The air seems to stop. Maximus' body stiffen. He was overwhelmed by her sudden behavior. To him, it felt awkward to joke or laugh with someone. Let alone make friends and even hug? It sounds laughable to him.
When she pulled away and looked at him, he couldn't bring himself to look her in the eyes. Ella stared at him and noticed the awkwardness, and that was when she realized he was on top of his body. She quickly stood up and apologized.
"Am sorry" she kept her head down. Maximus didn't look at her, he just kept staring at the cracking fire. "I'll leave now" she mumbled. With that she walked up the stairs. She felt a pang of pain and was disappointed.
Max was still looking at the cracking fire. It was already 11: PM and Max just sat there looking at the cracking fire until it was only left with aches. But still his gaze was fixed on the spot. Motionless without even moving a muscle.
It was now morning and Max still remained there, motionless. His expression unchanged. The maids had already started their morning routines and it was now 7:am.
Everyone was up including Ella. She rushed downstairs to see the food in the kitchen as usual. Reaching downstairs she saw Maximus looking at the fireplace like a Statue.
Didn't he go to his room yesterday? Isn't that the same spot she last saw him?
That was simply unbelievable. She was about to approach him when she bombed Ace.
"Sorry" she apologized. Ace looked at her as if he was looking at a dirty baby's diapers.
"Can you just get out of my life?" And with that he walked past her. Heading straight to max direction.
"Hey, good morning," he said. "I think we should talk," he added. And that was when Max blinked. "About what?" comes his cold sharp piercing voice. Ace didn't respond immediately and just took out a cigarette and lit it. Handing it to max. Max glanced down at the cigarette before accepting it.
"What do you want?" He asked.
"Max, you know I can't stay here for long... " He trailed. "I need to settle down. You know I don't want you to be like you, I don't want to end up like you "Max chuckled.
"What's bad about ending up like me, huh. What's wrong about me"
"Everything" Ace immediately replied. Ella was busy watching from a distance up the stairs. "You are wrong Ace. The best person to be like it's me. You should be like me" he replied as smoke came out of his mouth.
"I don't want to. Look around you, which person do you see that genuinely loves you" Ace said. Max's heart sank and he closed his eyes and threw his head back. Opening his eyes, he met Ella's eyes. She was standing up the stairs looking down at them and he felt a pang of embarrassment.
Meeting his gaze, she quickly averted her gaze and walked away quickly. His gaze is fixed on her until she disappears through the door. He sat up and raised his hands to his face.
"Of course," he mumbled. "Am a monster, an animal"
"And I totally agree with you" comes a voice.
"Shot up" Max snapped in anger and Ace was taken aback. Max had never scolded him for agreeing with him, in fact he loved it.
"Why are you angry? Isn't that what you are? An animal, a monster who can never be loved and everyone needs to stay away from you" he reminded.
"So, are you even leaving me?" Max asked. Ace sat up.
"Yes of course. I don't want to end up like you" He said
This wasn't the first time this conversation was going on but this time he felt a pang of pain. Something he hadn't felt before and kind of the reason he started having the thought and the urge to be loved. If it wasn't for his pride he could've hugged his Dani girl back. This feeling felt strange right from the time he saw Dani girl he knew he had to stay away from her! And now... She even hugged him? The feeling was Indescribable And overwhelming. All he wanted to do was to hug her.
"Ok. How much do you want?" He can be rude and ruthless to other people and can even kill someone for insulting him. But this is his family. Ace and he shared the same blood no Mather the the age- gap. Ace was also a ruthless person and as such he is turning into a monster like his brother. He just wants to leave!
But then...
"One billion" Ace blurted out.
"Keep dreaming" deadpan Maximus.
"Not only are you ruthless, you are also stingy!" Ace baked. He stood up from the chair and walked away boiling with a rang.
"I won't give you a penny" and Ace helt, spinning around to look at Max. He walked back and stood in front of Max. His blood was boiling and his beautiful gray eyes were bloodshot.
"That's why no one loves you," he said in a furious tone.
"You're right. That's why I want you to become like me. How can I possibly give you my one billion casually? The list time I checked ruthless people aren't that generous"
Ace put his two hands on his head walking left and right. He ran his fingers into his polished black hair.
"You're more ruthless than I thought," he replied.
"Go to your room and don't come out" max commanded.
"No way?" he said and Max glared at him with .
Without arguing further he walked away. He has no idea why his brother was now behaving like that. He knew his brother was ruthless but not to him! Never to him. He bombs Daniella again. He looked at her in disdain. She bowed her head, keeping it down.
That was when a thought popped into Ace Head. Ever since this woman came his brother has been acting nudes.
"It's you! Why didn't I think of this earlier? I could have killed you sooner!" He said. Glaring at her. Ella just kept her head down.
"Am sorry" she was puzzled on what exactly he was talking about but she still apologized. Ace ignored her and walked away. She descended the stairs and went straight to maximus.
"Good morning, sir." She greeted me, keeping her face down. He didn't even spare a glance and her heart arch. "I already did your laundry and cleaned up your room" she informed me. And that was when he averted his gaze to her.
"I am going to cook now. What will you like me to Cook"
"Make brownies" he instructed and without looking up she nodded and left.
He hated himself for making her feel uncomfortable.
"How much is she scared of me?" he mumbled. Finally standing up, he walked with his body still stiff. He walked upstairs. After freshening up, he sat down on the bead and leaned his head on the head rest. He tried so hard to forget what happened yesterday but the more he tried the more the memory lingered.
Knock- knock
"Young master. Breakfast is ready" the housekeeper said and left. He lazily stood up and went downstairs. He went to the dining area that was perfectly arranged with lovely brownies.
"Who made this?" He asked the housekeeper. She pulled out a chair for him to sit down.
"Your personal maid, sir" she replied "I had no idea she could cook like that. If I had known I would've handed over the cooking to her "Max didn't react, he just kept his expression blank as usual. He just ate quietly.
'indeed, it tests good' he thought to himself.
"Wow!" Bella walked in. "Hello, as you know I came for Ella" she informed.
"It's too early," Max said, wiping his lips with a napkin. He stood up.
"What do you mean? We're going on a picnic today" Isabella said.
"Really!" Ella just came out from the kitchen and heard Isabella mentioned a picnic. She walked towards them. "Yes dear," Isabella replied. She stepped forward and hugged Ella. "I miss you" Ella said and Max just felt uncomfortable. He started walking away.
"Me too," Bella replied.
"So we're really going to a picnic"
"Yes. And there's a lot of people coming" Isabella replied. Max's blood boiled but he kept on walking.
"Really! Are they also handsome men" she asked and Max froze on the spot.
What about his rule? He knows she can do whatever she wants as long as she isn't inside the mansion.
"Yes of course" he heard Isabella say. "Wow, it's fun in Ghana be fun!" He heard Ella exclaim.
"Do you have a boyfriend?" Bella asked and Ella shook her head.
"Well that's a good thing because you're going to get one after this picnic" Bella said and Ella was overjoyed.
Max quickened his pace and went upstairs.
"What are you thinking?" He said running his fingers in his black hair. He couldn't believe he was acting like this just for a girl? Suddenly....
Knock -knock
"Come in," he said. It was ace.
"Max! Aunt Bella invited me to go on a picnic with her "Max was taken aback" "Aunt bella?"
"I want to start respecting my elders, and am hoping you should also come to the picnic"
"What?"