Chapter 133 - Mind Games (2/2)

Looking in his reflection in the mirror, he derided himself. On most occasions, he would jump at whatever was blocking his path—do or die. He loved the adrenaline rush that came with it, his temporary distraction from his repetitive daily schedule of smiling, hand shaking, hours of pretending that he's listening when he's really bored to death.

However, now that Olivia's in the picture, he oftentimes found himself second guessing his judgement. It's not because he's not confident of himself but it's the fact that he had to consider her feelings too.

At that moment, even when what he's about to do was for their piece of mind, he knew it would hit him back like a boomerang as it would open Olivia's old wounds in the process.

He quickly scanned the room, looking for his sister Natalia, ready to whisk her away, and his foot going to the places where his eyes wandered.

Reaching the master bedroom, he tried to open the door but found it locked. He gave the knob a good twist just to make sure it was indeed locked, and yep. It is. He took the spare keys in his pocket, inserting it into the keyhole.

”Where's Maxen?”

Konstantin's hand dropped, magnetized by Olivia's voice. It was rough and throaty but it felt like honey soothing his ears.

”I saw him enter the master bedroom.” Oliver walked by, his hands dipped in his pocket while the other held a small velvet box. It was one of his winnings that night, a three-karat canary diamond drop earrings.

Across the room, Konstantin was so entranced with Olivia, he didn't realize she was standing right in front of him.

”Hey. Sleepy?” Olivia asked, wondering why Konstantin was spacing out by the door. She gently patted his shoulder just to check if he's still breathing.

”Oh. No. I was… Uhh.. I was about to open the door when I heard you.” He jerked his thumb towards the door, his eyes never left hers.

For a brief second, Olivia saw something in it. She closed their gap, and there she saw her reflection, staring back at her. He smiled the usual smile he had—carefree and warm, somehow, she felt that maybe… Konstantin fancies her. But that's impossible. He never said anything along the lines of like or attraction.

”Ooooh. You have a present for me, Max?” Olivia gasped, a hand flew to her mouth in a dramatic mocking because tied in the seat was Natalia dressed in a leather Catwoman suit.

Her eyes wandered around the room looking for Maxen. However, just as she reached deeper inside the room, she took a step back, landing on Konstantin's hard c.h.e.s.t.

Looking up, she saw Maxen drop his hand from wiping his lipstick-stained lips.

He didn't need to say anything because what transpired in the room moments ago was glaring at them, and Maxen knew that uttering more words would just incriminate him more, so he just went on and erased what needed to be erased and forgotten.

She knew he didn't want that to happen. She knew it was all Natalia's doing. She should be angry right now but all she heard was her heart shredding into pieces.

Turning about face, thinking that Maxen needed more time to obliterate Natalia's trace on his lips, she found an odd comfort when Konstantin's hand rubbed her back.

”Natalia, what has gone into your head? This is so embarrassing.” His voice was calm yet reprimanding, and his words held so much authority as he spoke, but all he got was Natalia's scornful laughter.

He didn't say more words but the gentle strokes of his cold fingers on her skin was enough to tell her that everything would be fine.

Seeking refuge in Konstantin's shelter, she found herself gaining back her courage to face her nightmare in the form of Natalia Vasiliev.

”Thank you,” she whispered, s.u.c.k.i.n.g in the suffocating air inside the room to fill her lungs with enough air to last her that night.

A second later, the scuffle of soles on the carpeted floor stole her attention. Looking beside Konstantin's frame, she saw MIB1 holding up an electric shave, painting her face with a devious smile, and it doubled as soon as she saw Nikolai's frame.

”What the heck are you doing?” Nilkolai's voice from the threshold echoed in the room.

”Oh, you're just in time Nikolai. Want to bet who comes home crying tonight? You or Natalia? Maybe both?”