Chapter 48 Part of the Job
The sound of the kiss was unusually loud.
Olivia stared wide-eyed. "Luca, you…"
"It doesn't hurt anymore," Luca said with a smile. "Your kiss really did make it better."
The servants nearby were stunned.
Olivia felt both angry and helpless, but she couldn't do anything to Luca. She just lowered her head and ate her meal in frustration. Luca sat back down, looking satisfied.
After dinner, Olivia headed to her bedroom. Behind her, a cheerful voice called out, "We still need to take a photo for Grandpa before bed. If you fall asleep first, I'll just have to hold you myself for the picture."
Olivia paused mid-step. She gripped the stair railing tightly, then quickened her pace upstairs.
Maybe because she was too tired from the treatment, it didn't take long for Olivia to fall asleep.
The next morning, she woke up to find Luca already gone. She wasn't sure if he had done anything while she was asleep.
During breakfast, she got a call from the project department. "Olivia, there's an important collaboration, and we need you to come in!"
Today, a crucial partner was coming to the company to discuss a project. This project was tied to the company's plans for the next three years. Luca took it very seriously and had made it clear he would personally sit in on the meeting. As the project department manager, Olivia had to be there.
As soon as she arrived at the office, she saw Windy standing by the break room door. Spread out around her were several insulated carriers filled with different coffees and gourmet pastries. She was enthusiastically handing them out to the project team. "I really appreciate all your hard work, everyone."
But when they saw Olivia, the employees suddenly put down their coffees and stopped lining up for desserts. Their faces showed respect and anticipation.
"Olivia, you're here!"
"Olivia, take a look at the data for KL Group today…"
Windy, who was about to hand out another coffee, froze mid-action. The moment Olivia appeared, everyone completely ignored her. Olivia was the leader they trusted and relied on, and Windy's coffee and treats couldn't buy anyone's closeness.
Windy felt jealous and resentful. Forcing a faint smile, she quickly left.
Olivia didn't have time to care about Windy's embarrassment. She exchanged a few words with the team and walked into the office area.
Several core team members immediately gathered around, looking anxious.
"Olivia, KL Group's boss, Melo Gerald, is so hard to deal with. Last time we negotiated, he almost made us cry!"
"Yeah, his demands are endless!"
"Luca said he'll be here to check the results today. We're under so much pressure."
Olivia listened to their complaints, her face calm. She smiled lightly, "Alright, stop complaining. Leave Melo to me. Everyone, double-check the materials one more time."
Her calmness instantly lifted the team's spirits. They stopped worrying and quickly returned to their desks to prepare for the upcoming negotiation.
After arranging everything, Olivia planned to go to the CEO's office to finalize some details with Luca. Since Luca was so focused on this project, he would definitely support her fully.
However, as she approached the CEO's office, she heard Windy's voice coming from inside.
Windy was whining pitifully, "Luca, I just wanted to get along with everyone, but as soon as Olivia shows up, it's like they don't even see me. They deliberately ignore me. They used to like me before. Did Olivia say something to them? Is that why they won't talk to me?"
Olivia almost laughed out of anger.
Playing the victim was truly Windy's best trick.
Holding back her frustration, she pushed the door open.
Both people inside were startled.
Windy still had tears on her face, and her eyes looked guilty. But the next second, she lowered her head, looking even more pitiful.
Luca, on the other hand, showed no change in expression.
Olivia crossed her arms. "I need to clear something up. The project department is a place for work, not a coffee break lounge. My colleagues are preparing for an important project and don't have time to chat with you. That's not ignoring you; it's called focusing on work. If you think I did something to make them ignore you, show me some proof."
Windy's face turned awkward. She wanted to argue, but when she met Olivia's cold gaze, she couldn't say a word.
Luca narrowed his eyes. He suddenly remembered the deleted call log from yesterday.
Maybe, just maybe, Windy wasn't always trustworthy.
With that thought, Luca's voice grew colder. "Windy, the project department is a key business unit. Don't go there and disturb them. Focus on your own job."
"Luca! I…" Windy's eyes widened in shock.
How could Luca do this? Not only did he not defend her, but he even banned her from going to the project department! This was nothing like what she had expected!
Olivia raised an eyebrow. It seemed Luca still had some sense. She explained, "Luca, I wanna talk to you about the collaboration. Melo and I went to college together. We haven't kept in touch much since graduation, but we're still on good terms from back then."
Luca looked surprised. "You go to college together?"
She nodded. "Yeah. And I remember he loves the café near campus—he always orders their signature cheese latte. Have someone pick one up for him. If we time it right, it'll arrive just as he does. If we make him feel welcome, and with our old connection, it could help the negotiation go more smoothly."
Olivia was confident about the project itself, and preparing the coffee was just a small tactic. But since she had this advantage, why not use it?
Windy's eyes flickered, and she quickly tried to please, "Luca, I'll arrange for someone to get it."
Luca didn't refuse.
After she left, only Luca and Olivia remained in the office.
Luca leaned back in his chair, his tone a bit strange. "You haven't been in touch for so many years, yet you still remember exactly what kind of coffee he likes."
Olivia frowned, confused about why this mattered. "It's just for work. Why are you asking so much?"
Luca felt uneasy and huffed, "Do you remember what coffee I like?"
"Iced Americano with three sugars, no milk," Olivia answered quickly.
Luca felt greatly pleased. Not bad, she remembered his taste too.
Olivia added, "When I was your secretary, knowing this was part of the job."
Just a part of the job?
The expression on Luca's face faded, and the little bit of happiness from earlier vanished. Feeling annoyed, he said coldly, "Got it. Go prepare for the meeting."
Olivia didn't know why Luca was upset again and didn't bother to care. She left the room.
Soon after, Melo arrived on time with his team. Luca and Olivia personally welcomed them in the meeting room.
A staff member brought in a coffee bag. Olivia handed over the warm cheese latte herself.
"Melo, you used to drink this all the time. Try it and see if it still tastes the same," Olivia said with a smile.
Melo's face lit up with a surprised grin. "Olivia, you still remember what I like? That's really thoughtful!"
His eyes were intense as he picked up the cup and took a sip.
But the next second, Melo's expression changed, and he suddenly spat out the coffee.