REBORN: MEET MY BROTHERS-Chapter 51: A LITTLE TALK

Maximus glanced at his wristwatch for the fourth time since he took a seat inside the living room. While it bothered him that Matilda had been smiling at him since they got here, he had to remind himself that she was Ava’s mother and for his little wife’s sake, the least he could do was endure.

Matilda quickly excused herself, and walked to Wadsworth who stood right outside the room. "Fiddlestick, call Sasha right away. And inform her of our guest," she instructed.

Fiddlestick nodded softly before leaving to do what was ordered.

"And Fiddlestick..." He turned sharply to her. "...make sure Ava isn’t aware that Mr. Quinn is here."

"Yes, ma’am."

Inside the room, a maid set a cup of tea on the table in front of Maximus about the same time Matilda walked into the room. Noticing the Lady’s presence, she bowed and also placed a tea in front of Matilda. She took her last bow before leaving the room.

"It’s chamomile tea," Matilda said charmingly. "It should help with fatigue from your jet lag. I am aware you just returned to the country."

Maximus took a sip. "Yes, I just did." He set the cup down gently. "I’m just a little stunned how you managed to find out about my schedule." 𝒻𝑟𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝑛𝘰𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝘤𝘰𝘮

Matilda smiled nervously. "You can’t blame me, Mr. Quinn. Gossips travel faster than wildfire in this city, especially one that involves a Quinn. I just happen to stumble upon one of these gossips."

"Oh," he responded nonchalantly.

Exhaling sharply, Maximus took another look at his watch. It read 11:04 pm. When he arrived in the country not too long ago, spending the evening in the Whitlock’s mansion, and having an undesired conversation with his little wife’s mother was not on his to-do list.

He’d only hoped to see his little wife whom he’d been away from for far too long, precisely two weeks. He took another sip of his tea.

"Since you’re here, Mr. Quinn, I want to apologize once more in person for what happened at the party and at my home the last time you visited," Matilda said softly. "I sent an apology package to the Quinn’s mansion two weeks ago. You’re a busy man and I understand you haven’t had the chance to go through it, but I hope this shows my level of sincerity."

Maximus’s eyes lingered on her long enough to make her look away. "Let’s not ruin my evening by dwelling on the past," he said nonchalantly.

Matilda nodded nervously, "Of course, Mr. Quinn," she said timidly. "I just hope that one day you’ll be able to let go of the grudge."

Maximus didn’t utter a word. He just took another sip of his tea while staring at her which made her very uncomfortable.

The footsteps from down the stairs attracted both their attention, and Matilda had never been more grateful for Sasha’s presence. Maximus only looked in her direction cause he thought it was his little wife but when he saw Sasha instead, he turned back to his tea.

"Good evening, Mr. Quinn," Sasha greeted politely as she got to where they stood. "It’s such a pleasure that you’re here."

Taking another sip, Maximus finally looked her way. "I’m only here because of Ava," he said dryly.

While Matilda’s face twisted slightly, Sasha tried to maintain her smile even if her lips quivered in anger. "Ava is asleep though," she said, taking a seat beside Matilda. "She claims to have had a long day."

When Maximus looked at Matilda, she nodded approvingly, placing a hand delicately on Sasha’s thighs. "Ava has always been very lazy. She gets tired easily too. Responsibility doesn’t come naturally to her, I’m afraid," Matilda badmouthed.

When Maximus didn’t say anything, she sighed exasperatedly. "You know she didn’t grow up here?" She continued, "And I suppose it’s partly my fault for not finding her sooner, but her adoptive parents did a terrible job in raising her."

"They probably indulged her so much as a child that now she lacks the maturity to handle certain things like social responsibilities..." Matilda delibrately trailed off. "...or even the Quinn’s enterprise."

Maximus’s eyes narrowed as he took another sip of his tea. Are they trying to badmouth his little wife?

"So Ava didn’t grow up here?" He asked, suddenly interested.

"Yes," Sasha responded immediately. "And I know you’re thinking that my mother is trying to criticize Ava, but it’s actually the opposite," she added timidly. "You know Mr. Quinn, you’re a very good person, and my conscience won’t take it if I don’t tell you this."

Sasha looked at Matilda briefly before her eyes returned to his face. "Since Ava got to this mansion, all she’s done is cause trouble for everyone here." She looked at Matilda again, this time timidly, like she was seeking permission to say more and when her mother squeezed on her shoulder, she turned back to Maximus.

Maximus took note of every detail.

"Everyone in this family have done nothing other than welcome her, but she takes our niceness for granted, abuse us daily whenever mother, father, and my brothers try to correct her, and she..." She trailed off, taking a deep breath like she was holding herself back. "...she even publicly humiliates us. There was even a time she delibrately almost killed us during dinner with excessive pepper."

Maximus fought the urge to laugh at her last statement, but he couldn’t contain the small smile that tugged at his lips. He was no fool. He’d seen the way his little wife’s family treated her, and for a while, he was afraid that they bullied his little wife here. Hearing all of these things, he’d never been more proud of his little wife.

Maximus picked up his teacup again and took a slow sip before leaning back on his chair. "So, Ava has been nothing other than a troublemaker since she arrived?"

Sasha nodded fervently, a little too eager, but quickly stopped herself when Matilda placed her hand on her thighs again.

"Mr. Quinn," Matilda began, "Ava is my daughter and I love her regardless of whether or not she doesn’t listen, is disrespectful, and sometimes, a little cruel. I also only wish for her to succeed, and --perhaps take some pointers from her sister, Sasha."

She exhaled softly. "Sasha is someone who understands the importance of maintaining decorum, and can support someone without causing unnecessary drama. And you, Mr. Quinn, deserves the very best."

Maximus smirked. "How considerate of you, Miss Whitlock. And you as well, Sasha," he added, glancing at her briefly. "It’s touching how you both seem to care about me."

Sasha blushed when he looked at her. "We only care about your happiness, Mr. Quinn."

"And," Matilda butted in. "Marriage is a big deal. Just like my daughter said earlier, our conscience wouldn’t take it if we didn’t give you an insight of what you’re about to get involved with."

"Hmmm," Maximus nodded softly. "Honestly, I wouldn’t deny that Ava is a little bit stubborn."

Matilda and Sasha smiled.

"And while it’s frustrating at times, I find it undeniably cute at all time."

They both exchanged confused glances. They’d expected something different from Maximus.

"As a Quinn," Maximus continued, "People are always so pathetic around me. Always kissing my feet, just to gain a little favor." He laughed sardonically, forcing Matilda and Sasha to exchange another glance.

"Ava is the first person to have ever said no to me. She didn’t need to pretend or maintain decorum. That is why..." He deliberately trailed. A small smile formed on his lips as he thought of his little wife. "...she’s my fiancee and we’re getting married soon. We received your proposal, Mrs. Whitlock."

Matilda smiled tightly. "Mr. Quinn-"

"I only came in because I was hoping to see Ava," he interrupted smoothly. "Since she’s asleep, I’ll be taking my leave." He stood to his feet before Matilda could interject.

"And you don’t have to bother seeing me out," Maximus said dryly. "Do have a wonderful evening." His eyes moved between the two ladies before he walked out of the room.

Ava smiled and stood up from the stairs where she’d been sitting and listening to their conversation when she heard Maximus’s steps fading.

.

The sleek, black Bugatti rolled to a stop in front of a penthouse. Maximus adjusted his cufflinks as he stepped out and walked into the building.

Inside the expansive living room, Ethan sat casually on the couch. His head was bent over his phone, and his fingers occasionally scrolled across the screen.

Without a word, Maximus picked up a nearby pillow and threw it at him. The moment the pillow smacked Ethan in his face, he flinched, and his phone slipped from his hand to the plush carpet. His eyes shot up in alarm, but when they landed on Maximus who now sat across from him, he relaxed.

"When did you get here?" Ethan asked, picking up his phone.

Maximus arched an eyebrow. "Long enough to see you’ve lost your touch. I’ve been standing by the door for a while and you didn’t even notice. Is this what old age do to people?"

Ethan fought the urge to roll his eyes. "We’re basically the same age, Max," he mocked. "And I was distracted by this." He turned his screen to Maximus who looked at it nonchalantly at first, but when his eyes fell on the familiar girl, they darkened.

It was his little wife.

He recognized the girl that stood in front of her, almost poking her eyes. It was Sasha.

"This happened hours ago. One of my men sent it to me," Ethan explained.

Maximus’s eyes narrowed. "And I’m just finding out about it?"