Chapter 55
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“Oh my god, he’s so hot,” someone exclaimed. “I swear, he’s the most handsome man I’ve ever seen. He’s tall and in great shape. The only flaw is that he’s not with me.”
Another girl screamed, “He’s walking this way. I prayed for a boyfriend two weeks ago, and now it’s happening?!”
“Yeah, keep dreaming. A guy like that is way out of our league.”
“Come on, a guy like that totally needs someone like me to keep things real.”
“Face it, someone like me adds just the right amount of fun to his polished life.”
While the crowd kept whispering and joking, Julian strode straight toward Olivia.
The moment she saw him coming her way, Olivia started backing up, planning to make a quick getaway. But her legs weren’t as long as his. Before she could get far, he grabbed her by the collar and pulled her back.
“Why are you leaving? I’m not going to do anything to you,” Julian said with an amused look.
Olivia asked in a lowered voice, “What are you doing here?”
Julian raised an eyebrow. “Taking a walk.”
“A walk? Do I look stupid?”
“Then why even ask? Of course, I’m here for you. What else would I be here for?”
Olivia was speechless.
Everyone around them was staring, and Olivia didn’t want to turn this into a public spectacle. She had no choice but to follow Julian to the car.
When they got to the car, Julian didn’t get in right away–he opened the trunk instead.
A light, pleasant scent drifted out. Then a wash of pale yellow filled her vision. The entire trunk was filled with sunflowers, all in full bloom–vibrant and bursting with life.
Olivia let out a quiet sigh of relief. ‘Thank goodness they’re not roses,‘ she thought. ‘Ivan and Chloe are still around–if Julian had shown up with roses and they told Dylan, I’d be in trouble.
‘Not that I’ll feel guilty if people find out about me and Julian, but still–why invite unnecessary trouble?‘
“I overheard your husband this morning, telling his assistant to buy flowers for his mistress,” Julian said casually. “I figured, if she gets flowers, you should too–so I bought some for you.”
Olivia said, “Thank you. You’re such a good guy.”
Julian chuckled. “I was going to get you roses, but I was worried you’d get embarrassed, so I didn’t.”
She shot him a glare. “Thank god you didn’t. That would’ve been a nightmare.”
Just then, Ivan walked over. He greeted Olivia respectfully and then turned to Julian. “Mr. Hudson, about the car-”
Julian cut him off. “Sorry, I’m used to driving on the right side. I’m not used to left–hand drive cars, so I accidentally hit yours. I’ll pay for the repairs. Just call someone to tow it away.”
Ivan knew Julian was acquainted with Dylan, so he didn’t press the issue. He nodded and called for a tow truck.
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Then he walked over to Chloe and apologized. “Ms. Lane, the car’s out
tow truck.”
commission. I’ll call a cab to take you home. I need to stay here and wait for the
Chloe was livid, She’d come here thinking she could have a moment in the spotlight, but barely thirty seconds in, it felt like she’d just been slapped in the face–in front of everyone.
She was sure Julian did it on purpose. But after that kick he gave her last time, she was honestly traumatized. Even if she was furious, she didn’t dare confront him.
She could tell–unlike Olivia, who might rough her up a bit but wouldn’t really go too far–Julian really wanted her dead.
Julian opened the passenger door for Olivia. There was a bag of snacks and a cup of milkshake on the seat.
Once the car pulled away, the crowd finally snapped out of it and started chattering excitedly again.
“Oh my god, that insanely hot guy actually came to pick up Olivia. I have to say, they look amazing together–he’s handsome, and she’s gorgeous. Seriously, total eye candy.”
“They’re probably just friends, right? If they were dating, he wouldn’t have brought sunflowers.”
“Who says you can’t give sunflowers to someone you love? Sunflowers symbolize quiet admiration and unwavering devotion.”
“Now that you mention it, the meaning behind sunflowers is actually romantic. That guy has feelings for Olivia, right?”
Everyone’s attention was on Olivia and Julian; nobody even glanced at Chloe anymore.
Chloe stomped her foot in frustration and got into a cab, fuming. ‘Damn you, Olivia. Always stealing my spotlight. This isn’t over,‘ she cursed inwardly.
Julian didn’t take Olivia home. He was heading back overseas the next day, and he’d be gone for two or three months. Before leaving, he wanted to spend a little time alone with her.
Olivia agreed. She asked him to drive to an old town on the outskirts of the city.
The place was a scenic tourist spot, full of beautiful views and rich ih cultural heritage. Since it was the off–season, the town was almost empty.
The two strolled through the narrow alleys. They stopped to sample sweet treats from a local vendor and browsed through small shops filled with handmade crafts.
Suddenly, Julian grabbed Olivia’s hand, gently pried open her fingers, and laced his fingers through hers. Then he brought their intertwined hands to his lips and kissed them before continuing to walk with her hand in his.
Soon, they came across a small church. In front of it was an enormous tree–so wide that even two people stretching their arms together couldn’t reach around it. Legend had it that the tree had stood there for over a thousand years.
They stopped at the entrance of the church, and Julian quietly revealed the wish he had whispered in prayer.
Olivia hadn’t expected him to pray–let alone for love. It was then that she knew he’d been dreaming of their wedding day–the laughter, the vows, and the life they’d share.
She shot him a look. “You don’t seem like the type to place your hopes in God.”
Julian grinned. “Normally, I don’t, but people can change. When I really want something to happen, I pray. And if my wish comes true this time, I might just start believing in God.”
Olivia was speechless. In her mind, Julian was putting the cart before the horse. She believed one had to have faith and devotion first–then ask God for
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their needs and desires–not the other way around like he did.
$749
Then Julian asked Olivia to make a wish–that they would be together forever. With his insistence, she finally got in. As she did, she slipped in her own silent prayer, asking for help with the mountain of debt her family was struggling to overcome.
Honestly, these days, whenever she prayed, she made a point of throwing in a financial request too. After a while, she couldn’t help but ask, “Do you think your wish will come true?”
Julian replied casually, “I hope so. But if it doesn’t, I’m perfectly fine with forcing you to marry me myself.”
Olivia felt like something just slammed into her heart. A strange, tingly warmth spread through her whole body, making her pulse stutter.
But she quickly pulled herself together. Even if she and Dylan got divorced, she couldn’t marry Julian. At most, they could keep things the way they were.
With all the debt her family owed, marrying anyone would just drag them down. She didn’t want to be a burden to Julian.
She didn’t want to be a burden to Julian.
