Chapter 271 - Brink of Conking Out (1/2)
The rest of the festivities went on that night long after the ceremony was over. Chatter and music livened up the atmosphere, keeping the energy of the hall alive.
It was nearing midnight when Grandma Lin called it a night, grabbing Auntie Martha's attention as the latter spoke with Queen Isla.
Olivia took it as her chance to escape from her mom's clutches who never let Olivia out of her sight since they walked hand in hand down the stage.
Assisting Grandma Lin and Auntie Martha out of the hall, Olivia was left standing in the lobby once the older Lin ladies boarded their car.
The pair of red taillights soon joined the rest of the cars in the bustling streets of the metro. Olivia took it as her cue to pivot on her spot and rejoin the remaining guests in the hall.
As she approached the double doors, she stiffened. Her spine straightened, adding a few inches to her five foot four height.
She could pretend that she didn't see Henry Lin, but her animosity towards the man would be really obvious to the prying eyes if she blatantly ignored him, so Olivia did her best to tug the corner of her lip in a silent acknowledgment instead.
”See me in my office on Monday. I had Gail clear your schedule too.”
Stopping to a screeching halt, Olivia pivoted in her heel. Who gave this loathsome man the right to boss around her secretary?
”I haven't approved of your request, so I'll let you know if I could spare you a second of my time.”
Henry Lin scoffed, shaking his head. ”Talk down on me when you don't have those nightmares anymore and end up calling daddy, Olivia.”
”Excuse me?”
”You heard what I said. I won't repeat it again.”
”I heard you mention the word nightmares. My nightmares to be exact.”
Dipping his hands inside his pocket, Henry Lin closed his eyes as if contemplating. ”A birdie told me you sought medical advice for your nightmares. I assume it's the same thing you had since you were little.”
”A little birdie? Or you paid someone to steal my medical file? And for what reason? You know what? Forget about it.”
On the outside, Olivia looked calm and collected, her posture oozed with elegance, and the smile on her face showcased her perfectly aligned pearly whites.
It was a different story deep inside her thoughts though, because the gears in her mind were on the brink of conking out for overthinking the hidden meaning in Henry's words.
Her eyes scanned left to right as she studied her father's face, and her knuckles turned white when a slow smirk curved his lips.
”Glad my tragedy paved the way for your award, Mr. Lin,” Olivia sniped in derision. Her anger laced the words which rolled off her tongue. It didn't matter if Henry Lin fed through her anger or misfortune. ”Waiting for the day that I would take the glory on yours...daddy.”
With a mocking smile on her lips, Olivia turned about face and tuned out whatever Henry Lin was spouting behind her back.
The following day, Olivia sprang up from the bed in shock when Maxen jerked his leg and brushed against hers.
In reflex, her hands swiped the knife under her pillow but immediately dropped it on the floor with a thud when she realized she was not in any danger.
Closing her eyes, she let her body drop back on the bed, burrowing her face in Maxen's c.h.e.s.t.
”Rise and shine,” Maxen uttered, his hoarse voice painted a smile on Olivia's face.
Maxen's morning voice sounded funny like a croaking frog, yet it oddly felt warm like home.
”Five more minutes,” Olivia pleaded, tightening her coil on Maxen's waist.
”Mmm,” Maxen hummed his reply. He combed his fingers on Olivia's hair and pressed a kiss on top of her head.
Peering up, Olivia smiled at Maxen before inching a bit up so her lips could plant a kiss on his.
With the pad of his thumb, he dusted Olivia's lips, highly tempted to steal more of her sweetness through her lips akin to a cherry waiting for a bite.
”Do you want me to call Aila Zhang? Maybe she can prescribe something,” Maxen offered, taking up the chance of bringing up awareness in her mental health, front and center.