Logan

I felt relief occupied me that I was able to sign off the deal that I have been dragging with my client for the past three weeks. Had to travel to Germany to get the deal done. As I made my way out of the airport towards the car that was waiting for me, I let out a breathe of relief. I felt like a weight has been lifted off my shoulder. At least for the coming weeks if not months, I won't have to stress over dragging with clients. What I would do is to monitor our project.

My thoughts wandered off to Olivia as we stopped at the traffic and I glanced at the window seeing a restaurant. Unknowingly I found myself smiling recalling how she attacked the chicken the other night. I didn't talk to her yesterday before I left knowing she would be caught up with taking care of the clinic. And then the meeting was sudden, I didn't have time to prepare for anything.

As the red light turned green, the driver ignite the engine away. Just then my phone rang with Scott's call. "I'm already back. I'm on my way home" I said ending the call without waiting for what he had to say again.

Arriving at the familiar driveway, I parked the car and took a deep breath before stepping out. The front door opened, and Scott appeared with a warm smile on his face. It was good to see a familiar face after a long trip.

"Welcome back, Logan," Scott greeted me, patting me on the back. "How was the trip?"

"Long but successful," I replied with a sense of accomplishment. "I finally signed off on the deal we've been working on. It's a relief."

"That's great news," Scott said, genuine happiness shining in his eyes. "We're proud of you."

As we entered the house, I couldn't help but notice the absence of Olivia. The atmosphere seemed quieter than usual. "Where's Olivia?" I asked, trying not to let my concern show.

Scott's expression shifted slightly, his brows furrowing. "She's in her room. I think she had a rough day yesterday. There was some argument between Sarah and Amelia, and she got caught in the middle of it."

My heart sank as I processed the information. Olivia must have been through a lot, and I wasn't there to support her. I made my way up the stairs, my footsteps heavy with guilt and worry.

Standing in front of Olivia's door, I hesitated for a moment before knocking gently. "Who's that?" Her voice resonate from the other end .

I prepared myself only for her voice to revamped again. This time around in a pissed off tone. "If you're not going to talk please leave" At some point I should be pissed off at her harsh response but then I found myself shaking my head with a smile before pushing the door open

As I entered Olivia's room, I found her sitting on the edge of her bed, her eyes widened in surprise as she saw me. I couldn't help but notice the slight blush that tinted her cheeks, and it made my heart skip a beat.

"Logan," she said, her voice softening, "I didn't expect to see you here."

I closed the door behind me and took a step closer, a warm smile gracing my face. "You didn't check who it was yet you're getting angry"

Olivia rolled her eyes. "At least I'm not the type that disappears without a word"

I trekked my way towards her. "Are you worried Miss Olivia?" I said with an amused smile.

"Worried? No I'm not. I'm just saying" she turned her face towards the other side and that was when I noticed the mark on her cheeks. I abruptly touched her face my brows furrowing. "What happened to your face?"

As I gently touched Olivia's cheek, concern filled my eyes. The realization of the mark on her face made my heart sink, regret seeping into my voice. "Did someone hurt you?"

She looked away, her expression guarded. "It's nothing," she replied, trying to dismiss the topic. But I could see the pain and vulnerability hidden beneath her words.

"No, it's not nothing," I insisted, my voice firm yet gentle. "Please, tell me what happened. I want to understand."

Reluctantly, Olivia met my gaze, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears. "It was nothing to do with you," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "Just a misunderstanding between others that I got caught up in."

"Did they hurt you?" I blurted out remembering Scott told me Amelia and Sarah had an argument. Olivia pulled her face from my embrace and sat on the bed. I could clearly see through her fake facade.

I followed and sat down next to her giving us enough space. "Look Olivia, if you're not really comfortable here tell me. We can figure out something. I'm sorry that I left without informing you. I know all this is new to you"

"It's nothing seriously. They didn't do it intentionally" she was trying not to meet my eyes. I found myself reaching for her hand that was rested on her laps. Her face jolted towards me. "I don't want it to be as if I'm forcing you to embrace the traditions here. I understand that I value my reputation but I can't be selfish enough to hurt a woman. Most especially someone carrying my baby"

Olivia's eyes softened as she looked at me."Logan, it's not about traditions or forcing anyone. I know you didn't intend for any harm to come my way. And I appreciate your concern and support."

I sighed, feeling a mixture of relief and guilt wash over me. "I just want you to feel safe and respected, Olivia. I never want you to think that I prioritize anything above your well-being."

She nodded, a small smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "I know, Logan. It's just been a difficult adjustment for me, navigating through unfamiliar customs and expectations. But I also understand the importance of compromise and finding a balance."

Leaning closer, I brushed a strand of hair behind Olivia's ear, my gaze filled with sincerity. "We're in this together, Olivia"

She nodded her head. I could feel her body relaxes making me to let out a smile too. "Now tell me what did you eat last night"

Her brows furrowed in confusion as if not expecting me to ask her such question. "Why are you asking? Oh..." she trailed off pointing at me.

"You want to know whether I came back home late or not right?"

I chuckled softly, shaking my head in response to her question. "No I don't mean it that way. I'm just curious about your dinner last night, but I also wanted to know if you had eaten well. It's important to take care of yourself and make sure you're nourished, especially during this time."

Olivia's expression softened, a hint of amusement playing on her features. "Your eyes are telling me you're enjoying this. You want me to turn into a pig, right?" I couldn't hold in the laughter that escaped me at her outburst. She sounded funny. Who was the one who mentioned that I wanted her to be like a stick? Now she's going in a completely different direction.

She sat up, throwing me a glare. "Oh, you're even laughing at me. Leave my room. I don't want to see you," she insisted, nudging me on the arm. I was planning on grabbing her hands when, unexpectedly, she lost her balance, and we both tumbled back onto the bed.

As we found ourselves tangled on the bed, our faces mere inches apart, time seemed to slow down. Our eyes locked, and in that moment, everything else faded away. The smile subsided, replaced by a shared sense of closeness and an unspoken connection.

I could feel the warmth radiating from Olivia's body, her breath mingling with mine. Our hearts seemed to beat in synchrony, creating a rhythm that echoed between us. The air between us was charged with an undeniable tension, a magnetic pull that neither of us could resist.

Her gaze held vulnerability and curiosity, mirroring the emotions swirling within me. In that intimate space, I found myself captivated by the depth of her eyes, the subtle flecks of color that danced within them. It was as if her eyes held the secrets to her soul, inviting me to explore and discover.

Our faces inched closer, the anticipation palpable. Time stood still as our lips hovered centimeters apart, aching to bridge the remaining gap. I could feel the electric current that passed between us, an unspoken desire that hung in the air.

But then, as if a spell had been broken, Olivia abruptly pulled away, her eyes widening with a mix of surprise and uncertainty. The moment shattered, leaving a tingling warmth in its wake.

"I... I...," she stammered, her voice barely a whisper. "You should go back to your room before someone sees us here" Her gaze was fixated on anywhere else but me.

As Olivia's words hung in the air, disappointment and understanding washed over me. I could sense her hesitation and the fear of being discovered by others. It was a reminder of the delicate circumstances we found ourselves in, and the need to tread carefully.

Her gaze avoiding mine made me realize the impact our closeness had on her. I couldn't help but wonder what thoughts were racing through her mind, just as they were through mine. If she had allowed it, would we have shared a kiss? The mere thought sent a jolt of desire through me, but I quickly dismissed it, recognizing the need to respect her boundaries.

Clearing my throat, I slowly sat up, my eyes fixed on the floor as I gathered my composure. "You're right," I said softly, my voice barely above a whisper. "I should go back to my room before anyone sees us here."

With a final glance in her direction, I mustered a small, reassuring smile before turning to leave. Each step felt heavy, as if an invisible weight had settled upon me. I can't deny the impact Olivia had on me, the way she made me question my own desires and choices.

Reaching my room, I closed the door behind me, the silence enveloping me once again. The room felt emptier somehow, devoid of the presence that had stirred something within me. I leaned against the door, my mind filled with thoughts of Olivia, her touch, and the unspoken connection that had formed between us.

Taking a deep breath, I reminded myself of the path we had chosen. It was important to maintain a clear focus, to prioritize the goals we had set out to achieve.

Morning came faster than I expected. Ask me how I slept, I will say I was half asleep half awake. My anxiety surfaced, topped with what transpired between me and Olivia. I wasted no time in trekking to the bathroom.

As I stepped out of the bathroom, the steam dissipating around me, I couldn't help but feel a sense of anticipation. The encounter with Olivia the previous night lingered in my mind, playing like a vivid reel of memories. I quickly got dressed, my thoughts consumed by the unspoken connection between us.

As I made my way out of my room, ready to face the day ahead, I was caught off guard by the sight of Olivia emerging from her room. Time seemed to freeze for a moment. The memories of our closeness flooded back to me in an instant. The pull between us was undeniable, yet we had to navigate through the delicate balance of our situation.

I mustered a smile, attempting to hide the thoughts swirling within me. "Good morning, Olivia," I greeted her, my voice betraying a hint of nervousness. "Did you sleep well?"

The question hung in the air, laden with unspoken implications. I wondered if she felt the same restlessness that kept me awake throughout the night. "Morning. Yes I did" And just like that we stood there each with the thought in mind.