Chapter 243 - Quiet Introspection (2/2)

Maxen squeezed Olivia's waist, snapping her out from another episode of quiet introspection.

She gave Maxen a forced smile before staring back at the horizon, occasionally clenching her teeth to prevent herself from flooding the hangar with her tears.

When Jack was out of earshot, Olivia combed Maxen's hair with her fingertips, jutting her bottom lip out, but the corners of her lips kept twitching as a wave of self-pity coursed through her veins.

Maxen's gaze softened. The back of his finger wiped the blob of a tear from the corner of her eye and asked, ”What's wrong?”

”Because…” Olivia trailed off. She sniffed and swallowed the itching lump in her throat. ”You never let me go. When I fight back, you hold onto me tighter.”

Hugging her, Maxen cupped the back of her head and pressed her face to his c.h.e.s.t. ”Like this?” he asked, the corner of his lips tipped in an understanding smile.

”Yes,” she said, choking her words as she admitted the truth. ”It's unfair for you.”

He tightened his cocoon and it was then that Olivia buried her face in his c.h.e.s.t, enough to hide her face stricken with tears of shame over her lack of maturity.

She rarely voiced out what's on her mind, however, with Maxen beside her, she felt free as a bird to express her thoughts and feelings.

”I love it when you get mad at me. It's confusing and challenging at the same time.” He chuckled when Olivia's fist landed a punch on his back.

Pulling away ever so slightly so Maxen could see Olivia's face, he pinched her chin, meeting her gaze.

Olivia tried to avoid his piercing stare, but her eyes seemed to have a mind of its own, darting back to Maxen's pools of clear blue eyes. She let herself be drowned in its clarity.

”I'm not offended with your outburst, if that's what you are worried about,” Maxen trailed off, letting go of Olivia's chin. He wrapped his arms around Olivia's waist and leaned down to her eye level. ”As I've said, you just have to loosen up a bit, especially when you're around me. Mmm?”

She felt her throat constrict, blocking the words from leaving her mouth, so she nodded her head to respond to Maxen.

”I need to hear your answer, baby. I need you to hear yourself.”

”I will try to hang loose,” she cracked up. She held up her hand and gave Maxen a shaka sign.

”Where did you pick that up?”

”Aerith. She loves gesturing with her hands when she talks.”

”Oh.” The vowel escaped Maxen's mouth. He wanted to say more, but Wyatt waved his hand in the air, calling for Maxen's attention. ”Okay. I think Ollie just landed.”

He peeled himself from Olivia and entwined their hands. As they walked towards Wyatt's location, he bent and whispered in Olivia's ear. ”Get ready for your punishment later.”

A smirk curved his lips as he felt her shiver in her spot.

”I'm a bad girl, Your Highness. I'll accept any punishment from you.” She mirrored the smirk on Maxen's face, taking up his challenge.