Chapter 40
Olivia
F:
20
35 vouchers
We reached the café, joining the short line. Alexander kept his hand on my back, his thumb making small, comforting circles that I wasn’t entirely sure he was aware of.
“Your family seems nice,” he commented, scanning the menu board above the counter.
“They are,” I nodded. “They’re also very protective.”
“I noticed,” he said dryly. “Your brother Nicholas looks like he wants to interrogate me.”
“That’s just his way,” I explained. “He’s been the man of the house since Dad got sick. Takes the role seriously.”
Alexander nodded thoughtfully. “Understandable. I respect that.”
The line moved forward, and we stepped up to order.
“Five coffees, please,” Alexander told the barista. “Three black, one with cream and sugar, and…” he turned to me. “What would you like?”
“Just a latte, please.”
“And one latte,” he finished, pulling out his wallet.
“I can pay,” I said quickly.
Alexander gave me a look that made me feel silly for even suggesting it. “I invited you for coffee. I’m paying.”
“Fine,” I relented. “But I’m carrying some of them back.”
“Deal.” He smiled, and for a moment, it felt genuine.
We moved to the pickup counter, waiting in awkward silence until Alexander spoke again.
“How are you really doing?” he asked quietly. “This must be stressful for you.”
“I’m hanging in there. It helps to have my brothers here. And Mom’s being strong, but I know she’s terrified.”
“And you?”
I swallowed hard. “I’m scared too. Dad’s always been invincible, you know? Even when he first got sick, he was still Dad. Cracking jokes, telling us not to worry.”
“Fathers are good at that. Hiding their vulnerability.”
“Yours too?”
“My father was an expert at it.”
15:03 Sat, Oct 4.
Chapter 40
I wanted to ask more, but the barista called our order, and the moment passed. Alexander grabbed three cups, carefully balancing them in his hands, while I took the remaining two.
“You know.” he said as we walked, “if you need anything–anything at all–you just have to ask.”
“I’m fine, really.”
“I mean financially, Olivia. Hospital bills add up quickly.”
I tensed. “The money you transferred will cover Dad’s surgery.”
“And what about after? Physical therapy, medications, follow–up appointments?”
I hadn’t thought that far ahead. “I’ll figure it out.”
Alexander stopped walking, forcing me to stop, too. “Olivia, look at me.”
I did, reluctantly.
“This isn’t charity. You’re my fiancée. Let me help.”
“We’ve only been ‘dating‘ for two weeks,” I pointed out. “It would look weird if you started paying all our medical bills.”
“Not if we spin it right. I’m a wealthy man concerned about my girlfriend’s family. It’s perfectly believable.”
I sighed, shifting the coffee cups in my hands. “Can we talk about this later? The coffee’s getting cold.”
“Of course,” he agreed, hitting the elevator button with his elbow. “But promise me you’ll ask if you need anything.”
“I promise,” I said, just to end the conversation.
The elevator arrived, and we stepped inside. It was empty except for us, the doors closing with a soft ping.
“Your brother Ethan seems like a good kid,” Alexander commented.
“He is. Computer science genius.”
“And Nicholas works in construction, right?”
I raised an eyebrow. “You really did your research on my family.”
Alexander had the grace to look slightly embarrassed. “I like to be prepared.”
“For what? Meeting your fake girlfriend’s family during a medical emergency?”
“For everything,” he said simply.
The elevator doors opened on the fifth floor, and we made our way back to the waiting room. My family looked up as we entered, their expressions a mix of relief and curiosity.
15:03 Sat, Oct 4
Chapter 40
“Coffee delivery,” I announced, trying to sound cheerful,
“Bless you both,” Mom said, accepting her cup gratefully.
I handed Ethan his coffee while Alexander handed Nick his cup. My brothers watched him with thinly veiled curiosity, like scientists observing a rare specimen.
“Black coffee for you,” Alexander said to Nick. “And cream and sugar for Ethan.”
Ethan raised an eyebrow. “How’d you know how I take my coffee?”
“Olivia mentioned it,” Alexander lied smoothly.
I shot him a quick glance. I’d never discussed my brothers‘ coffee preferences with him. The man really had done his research.
Alexander settled beside me on the waiting room sofa, his thigh pressed against mine. The contact sent a wave of warmth through me that had nothing to do with the hot coffee in my hands.
“So, Alexander,” Nick began, his tone deceptively casual. “Olivia tells us you two dated before she started working for you?”
“That’s right,” Alexander replied without missing a beat.
“Funny, she never mentioned you,” Nick said, giving me a pointed look.
I took a sip of my latte to avoid responding.
“It was brief but memorable,” Alexander continued, his hand finding mine between us. “When I saw her again at Carter Enterprises, I knew I’d made a mistake letting her go.”
Mom smiled. “That’s so romantic.”
“It’s something,” Ethan muttered, shuffling a deck of cards he’d pulled from his backpack. “Anyone up for a game? Sitting here staring at the walls is making me crazy.”
“What did you have in mind?” Alexander asked.
“Poker?” Ethan suggested, a mischievous glint in his eye. “Unless the big CEO is afraid to lose to a college kid.”
I groaned. “Ethan, don’t challenge him.”
Alexander’s lips curved into a smile. “I accept. But I should warn you, I rarely lose.”
Ethan grinned. “Perfect. Neither do I.”
They cleared the coffee table, and Ethan dealt the cards. Nick joined in reluctantly while Mom and I watched. Alexander removed his Patek Philippe watch, likely valued higher than my annual salary, and set it aside.
“What are we playing for?” Nick asked.
15:03 Sat, Oct 4
Chapter 40
“Pride,” Alexander replied. “And these.” He pulled a bag of pretzels from the vending machine and dumped them on the table. “One pretzel equals one dollar. Purely symbolic, of course,”
“Of course,” Nick echoed, not bothering to hide his sarcasm.
1 expected the game to be awkward, but to my surprise, Alexander fit seamlessly into the dynamic. He was charming but not overbearing, competitive without being a jerk about it. He laughed at Ethan’s terrible jokes and respectfully answered Nick’s thinly veiled interrogation questions.
“So, what exactly are your intentions with my sister?” Nick asked during a hand, trying to sound casual.
“Nick!” I protested.
田
