Chapter 217 - Apple of His Eye (1/2)
”Surpriiiiiise!” a voice as sweet as honey echoed from the grand room, stealing Maxen and Olivia's attention. They were ready to hit the sack and the lights in their room were already off. Just as Maxen peeled himself from the bed, another voice filled the room.
Husband and wife then listened as more steps rustled against the marble floor and wheels rollings against it could be heard. They angled their ears closer towards the door's direction and to their surprise, they heard a familiar voice—one that is reeking with so much agitation it could only belong to one person.
”That royal asshole! I told him not to use the master bedroom! I knew it! I knew he wouldn't listen to me.”
”Sweetie, leave them alone. They might be sleeping already. There are six more rooms upstairs for us. We can take the one on the second floor.”
Scrunching her nose, Olivia swung her legs off the bed, walking barefoot towards the door, pausing when she heard Maxen growl, peering down at her.
It was a nasty habit of hers, walking barefoot every time she's wearing her bedtime clothes. She loved the way the cold flooring kissed her soles, reminding her to keep her feet on the ground no matter how high she soared.
”Oopsy daisy,” she said, grinning at Maxen.
”Seriously? Why do I always have to remind you?”
”That's why I married you so I have someone to remind me,” she bit back, slipping a tongue out when he playfully slapped her bottoms as she walked on tippy-toes back to the bed and slid one foot after another on each of her fluffy slippers.
Waiting for her by the door, Maxen opened it as soon as Olivia made her way towards him. He held it often, gesturing for Olivia to go out first, and held the small of her back as she strode past him.
”Wooooow! Didn't know everyone signed up for a field trip,” Maxen commented when his sight landed on Wyatt and his daughter, Aerith, who was also in attendance along with Emily, and Ollie and his little family.
He scratched the skin above his brows and let out a heavy sigh. What a downer. He thought he could have his wife all for himself for a week, but by the looks of it, their uninvited guests had invaded their short break away from the hullabaloo in Nisia.
The creases on his forehead deepened when his wife darted away from him, looking giddy as she hugged and welcomed the intruders with open arms, starting with Emily then moving next with Ava who was holding out Finn. Out from the corner of his eye, he saw her patting Aerith's head too.
”Earth calling, Max!” Emily snapped him out from his transfixion on Olivia. ”I said it was Ollie's idea to sneak attack.” Emily laid the blame on Ollie. After all, it was really his idea to surprise Maxen and Olivia under the guise of a free trip using his newly acquired jet. ”Ollie said he has a conference and we can go for a joyride in his new jet.”
”Wow. How could you not inform me about it, Ollie? You invited friends, but not your sister? I could have saved some money,” Olivia complained and her eyes squinted, sending daggers towards Ollie's way.
”But I want to surprise you, my ever lovely Livi darling,” Oliver chuckled, squeezing Olivia for a hug. He g.r.o.a.n.e.d when what he got was Olivia bumping her head on his chin.
Olivia raised a brow on Ollie, too slanted, it was obvious she was accusing him of deceiving no one but himself. ”Are you really sure you want to surprise me or you just want to annoy Maxen?”
Holding a hand up, she tilted her head to the side when she realized something. ”Hold up. Are we in the same conference?” Olivia asked and pushed Oliver away from her.
”ODSC?” Oliver c.o.c.ked an eyebrow to which Olivia nodded. ”We're in the same conference, I guess.” he shrugged.
”We can go in together then and save gas, so you won't be late again.”
”This trip was planned months ago. We won't be flying in late if a certain prince didn't bump our flight last minute. And for your information, when Maxen told me he'd like to borrow my place, I agreed to it just to surprise you guys and look at what welcomed me! Another betrayal from the snake!” he snarled towards Maxen's direction and veins embossed his neck at the intensity of his rage.