CHAPTER 6.

By the time Olivia got home, it was already past five.

She dropped her bag on the floor and walked to the kitchen sink. Her chest was still tight. Her eyes were still raw. She turned on the tap and splashed water on her face, expecting to wake up from a dream because the past 2 hours had felt unreal.

Alex's words still lingered in her mind. It didn't stop echoing. She's not your real mom.

Unbelievable.

She sat on the kitchen floor, eyes red from crying, clothes and face wet from water, knees weak. The whole situation is tiring, it's enough.

When does it end?

A knock came from the door. It was then she remembered the date with Theo. Her brain has been occupied with thoughts about Taylor Walker that she had completely forgotten about the dinner date with Theo. And there wasn't much time to prepare.

She walked towards the door and pulled it open.

“Hey.” She said, pushing the door wide enough for Theo to walk in.

He paused.

His eyes swept over her wet hair, soaked blouse, and face down to the ground.

“Olivia…”

“I forgot,” she mumbled, still not looking at him. “Sorry.”

Theo didn't move. “Are you okay?” he bent down, trying to look at her face.

“I'm fine.”

Then–sniff.

His brows tightened.“Are you crying?”

She shook her head quickly. “No.”

“Olivia.” He said again, his voice steady. “Look at me.”

And she did.

The second their eyes met, her lips twitched like she was about to say something, but nothing came out.

“My eyes just hurt. It's nothing.” She said, forcing a smile.

He took a few steps forward. “Olivia.”

“I don't–” Little drops of tears rolled out of her eyes. “I don't understand anything anymore.”

He pulled her into a hug. “Hey, hey, hey, it's okay.”

“Theo–”

“No, no. Don't say anything. Just breathe.”

She buried her face in his chest, her hands gripping his jacket like it was life. Her body shook as she exhaled, tears soaking into his shirt. She didn’t want to cry, didn't want to fall apart, not in front of him, not now. But her chest her chest hurts so much she can barely breathe.

“It's okay.” He whispered.

She squeezed her eyes shut. “I thought I could handle it, all of it. But I can't. When does it end?”

“I know,” he murmured, resting his chin on her head. “I know.”

She pulled back, wiping her tears with her sleeve. “I'm sorry. This is stupid.”

“No, it's not.” He said, his voice firm, but soft. “You're allowed to feel….lost sometimes.”

He brushed her hair out of her face, tucking a wet strand behind her ear. “Not everything always makes sense, Olivia.”

She let out a small, shaky laugh. “That’s not comforting.”

“I know.” He tilted his head, a small smile pulling at the corner of his lips.

Their eyes met, and for a moment, she felt like she could finally breathe, even if it was just for a second.

“Are we still going to dinner?” She asked.

Theo glanced at her wet hair, her damp clothes and red eyes. He raised an eyebrow. “In all this?”

She looked down at herself, then back at him, letting out a small huff. “Yeah, no.”

They both let out a quiet laugh.

“But I can stay, if you want.”

“I'd love that.”

“Alright.”

She moved first, sinking onto the couch, pulling her knees up as she tucked herself into the corner. He sat at the other end, giving her space.

The room was quiet again.

Theo leaned back, glancing at her. “Do you want to talk about it?”

She shook her head. “No.”

“Okay.”

She rubbed her eyes, letting out a slow breath. “I just don't want to think about it anymore. For now.”

“I understand.”

“Like, can we rewind to the morning you come and talk about your offer and then invite me to the dinner so that this time, I'll turn down your request.”

“But isn't it good that you know all of this now.”

“Trust me, I wish I didn't.”

“Why?”

“Don’t you get it?” Her voice broke, and she pressed her palm against her forehead. I have a million thoughts in my head right now. It feels like I'm lifting a whole freaking building on my head. It's weighing me down and I can't concentrate on work. It's unbearable and I wish I had no fucking clue about any of it.”

Theo was quiet for a moment, his jaw shifting. “I shouldn't have invited you to the gala, I'm sorry. I had no idea.”

“It's not your fault,” she dropped her hand, letting out a humourless laugh. “You have nothing to apologise for. If anything, I should be apologising.” She gestured at his suit. “How much does this suit cost again?”

“40k.” He said, smiling.

“40k?” She raised her brows, pretending to be surprised.

“Yeah, it's Italian.”

“Ouuufffff.” She winced dramatically, brushing off his jacket.

He let out a low laugh, shaking his head. “You're unreal.”

She glanced up, a small smirk pulling at her lips. “Guess you should've checked the weather forecast before showing up here.”

"Oh, so now it's my fault?"

she shrugged, still smiling. " Should've worn something less than forty thousand."

He laughed again. "In my defence, we were supposed to go on a date."

"At least the suit was useful," she said, leaning back. "It cared for me when I needed someone."

"So it was the suit that cared for you and not me?"

"Yeah," she said, a playful glint in her eye. "it was the suit."

He raised a brow, slightly leaning forward. "Wow."

She smirked. "What? don't be jealous."

He shook his head, laughing under his breath. "I'm not."

She went quiet, her thumb brushing his hand. "Thank you. For everything."

"It's the least I could do."

She let out a small, tired laugh. "Well, I'm about to pass out. Are you going to join me?"

"Uh no," He said, smiling. "I have things to attend to."

"Oh." she nodded, eyes dropping. "Goodnight, then."

"Goodnight."

He stood up from the couch, leaned forward, wrapping his hands around her in a gentle hug and placing a kiss on her forehead.

When he pulled back, she met his eyes, giving him a small, sleepy smile.

And he turned and left, closing the door behind him.

Olivia let out a small breath and made her way to her room. And for the first time that day, she felt a bit relaxed and allowed sleep to take her.