Chapter 124 Buying a Car
Olivia stopped overthinking, put her phone down, and focused on the task at hand.
In the afternoon, she got ready to pick up her child from school.
As soon as she reached the classroom door, she saw Leo with his little backpack on, holding a bulging art tube in his arms and clutching two award certificates in his hands. His face was flushed with excitement, and his eyes were shining.
"Mommy! I won first place in the drawing contest and the perfect attendance award today!"
Leo ran over on his short legs, holding up the certificates high, nearly dropping the art tube from his arms.
Olivia quickly reached out to catch the tube and took the certificates from Leo. Her heart melted as she smiled and ruffled his hair.
"Leo is amazing! So impressive!"
Just then, the teacher came over with a big paper bag in hand.
"Ms. Olivia, these are Leo's artworks and a holiday gift box from the kindergarten. It has some snacks and small toys inside. Please take them."
Olivia reached out to take everything, and suddenly her hands were full—art tube, certificates, a big paper bag, and she still had to hold Leo's hand. After just a couple of steps, her arms started to ache, and the paper bag almost slipped from her grip.
"Ugh, so much stuff, I can barely hold it all," she muttered, frowning instinctively. She couldn't help but think how much easier it would be to have a car. Picking up Leo and carrying all these things while holding his hand was just too inconvenient.
"Need some help?"
A familiar voice came from behind. Olivia turned around and saw Jason.
He got out of his car and quickly walked over to her, naturally taking the big paper bag and art tube from her hands. "I was just passing by and thought I'd come pick you guys up for dinner."
"Thanks, Jason. You're a lifesaver," Olivia sighed in relief, no longer fumbling with everything. "How did you know we'd be done at this time?"
"I asked Ella. She told me you'd be picking up Leo yourself today." Jason smiled and looked down at Leo. "Our little champion did great today!"
Leo puffed out his chest proudly. "Uncle Jason, my sunflower drawing won first place!"
"That's awesome! Later, I'll get you your favorite strawberry ice cream as a reward," Jason said, ruffling his hair before turning to Olivia. "Let's go. I've already booked a restaurant nearby."
Olivia nodded, holding Leo's hand as they walked alongside Jason. After a few steps, she couldn't help but speak up. "Jason, I've been thinking about buying a car recently."
Jason paused for a moment. "A car? Why the sudden idea?"
"Look, every time I pick up Leo, there's the backpack, art supplies, and sometimes stuff from the kindergarten. It's just too much to carry." Olivia glanced at the certificates in her hand. "With a car, picking him up and going to the studio would be so much easier."
"What kind of car are you thinking about? I can help you choose, or I can just get you one," Jason said casually, as if it were no big deal.
Olivia quickly waved her hands. "No, no, I can't let you buy me a car. That's way too much."
Deep down, she knew Jason had feelings for her that hadn't faded over the past five years. He'd helped her so much already, and she didn't want to owe him such a huge favor or give him the wrong idea.
The thought of keeping her distance grew stronger. She couldn't send Jason mixed signals anymore.
"I'm just looking around, and my budget isn't high. Something basic for getting around is fine," Olivia added, her tone deliberately distant. "I can't keep troubling you all the time. Having my own car would be more convenient."
Jason's smile faded a little. He wasn't clueless—he could sense the distance in Olivia's words.
He felt a bit uneasy, even a little disappointed, but he didn't show it too much. He just nodded. "Alright, if you're unsure about picking a car, feel free to ask me. I can give you some advice."
"Thanks," Olivia replied politely, not saying much more.
The three of them took a cab to the restaurant Jason had booked, a place serving American comfort food. The atmosphere was quiet, and the menu had dishes Leo loved.
The food arrived quickly, and Jason cut a piece of grilled ribs for Leo. "Eat up, buddy. Gotta grow tall and strong, our little champion."
Leo happily chewed on the ribs, mumbling with his mouth full, "Thanks, Uncle Jason. This is even better than Mom's meatloaf."
Olivia laughed and playfully tapped his nose. "You little traitor, switching sides so fast."
The mood at the table was pretty relaxed. Leo chattered away about kindergarten, talking about how someone fell asleep in class or how the teacher taught a new song.
Once Leo was almost done eating, Jason looked at Olivia, his tone more serious. "Liv, about what I mentioned last time, have you thought it over?"
Olivia's fork paused mid-air. She knew this was coming.
She put down her utensils and looked at Jason. "Jason, I'm sorry. I've thought it through, and I just don't think we're right for each other."
"Is it because of Luca?" Jason's eyes darkened. "Are you rejecting me because he's back?"
"It has nothing to do with him," Olivia shook her head. "I just feel like right now, my focus is on Leo and the studio. I don't have the energy for a relationship. And I've always seen you as my best friend, nothing more. I should've been clearer before, and I'm sorry if I gave you the wrong idea."
Jason's expression turned a bit grim. He stayed quiet for a few seconds, his tone carrying a hint of frustration. "I don't believe it. You know how I've treated you and Leo over the past five years."
"I know you've been great to us, and I'm really grateful," Olivia said firmly. "But gratitude isn't love. I can't force myself into something just because I'm thankful, and I don't want to hold you back either."
Just then, two people walked into the restaurant—Luca and his assistant.
Luca had been waiting outside the kindergarten to see Leo, but when he saw Jason pick up Olivia and Leo, anger flared up instantly. Without a word, he told his assistant to drive and follow them.
He spotted the three of them in the corner right away. His face darkened as he led his assistant to a nearby booth, deliberately keeping his voice low but still able to hear Olivia and Jason's conversation.
When he heard Olivia reject Jason, a strange sense of relief washed over him. But when she said she saw Jason as her best friend, he couldn't help but grip his glass tighter, his knuckles turning white, nearly crushing it.
His assistant, sitting beside him, felt the heavy tension and didn't dare make a sound, pretending to look at the menu.
The more Luca listened, the more upset he got, especially seeing the reluctant and unwilling look in Jason's eyes as he gazed at Olivia. It made him restless, wanting to just go over and pull Olivia away.
Afraid he'd lose control and be noticed by Olivia, he stood up and signaled his assistant to leave quickly.
As they reached the restaurant door, a clear voice rang out from behind. "Uncle LO!"
Luca froze, his heart sinking. This wasn't good.
Leo, who had turned around at some point, spotted his back and instantly recognized the uncle who had saved him and often sent him gifts.
Luca didn't dare look back. He grabbed his assistant and hurried out, almost fleeing the restaurant.