Chapter 32 Dining at a Couple’s Restaurant
The heat on Olivia's lips hadn't faded yet. She was trapped in Luca's arms, feeling his strong presence, and was completely stunned.
The atmosphere in the infirmary gradually turned intimate.
Suddenly, a grumbling sound came from her stomach.
Olivia covered her belly, her face turning red uncontrollably. From morning until now, she had barely eaten anything, and her stomach was growling with hunger.
Luca froze for a moment, then burst into laughter at Olivia's embarrassed expression. She looked cute and lively, completely different from her usual cold demeanor.
So cute.
Luca was surprised by his own thoughts and let go of Olivia, his expression softening. "Looks like you're really hungry."
Olivia turned her face away, not wanting to acknowledge the teasing in his voice.
"Let's go," Luca said, straightening the wrinkled sleeve of his shirt. "I'll take you to eat. Think of it as a boss making up for an injured employee."
Olivia was a bit surprised.
Since their arranged marriage, she and Luca had never gone out to eat together. Even on her birthday, Luca would just send her expensive but meaningless gifts, clearly not putting much thought into it.
"I'll have someone book a restaurant. Let's go now." Luca took out his phone and called his assistant.
Half an hour later, they arrived at the restaurant.
To Olivia's surprise, it was a romantic spot meant for couples. Each table was set apart for privacy, with candles and fresh flowers adding to the intimate atmosphere.
Olivia hadn't expected Luca to bring her to a place like this. "Did the assistant book the wrong place? Should we go to the restaurant next door?"
Luca frowned. "It's already booked. Why change now?"
"No reason, I just feel like this isn't the kind of place we should be at." What she meant was, this wasn't a place for a couple about to get divorced.
Luca wasn't happy to hear that. He grabbed her hand directly. "I decide where we eat. Why do you have so many concerns? Come on, let's go in."
A waiter was waiting at the door and led them to their reserved table.
As soon as Olivia walked in, she heard whispers around them.
"Wow, look at them, they match so well!"
"Yeah, the guy is so handsome, and his girlfriend is beautiful. They look like they're really close."
Olivia could feel several kind gazes on them. She wasn't used to being talked about like this and had no idea what Luca was thinking.
Even if they were trying to get along peacefully like a normal couple, was there really a need to come to a restaurant like this?
At that moment, the food arrived.
Olivia noticed that the dish the waiter brought was steak, something she liked.
Luca took the plate in front of her, picked up a knife and fork, cut the steak into pieces, and pushed it back to her. "Eat."
Olivia was stunned. Luca cutting her steak for her?
She looked up and saw Luca arranging her utensils and placing her glass of water near her arm.
Luca lowered his eyes as he ate, no longer cold or overbearing. His features looked gentle and handsome.
Olivia's feelings were complicated. When they first got married, she had always imagined living this kind of life with Luca—working together during the week and going on dates to enjoy good food on weekends.
If this were all real, if they were truly a couple in love, how perfect her marriage would be.
Suddenly, Luca's voice interrupted her thoughts. "Hurry up and eat. It won't taste good if it gets cold. What are you thinking about?"
Olivia shook her head. "Nothing."
She ate quietly, accepting the water or condiments Luca passed to her.
Olivia's heart gradually calmed down. This was probably the warmest meal they'd ever shared.
But the calm didn't last long. Luca's phone rang, and it was Windy. "Luca, my mom suddenly fainted. She's in the hospital now. I'm so scared! Where are you? Can you come stay with me?"
Luca's expression turned serious. "Don't panic. Which hospital? I'll be right there."
After getting the address, he hung up immediately, his voice apologetic. "Windy's mom is sick. I need to go check on her. Finish your food, and the driver will take you home." Luca grabbed his coat and hurriedly left the restaurant.
The food still smelled tempting, but the seat across from her was empty.
Olivia sat there stiffly, feeling the irony of it all.
How foolish she was.
To actually imagine this could be the married life she wanted.
Olivia slowly put down her knife and fork, completely losing her appetite.
She remembered when her own mother was critically ill and passed away, her heartless father was on vacation abroad with Windy's mother. Now, her husband had also abandoned her to rush to Windy's side.
A wave of nausea hit Olivia's stomach. She covered her mouth but couldn't hold it back. She bent over and threw up into a nearby trash can.
"Oh my gosh! Ma'am, are you okay?" The nearby waiters were startled and looked over.
Olivia, pale and forcing herself to hold it together, shook her head. She took a handkerchief from a waiter and pulled out a few bills from her bag, placing them on the table. "I'm sorry, I suddenly felt unwell. This is for the cleanup."
Olivia stood up and left.
The driver quickly approached her. "Ma'am, let me take you home."
Olivia refused. "I don't want to go back right now. You can go. I'll walk around on my own."
The driver looked at her with concern. "But you don't look well…"
"It's fine. I'm okay." Olivia turned and walked away.
Only in crowded, noisy places could she stop herself from overthinking alone.
Olivia didn't know how long she wandered until, feeling unwell, she finally took a cab back.
She didn't go to the villa she shared with Luca. Instead, she went to her own place.
Olivia didn't want to return to Luca's villa. Even though Luca might not be back since he was at the hospital with Windy, she didn't want to be alone in a place filled with his presence. It would only remind her of being abandoned earlier that day.
Olivia curled up on the couch, staring blankly at the TV, her mind completely empty.
Jason called her.
Olivia, feeling down, spoke in a weak voice. "Jason, what's up?"
Jason immediately sensed something was wrong. "Olivia, you sound so weak. What happened? Are you feeling sick, or did you fight with him again?"
"I'm fine, just a bit tired." Olivia didn't want to bring up Luca.
But Jason wasn't buying it. "Don't lie to me. I can tell you're upset. Talk to me, okay?"
Olivia's eyes reddened. With so many emotions bottled up, and now alone in an empty house, she felt lonely and vulnerable.
Taking a deep breath, Olivia briefly explained what happened today. "I just feel so tired. Why can't the family gathering come sooner? I want to get divorced and be free already."
On the other end of the line, Jason was furious. "I thought you two just didn't get along, but I didn't realize Luca could be this awful to you! How could he just leave you like that? Is Windy's mom really that important to him?"
Olivia quietly wiped away her tears. "Don't get upset over my issues. I'm okay now."
"No way, I'm worried about you. I'm coming over right now!"