Chapter 136 Christmas Eve, Interrupted
When Ethan returned to the bathroom, Olivia had already managed to take off her pants one-handed and was soaking in the tub.
"Why didn't you wait for me?" Ethan grabbed a bath sponge, squeezing rose-scented body wash onto it before gently rubbing it across her skin.
Olivia shot him a sideways glance, pouting slightly. "How was I supposed to know how long your phone call would take?"
Ethan chuckled. "If you're in the bathroom, I wouldn't talk long. Two minutes, max."
A small smile tugged at Olivia's lips as she scooped up a handful of bubbles and blew them toward him. Under the bathroom lights, the bubbles shimmered with rainbow colors.
Through those iridescent bubbles, Ethan gazed at the delicate young woman, feeling a warmth spread through his chest. He braced one hand against the edge of the tub, the other cupping the back of her neck as he leaned in to kiss her lips.
Olivia turned away, offering her left cheek instead. Ethan's kiss landed on her face, and in retaliation, he gently bit her soft cheek.
"Why did you bite me?" Olivia twisted around to swat at him, her indignation more playful than genuine.
Ethan observed the reddening mark on her fair skin with satisfaction. "Hmm, you're getting some flesh back on your bones."
Olivia touched her cheek with the back of her hand. "Have I gained weight that quickly?"
Ethan's gaze traveled downward, fixing on the two soft curves beneath the water. "Definitely getting plumper and softer in all the right places."
Embarrassed, Olivia raised her leg to kick him, which played right into Ethan's hands. He grabbed her slim ankle, pulling her leg outward to reveal the delicate flower between her thighs.
"Let go," she protested, trying to tug her leg free, uncomfortable with his intense scrutiny.
Ethan narrowed his eyes. "Didn't you say you had your period?" Without waiting for her response, he slid his hand beneath the water. "Let me check."
Olivia immediately bit her lower lip, desperately trying to suppress the embarrassingly sensual sound threatening to escape.
---
On exam day, Los Angeles was blanketed by a rare heavy snowfall. The normally sun-drenched city transformed into a winter wonderland, temperatures plummeting below freezing.
Olivia wore a white hooded down coat that reached her knees and fuzzy ankle boots. She had a glove on her left hand but none on her right, as she needed to write during the exam.
Ethan dropped her off at school, instructing Logan and Gavin to stand guard outside the exam hall. By now, everyone at UCLA knew Olivia had someone powerful backing her, even if they didn't know who that someone was.
After the exam ended, Ethan picked her up but then headed straight to the airport. He had urgent business in Southeast Asia. Olivia's arm hadn't fully recovered, making her unsuitable for travel, and Ethan was wary of taking her anywhere after the recent accident.
Before leaving, Ethan had Harry assign over a dozen security personnel to rotate shifts guarding the estate. He repeatedly reminded Logan and Gavin to protect Olivia at all costs.
Following the traumatic incident, Olivia no longer ventured out carelessly. She feared endangering others and risking her own life again.
Her days confined at home passed reasonably well, never too boring. She watched TV, read books, browsed the internet, chatted with Sarah, and when the weather permitted, walked the dog around the grounds. Each day passed in this quiet routine.
Ethan's trip lasted over two weeks, and soon after returning, he flew off again to another location. By the time he finally made it back to Los Angeles, it was already mid-to-late December.
That evening, he returned home carrying the scent of winter frost and alcohol. Olivia managed to bring him water using her one good hand.
Ethan pulled her into his lap, his intense gaze fixed on her face. "Feed me."
Olivia could only raise the cup to his lips with her right hand.
"With your mouth," Ethan commanded.
Olivia set the cup down on the table with a clunk. "Drink it yourself or don't. Your choice."
She attempted to leave his embrace, but Ethan tightened his arm around her waist. He rested his chin against her neck, his voice low and husky. "Liv, Christmas is the day after tomorrow."
She already knew this, but his verbalization made Olivia suddenly realize something important: On Christmas Day, Ethan would undoubtedly return to the Bennett estate to celebrate with his family. Where did that leave her?
"Mm-hmm," she responded softly, maintaining her smile. "I know."
Ethan turned her face toward him, planting a gentle kiss on her lips. "I'll spend Christmas Eve with you tomorrow night, okay?"
Olivia nodded, smiling. "Sure."
Walter had already left that afternoon to spend Christmas with his family, leaving Sarah as the only staff member at Oakwood Estate.
Early the next morning, Ethan called the general manager of the Beverly Hills Hotel. "Send over a complete Christmas dinner," he instructed.
Olivia quickly intervened. "No, don't. There are only three of us—that's unnecessary. Walter prepared all the ingredients before he left. We have chicken, duck, fish, meat, vegetables, everything we need. We can cook a few dishes ourselves. Too much would go to waste."
Ethan stood up and walked into the kitchen.
"Are you going to cook?" Olivia asked in surprise.
Ethan pulled out a floral-patterned apron and tied it around his waist, not looking up as he replied, "I'll make you breakfast first. Let you taste my cooking."
Olivia leaned against the kitchen doorframe, watching him with tender eyes. "That sounds good. I've never had anything you've cooked before."
Ethan laughed, glancing back at her. "And I've never had your cooking either."
Olivia raised her right hand. "Then I'll make a dish too."
Ethan raised an eyebrow. "Wait until your arm is healed."
By eight that evening, their early "Christmas dinner" was ready. Olivia stared at the six perfectly prepared dishes on the table, clapping her hands in delight. "Wow, you're amazing!"
Ethan embraced her from behind. "Will I get a reward tonight?"
This early Christmas dinner felt incomplete. But Olivia had no say in when they celebrated—today or tomorrow wasn't her decision.
The house felt emptier than ever on this premature Christmas Eve, despite the colorful lights and decorations hanging on the staircase and around every window. What should have created festive cheer only highlighted the mansion's emptiness, making it feel colder somehow.
Olivia swallowed her sadness and forced a smile on her face until her cheeks hurt.
"Merry Christmas," she said, raising her wine glass toward Ethan.
Ethan looked into her eyes, glistening with unshed tears. Something in those blue-green depths made his chest tighten. His throat constricted as he raised his glass to gently clink against hers.
"Merry Christ—"
Before he could finish, his phone rang. Ethan didn't answer immediately, insisting on completing his "Merry Christmas" before picking up the call.
Olivia lowered her glass, her smile softening. "Go ahead and take it."