Chapter 42 - #42

Chapter 42: Unconfirmed Feelings

"Why would I like someone whom I just met?"

I ridiculously looked at him. Why did he think that I like him? For me, he's still a stranger somehow.

"You do know the quote, 'Love at first sight', right?" He then asked me.

"I do. But I'm not someone who can use that as an excuse. If other people tend to experience that, I don't." I started walking to get out of his office. It makes me feel weird when talking about such things.

...

"Don't step on the gas too hard. We'll die," Alice joked. She's giving me a free driving lesson on my day off because I already got myself a new car. Only I don't know how to use it but Alice do so I'm so lucky to have a free session.

"You don't trust me enough," I said and we laughed. She's sitting on the front seat, instructing me what to do next. It wasn't that hard but I'm just nervous whenever a car passes by, I might hit it. Even I don't trust myself on this either for now.

"Turn right, carefully," Alice said. I did what she said and I smoothly moved the steering wheel. "So, I heard you and your boss are quite in a complicated situation. Care to share?" she said.

It's been a week. And I kept pulling myself together because I didn't want to make things worse. I won't let the issue between the two of us distract me as I work. Because that's what I'm here for, I'm here to work for a better future for me and Summer.

"I don't know. I just wanted us to be normal like how we were before everything changed," I said as I drive carefully.

"But you can't. Things like that happen normally. You can tell people to erase their feelings for you but you're not a hundred percent sure that they will. Unless they get amnesia, of course," she explained. Well, she's right about that. If only I could tell Mr. Parker to stop feeling something special for me, I would. It's for our own good.

"I know," I simply said.

"But you, how do you feel about him? I've asked you a couple of times but you still haven't give out a clear answer," she said.

"How can I answer a question if I don't know the answer?"

"You do know the answer, Liv. Maybe you're just scared to admit it," Alice said.

...

We're in New Jersey to visit the building of the new hotel. It's starting to get bigger and bigger and I'm really excited for it to be finished. It would be a successful project of Mr. Parker if it did. I'm walking around the garden and I'm admiring the fountain again while he's talking to the engineer and the architect who made this thing possible. I took some pictures here as a remembrance of every time we go here.

"Liv," Mr. Parker called me. I put my phone inside my bag before facing him while he's walking towards me. "Would you like to come up there or just wait for me in the car?" he asked.

"I'll go too," I said and smiled before walking. He was walking behind me like I was the boss but I didn't bother to switch places.

It wasn't too hot and it's not too cold up here either. I'm guessing he will surely want to renovate this place because there's nothing in here except for railings and cracked floor. The wind is so relaxing, no wonder why he loves it up here.

"This is you and your sister's favorite spot. I'm guessing the two of you make the same things too," I said to break the silence between us.

"Well, she's good at art. I'm not," he chuckled. "If she's grown up now, I'm sure she's even smarter than me."

"Did you stop looking for her?" I had the urge to ask. I'm curious about it.

"We didn't. But we're more like seeking for a sign of hope because it's starting to feel that Lacey's gone forever."

"Lacey? Is that her name?" I asked him and he nodded. "You blame yourself so much. Are you sure that it's your fault?"

"It is. I'm with her the day she got lost. I've been a careless brother, Liv. And that will forever haunt me," he said.

...

"I'll try this one." Alice picked a red long sleeved dress. I accompanied her to buy a dress because she told me Mr. Whitmore asked her to go out on a date. I'm guessing they're about to level up what they have and it's not surprising though. I'm happy for Alice because I know that it's what she wants to happen.

"Yeah, it looks good on you, I think." I look at the other dresses, thinking if I should buy one for myself.

"I'll try it on in the fitting room," she said before walking away and entering the fitting room.

I was roaming around and I look at the clothes. The dresses seem so expensive and I have no doubt because the designs are extraordinary. I'm not into designer clothes but I admire them somehow.

"Olivia?" I turned to face whoever called me and I've been shocked by who it is.

"Sean." I'm surprised that he's here in the ladies' wear. Why would he be in here? Maybe she's looking for a dress for a girlfriend, I assume.

"You're looking for a dress too?" He asked, smiling. Now that I can see him closer, he looks more like his brother but has softer features.

"Ah, no. I'm with-"

"I'll buy this one, Liv-" Alice stopped talking when she saw who I'm with. "Sir Sean, you're here."

"Hello, Alice. Is that a dress for a date?" He asked her. Did Mr. Whitmore told him?

"Oh, uhm. No. Mr. Whitmore and I are attending a business meeting tomorrow-"

"Using that dress? That's not what my big brother told me," he said and smirked. What a supportive brother.

"Oh, he told you." Alice got shy. She didn't expect Mr. Whitmore will told her little brother about it. "Well, it's good to see you, Sir. Liv, I'll meet you at the register."

I nodded. I was left with Sean here and I don't even know what to say. I think it might be rude if I just leave him here.

"So, Sir-, I mean, Sean. What brings you here?" I asked nicely to avoid a awkward situation.

"I'm with my little sister. She's looking for a dress for her birthday next week." Alice did tell me that they have a little sister which makes Sean the middle child.

"That's amazing. Your birthday and hers are on the same month." Sean's birthday just happened lest than two weeks ago.

"Yeah, it's her 22nd birthday," he told me. "Oh, there she is."

"I think this fits me so well. I'll get this." His sister was fixing the dress while walking towards us. She looked at me like she was curious of who I am.

"Hello. Are you Kellen's secretary? You went to Sean's birthday party, right?" she asked nicely and I nodded. "I knew it. I'm Camille."

"Hi, Camille. I'm Olivia. Call me Liv," I introduced myself. They have the same eyes but nothing more. I wonder if Camille looks like her mother more. She's pretty and she looks smart.

"I know. My brother has a crush on y-"

I didn't had the chance to hear what she said because Sean immediately covered her mouth. Camille chuckled before removing her brother's hand. It's good to see that they seem very close.

"It's nice seeing you, Liv. We'll go ahead," he waved before dragging her sister with him. I laughed before saying goodbye too.

...

"Wow! Thank you so much, Liv!"

Summer rushed to hug me after she opened my gift. It's not her birthday but I wanted to give her something and I think she deserves it. I bought her art materials and they aren't the ordinary ones that you can buy in common stores. I may have bought it on a high price but it doesn't matter to me. I want her to have the best.

"That's not free," I joked. "I want you to paint me a portrait that I can put in my room."

"Sure. I'll make a colorful portrait for you," she said and smiled.

Summer was fixing her painting materials on her study table when my phone rang. It's Rowan. I wonder what's so urgent for him to call me at this moment, it's late. And he also doesn't call me often.

"Rowan," I said after I answered his call.

"Ms. Olivia. I'm very sorry to disturb you tonight. I'm with Mr. Parker here at the club. He's very drunk but he won't stop drinking. I couldn't contact his cousin." He's talking about Mr. Whitmore.

"Send me the adress," I said before going to my room to get my coat because it's cold outside.

Mr. Parker doesn't go out so much at night. Why did he want to get his self drunk tonight?

....