Chapter 35:
Unexpected Company

Two Weeks Later

Olivia sat alone in the quiet corner of a small café not far from her home. The morning light filtered softly through the windows, but she barely noticed it. She had woken up that morning with a quiet, heavy realization - life didn't stop just because her heart was broken. The world kept turning, and somehow, she had to keep moving forward with it.

Her eyes felt heavy and tired, her mind exhausted from weeks of overthinking. She was weary - weary of the tears, weary of the ache that settled deep in her chest every time she remembered Harry walking out the door. She traced the rim of her cold coffee with a finger, her thoughts drifting somewhere far away. But she was still here. She was still breathing. And as painful as it was, she knew she had to keep going.

"Excuse me... is this seat taken?"

The voice broke through her thoughts. Olivia blinked, looking up to see a man standing there with a polite but unmistakably amused smile. It was him - the stranger from the cliff edge two weeks ago.

She stared at him for a moment, bewildered. "You?"

"You remember me?" Andrei asked, his dark eyes warm and bright, looking at her as if he was genuinely pleased to see her.

"Of course," she heard herself say, the words coming out before she could think. "But... what are you doing here?"

"I'm having the most wonderful luck today," he said, pulling out the chair across from hers without waiting for a proper answer. "I actually found you again."

Olivia leaned back, crossing her arms. "You make it sound like I'm some treasure you've been hunting down. It's a café, Andrei. Anyone can walk in."

He raised an eyebrow, settling comfortably into his seat. "Anyone can walk in, yes. But finding you sitting here looking like the world forgot how to spin? That takes skill."

She rolled her eyes. "You're ridiculous."

"And there it is," he said, pointing a finger at her playfully. "The eye roll. I was wondering how long it would take. I don't know whether to be flattered or offended that it's my signature greeting with you."

"Maybe I just don't have the patience for overly confident strangers today."

"Maybe," he agreed easily, leaning forward slightly. "But maybe you're just tired of being alone with your thoughts all the time. And I don't blame you - they look exhausting."

Olivia frowned. "You don't know anything about my thoughts."

"I know they're making you frown like that," he said simply. "And that's enough reason for me to try and distract you."

She let out a short breath, shaking her head. "Why are you even here? Shouldn't you be... doing whatever it is you do? In Korea? Or wherever you're actually from?"

"I'm here on business, remember?" He grinned. "And I decided that my most important business today was making sure you didn't spend another morning staring at an empty cup like it held all your answers."

"I don't need saving, Andrei."

"I know that," he said gently. "But everyone needs a little company sometimes. Even the stubborn ones."

Olivia couldn't help the small huff of laughter that escaped her. She looked away, staring out the window at the people passing by. Everyone seemed to have somewhere to go, someone to be with. And here she was - stuck in this quiet, endless loop of regret and longing.

"You look like you're carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders," Andrei said softly, his tone shifting from playful to sincere. "You have that look - like you're apologizing just for existing."

Olivia stiffened. "I'm not."

"You are," he insisted gently. "And I think it's terrible. You should be walking into rooms like you belong in them. Not apologizing for taking up space."

She looked at him then, really looked at him. He was dressed impeccably as always - a crisp white blazer over a soft sky‑blue shirt - but there was nothing intimidating about him. He was just... there. Unapologetically present.

"Why do you care so much?" she asked quietly. "We're practically strangers. We met once on a cliff and now here you are. It doesn't make sense."

"Does everything have to make sense?" He tilted his head, studying her. "Can't I just like your face and want to see you smile?"

Olivia felt a small, genuine smile tug at her lips despite herself. "You are impossible."

"And you look beautiful when you're not trying to disappear," he said, and there was no teasing in his voice now. Just quiet honesty. "You know, I saw you walk in here ten minutes ago. You walked in like you were trying not to make a sound. Like you were afraid someone would notice you. But Olivia... you don't have to hide. Not from the world. Not from yourself."

She looked down at her hands, her throat tightening. "It's easier said than done."

"I know," he said softly. "And I'm not asking you to be okay today. I'm just asking you to let me sit here while you're not okay. You don't even have to talk to me. I can be the annoyingly cheerful background noise in your otherwise tragic morning. Deal?"

Olivia actually laughed then - a real, warm sound that surprised even her. It felt light. It felt good.

"Deal," she said, shaking her head at him. "But if you start giving me more wise quotes, I'm leaving."

Andrei grinned, leaning back in his chair with satisfaction. "Wouldn't dream of it. For today, I'm just the handsome stranger who brings terrible jokes and accidentally runs into you everywhere you go."

"Everywhere I go?" Olivia raised an eyebrow. "Andrei, this is the first time we've seen each other in two weeks. Don't exaggerate."

"Semantics," he waved a hand dismissively. "The point is - I'm here. And you're not alone at this table anymore. Even if I am incredibly annoying."

"The most annoying person I've ever met," she agreed, but her eyes were soft, and the corner of her mouth wouldn't stop lifting.

"Good," Andrei said happily. "Then I'm doing my job perfectly."