Olivia kept staring into his eyes. Sheepishly, Eugene explained, “I just got out of the police station when you called. And I ran into her by chance before someone fired a gun. After that, I was just going to get a cab for her. Hayes is my friend-I can’t possibly let his cousin get hurt. Don’t take this the wrong way, okay?”
She remained staring at him long and hard as she asked, “You sure you share no other relationships with her?” He shook his head. “No, I swear. I never had any ideas about her. Please believe me, Olivia.”
“Then, why are you so nervous?” Her eyes were still on him. With resignation in his voice, he said, “I’m just worried you might read too much into it.”
The look on Olivia’s face had turned slightly better after she saw how nervous he had gotten. “Fine. As long as you’re okay. So, where are we going?”
Eugene answered, “To the company. Wanna come?” She responded, “No. I’m going back. My flight’s in the afternoon.” He had a feeling that she had something on her mind, and he was worried. “I’m coming with you, then.”
Surprised, she asked, “Did you finish your work?”
“The case is closed. Curtis can handle the rest.” She looked at him in silence. She knew he hadn’t finished his work just yet. He lied because he wanted to be with her, and it melted her fury away just a bit. “Just head to the company and finish your work. Jewel and I will pack up. After that, we’ll meet up and go to the airport together.”
“Alright, I’ll give you two a ride.” Olivia held his hand softly in an attempt to tell him she wasn’t angry. “No. You’ll waste a lot of time if you do that. You should finish your work here unless you want to come back again. Jewel is with me. I’ll be fine.”
Eugene studied her face carefully. Good. She’s not angry. He nodded in relief. For the last few days, he was trapped in the City Palace. Work had piled up, and he must settle it.
With that, they went their own ways. Olivia and Jewel returned to the hotel. Eugene did say he didn’t get any ideas about Azalea, and she believed him, but she was still miffed about it.. She was upset and felt like the world was unfair to her. She hated this version of herself. Why do I get so worked up over something so trivial? It’s not like me at all. Where did the composed Olivia from the old times go? I used to not care about men. She packed up in silence.
Jewel was a girl, too. She knew what Olivia was feeling. Softly, she said, “He probably kept it a secret because he didn’t want you to take it the wrong way.”
Olivia knew that much. It would have been fine if she had no idea about the matter, but she saw everything, yet he said nothing was going on between them. She almost became his girlfriend six years ago. They almost got engaged last night. And he protected her by instinct just now. There’s no way he doesn’t have any feelings for her.
However, she couldn’t ask him about that. She knew what he would say. Oh, Azalea is Hayes’ cousin, and I’m his friend. She’s like a sister to me. The platitudes. She was tired of it. Forget it. If I keep pestering him over this, it’d be crass of me. I don’t wanna be a crass woman.
