"When will you clean this place again?" Olivia nailed her gaze at Ignazio, looking puzzled. "Saturday?" she asked hesitantly. Her schedule for cleaning Ignazio's penthouse was indeed on Saturdays, but she wasn't sure whether she would come in the morning or afternoon because on weekends she had a class schedule, and Gianna also had a school break, so usually in the morning, Olivia would accompany her to play. "Is there something you need?" Olivia inquired. Perhaps Ignazio was asking because he needed her assistance. "You can ask for my help anytime, Sir. No need to wait for me to come on Saturday. "She said again, offering. Like it or not, it was her duty to serve Ignazio because she was there for that purpose, even though until now Ignazio might not be aware of it. Olivia still looked at Ignazio, waiting for an answer. Meanwhile, he remained silent in his place, looking confused. "If you need anything, the office number is on the desk. There you will be connected to Lorraine, Me
Upon reaching their destination, they went straight to the bookstore. Olivia followed Gianna with a shopping basket in hand. While Gianna chose coloring books, Olivia looked for her own reading materials. It was then that she felt her phone vibrate. Olivia frowned as she looked at her phone screen. The caller displayed was a completely unfamiliar number. In her mind, she wondered who could be calling her. Considering that Olivia didn't have many acquaintances, and she was cautious about sharing her phone number with strangers. "Hello?" Olivia greeted as an opening remark. "Is this Olivia?" a man's voice echoed from a distance. Olivia furrowed her brow, feeling like she recognized the voice, but from where? "Yes, I'm Olivia. Sorry, who is this?" Olivia asked, puzzled. "It's me, Ignazio," the caller replied, causing Olivia to widen her eyes instantly. She glanced at Gianna, who was still engrossed in sorting through her coloring books. What was this? Why was he calling her now? O
A few moments before Olivia arrived, Ignazio stepped out of his room upon hearing the sound of his penthouse doorbell. Confident that the person arriving was Olivia, Ignazio opened the door without checking who the guest was. His forehead immediately furrowed when he saw the unfamiliar young woman standing there, smiling sweetly at him."Sorry, who are you?" Ignazio asked the girl who continued to smile at him.The girl's eyes widened, looking at Ignazio in disbelief before sighing in annoyance. "You don't recognize me?" She asked Ignazio, pouting as if frustrated.Ignazio was still trying to remember. In his mind, maybe the person in front of him was someone he had known in the past. He tried to delve into his memories but couldn't identify who this person was."It's me, Ayeleen!" The girl exclaimed with a slightly higher pitch and a frustrated look. "I'm Gretta's younger sister," she continued when Ignazio still seemed confused.Boom! Ignazio's heart suddenly throbbed painfully. Tha
The voice, gentle, soft, and tender, entered Ignazio's ears, sending strange vibrations throughout his body, causing Ignazio's heart to somehow race faster, and his eyes suddenly welled up.Ignazio averted his gaze, trying to hide the sudden feelings of emotion and guilt that he felt out of nowhere. Back then, when he left her, the girl's figure was still a small, red baby. Her head was no bigger than Ignazio's palm, and all the baby could do was cry loudly.The memory of the faint cries of that baby when he left without any feelings five years ago was vivid in Ignazio's mind."Sorry, Sir. I have to take Gianna to the bathroom," Olivia said, asking for permission as she quickly took Gianna into the penthouse, passing by Ignazio, who was still standing in his place.Ignazio paused for a moment, smelling the distinct fragrance of children mixed with Olivia's faint perfume as they passed. At the same time, Olivia also paused when she saw the familiar figure standing in the middle of the
Olivia instantly withdrew her hand, canceling her intention to help. She resumed patting Gianna's back, not just to alleviate the little girl's nervousness but also to calm her own anxiety."Ye-yes! Please, move the food," Ignazio said a few seconds later, changing his mind. "I need to use the bathroom for a moment." He continued, and with quick steps, Ignazio entered his room, closing the door with a forceful slam that startled both Olivia and Gianna."Olivia..." Gianna pulled the hem of Olivia's shirt in panic and distress. The child looked pale and frightened. Olivia smiled and crouched in front of her."Remember what I said earlier?" Olivia asked Gianna. "Daddy is still sick, that's why he can't get too close to you yet." Olivia whispered soothingly. "Gianna, sit down for a moment, I'm going to move Daddy's food so he can eat and get well soon. So he can hug Gianna and go back to Granny and Grandpa's house as soon as possible." She said, met with a smile from Gianna.Unbeknownst t
FOR SOME TIME, they stood there still embracing. Ignazio's hands were still on Olivia's waist, while Olivia's hands were leaning against the chest of the man.Ignazio could feel the warmth of Olivia's body in the palms of his hands, and Olivia could feel the firmness of Ignazio's chest in her hands.They locked eyes for several seconds. At this close range, Olivia could see Ignazio's deep brown, almost black, eyes. His nose was small and pointed. His lips, hidden by a mustache and beard, were pink, indicating that he wasn't a smoker. The upper part was thin, while the lower part was thicker.The man's eyelashes were long, thick, and curly. His eyes were almond-shaped, neither round nor slanted, adorned with thick, naturally curved eyebrows, like a sculpture.Olivia struggled to swallow hard, gazing at the handsome figure in front of her.At the same time, Ignazio silently observed Olivia. The girl's skin was rosy white, clean without blemishes. Her nose looked perfect on her face. Her
Olivia tried to restrain herself from looking at him with a smile on her face. Somehow, Olivia couldn't stop smiling. She knew the situation was awkward, but for some reason, she couldn't stop feeling happy."Where... where are you from?" the man asked softly. His awkwardness didn't quite match his large stature. Still, Olivia tried not to mock him.Intentionally, Olivia didn't answer his question. She chose to pretend not to hear and let Gianna respond."From the mall," Gianna replied casually. The girl refocused on her food, and her father fell silent again.Realizing that there would be no progress if she let the two interact on their own, Olivia responded, "We were buying crayons when you called me." Olivia said with a longer sentence. "Gianna loves drawing and coloring; she can go through a lot of crayons in a month." Olivia informed.Ignazio lifted his head and looked at Olivia, but she pretended not to notice and focused on her food. She wanted Ignazio to try again, so he could
"GIANNAA... DARLING." Ignazio softly called his daughter's name again. His lips, which had been sealed for so long, dared not utter that name. But now, he repeated it as if it were a mantra he had to memorize. "Forgive me, sweetheart. Forgive me, my dear." Ignazio spoke with quivering shoulders and tears that continued to fall. Gianna looked at Olivia with the typical puzzled gaze of a child, and Olivia responded to the unspoken question in those eyes with a smile. Olivia's hand lifted in a motion as if reciprocating a hug and stroking something. Gianna nodded and returned Ignazio's embrace, placing her little chin on his broad shoulder while gently patting Ignazio's back as if to comfort him. "I have forgiven you, Papa," Gianna said in her flat tone. "That's why, Papa, don't get sick again, so you won't leave me again." The child's complaint made Olivia, who was initially moved, burst into laughter. Ignazio seemed to be the same. His shoulders trembled, and Olivia heard a faint chu