36 Here to Stay

Up inside Olivia's decoy apartment, the two just finished brushing their teeth when Maxen walked to the kitchen and grabbed a tall glass of water, bringing it to the living room.

"Here, drink some more," he coaxed Olivia who took a sip before slinking back on the sofa.

"Aren't you supposed to go home?" she asked in a weak voice, all the nosebleed she had that day depleted her energy exponentially and it started to worry her too. She made a mental note to discuss it with her doctor on her next visit.

"I don't want to leave you alone. Not after your bleeding episode and not with you looking appetizing in my dress shirt."

Olivia rolled her eyes and kicked Maxen who crawled on top of her and wiggled his way beside her. Luckily, the sectional sofa in Olivia's living room could be converted into a queen-size bed.

"Why don't you just move in with me? You're always crashing my place," she bit the inside of her cheeks when Maxen snaked his arms and hugged her from behind. This guy is so clingy that his touch was starting to claw its way under her skin.

"Let's go to your room. This bed is uncomfortable and bad for your back."

"I told you…"

"You don't like strangers in your bedroom. Then why did you ask me to move in?

"Sarcasm, Max. The word exists in the dictionary."

"Aww! What an arse! How dare you bite me?"

"That's your punishment, baby. I'm not a stranger anymore. Not after tonight."

Olivia turned around to face the topless little prince who wrapped her in his arms. The warm cocoon feeling melted a few of her frozen walls that she built over time.

"We need to slow down, Max. We just met yesterday and you don't even know me. We're strangers to each other."

"Why? Do I make you feel uncomfortable?"

"No, as a matter of fact you don't," she said honestly.

He hugged her tighter, sniffing the scent of her hair and thought of what fruit it smelled like.

"I haven't been this sure in my life, Olivia. The moment I saw you, I knew you were the one I've been waiting for all my life," he exhaled heavily, resigned over the truth that Olivia's not ready for any long-term commitment at the moment but she's not pushing him away so that means something, right? "I just want you to give me a chance, baby."

Upon hearing his words, Olivia suddenly felt the urge to ask him something personal but bit her tongue before it's too late. Do you love me? she thought as she ran circles on his chest.

She knew he's attracted to her, that's for sure. But what if that was just something momentary and when the mystery in her is gone, he'll walk out of her life and find someone else to pepper with his attention.

"I'll give you a chance," she beamed at him which he mirrored too. His big clear blue eyes twinkle under the moonlit room taking her breath away.

Badum badum badum says her heart.

"Stop it, heart," her brain said. "Stop confusing Olivia." However, her heart seemed like it had a mind of its own, beating louder when Maxen flashed her a genuine smile.

BADUM BADUM BADUM

Olivia cleared her throat when she could hear her heartbeat ring in her ears. She would not confuse herself this time. This time, she would be in control of her feelings. So she ran her index finger on Maxen's straight-edge nose and said with a wink, "We can be friends… with benefits."

After saying her piece, she wiggled in his embrace and turned around to face the window. She didn't want to see his reaction. She didn't want to be swayed by it.

You have a plan and you have to stick to it before your time runs out, she thought to herself.

Behind her, Maxen's heart dropped and shattered. Her words left a bitter taste to the mouth. She didn't push him away but it felt like she's drawing a line between them, telling him that he would never have her heart. But why? Is she still hung up over that insolent bastard?

He was still in his anger element thinking of ways to dispose of Lance without the world knowing when he felt a hot liquid drop on his arm. He lifted his head to check Olivia's face but she was already fast asleep; her eyes closed, mouth half open, even breathing and peaceful.

Maxen wiped the lone tear on the corner of her eye, and kissed the side of her head, sniffing her apple scented hair. He hugged her closer and tighter, caging her in his embrace.

"Your next tears will be tears of joy, baby," he promised before he planted a kiss on her shoulder and whispered one more time, "I'm here to stay, Olivia. I'm here to stay."

*Pitter Patter*

*Pitter Patter*

The symphony of the rain and thunder outside didn't bother the two entangled bodies in the living room. Overnight, the small island was washed and cleansed by mother nature – a slight promise of a rainbow afterwards.

The clock hanging on the wall beside the fridge said it was five in the morning – the usual time for Maxen to wake up. However, today, unlike the rest of the days of his life, he slept like a baby, never wanting to wake up from his dream. But his body would never betray him, so his leg jerked at exactly five in the morning.

Olivia, who was a light sleeper was startled by his movement. She quickly frisked her hand under her pillow in search of something. Her heart raced ten thousand miles per minute. She started to calm down when she heard Maxen's endearment behind her.

"Mmmm… baby it's me," Maxen said. He was slightly woken up when he felt Olivia's restless shuffling on the makeshift bed. When he felt her cold fingertips caress his cheek and her breathing started to calm down, he nuzzled his face on her shoulder and inhaled the natural scent of her skin before kissing it.

*Pitter Patter*

*Pitter Patter*

The symphony of the rain and thunder outside started to fade, and the two entangled bodies laying on the sofa went back to sleep in no time.