Chapter_58
At the Harris Group, the air was thick with power and prestige. Everyone present was part of the elite, and Olivia couldn’t help but feel out of place. As the meeting progressed, the staff glanced at her now and then, but soon their attention returned to the matters at hand, and Olivia settled into her role of quiet observer.
She found herself busily attending to the crowd, constantly moving, offering coffee and water, serving refreshments. Despite the simplicity of the tasks, there was an unspoken demand to remain alert and efficient. It was far more exhausting than she had imagined, and she could feel the weight of the day pressing on her shoulders as the minutes dragged on.
Tyler, as always, commanded the room. His presence was magnetic, and Olivia could sense the respect that his employees had for him as he issued instructions with an authoritative but calm tone.
Halfway through the meeting, Tyler suddenly paused and looked in her direction, his voice cutting through the hum of conversation. “Take a rest,” he said, his gaze sharp but not unkind.
Olivia, who had been in the middle of preparing coffee, froze for a moment before setting the pot down. The room’s attention shifted to her, an uncomfortable weight on her shoulders. She straightened up, forcing herself to appear composed, even as her arms ached from the constant motion.
“Okay, Mr. Tyler,” she replied, the words slipping out almost automatically, trying to keep her voice steady.
The room quickly shifted its focus back to Tyler as he resumed the meeting, the undercurrent of activity continuing without her. Olivia, now dismissed from her duties, moved quietly to a nearby couch. She sank down onto the soft cushions, stretching her arms out as she let out a small sigh.
She hadn’t realized how demanding the role of a secretary would be—her tasks were simple, but they required constant attention. It wasn’t long before a staff member from the administrative office approached her, holding a glass of orange juice and a piece of cake.
“Cake and juice for you,” the woman said softly, offering the items with a polite smile.
Olivia hesitated but accepted them, not wanting to refuse the kindness. However, she didn’t dare eat the cake, knowing it would be improper in such a setting. She only took a sip of the juice, trying to ease the dryness in her throat. Afterward, the staff member left with a quiet smile, leaving Olivia to her own thoughts.
She hadn’t expected her one-day internship to extend so far into the night. The clock was ticking past 11 p.m. by the time Tyler accompanied her to the elevator. The building, once bustling with activity, now felt eerily quiet, and she realized that they were likely the only two people left.
Exhausted, her body heavy with fatigue, Olivia stood beside him, trying to keep her focus. Tyler, noticing the subtle slump in her posture, broke the silence.
“How was your work today?” he asked, his voice soft, but his gaze intent.
Olivia, not wanting to admit how drained she felt, gave him a small smile. “Not bad,” she answered, though the words felt hollow, even to her.
Tyler’s gaze lingered on her a moment longer, sensing her exhaustion despite her attempt to hide it. “Are your arms tired?” he probed gently.
She had spent most of the day performing repetitive tasks—printing, organizing papers, running around with drinks—but she didn’t want to seem weak or complain. “No,” she replied, “they’re just a little sore.”
Her answer was contradictory, and Tyler raised an eyebrow, noting the subtle shift in her expression. “Isn’t soreness a type of tiredness?” he asked, his tone now more teasing than probing.
But before Olivia could respond, her body betrayed her. She suddenly swayed, her vision blurring as exhaustion took its toll. Tyler, quick to react, reached out and caught her, his strong arms wrapping around her waist, steadying her.
Olivia blinked in surprise, her face flushed with embarrassment as she realized she was leaning against him. She instinctively pulled away, clutching her arms tightly around her chest, looking away.
“Are you that sleepy?” Tyler asked, his voice low with concern.
Fully awake now, Olivia felt the heat rise in her cheeks. She couldn’t admit just how exhausted she was, especially after the restless night she’d had. “I’m fine,” she muttered, trying to sound more collected than she felt.
Tyler gave her a knowing look. He understood her reluctance, and after a moment, he smiled softly. “We’ll be home soon,” he assured her, his tone gentle.
Olivia nodded, grateful for his patience. The elevator dinged as it reached their floor, and she immediately pulled away from his embrace, though she couldn’t help but feel a slight twinge of disappointment when his hands released her. The contact had been fleeting, but there was something about the warmth of his touch that lingered.
As they exited the elevator, neither of them noticed the figure standing just down the corridor, half-hidden in the shadows by the staff elevator entrance. Jacob, who had been observing them from afar, watched as they walked together. His eyes narrowed slightly, his thoughts unreadable as he kept his distance.
Once inside the car, Tyler settled in beside Olivia, the silence between them comfortable now that they were finally heading home. Tyler’s hand, almost without thinking, found its way to hers, resting next to her thigh. The simple gesture, private and intimate in its own way, spoke volumes. Neither of them said a word, but the moment stretched between them, as the car began its journey home.