Beach Side Romance

Chapter 8: Morning Meetings

Olivia POV

I was in an 8AM meeting with Mae and Pierre for the updates on what we now call “Project Juliet”. Mae thought of the name, and I swear she was teasing. “So, O, tell me, timeline wise - how long do you need for this project before it closes out?” Pierre asked. He wasn’t a running around in circles kind of guy in meetings, always straight to the point. “I actually have another meeting to discuss and finetune the timeline later, P. But I would say, 6-8 weeks would do. I’ll keep you posted.” I ran the progress report from when I received the project 2 weeks ago up to date. It was weird, and I haven’t seen them in a while that it made me miss the office a little bit more. “Sounds like you've been keeping tabs on progress checks much more.” Pierre commented, “Oh please, P. Olivia has always been like this - and I love and thank her for it. But, great job, O! How’s everything else?” Mae inquired. “Everything’s all right Mae, a month and a half in here makes me miss home a bit, but it’s okay, the people here are amazing and welcoming too.” As soon as I said my last bit, the doorbell rang.

Julian was waiting at the front door and I excused myself from the call to open the door for him. We’ve been having meetings every other day since we got back from the site visit two weeks ago. We did it mostly at the resort, but sometimes we’d do it here and hang out after. I don’t want to admit it right now, but we’ve grown closer and I actually came to a realization that he’s quite the gentleman. 

We focused on one area per day, so we could start on our final piece. “Hey! Dad sent over food today. There’s a wedding in the resort they’re preparing for so I thought I’d come by instead. I was unsure if you got my text either” He greeted and explained the unspoken question, and true enough he left me a text that said ‘On my way there, Resort’s busy but have some food with me so please don’t kick me out ’. Since Lizzie was conceptualizing the empty areas of the resort too, my time was half and half between these siblings, but Lizzie knew my priority was completing my project with her bother. “Hey Julian!” Pierre shouted over the laptop. What is it with me visibly sharing whoever comes into this house?

“Hey Pierre, and you must be Mae?” Julian greeted as he walked towards the dining table where all the plans were now printed and laid out on the table. “Yes, hello! Nice to meet you!” Mae smiled. “Well then, Olivia, is Julian your next meeting?” Mae added. “Yes, but I think this is perfect timing Mae. Mr. Collins is here so maybe we can agree and discuss the timelines together since we still have about 20 minutes?” I suggested. “That actually sounds great to me, makes things more efficient” Julian seconded. We talked more about the next few weeks in detail and Julian was actually very professional talking to both Pierre and Mae about the story behind the complex. “Olivia here solved my problem no later than when our first site visit ended, and thank you Mae I was called pretty by a 5-year old not too long ago.” Julian said that brought me back to reality, seems like Mae’s iMessage popped out on my laptop screen (‘OMG, He’s gorgeous O! ’). Mae was about to melt out of embarrassment in front of the camera when Pierre cleared his throat. “Well, Olivia has always been very creative. I’m happy you’ve been able to see that quickly, man. O, I know it may be too much to ask now, but I may need you to come home for a day or two and present this personally to ‘the boss’.” Pierre commented. I couldn’t say yes right away but I couldn’t say no either. 

Julian POV

It was the first time I saw Olivia at a loss for words. Literally lost.

“O-okay, Pierre. I’ll schedule something with all of us probably next week.” She finally said. Ending the meeting finally with Mae and Pierre, I finally had time to let out a breath. “Are you okay?” I asked Olivia. I stood up to find her a glass and some water. I’ve been here more than enough to find myself knowing where things were, which is weird. Handing over the glass, she quickly took a sip. “Yeah, I just didn’t expect to need to be back so soon.” She whispered. 

I made a plan without thinking too much ahead and blurted it outright. “I actually need to go back too, and present to my boss a few things related to our timeline. Why don’t we schedule that during the same day - it sounds practical. What do you think?” I suggested. I wasn’t really planning to take a trip down to the city anytime soon, but my mouth spoke before I could think of it. I took the opportunity to open the packed breakfasts dad gave me earlier and serve it on the table as she slowly came into terms with my suggestion. “Thanks, are you sure you’re okay to drive to the city together?” Olivia asked me. “Positive,” I said, placing a fork on the take out and handing the package over to her. “And how about your crazy ex?” She asked shyly. “Leave that to me. We have a presentation to finish,” I said trying to sound confident.

We went over the timelines, and tried to make a 6 week plan over our meal. It sounds feasible, all attainable and we could actually surprise the team if we can complete this in 4 weeks. Fine tuning the timelines has been easy, maybe because working with Olivia was comfortable and very entertaining. “Are you sure Joe and the team can deliver in the timeline we outlined?” She asked me, “Joe can do it in 3 weeks to be honest but I don’t want to pressure them, and us when we can stretch the time a bit but if he’s free right now, we can give him a call and see what he thinks.” I offered.

“Hi Miss Olivia, how are you today?” Joe greeted over the video call. Joe was in his 40’s and very much like a young uncle to me. When I first met him he took me in and taught me everything about constructing such a big complex. He knew it was my make or break project. “I’m doing well, I hope you’re not doing bad yourself Joe!” Olivia answered. “Joe, my man. Olivia and I need to run by you some timelines since we’re presenting the updates next week to the bosses.” I inserted, before Joe starts to blabber about something else. “Sure, Julian. Fire away” he answered. We went by the plans and all the possible interruptions that may have in the coming weeks and there didn’t seem to have a lot. “This looks good Miss Olivia and Julian. I’m actually excited. I’ll propose some materials for the greenhouse that we can use once you have the final plan - but I already have some in mind.” Joe offered. “That would be great Joe! Are you looking into using sustainable materials?” Olivia asked. “Yes Miss, and preferably something lightweight and easy to install, but sturdy enough to withhold extreme weather of course” Joe confirmed. We scheduled another visit to the site again once the presentation was done and signed off.

Olivia was working on her presentation after our call with Joe and I was working on an email for my boss giving him a rundown on the stats of the whole project. “Something to drink?” She asked standing up. “Yeah sure, whatever you’re having.” I answered as she opened the fridge with a pitcher, “it’s sweet tea, but there’s some gin and vodka right over there too if you wanna spice it up” she offered, pointing at two bottles. “Are you okay?” I said as I took a good look at her. “Yeah, it’s just nerve-wracking I guess, knowing that I need to be home in a few days with more chances of bumping into him or her.” She admitted looking down. “You always look down when you remember them, have you noticed?” I asked, by the look on her face she didn’t. “Tell you what, when we arrive on Monday in Bridgewood, I’ll drop you off for your meeting. And I’ll pick you up wherever you are whatever time you’re ready to drive back here?” I offered, “We’ll make the trip quick if that’s what you feel like what you can tolerate for now, but if you want to stay the night, I wouldn’t mind either.” She looked at me in disbelief, “can I ask you something? And before I ask this, I just want to say that I’m just not sure of what to do” She asked. I nodded for her to go ahead, “what would you do if you saw Karen again? How would you deal with it?” Olivia was dead serious with her question. “Oh, uh, I haven’t thought of it really. If I met her in a common area with a crowd, I’d probably ignore her not because I’m rude or anything, but I just don’t want any drama. But if I were in a meeting, or out for lunch with a friend or colleague, I need to tread lightly. Crazy ex, remember?” I said making circle patterns with my finger on the side of my temple. She laughed, and then sighed. “Hmm.. okay. I’ll be okay.” She smiled.

Olivia POV

Julian left to help out for the wedding at around lunch time. I offered help, but Julian said that Jerome might feel bad even if it was offered. I went to fix a sandwich and called my mom. I hope that she knew what to do. Ever since she found out that Julian was my client, ‘the not a nottie’ as she called him, she’s been checking in a bit less, but when we do catch-up she asks straightforward questions. Right now, I just needed to let it out. Dad was out on another meeting and Andrea was taking her nap early.

“So sweetie, tell me. How’s the project going?” She asked me right after telling her I just got off from a meeting with Julian, Mae and Pierre. I gave her a rundown on what’s going to happen in the coming weeks, and the timelines and the whole 6-week plan upon approval. “Oh seems like you’re really staying there for long. Have you ever thought about moving there?” She asked. I actually have thought of it but I never told her that. “Honestly, mom. I have. But, I’ll be away from you, dad and Andrea.” I admitted. “Sweetie, you’re 25. You have a life to live fully. We will always be a home where you can go back to here. But I need to cut to the chase before Andrea wakes up. What is it that you want to tell me? Really tell me?” She asked. She knew me too well when I had something to say but haven’t said it yet. “I’ll be coming back for a day on Monday. I need to get a sign-off from the big boss and meet him, Mae and Pierre face to face to make sure we could execute smoothly.” I shared, she raised an eyebrow at me, I sighed, “and Julian will also be having a meeting in town that day too, we’re taking one car to be more efficient.” When she was about to speak again, “who’s Julian?” s**t. My dad was already home, and we didn’t notice. 

He walked into the frame when nobody answered his question. “Olivia Jade. Who’s Julian?” He asked again, there was no point hiding it from him anyway and why would I. “Julian, Dad, is my client and well, friend. I met him here during the sunset party Lizzie was hosting. He’s her older brother. A few days after knowing him, I found out he was my client. Oh and we’re coming back to Bridgewood on Monday for some meetings so… yeah.” I said as my dad maintained his poker face. “Okay, bring him to dinner before you guys drive back.” s**t. When our call ended, I quickly texted Julian to let him know what I accidentally got him into.

Me: Hey, so about that trip on Monday. My folks want me to stay for dinner before heading back

Julian: That’s good, do you want to stay there overnight?

Me: No, the reason why I mentioned is because they invited you as well.

Julian: Oh, okay. Dinner with your folks then. I’ll be sure to bring Andrea a little something, for calling me ‘pretty’.