HURT FOR ME

Chapter Thirty-Two - Fast Cars

As I attempted to take the menu from her and offer to order on her behalf, Olivia swiftly snatched it back, determined to make her own choice. When the waitress returned, Olivia spoke in a gentle voice, placing her order first. "May I have the Scandinavian Steak and Potatoes, please?" Her voice carried a hint of softness. A momentary pause followed before she added, "Oh, but please hold the lemons." Correcting herself with a slight amendment.

"And for you, sir?" The waitress turned to me.

Confidently, I placed my order, coolly stating, "I'll have the steak and rice, please."

Feeling a sudden kick on my leg under the table, I couldn't help but emit a grunt of surprise. Olivia's demanding tone accompanied her next words, "Please." It was clear that she had a particular expectation in mind for how I should place my order.

Wincing from the pain in my shin, I quickly added, "Please," in response to Olivia's assertive request.

After the waitress took our order with a smile, she disappeared from sight. Olivia shot me a piercing glare from across the table, and in that moment, it was undeniably sexy.

"What?" Olivia tilted her head slightly, her tone carrying a hint of surprise. "Did your manners suddenly vanish?" I bit down on my bottom lip, struggling to contain my smile, fully aware that she was being completely serious in her remark.

As I met her gaze once more, I noticed that Olivia wasn't showing any signs of a smile, in stark contrast to my own demeanor. Clearing my throat once again, I took a moment to correct my posture and composed myself. "You're right," I admitted, acknowledging my lapse in manners. "That wasn't very polite of me."

"Exactly."

❁

After what seemed like an eternity, the server finally approached our table, delicately holding two hand-painted china plates.

"Here we are," the server announced, carefully placing the plates between Olivia and me. Sensing a hint of discomfort, I paid attention to the server's lingering gaze on Olivia, which lasted longer than necessary. In response to his question, I glanced at Olivia, silently deferring to her if she had any additional requests or concerns.

"We're fine," I replied, a hint of annoyance evident in my voice. Olivia glanced at me, seemingly surprised by my tone, before she proceeded to cut into her steak.

"Okay, let me know if there's anything you need," the server hurriedly responded, sensing the slight tension at the table. He swiftly moved away before I had the chance to express my gratitude and use my manners to thank him.

As Olivia continued to cut her meat into bite-sized pieces, I noticed her eyes lingering on my plate of food. Sensing her curiosity, I asked, "Is the food okay?" seeking reassurance and hoping to initiate a conversation about our dining experience.

"Yeah, it's fine," she responded, accompanied by an unconvincing smile. Observing her lack of interest in her own plate, I swiftly made the decision to switch our dishes, taking over her Scandinavian steak. In that moment, her eyes sparkled under the gentle glow of the dim lighting above our table, and a genuine smile formed on her lips as she started cutting into the steak that was originally meant for me. "Thank you," she whispered softly, expressing her gratitude.

Taking a bite of my own food, I reassured her, "Don't worry about it."

Her throat-clearing caught my attention, and I focused on her question. "What are we going to do?" she asked, seeking guidance or a plan for the future.

"What do you mean?"

"About the pregnancy." Her mention of the pregnancy made my heart sink, and I could sense the weight of her words. I inwardly chastised myself for the way she perceived it as a burden, knowing deep down that I was responsible. Despite instructing her to take a pill after our intimate encounter, my conflicting emotions and fear of my own feelings had clouded my judgment, making me act callously.

I thought about her question for a moment, "What do you want us to do?"

"I..." Her voice trailed off, and I watched her closely, sensing her struggle to find the words. It became apparent that she was fighting back tears, and my concern for her deepened.

"Hey," I reached across the table, gently placing my hand over hers, seeking to provide comfort. "Listen to me," I spoke softly, my voice filled with sincerity. "I want this. I want you. I want our baby," I reassured her, emphasizing my genuine desire for her and our future together.

She sniffled and wiped at her wet cheeks, "Just...what if-"

"No 'what if's?'" I demanded. "Please."

"Okay."

For the remainder of the dinner, we delved into conversations about old memories, both the pleasant and the challenging ones. Olivia made it a point to ensure that I tipped both the waitress and the server generously, recognizing and appreciating their impeccable customer service throughout the evening.

As we stepped out of the restaurant, the cool air embraced us, causing Olivia to shiver in the harsh weather. Sensing her discomfort, I quickly suggested, "I can drive," offering to take the wheel and provide her with warmth and comfort inside the car.

She nodded her head in agreement, a gesture of acceptance, and then wrapped her arm around mine, seeking solace and warmth. Resting her head on my shoulder, we made our way back to the car. Assisting her in getting inside, I then settled into the driver's seat myself, ready to continue our journey together.

Within just a few minutes, Olivia had drifted off to sleep in the comfort of the passenger seat. As I drove us back to the penthouse, I stole a few glances at her peaceful form, admiring her serenity and cherishing the moments of tranquility we shared.

Olivia had been residing with Layla and her husband since securing a position at the cafe, a situation that brought conflicting emotions for me. On one hand, I appreciated the proximity of having Olivia just across the hall, providing a sense of comfort. On the other hand, I couldn't help but worry about her well-being when she wasn't with me. Despite any personal concerns, what truly mattered above all else was Olivia's safety. I was determined to do whatever it took to protect her, knowing that there was one adversary I couldn't easily defeat—her illness. It was the one thing that posed a significant threat, and it was a battle I couldn't single-handedly win.