Chapter 181 - Plan In Place (2/2)

”Trust me, baby. You're a natural. Really? You're stressed about a quiz? Shouldn't it be the quiz stressing about you because for sure you will ace it and smash it.”

A slow smile curved Olivia's lips. She took Maxen's hand that was resting on her belly and bit his index finger. ”Stop patronizing me. It's bad for my big ego.”

Maxen buried his face on the side of her head, sniffing her hair. ”I'm not. I'm telling you the truth.”

The convoy was nearing the mall when it suddenly alarmed Maxen. He didn't like the idea of Olivia being visible to the public not when there was a threat lurking behind the shadows.

However, his wife badly needed the company of other people especially now after what happened last week. ”I'll be up in Ollie's office waiting for you and please, not too much walking around shopping,” he informed Olivia who was now fixing her make-up.

Clamming her compact mirror shut, she puckered up her lips in front of Maxen, kissing him on the lips thereafter. ”I'll be having a dry run of Sir Abbott's lessons tonight so I won't be out really late. And don't worry about privacy because Ava said she booked the entire restaurant for us, so it'll be just the three of us inside. Give us two hours. We will pop-in Ollie's office after. Okay?”

Nodding his head, Maxen checked everything on Olivia: her earpiece, the tracker in her watch, and the panic button disguised as an orchid pin in her blouse.

She should have a mic on her but because of the nature of her work, the Royal Security Team and Maxen agreed to her terms of wearing a panic button instead of a mic.

”Okay, you're good to go.” Maxen eyed Olivia from head to toe. He kneaded her h.i.p.s and pressed her to his c.h.e.s.t, grinning as their eyes met. ”Just one last smooch before you leave.”

After twenty minutes, all thanks to Maxen's refusal to let her go, Olivia arrived at the restaurant that Ava had booked for the gal pals.

”Gosh. Do you want to bet that we will hear royal baby news before the year ends?” Emily uttered under her breath. She took a sip of her mimosa, closing her eyes in appreciation of the zing as it made a line on her throat as she swallowed her drink.

Ava snorted in her seat. She covered her nose with the length of her index finger, bowing to hide the smile that painted her face.

”Gosh. Maxen won't let me go,” Olivia said as she sat down on a chair across from Emily. She looked around the place and loved the oasis theme going on inside, and nodded in appreciation. ”Is this place new? This is my first time here.”

Ava giddily bobbed her head. ”Do you like it? It's one of my projects to keep me busy, actually. This is my mom's restaurant and she gave me the free reins to do whatever I want.”

Olivia's hearing heightened. She took the opportunity to speak before Emily got to open her mouth. ”Do you want to help me with my project too? It's just a small one.”

”Sure. Is it your condo? I have a nice idea for condos. We have to maximize the view and…”

Olivia raised her hand in a stop, interrupting Ava's speech that was laced with nothing but excitement.

”I was thinking about Notios, but if you want to work on Rockaway too, that would be fantastic.”

”Eh?” Ava tilted her head to the side, wondering if she should accept Olivia's invitation, her beady eyes narrowed at her sister-in-law who was smiling sweetly at her which raised goosebumps all over Ava's body. ”That's a mansion, Livi. You need to pay me for my services.”

”Ha!” Emily chuckled in her seat. She patted Ava's back and smiled broadly like a proud mother hen. ”Dearest Ava is learning. Usually, she would just say yes. I'm proud of you sis!”

Scoffing at Emily, Olivia trained her gaze back to Ava. ”I'll be your first 'royal' customer. That would give your profile a big boost if you wanted to take interior designing seriously.”

”But people didn't know you're a royal yet, Livi. Not even Ollie knows you're married, and me… I just found out about it last week which is why I invited you guys here to celebrate Olivia's marriage. Yey!” She gestured for a staff to come over.

Three heads snapped to the sound where the rolling wheels were coming from. Right before their very eyes was a tray full of assorted plants.