Chapter 167 Too Close
Finished
Nathan leaned in closer, his focus honed on the details of the system as Olivia, with earnest clarity, began to elaborate on the automatic alarm feature among other intricate functionalities.
Nathan listened with rapt attention, so absorbed in the technicalities that neither of them noticed the diminishing space between them.
It was only when Olivia felt the warmth of Nathan’s breath brush against her face that she sensed something anfiss, sending a shiver down her spine.
Reacting instinctively, her hand rose, touching something unexpectedly, which made her swiftly turn her head. To her astonishment, it was Nathan’s face, mere inches from her own.
Olivia’s breath caught in her throat at the close proximity, his striking features momentarily overwhelming her senses, causing her heart to race.
As Nathan slowly turned toward her, their eyes locked, and Olivia felt her heart stutter fiercely.
Quickly, she moved aside, rising from her chair with a fluttering heart, managing to say, “You go ahead and sit.”
She chastised herself internally, I was too careless! How could I not have noticed him being so close to me?
Nathan, standing now, observed her with a gaze laden with complex emotions, having caught a glimpse of panic in her eyes just moments before.
Is the idea of me being close truly that unsettling for her?
His intense gaze made it difficult for Olivia to look back; she could only stiffen her neck and step further to the side, gesturing toward the seat with a polite, “Please, have a seat, Mr. Carter.”
Taking his seat, Nathan could still detect the faint, refreshing scent that lingered from Olivia, which seemed to envelope him.
Olivia, in turn, took a deliberate step back, creating more distance between them, a move that didn’t go unnoticed by Nathan, his gaze growing even more profound.
Benjamin, witnessing the exchange, felt a surge of displeasure, his expression darkening as he observed the dynamics unfold with a stern intensity.
The room was enveloped in silence, the tension palpable.
After about thirty minutes, Nathan concluded his examination of the system and turned to Olivia, his features softening as he spoke. “Once the system is finalized, bring it to Carter Group for the handover.”
Olivia nodded in agreement, a simple “All right” escaping her lips.
With that, Nathan stood, offering the seat back to her, and glanced at his watch, noting the lateness of the hour. It was time for him to depart.
Giving Benjamin a passing glance, he found the man’s presence increasingly irksome. “I’m leaving,” Nathan announced, his tone final.
Olivia, feeling an unexpected wave of relief, quickly offered, “Let me walk you downstairs.”
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Chapter 167 Too Close
Finished
Nathan acknowledged with a slight nod and began to make his way toward the exit when something eaught
his eye.
A photo frame on the bookshelf seemed to draw him in, filled with photographs from Liam’s childhood, including tender moments from infancy and his first steps.
He lingered, his gaze fixed on the captured memories.
Olivia, noticing where his attention had fallen, remained silent, her lips pressed together.
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Just then, Liam burst into the room.
Moments before, he had quietly observed his parents, deeply engrossed in their work. With the wisdom of a child who understands more than adults give credit for, he had ventured off to entertain himself.
Yet, the solitude quickly lost its appeal, the absence of company rendering his playtime unfulfillingly silent.
Nathan’s eyes remained anchored on the photographs, a visual timeline of moments missed. A wave of discomfort, profound and complex, surged through him. It was a mixture of regret and longing that no words could adequately capture.
“Could I, perhaps, have a picture of Liam?” he found himself asking, his voice tinged with a blend of hope and hesitancy.
As if on cue, Liam entered the room, his timing impeccable. The young boy caught the tail end of Nathan’s request, and without a moment’s hesitation, he darted toward his father.
With eyes gleaming with excitement and innocence, Liam looked up at Nathan and offered, in a voice filled with eagerness, “Daddy, do you want to see my baby pictures? I’ve got loads more.”
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