Chapter 245 - Teen Spirit (1/2)

Emily reached out to Eli's phone and pinched the screen to zoom the photo.

It was a photo of Maxen sitting on a bar stool with his chin propped on his knuckles.

Thankfully, Olivia's back was facing the camera that her identity remained a mystery.

As they say, a picture is worth a thousand words, and that was exactly what the photo delivered, and what most captions read.

In the photo, there was no denying that Maxen's eyes were shooting stars and hearts as he fixed his gaze on the woman beside him.

”Spotted: Prince Maxen's mystery lady. Will Nisia be hearing royal wedding bells soon?” Creases formed on Ava's forehead as she read the caption of the online news outlet.

”Oh shoot. Who took it? Doesn't look like it was taken by a pro.” Her eyes darted from the screen to Eli who replied with a shrug.

”A London immigrant from Nisia uploaded the photo but it got deleted right away, however it's late when it spread like wildfire the second it went online,” Eli narrated. ”I read as much news as I could on the way here.”

”Wouldn't it be a problem with the wedding tomorrow?” Ava addressed her question to Emily. ”Paparazzi will be hot on Maxen's tail now that he's under their radars.”

”Let Ollie and Wyatt figure it out,” Emily swept the issue under the rug. She wiggled Eli's phone and gushed, ”This photo is lovely. I'll have it printed so we can hang it somewhere in the cabin for tomorrow.”

”Do we need to call them?” Ava asked. ”Shouldn't we have like an emergency meeting or something?”

Sipping his tea, Eli placed it back on the saucer and shook his head. ”I'm sure Jack is working on it too. Is there anything that we needed to finish tonight for the wedding?”

”Everythiiing is set. Well, if you could offer some eggs for a fair weather tomorrow, then that would be greatly appreciateeed,” Emily tweeted.

”Thank the gods for asking eggs and not balls as an offertory.” Eli's hand flew to his c.h.e.s.t as he dramatically huffed. He scurried to the fridge and took out one egg for each hand.

Holding the eggs up, Emily, Ava, and Eli chanted, ”St. Clare, please grant us clear skies tomorrow.”

Just as the prayer ended, Finn bumped Eli, causing the egg to slip from his hand. ”Oh sh—oot. Shoot.” He almost cursed. His eyes widen for a second before switching into a positive mode. ”Relax, ladies. We still have one.”

Ava mouthed a sorry. She reached out for a paper towel to clean up the mess. While she was busy cleaning, Emily finally let go of her wine glass.

”Do you want to see my big project at the back? Let's find a nice spot for your egg outside.”

”Absolutely.” Eli grinned. He offered a hand to Emily, and the two stepped out of the cabin, leaving Ava to look after the kids inside.

Later that night, Olivia and her drunk companions were back in Ollie's London mansion.

The three men were singing slurry songs of their youth as their arms slung on each other's shoulders with Maxen sandwiched between Wyatt and Ollie.

”Brotheeers!” Ollie's voice boomed in the grand area. He yanked his arm free and hugged his friends, forming a circle. ”Let's do this again next month!”

”Just us?” Wyatt c.o.c.ked his head to the side.

”No, just us. You're not invited, Wyatt,” Ollie joked.

”Pffft! Don't go crying if you miss me, Ollie the softee!” Wyatt teased, his cheeky grin exposed his teeth so bright it shone against the softly lit room. ”Come here, let me hug you tighter so you won't miss me.”

Wyatt let go of Maxen, but paused for a second. He was holding in his chuckle as he spoke, ”And you, Maxen. Don't get jealous. Ollie might get a hug now, but you know I'll give up my life for you.”