Chapter 127 - Flipped Like A Pancake (1/2)
Mosqueda
Today was Ava's last fitting for the gown that she would wear for the auction in two days and Olivia came in with her to pick up her purchase too.
Sitting by the boutique's window, Olivia wrinkled her nose when Maxen's question that morning echoed in her ears as she waited for Ava's name to be called.
It was almost sundown, but the question followed her like a shadow all day and she couldn't come up with an answer.
Normally, she could come up with answers to almost anything, so it puzzled her why she couldn't think of what her goal in Pyxis was.
She knew she joined the organization because she wanted to follow her mother's footsteps, and the longer she stayed, the more invested she was to the point of coveting the esteemed title of headmistress.
But everything changed when she stepped foot in the soils of her home country. Surrounded by eternal sunshine, excellent food, newfound friends and family, somehow, Olivia felt like slowing down in her fast-tracked life.
”Is this what they call a quarter life crisis?” she mumbled, tilting her head to the side, absentmindedly flipping the pages of the catalog in her hand.
”Don't look up, Livi,” Ava warned through her smile as she waved hi to Natalia and Bella.
What Ava didn't know was Olivia caught a whiff of their scent and she had an inkling who it was the instant they set foot inside the boutique.
”We meet again, Ava. What a small world.” Natalia exchanged pleasantries with Ava but scoffed when she glanced down at Oliva. Her nerves popped like purple veins on the length of her neck, furious at how Olivia ignored her presence.
”Hi.” Olivia flashed her a smile then moved on to greet Bella too.
In front of Olivia, Natalia's hands balled into a fist when she cleared her throat and Olivia deliberately ignored her, flipping the pages of the catalog she had seen for the zillionth time.
”My, my. My favorite muses are here! Ava and Olivia! Oooooh! Princess Natalia is here too. Today's a lucky day, huh?”
Ava's hand flew to her c.h.e.s.t, catching her heart that almost fell from stress. She exchanged hugs with Rui, whispering cautions in his ear.
”If you could wait for us, Princess Natalia. I'll settle them inside first then I'll prepare another room for you and Ms. Bella.”
Natalia smiled at Rui. ”Sure. We'll be right here.”
With that, Rui gestured to his office, but just as Olivia took a step forward, Natalia blocked her way.
To their surprise, Shadow stepped out from the shadows and sandwiched her arm between Natalia and Olivia.
”Is there anything you wanted to say?” Olivia kept the smile on her smile when a yawn slipped her mouth, reminding her of how Maxen flipped her like a pancake last night, rendering her lack of sleep which begs the question why her patience ran thin at that moment.
”Are you scared of me, that's why you had my number blocked, Olivia?” Natalia jutted her chin, arrogance painted her face, but it quickly fell when Olivia snorted.
”He did? He blocked your number?”
The smile on Olivia's face irked Natalia to the core, she took a step forward but Shadow was swift to block her advances. ”Stop pretending that you didn't know, Olivia. And stop poisoning Maxen's head.”
”Oh, dear.” Olivia let out a heavy sigh. ”Do you want to say something to him? I can call him for you. I have his private number.” She winked, fishing her phone from her purse.
In front of her, Natalia smirked when Olivia's screen was glaring on the former's face. She thought how could Maxen fall for someone as klutz as Olivia who could not even discreetly use her phone.
Natalia held her breath, watching Olivia's finger hover over Maxen's phone number. She mentally inked the numbers in her head as it blinked on the screen. Two. One. Two. Seven.
”Oops. I almost forgot.” Olivia's hand dramatically flew to her c.h.e.s.t, ending the call. ”He's in a meeting right now. Sorry, Natalia. See that guy outside? He works for Maxen. You can give him your message and he'll happily relay it to Maxen for you.”
Dense atmosphere filled the boutique as Olivia's cool air clashed with Natalia's blazing fire. And just as Natalia was to claw Olivia's eyes, Rui Mosqueda clamped Natalia's shoulders. ”Darling, this is my assistant Ariadna and will be the one to take your measurement. I'll check in on you after you try your gowns on. Yes?”
He blew out air in his pursed lips, thankful when Natalia didn't put up a fight and followed Ariadna to one of the fitting rooms.
Once Ava, Olivia, and Rui were inside his office, they collectively giggled but Ava was quick to shush the rest.