Chapter 165 Something Is Wrong
Plus, he could totally drive a regular car for this short trip. Why bother borrowing an SUV?
These thoughts flashed through her mind. Before she could think them over, a wave of strong sleepiness hit her.
She rubbed her eyes on instinct, trying to stay awake, but her eyelids got heavier and heavier, like they were filled with lead.
Next to her, Leo had lost his earlier excitement. He let out a big yawn, leaned back in his seat, and soon closed his eyes and fell asleep, his little head bobbing.
Olivia's heart skipped a beat. Something was wrong.
Leo usually had tons of energy and rarely fell asleep so fast in the car. And she'd never felt this sleepy before, even if she hadn't slept well the night before. It shouldn't be this bad.
"Jason, do you feel something off?" Olivia asked, forcing herself to stay alert. "Leo doesn't usually fall asleep in the car like this, and I'm super sleepy too."
Jason glanced at her. His face looked normal. In a calm voice, he said, "It's fine. You probably got up too early this morning, and the car is driving smoothly. Kids get sleepy easily. You're probably just tired from lately. Take a nap."
He paused, then added, "The painting camp is still a ways off. Sleep, and you'll wake up when we get there."
Olivia wasn't fully convinced, but the sleepiness was too strong. She couldn't fight it.
She wanted to ask about the exact location of the painting camp, like which direction in the suburbs, or any landmark buildings.
But the words stuck in her throat as another heavy wave of sleep hit her.
She turned to look at Jason and saw his eyes closed, like he was resting them.
Whatever. Asking wouldn't help anyway. Jason wouldn't hurt her or Leo.
With that thought, Olivia finally gave in to the sleepiness and passed out.
Seeing Olivia asleep, Jason slowly opened his eyes. His gentle gaze turned deep, full of years of pent-up love and a hint of hidden obsession.
He looked at her sleeping face. Her eyelashes were long, casting a soft shadow on her eyelids. Her lips were slightly pursed, making her look peaceful and beautiful.
For so many years, he'd quietly stayed by her side. He'd watched her struggle alone to raise Leo, rush around for her studio, and deal with hurts on her own.
Getting rejected was okay at first. At least he could still be near her. But now, with Luca and Olivia getting back together, he couldn't take it anymore.
He couldn't just watch the woman he'd loved for years fall into someone else's arms.
This time, he had to seize the chance, even if it meant using shady methods.
Jason slowly reached out to touch Olivia's cheek, but his fingers stopped just short of her skin.
He didn't want to wake her, so he pulled his hand back and kept staring at her sleeping face. The love in his eyes was about to spill over.
After a bit, he lowered his voice and asked the driver up front, "How much longer?"
The driver glanced at him in the rearview mirror and replied respectfully, "Mr. Compson, about half an hour. The villa is all set up. No one will bother us."
"Good." Jason nodded, pleased. "Well done. Once this works out, I won't forget it."
"Thank you, Mr. Compson," the driver said quickly.
Jason didn't say more. He turned back to Olivia, his gaze even more determined.
He leaned down slowly, got close to her, and planted a soft kiss on her smooth forehead.
The kiss was light and tender, carrying all the feelings he'd held back for years.
"Olivia, I can't miss this again," he whispered in her ear, his voice so gentle it could melt. "This time, I have to be with you, no matter the cost."
He sat back up, his heart pounding with nerves and excitement.
He had it all planned. Take Olivia and Leo to the private villa, away from the city's chaos and Luca's influence.
There, he'd take good care of her and Leo. He'd show her his true feelings, make her see that only he was right for her, only he could make her happy.
He believed that with enough time, she'd understand and choose him.
The car bumped on the mountain road, and Olivia jolted awake from her sleep.
She opened her eyes on instinct. Instead of a flat highway, she saw steep mountain walls on both sides. The car was on a narrow mountain road, deserted all around.
How could the painting camp be in a place like this?
Panic hit Olivia. She quickly turned to check the back seat.
Leo was still sleeping soundly, breathing steady. He seemed fine.
Her heart eased a little, but then bigger fear took over.
"Jason! Where are we?" Olivia's voice trembled. "Why would the painting camp be here? Where are you really taking us?"
Jason didn't answer right away. He told the driver to pull over slowly by the roadside.
He turned to her, looking at her panicked face. The gentleness was gone, replaced by an almost obsessive determination.
"This isn't the painting camp," Jason said calmly. "I'm taking you to a private villa in the deep mountains. No one will bother us there."
Olivia's mind went blank with a buzz.
Private villa? Deep in the mountains?
What was Jason planning?
"Have you lost your mind?" Olivia's emotions exploded. "I want to go to the parent-child painting camp, not some private villa! Turn around now and take us back!"
"I can't take you back." Jason shook his head, his eyes full of pain and conflict. "Olivia, I've liked you for years. I can't watch you with Luca anymore. I know this is selfish and wrong, but I have no other choice. I just want you away from the city's mess, so you can think about us. Give me a chance, okay?"
Olivia stared at his obsessive look, angry and scared.
She never imagined polite, mild Jason would do something like this!
"Jason, snap out of it!" Olivia tried to stay calm, her tone serious. "I only see you as a friend, nothing more. This won't work. If you take us back now, I can pretend this never happened. We can still be friends. But if you keep going, we can't even be that!"
Jason's face changed, clearly hurt by her words.
But he quickly hardened again. "I don't care! I only care if you stay with me! For years, I've watched over you quietly, seen you suffer so much. You have no idea how it hurt me! Luca hurt you over and over. Why give him another chance? Only I can give you happiness, take care of you and Leo!"
"This isn't love—it's obsession! Selfishness!" Olivia shook with anger. "You used our friendship's trust to drug me and Leo, make us sleepy. Is this how you love me? I won't accept it! And I'll never forgive you!"