25 Driven Mad (2/2)

Olivia gave him an unsettled look ”I'm fine.Just making a pit stop before I head home for the day.” she said as she tried to make her escape.Eli grabbed her hand as she walked past and pulled her into an embrace.”Your face doesn't say you look fine.Please tell me what's wrong.” he gently pleaded.

Olivia felt her lips tremble as she inhaled his intoxicating scent.Her mind was starting to go blank and she felt her heart pounding against her chest.She tried to struggle against his embrace and wanted to push Eli away from her but he felt her struggles and pulled her in closer.

”Please talk to me... Am I making it hard for you to open up to me?I have been waiting to hear from you about anything but you've kept a wall up.How... how can I... can I... I...”Eli couldn't finish his sentence as he felt his shirt started to dampen.

He gently pulled Olivia away from his embrace, cupped her face with his hands and forced her to look at him.Olivia's face was now streaming with tears as her lips trembled.Her breathing was uneven and her cheeks were turning a beautiful shade of pink.

”Me open up!” she was choking on her words trying to stop the tears from pouring.”It's you!You have me confused!You have me worried and insecure about myself and trying to figure out what your actions mean!I have no idea what your thinking and we never talk about it... You are beyond friendly and I'm too scared to contact you!”

Eli's face paled at her words, he brought his forehead against hers and closed his eyes as continuously apologized to her.”I am so sorry.I didn't mean to make you feel that way... I just don't know how to act around you and I just... act without thinking.I'm so sorry, please forgive me.”

Olivia pushed Eli away from her.Her feelings were more hurt from the apology then anything else so far.She looked up at Eli, bigger drops of tears were falling from her eyes as she shouted ”See there you go again!Why are you apologizing?Is it because I am interpreting your actions in the wrong way!” the gates that were holding her thoughts and feelings at bay were now opened and she could no longer stop herself.

”Are you toying with me!Am I your play thing for personal amusement!At least Porter was open with his intentions with me from the start but you!You! You make me think I'm special to you!You make me think about you constantly!Why do I have to torture myself trying to convince myself other wise!I can't take it anymore!Please leave me alone!”

Olivia quickly turned around and ran from the spot.She didn't get to far before Eli caught her from behind.He wrapped his arms around her and he laid his head against her shoulder.Olivia struggled to make herself free ”Let go of me!” she shouted as tears went flying into the air.

Eli tightened his embrace ”No!” he sternly said ”I can't let you go!I won't let you go!Not after what you just said!”Olivia stopped struggling and cried.Eli moved his hands to her shoulders and turned her around to face him again.His jade green eyes gave her chills as he locked sight with her.”I am not toying with you!Please believe me!”Eli let go of her shoulders and grabbed her hand instead.

”I am glad you think you're special!You are special!You're beautiful, funny, smart and so caring of others.I am glad you're thinking of me... I hope that all your free thoughts are about me.”Eli brought the hand he was holding and placed it against his chest.”My heart is racing.Can you feel it?It's because of you...”

Eli's words shocked Olivia.Her tears stopped in it's tracks and she didn't know what to say or do.She looked into Eli's eyes for help, for clarity, for reassurance.”Please don't look at me like that... I want to ki... 'cough'...”Eli started to blush and let go of her hand.

Olivia brought the hand that Eli was holding against her own heart.It was warm and she wished she could hold on to the warmth for all of eternity.She gave Eli a small smile as she tilted her head.Eli started to reach out to her face but stopped midway and dropped his hand to his side.”July 12th is my birthday and I wanted to know if you could celebrate it with me?” he asked seriously.

Olivia couldn't think anymore she knew Eli said something to her and all she could do was nod.Eli gave her a bright smile and insisted on taking her home as it was starting to get late.Olivia finally came back to realty and shook her head no.She was going to call her driver to pick her up instead.Eli placed his hand on top of her phone and pushed it down.”I'll call my driver so I can take you home instead... please I want to spend a little bit more time with you.”

Olivia's heart soared.She bashfully agreed and Eli called his driver.As they waited at the exit of the park they talked about their other hobbies and favorite places to visit.Time flew and before Olivia could bat an eye she was already home.Eli rushed out of the car and opened her door.He extended his hand out to offer her assistance out of the car and Olivia happily took his offer.

Once Olivia was out of the car Eli refused to let go of her hand.He gazed at her one more time before he kissed the back of her hand.”I will text you when I'm going to pick you up on the 12th ok.”Olivia's eyes widened at his words as she realized she wasn't dreaming about the invitation.She nodded her head a little to enthusiastically causing Eli to laug.

As Eli watched Olivia start her walk towards the house he shouted at her back ”Please don't be alarmed when I start texting you out of the blue ok!”Olivia stopped in her tracks and dared not to face him as she shouted back ”I can't wait!” and ran towards her house, smiling like a madwoman.