OLIVIA WAS CONFUSED about how to spend her time. The house was quiet. Altezza was still actively working despite not being young anymore. And Adaline spent her free time visiting the foundation she managed, as well as orphanages and hospitals. Elara, Abigail Fulton's eldest daughter currently living with Altezza and Adaline, was busy with her studies. The only one currently unemployed was Olivia. Her siblings suggested that Olivia could follow Adaline by getting involved in the foundation. However, Adaline and Altezza said that Olivia should stop working for a while and take a break while considering whether she would change her class schedule or not. Because she was bored at home and had no activities—since there were no household chores for her to do—Olivia finally chose to visit Lorraine at her new workplace, Askim Elbise. Olivia felt that she needed someone to talk to, and Lorraine was the only close friend she had at the moment. A girl she trusted the most, who could keep secre
Olivia needed a job, and she knew her adoptive parents wouldn't allow her to return to work if it involved contact with Ignazio. Kralligimiz, Coskun, or Abrisam were clearly on her blacklist. Because all three companies were under the Antony Quirino family, Ignazio's father. But Olivia also couldn't go back to her old job with Luca or Zello. Because if she did, she would be cutting off the livelihood of others who had replaced her position. However, if Olivia wanted to work with Flavia, that would be different. Although Flavia was Ignazio's older sister, she and her husband lived in a different city from Ignazio's family. And Olivia was confident that the distance would be a consideration for her parents to allow her to go. What Olivia needed to think about now was how to communicate this to her parents. Clearly, she needed Falisha's help or her other siblings to ask for permission for her. "Are you sure you want to move?" Lorraine asked when they were alone on the upper floor of A
Olivia's decision to move to Kansas and work with Flavia turned out to be quite right. Ayla's Cake was incredibly busy, either due to orders or the constant stream of cafe visitors. So occupied was Olivia that she had no time for anything else, including thinking about Ignazio. Olivia went down to the kitchen and helped make cakes if the order was for a simple one she could handle. And if the order was for a luxurious cake, Olivia would head down to the cafe and act as a waitress, just as she used to do when working with Luca and Zello. Returning to the employee dorm—her deliberate choice to avoid staying at Falisha or Flavia's residence—she was too exhausted to do anything but lie down and couldn't muster the energy to think. However, now that she had to return to Manhattan for her studies, she felt nervous. Throughout the journey, she kept thinking about Ignazio, wondering how he would react if they met again, either by chance or not. Olivia leaned her shoulder and head against
"Who is she?" Luca asked quietly. "You don't know her?" Rayyan asked back. "If I knew her, I wouldn't be asking," Luca replied bluntly. "Ayeleen. Gretta's sister," Meizar answered on behalf of Rayyan. Zello and Luca both looked at Meizar and Rayyan in surprise. "What?" They both asked simultaneously. "Isn't Gretta's sister..." Zello tried to recall a figure from the past that was clearly very different from the person now approaching them. "Well, people can change," Rayyan replied flatly. "Lately, she's been openly getting close to you. Is she the girl who caught your attention?" Rayyan asked, curious. But before Ignazio could answer, the girl was already by the side of the sofa they were sitting on, greeting them. "I heard Ignazio is here, and it's true," she greeted enthusiastically. She also waved her hand to Meizar and Rayyan, who were also her bosses at Kralligimiz. The six men looked at Ayeleen with different expressions. Zello and Luca looked at Ayeleen with assessing g
Ignazio was about to explain and defend his presence and Ayeleen, but Xaverio spoke first. "Is Uncle Zello here? I need to get something," he quickly said and, without waiting for an answer, walked past Ignazio towards the door connecting to the kitchen. Ignazio wanted to follow Xaverio to explain and prevent his nephew from thinking negatively, but Ayeleen's condition, half-conscious, made him feel that he had to prioritize her. Without difficulty, Ignazio guided Ayeleen to the elevator that would take them to the parking area. "If you've forgotten about Gretta, I want to be your wife," the girl babbled against Ignazio's chest. "I've liked you for a long time. I promise to be a good wife and to love Gianna as my own child." She pledged, looking at Ignazio with pleading eyes. Ignazio lowered his head and looked at the girl sharply. He absolutely did not want to comment on Ayeleen's statement or promise her anything. The elevator door opened instantly, and not wanting to waste ti
Olivia was surprised to find Xaverio waiting for her on the staircase leading to the employee dormitory when she returned from the mini-market. "Where have you been?" he asked as he noticed Olivia approaching. Olivia showed him the plastic bag with the mini-market logo. "Why didn't you bring your phone when you went out? I've been trying to reach you." Olivia smiled. "I didn't plan to be out for long, and it wasn't long, actually," she replied honestly. "Did you just get back from classes?" she asked, curious. Xaverio nodded. They climbed the stairs to the third floor where the employee dormitory was located. Yes, Flavia had built a dormitory for her employees right above her cafe. Initially, the third floor was just an empty space, but considering the needs of her employees, Flavia had it constructed and allowed her female employees to use it. Compared to the rooms Olivia occupied in Quirino's residence, the dorm Flavia provided for her employees wasn't too big, but it was also
Ignazio was figuring out a way to go to Kansas under the pretext of work. The only job that required him to go to Kansas was related to Ayeleen. Ignazio wanted to cancel it, but his desire to meet Olivia was much stronger than his desire to avoid Ayeleen. Eventually, he agreed to go. When the event was over, Ignazio tried to avoid Ayeleen. However, she tried to detain him and asked for his help to accompany her to her friend's birthday party, which happened to be on the same day. "Who knows, you might find new talents there. Wasn't your skill before about finding talent?" Ayeleen persuaded with her sweet smile. Ignazio didn't need new talent; that wasn't his job right now. He just wanted to get out of there quickly and go to his brother's house to meet Olivia. "Come on... we rarely go out. Besides, I can't go there alone because I don't know anyone." "But I also can't not go because she's my good friend, and her daughter knows Dad." Ayeleen kept coaxing. "It won't take long, just
Olivia gazed at her reflection in front of the dressing room mirror at the boutique, rendered speechless. "Olivia, are you done?" Xaverio shouted impatiently from outside the dressing room. "X, I'm not sure about this outfit. Are there any other options?" Olivia yelled back, examining her appearance. "What's wrong with that outfit?" Xaverio inquired. "This is too..." Olivia couldn't find the words. "Come out, let me see," Xaverio commanded. Olivia took a deep breath and exhaled quickly. It's not that she didn't like the outfit Xaverio had chosen. She loved it. It was plain white with feather embellishments on the front. The problem was that the dress was too revealing, not only showing Olivia's arms and neck but also her shoulders and upper chest, supported only by very thin spaghetti straps. "Olivia..." Xaverio impatiently called her, and Olivia reluctantly opened the dressing room door to show her appearance. "Wow..." Xaverio whistled and looked at Olivia in amazement. "I can'