Chapter 364 Oliver vs. Nicole: Us

Chapter 364 Oliver vs. Nicole: Us
The aircraft touched down on British soil.
Nicole was still sleeping.
Oliver waited until all the passengers had disembarked before gently tapping her cheek.
"We're here," he said.
She opened her eyes groggily and instinctively wrapped her arms around his neck.
"Hold me," she said, her voice still hoarse from waking up.
Oliver bent down to lift her out of her seat.
Carrying two suitcases in one hand, he walked off the plane.
Nicole rested her head on his shoulder, her eyes half-open.
"Do you think I'm a hassle?"
“Not at all.”
“Then why did you sigh?”
“I didn’t sigh.”
“You definitely just did.”
"That was just me breathing."
Nicole smiled and buried her face in his neck.

By the time they arrived at Chatsworth Hall, it was afternoon.
The estate was even larger than it appeared in photos.
The stone exterior glowed with a pale golden hue in the winter sunlight.
The lawn was neatly manicured.
Nicole stood at the entrance, gazing at the estate for quite a while.
“Isn’t this the estate from Pride and Prejudice?”
Oliver handed the suitcase to the doorman. "Yeah, Philip recommended it."
“How did Philip know about this place?”
"Because he's seen it."
Nicole paused for a moment, then linked her arm through his as they walked inside.
Their room was on the second floor with a window overlooking the garden.
Nicole leaned against the window and watched the distant hills.
Oliver wrapped his arms around her from behind, resting his chin on her shoulder.
“Do you like it here?”
"I do," she said, then added. "But it's too quiet. I might get bored if I stay too long."
"Then we'll stay a few days and leave."
"Mm-hmm."
In the following three days, they slept in every morning, enjoyed a leisurely breakfast, and took walks through the garden.
On the afternoon of the third day, Nicole was sitting on the living room couch reading a book.
Oliver brought over two cups of coffee, set them on the table, and sat down next to her.
“Have you figured out what to do with that courtyard yet?”
Nicole placed the book on her lap. “I’ve got it figured out. The first floor will be a reception area, and we’ll use two rooms upstairs as consultation rooms. We can put a few chairs under the big tree in the backyard so we can sit outside and chat when the weather is nice.”
Oliver picked up his coffee and took a sip.
“Save one room for me,” he said.
Nicole tilted her head to look at him. “What are you coming here for?”
"To keep you company."
She smiled.

On the day they returned, they flew back home from Manchester Airport.
While waiting at the airport, Nicole leaned against his shoulder and scrolled through her phone.
Suddenly, she saw a news story: there had been a new development in Dwayne’s case—the prosecution had agreed to the request for a reduced sentence.
She stared at the screen for a long while.
Oliver glanced at her, then took her phone and put it in his pocket.
"It's time to board," he said, standing up and holding out his hand to her.
She took his hand and stood up.
The day after they returned, Nicole visited the old yard.
Margot had already moved the last of her belongings out, so the yard was empty.
Nicole stood in the middle of the yard and started figuring out how to renovate the place.
Rosalind drove over to pick her up that afternoon.
As soon as she walked in the door, she asked, “What’s in your fridge? I’m hungry.”
Nicole replied. “I just got back. The fridge is practically empty.”
Rosalind opened the fridge to take a look.
Sure enough, there were only a few bottles of water and two cartons of milk.
"Let's order takeout," she said, closing the fridge door.
Nicole leaned against the kitchen counter. “What do you want to eat?”
"Pizza," Rosalind said, already pulling out her phone to place the order. "Add some chicken wings and fries."
Nicole chuckled. "You came all the way over just to order takeout at my place?"
Rosalind tapped the screen as she spoke. "I came to check on you—and grab a bite to eat while I'm at it."
When the food arrived, the two sat cross-legged on the living room carpet and placed all the boxes on the table.
Rosalind took a bite of a chicken wing and lowered her voice. "You know what? Shawn texted me back.”
Nicole paused. “What did he say?”
"Just one word," Rosalind said after chewing a couple of times. "Okay."
Nicole raised her eyebrow. "That's it? You came all the way over just for that?"
Rosalind set down the chicken wing. "You don't get it. He never used to reply to my messages at all."
“But doesn’t he usually not reply to people’s messages anyway?”
Rosalind looked completely serious. “It’s different. Now he’s replying to me.”
Nicole couldn’t help but laugh. “So what are you going to do about it?”
"Keep texting," Rosalind said with conviction. "Until he replies with two words."
Nicole laughed so hard her shoulders shook.

When Nicole got home that evening, Oliver was in his study reviewing documents.
Nicole walked in with a glass of water, set it beside his hand, and sat in the chair beside him.
“I had pizza with Rosalind today.”
“Was it good?”
“It was okay.”
Leaning back in her chair, she watched him turn pages in the lamplight.
"Could you go on business trips a little less often from now on?" she asked.
Oliver looked up at her, a hint of surprise in his eyes. "Why are you saying that all of a sudden?"
"No reason." She rested her chin on her knees. "I just want you to be home more."
Oliver set down the pen he was holding. "Then come with me to work."
Nicole frowned. “There’s no pizza at your office.”
"There's some at the café downstairs."
He smiled, stood up, and leaned down to kiss her forehead. "Come on. Let's go to bed."
She reached out and tugged at the hem of his shirt. "There's one more thing."
He stopped to wait for her to speak.
She thought for a moment, then let go of his shirt. "Never mind. We'll talk about it tomorrow."
He glanced at her, took her hand, and led her toward the bedroom.

Early the next morning, Nicole woke to her alarm clock.
Oliver had already gone downstairs.
After washing up and getting dressed, she stepped out of her room and caught the scent of fried eggs as she reached the stairs.
He was standing with his back to her at the stove in the kitchen.
She leaned against the railing and watched him for a while.
Then she walked over, wrapped her arms around him from behind, and said in a sleepy voice, "Oliver."
"Hmm?"
"I'm coming to the office with you today."
He turned his head to look at her.
The corners of his mouth twitched. "Didn't you say you weren't going?"
"Changed my mind."
"Toaster's under the counter. Knock yourself out.”
She released his hand and moved to the counter, dropped two slices into the toaster, and pushed the lever.
Sunlight streamed in through the floor-to-ceiling windows, casting a bright patch of light on the floor.
The kitchen filled with the smell of toast and eggs — warm, ordinary, perfect.
Nicole breathed it in.
Maybe, she thought, this was what it felt like for things to get better.