REBORN: MEET MY BROTHERS-Chapter 28: HE ISN’T SO BAD

Strands of Ava’s hair whipped across her face as she stared outside the window, the cool breeze teasing her skin. She’d asked Maximus to lower the glass earlier, and despite his initial hesitation as he worried she might catch a cold, he’d relented before he could even think it through.

There was something about Ava’s voice when she spoke, something that made him weak in ways he couldn’t explain.

The glass wasn’t rolled down completely, just enough to let her enjoy the breeze while keeping the worst of the cold at bay. Still, he couldn’t help but steal glances at her.

Maximus smiled as a thought crawled into his mind: he would take Ava for more outings like this, more moments that would light up her face with such quiet joy. His little wife deserved to feel free, even if it was just for a while.

When the car slowed to a stop in front of Quinn’s tower, Maximus was the first to step out of the car. Lucas moved to open the door for Ava, but before he could, Maximus was already there, holding out his hand. 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝒆𝔀𝒆𝙗𝓷𝒐𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝓶

Ava blinked up at him, not knowing how to feel with his little gentleman gestures. Reluctantly, she placed her hand in his. As her fingers brushed against his warm palm, her chest tightened for weird reasons she couldn’t comprehend. Was she moved by his tenderness?

She almost laughed at her own thoughts. There was no way she was moved by Maximus. "Thank you," she said softly as she stood by his side. She doubted everything, yet, her cheeks warmed slightly as his fingers lingered on hers for just a moment longer than necessary.

Without saying anything, Maximus stepped closer, and they walked side by side into the building. While Maximus looked unbothered by the people in the lobby, Ava seemed to notice the change in the atmosphere at their presence.

The men greeted with respect, while some ladies straightened themselves, adjusting their clothes in a provocative way while they greeted him. Were they trying to get his attention?

Ava looked back at Maximus who didn’t even notice them with a small smile. She wouldn’t blame them for their actions though. Maximus had his charms she would never downgrade. He was perfect everywhere -- his face, his build, his height... She thought about how nice he’d been since they met. ...his attitude too. He isn’t so bad.

They got to the top floor, and on their way out of the elevator, they met Ethan who stood close to the door, waiting for Maximus. He’d been informed of their presence the moment they stepped feet into the building.

On seeing them, Ethan’s face brightened. "Mr. Quinn, he’s waiting for you in the conference room, just like you instructed," he said.

Maximus nodded before his eyes shifted to Ava. He held her shoulders. "This won’t take long. I just need to meet with someone," he said softly, feeling guilty that he had to leave her.

When he’d picked her up from school earlier, he made reservations in one of his favorite restaurants for them to have lunch together, but Ethan had called on their way, saying there was an emergency at the company that he couldn’t handle.

Unfortunately, one of their major investors that just flew into the country had asked to meet with Maximus regarding an important issue that needed his attention. Since the man’s flight was only an hour later, he couldn’t turn down the request and had to bring Ava here.

Ava nodded softly. "Ethan will be with you to take care of you," Maximus added before he turned to his PA. "Take her to my office, Ethan. And take care of her," he instructed before leaving.

Ava watched the distance between Maximus and her stretch, before she followed Ethan who led her away from the elevator. "Allow me apologize for intruding on your private time, Miss Whitlock," he said as he pushed open the door to Maximus’s office. "I never intended to, but the situation that came up forced my hands."

Still standing outside, Ava’s eyes slowly wandered around the sleek office. Everything screamed Maximus, from the dark mahogany desk to the floor-to-ceiling windows that framed the city skyline like a masterpiece.

"There’s no need to apologize, Mr. Ethan," Ava finally said, stepping inside. "It’s not your fault that he’s always in demand."

Ethan paused, studying her carefully before offering a polite smile. "Mr. Quinn holds a lot of responsibility on his shoulders. But I assure you, his priorities... shift when you’re involved."

He took the lead and offered her a seat. "Also, you don’t have to use any formalities with me. Just call me Ethan," he said with a smile.

Ava sat down, crossing her legs casually. "Sure, Ethan. I find the Mr. weird too," she said with a half-smile, earning a quick smile from him.

"What should I offer you? Tea? Coffee?" When he saw Ava’s disapproving face from his options, "Juice?" He pushed, and she smiled.

"Preferably orange," she agreed. "I want it cold. Thank you."

Ethan nodded and placed a call to Maximus’s secretary.

Barely five minutes later, a girl walked in with Ava’s request and placed it in front of her. Ava murmured a "thank you," before proceeding to take a sip from her.

The door closed behind the girl, but abruptly opened again as the girl entered with desperation on her face. "I am so sorry, Mr. Ethan, but Mrs. Quinn is h--"

"I’m disappointed, Chloe," A lady’s voice cut her off. "Why are you informing him that I’m here?" She asked disappointedly, as she stepped into he room.

Chloe stepped aside, bowing softly. "I’m sorry, Mrs. Quinn," she apologized immediately.

Ava’s eyes snapped to the beautiful lady entering the room, who looked like she was in her early thirties. Dressed in a tailored designer dress that hugged her body, she looked nothing short to a celebrity. Ava wondered if she was Maximus’s sister since she was also a Quinn.

The lady walked up to Ethan with a small smile plastered on her face. "I’m hurt, Ethan. I can’t believe I can’t even surprise my own child."

On hearing the word child, Ava’s jaw almost dropped. Was she Maximus’s mother?

"I’m so sorry, Mrs. Quinn." Ethan held her hands to comfort her as he led her to the couch opposite Ava. "Chloe was just doing her job. You know how much Maximus hates surprise visits," he explained, but when he saw her face dull even more, he pushed. "If it’ll make you feel any better, I can help with the next surprise."

On hearing this, the woman smiled. "That’s so lovely of you, Ethan," she said happily.

It was only after Ethan’s promise that her blue eyes fell on Ava who sat opposite from her. Not knowing how to react, Ava swallowed, suddenly feeling tensed. She wasn’t supposed to meet any of Maximus’s family, especially his mother, at least not now, or even ever.

For a moment, she said nothing, other than stare at Ava, studying her face, but then a sweet smile formed on her face as she turned to Ethan, stunning Ava. Somehow, Ava wasn’t expecting the woman to react this way, because mother’s always seemed to hate her. "Maximus has a guest, that’s rare," she said. "Who’s she, Ethan?"

Before Ethan could respond, Ava beat him to it. "I’m Ava, Mrs. Quinn," she said softly.

The woman smiled at Ava’s confidence. It had been a long time since someone spoke to her so confidently, even after knowing her personality. "Call me Evelyn," she said sweetly, stunning Ava even more.

Her eyes immediately flickered to Maximus’s desk, before landing on Ethan. "Where’s Maximus?"

Ethan rubbed the back of his head. "He’s having a meeting with Mr. Blackwood."

Evelyn sighed softly. "He still doesn’t know how to treat his guests," she murmured, but smiled again as her eyes fell on Ava. "I’m so very sorry, Ava. I thought Maximus better than abandoning his beautiful guests in his office. All he knows how to do is work," she complained.

’He didn’t abandon me,’ Ava wanted to say, but she held her tongue. It wasn’t proper etiquette to argue with someone she just met. "You don’t have to apologize, Evelyn. I really don’t mind," Ava said with a smile.

.

By the time Maximus was done with Mr. Blackwood, the time had stretched longer than he intended. He didn’t even have Mr. Blackwood escorted out of the building. How could he when he left his little wife in his office? He said his farewell when the man walked into the elevator, and asked some men accompany him downstairs.

When Maximus stepped into the office, the sight before him froze him in place for a split second. "Where’s Ava?" He asked when he noticed that only Ethan was inside, when he was supposed to be watching his little wife.

Ethan sighed softly. "Your mother was here, Maximus."

Maximus’s brow rose. "So what if she was here?"

"She took Miss Whitlock away."