Chapter 136: Chapter 136
Olivia’s POV
I walked into the apartment looking like someone returning from war - shoes dangling from one hand, hair disheveled, and what was left of my dignity hanging by a thread. In my other hand was a large bag of food I’d instructed the traumatized waitress to pack for me.
As the malnourished, intellectually challenged homeless girl I apparently was, I deserved a sumptuous dinner for all the stress that man put me through today.
I collapsed onto the couch with a groan that came from somewhere deep in my soul.
Kira and Mitchell came running from different directions - Kira from her bedroom, Mitchell from wherever cats mysteriously disappear to during the day.
"Oh my God, Liv!" Kira dropped down beside me, her eyes scanning me from head to toe. "What happened? Are you okay?"
"I almost died," I said flatly, staring at the ceiling.
Kira gasped dramatically, her hand flying to her chest. "ALMOST DIED? WHAT! Was your date a serial killer?" She was already grabbing her phone, typing frantically on the screen. "I’m calling the police right now! Give me his information - name, address, what he looks like. We’re getting this psycho arrested!"
"Kira, stop!" I reached out and grabbed her wrist before she could dial. "It was Maxwell."
Kira froze, her mouth hanging open. The phone slipped from her fingers and landed on the couch.
"Maxwell?" she repeated, "MAXWELL?! He was your date?" She jumped up from the couch. "How?! When?! WHY?! Olivia, what the actual FUCK?!"
I sighed deeply, reaching down to scoop up Mitchell, who had been patiently waiting for attention. She immediately curled into my lap, purring, and I stroked her soft fur like she was the only stable thing in my chaotic life.
"This is exactly why I didn’t want to tell you before the date," I muttered.
Kira started pacing, her hands on her head like the world was falling apart. "I still can’t understand why you would go on a date with your psychopathic boss! And as Olivia, no less! Have you completely lost your mind?"
"I needed answers," I explained, continuing to pet Mitchell, who was now kneading my stomach with her paws. "And since I wasn’t getting them as Oliver, I tried getting them as Olivia."
Kira stopped pacing and sat down heavily beside me, "Okay. Okay. But did you at least get your answers?"
I laughed bitterly. "Oh, I got them. The answer is that Maxwell Wellington is just plain crazy and thinks everyone besides himself doesn’t matter."
"So that’s why he tried to kill you?" Kira’s eyes went wide again. "Oh my God, I knew he was unhinged, but I didn’t think he’d actually try to murder you!"
"It wasn’t Maxwell who tried to kill me," I corrected quickly. "It was Sabrina."
"SABRINA?" Kira voiced out in shock. "His ex-girlfriend Sabrina?"
"Yep. She showed up at the restaurant with a gun, convinced I was trying to steal Maxwell from her." I shuddered at the memory. "She literally pointed a loaded gun at my chest, Kira. I thought I was going to die."
Kira stilled, try to process this information.
"Damn. I used to think Sabrina was the normal one in that relationship. Turns out she’s just as crazy as her boyfriend." She turned to me, gripping my shoulders. "Liv, you need to be really careful around Maxwell. Like, seriously. If his ex is pulling guns on people she thinks are interested in him, and he’s just... what? Letting it happen?"
"He didn’t let it happen exactly," I said, though I wasn’t sure why I was defending him. "He handled it. Eventually."
"Eventually?" Kira repeated incredulously.
I decided to tell her everything except the part where Maxwell had called me malnourished and intellectually challenged. And the part where he’d kissed me. Twice. And the way my body had responded to him despite knowing he was completely wrong for me in every possible way.
If I told Kira about the kisses, she’d think I’d gone completely insane. And honestly? She wouldn’t be wrong.
Kira nodded at my story, her eyes eventually landing on the bag of food sitting beside me. "What’s in there?"
I perked up slightly, grateful for the change of subject. "Food. Expensive food from that fancy Cusco’s restaurant. I figured it was the least I could bring home after almost getting killed. It’s on Maxwell’s bill anyway."
Kira started laughing, making Mitchell look up in annoyance at being disturbed."Only you, Olivia. Only you would almost die and your main concern is not wasting free expensive food."
"I’m practical," I defended, though I was smiling now too.
We spent the rest of the evening eating the expensive food - which was delicious even after being packed up - and watching mindless TV while Mitchell enjoyed her snack on my lap.
The weekend passed too quickly after that.
Sunday disappeared in a haze of laundry, meal prep, and dreading Monday morning. I wished I’d had more time to recover, to prepare myself mentally for seeing Maxwell again.
But it is what it is.
Monday morning arrived, and I tiredly went through my usual routine - binding my chest, applying my disguise, and choosing a blue suit that hid my every curve. By the time I looked in the mirror, Oliver Hopton stared back at me, and Olivia was safely hidden away.
I arrived at the company right on time, stopping by Taylor’s coffee shop to grab Maxwell’s usual order.
Hurrying up to the office, I took a deep breath before opening Maxwell’s door, preparing for whatever today held.
But when I pushed open the door, I stopped short in surprise.
Maxwell was already there, sitting at his desk, looking great in a gray suit. His expression was neutral as he reviewed something on his computer screen.
What was he doing here so early?
"Good morning, sir," I said, walking toward his desk with the coffee. "I have your..."
"I’m not interested in coffee this morning," Maxwell said without looking up from his screen.
I paused mid-step, confused. "Sir?"
"Coffee," he repeated, still not looking at me. "I don’t want it today."
I stood there holding the cup, feeling stupid. "Oh. Okay. Should I just... leave it here in case you change your mind?"
"No." Finally, he looked up, and his eyes locked onto mine with that unnerving intensity. "I want iced tea instead. Go back to Taylor’s and get it."
I blinked. "Iced... tea?"
"Yes, Oliver. Iced tea. You do know what iced tea is, don’t you?"
The condescending tone made my jaw clench. "Of course I know what iced tea is, sir. I’m just... you never drink iced tea in the morning. You always have coffee."
"Well, today I want iced tea." He turned back to his computer, dismissing me. "Green tea, to be specific. With honey, no lemon. Make sure it’s not too sweet."
I stood there for another moment, trying to figure out if this was some kind of test or punishment.
What wrong did I do now?
Maxwell’s POV
The moment she turned toward the door to go get my tea, I looked up and stilled completely.
Is that...?
Oh Shit. Shit shit shit.
My mind raced, trying to figure out what to do. I reached out instinctively, my hand halfway raised to call her back. But I stopped myself at the last second.
Calling her attention to it would only ruin everything, and I didn’t want that to happen. Atleast not yet.
Fuck.
The door was already closing behind her.
I grabbed my phone with trembling fingers - actually trembling, which never happened - and started dialing frantically.
I needed to fix this. Quickly. Before anyone else saw.