Olivia Sparks

Olivia itched to call him and so she did. "Ask me one more time and I might say yes to you," Olivia spoke, making her way out of the breakfast room to the foyer.

She smirked when Maxen was stunned to silence. She could vision the gears in his mind work twice the capacity as he thought long and hard on what to reply at her offer.

"Sure. Just so you know, when the time comes that I pop the question, you will be saying yes to me."

"Wow. I love your confidence. So s.e.xy." She smiled upon hearing him chuckle over the line.

"Okay, baby. I have to go now. I'll see you in a bit."

The two ended their call, and Olivia tucked her phone in her purse. She stopped by a big mirror to check her reflection one more time, puckering up in satisfaction with what she saw.

Taking into consideration the swinging Spring temperature in New York City, Olivia opted for a silk strappy maxi dress that follows her every nuance. Shadow held up a beige trench coat for her which she easily slipped into. 

"Thank you," she uttered, smiling at Shadow who was now holding the door open for her.

Whilst on the car ride to midtown, Olivia drowned herself on phone calls with Secretary Gail. She had to push back all her schedule for half a month because of her minor operation. 

If it's up to her, she would still report in her office, but according to her after-care notes, her face would be swollen for a good week. And facing clients with a swollen face was bad for business.

"We're here, President," Shadow announced. The car pulled over by the curb and she alighted the car first to hold the door open for Olivia. Walking towards the concierge, she mentioned Olivia's name.

"Just a second," the staff replied, stealing a glance at Olivia to validate if the picture on the screen matches her face. "Here you go. Just punch it in the key reader and it will take you to your floor. Have a nice day ahead."

Ushering her boss to the elevator, Shadow beeped the card, walking behind Olivia at all times. It didn't take long for them to reach their destination. It was a rooftop bar that had an unobstructed view of Central Park, and a panoramic view of Manhattan skyline.

As though waiting for her arrival, a restaurant staff was standing by the elevator, beaming at them. "Good Morning, Ms. Lin. My name is Jazz, and I'll be your host this afternoon," he greeted, gesturing towards the door that would lead to an alfresco restaurant.

A piece of soft instrumental music from the live band welcomed them as they went outside the open-sky restaurant where a single table was set. Of course, he booked the whole place for them that afternoon.

Her toes tapped, dancing along with the beats of the live music. She didn't notice Maxen walking behind her with a bouquet of flowers in his hand. The soft hues of pink and purple blended with ivory roses and a few stems of eucalyptus were tied with a pocket square… his pocket square to be exact.

"Beautiful flowers for a beautiful lady," his lips c.a.r.e.s.sed the shell of her ears as he whispered, placing the bouquet in front of her face.

"Maxen!" Olivia seethed, eyeing the flowers in his hand. "Whose garden did you loot this time?"

"The mayor's. I told you he's a good friend." He winked, painting a blush on her face.

She accepted his lovely surprise, sniffing on the bunch of fresh blooms. "Thank you, it smells good too." 

"Nothing smells as good as you. I have to remind Jack to buy more of that brand later. It was a quick request, and they couldn't find the one that you're using," he commented, seating down across from Olivia.

"We're using," Olivia corrected, just in case he forgot he's been using her skincare ever since they moved in together. 

Jazz the restaurant staff started the lunch service, left on cue, wine bottle in hand.

"I almost had a breakdown last night." Olivia swallowed, her eyes trained downward as she sliced through the steak on her plate. She didn't know if she should tell him about it, but she felt like coming honest about it would lift the weight off of her c.h.e.s.t, so she did let it all out.

"I'm all ears." He reached for her hand which she accepted with an open palm. She dropped the knife on her hand, taking in the warmth of his skin as he squeezed her hand. 

All the while maintaining eye contact, she took a sip of her wine to calm her nerves, placing it down after. "I lined up all the bottles in the sink and uncapped everything. Then I realized you must have asked somebody to purchase things for me, and I hate it. I hate myself for feeling that way towards you."

"It's ok, baby. We have all the time in the world to work on all our issues. Yes, our. I am partly to blame too."

"Max," she breathed out, locking gazes with Maxen. She didn't know how to respond to him.

He admitted, "Honestly, the long flight from Nisia to New York had me thinking too. It wasn't your fault if you would jump into conclusions at every corner because of your past experiences and if I don't have a bad record with girls, you wouldn't feel that way too."

"Stop taking the blame away from me. You're spoiling me rotten."

"I intend to with every chance that I get and I hope you're relieved after smashing those bells."

Olivia's laughter was carried along by the wind that blew past. "I did." She smiled, not a hint of remorse evident on her face. 

"I have a question though. Why didn't you take the whole bracelet?"

"I remember her saying it was from her dad. I don't want to be the bad guy who stole something as sentimental as that. The bells are enough for me."

Maxen nodded his head. He should have done that a long time ago after they made up but he was too occupied with thoughts of Olivia that he didn't bother to extricate that one thing that links him to Fiona.

He had to give props to Olivia for coming up with that plan, so even though it involved breaking the law with a little help from Shadow, he could turn a blind eye on it. It's not like he hadn't done something as petty as what she did anyway.

Their date went the way Maxen had initially planned for their canceled dinner date two nights ago. As he took a sip of his wine, he thought this was actually even better with them talking about the things they've been ignoring.

He was listening as Olivia mumbled things in her seat while half drinking in her youthful form. She was six years younger than him, and it must be that why he was more understanding of her mood swings.

"You're not listening to me," Olivia huffed, kicking his shin under the table.

"What? I am. You said, your schedule is clear for the next two weeks. See?" He tipped his wine glass, sending a toast to prove his point.

"I guess you are, but you don't look like it. If I'm a butter, I would be melting with the way you're staring at me."

"OOP! I like this song." Maxen placed his wine glass on the table. He stood up, offering a hand to Olivia. "Would you like to dance?" He asked in his smooth Spanish voice, it sent tingles in Olivia's body.

"Take the lead," she responded in Italian to challenge how many languages they both could speak.

"Mon amour. Mon précieux. Mon Olivia. Mon cœur t'appartient," Maxen's c.h.e.s.t rambled in glee seeing Olivia fl.u.s.tered as she processed what he just said. 

My love. My precious. My Olivia. My heart belongs to you.

The two found themselves dancing in front of the live band where the lead singer was singing Me Quedo Contigo, his suave voice like silk drifting in the air.

They danced in rhythm with Maxen most of the time taking charge, twirling Olivia in every direction his arm would go along with the music. Her silk maxi dress danced like a flame along with her every move.

The smiles on their faces never left as they let the energy of the ensemble took over them.

Forehead pressed together, they cupped each other's faces as their joined h.i.p.s swayed to the sensual and soulful combination of string guitar and conga in a salsa dance.

Maxen kissed her temples, singing along with the song.

~Y si tú me quieres

Sin pensarlo, me quedo a tu lado

¿Qué es lo que hiciste, mujer?

Que estoy tan enamora'o~

As the song was to reach its end, Maxen twirled Olivia, dipping half of her body at the last beat of the conga.