Chapter_229
Olivia carefully sorted through the clothes she had gathered from the closet. With the maid’s help, it took about thirty minutes to pack everything neatly. The task felt a little mundane, but it gave her something to focus on, something to keep her mind busy as she prepared for the trip.
When Tyler appeared after the luggage was ready, the maid left them alone. Olivia, who had been squatting down to organize the last of the items, looked up at him, her gaze meeting his.
“Tyler,” she greeted softly.
Tyler, raising an eyebrow at her, reminded her, “Didn’t I tell you I could pack by myself?”
“It’s okay, but I didn’t pack your…underwear.” Olivia’s voice trailed off, her cheeks flushing a faint pink.
Tyler understood immediately, and his gaze softened as he looked down at her. “You don’t have to do that. I can pack my own things.”
Olivia, now feeling a little awkward, quickly looked away, not wanting to linger on the subject. Her gaze fell on his underwear in the wardrobe, and she felt a rush of discomfort. She had never touched anything so personal, especially his.
As the tension settled, she stood, attempting to shake off the awkwardness, but it lingered in the room like an unspoken thought.
The next morning, the maid was up early, preparing for their trip. Olivia also woke up early, feeling the weight of sleepiness in her bones. Together, they headed downstairs, and by 7 a.m., they were on the road, making their way to the next city.
Olivia sat beside Tyler in the car, still half-asleep. She struggled to keep her eyes open, feeling unusually tired, more so than usual. Tyler noticed her drowsiness and asked with concern, “Would you like to take a nap?”
She shook her head slightly. “No, I’m fine,” she murmured, though her eyelids felt heavy.
Tyler glanced at her with a thoughtful expression. Given her pregnancy, he had decided to drive instead of fly, prioritizing the baby’s safety. The drive would take around four to five hours, but he didn’t mind.
Along the way, Linda made sure Olivia ate something to keep her strength up during the pregnancy. “Ms. Maisy got this for you,” she said, offering her the food.
Olivia, trying to stay awake, decided to eat. She finished her meal quickly, not wanting to inconvenience anyone, especially Tyler. She hoped he wouldn’t mind her eating in the car, but from the way he glanced at her, it seemed he didn’t mind at all.
The drive was long, but they finally reached their destination by 1 p.m. Olivia felt a wave of hunger hit her as soon as they arrived. She was dizzy from the lack of food and the motion of the car. As they entered the hotel, the spinning door only seemed to amplify her dizziness.
Just as she thought she might lose her balance, Tyler’s hand found hers, steadying her.
The touch immediately grounded her, and the hunger she’d been feeling faded into the background. Holding his hand felt unexpectedly comforting, and she found herself fully awake now, her attention entirely on him. She glanced up at him, and he looked back at her with quiet intensity.
“Watch out, don’t bump into anyone,” he advised, his voice low but caring.
Olivia’s gaze lingered on their joined hands for a moment before she allowed him to lead her through the door. She felt a soft flutter in her chest, a gentle warmth blooming in her heart. The whole moment felt surprisingly intimate, like something out of a romantic daydream.
“Thank you,” she murmured softly, allowing herself to be guided by him.
Tyler held the door open with one hand, and Olivia walked by his side, feeling his strong presence next to her. The atmosphere between them shifted, subtle but undeniable, as they moved through the hotel lobby. For a brief moment, everything else seemed to fade away.