Chapter 139 Want Daddy
Luca bought strawberry mousse and sea salt puffs, then drove the kid home.
The car pulled up downstairs at Olivia's place. Leo was still excited and not ready to leave. "Uncle LO, can we come eat here again next time?"
"Sure, as long as you're good, I'll bring you often."
Luca unbuckled his seatbelt and handed him the packed desserts. "Take this to your mom. Say it's from me."
"Okay!" Leo hugged it tight.
"Go up and wait nicely for Mom. Don't run around."
"Got it!" Leo waved and bounced into the building.
Luca pulled out his phone and messaged Olivia from LO's account: [Kid's safely home. He had a great time today.]
Olivia replied almost right away: [Thank you so much. Sorry for the trouble today, and for making you spend money.]
[No problem. As long as the kid's happy. Focus on your work.] Luca sent it, put his phone away, and looked at Dylan. "You did great today. Got along well with Leo."
Dylan nodded quietly. "Yeah."
"Keep it up. Spend more time with Leo, got it?"
"Yes, sir."
Luca started the car, a smile in his eyes.
When Olivia got home, it was almost dark. The second she opened the door, the little guy rushed over holding a dessert bag.
"Mom! You're back!"
Leo looked up at her, eyes sparkling with excitement. He shoved the bag right in her face so she wouldn't miss it.
"Look! Uncle LO got this just for you!"
Olivia took it without thinking and opened it. She froze on the spot. Inside was strawberry mousse and sea salt puffs—exactly her secret favorites.
Her heart skipped a beat. A weird feeling hit her hard. How could it be such a coincidence? She'd never told anyone she loved these desserts.
Her guard shot up. Who was this LO guy?
Why did he know her tastes so well? Was it luck, or had he been checking her out on purpose? She got more panicked, her back tensing up.
She pushed down her unease and kept her face calm. No showing panic in front of the kid or she'd scare Leo. For now, she just had to stay cool.
She patted his head, trying to sound normal. "Uncle LO is so nice, getting something just for me."
"Yeah! Uncle LO is the best!" Leo waved his arms, telling about the day. "We rode the carousel and bumper cars, and ate super yummy steak!"
Olivia asked more to get details. "Did you have fun with Uncle LO and Dylan today?"
"Super fun! The most fun ever!" Leo nodded hard, his little face full of joy. He was really well taken care of that day.
As he talked, he suddenly looked down, twisting his shirt hem, and whispered, "Mom... I wish Uncle LO could be my daddy."
It hit her like a stab. Her face darkened. She grabbed his shoulders, her heart racing in panic and fear.
"Leo! Don't say that! Never say stuff like that!"
Her voice was sharp—she was really scared. She couldn't imagine the kid getting more attached to LO. And she had no clue what this mysterious guy wanted.
Leo froze at her tone, eyes turning red, lips pouting. "I... I just think Uncle LO is nice to me... Other kids have daddies. I want one too..."
Her chest tightened. Guilt flooded her. She knew Leo had grown up without any dad love. It hurt her heart like needles.
Other kids had dads to play with and pick them up. He only had her. She gave him all her love, but it couldn't fill that gap. She hurt for him more than anyone and blamed herself the most.
But she couldn't let him depend on some unknown guy. No matter how nice LO seemed, he was still a stranger. She couldn't risk it.
She pulled Leo into a hug, her voice soft and pained. "I know you want someone with you. But daddy is special. It's not just about being nice."
Leo sobbed quietly in her arms, super upset. Olivia patted his back gently, her heart sour and messed up—guilt over the kid, wariness of the unknown.
She cooed him for a long time until he cried himself to sleep. Just as she let out a breath and wanted to sit and relax, her email pinged.
She opened it and shook with anger. Luca had listed a ton of picky changes, nitpicking everything. Her temper flared up.
Colors, layout, copy—nothing escaped his criticism. He was just being difficult. It wasn't real problems. She'd worked so hard on it, and he brushed it off like nothing.
Before she calmed down, her phone rang—Luca calling. She took a deep breath, held her anger, and answered.
"I looked at the plan. It's a total mess." Luca's voice was cold and bossy, with no politeness. He hid his real feelings perfectly. "Problems everywhere. Can't use it. Redo it."
Olivia held her temper, forcing patience. "Just tell me what's wrong. I'll fix it now." She really didn't want more hassle with this guy.
"Can't do that." Luca coughed once. "Come to my place right now. Fix it in person."
Olivia sat up straight, shocked. It's so late, and he wanted her over? She was pissed and speechless—he was being totally unreasonable.
"It's so late. Does it have to be now?" Her tone was full of annoyance. "Can't it wait till tomorrow or do over the phone?"
"This plan is key to the deal. No delays." Luca's voice carried a threat, hitting her weak spot. Her heart sank. He was pressuring her studio again.
"If you don't come, I'll rethink the studio investment."
Her chest tightened. She was too mad to speak. This guy always used the deal to threaten her. She hadn't done anything wrong, but he controlled her every move.
"...Okay. I'm coming now."
Olivia stared at the dark screen, gripping her phone hard until her knuckles turned white. Angry and helpless—she was sick of being dragged around like this.
She glanced back at Leo sleeping in the bedroom, guilt filling her heart.
Sorry, baby. Mom has to leave you alone again. Once this is over, I'll spend lots of time with you.