Chapter 101 Starting Anew

Chapter 101 Starting Anew

"Olivia, do you remember this song? We sang it together for the first time at that college mixer. I still remember how you stumbled through it."

"This little charm is what you gave me three years ago. You told me not to take it off no matter what."

"And also..."

All the way, James tried every trick in the book to reminisce with Olivia, hoping to rekindle her feelings for him.

But Olivia wasn't buying it. She just sat quietly with her eyes closed, leaving the stage all to him.

The car slowly stopped at the entrance of the residential complex.

Seeing they'd arrived so quickly, James felt a bit reluctant. "Let me walk you to your building," he said.

"OK."

The two walked side by side without speaking. The quiet night seemed to wrap them in a subtle romantic atmosphere.

Seeing the mood was just right, James tried to get a bit closer.

He pretended to casually bump Olivia's shoulder with his. Seeing her expression unchanged, he felt secretly pleased.

Sure enough, Olivia was just playing hard to get.

"I'm suddenly feeling nostalgic about college. You used to follow me everywhere, even to elective classes..." As he spoke, he tentatively tried to hook her fingers.

Just when he thought he'd successfully hold her hand, Olivia suddenly pulled away and crossed her arms over her chest.

This gesture clearly meant rejection.

The motion-sensor lights lit up one after another, but James's patience was running out.

He'd spent the whole week by her side, giving all he could. What else could she possibly expect?

Suddenly, Olivia stopped walking.

"What's wrong?" The moment she turned to look at him, James quickly hid his impatience and put on his usual gentle smile.

Olivia said flatly, "You should go back."

"But we haven't reached your building yet..."

"Go back." She interrupted him coolly, expressionless and distant. "Don't send me any more gifts, and don't show up in front of me when there's nothing going on. It's really bothering me."

"Why?" James looked completely confused.

Hadn't she just gotten in his car with a smile and accepted his advances? How could she suddenly push him away?

Olivia ignored his questioning and turned to leave.

Because she'd noticed that all the streetlights ahead were already on.

So she was certain that James definitely wasn't the one who helped her solve the neighbor problem. Which meant he was useless to her now.

Watching Olivia's retreating figure, James scratched his head in frustration. He pressed his lips together, the anger inside burning through his whole body, desperately needing release.

What the hell was this idiot playing at? Was she treating him like a dog!

"Fuck!"

James stormed back to his car. He slammed on the gas, planning to hit up a bar he hadn't been to in a while to blow off some steam.

Absurd. Girls lined up for him; as if he'd waste his time chasing after her.

Olivia sat down on the stone steps by the streetlight. She picked up a twig and doodled on the ground while calling Alexander.

Actually, compared to James, she suspected it was more likely Alexander who did it.

He'd always been the type to do good deeds without taking credit, like how he'd secretly helped decorate her room before.

The phone was still ringing. Bored, Olivia looked around and caught sight of Alexander's car in the distance.

Why would he follow her here? Was he worried something might happen between her and James?

She stood up and walked toward the car with big strides.

Alexander had his phone on silent. When he belatedly tried to answer, Olivia had just hung up.

Just as he was about to call back, someone knocked on his window.

He rolled down the window to find Olivia bending over with a playful smile. "Mr. Blake, want to come up for some milk?"

Alexander hadn't expected her to find him. Trying to stay calm, he nodded. "...Sure."

After handing him the milk, Olivia got straight to the point. "You were the one who dealt with the neighbor and the streetlights, right?"

Hearing her confident tone, Alexander didn't deny it.

Though she'd already guessed, having him confirm it personally still made Olivia's heart feel sweet.

"Alexander, can we start over?"

After saying this, Olivia lowered her head shyly, pressing her pink lips together. She rubbed the cup faster, her ears burning red from shyness.

Seeing Alexander's delayed response, Olivia started to panic.

Did he not want to?

She sneaked a peek to observe his expression, only to meet his smiling gaze head-on.

"What are you smiling about?" Olivia suddenly felt like she was being teased, both embarrassed and annoyed. "I'm asking you a question. Are you willing to start over with me or not?"

"What kind of starting over do you mean?" Alexander watched her, his eyes becoming unexpectedly tender.

Olivia avoided his overly affectionate gaze and stammered, "It's just, it's just..."

"Just what?"

Alexander leaned forward, his arm propped beside her as if gently encircling her.

"You know what I mean!"

"I don't know." Alexander's voice carried laughter as he deliberately shook his head, refusing to cooperate.

Seeing him being so unreasonable, Olivia closed her eyes in defiance and quickly kissed his cheek. "I know you like me, and I like you too. Even though a lot of bad things happened between us before, please believe me—that wasn't my intention."

"I want to get to know you again and be together properly."

After pouring out everything in her heart, Olivia's face turned bright red.

Alexander cupped her face with his palm, turning her head back to face him. "Are you serious?" His expression was solemn, his tone hiding a barely noticeable nervousness.

Olivia nodded repeatedly. "Yes."

"What about James? You chased him for so many years—can you really let go?"

"From the first moment I saw him, I didn't like him. When I said I liked his gentle personality the other day, I was just trying to make you jealous."

"But if you recover your memory..."

Before he could finish, Olivia kissed his lips.

Alexander's heart stirred. His large hand held the back of her head, deepening the kiss.

When the kiss ended, Olivia steadied her ragged breathing, her tone more serious than ever. "I'm certain I would never like James."

She might not be able to guarantee she'd like him the same way after recovering her memory, but toward James, she felt a visceral disgust that would never change.

Alexander whispered, "I believe you."

No matter what she became in the future, he would stand behind her, supporting her a million times over.

Their foreheads pressed together, their breaths intertwining. Olivia swallowed, her eyelashes trembling slightly as she boldly kissed him again.

Gradually, the kiss became unstoppable.

"Can I?" Seeing things about to spiral out of control, Alexander asked restrainedly.

"Yes." Olivia nodded vaguely and took the initiative to unbuckle his belt.

Though she wasn't clear about what she'd done before or what entanglements she'd had with whom, she remembered that her first time was with him. That meant she hadn't completely messed up before.

This certainty gave her the courage to get to know him again and be together properly.

Alexander responded passionately to her actions, and they both fell back onto the couch together.