Chapter_107
Ana looked at Olivia, clearly displeased. “The driver’s done for the night. Are you sure you won’t stay?”
Before Olivia could respond, Tyler interjected calmly, “I’ll drive us home if she wants to leave.”
Ana frowned. “Tyler, you’ve had a few drinks. You shouldn’t be driving.”
At the reminder, Olivia hesitated. He had indeed drunk quite a bit during the party. Insisting on leaving now might make her seem unreasonable. She gave in. “I forgot he’d been drinking…”
Ana took that as a concession and nodded, though her tone suggested she found Olivia’s indecisiveness immature. “Alright then. It’s late. Go clean up and get some rest.” With that, she turned and left the hall, visibly exhausted from the day’s events.
Once Ana was gone, Tyler turned to Olivia. “Are you sure you don’t want to go back to Sandalwood Palace?”
She shook her head. “You’ve been drinking. Let’s just see how things are in the morning.”
Tyler nodded. “Okay. We’ll talk tomorrow.”
They made their way upstairs to their respective rooms. But as Olivia entered hers, she found the lights wouldn’t turn on. She lingered in the doorway, unsure of what to do.
Tyler, already at his door, noticed her hesitation. “What’s wrong?”
“My… lights aren’t working,” Olivia said, glancing into the dark room.
He looked over. “Probably a burned-out bulb. Come to my room.” Without waiting, he turned and walked inside.
Olivia stood in place for a moment, feeling hesitant. Though they had shared a room before, this still felt different—more intimate. Still, she slowly followed him into the softly lit room.
Tyler was already in the shower, the sound of running water filling the space. Olivia, unsure of what to do with herself, quietly picked up the clothes he had left on the floor and carried them to the laundry room.
By the time she returned, Tyler was out of the shower, drying his hair with a towel, the television on in the background. He glanced over at her. “Go ahead and shower.”
She nodded. “Okay.”
After her shower, she emerged in a soft cotton sleep gown—a modest piece the maids had delivered during a previous stay. It had a simple, almost childish pattern, completely devoid of allure.
Tyler was lying on the bed, reading under the warm light of the bedside lamp. She noticed the empty space beside him but didn’t lie down immediately. Instead, she sat at the dresser and began drying her hair.
The dryer hummed as she worked through her silky black strands, her delicate fingers weaving through them. The lamplight cast a soft glow on her youthful face, her features peaceful but thoughtful. Her brows furrowed in focus before gradually smoothing out.
Tyler, quietly watching her from behind his book, lowered his gaze and turned a page without a word.
Ten minutes passed. When she finished, she unplugged the dryer and set it aside. Still in her sleepwear, she sat silently for a moment before finally walking over to the bed.
He glanced at her. “Are you done?”
“Yes,” Olivia answered and lay down beside him. The closeness felt strange—like they were a real married couple. She wasn’t used to it.
Usually, if they shared a night, he would go to her room and leave before sunrise, careful not to cross certain lines. But tonight felt different, and Olivia didn’t know what to make of it.
She lay on her side, keeping some space between them, eyes closed.
A few minutes later, Tyler put down his book and turned off the lights. In the dark, the distance between them became more pronounced. But it didn’t last.
Soon, she felt his arm slip around her, drawing her close.
She knew what this meant. He’d had a few drinks, and it had been a while since they’d been like this. She expected it.
He kissed her gently. But Olivia, unsure and conflicted, frowned slightly.
Tyler’s voice came in a murmur. “Why were you whispering in his ear?”
She froze.
“Olivia,” he pressed, his breath warm against her skin. “Tell me.”
She said nothing.
He exhaled, then asked softly, “What kind of man are you looking for? Someone like Jacob? Claude? Or… someone like me?”