Chapter 244 - Midas Touch (1/2)

That afternoon, Olivia, Maxen, Wyatt, and Oliver were busy hanging around the low-key pub the men frequented back in the day.

Upon entering the bar, the group took over the horseshoe-shaped countertop, and grabbed a stool for themselves, except for Maxen who pulled one out for Olivia before sitting himself.

The pub's doorbell kept ringing as security detail flooded the place that was still empty. Soon, a man in his early twenties stepped out behind the curtains with a frown.

Although everyone was welcome to his pub, the continuous ringing of the shopkeeper bell irked him. Why couldn't those bastards hold the f*cking door?

Just as the bartender was to curse his guests in his head one more time, the creases on his forehead smoothened into a plane.

Right in front of him were men he rarely saw, yet when he did, he sure could listen to hours of stories they brought along with them.

A smile so wide broke his face as he welcomed the group, shaking hands with each person across the countertop. ”Ollie. Wyatt. Maxen.”

”Olivia,” Olivia introduced herself.

She pulled the corners of her lips, hoping that she was smiling to ease up the weird vibe that fogged the restaurant after she raised her hand instead of shaking the bartender's extended hand.

In a beat, a burst of laughter erupted in the pub at how ridiculous Olivia and the bartender looked.

It was then that the bartender brushed off the awkwardness of the situation, moving along to serve his guests.

He grabbed tall glasses from the shelf and filled it up with the craft beer their pub was known for.

While the bartender was busy serving drinks to Ollie and Wyatt, Maxen bent a little and whispered in Olivia's ears, introducing the bartender as the owner's son.

Two glasses of beer after, the stories from the men's past haunted the pub, with Olivia listening in all ears, never missing a single story.

Oftentimes, Olivia would catch sight of her reflection in the mirrored wall, smiling or laughing along, as Wyatt took reins as the master storyteller of the group.

...

Meanwhile, back in Maxen's cabin, Ava and Emily drowned with yards of tulle that pooled on the floor. The women had to thank Finn for all the mess after the little boy spun the roll of tulle around the main floor to keep himself busy.

Slumping on the sofa with a wine glass in hand, Emily glanced at Aerith's direction.

The little one and Hunter were sitting on the floor and were hands-on with their little project. ”Oh wow, you have a talent for this,” Emily commented when Aerith lifted a willow basket to show-off.

The basket was plain and lifeless earlier, but Aerith used her fingers to adorn it with fresh flowers and leaves, breathing life into it.

It didn't surprise Emily that Aerith had a Midas touch in beautifying the things she laid her fingers on—just like Xandra.

As if hypnotized, Emily reached out for the basket, and Aerith, who was beaming with pride, passed it along.

Emily regarded the basket and then traced her sight to the little one who was unusually quiet for her age. She squeezed Aerith's shoulders and gave the little one a thumbs up.

Her heart clenched when Aerith grinned at her. There were times that she caught herself staring at the little one, wishing Aerith was her and Wyatt's daughter.