ADRIAN
From the look on Olivia’s face, I knew she was shocked to see me. If she could turn back the hands of time, she would have scanned the entire area before answering the phone.
Her mysteries keep piling up. Who would have thought that Cyril was responsible for the attack we escaped? It’s a question I couldn’t respond to regardless of how I tried to rack my head.
“We need to go back to the officer. I guess he must be waiting for us already,” Olivia insisted. She forced a smile to trick me into forgetting about the issue. She had no idea that I was smarter than she.
“There’s no way I am letting you leave this place until you tell me what I want to hear,” I said in a commanding tone, blocking her exit.
I didn’t mind causing a scene just to fetch the truth from her.
I felt used.
I felt ridiculed.
Despite my efforts to ensure she gets justice, it is too bad she hasn’t acknowledged my efforts for once.
I had a thousand reasons to back out from the case. Instead, I decided to stay back and fight for her. I figured that she might not be able to do it alone. It’s not as though I didn’t have other important business to tend to.
I just couldn’t stand to see her suffer alone. My conscience kept hurting me, knowing that Olivia might become an easy target if I wasn’t in the picture. Perhaps, if I wasn’t with her when we were attacked, we might as well be singing a different story already.
“I already told you, Adrian. It’s nothing for you to worry about. You should be accustomed to Cyril’s trouble,” Olivia looked me in the eyes and lied.
That wasn’t the first time she had done that. She keeps pushing me away like a plague.
“Then she is ready to handle this shit alone because I am done!” I categorically stated. It didn’t take me too long to make the decision. It’s something I’ve harbored inside of me for too long. I was just waiting for the perfect time to reveal it. And when the right time came, I didn’t hesitate to make the best of it.
“Look into my eyes and tell me you meant it, Adrian,” Olivia challenged me. She still didn’t believe that I was being serious. She thought everything was all a joke.
I moved a bit closer to her, looked directly into her eyes, and affirmed. “Read my lips, Olivia. I am pretty sure you are capable enough of fighting your battle. I wish you the very best.”
The only time she cared about my existence was when she needed my help the most.
I said to myself, I am not going to be that rebound guy anymore.
“I will be waiting in the car when you’re done,” I added.
I turned around to walk slowly. I wasn’t in a haste to return to the car. I had a feeling that she was going to call me back-and she did.
“Please wait!” Olivia halted me.
Where I stood, my smile spread to my ears. I’ve studied her enough to know her next move even before she makes them.
I paused but refused to look in her direction. I was patiently waiting for her to utter more words.
I didn’t want to be so forward and desperate. I wanted Olivia to call me like she meant it.
“I think Adrian and Rene are plotting to eliminate me and take over the company,” Olivia finally bowed to pressure to speak out.
I saw this coming.
My instincts didn’t deceive me.
I knew she wouldn’t be able to withstand the pressure.
That was the only time I was able to penetrate her defense to make her emotional.
I stopped smiling to put up a serious face just to continue playing my hard-guy character.
I turned in her direction and walked up to her. Olivia was already drenched in her pool of tears before I got to her.
As much as I enjoyed breaking her, I still wasn’t pleased to see her cry, knowing that I was the cause.
I quickly wiped off her tears and kissed her forehead. “Don’t worry, I got you. We need to go back there and tell Officer Matthew.”
“Why should I do that? It’s just an assumption. I am not yet certain about Cyril,” Olivia doubted herself. She kept taking steps backward, and I wasn’t pleased with her actions.
“Oh damn, you make it impossible for someone to help you,” I muttered succinctly. I was already losing interest in the case, courtesy of Olivia’s sluggishness.
“Do you really want to stay alive?” I asked her. The question came from a place of frustration. Somehow, I managed to control my rage.
“Of course, I wanna. Who wouldn’t want to stay alive?”
“Then let’s do this. The cops will only invite Rene and Cyril for some questioning. It’s not that difficult, is it?” I schooled Olivia.
I ensured that I spoke the right words into her head, capable enough to change her mentality and raise her spirit. It was clear to me that she had lost all hope, and she needed motivation-and that’s where I came in.
“Let’s do this!” Olivia finally made up her mind.
“Are you sure about this?” I asked her for clarification. The response was too quick to be trusted.
She sighed, faced the ground for some seconds, and looked at me. “Yes, I am ready to do what it takes. I am done being scared of Cyril. It’s time I faced my fear.”
I was more elated than Olivia, even though I wasn’t the target. That was the best decision she has ever made since I’ve known her.
Combining our confidence together, we marched back to Matthew’s office.
I quickly apologized for staying up late. I also appreciated him for waiting for us that long. If I were a different person, he wouldn’t have made that sacrifice because we kept him waiting for too long.
“It’s fine! Can we proceed now?” he asked. There was no indication that he was upset at us for staying too long.
“Sure! She will take over,” I tapped Olivia on the legs to motivate her spirit.
At first, it seemed a bit difficult for her to speak, but eventually, she was able to fight her foes.
After the narration, I applauded Olivia and took over the case to enable her to catch her breath. I could understand how difficult it was for her to speak up after the failed attempts.
“So what are we going to do now? You just heard from her,” I indulged Matthew. I already trusted him enough to prove the best solution.
“Before you leave, please drop the home address of Rene and your husband’s contact address. I will assign my men to get them for questioning. Just so you know, they’re not suspects yet until proven guilty,” Matthew suggested. He couldn’t have said it any better.
I winked at Olivia, reminding her of what I told her outside.
“That’s better!” Olivia endorsed.
I appreciated Matthew for his good work and also exchanged contacts with him should any emergency arise.
As we walked back to the car, I felt hyped. I felt like a leader who just solved the world’s greatest problem.