CHAPTER 18: CHAPTER 18

Olivia’s POV

"Diana, have you already called the party coordinator?" I asked, my gaze fixed on the sketches scattered across my desk. The soft light from the window filtered over the fabric samples, reflecting the calm professionalism I tried to maintain.

"Yes, ma’am," Diana replied, scrolling through her tablet. "Ms. Lane confirmed she’s available tomorrow afternoon to finalize everything for your son’s birthday. Would you like the meeting here in the office or at the venue?"

"Here," I said, flipping through a stack of papers. "I want to go over the layout and the budget first. Remind her that I want the design simple and elegant—no cartoon overload. It should look refined but still playful for kids."

"Got it." Diana typed notes quickly. "Would you like me to take care of the invitations?"

"No, I’ll handle that myself," I replied, without looking up.

She nodded and continued, "Also, Ms. Thompson, you have a dinner date tonight with Mr. Daniel at eight. Should I have the car ready, or will you drive yourself?"

Her words made my pulse skip. Dinner with Daniel. The reminder came like a tug at the back of my mind—soft but heavy. I forced myself not to react, even though my thoughts instantly slipped back to yesterday. The kiss I shouldn’t have allowed. The one Gabriel initiated—and the one I didn’t stop.

I set my pen down and exhaled quietly. "Book the car," I said. "I’ll leave at seven-thirty."

"Yes, ma’am."

I cleared my throat, switching the topic before my mind could drift further. "Now, what about the winter collection? Did the production team send the final samples?"

"They arrived this morning," Diana said, glancing at her tablet. "They’re in the design room. Also, the marketing team finalized the campaign proposal for next month—they’re waiting for your approval."

"Good. Schedule the review meeting for tomorrow morning," I instructed. "And make sure the photoshoot aligns with the influencer collaboration next week. We can’t afford delays again."

"It’s already arranged," Diana replied. "The set design will be ready Monday, and the model fittings are tomorrow morning."

"Perfect." I leaned back in my chair, releasing a quiet sigh. "And the monthly sales report?"

Diana handed me a printed document. "Sales increased by six percent from last month. The Thompson Atelier silk line performed exceptionally well—especially the evening gowns. Retailers are requesting an extension for the holiday season."

I flipped through the report, scanning the numbers. "Prepare a proposal for that. Coordinate with our textile suppliers and get me the updated cost breakdown. I’ll review the margins before approving it."

"Understood." She paused, then added, "And one more thing—Mr. Harris’s office called earlier. The investor meeting has been moved to Friday."

I stopped turning the pages. "Friday?"

"Yes. Should I reschedule your client call with Milan?"

"No," I said after a moment. "Keep it. I’ll manage both."

"Alright, Ms. Thompson." Diana closed her tablet. "That’s everything for this morning. I’ll confirm the meeting with the coordinator tomorrow and your dinner tonight."

"Thank you, Diana."

She nodded politely and stepped out of the office, her heels echoing faintly down the hall until the door clicked shut. Silence filled the space again—peaceful, yet heavy.

I stared at the sketches on my desk, the lines and colors blurring together as my thoughts wandered. The numbers looked good, the designs were ready, and Thompson Atelier was thriving. Everything I worked for was perfectly in order.

Everything except what was inside me.

I pushed the thought away, forcing myself to focus on the reports. Tonight, I’d meet Daniel and smile across the table as if nothing had changed—as if I hadn’t crossed a line I could never admit.

Even if my heart was starting to disobey me.

I shouldn’t have let that kiss become the cause of my unfocusedness. But his touch, kisses, and the way he grabbed my nape was enough for me to gasp like I was drowning. I shake that thought away, and focus on my sketches. The design for winter clothes are not yet done, especially for the upcoming Christmas season. I need to finish this all before things get out of hand.

Meanwhile, my deep thoughts were interfered by a call. I turned to my phone and grabbed to answer it when Daniel’s name flashed on the screen. "Hey, love."

"Hey, babe. Excited for tonight?" He asked.

"Well, I’m pretty excited since mom had no idea we’re engaged. I don’t know how to tell her, but I know she will be happy because she was looking forward to us getting married."

"Me, too. I’m looking forward to marrying you," he murmured.

I smiled but suddenly Gabriel’s face flashed into my mind. I touch my lips for his lips landed, and somehow I miss it. I wiped my face in disbelief because I was fantasizing about that man even though I’m talking to my beloved.

"Olivia, are you okay? You suddenly become quiet," Daniel questioned from the other line.

I took a deep breath and replied, "I’m fine. I’m just tired and sleepy because I didn’t sleep last night properly. I need to finish some of my sketches before this month ends."

"Have a rest, Olivia. I know you wanted to get working until your future is sealed, but you need time for yourself. Don’t exhaust yourself too much, and I know exactly what to do."

I chuckled, "What?"

"I’ll tell you tonight. So, see you later?"

I nodded, "Yes."

"I love you, Olivia."

"Me too..." I ended the call. I felt uncomfortable saying those words to him, and I don’t know why. I know I should have told him that I love him because we are officially in a public relationship. But why is my heart disagreeing with me?

I think there’s only one way to stop this nonsense. I need to stop this before it becomes out of hand, especially since my mother’s happiness is at stake. I cannot tell them that Gabriel is the father of my child, and my mother couldn’t be with his father. This is going to be a massive controversy to our family, and I don’t want to cause any trouble.

I pressed the intercom and called my secretary, "Diana."

My secretary headed inside my office and inquired, "Yes, Miss Thompson?"

"Cancel all my meetings today." I take my purse and walk closer to her. "I have an important meeting to attend," I added.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

HARRIS INCORPORATION

"Good evening, Miss Thompson. We received a call from your secretary about an hour ago, but I want to apologize in advance because Mr Harris is currently at the meeting," the receptionist explained.

I smiled, "That’s okay. I can wait."

That’s all I said before heading towards the elevator and getting in. I press the button that will lead me to the floor where Gabriel’s office was. I hold the string of my first tightly, thinking if my decision was the right thing to do. Later on, the elevator stops and I’m marched out of it.

The employees greeted me and I greeted them back with a smile. From afar, I immediately caught the name of the man I wanted to speak with. I stopped when I reached the door before taking a deep breath, after that I pushed the door open and was taken aback with the event waiting for me inside.

I froze and my heart stopped beating. I don’t know why but I felt a pang of pain in my chest...

"Gabriel?" I murmured.

He immediately pushed catarina away from him before standing up with a concern in his eyes. "Olivia! It is not what it looks like! Let me explain."

I snickered, "Explain what? Explain why your lips are against that woman? I don’t think you need to explain that because I don’t care."

My heart aches when I deny my pain. I swallowed to prevent my eyes from showing the pain and feeling inside. "I made a mistake coming here. Your receptionist told me that you were in a meeting, but I wasn’t expecting this type of meeting. I should leave."

I looked around and was about to leave when he stopped me. "Olivia, wait!"

"Why are you stopping her, Gabriel? She said she didn’t care. So let’s continue what was started," Catherine stated.

"We didn’t start anything, Catherine."

She scoffed, "Why are you denying it? I am your fiance, so we can do that. Olivia didn’t care after all. Am I correct, Olivia?"

I faced Catherine and forced a smile, "Of course. I don’t care whatever you are doing."

"Olivia, wait! Let me explain. I didn’t do anything. I promise." He was trying to explain himself, but the more he spoke. The more I felt humiliated and in pain.

I flashes my widest smile and show him that I’m having for him even though I’m not. "As I’ve said, Gabriel. You don’t have to explain. I just came here to discuss some important matter with you, but it seems like you were too busy. Don’t worry, this will be the last time I’ll be coming here in your office. Have fun." After saying those words, I quickly headed outside his office before he could respond.

I can feel my knees trembling, my tears forming in my eyes and the pain in my chest. I stop for a while and rest my hand on the wall to prevent me from falling. I don’t know why I’m feeling this way. I feel so weak.

"Olivia," Gabriel murmured from behind.

I pulled myself together before facing him. "Why did you follow me?"

"I just want to tell you that you are the only woman I love. Whatever you saw is not what you think it is, Olivia."

I laughed, "You are so pathetic. I don’t know why you are explaining, but I don’t appreciate it. Don’t think this the other way, Gabriel. I didn’t come here to have a romantic conversation with you but to be your sister."

"What do you mean?"

I swallowed, "I am engaged, so do you. We need to stop whatever mistake we’re doing behind the back of people we love. I want to stop this ridiculous feeling before it becomes my destruction..."