Chapter 154 Design Studio
Her voice was loud, drawing stares from the neighbors passing by. Leo got scared by his mom's look, clutching Olivia's clothes tightly with his little hand and looking at her timidly.
Luca saw how scared Leo was and felt a pang in his heart. He softened his tone right away. "Sorry, I didn't mean it. I just wanted to do something for Leo. Don't be mad. Don't scare the kid."
Olivia saw her son's scared face, so her anger cooled a bit. She grabbed Leo's hand and walked off fast, throwing back, "Whatever you want to do, don't come to us. We don't need it."
Luca stood there holding the design sketch, watching the mother and son walk away. He felt lost and helpless. He never expected Olivia to be so firm—not even willing to glance at the sketch.
Over the next few days, Luca turned into a total pest. He waited downstairs at Olivia's studio every day, trying to hand her the sketch and bringing Leo all kinds of drawing tools and toys. Olivia turned down everything.
Olivia even told the receptionist at the studio: if Luca shows up, say she's not there. She wouldn't even see him. She thought his behavior was messing up her life, and it annoyed her a lot.
On the weekend, Luca learned from his assistant that Olivia was taking Leo to the parent-child amusement park. He grabbed the toys and snacks he'd prepared for Leo and waited early at Olivia's door.
Soon, he saw Olivia holding Leo's hand as they came out of the house. Leo had a little backpack on and was bouncing along happily.
Luca jumped out of his car and walked over with a gentle smile. "Olivia, Leo, what a coincidence."
Olivia saw him and her face darkened instantly. She cursed under her breath—he was like a bad penny that always turned up. She knew he'd find them here.
"Not a coincidence. We're leaving." Olivia pulled Leo's hand to walk around him. Her anger was about to boil over.
Luca blocked her quickly and held out the stuff to Leo. "Leo, I know you're going to the parent-child park today. I got these toys and snacks just for you. See if you like them."
Leo's eyes lit up at the toys. He reached out but then looked at Olivia's face and pulled his hand back. He said softly, "Thanks, Uncle LO. Mom says I can't take things from others."
Luca's heart hurt seeing Leo look so down. He looked up at Olivia with a soft tone. "Olivia, these aren't from others. They're from me for Leo. It's normal for a kid to have snacks and toys when going out to play. Just let him take them."
"I said no!" Olivia's tone was firm. "Luca, stop this. We're going to play. Don't follow us and don't give Leo anything. We don't need it."
"I'm not trying to follow you. I just want to play with Leo for a bit." Luca explained fast. "Olivia, let me come along. I promise—I'll only play with Leo the whole time, won't bother you two, and I can help watch the kid. It's tiring for you to handle him alone, right?"
"No need for your kindness. I do fine with the kid on my own. No trouble." Olivia pulled Leo toward the roadside to hail a cab.
But Luca kept following right behind them, talking nonstop to convince her. She took a step, he took a step, saying all kinds of nice things to get her to say yes.
Olivia flagged down a taxi and tried to get in with Leo, but Luca grabbed the door and wouldn't let her close it. People passing by gathered to watch and pointed at them.
"What are you doing?" Olivia glared at him, full of anger. "Luca, don't push it. Is this fun for you?"
"I just want to play with Leo for a bit." Luca kept his tone soft but stuck to it. "Olivia, look—all these people are watching. If you don't agree, the kid will feel awkward too, right? For the kid's sake, let me come along."
Leo felt uneasy with all the stares. He clutched Olivia's clothes tight and buried his head against her leg. He whispered, "Mom, I want to go play now."
Olivia saw her son's sad face and the crowd around. Her anger flared again, but she felt helpless too. She didn't want to argue with Luca in front of the kid or let people point at him—that would scare Leo.
She gritted her teeth and gave in. She looked at Luca coldly. "Fine, you can come. But remember: only play with Leo the whole time. No talking to me. No doing anything that makes me uncomfortable. If you can't, I leave right away."
Luca was thrilled when she agreed. He nodded fast. "Okay, okay. Got it. I'll stick to it—only play with Leo, no talking to you, no bothering you two."
He let go of the door, opened it for Olivia and Leo to get in, then sat in the front passenger seat. He felt happy inside, like this was a good start.
On the way, Luca stayed quiet and didn't talk to Olivia. He just turned back now and then to chat with Leo, asking what rides he wanted to try. Leo warmed up to him.
Olivia leaned against the window, watching the scenery outside. Her mind was a mess. She didn't want Luca along but couldn't shake him off. Bits of childhood memories kept flashing in her head, and it gave her a headache.
At the parent-child amusement park, Luca paid the cab fare. After getting out, he ran around to open the doors for Olivia and Leo, and even fixed Leo's little backpack nicely.
Leo jumped out and ran excitedly into the park. Luca hurried after him so he wouldn't get lost. Olivia followed behind, feeling all mixed up, watching Luca stick close to Leo.
Inside the park, Leo grabbed Luca's hand and ran toward the roller coaster. "Uncle LO, I want to ride the roller coaster."
"Okay, I'll take you." Luca smiled and nodded. He held Leo's hand, bought tickets, picked middle seats, lifted Leo on, and carefully buckled his safety belt.
Olivia stood nearby watching them. It felt off to her. Leo had grown up, but she'd never taken him on a roller coaster. She was always too busy with work and making money—no time to play with him like this.
The ride ended, Luca lifted Leo down, and they went on to other rides. Luca was patient the whole time, playing with Leo, buying him snacks, wiping his sweat, taking care of every little thing.
He even bought Olivia an iced drink and held it out to her. After hesitating, he said softly, "It's hot out. Have some water."
Olivia glanced at the drink and at him. Her anger faded a little, but she didn't take it. She said coldly, "No need. I have my own water."
Luca's hand hung there stiffly, a flash of disappointment in his eyes. He took the drink back and said nothing more.