Olivia

Logan's question did take me by surprise. I hadn't expected him to ask me about Liam. I mean, it's not like Liam and I are all friends or something. I was checking the library for a new collection to read when he came in and shared his sentiments about the genre of book he preferred to read. Liam and I have never spoken more than two sentences. But surprisingly, he was all in the mood and wanted to demonstrate how a character in a book he was currently reading handled a plant in his garden. I didn't want to brush him off and tell him he didn't have to go to that extra mile.

I didn't know that small conversation with Liam would strike Logan a bit—or should I say, stress him out? That somehow settled well with me. The reflection from the curtain blinders reminded me of the day I was going to look forward to. An appointment with my doctor, taking care of the clinic alone. Larisa had called in last night that she had an emergency trip from her college. So she won't be able to show up. That means I have to do everything myself for the whole day today.

And for some reason, my mood was completely all over the place. I swiped through my phone and replied to the text Jamie had left me last night about us meeting up for dinner later today. I spread the curtains, allowing darkness to loom over the room before making my way out. The hallway was calloused with silence and thick air dancing around it. I had to remind myself to take in a deep breath before approaching the dining area that was on full swing with the family members. By family members, I mean the whole Nero family in general, including the grandchildren who I was actually seeing for the first time. I muffled out a low greeting, not paying attention to whoever was in the mood to answer me. I instantly dived into my breakfast.

I don't know whether it was because I was getting used to the silence around the family during eating hours. Today felt different. I don't mind everyone minding their business. That will save me from answering some of the questions they might try to throw at me, right?

Nevertheless, that was soon disrupted by one of the girls. "Mommy, are you coming for the speech today?" came her tiny voice. I took my time to assess the girl. There was no denying she had Amelia's eyes—if not her face completely. I didn't have to be told whose daughter she was.

"Is it today, Quinn?" Amelia asked, glancing at her phone. "I thought it was supposed to be next week. I have a full schedule. Your father should be able to make it."

"I can't make it either. I'm meeting with clients from Greece," Scott added.

I noticed how Quinn's face fell. Is it that they are too busy with their work that they have no time for their own daughter? I expected at least some explanation from any of the family members, maybe to cheer the girl up a bit. But none spoke a word, including Logan, who hasn't lifted his face from his phone, talk less of even sparing me a glance. The gesture made me question how my child will be brought up in an environment where none care about parental rights but their own career aspects. I dropped my fork, grabbed my bag, and headed to the door. It seems I would be witnessing a new side of the family day by day, and that will definitely question the decision I had taken up to this moment in time.

Just as I stepped down the pavement, Liam's figure emerged beside me. "You must be heading for work?" he said, straightening up his tie. I didn't try to stop myself from checking him out. He was as tall as Logan but slimmer than him.

I forced out a smile, not wanting him to have the impression that our conversation last night would bring any change between us—friends, to be precise. It's better if we continue minding our business around each other. "Yes," I said, adjusting the strap of my bag around my shoulder as I stepped forward. I had thought he'd take that short gesture and walk away, but instead, he went on again. This time, he added a mischievous smile to his face. "Let me drop you off then."

Was he trying to get on my nerves at this early morning, or was he trying to pry into the life I was living? My instincts were telling me it was both a charade. "Thanks for the offer, but my workplace is not far. I'm sure our workplaces are a lot of miles apart."

He smiled and didn't move an inch. "I insist. You seemed nice last night. I want to get to know you."

That swept me in shock.

"You—" My words hung in the air as I caught sight of Logan making his way out. "—won't be a problem then," I said. I don't even know why I had agreed to that. To escape from Logan meeting me up? Or was my mind telling me that going with Liam is the best choice? Getting to know Liam, I'd get to know about the family also.

We headed to Liam's car. He acted as a gentleman and opened the door for me. I wheeled my head towards the window and caught a sight of Logan opening his car as well. I'm sure he had seen us. "So where do you work, Olivia?" Liam questioned as he slid into the car, diverting my attention from Logan, who had already gone inside his car.

"I work at an animal clinic that is across the street. It's not easy to locate," I explained, clutching the seatbelt around my chest.

"That means you have a love for animals. Because I could only bet that. One can't run an animal clinic without love for them. As for me, I can't stand them," he squeezed his face as if it was the most disgusting thing he had to say.

"Well, everyone has their preference. Looks like Logan is the only one who fancies dogs around the house."

"You're right. Sometimes I used to forget we have an animal in the house. That dog only knows its owner. But that's not what you majored in, right? I mean, you must have ventured into a different course at the university," I'm not really someone who shares my history freely with people. I don't think Logan and I have ever had that conversation before—about my personal life, my background, and all. Liam, for some odd reason, doesn't seem fit for sharing that about me.

"I studied economics," I said shortly. The ride to the clinic was somehow far today. Or was it because I wanted to get away from Liam's questions as far as I can.

"That's nice. Then you shouldn't waste your intelligence in an animal clinic. There are companies out there looking for prospective candidates like you," he voiced out as he stopped by the traffic. He won't understand anyway. He was born with a silver spoon. He won't know the bitterness of life.

"Thanks for the advice, but I enjoy running my animal clinic. You can call it a safe haven to connect with people." My phone chimed just in time. It was a message from Logan.

Tell him to switch off the backlight.

I instantly turned around. Was he following us? I caught sight of his car right behind us. What!

"What?" Liam asked as he resumed driving.

"It's nothing," I said, sitting back down. I typed away on my phone. Focus on your driving.

Another reply came almost immediately, making me furrow my brows. What's with him tailing us?

That's what I'm doing.

I didn't reply back and slipped my phone back into my bag. "So what are your plans for Quinn?" I started. I was trying hard not to bring it up, but the nagging feeling inside me left me with no choice. I couldn't take the sad expression on her face out of my head.

"Quinn?" He repeated. "What about her?"

It took an ounce of self-control not to roll my eyes. That shows how their conscience doesn't even care about anything else but their work. "I mean, she mentioned something about a speech at her school. Aren't her family required to be with her?"

"Don't worry about that. It's just a speech. Nothing that important. She will be fine," he said just as his car stopped at my clinic. It took me some seconds to process his words. What do you expect, Olivia?

"Thanks for the ride," I said, slipping off the seatbelt and opening the car door.

"You're welcome. Would love to check out your clinic, but I'm currently running late," he said, glancing at his wristwatch.

"Don't worry. There's always a next time," I forced out a smile, shutting the car door. He nodded his head before taking off. I took in a deep breath. "What a family indeed," I muffled out before heading inside.

An hour later into my work, and I found myself staring at my phone—Logan's number, to be precise. I know it's totally not my place to get worried, but I can't help but be worried. I'm sure by going to Quinn's school and being there for her, it will make her happy. She won't be left alone. Let's do this, Olivia. I pressed on the number and waited for Logan to pick up.

The way his deep voice resonated through the phone almost made my breathing hitched. "Missed me already?"

My eyes rolled around at his teasing tone. "Stop being cheesy. Why would I miss you?"

"You have every right to miss me. I'm Logan, after all."

"Stop thinking too highly of yourself. I didn't call because of that. It's about Quinn," I went straight to the point. Beating around the bush wouldn't solve the problem.

"What about Quinn?" I could feel the curiosity in his voice. I adjusted my sitting position. "I was thinking we could go to her school for the speech."

Silence followed. I'm sure I had taken him by surprise. But I think the right thing they should do as her family is to be there for her. "Her parents have already informed her they can't make it."

"Yes, I know, Logan. But I feel like since they are busy, someone can volunteer from her family members."

"And you think that someone has to be me?" He said, his frustration flowing through the phone.

"Yes," I answered straightforwardly. "Set it as an example," I added.

"What example do you mean, Olivia? Do you think I don't have anything to do? If her parents can't show up, why should I?"

I know Logan isn't her father. He has the right not to meddle in their affairs. But then again, he's Quinn's uncle. Being there for her on behalf of them won't make him a bad person, will it? I rose up to my feet and switched the phone to my other ear while leaning my hand on the tabletop. "Listen, Logan, I know you have work to do at the office. But I want you to be there for Quinn. You don't know what impact it will make on her."

"Please," I added after a while as silence prevailed from him in return. "Try and do this much for your brother's daughter."

"But we don't know whether the speech has started or not," He said.

"We can ask. Maybe call the principal before we head there. Where should we meet?"

I waved my hand as Logan's car stopped in front of the clinic. "We have fifteen minutes to get to the school," I said the moment I hopped inside the car. Logan had forwarded Quinn's principal's contact number earlier, and we got the details of the speech event. Quinn was actually going to make a speech. We have to get to her school before it reaches her turn.

"I fail to understand why you're getting so worried about all this," came Logan's voice as he spared me a glance. I spared back, shaking my head.

"You won't understand how children think. Let's just reach the school first. Do you know her school?" I asked, seeing as he was checking his phone.

"I was going to use the map."

I closed my eyes and opened them again. "Seriously, Logan. You should try and take your mind off work sometime."

"Hey, don't blame me. I'm not Quinn's father," he defended, placing his phone displaying the map on the car stand and starting the engine.

"You might not be her father, but you're her uncle," I answered, lowly enough for him to hear. He said nothing, but the glare he gave me in return was enough to tell me he wasn't going to let me off the hook.