Chapter_60
Olivia, oblivious to Naomi’s gaze, continued smiling brightly as she held out the red gown. “They’ve brought the gown. Are you going to try it on now?” she asked cheerfully.
Naomi stood by the vanity, her eyes fixed on Olivia’s face. For a moment, she said nothing, her silence hanging heavy in the air. Finally, after a long pause, she replied, “Sure, I’ll try it on.”
Olivia, feeling a sudden burst of determination, added, “I’ll help you.”
But Naomi didn’t move. She just kept staring at Olivia, as if evaluating something just beyond the surface. Her eyes were unreadable, and Olivia’s nervous energy began to seep into her.
Just then, the door opened, and Tyler entered the room. He walked directly to Naomi’s side, his presence commanding the space. Naomi turned toward him, smiling softly, her hand immediately reaching for his arm. “How do I look?” she asked, her voice playful yet searching.
Tyler glanced at Olivia before his gaze fell on the red gown in her hands. After a moment of silence, he nodded. “Red.”
Olivia’s heart skipped a beat as she noticed the brief exchange of glances. For a moment, everything seemed to slow down—her hand holding the gown felt suddenly awkward in her grip. She looked down, unable to meet his eyes. Tyler did the same, avoiding her gaze as though some invisible barrier had quietly settled between them.
Naomi didn’t seem to notice the undercurrent of discomfort. Instead, she turned to Tyler, squeezing his arm affectionately. “Alright, wait for me. I’ll go change, and you can tell me how I look. Does that sound good?”
Tyler smiled softly, his expression almost distant. “Mm-hmm, sure. Go ahead.”
Naomi then turned to Olivia, her tone soft but insistent. “Let’s go, Olivia.”
Olivia followed Naomi to the changing room, feeling the weight of the air between them. As they passed by Tyler, he moved over to the couch and sat down. Neither of them made eye contact, both of them pretending not to feel the quiet tension hanging in the room.
Minutes passed, and when Naomi emerged from the changing room, she was stunning in the red gown. She stood before Tyler, striking a pose. “How do I look?”
Tyler, lost in thought, seemed to snap out of a daze and took in her appearance. “Not bad,” he said, his voice flat and unenthusiastic, though his words were still polite.
Naomi, seemingly unsatisfied with the response, continued, her eyes flicking briefly to Olivia. “I think Olivia would look amazing in this. She’s so young, with that soft skin, a tiny waist, and a nice figure. I bet this gown would fit her perfectly. Don’t you think so, Tyler?”
Olivia froze, her heart pounding in her chest. The words were unexpected, cutting through the air like a sharp knife. She felt her skin flush with embarrassment, her hands trembling as she tried to comprehend where this conversation was headed.
Tyler, momentarily caught off guard, stepped toward Naomi, a reassuring smile forming on his lips. “How can that be? You’re the one who looks better in it,” he said firmly, his voice low but comforting.
Naomi smiled at his words, clearly pleased. “Really?”
Tyler’s gaze softened as he nodded. “Mm-hmm, of course.”
But Olivia felt her breath catch in her throat. The suffocating feeling that had been building inside her finally broke through. She quickly interjected, her voice tight with the need to escape. “Naomi, I’m going to help the maid,” she said, her words coming out faster than she intended.
Naomi, still smiling, waved her hand dismissively. “Sure, go ahead.”
Olivia didn’t wait another moment. She turned and hurried out of the room, her footsteps echoing in the hallway. Once she was outside, she leaned against the wall, taking deep breaths to steady herself. The whole encounter had left her feeling exposed, as if she were a silent observer of a world she didn’t quite belong to.
Inside the room, Tyler, who had been quiet since Olivia left, finally turned his attention back to Naomi. She caught him looking at her and smiled knowingly.
“Tyler,” Naomi said softly, her voice a little more intimate now, “is Olivia pretty?”
Tyler’s face instantly turned serious, his jaw tightening as his gaze met hers. “What nonsense are you talking about?” he asked, his tone sharp but controlled.
Naomi, sensing his discomfort, stepped closer, her voice dropping to a soft, almost seductive whisper. “I’m sorry. I just can’t help but feel jealous,” she confessed, her arms wrapping around his, leaning into him as though to seek reassurance.
Tyler didn’t move at first. His eyes searched her face, then, after a long pause, he pulled her gently into his embrace. “It’s your birthday today,” he murmured, his tone softening. “Let’s enjoy it.”
Meanwhile, Olivia stood outside in the corridor, trying to find some space to breathe. The emotions swirling inside her felt too complex to articulate—her sense of inadequacy, the jealousy she couldn’t shake, and the overwhelming sense of being caught in something she didn’t fully understand.
She didn’t go to the kitchen to help. She couldn’t. Instead, she stood there, waiting, her thoughts racing.
Naomi, now changed into the gown, called for Tyler to leave so she could finish her makeup. Olivia had been about to enter the room, but Tyler’s figure appeared in the doorway just as she was about to move.
“Tyler,” Olivia said, her voice hesitant.
Tyler didn’t meet her gaze as he walked past her, his tone blunt. “Ignore her.”