Olivia kept staring into his eyes. Sheepishly, Eugene explained, âI 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 canât possibly let his cousin get hurt. Donât take this the wrong way, okay?â
She remained staring at him long and hard as she asked, âYou sure you share no other relationships with her?â He shook his head. âNo, I swear. I never had any ideas about her. Please believe me, Olivia.â
âThen, why are you so nervous?â Her eyes were still on him. With resignation in his voice, he said, âIâm just worried you might read too much into it.â
The look on Oliviaâs face had turned slightly better after she saw how nervous he had gotten. âFine. As long as youâre okay. So, where are we going?â
Eugene answered, âTo the company. Wanna come?â She responded, âNo. Iâm going back. My flightâs in the afternoon.â He had a feeling that she had something on her mind, and he was worried. âIâm coming with you, then.â
Surprised, she asked, âDid you finish your work?â
âThe case is closed. Curtis can handle the rest.â She looked at him in silence. She knew he hadnât finished his work just yet. He lied because he wanted to be with her, and it melted her fury away just a bit. âJust head to the company and finish your work.
Jewel and I will pack up. After that, weâll meet up and go to the airport together.â
âAlright, Iâll give you two a ride.â Olivia held his hand softly in an attempt to tell him she wasnât angry. âNo. Youâll 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. Iâll be fine.â
Eugene studied her face carefully. Good. Sheâs 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 didnât 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? Itâs 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, âHe probably kept it a secret because he didnât want you to take it the wrong way.â
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. Thereâs no way he doesnât have any feelings for her.
However, she couldnât ask him about that. She knew what he would say. Oh, Azalea is Hayesâ cousin, and Iâm his friend. Sheâs like a sister to me. The platitudes. She was tired of it. Forget it. If I keep pestering him over this, itâd be crass of me. I donât wanna be a crass woman.