Chapter 78: Chapter 78

Olivia had just gotten off the phone when Thomas entered the room. He had left for work in the morning and just returned. He wanted to see if Olivia had listened to what he had said to her.

He still remembered the conversation.

“Olivia, I have a request to make. Please don’t leave the room. Stay here.” He had said as he was about to leave the room.

Olivia was still sitting in the same position on the bed. The pounding of her head had eased a little, but she still had no strength to leave the room. Besides, she was waiting for him to leave before she would go to her room as she did not want to argue with him when her head felt so heavy and she still felt a little nausea.

But he had just told her not to do that. Why would she listen to him?

“I will do whatever I want.” She had replied without sparing him a glance. She heard him sigh. He was holding the door open but closed it.

He turned around, “This is our room. Grandpa is already suspicious. He might use this opportunity to misbehave with you as he is already angry about last time’s events. I don’t want you to get into trouble. It is for the best if you stayed in our room.” He said seeming like he was trying to stay calm and collected.

She did not see this calm and collected side of him often. He was either ordering her around or saying something hurtful. That was why she cherished their honeymoon time the most because that was when he was so caring and compassionate toward her.

Anyway, he did not sound like he was ordering her. Instead, his eyes reflected the concern that he was trying to portray with his words. The concern did not make sense. She was still not over the fact that he was the same person who had hurt her—a lot!

“I can handle myself or anyone else. You don’t need to worry.” She said in the same indifferent tone and turned her head around again, completely ignoring him.

“I know you don’t believe me, but I care for you, Olivia. I am sorry that I hurt you. I hope you can give me a chance.” He said and quickly disappeared from the room. Olivia could not believe that he had said that.

‘I care for you.’ What?

Thomas? Caring about her?

It did not make sense, yet it did at the same time. She recalled their time in Canada when he took such good care of her. He was there to save her from the mess. He was there to calm her down when her emotions got the best of her. She remembered everything.

It was not like he was incapable of caring for someone. The thing was that he did not do that often. Most of the time, he was cold and distant. That was what was messing with her head. She did not know which side of him to rely on.

But he had also apologized which showed that he was serious. She did not know what happened the previous night after she passed out. Thomas was not angry at her though. If he was, he did not show it. It was weird because he loved to control her life.

She wanted to leave and meet her mom but knew she could not do that. At least that same day. She knew Thomas was right. James would not spare her if she gave another reason for him to feel “disrespected”. It was already odd that he had not called upon her to scold her for the scene she must have made by drinking and then passing out.

She was in the room all day. She took a shower, had lunch, and talked to her mom for a while. She was relieved to know that she was all right. She was so worried the previous night.

She decided that she would go and meet her the next day. She had just gotten off the phone when he entered.

She had no idea he would come this early. The thing was that she was about to leave the room after the call. Yeah, she did not want him to think she was obeying him or something. But was the luck ever on her side?

She saw him smiling—a real big smile as he made his way to the bed. It was probably wrong of her to think he looked so sexy in that royal blue suit, but she did. He looked so neat and handsome in the morning and now his hair was all ruffled up and there were creases on his suit. His sleeves were rolled up like usual showing his strong forearms.

“Hey.” He greeted after sitting on the bed. She rolled her eyes without responding to him. It was childish of her to act like that, but she was mad that he got home before she could escape. Now, he probably was thinking that it was all good and she was there because he told her so.

She did not know what she was thinking. She should have left as soon as he left for office.

“How is your headache?” He asked ignoring the eye-roll. She did not want him to ignore it.

“You’re early.” She said ignoring him again. He sighed.

“Yeah. I wanted to make sure you are okay.” He said calmly. His reply made her heart skip a beat.

‘Don’t!’ She chided herself. It was not the occasion to sway by his words. She had to remember that she was mad at him.

She cleared her throat, “It was just a hangover. Nothing serious. Besides, I hate it when I’m shown fake concern.” She did not have any idea what came over her to say that, but she did. She was tired of his hot and cold behavior.

It took him a moment to say something, “It’s not a fake concern, Olivia. I care about you. Why don’t you understand?” He said exasperated. She had been acting so difficult. He was trying, but he was not giving him a chance.

One look at Olivia told him he had to be prepared for the outburst. He had known her enough to know that her eyes would stare at him with an “unbelievable” expression in them which meant that she found his words—and him—unbelievable. Her eyes would go extra wide and round, her mouth would also open with shock.

“Why don’t I understand, huh? Did you understand when you left me alone for a whole month when I was so clueless about how to deal with everything? Did you understand me when you pretended not to even recognize me at the bar? Do you understand me when I fight the feelings of not going to my mom when she clearly needs me just to clear you of any troubles? Do you even know how suffocated I feel every day here counting the days when it all will be over? Before you start accusing me again of the contract terms, let me tell you that I know it is a contract but nowhere in the contract it was mentioned that I would live a life of hell for one whole year. I have lived a miserable life since I was born, but nothing compares to this. At least, I had—I had my mom to rely on when life sucked, but now, I have no one. No one!” She was on the verge of tears, but she decided not to show them again. Thomas did not deserve to see her tears. He would probably use it against her someday.

“So yeah, don’t tell me you care. It makes the whole thing even more infuriating.” She could hardly make out the words. She was on the verge of emotional breakdown again, but she tried to calm herself. She would die before showing him any weakness again.

However, Thomas knew what she was going through. He could see it all. Behind that mask, he could see how vulnerable she looked at that moment.

He was not even mad that she had lashed out at him like that. He deserved it.

She stood up from the bed and was about to leave the room when he grabbed her wrist.

“Don’t.” He uttered in a breathy tone. He had also gotten out of bed.

“You will not tell me what to do-” She tried to turn around to free her wrist, but he had engulfed her in a back hug. His strong and heavy arms wrapped themselves around her tiny waist. She felt her heart swell.

Gosh, she hated her periods. It made her more reactive to everything.

“I am not telling you anything. I am requesting you.” He said in a warm gentle tone. He brushed her hair to one side and touched his cheek with her neck.

Just the mere gesture shot jolts of electricity inside of her. His light stubble was tickling her sensitive skin.

“What are you doing?” She asked in a shaky voice. She hated herself for losing it all with just a little touch.

“Nothing. It’s been so long since I held you like this in my arms. I have missed you.” He said from behind making her heartbeat go wild. What did he want from her?

He truly did not do anything else. He just held her in his arms. The embrace felt so strong yet so tender. He was hugging her tightly, but she did not feel suffocated. Instead, she felt like her heart was floating in magical air.

Was she weird for feeling like that with just a back hug? He had not even kissed her. What was wrong with her?

She forgot the complaints and all the bitter feelings she had for him. There was only one thing that existed at that moment—him holding her so gently, so passionately, so lovingly.

Why was he doing that though? Did he really miss her as he had said?

She could not ask him anything. She did not want to ruin the moment. She was lost—so lost that she almost did not even feel him placing a soft kiss on her cheek.

She let out a soft gasp as soon as she felt it. Before she could react, Thomas let go of her.

“Come one. Go and get ready.” He said making her frown. Why was he ordering her again right after their moment? She was getting angry again. See, he would never change! She told herself.

“We are going to meet your mom.” He smiled and disappeared inside the bathroom.

She was left baffled with her mouth wide open.

“We?” She thought being giddy all of a sudden. She could not understand the hundreds of emotions she had felt in the span of thirty minutes.

Ugh! Periods!