Beach Side Romance

Chapter 13: Seeing and Stalking

Julian POV

Olivia and I were on the road at 10AM going to the site. She was always excited to see the progress whenever Joe invited us for inspection. It was week 3 of construction, and the second visit since we officially started the building timeline. This project completion was our surprise to our bosses.  We were very ahead of schedule, and we wanted to meet our deadline of finishing it at the latest by week 5. 

Arriving at the site, we were greeted by 100% of the workforce in their best state. Everyone was doing something, the complex was in its final touches, and there were some minor changes for the main lobby being done by the team currently. “Joe, we brought some food for everyone,” Olivia said, while opening the backseat and the trunk. I let her drive today, and with the R8 since she hasn’t been on the wheel that much since we started hanging out and being business partners. I think she’s only ever done it when she goes to the grocery or something nowadays. 

I was helping them put the food into the mess hall when my phone started vibrating. Mae was calling me directly, “hey Mae, how are you?” I asked. “Julian, where are you guys?” She asked, seeming to be in a state of panic. “We’re at the site, we just arrived about 10 minutes ago. Why? Is everything okay?” I asked. Mae explained that Amber called her earlier today when she bumped into Drew at Starbucks. Apparently Drew found out a few days ago that Olivia was no longer in Bridgewood, and it was Amber using her car. “I think he figured out more or less where you guys are. He’s been stalking everyone and anyone he sees lately.” I talked to Mae a bit more and told her I’ll deal with it and not to let Olivia know just yet. I wasn’t in the position to decide for her, I know that much but I asked Mae if I could be the one to tell her instead. 

As I ended the call with Mae, Olivia rejoined me in the mess hall carrying a bottle of water. “Joe said it was going to be very hot today, so I got you a bottle of water to carry when we go around,” she said, handing me the bottle. Since Olivia was now used to the site, Joe left us to walk around by ourselves. We inspected every nook and cranny of the rooms being furbished, and the areas where Olivia helped finalize. Everything was falling into place. My mind was preoccupied by the phone call I received from Mae earlier, but I tried not to focus on that and draw my attention to the inspection. Olivia was wearing heels today with her ripped jeans, but she didn’t need any help with anything she was carrying herself well.

The last stop we made was at the atrium. The structure was now complete, and we were waiting for lighting and the landscape people to come in and do their thing. “Look at this,” Olivia pointed out the windows per pane of the atrium, “this is what I was talking about! The openness of the area actually makes it an accent and still makes it seem that the beach is nearer than it is. It’s beautiful.” She walked on the marble stairs and slowly spun around, admiring the structure. “Just some lights, and greenery, and this is all complete. I couldn’t thank you more than I already have, O.” I said joining her at the podium. She smiled, “can I tell you something? I feel like I should thank you more, than you thank me. Since we’ve met you’ve always been very nice even back when we first met at the beach. I didn’t know you then compared to how I do now, so thank you really.” What she said gave me the courage. 

“I’d like to use my last question we left hanging during our drive to Bridgewood,” I said. She looked at me surprised but I continued, “Would you like to go out on a date with me? No chopperoo’s for this time, if that’s okay.” I asked. She laughed at my recall of what Brandon called himself when we went to the Carnival. “I don’t want to say ‘no’, to be honest. But, I do want to get rid of the professional ties first, if that’s okay. Well, at least until after we finish the centerpiece” She said. “Of course, I’ll wait. Oh, and it might be out of state,” I added. She nodded with a smile. I walked with her to the rest of our inspection making sure that everything was either early or right on track.

Olivia POV

I was surprised by my boldness to thank Julian for being a great friend, and admittedly when he asked me out on a date (with no chopperoo’s) I was tempted to say yes right away. But we had professional obligations, and I had to bite my tongue and tread lightly so I could say what I wanted to without sounding like I was making an excuse.

A little past 4, Julian told me he wanted to use the rest of the time to take me sight-seeing which we originally planned to do during my first time on the site. We said our goodbyes to Joe and the team and headed off a bit further and up the mountainside. “Don’t worry, this is only a short drive, and I will take you back home in one piece.” He said when I was looking out the window asking him where we were going more often than Brandon said ‘look’ on our way to Santa Catalina before. We reached an overlook when Julian said, “here it is”. Julian parked the car backwards so that the boot was facing the view. He quickly opened that and shut down the car and got out.

We were sitting inside the boot in silence, my legs dangling over the grass and just admiring the view. “How did you discover this place?” I asked him, trying to break the silence. “There were times that I drove up here to think. Whenever I went to visit the site before, I didn’t always visit the resort, nor stop by and say hi. For one, the drive consumed so much of my day, and I needed to be back in Bridgewood as soon as I could, and another thing was, I had so many things to deal with that I never wanted my dad to worry about any of it.” 

He said, “I’ve always tried to look out for them, rather than the other way around. Lizzie always had Luca, but I never made that an excuse. When Karen came along, I thought I’d have what Lizzie has with him, but that was a bust.” I folded my arms trying to go by unnoticed because it was getting cold, but Julian knew better. He shrugged off his jacket and draped it over my shivering torso. “Thanks,” I muttered. 

“You know, the past 4 years I was with Drew, looking back at it now, I don’t see how I never saw it. He always asked me to dress a certain way, especially during office parties. He was always very picky of my outfit choices, and always too out there. He was trying to make me a person I never was. But I was already familiar with him, the feeling that he existed. Maybe that’s why I tolerated him for so long. The level of care he had for me was so low that I just got used to it being that way, but he also never asked for more than a kiss. Maybe because someone was spreading their legs wide open with no questions asked,” I said still looking out while the sun was setting and the lights were starting to open from buildings and houses. “You never have to be anybody but yourself, Olivia. You do the things you’re comfortable with, and if they don’t accept that, they’re not worth it.” Julian said looking at me, his green eyes still mesmerizing. I swear it was a moment, but was cut short because of the night drawing in. 

The drive home was peaceful until Julian told me that Mae called him earlier today. “Before you say anything, I need to be able to tell you a few things first. One, Mae called me because she was panicking, and two, I asked Mae that I will be the one to tell you because I am the one with you right now, and please remember I am here. I will help, okay?” He said. “Okay, please. What is it?” I asked, now a bit unsettled. “Mae called because your mom encountered Drew earlier today, and he knows you switched cars with her. Or so Amber thinks he’s already figured it out. She warned me that he’s been extra stalker-ish lately and to keep a close eye on things in case s**t gets weird around our usual area,” he shared. “I don’t think Drew is smart enough to know where we are, but I now see why Mae told you instead of me. But I couldn’t say the same for my mom.” Looking at him I asked, “do you have a plan in mind?” He glanced at me, a bit surprised how I was dealing with it. “Well, first thing’s first. How are you feeling?” He asked. I was moved that he thought of how I felt first, “I’m okay, sort of. I mean I’m scared, but I honestly think him finding me, or Eliza or whoever, is bound to happen. But I don’t know what to do, and I don’t want to run away from it. Not now, not ever.” I said closing my eyes and just trying to think of a way to get through this. 

We arrived at my place and I thought it was best that he went inside for a bit. It was dinner time but we haven’t had anything since lunch. I went to the kitchen and got some cold cuts and pretzels out with some fruit while heating up some pre-made meals I bought from the grocery store. I sat down in front of him as he was looking through his emails on his laptop, “seems like I need to head back to Bridgewood again sometime this week for a final presentation.” He was skimming through some other emails before facing me, “wait no, I need to go tomorrow. They’ve been trying to get me to work on a project that I’ve turned down to focus on the complex, but now that it’s almost done, they want me to consult on this one part time,” he said shutting down his laptop. “What are your plans tomorrow?” He asked me. “I’m meeting with your dad and video conferencing with Lizzie to get started on her shop at the resort. Nora and Mrs. Willis are more than happy to run it for her when it opens.” I answered. He looked conflicted about something. “I’ll be okay here. Take the R8 tomorrow will you? In case you have time and you could, please switch the cars. I’ll give you my mom’s number” I requested. “Sure, I’d love to see Amber and the little princess,” he said. We finished up with dinner and before I forget, I sent him mom’s number. I cleaned up a bit after he left before passing out for the night.