Beach Side Romance

Chapter 14: Sick Ex

Olivia POV

I left the key of mom’s R8 with Julian last night in the hopes of him being able to retrieve my car from Bridgewood today. I rang my mom’s phone after my morning routine of soaking in the sun and morning stretches to let her know that Julian will be in town and might reach out to her to switch cars. 

“Mom, why didn’t you tell me directly that Drew had possibly caught on?” I asked. “I wanted to tell you directly, sweetie. But I needed to ask Mae if she experienced anything odd or weird lately since you last visited before I talked to you. Turns out she did, and she took it upon herself to sort things out. I didn’t know she’d call Julian instead of you first.” She admitted. I wasn’t mad, and I couldn’t be mad towards the people who try their best to protect me. “It’s okay, Mom. I know you were doing what you thought was best. I’m just a little uneasy.” I said, tipping off her curiosity, “and why is that, sweetie? Are you okay?” Her voice suddenly changed now a bit more protective. “I don’t know, but hey, are you guys planning to come visit me soon? The project is almost done and I want you guys to see it for yourselves!” I asked. She mentioned some tentative plans driving down, and Marie, her boss is actually thinking of selling the beach house. “If she sells it, would you take it?” Mom asked. “I don’t know, but I will consider. Not gonna lie, this place already feels like home too.” I confessed. “I knew it, since the moment you said you didn’t know until when you’ll stay there, I had a feeling you’ve grown to love the area and the people.” She said subtly making her point on ‘the people’ bit. I talked to her a bit more about Andrea and dad, but had to say goodbye since I needed to be at the resort in a while.

Walking at the beach still felt calming to me, my love for the waves and the sea breeze grew more each day that I’m here. I got to the resort just in time as Jerome was setting up his laptop at an open meeting room when I arrived. “Hi Jerome, how are you today?” I asked, surprising him a bit that made me giggle. “I’m well, sunshine. And you? I’m sorry you’re stuck with the oldies today,” he joked. Lizzie was dialed in the call in no time, and Mrs. Willis was attending the meeting for her and Nora since they had a full-house at the resort today, which meant fully seated Hale ‘Aina too. “So, we’ll stick with the blues and greens for the bakeshop, but with a modern twist as suggested by Olivia, Dad. ‘PALAOA’ will be the name, just to stick with the theme of the name of Hale ‘Aina” Lizzie concluded. 

I worked out the timelines in a whiteboard nearby to show Mrs. Willis and Jerome what we will be working on. It was a small project and the area was a clean slate, no takedowns needed so it was easier. I told Jerome that my work for the shop was almost done, which as always he was very grateful for. After the meeting, Brandon asked me to help him color a new book his Nonnie gave him. I had nothing much to do, so I was more than happy to help him out. While coloring and eating some bread knots with Brandon, Julian sent me some texts:

Julian: I’m with Amber right now. Andrea’s at ballet, told you she was a princess

Me: Andrea already loves you. Where are you guys?

Julian: Moderna Kafe. Mae suggested this place.

Me: Thanks for taking my car to switch, and my mom out for coffee. I owe you

Julian: I invited your mom for coffee, Miss Mason, the car switch is just a bonus. I’ll be on my way back soon, hopefully with a white R8.

Me: Doesn’t change the fact that I owe you. Drive safe

How they will manage to switch cars, I don’t know. But Mae did have some friends working at Moderna, so I hope they could help out. Mrs. Willis was helping out in the restaurant and seemed like the crowd wasn’t going to thin out anytime soon, so I offered to look after Brandon for the rest of the day while she’s working. “Owi-vya, can I watch Paw Patrol?” Brandon asked as we got back to my place. “Of course, buddy. Why don’t you go sit at the couch and open the TV and I’ll get you some juice and we’ll watch Paw Patrol together?” I asked. He took off his sandals running to the living room to sit on the couch while I got him some apple juice. Paw Patrol had so many episodes that Brandon already fell asleep after watching 10 or 12 new ones. It was around 6PM, and Mrs. Willis messaged that she’ll be here shortly. Brandon woke up when the doorbell rang, “is that Nonnie?” He was obviously still very tired. I looked at the camera installed at the front porch from the kitchen screen, Mrs. Willis was standing in front with a bag. “Yes buddy, let me get the door.” I said. I walked to unlock and welcome Mrs. WIllis in. They didn’t stay long, she just dropped off some food for me and picked up Brandon to head home. “It’s some chicken casserole, and hawaiian fried rice, I hope you like it,” she said as I saw them out.

Mrs. Willis and Jerome always made sure I had food lying around. Something I had grown to appreciate, really. I still take grocery runs, when I could and lounge around that little coffee shop I found at the strip mall to do my work when I wanted to be out of the house. The doorbell rang again, and I thought Julian was already back to handover my car key. I walked to open the door, and had my worst fears realized. Drew was standing in front of me, wearing his hood up and looked like he ran a marathon. “Olivia.”

Julian POV

I was sitting at Moderna Kafe with Amber. I thought to call her when I arrived only to find out that Olivia beat me to it about 10 minutes earlier. Andrea was in ballet class, and Jerome was out on a business trip overnight. 

“So, Julian. How do you want to do it?” She asked. I thought that it was about switching the cars, but I was terribly wrong. “No, dear. I meant Olivia. You were very nice to accompany her with Brandon the other week, and I’m pretty sure she’s close to the little guy because she misses Andrea. But, she needs to know her own by now.” She said. “Oh, well, I thought that the carnival was a start. I haven’t thought about the rest too much just yet given that we’re dealing with Drew, and being honest I’m also dealing with an ex situation”. Olivia’s parents were like mind readers, the first night I met Jerome, he knew an intention I never really surfaced myself that time yet. 

Now, Amber who was sitting across me casually drinking her coffee was also doing the same. “No need to be shy, dear. I’ve known Olivia since she was like 14, and thankfully treats me like her own mom. I do want to look out for her, but I also want to make sure I’m doing it right.” She added. “Well, I don’t know if she’s told you yet, but I did ask her out on another date. She told me she wanted to get the professional relationship out the door first, and I completely understand that. I haven’t really thought about where we’ll go, or what we’ll do. But, flying her out of the state may be an option. If you guys would allow me, and of course if she’ll be okay with it” I admitted. Amber’s eyes went wide momentarily. “Well, I’m okay with it for as long as you treat her right, but Johnny. You have to face that yourself,” she said with a bit of a smirk seeming like she already knew what he’d say. She gave me an idea on where to take Olivia that I may actually consider. Extravagant, but Olivia deserved the best.

Amber told me a lot about Olivia and Andrea, and explained why she gave me the idea, and said “Johnny mentioned that he may have let it slip that Olivia’s let opportunities pass, because of Drew.” The ballet teacher actually dropped Andrea off at the coffee shop, so she was able to say hi and bye to me before heading back. We managed to be able to switch cars without anyone suspicious following me, and I was out on the road driving back with Olivia’s R8 in no time. I drove to the resort first to say hi to dad before going back to take Olivia’s car. Amber’s R8 was the same year model, and looks the same on the outside but was upgraded all inside. Pretty sure Olivia wanted her car back because it was hers, and she didn’t like the fancy shmancy upgrades a lot. 

“Hiya son, how was your trip?” My dad greeted me as he was already at the Front Desk helping out. Claire who manages the front shared that the resort was fully booked today. “T’was good dad, not a bad day to be in and out of the city. I also met Olivia’s mom to switch back cars. I’m dropping the car to her place later.” Claire proceeded to tell me, “Miss Olivia actually has a client staying here tonight, Julian.” I looked at her with eyes wide open, “Client?” I confirmed. She nodded, “yes, he said he knew Miss Olivia and asked me earlier where she lived because they were supposed to meet but he couldn’t get through her cell.” s**t. 

I looked at a frantic Claire and asked, “what’s the guest name, Claire?” now dialing Olivia’s number. s**t. “Son, what’s wrong?” He asked, confused. I wasn’t hearing anything or anyone anymore trying to reach Olivia’s cell and she wasn’t picking up. “Claire, get the security up here later. That guest may be no client of Olivia’s. Dad, I need your help. Her ex may be the person he disguised himself as Olivia’s client” I said now running back towards the car with my dad. “Drew Meyer!” Claire shouted, from the desk confirming my theory. We left Olivia’s car and used my dad’s, hurrying feeling like the seconds were already minutes. When we got there, there he was standing on the front porch. I got out of the car hiding behind a tree where he couldn’t see me but thankfully, Olivia did.

Olivia POV

“How did you find me, Drew?” I asked. Stepping forward to lightly close the door. I didn’t want this man in this house. “I knew where you were the moment you left Bridgewood that day I saw you with that man. Julian Collins. I had to make sure the day I drove here was the day he was in town. You guys thought you were clever to switch cars, but here we are,” he said, eyes still on me. “And why do you bother being here, Drew? I think I was very clear that I want nothing to do with you.” I argued. “Olivia please, hear me out” he pleaded trying to take a step near me. I looked around to see if anyone was around, in the corner of my eye, I saw Julian hiding behind a tree. 

“STOP WHERE YOU ARE. I told you, Drew. I don’t have to hear it. I saw you with her. I saw what you were doing, and it took me a while to see that you would choose her over me, any day. All because you needed more, did you even want me at all?” I said, crossing my arms over my chest, I hadn’t had the chance to change my clothes for thicker ones since Brandon was over almost the whole day. “Look, just please listen to me. I... I don’t know how to explain what I did, but I was drunk, O. And so was she. We didn’t… I didn’t. It’s you, it’s only you.” He said. “It’s not, Drew. Please, go home. Can’t you see? 4 years we’ve been together, you changed the way I look, dress and even feel about myself. I poured all the time and effort for you and worked my ass off for us. I turned down f*****g opportunities just to stay in Bridgewood for you! Now you know where I am. Hopefully it shuts you up. Go back home.” I said looking at him square. “No, you’re mine and you need to come home with me” he said with his hands balled into fists. “You have no right nor choice to tell me that I am yours. Okay? Eliza loves you, and I? I no longer do. I don’t think I’d ever forgive you both for what you did to me”. As soon as I said it, Drew was right there, grasping my arms tightly and shaking me with eyes wide open, “NO. IT’S ONLY YOU OLIVIA. I WOULDN’T TAKE NO, AND WOULDN’T BE WITH ANYONE ELSE.” I felt his grip pull my skin as Julian ran to the porch and threw a sharp punch. 

Julian POV

As soon as Drew stepped closer, I saw red. s**t. I ran towards them shouting “get away from her,” and pulled Drew off from gripping Olivia. I gave him a right hook he deserves throwing him off the floor. Olivia was shaken, tears now running down her face. “Olivia are you okay?” I asked, treading lightly to see how she would react. I was never a violent person, and I never used violence against anyone. But Drew was hurting her physically. Before Olivia could react, Drew pulled me away and returned my punch with one of his own straight to my jaw busting my lip open and met it with another one on my cheekbone. “Bastard. You said you were a client! Why the f**k are you here!” He shouted. Drew was about to charge again, “STOP. PLEASE.” Olivia said, running to kneel beside me. She turned to Drew, “he IS my client, you sick fucker! Are you trying to get me fired too? By pouncing on my client like that? So, what if he’s more than that? He’s never hurt me! Look! Look at what you did to me!” She protested showing her now reddened arms from his grasp earlier.

The look on Drew’s face seeing what he did to Olivia was from anger, to fear, to a different kind of anger again. “I’m… s-sorry, Olivia.” He stuttered. My dad was already by the porchside. “Mr. Meyer,” he said, “I am the owner of the resort you’re staying at. We were looking for you when we realized that you manipulated my front desk staff to give you the whereabouts of Miss Olivia here. If you can please come with me, as our security personnel would like to ask you some questions.” He said calmly. It twisted the look on Drew’s face. “Okay,” he said walking out of the porch, and from a distance, the security personnel were waiting for him. “Olivia. We’ll meet again soon,” he said turning his back on Olivia who was still kneeling beside me with tears in her eyes.