Chapter_232
Olivia sat on the edge of the bed, her thoughts wandering as she stared at the unfamiliar surroundings. She had only been awake for a few minutes when she decided to get up, but just as she stood, Tyler emerged from his study. She was a little startled to see him so suddenly, and their eyes met briefly before she looked away.
“You’re up?” he asked, his voice calm but carrying an undertone of concern.
Olivia hesitated, feeling slightly self-conscious. “D–Did I sleep for a long time?” Her words came out softer than she intended, a hint of vulnerability creeping into her tone.
Tyler gave her a casual look. “It’s normal to feel very sleepy when you’re expecting.” He paused, his gaze softening. “Are you hungry?”
Before she could respond, Olivia’s stomach betrayed her with a loud growl. She flushed, her cheeks heating with embarrassment, but she remained silent, not knowing how to respond to such an intimate moment.
Tyler stepped closer, his presence undeniable. “I’ve ordered some food. It should be here any minute now.”
As he came nearer, Olivia couldn’t help but notice the faint scent of his cologne, which seemed to draw her in even more. Despite the proximity, she instinctively kept a small distance, unsure of how to handle the tension between them.
“Have you eaten already?” she asked, her voice betraying a hint of curiosity.
Tyler glanced at her, his expression unreadable. “Not yet. I thought I’d wait for you to wake up.”
Olivia’s chest tightened, a wave of guilt washing over her. She didn’t want to make him wait, especially when she had taken longer than intended to sleep. She opened her mouth to apologize, but just then, the doorbell rang.
Tyler gave her a small, reassuring glance before heading to the door. The hotel staff entered, pushing a trolley with their meal. “You can leave now,” Tyler said politely, and the staff quickly exited, leaving them alone once again.
He set about arranging the food on a table in the living room. The room felt a little cold, its modern design echoing Tyler’s personality—sleek, polished, and yet somewhat impersonal. As he carefully placed the dishes, Olivia couldn’t help but watch him, captivated by his effortless grace.
“Come eat,” Tyler said, inviting her to the table.
For a moment, Olivia remained still, unsure of how to move forward. But eventually, she walked over to the table. As she did, the soft glow of the candles illuminated Tyler’s features, making him appear even more striking in the low light.
He smiled at her, a glint of something warm in his eyes. “I got these for you,” he said, gesturing to the dishes. “They’re your favorites, and they’re healthy too.”
Olivia’s heart skipped a beat at his thoughtfulness. She had never expected this kind of attention from him, especially not after everything that had transpired between them. She hesitated for a moment, unsure of how to handle the intimate setting, but Tyler seemed to sense her uncertainty.
“Sit down,” he urged gently.
As Olivia took her seat, she couldn’t help but notice the candles flickering softly on the table. The atmosphere was undeniably romantic, and for a moment, she was struck by the contrast between this elegant setup and the casual, spontaneous meals she had shared with Jacob in the past. Those had always been more about convenience than moments of real connection.
Tyler sat down across from her, his face bathed in the warm light of the candles, giving him an almost ethereal quality. His next question was casual, but Olivia could sense the underlying curiosity in his voice. “Have you ever had a candlelight dinner with Jacob before?”
The question caught her off guard, and her mind immediately flashed to memories of her time with Jacob—simple meals at street vendors, eating on the go, without much thought to ambiance or romance. She shook her head, her voice quiet as she answered, “No.”
“Let’s eat then,” Tyler said, his tone shifting slightly, as if eager to share this moment with her.
Olivia reached for her cutlery, but before she could begin, Tyler was already serving her some sliced steak. “Here, eat this,” he said, placing the tender meat onto her plate with a practiced hand.
A swirl of emotions stirred inside her—gratitude, surprise, even a little overwhelm. She wasn’t used to such gestures from him, and it left her unsure of how to respond. “I can do it myself, Tyler,” she said softly, her voice almost a whisper, as she tried to assert some independence.
But Tyler didn’t seem bothered. “It’s no trouble at all,” he reassured her, his voice steady and calm.
Olivia paused for a moment, weighing her options. She could refuse, could insist on doing things herself, but a part of her just wanted to relax and let him care for her, even if it felt a little unfamiliar.
With a small sigh, she relented. “Okay,” she murmured, allowing herself to taste the food he had thoughtfully chosen for her.
Tyler’s eyes softened as he encouraged her with a gentle smile, “Give it a taste.”
Olivia took a bite, the flavors rich and comforting. For a moment, the tension in the room seemed to melt away, and she allowed herself to simply enjoy the meal, her thoughts momentarily drifting away from everything else.