Chapter 193 After Parting, Sweeter Still
Chapter 193 After Parting, Sweeter Still
After leaving the airport, Henry took the wheel. Instead of heading toward the city center, he drove straight into a gated residential community. Olivia glanced at the entrance and blinked in surprise.
"This is where the new place is? The restaurant you mentioned is here?"
Henry nodded, parking in a quiet corner. He took her hand and led her toward a narrow side street just outside the gates. A row of small shopfronts lined the alley, and halfway down was a modest restaurant tucked between two other businesses.
"The owner here does vegetarian dishes with real care," Henry said as he pushed the door open. "Every plate is balanced and unique."
The moment they stepped inside, Olivia felt the shift in atmosphere. The air smelled faintly of sandalwood. Wooden tables and chairs carried the soft sheen of age, and a few paintings hung on the walls, one of them bearing the words: [All souls are equal]. Something about the place settled her in a way she couldn't quite explain.
Henry guided her to a corner table by the window. "I stumbled upon this place by accident," he said with a smile. "Since then, I've been coming back often. I know you love vegetarian food. The flavors here are incredible."
His words made something stir in her chest. That "accident" felt strangely like fate. She smiled faintly, taking in the surroundings. Even the air seemed infused with a quiet, calming fragrance.
Seeing her expression soften, Henry's gaze warmed. He reached across the table and took her hand. "I'll bring you here often."
For a moment, Olivia almost believed this little world could hold all their storms and all their tenderness.
The food was every bit as good as he promised. She ate more than usual, until she felt pleasantly overfull, and they decided to walk it off inside the community.
"In this heat, we might be the only two people crazy enough to be out walking at noon," she teased.
Henry only laughed, keeping her hand in his. Moments like this were rare for them, and that made them precious.
When they returned to the new apartment, Olivia was startled to find the master bedroom had been painted pink.
"This has to be my mom's idea. My God... pink. My personal nightmare."
Autumn had always adored her daughter, and Olivia suspected that before she turned five, she'd barely seen any color but pink.
"I think it's beautiful," Henry said, entirely serious. "You're my princess, and a princess should live in a pink castle."
Olivia gave him a look. There was no arguing with that kind of stubborn, old-fashioned romanticism.
Once they were in the bedroom, Henry dropped the pretense of patience. He pulled her toward the bathroom before she could protest. Steam rose around them, and he didn't stop until he had taken her completely.
Later, back in bed, Olivia rested against his chest, listening to the steady rhythm of his heartbeat. She traced lazy circles on his skin, making him shift with a low groan.
"Olivia, if you keep that up, I'm not going to be able to stop. How about we go again..."
She tried to pull away, but he held her fast, kissing her deeply until her breath caught and her pulse matched his.
There was nothing unusual about intimacy between a married couple, but in the end, Henry looked refreshed while Olivia could barely catch her breath.
"Get some rest," he murmured. "I need to make a call."
She knew he was busy, that this trip home was for meetings, and that their time together would be short. "Go take care of it. I'll nap for a bit."
She was asleep within minutes. Henry tucked the blanket around her with quiet care before stepping into the living room. The moment he switched on his phone, a flood of message alerts filled the air.
"Mr. Phillips, the meeting attendees are all here. We're waiting on you," his assistant said when Henry answered.
Lighting a cigarette, Henry replied, "Open the media link. We'll expand it to a full conference. I'll speak from here."
By the time he finished the cigarette, the meeting was underway.
Olivia slept through it all. When she finally woke, night had fallen. She stirred, only to feel an arm tighten around her waist.
"Awake?" Henry's voice was low and rough.
She nodded. "How long was I out?"
"About four hours," he said, glancing at his phone. "Hungry? I made oatmeal. I'll bring it to you."
She didn't refuse. After a quick wash, she returned to find him carrying a tray. Everything on it was something she liked. The sight warmed her.
Henry sat beside her, watching her eat with an expression that was almost indulgent. "Why aren't you eating?" she asked.
"I'll clean up after you," he said with a small smile. "Battlefield cleanup."
Setting aside his professional persona, Henry was an attentive partner. He knew her moods and needs without being told.
When she finished, he gathered the dishes and washed them quickly. Returning to the bedroom, he found her leaning against the headboard, scrolling through her phone. The lamplight softened the lines of her face.
He bent to kiss her forehead. "There's a seminar tomorrow. I'll be busy all day. Do you want to stay here or head back?"
"I'll go back. It's not convenient here alone, and my mom would worry."
He nodded, and they talked for a while before falling asleep. Henry left early the next morning, but not before making her breakfast.
Olivia was woken by her phone ringing. Seeing Gwyneth's name on the screen, she answered.
"Olivia, where the hell have you been? You're not at the office. Don't tell me you ran off with some guy?"
Gwyneth's voice was as bold and teasing as ever.
Olivia laughed. "If I did, it's not illegal. And you're awfully nosy for someone your age."
"So Henry's back, huh? That sly man comes home, skips seeing his godmother, and just sweeps you off? Unbelievable."
"Never mind that... When were you planning to tell me about this new job of yours?"
If Henry hadn't mentioned it, Olivia would never have known. Gwyneth had transferred to Interpol and would be spending a lot of time in the field. The more Olivia thought about it, the more uneasy she felt.