Chapter 284 - Stumbled Into Something (1/2)

Later that night, featherlight steps brushed on the carpeted floor.

It was ten in the evening, and Maxen didn't waste time snaking his way to the master bedroom where he guessed Olivia could be.

True to his instinct, Olivia was deep in slumber, her hand tucked under the pillow while her leg crossed over to Maxen's side of the bed.

Silently, Maxen went to the ensuite so as not to disturb Olivia's sleep for she rarely had a full rest at night, especially when her nightmares come and hunt her, leaving her awake for an hour or two in the wee hours of the morning.

After he showered the remnants of the day off of his body, Maxen then headed to the bed, peeling the duvet so he could slide under it.

Turning his body to his side to face Olivia, he planted a soft kiss on her lips and sighed at the cast of serenity on her face.

She didn't sport the same air last night. Looking at her now, it was as if a heavy weight was lifted off of her shoulders in the span of a day.

As usual, Maxen slid his arm under Olivia's neck and scooped her closer to him.

He wrapped her in his cocoon and smiled when she started rubbing her foot on his leg.

”Max?” she croaked with her eyes closed.

”Yes, it's me.”

”Welcome home.”

Home. He never considered Notios Estate as his home for years. To him, the place was nothing but a place he could take shelter from. It never gave the warmth of a home to him.

It was why back then, he would rather stay at the penthouse suite in Rockaway which also happened to be his favorite amongst all the properties he had.

It was custom-built to his preferences, and it gave him the liberty to move around the country easily.

Things changed, however, when Maxen and Olivia started living together. May it be in Notios Estate or Rockaway Tower, or a silly cabin in the heart of a forest, to Maxen, anywhere with Olivia was home.

A smile ghosted Maxen's lips when Olivia's lashes fluttered dreamily in an attempt to open her eyes but failed.

Burying her face on Maxen's c.h.e.s.t, Olivia asked, ”Why did you change your password?”

”We've been changing it daily for security purposes. Someone is trying to hack deep into our system, but you have nothing to worry about.”

”Mmmm.” Olivia stirred in her sleep, and a soft snore escaped her lips, telling Maxen that she went back to dreamland.

A flying shadow crossed their window, heightening Maxen's senses. On instinct, his arms tightened its coil on Olivia, pressing her deeper into his c.h.e.s.t.

He knew it was a night owl taking flight, but with the way things were going in the War Room, he couldn't let his guard down, especially when their lives were at stake.

Weeks ago, they agreed about their sleeping arrangements, that until the security issue of the Suis was handled, Olivia would be staying with Oliver in the meantime.