Chapter 34: 34. Goodness me!
"Back to earth, Max!" Lois said, and Max actually jolted back, slightly startled, and Lois couldn't hold her laughter anymore. Miriam was done performing now, and the crowd was cheering loudly for her, so her laughter was swallowed by the loud noise.
"Why are you looking as though you've seen an alien drop from the sky? And at least you could have closed your mouth while ogling at her. You nearly drooled on the table. See?" Lois pointed to the left side of his mouth with her chin, trying as much as possible to stifle the laughter that was threatening to break through her lips. She was clearly amused by Maxwell's reaction right now.
Maxwell reflexively pursed his lips and touched the side of his mouth to wide the drool, only to realise that his sister was actually pulling his legs. Lois couldn't hold herself any longer as she threw her head back and laughed. Maxwell glared at her and picked his glass to his mouth, trying to hide his red face behind the glass. But Lois caught a glimpse of his red ears.
"Gasp! Are you blushing?" Lois seemed to be enjoying herself teasing him, because Maxwell's face actually turned a deeper shade of red, from embarrassment. A light giggle left his lips. He couldn't believe himself to be this affected by a lady. Her sister was right to tease him. She had every right.
"She's beautiful..." He said when her laughter died down.
"What?!" Lois gasped with eyes widened.
"I mean she sang beautifully." He said after clearing his throat
"Just that?" Lois asked with a sceptical look.
"Yeah. What else?" Maxwell asked, confused by the weird look his sister was giving him. "And what's with that look?"
"You almost drooled. You were looking at her like you've been struck by thunder. Obvoiusly its not only about how she sang?" Lois chirped and laughed.
Maxwell looked away and scratched the back of his neck. Was it that obvious? He had indeed been struck by her beauty. And for some moment he felt like there was no one else in the place but just the two of them.
He turned back and focused his attention on the stage. The kids were now presenting a gift to Miriam. It was a wrapped box, average in size, and they had urged her to open it there in front of everyone. The box weighed a bit lighter, and Miriam couldn't really guess what was inside. When she opened the box, her lips fell apart and eyes widened as she stared at what was inside. She slowly brought it out of the box, and the rest of the crowd saw a beautiful crocheted pink and white fluffy blanket. Her smile broadened as she hugged the boy on the stage and thanked him. She then turned to the crowd and waved at them happily before putting the blanket back inside the box. Then she slowly made her way back to her seat.
Janet met her halfway and helped her with the box. She wasn't surprised by Miriam's performance. I mean they were staying together and she sang almost every time. She had also watched her sing at their speech and prize-giving day way back in basic school. She won a music contest. She could make a great singer if she wanted, but as she always said, music wasn't her main goal right now. She wasn't planning to focus on that talent, maybe, not yet.
When they got to their seat, Janet placed the box on the table and hugged her friend.
"You did great, girlfriend." She whispered beside her ear as she hugged her. They broke free and Miriam mouthed a thank you with a broad smile and they both sat down.
Most people still had their eyes fixed on her, and Maxwell was no exception. He had been stealing glances at her every now and then while sipping on his drink. He couldn't ogle now that his sister was alert and wanted to tease him more.
"Max, it's almost half past ten. Don't you have anything doing tomorrow?" Lois asked after some time. She didn't have anything doing and she was really enjoying his company but was just concerned about his brother. Maxwell took a quick glance at Miriam and when he saw that she and her friend were relaxed in their seats, he turned to his sister.
"Mmm...I don't have anything doing. Let's enjoy the atmosphere a bit more." But just as he completed his sentence, he saw from his peripheral vision that Miriam and her friend had got up and were making their way out. "But on a second thought," he quickly added, "I think we should leave now. I just remembered I have something important to do."
Lois whipped her head to look at him.
"Ha? Really? You just said you have nothing to do." She said, a frown framing her face.
"And now I said I have something to do." Maxwell said firmly.
"But I just ordered for more drinks." She whined, staring daggers at him now.
"It's okay I'll buy you lots of them. Let's just leave now, hmm?" He was on his feet now, waiting for her to get up so they would leave. He didn't want to miss the opportunity of talking to the lady again. He kept darting his head towards the entrance, and when he saw they were almost out, he turned to Lois.
"Are you coming, or not?" This girl! She was actually still seated. Like she hadn't heard him in the first place. "Did you even hear what I said?" He asked, his voice holding slight annoyance.
"Max...I..."
"Fine." He dipped his hand into his pocket and fetched some wad of cash and placed it in front of her. "Enjoy as long as you want. Just get an uber and pay for the drinks. I'll be going now." He said and turned to leave.
"Wait! You're leaving me here?" Lois asked, a little surprised. What at all came up that needed immediate attention at that time of the night?
"Then, are you coming or not?" He asked and shot her an annoying look. Lois pouted and looked at the drinks on the table. She had ordered her favourites and she was really enjoying the show.
"You can at least wait till I finish the drinks. I'll be done so..."
"Then take an uber when you're done."
"But..." Before she could make up another excuse, Maxwell had already left and was heading towards the entrance in long strides.
He looked like he was in a hurry and Lois felt bad for trying to delay him. It must be something really important, else he wouldn't have ditched her like that. She mentally slapped herself. She was such a worrywart.
Maxwell quickly made his way out of the hall and darted his head everywhere looking for the lady. But he couldn't see her. He quickly made his way downstairs. People were waiting for the lift, so he figured it would delay him if he wait for the lift. So he used tge stairs, skipping some of them, he found himself at the ground floor, and looked around.
"Where did she go? Ugh!! This stubborn sister of mine!" He cursed under his breath and raked his fingers through his hair. He would have been able to catch up with her if Lois had not delayed him. With a sullen expression, he started retreating and turned around to leave when...
"Ouch!" A faint voice sounded. He bumped into someone from behind.
He turned around quickly. The lady had staggered back a little so Maxwell was quick to hold and pull her ro himself before she lost balance.
Miriam had suggested to Janet that they should leave since she felt a bit tired and wanted to rest. They got to the entrance and Janet excused herself to quickly use the washroom. Miriam had been waiting for close to five minutes and she was kind of worried that Janet was not back yet. She decided to go in and check on her when a guy bumped into her at the entrance, making her almost fall butt first on the floor. She had closed her eyes for the impact when she felt strong arms pull her in position, and she felt herself against something broad and firm, which felt like the chest of the guy that pulled him. His intoxicating scent wafted through her nostrils, sending signals to her brain. This scent...musky...woody...minty... why did it smell so familiar? And yet, she couldn't recall who owned that scent.
Maxwell had been distracted for some seconds by this lady in his arms. He only pulled her to himself because he was the one that bumped into her, and she nearly fell. But right now he felt distracted. Her body felt right in his arms, and her sweet lavender and coconutty smell was affecting him in so many ways he couldn't fathom. She had her eyes closed all this while. Then slowly, her eyelids fluttered and she raised her head and looked at him. As soon as their eyes met, his world seemed to have come to a standstill.
Goodness me! It was the lady!
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone