Beach Side Romance

Chapter 6: My Client

Olivia POV

I told Mae I’ll work on this project over the next few days so I won’t be online as much, but I’m very much reachable through mobile and my personal iPad was connected to the office network. She was fine with it, especially when I already handed over my latest project last Monday and got a sign-off from the client a day after, but she did remind me to connect with the client directly as soon as possible. I was jotting down notes until past midnight about this new project, capturing every square inch of the area. The construction of the buildings were actually done taking shape as of today, but it was the ambience, look and feel of the common areas that they needed help with. 

I woke up fairly early the next morning, and to my surprise Lizzie texted to remind me of today’s Lunch. I wasn’t sure where we'd have the meal so I quickly asked her and went out to the balcony for a quick soak in the sun. She quickly replied that Hale ‘Aina would be the place, and I remained outside for a good hour before deciding to head in and grab a morning cup. Once I was fueled, I did some light stretches and yoga to make sure I was ready for today. After a quick shower I dressed up in a sundress and put my hair in a braided bun and headed out. I walked to the resort for a change, just letting the sea breeze hit my face and I loved how the sunshine was bouncing off its rays in the reflection of the waves.

I walked up to the resort when someone shouted my name. I turned around to see Julian walking up to me glistening in water along his hair. “Hey, Olivia. Wait up!” He said now running towards me picking up the towel that was lying on a bench. I took a good look at him, and he sure was something. “Hi Julian, or should I call you Lian?” I smirked. “How’d you know about…” and before he could finish his question I quickly responded “Mrs. Willis called you Lian yesterday. And you have sand in your face.” I said unconsciously, wiping the sand that spread across his cheek. When I realized what I was doing, I quickly retracted my hand. “Oh thanks, come on. Dad prepared a good spread, but I need to rinse the salt water first. So I’ll walk you over and be back after” he said walking me to Hale ‘Aina.

“Hey sunshine, how are you?” Jerome greeted as I walked inside. Julian quickly left for a shower as soon as Jerome saw me. I sat down beside him and talked about the past few days and how I have a new project with a client that was constructing near the area, and having brunch with Mrs. Willis. “Ah, yes. Beth has always been like a mom to me, and that little Brandon goes here every Sunday since he arrived to exercise and have fun with the other kids that Luca and Lizzie arrange.” Luca went back to the city to get some enrollment papers completed for him and Lizzie. While Jerome and I were chatting, I didn’t notice that Lizzie and Julian were already sitting down. “So, Olivia - what have you been up to this week?” Lizzie asked me. “I was just telling your dad that I had Mrs. Willis and Brandon over brunch yesterday, and I’ve just been given a new project yesterday to finish with a client. But that’s pretty much it. I was going over the plans of that project last night since it was the only thing on my plate, it was fairly complete already. It had a few things here and there that I wanted to go over with the client, but it’s actually already beautiful.” I shared with them as the food was being served. “You didn’t tell me dear where the project was and why your boss said that it’s good that you’re here for it?” Jerome inquired. “Right, so the site is where the beach and mountains meet, I think a bit over a 30 minute drive from here? I haven’t looked at the location exactly just yet. I just saw the plan and the completion rate of the site.” I admitted. Julian seemed to be recalling something on his own as Lizzie asked me about how I thought of the look and feel of the store she was outlining.

“Olivia? Is the project you have now this?” Julian asked, showing me a picture of an exact digital scale model of the site I was looking at last night. I couldn’t believe it. I nod my head in agreement, “yeah.. that’s the one.”

Lunch was good. After that revelation that Julian was my client, I had to tell someone. I asked Mae if she could take a call about the project today and she was more than happy to catch-up about it. I texted my mom and dad too about the new project and telling them that given that the area is closer here compared to the city I might be here a little longer than expected. I saw my mom and dad reply almost at the same time with different ideas.

Dad: Ok Sweetie. But please come home when you can. Missing you so much.

Mom: Exciting! Talk to me about your new project soon. Ok?

“Olivia, I’m visiting the site on the weekend. Do you want to come with me? I’ll be there for almost the whole day though.” Julian asked while we were having coffee and dessert. Jerome excused himself as he needed to deal with a kitchen issue before leaving for Bridgewood, and Lizzie was rambling on the phone with Luca about a fee to pay for their last semester. “Sure, I’ll tag along. I want to know more about the site physically. I’m okay to stay the day. It’s not as if I do anything interesting anyways.” I said light heartedly. The thought of spending a whole day with Julian brought me back to last weekend where I fell asleep while watching a movie with him. “Great. I’ll pick you up at around 8. We’ll have breakfast on our way there.”

I said my goodbyes, and walked back to the house casually taking my time. I had a good meal, and I was a bit ahead of schedule. I opened the door and quickly logged on my laptop from the living room. I hooked up the iPad again to the TV and just looked at the plan over and over again not wanting to miss anything. Soon enough, my mom was calling me over FaceTime. “Olivia Jade Mason. Why haven’t you called?! I was already starting to worry.” She screamed. I’m assuming dad was at work. “Mom, I’ve been a bit occupied since I had a deadline to meet earlier this week…” I went on and started talking about my week, and started talking to her about the new project I was on. “So, Julian, that ‘not a nottie’ the other day is your client?” She inquired. “Yeah.. I told him I’ll see the site with him during the weekend. It’s only half an hour away from here.” I confirmed. We talked a bit more about how Andrea was gushing over Julian before taking her nap last Sunday, and when I checked the time, I needed to hop into my call with Mae. “I have to go mom, Mae needs me to keep her updated with the project too.”

Talking with Mae was like talking to a gal pal. I ran her through the whole Julian thing first before confirming he was the client we had. “Like I told you, Olivia. I’m more than okay in case ‘something’ happens. That guy seems to be a good one based on how Pierre told me about him. But I’ll leave you to it, O. As your boss, I know you’ll do awesome. As your friend, just live it out. Whatever it is. I see and actually feel from miles away you’re attracted to the guy. It’s been rough on you, Olivia. But just let the waves take you and keep afloat. Yeah?” Mae was right for most part, but I actually don’t know if I’m attracted to the person. He was new, unlike Drew so far, and that was my best judgement as of now. “Whatever will keep you off my case for a little while longer, boss,” I joked. I circled back to the plan, presenting Mae my ideas quickly to calibrate and she was happy about it. “Go ahead, O. I’m pretty pleased and amazed you were able to figure that all out in one night. We’ll do BAU (Business As Usual) for this one, an update in two weeks for me and Pierre. And as always, holler if you need extra support.” She said. I went through some other things more, and finally ended the call with Mae. I fixed that calendar invite two weeks from now and sent her our minutes with Pierre on the loop.

My meditation usually is scheduled at around 5 in the afternoon on the balcony. It keeps me calm to hear the waves, watching the sunset across the horizon. I quickly lit some candles inside before heading out to lay my yoga mat and started. I haven’t been a yogi, but being away from home, dealing with this situation, and honestly with the rate that things are going inside my head, I’m surprised I’m still okay. I’ve managed to internalize what Mrs. Willis said about me being a strong woman, and Mae saying something about just living it. Maybe, I just actually need to let my feelings, whatever it may be. Just live it.