Chapter 10 10

OLIVIA

I remembered Noah mentioning last week that he was busy and wouldn't be available to meet until this week to hand over the puppy.

At this point, I had no intention of getting the puppy from him anymore. I wanted to avoid any interaction with Noah as much as possible, especially now that I knew he had a girlfriend. It seemed best to stick to my initial plan of keeping my distance.

Though I knew that, whether Noah had a girlfriend or not, it was still impossible for us to be together.

After my call with Noah, I spoke to Margareth the following day, asking for her permission to get a pet since Hannah had been asking for one for so long. To my surprise, Margareth agreed right away. She understood how much Hannah wanted a pet. I promised that I would train the dog well so that it wouldn't cause any trouble for her or the neighbors.

Once I had Margareth's approval, I went to the pet shop and picked out a dog for Hannah. I chose a round, plump, white Shih Tzu. When I brought the dog home, Hannah was thrilled, but I could still see a hint of disappointment in her eyes. The dog I brought wasn't Coco, the puppy she saved. It seemed that some things simply couldn't be replaced.

Hannah named the dog Mochi. It was a well-behaved dog, always wanting to lie down on my slippers.

"Olivia, are you okay?" Ella's voice snapped me back to reality.

I smiled faintly. "I'm okay, just thought of something."

After lunch, we went back to our respective tables and got back to work.

I stepped out of the restroom when I noticed Alice. Her face was pale, and she looked unwell.

"Alice, are you sick?" I asked as I approached her.

She nodded softly. "Yes, I had my period and I'm dealing with dysmenorrhea." She explained.

"Did you take any pain meds?" I asked, concerned.

She shook her head. "I don't take painkillers. I don't want to become dependent on them."

I nodded in understanding, then noticed the lunchbox she was holding. "Are you just eating now?"

"No, it's not for me. It's for Isabel's boyfriend. He's having surgery, and Isabel assumed he wouldn't have time to buy lunch, so she asked me to deliver it to him." Alice explained.

"Oh, okay." I just said.

Just as I was about to leave, Alice suddenly cried out in pain. I rushed over to her and helped her sit in the nearest chair.

"Olivia, are you busy? Can I ask you a favor?" She asked, her voice strained.

"I am. I'm heading to Palo Alto for a client meeting," I replied.

Her eyes widened, a glimmer of hope in them. "Since you're going to Palo Alto, could you drop this food off at the Palo Alto Medical Center? That's where Isabel's boyfriend works."

I hesitated, wanting to reject the favor, but seeing the pain on Alice's face, I couldn't bring myself to. I sighed. "Fine, just send me the details."

When I arrived at the hospital, I checked Alice's message. To my surprise, the details she gave me was the same as Noah's clinic.

Could it be Noah? Or maybe there's another doctor using the same room? I tried to calm myself down, rationalizing that it could be someone else.

I went to the specified room, my heart racing with anxiety. Please don't be Noah, I prayed silently. But all my hope shattered when I heard his voice.

"Come in," he called in a deep, commanding tone.

I hesitated before stepping inside. Clearing my throat, I said, "Isabel, your girlfriend, asked me to deliver this food to you." I spoke like an automaton, trying to keep my composure.

Noah was absorbed in typing at his desk, his face showing the strain of a long surgery. He was dressed in his white doctor's coat, the fabric crisp and professional. His eyeglasses rested on the bridge of his nose, and his dark hair was slightly tousled from a long day. As he glanced up and met my gaze, his tired eyes softened briefly before turning cool and distant.

He opened his mouth, then closed it again. "Girlfriend? How come I didn't know I had one?" he asked, his voice deep and slightly cold.

"Isabel is my boss, and everyone at the company knows she's been seeing someone recently," I explained, trying to keep my voice steady.

Then, I remembered the woman I heard with Noah on the phone last week. Could it have been Isabel?

"Anyway, I've already done my part. If there's nothing else, I'll be leaving now," I said, eager to avoid further interaction.

But as I turned to leave, Noah suddenly grabbed my hand. Before I could react, I stumbled and ended up in his lap. His grip tightened around my waist, and with his other hand, he gently pinched my chin, pressing his thumb against my soft lips.

"Olivia, please. do me a favor," he murmured softly.

Without waiting for my answer, he lowered his head and kissed the thumb that was pressed against my lips.

My eyes widened at his sudden action. His strong brow bone and the bridge of his nose brushed against mine. Our breaths mingled, creating an electric, intimate moment.

I was completely consumed by his presence, his powerful aura making my mind go blank. Panic surged through me, and I instinctively tried to push him away, but the hand around my waist only tightened.

I was completely stunned.

"Ah! What are you guys doing?!" A woman's scream shattered the moment, snapping me back to reality.

Noah raised the hand that had been on my waist, pressing the back of my head against his chest as he looked at the girl standing in the doorway.

"Ava, I'm off duty. You have no right to interfere with my personal affairs," Noah said coldly, his voice firm.

The woman's voice cracked with frustration. "Is she the reason you rejected me? What's so special about her? Our families have known each other for years, and my father is your mentor! I'm the one who's more suited for you!"

Noah didn't even acknowledge her. His gaze remained sharp and impassive. "Leave. And close the door behind you."

Though I couldn't see her, I could feel the intensity of her glare sending a chill down my spine. I heard her footsteps storm out of the room, slamming the door behind her in a fit of rage.

Noah finally released his hand from the back of my head. Our eyes met, and I saw the mockery in his gray eyes. It only then dawned on me that he had been putting on an act-using me to get rid of Ava.

"How long are you planning to sit on my lap, Olivia?" His voice was husky, laced with a magnetic pull.