Seed of Doubt

*Beep*

The two entangled souls on the makeshift bed lay flat, frozen in their spot, looking like a starfish. They were eating each other for breakfast when the door alarm reverberated in the living room that all of a sudden everything slowed down in liquid motion.

Olivia nervously pulled the duvet over her mouth and bit it to stifle a giggle from the tickling sensation in her stomach. Maxen, however, looked like a teenage boy that was caught in the act by his parents as beads of sweat dripped from his hairline down to his chin.

He glanced at Olivia, baffled at how she looked like she was having the time of her life with the whole ordeal what with her eyes that formed into a crescent moon and her smile that reached up to her ears. Seeing her carefree demeanor, Maxen playfully pinched her nose which only made her beam brighter than the morning sun.

Maxen started to button up Olivia's halfway done shirt with one hand, making her frown when she realized how good he was with unfastening and buttoning things with one hand; however, she quickly diverted her attention to the sound of the cart's wheels as it rolled in, preventing Maxen from seeing her discomfort.

Olivia had a mischievous glint in her eyes as she held her index finger in front of her mouth and mouthed a "shhh", communicating with Maxen through her eyes to cooperate with her. She had a feeling that the people who just entered her decoy apartment were none other than Yana who had keys to both her apartments and Jack, who was always sticking around His Highness's side. She was feeling playful this morning and curious about what Yana and Jack might talk about while being unaware that they were being watched.

Meanwhile, upon entering Olivia's decoy apartment, Jack cleared his throat as he saw the hanging golden banana on the marbled island which Yana offered when she noticed the look of craving in his eyes. He bowed his head in thanks as he received the fruit from Yana and slowly peeled it asking, "Ms. Yana, would you mind if I ask you something?"

Yana was facing the cupboards, her hands were trying to reach the plates to set up the dining table. She glanced over her shoulders and saw Jack's face painted with curiosity. She stammered for a while and silently prayed that he would not ask her about MIB2. "Sure, as long as it's work-related."

"I saw you coming out of the fire escape earlier. I was wondering if you work for the lady in the penthouse suite too?" Jack asked before he took a bite from the banana, cutting the eight inch fruit it in half with his mouth thus making Yana's eyes popped out of its sockets.

Yana shook her head when her inner fujoshi or girls who loved fictional gay content sent mixed signals in her brain. She gathered her bearing and cleared her throat, unsure how to reply. Hearing that Jack had no idea that Olivia owns the penthouse suite, she just nodded her head. Well, it's true. She worked for the lady in the penthouse suite but she won't tell him that he's talking about Olivia. She made up her mind that she didn't need to divulge private information about her lady boss.

"So how is she? I heard she's a witch."

"Sssshhhh! Don't say that!" Yana's index finger flew to her mouth while her other hand covered Jack's mouth, shoving the rest of the banana down his throat. He coughed violently at Yana's assault that the little lass rushed to get him a glass of water.

The hairs on their backs raised and Jack's butthole clamped while he was drinking when out of nowhere they heard an insidious laughter haunt the room. Slowly, Yana and Jack shifted their gazes from the kitchen to the living room where they watched in horror as Olivia rose from the sofa and her face a darker shade of gray as she stood against the sunlight, laughing maniacally to their direction.

"Good morning, Ms. Olivia. Good morning, Your Highness," Yana and Jack sang in chorus.

Jack glanced at Yana, silently asking her to give him a clue how to decipher Olivia's laughter but Yana just shrugged looking like an emoji. Of course, her loyalty belongs to her lady boss, Jack thought. So he gave Olivia a sheepish smile, dispelled the unpleasant feeling that fogged his mind and went on to quietly spread breakfast on the dining table while Yana laid out the plates and cutlery.

While waiting for breakfast to be prepared, Olivia and Maxen had gone to freshen up and were now lazing on the sofa. Yana and Jack only went out to the living room to inform Olivia and Maxen that breakfast was ready after they did their due diligence of ensuring that everything was neatly and meticulously arranged on the dining table without a fault.

Upon entering the kitchen, Olivia raised her eyebrows as her eyes scanned the scrumptious breakfast spread on the dining table. 'Yana couldn't have possibly prepared all these,' she thought. Her assumptions were confirmed when Yana explained, "The royal kitchen prepared today's breakfast, Ms. Olivia."

"Oh?" Olivia responded, a hint of surprise could be heard from her tone before she pulled out a chair and sat down. Maxen grinned, wondering if he had managed to impress his lady before he took his seat opposite Olivia. As if on cue, Yana and Jack filed out of the kitchen, allowing Olivia and Maxen to enjoy their breakfast in each other's company.

...

After breakfast, Olivia had no choice but to lead Maxen to the bedroom to use the bathroom since there was only one shower in her apartment. Like a gentleman, Maxen let Olivia use the bathroom first.

Olivia was blow drying her hair when Maxen stepped out from the bathroom freshly showered and a towel wrapped around his waist. She peeked through the mirror and saw droplets of water slowly cascade down his chest as he dried his hair with another towel.

Her eyes followed his every movement, studying his body and, ok, his body language as well, as he sauntered towards the bed where his change of clothing lay. She frowned when her mind blinked red signals, prompting her not to fall prey to his V-line abs but was cut short when she heard Maxen's voice.

"I'll be away for two days but rest assured I'll be back for your birthday dinner," he said as he slid one arm at a time in each sleeve of his shirt. "And as your date, I have to pick you up too. Am I right?" He looked at her eyes through the mirror and beamed proud when he noticed she was ogling his physique.

Olivia turned to face Maxen, her eyes now devoid of any emotion pulling the beam on his face to drop.

"Why? You look weird," Maxen probed. He watched as Olivia went on with her routine and waited for her verdict.

"Ollie reserved a room for me in the hotel weeks ahead. You don't have to pick me up."

Maxen sat on the edge of the bed and grabbed Olivia's arm to keep her from walking away from him. Her silence the entire morning told him that something was bothering her so he kissed the back of her hand, and cooed, "Then… I'll drop you off at the hotel. How does that sound?"

"It's ok, Max. You don't have to trouble yourself because I have a driver, his name is Uncle Jin, and he will drop me off."

Exasperated at her constant rejection, Maxen gently dropped her hand. He angrily slipped on his oxfords and walked towards the door. He glanced at her one more time through the mirror and saw not a hint of emotion on her face so raised his voice. "Olivia, come on!"

"Whaaat?"

"Nothing! I'll wait for you outside," Maxen replied, steering clear from another impending misunderstanding. He tried to bang the door to make a statement but unfortunately it was a soft-closing door so he kicked it instead once it closed. What the heck just happened? They were ok this morning!

Olivia jerked inside the room upon hearing the thud, and shook her head. Once again, her brain chattered about how she did the right thing. Remember, he's a player, use that to your advantage, her brain said.

A slight frown painted her face because for the first time ever since she met Maxen, her heart was silent as it listened to the words of caution in her head. It was a beautiful night, Olivia. But it's only good until it lasts.

…

Out in the living room, Jack nodded his head as Maxen laid out his plans for Olivia's birthday.

"Is there anything else that I can help you with, Your Highness?"

"I want that before the weekend."

"But the weekend is in three days, Your Highness."

"No, not on the weekend. I said, I need that in two days BEFORE the weekend."

"But…" Jack's throat dried at Maxen's request. This request was definitely one for the books.

The two men snapped their heads when Olivia walked out of the bedroom and they were mesmerized by how striking she looked even in her simple ensemble of white shirt, jeans, and Gucci sneakers.

Maxen tapped Jack's shoulder, and repeated his order, "Two days, Jack. Two days." Without waiting for the latter's word, Maxen moved forward and offered his arm to Olivia.

"Shall we?"

Olivia accepted his gesture with much hesitation that her hand was suspended in the air for a second until Maxen reached out and hooked it to his folded arm.

Inside the elevator, Maxen eyed MIB1 before shifting his sight to Shadow who stood beside Olivia. He nudged MIB1 and flashed a knowing smirk to his security. Today was MIB1 and MIB2's day off but the presence of Shadow told Maxen the reason behind MIB1's unexpected attendance.

Shifting his attention, Maxen wrapped his arm around Olivia's waist which she immediately swiped off and sent him her signature look of defiance. He was starting to get really annoyed with her after his ego reminded him that never in his entire life was he pushed around by a girl.

Meanwhile, MIB1 noticed the descending number on the digital board. He could feel the vibration of the elevator floor beneath his feet and he knew it would stop at the next floor so he glanced up once again and internally cursed in his head. That floor was all too familiar not only to him but to Maxen. He fought long and hard but his curiosity got the best of him so he stole a glance at Maxen whose jaws ticked when the elevator stopped and the doors slid open.

"Good morning, Olivia."

"Sorry, forgive my memory but…"

"It's ok. We only met once in Heathrow."

"Oh, that was a half a year ago. Pardon me if I have to trouble you for your name again."

Olivia's eyes tracked the nuances of the lady and caught the latter's exaggerated hand gestures. Olivia held the fake smile on her face as an inkling feeling of what the lady and Maxen shared planted a seed of doubt in her heart.

"Fiona. Fiona Chung."