Chapter 130 It’s Raining
"What's it to you?" she shot back, her tone carrying a hint of mockery.
"Just asking." Luca set down his knife and fork, his fingers absentmindedly tracing the edge of the plate. "I thought you'd only cook like this for me."
"That was then, this is now." Olivia lowered her head, continuing to eat, her voice a bit cold. "Luca, don't think too highly of yourself. Jason and I are friends. He's helped me a lot. What's wrong with making him a meal? It's better than some people. Back then, I cooked for you so many times, and you barely ate it properly."
Luca's face darkened, and he didn't say anything more.
He knew he hadn't done well in the past, but it was too late to say anything now.
Feeling a tightness in his chest, he picked up the glass of water beside him and took a big gulp.
The atmosphere at the table turned a bit tense.
Olivia quickly finished her meal, cleared the dishes, and wiped her hands. "I should go."
"Wait." Luca suddenly pressed his temple, his brows furrowing tightly. His face turned pale in an instant, with tiny beads of sweat forming on his forehead.
Olivia's heart skipped a beat, remembering his past migraines. She hesitated.
"Did you strain your arm carrying stuff earlier?" she asked.
"I don't know. My head just started hurting badly out of nowhere. I can't stand up." Luca leaned back in the chair, his voice weak and his eyes unfocused. He looked genuinely unwell.
Seeing him like this, Olivia felt torn.
She didn't want to get involved, but he had gotten hurt saving her, and he was also the investor in her studio.
If something really happened to him, not only would the investment fall through, but it might also bring unnecessary trouble.
"Should... I massage it for you?" she asked tentatively.
Luca nodded immediately, closing his eyes and leaning back in the chair. "Thanks, I appreciate it."
Olivia walked behind him, reached out her fingers, and gently pressed on his temples, rubbing with just the right amount of pressure.
Her fingertips were warm and soft. Luca's body tensed, a tingling feeling spreading through him.
He could clearly smell the faint gardenia scent on her, the same perfume she'd used for five years, never changing.
That familiar fragrance brought back a flood of old memories, leaving a bittersweet ache in his heart.
"Gentler, it hurts a bit," he said on purpose, his voice slightly hoarse.
Olivia quickly lightened her touch, though she felt a bit suspicious.
He seemed fine carrying things earlier. How did the pain come on so suddenly?
But seeing the sweat on his forehead, it didn't look like he was faking it.
She could only be more careful, her fingers gently circling his temples.
After about ten minutes, Luca's complexion improved, and his breathing steadied.
"Much better, thank you," he said, opening his eyes and looking deeply at her, emotions swirling in his gaze.
Olivia pulled her hands back and stepped away, creating some distance. "If you're okay, I really need to go."
"It's raining outside," Luca pointed to the window.
Olivia followed his gaze. At some point, a heavy downpour had started, raindrops pounding against the glass, blurring the view.
"I brought an umbrella," she said, reaching for her bag.
"It's pouring like this. It's not safe for you to drive," Luca stopped her. "Plus, your neighborhood is a bit out of the way, and it's hard to get a cab in the rain at night. Stay here. The guest room is always empty, and it's ready to use with a quick tidy-up."
Olivia hesitated.
The rain was indeed too heavy, and her driving skills weren't great. Driving in a storm at night was risky.
But staying here, alone with Luca for a whole night, made her uneasy.
"Don't worry, I won't do anything to you," Luca said, as if reading her mind, his tone calm. "I'm not that reckless."
Olivia bit her lip and finally nodded. "Alright, I'll stay for one night and leave first thing tomorrow."
Luca quietly sighed in relief, though he kept a neutral expression. "I'll show you to the guest room."
The guest room was right next to the master bedroom, decorated simply but nicely. The bedding on the bed was brand new, and it looked like someone regularly took care of the place.
"Towels and toiletries are in the bathroom. If you need anything, just let me know," Luca said before turning to leave.
"Wait," Olivia called after him. "Your arm injury—do you want to put some more ointment on it?"
Luca paused, then nodded. "Sure."
Olivia took out the ointment she'd bought earlier from her bag and walked over, gesturing for him to lift his arm.
Luca obediently raised his injured arm, rolling up his sleeve to the elbow, revealing the red scrape.
Olivia squeezed a bit of ointment onto her fingertip and gently applied it to the wound, her movements careful, afraid of hurting him.
The moment her fingertip touched his skin, both of them froze.
Olivia quickly pulled her hand back and handed him the ointment. "Put on another layer yourself, and don't get it wet."
"Thanks," Luca said, taking the ointment. Seeing her slightly flustered look, the corner of his mouth curved up almost imperceptibly.
He turned and left the guest room, glancing back at her one last time before closing the door.
Olivia shut the door and leaned against it, her heart racing a little.
That brief touch had brought back memories she shouldn't be thinking about.
She took a deep breath, walked to the bed, sat down, and pulled out her phone to video call Leo.
How was Leo doing at kindergarten today? Did he eat properly? Did he miss her?
A bunch of questions flooded her mind.
As soon as the video call connected, there was a knock on the bathroom door.
"What's up?" Olivia jumped, quickly flipping her phone screen down on the table.
"It's me. I'm a bit thirsty and want some water. Are there any disposable cups in the bathroom?" Luca's voice came from outside, sounding calm, as if looking for cups in the bathroom was perfectly normal.
"No, go get one from the living room," Olivia said nervously, worried that Leo might call her "Mom" on the video and Luca would hear. She didn't notice how deliberate Luca was being.
"The living room is too far, and my arm hurts. I don't feel like moving," Luca's voice carried a hint of grievance. "Can you grab one for me?"
Olivia sighed, quickly hung up the video call, took a deep breath, and opened the door.
Luca stood at the doorway, looking innocent, not at all like someone with a sore arm.
"The cups are in the kitchen. I'll get one for you," she said, stepping past him.
"No need," Luca moved to block her. "I just remembered there might be a bottle of mineral water in the bathroom. I'll look for it myself."
With that, he walked straight into the bathroom and started rummaging through the cabinet.
Olivia stood at the doorway, her heart racing, palms sweaty.
Luckily, Luca didn't take long. He came out holding a bottle of mineral water. "Found it, thanks."
He turned and went back to his room, giving her one last look before closing his door.
Olivia breathed a sigh of relief, quickly shut and locked her door, and redialed Leo's video call.
The call connected soon after. Leo looked sleepy, his little face flushed, hair messy. "Mommy, when are you coming back?"
"Mommy has something to do, but I'll be back first thing tomorrow. Be good, sweetie, and go to bed early," Olivia said softly, her eyes full of affection.
"Okay," Leo nodded, yawning. Then, as if remembering something, he added, "Mommy, Uncle LO didn't watch my livestream today. Is he mad at me?"