Chapter_117
Claude grinned, leaning back in his seat. “Nah, I just got here myself.”
Olivia glanced at his drink, noting the melted ice and the damp exterior of the glass. “Sorry about that. Traffic was a nightmare,” she apologized, feeling a little embarrassed by her tardiness.
“It’s all good. I’ve got plenty of time,” he reassured her, then pulled out the trinket he had found. “Is this yours?”
Olivia’s heart skipped as she took the necklace from him. She held it close, her fingers brushing over the familiar pendant. Claude observed her reaction and added, “Must be very important to you, isn’t it?”
“My mother left this for me,” Olivia whispered, her voice soft, almost lost in the weight of the memory.
Claude nodded knowingly, his smile turning gentle. “I’m glad I called you about it, then.”
Grateful for the return of her cherished possession, Olivia met his gaze and said sincerely, “Thank you, Claude.”
The young man studied her face, a hint of concern flashing across his expression. “Be more careful with your stuff next time, alright?”
Olivia smiled faintly, the tension easing a bit. “Yeah, I’ll keep that in mind.”
Despite having a mutual acquaintance, Claude and Olivia weren’t exactly close. The conversation stalled, leaving an awkward silence hanging between them.
“Well… I guess I should tell you to drink a little less next time?” he said, half-joking, his concern genuine.
Olivia laughed softly, finding his easygoing nature oddly comforting. “Thanks for the advice, Claude. I’ll remember that.”
Claude’s smile softened, and after a brief pause, he asked, “How did your mom pass away?”
The question hit Olivia like a sudden wave, and she instinctively tightened her grip on the necklace. For a moment, the air between them felt heavy.
Realizing his misstep, Claude quickly apologized. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to be insensitive.”
Olivia took a steadying breath, her eyes dropping to the necklace in her hands. After a moment, she decided it wasn’t a big deal. “She passed away from an illness a long time ago. This necklace is all I have left of her.”
Claude nodded, his expression softening. He had known Olivia was a child of an affair, but he didn’t press her on it. Instead, he quickly shifted the subject. “Hey, the ice cream here is amazing. Want to grab some?”
Olivia, grateful for the change in topic, smiled. “Sure, I’d love to.”
Claude grinned, a carefree energy radiating from him. “Great. I was dying to have one with a friend anyway.”
As they enjoyed their ice cream, Olivia noticed other women casting glances at Claude. Despite the attention, he seemed unfazed, as if he was used to it.
Impressed by his ease, Olivia felt more comfortable in his company. It was surprising how naturally their conversation flowed. She considered offering to pay for both of their ice creams, but Claude beat her to it.
“I’ll cover it,” he said cheerfully. “Can’t let a lady pay, right? Or are you worried I can’t afford it?” He teased, a playful glint in his eyes.
Olivia hesitated for a moment, realizing that Claude’s family owned a bank. She scratched her head sheepishly. “No, I just wanted to thank you.”
“Then you can treat me next time,” he said with a wink, clearly enjoying the banter. “Right now, I need to keep up appearances.” He gestured around them, his eyes catching the attention of a few onlookers.
Olivia glanced around and understood. “Right. I’ll keep that in mind,” she said, deciding to play along with his teasing.