Chapter_16
Olivia never imagined she would run into Tyler while working her part-time job. The moment she saw him, she froze, her hands trembling as she gripped the tray of drinks. The sight of him, unexpectedly present in the private room, sent a wave of panic through her. She hadn’t anticipated this.
Tyler, on the other hand, seemed caught off guard, his frown deepening as he registered her presence. He couldn’t fathom that the daughter of the Jones family, the young woman with such high status, was working in a place like this, serving drinks to strangers.
Olivia clenched her hands tightly, her fingers curling around the tray. She refused to meet his gaze, her eyes fixed on the floor as she carefully avoided making any eye contact.
One of the guests closest to Tyler broke the silence. “Do you know her, Tyler?” he asked, his tone light but curious.
Tyler didn’t respond immediately. Instead, he observed Olivia carefully, his gaze cool and unyielding. She could feel the weight of his scrutiny, and it made her stomach churn.
Olivia took a steadying breath, attempting to regain some semblance of composure. She forced her body to relax and took a step forward, walking toward the group. With each step, she tried to appear unaffected, though her nerves were frayed.
“What’s your name?” another guest asked, his voice polite but expectant.
Olivia paused for a moment, weighing her options. She knew she couldn’t afford to show any weakness—not here, not now. The management at this prestigious hotel had high standards, and she was already walking a fine line. “Coco,” she said, offering a soft smile, doing her best to sound cheerful.
The guest smiled in return, clearly amused. “Coco, what a lovely name. Pour me a glass of wine, Coco.”
She nodded, her hands already moving to pour the wine, trying her best to stay professional despite the intense gazes on her. As she leaned forward to fill his glass, she felt a wave of discomfort. The tight fit of her uniform, the snug mini skirt and form-fitting jacket, only accentuated her figure in ways she didn’t intend. The way the men’s eyes followed her movements, particularly the attention they paid to her waist, sent a chill through her.
And then it happened. A warm hand suddenly landed on her waist, pulling her out of her reverie. Olivia’s body jerked in shock, and she gasped, stumbling back.
Her eyes locked with the man who had dared to touch her—Dave. The shock of it sent her pulse racing. Her instinct was to pull away, but the moment felt suspended, as if time had frozen in that awkward instant.
Her cry of surprise caught everyone’s attention, including Tyler, who had been watching the scene unfold from his seat. The room fell into an uneasy silence for a split second, the atmosphere thick with tension.
Olivia’s heart hammered in her chest as she tried to regain her composure. She wasn’t used to feeling so exposed, so vulnerable—especially not with Tyler watching.
One of the other guests, sensing the discomfort, spoke up. “What are you doing, Dave? Is this really the place for that?” His reprimanding tone broke the tension.
Dave, realizing his mistake, withdrew his hand and smiled sheepishly. “I apologize, I wasn’t paying attention.”
The room, still somewhat uncomfortable, shifted topics, and the chatter resumed, but the unease lingered. Tyler’s eyes, however, remained locked on Olivia, his expression now colder than before.
Finally, he picked up his wine glass and spoke, his voice detached and calm. “You may leave,” he said, the words carrying an undercurrent of finality.
With his simple instruction, the oppressive stares of the other men dissipated, and Olivia, still dazed from the incident, quickly turned and left the room. The tray in her hands felt heavier than it had before, the weight of the moment pressing down on her chest.
She walked down the corridor, trying to regain her composure, but her mind was scattered. Her body felt like it was on autopilot as she moved from one task to the next, her head spinning.
Around 2 P.M., after completing her next task in a different private room, Olivia exited and found herself face-to-face with Tyler again. He was standing just ahead of her in the dimly lit corridor, his presence unavoidable.
She froze, every part of her tense as her heart skipped a beat. The soft lighting cast long shadows on the floor, making the already intimate space feel even more claustrophobic. She could feel the heat rising in her cheeks as she pursed her lips, unsure how to react to this new, unwanted encounter.
Tyler studied her for a long moment, his eyes unwavering as he took in her appearance. He walked toward her with measured steps, his expression unreadable. The atmosphere between them felt heavy, charged with unspoken questions.
When he reached her, he stopped, his gaze never leaving her face. His tone was clipped and emotionless as he asked, “You’re working here?”
Olivia hesitated, the words catching in her throat. She wasn’t sure how to explain herself, especially not to him. After a long pause, she spoke softly, “Yes. Can you… please not tell my sister and dad?” Her voice was low, almost pleading, as she looked up at him, her fair neck catching the soft light.
Tyler’s gaze hardened as he studied her, his eyes narrowing. “Do you need money so badly?” His question was blunt, cutting through the air like a knife.
Olivia winced at his words. It wasn’t just about needing money—it was about wanting independence, wanting to feel like she wasn’t just the invisible sister to Naomi, the one who was always overshadowed. But she couldn’t explain all that to him. Not now, not like this.
She simply stood there, silently, unable to answer. The tension between them thickened, and for a moment, neither of them spoke. Olivia just wanted to escape, but she had nowhere to go.