufflinks of his dress suit and mused, ”Would it be selfish of me if I wanted you to wear this every day?”

”Before I answer your question…” Maxen inched back and coiled his arms on Olivia's waist, resting his chin on her shoulders. ”Thank you for this gift, baby. Even if you don't ask me, I will still wear this every day.” Maxen wiggled his right hand—the octagon diamond cufflinks sparkled as it caught the light from the chandelier. He wrapped his hands on her waist and peppered the length of her neck with kisses.

Knowing Maxen's appetite, Olivia tapped out. ”I think you would do us both a favor if you leave now, Max. I don't want you to extend that trip just because you were late.”

…

Out in the living room, Jack stood in attention by the kitchen island, with Maxen's dress coat neatly hanging on his arm. Casting a brief look in the hallway, he saw Maxen walking behind Olivia again, this time with His Highness clinging on Olivia's waist as they walked. His ears perked up as he tried to eavesdrop on their conversation.

”Stop worrying about it. A month is not that long. And you're doing it for your country,” Olivia's voice echoed.

”Yah yah yah,” Maxen rebutted like a whining toddler. Olivia pinched his arms. It should hurt, but he loved it, so he laughed and tightened his wrapped arms on her waist. ”But what I want is to do you.”

”Maxen!” Olivia stomped and glowered at Maxen. She faced him with her arms folded over her c.h.e.s.t as she gave him a once over. ”Do you know what I think? I think it's a good thing that we'll be apart for a month because one more day with you and I might end up in the hospital for exhaustion.”

Maxen shook with laughter as he let Jack put the dress coat on him. ”The only time you will go to a hospital is when you give birth to our children.”