Chapter 229
Olivia Lopez was completely unaware.
She picked up her new phone and snapped a casual picture of the bar counter.
The focus was on an upside-down wine glass.
The background blurred into soft, hazy light spots.
Caption: Lazy afternoon. Endless summer.
She tapped send.
The phone was tossed carelessly onto the sofa.
She walked barefoot into the bedroom.
Her steps were light and swaying.
A nap first.
The air-conditioned room was truly comfortable.
No wonder Sophia hated going out…
She didn't feel like moving now either.
…
Julian Winston had an indoor surfing lesson booked today.
The coach was top-tier, his schedule hard to book.
He hadn't really wanted to go out.
But thinking of how difficult the booking was, he went anyway.
After a few rounds of coaching, he improved rapidly.
Julian felt he could conquer every wave.
He sat down to rest and casually opened his social feed.
Olivia's post popped up.
"Lazy afternoon. Endless summer…"
The picture was of a wine glass.
It seemed like an ordinary post.
The words carried a careless laziness.
An ordinary person scrolling past would just smile and move on.
But Julian was different.
A seasoned player in the game of love, his instincts were sharp.
Lazy afternoon—
Keyword: Lazy.
Subtext: I'm bored and need company.
Endless summer—
Keyword: Endless.
Subtext: I have all the time in the world, waiting for you to spend it.
The wine glass hinted at alcohol.
Alcohol could lower inhibitions, and enhance the mood.
Every word from this woman was sending a signal.
Julian understood instantly.
"Olivia Lopez—Very good—"
He grabbed his robe, put it on, and strode towards the showers.
The coach called out from a distance, "Mr. Winston, not continuing?"
"Something urgent came up!"
"So sudden?"
"Extremely urgent!"
He was going to catch someone right now.
…
Olivia slept until three in the afternoon.
She stretched and walked out of the bedroom.
Completely relaxed.
She picked up her phone from the sofa.
Wanted to see who had understood the hint.
Quite a few, as expected.
A: [Bored too. Drinks?]
B: [You free, sis? I'm available anytime]
C: [On my way]
D: [Is the code still the same?]
…
The corner of Olivia's lips lifted.
This should stave off the boredom.
But she waited and waited.
The earliest comment was from two hours ago.
Still, no one was at the door.
What was going on?
She waited another ten minutes.
Poured herself a glass of ice water during that time.
The doorbell remained silent.
She walked to the foyer, pushed the door open to check if the bell was working.
A figure suddenly sprang up.
"Ah—" Her hand jerked, the glass almost falling. "Julian, are you insane?!"
What normal person squats outside someone's door?
Jumping up the moment the door opened, like a ghost!
Julian stared at her intently.
His gaze was dark.
Olivia felt a chill under his stare.
"What are you—"
"When did you change the code?"
Last time he came, it still worked. This time, it was wrong.
Olivia was baffled. "I changed it after you left last time."
"Why?"
"Seriously? I'm a woman living alone. I can't just let anyone know the code, right? Then anyone could just walk in. Do I look that stupid?"
The internet was full of tips for women living alone on how to protect themselves.
Changing the code was basic.
Julian: "You do this with everyone?"
"Of course not. I always tell my mom and Sophia whenever I change it. I don't change it after they've visited. Why are you asking?"
"Why did you change it just because I knew?"
Olivia looked exasperated. "Who are you to me? Why wouldn't I change it? Are we that close?"
Julian: "...Other men know the code…"
"I change it immediately." Was that even a question?
Julian didn't know whether to be happy or worried.
Happy that this woman still had some boundaries. Play around, but at least know to be cautious.
Worried that he was no different from other men to her. She was wary of him too.
Olivia: "Did you need something?"
Julian glanced inside. "It's too hot outside."
"So?"
"Can we talk inside?"
Olivia stepped aside to let him in.
The man grinned as he entered, changed his shoes with practiced ease, walked straight to the living room, and collapsed onto the sofa.
As if he was right at home.
Olivia rolled her eyes. "Spit it out. I'm busy."
Julian smirked. "Busy with what? Busy arranging to kill time during this endless summer? Or to share this lazy afternoon?"
"Holy crap—" Olivia's eyes widened. "Why are you bringing up my post?"
And reading it out loud? So embarrassing!
Julian: "You weren't afraid of people seeing it when you posted it. What's wrong with me reading it? Only allowed to post, not to be read?"
"You came all the way here in the afternoon just to read my post? That bored?"
"Yep, I'm bored, here to answer your call. Where's the wine glass? Shall we clink glasses?"
Olivia's eyes darted away. "What call… You're insane…"
"Tch. Weren't you rounding up players in your post? I'm here."
"…"
She forgot this guy was a player too. No wonder he got it.
Julian's lips curved. "How do you want to play? Living room or bedroom?"
Hearing his sarcastic tone, Olivia couldn't help but frown. "I do want to play, but not with you."
Julian raised an eyebrow. "Why not?"
"Mixing personal relationships with business complicates things. I never get involved with people connected to my work."
Julian: "Our work doesn't overlap."
Olivia: "We're in a partnership now."
He snapped his fingers. "Partnership, partnership. Doesn't that mean we have to cooperate with each other?"
"Right."
"My mom asked me yesterday if we'd had a fight. She saw you having dinner with another man."
Olivia frowned. "Yesterday… I was at the company all day. I had lunch with a colleague…"
"A man?"
Olivia nodded.
"See! My mom must have misunderstood. To ensure the stability of our partnership, we need to re-establish some ground rules." The man said with a straight face.
Olivia said 'Oh,' and without even asking, directly replied: "Okay, then I refuse. The partnership ends here."
Julian: "?"
Why didn't this woman follow the script?