Chapter 230 The Impulse to Hold Someone Tight
Olivia was stunned. "Boy... boyfriend?"
Briar nodded, thinking she hadn't gotten it wrong.
After all, Bianca had called him daddy.
Briar actually hadn't expected that Olivia would find such a handsome guy so soon after her divorce.
To be honest, that gentleman's looks and presence were every bit as good as Michael's!
Olivia then realized who Briar was talking about.
She found it amusing and quickly explained, "He's not, you've got it wrong. You can't say things like that outside."
Then she stood up and asked, "Where are they now?"
Briar pointed toward the reception room.
Olivia nodded and immediately went to find them.
As soon as she entered, she saw Bianca lying on the table, staring intently at a small fish tank on top.
In the tank, several fish were swimming around happily.
Bianca stared at them as if she'd found something fascinating.
Andrew was watching over her. When Olivia entered, he seemed to sense it and looked toward the doorway.
Olivia was still wearing her white lab coat from research work. Her manner was different from what Andrew usually saw - capable yet with a cool edge.
Andrew didn't stare for long. He asked in a gentle tone, "Hope we didn't interrupt your work?"
"No." Olivia shook her head. "I was planning to get off work anyway."
She glanced at Bianca and asked, "Mr. Hamilton, where did you take Bianca today?"
Andrew also looked at the focused Bianca and told Olivia, "Took her to the aquarium to see fish."
Bianca seemed to just notice Olivia's arrival.
She happily came over and grabbed Olivia's hand, saying excitedly, "Mommy, look, Daddy bought them for me!"
Olivia took a look and discovered there were even small jellyfish in the tank.
The pale pink translucent creatures, with tentacles like sea anemones moving in the water, were quite beautiful.
Bianca was very happy and told Olivia, "I want to take them home and keep them!"
Olivia stared at the small fish tank, her expression doubtful. "Keeping them like this, won't they die?"
These things were saltwater fish.
Andrew seemed to read her thoughts and told her, "I've already told David to buy a professional tank and equipment. When we get back later, we'll acclimate these fish to the water temperature, and then they can be kept properly.
Bianca's current state is good for exploring various interests. She really likes fish."
Bianca looked at Olivia obediently and asked, "Can I keep them? I promise I'll take good care of them!"
Olivia naturally wouldn't suppress the child's interests, especially since even Andrew, a professional, supported this.
So she agreed almost without thinking. "Okay, then you can take them home."
She was happy to see Bianca grow into a caring little girl.
Bianca was especially happy and immediately came over and kissed Olivia. "Mommy, you're so nice, I love you most!"
'Rare that today I'm not ranked after Mr. Hamilton.' Olivia thought this and found it a bit funny.
Then she saw Bianca turn and also kiss Andrew's cheek. "I love Daddy too!"
Equal treatment, perfectly balanced.
Andrew's expression froze for a moment, showing rare surprise.
At his age, this was the first time someone had kissed his face.
Olivia hadn't expected Bianca to do this either.
How could this little girl kiss her and then go kiss Andrew?
The feeling of their skin touching that morning suddenly came back to her mind, and her ears began to burn for no reason.
Just as Olivia didn't know what to say, Andrew recovered his composure and told them, "Let's go, I'll take you back. David should have already delivered the fish tank. Let's go back and see."
Olivia saw his expression return to normal and felt relieved herself. She responded, "Okay, just wait for me a moment."
Then she went to change clothes and pack up, and went home with Bianca and him.
When they entered, the mother and daughter did see a new fish tank at home.
The tank wasn't particularly large and didn't take up much space. Inside, it was already decorated with many beautiful features that looked like a corner of the ocean. On top of the tank were many professional instruments.
Bianca loved it at first sight and leaned against the tank, looking carefully again and again.
"Dr. Garcia, don't worry. I found a professional fish keeper and asked about the specific care methods. These fish will definitely be kept well!" Andrew said.
Then he taught Bianca step by step how to take care of the little fish.
Bianca listened very carefully.
Later, once the fish in the small tank had adjusted to the water temperature, David helped transfer the little fish into the big tank.
The fish were small, making the new tank seem a bit empty. Once they hid in the coral at the bottom, they couldn't find any trace of them.
Andrew suggested from the side, "We can buy more fish to keep later. Bianca, what kind of fish do you like?"
Bianca rested her little face in her hands, thought carefully, and asked, "Can we keep sharks?"
Olivia was a bit surprised to hear this.
Bianca was such a sweet little thing - why would she want to keep such fierce creatures?
Andrew found it interesting too. But he didn't stop the child. Instead, he gently taught Bianca, "Sharks might not work, you see. The ocean world has its own food chain."
He carefully explained to Bianca why some fish couldn't be kept together.
Big fish ate little fish. The presence of sharks would make the little fish in the tank become food for the sharks.
When Bianca heard this, she immediately gave up. "No! I can't bear to see the little fish get eaten. I don't want sharks anymore!"
Olivia watched him easily change Bianca's mind and thought he was really an amazing person.
When the conversation ended, Yara came over to tell them they could eat.
She first took Bianca to wash her hands. When Olivia and Andrew sat down, their eyes fell on a fish dish on the table at the same time.
The two looked at each other and fell into silence.
Why was there such a strong sense of guilt?
They'd just taught Bianca about keeping fish, and now they were about to eat fish.
This didn't seem right. It wasn't good for teaching the child.
Olivia was also afraid Bianca would be upset, so while she was still washing her hands, she quickly hid the fish.
Her sneaky little movements made Andrew laugh, finding her a bit cute.
Olivia didn't notice.
After dinner, Andrew didn't stay long and left soon.
Bianca had accepted the fact that Andrew had to go out for work in the evenings, but she was still reluctant to see him leave.
Before he left, she couldn't help but hug him, rubbing her little head against his leg again and again.
Her sweet little voice said seriously, "I don't want Daddy to go. I want to hug Daddy. Daddy should also hug Mommy, otherwise Mommy will overthink things again!"
Olivia's expression panicked a bit.
It had been several days - was this still not over?
Andrew saw the change in her expression, amusement hidden in his eyes.
He looked at Olivia with interest.
Olivia finally understood what it meant to shoot herself in the foot.
She hurriedly tried to fix it. "Bianca, you don't need to worry. I won't anymore. Daddy also sent flowers before. I promise I won't get upset anymore!"
"Okay." Bianca nodded, taking in Olivia's words, but still told Olivia, "Even if you're not upset, you can still hug. The teacher says we should learn to express our feelings to family, especially to Mommy and Daddy. Hugs and kisses are both okay!"
After saying this, she looked at Olivia expectantly, as if wanting to witness them having a good relationship.
Olivia felt a bit overwhelmed.
Why did she feel like Bianca had become so smooth-talking after getting better?
She really couldn't handle it anymore.
Olivia was afraid that if she kept stalling, Bianca would force her and Andrew to kiss, so she quickly said, "I know, everything you say makes sense..."
After speaking, her eyes trembled, and with a bright red face, she apologetically said to Andrew, "Sorry about this."
Then she suddenly moved closer to the man and gave him a very superficial hug.
Calling it a hug was generous, because there was a big gap between them.
Olivia's arms pretended to circle his waist but didn't actually touch him.
But their suddenly shortened distance still allowed them to clearly sense each other's breath.
Andrew's eyes deepened as he looked down at the small woman before him.
Her fair, delicate nose and a familiar sweet fragrance made his fingers curl slightly, giving him the urge to pull her into his arms.
David, watching from outside, couldn't help but rub his chin.
What kind of hug was this?
Even he couldn't stand watching!
Not knowing where he got the nerve, he poked Andrew's back and then said dramatically, "Oh... didn't I tell you to take this trash away? Why is it still here? Made me lose my balance!"
Andrew hadn't expected David to have the guts to push him.
Caught off guard, he stumbled and crashed right into Olivia.
Olivia was pushed back two steps and cried out, almost falling backward.
In the moment of crisis, Andrew quickly caught her and pulled her back.
This time, the two were truly held tightly together, inseparable.
Bianca watched Andrew protect Olivia and was delighted!
When the two separated, Olivia's face was completely red.
Andrew glanced at David.
David didn't dodge. His big eyes were full of eager stars, as if they said: Can my year-end bonus be doubled?
Andrew gritted his teeth but didn't hold his 'quick thinking' against him.
"You... you can go now. Bye." Olivia stammered her goodbye.
Andrew nodded slightly, rubbed Bianca's head, then turned and left.
Time quickly came to Monday.
Olivia still couldn't rest.
As soon as she arrived at the research institute, she saw Daniel coming over.
Daniel told her, "The lawyer's letter has been sent to Lyle. Also, I found out that guy seems to have been in contact with Michael and his people recently..."