After dinner, the family migrated to the living room, settling into their familiar spots. The aroma of freshly brewed tea lingered in the air as the low hum of the ceiling fan joined their casual chatter. Olivia curled into the corner of the couch with a throw pillow while her parents sat together on the two-seater, and David and John sprawled lazily in the armchairs like they owned the place.
It was her mother who broke the comfortable rhythm of conversation.
"So, how long are you staying this time, Liv?" she asked, a hopeful smile tugging at her lips.
Olivia took a sip of tea. "Probably a week. Or maybe longer"
A beat of silence. Both her brothers blinked at her in unison, like she'd just announced she'd taken up yodeling.
"A week?" John leaned forward. "You? Sitting still for seven whole days?"
David raised an eyebrow. "What's the catch?"
Olivia sighs. "No catch. I… kinda quit my job."
For a second, the room went quiet again.
Her brothers were both looking at her with wide eyes. They couldn't believe that their sister actually quit her job.
Her mother was the first to respond, her tone warm and steady.
"It's your own choice, sweetheart. As long as you're happy, that's what matters."
Her mother was just like this, always supporting them. According to her, they are all adults now, so they can make their own choices.
David, of course, couldn't resist saying something stupid.
"So… without a job, do you need us to give you pocket money now?"
John's lips curled into a wicked grin. "Yeah, sis, you want an allowance? We can support you."
Olivia rolled her eyes but played along. "Sure, but my rate's high — I'm thinking… ten thousand a week from each of you."
David barked a laugh. "Oh wow, someone's confident."
"You have to be," she shot back. "Inflation, you know."
Their mock negotiations spiraled into playful back-and-forth until her mother, clearly amused, steered the conversation in a new — and far more dangerous — direction.
"Well, now that you've got time, why don't you find yourself a boyfriend?"
Olivia almost choked on her tea. "I'll… think about it."
Her father chuckled, but her mother wasn't done. "At your age, I was already married."
Olivia set her cup down and gave her brothers a slow, wicked smile. "Then why don't you tell David and John to get girlfriends first? Especially David, he's older than me."
"Oh, here we go," David groaned.
"You're already an old man, just get a girlfriend," John muttered.
David glared at him when he heard the word old man.
And just like that, the living room dissolved into another round of bickering, this time about who was the most hopeless when it came to dating, with their parents smiling quietly in the background — enjoying the show.
The next morning, sunlight filtered through the lace curtains in Olivia's room, painting delicate patterns across her quilt. She stretched lazily, savoring the peace, before pulling herself out of bed. Downstairs, the faint smell of freshly brewed tea and the soft hum of voices told her the household was already awake.
Outside in the garden, John and David were already there, sleeves rolled up, helping their mother trim the rose bushes. Olivia stepped out in her sandals, the cool morning grass tickling her toes.
"Ah, look who finally decided to join us," David called, smirking. "We thought you might be sleeping till noon now that you're unemployed."
Olivia narrowed her eyes. "Keep talking, and I'll accidentally water you instead of the plants."
Their mother shook her head, smiling fondly. "Stop teasing and hand her the shears."
As they worked, laughter spilled across the garden. A short while later, a familiar voice called from beyond the fence.
"Morning!"
They turned to see Mrs. and Mr. Quinn—Emily's parents—tending to their flowers. Mrs.Quinn leaned on the fence, smiling warmly at Olivia.
"Oh, Olivia! Back for a visit?"
"Yes, Auntie," Olivia said politely. "How have you been?"
"I'm fine, dear. It's good that you came to visit. Come to our house for dinner tonight."
"Sure, I miss you cooking so much."
After a bit more cheerful chatter, the neighbors returned to their garden, and Olivia went back to work with her family, feeling… lighter. This week was shaping up nicely.
While Olivia was enjoying the time with her family and living peacefully, these days were anything but peaceful for the employees of Ashford. They have to face the wrath of their boss daily; it was like sitting on needles for them.
In just the week since Olivia's departure, the smooth efficiency she had built up had collapsed spectacularly. Deadlines were missed, files misplaced, meetings double-booked—and Aiden had already fired two secretaries.
Now, the third of the week stood trembling in front of his desk.
"I asked for the finalized client proposal yesterday. Yesterday, Ms. Hart. Not today, not next week," Aiden said, voice cold as ice.
"I'm sorry, Sir, I—"
"Save it. You're done here. HR will handle your paperwork."
As she scurried out, Aiden pinched the bridge of his nose. His patience was nearly gone.
Just then, his phone buzzed.
Jason:Drinks tonight. You're too wound up—my treat.
Aiden sighed. Maybe he's right.
That evening, the bar's warm, golden lights reflected off polished wood and crystal glasses. When Adien entered the private room, he saw a man leaning casually against the seat. He was dressed sharply, the kind of man who looked like he belonged in a business magazine.
Jason Gray was Aiden's college friend, one of the very few who could talk to him without tiptoeing.
His family owns most of the hotels and clubs in the city, and as the eldest of the family, Jason has managed it since he took the position of CEO.
The club he chose for today was one of his clubs.
"Finally," Jason said as Aiden approached. "You've been avoiding civilization."
"The company's too busy these days, didn't have time," Aiden replied dryly, taking the drink Jason slid toward him.
"Mm, and firing people wouldn't lessen the burden," Jason said, taking a sip of his whiskey. "You know what kind of rumors are going around about you lately? They say that the CEO of Ashford finally lost his mind."
Adien scoffed."What else can they do except talk behind others' backs?"
Jason sighs. "You should think about taking Olivia back. No one runs your schedule like she did."
Aiden's jaw tightened. "She quit on her own. I'm not going to be the one to contact her first."
Jason leaned back, studying him. "You're stubborn, Adien. Anyway, next week's the company's anniversary, so make some time to attend the gathering, I want to introduce you to someone."
Aiden raised his brows," Who?"
"My Girlfriend," Jason said with a soft smile on his face.
" You have a girlfriend?" Aiden looked at him in surprise.
" I'm not like you, who didn't get time for a relationship. I want to start a family now that I'm near 30. You should also think about getting a girlfriend, you know."
Alien didn't say anything, completely ignoring Jason and continuing to drink from his glass.