Chapter 14

• Olivia stepped out of the taxi right in front of the Antony-Claire family residence. She greeted the security guard who opened the door for her and walked through the side area of the main house towards her own living quarters. Just before she could open the door, she heard one of the house assistants calling her.
• "Granny asked me to call you into the main house when you got back," said the woman in her forties who had been working in the Quirino family for quite some time.
• "Why? What's going on?" Olivia asked, feeling anxious.
• The woman shook her head. "Granny has been asking repeatedly whether you've returned or not," she replied. Without waiting for further explanation, Olivia walked towards the main house through the kitchen.
• Olivia searched for the middle-aged woman who was said to be looking for her. But before she could find the lady of the house, she was instead greeted with a hug from a small hand that she recognized instantly.
• She turned around and saw Gianna grinning at her. The five-year-old girl who always looked beautiful in her eyes. Correction, not only in her eyes but in the eyes of everyone who knew her. Whether adults or children, male or female, everyone agreed that Gianna resembled a little angel.
• Her hair was dark brown, long, and thick, tied in a ponytail at the back of her head. Her almond-shaped eyes were deep black, just like her father's, but under the sunlight, a brownish sparkle could be seen. Her eyelashes were long and curly, her eyebrows thick and beautifully arched. In the future, when the girl grew up, Olivia was sure she wouldn't need to go to a salon for eyebrow embroidery. Because her shape was already perfect.
• The girl tilted her head, looking up at Olivia with her cheerful smile and showing her missing teeth. "Hello, Darling. How was your school today?" Olivia asked, lowering her body and squatting in front of the child.
• Gianna pouted while shrugging her shoulders. "Same old, boring. Cinta..." The girl chattered happily, mentioning one of her school friends named Cinta, who always bothered her. And as usual, Olivia just listened.
• "Have you come back?" The gentle tone of the greeting made Olivia turn her head. A tall and slender woman in a hijab walked closer towards her.
• The woman, who still looked beautiful in her mid-fifties, smiled warmly at her. Olivia nodded as she stood up, carrying Gianna who was still clinging to her leg, and approached the woman.
• "Just now, Granny," she replied, following the woman to sit on the sofa. "Did Granny need me?" she asked, curious.
• The woman nodded, glanced at Gianna, and said, "Granny needs to talk to Olivia first. Gianna, go play by yourself for a while, okay?" she requested, a request that Gianna immediately followed without protest.
• "How's the penthouse? Wasn't there a guest there?" Granny Claire asked after Olivia sat down. Olivia didn't answer immediately; she looked at Granny Claire to find out and guess where this conversation was heading.
• "Yes, Granny, there was," Olivia replied straightforwardly. One conclusion she could draw was that Granny Claire already knew who the guest was.
• "Do you know who he is?" Granny Claire asked again. Olivia nodded her head. The woman seemed taken aback. Her face suddenly became melancholic, and her sadness seemed to reach Olivia instantly. "How is he? How is he doing? Is he healthy, right? Is he okay? Did you talk?" she continued, her curiosity evident.
• "He looked fine, Granny. He seemed healthy. Although he appeared confused too. I didn't expect it to be him before," Olivia replied.
• "Why?" Granny Claire asked, puzzled.
• "At first, I thought he was Mr. Meizar's guest. I didn't pay close attention. I was even surprised by his sudden presence."
• "I thought initially he wasn't human because of his slightly strange appearance," Olivia immediately covered her mouth with her hand as she couldn't stop herself from speaking.
• "Strange?" Granny Claire asked, confused.
• "I'm sorry, Granny. I slipped." Olivia replied, feeling embarrassed.
• Granny Claire stared at the girl without blinking, well aware of Olivia's straightforward nature. Instead of being offended, the woman encouraged Olivia to continue.
• "He looks very different from the photos, Granny. His physique, his face, everything. When I first saw him, I thought he was an astral being," she answered honestly, making Granny Claire pause for a moment before bursting into laughter.
• "Who did you think he was then?" she asked, wiping the corner of her eye.
• Olivia shrugged. "He was too 'furry,' Granny," Olivia replied matter-of-factly.
• "Furry?" Granny Claire asked again, unbelieving. Olivia nodded again. "And then?" Granny Claire asked, her hand covering her mouth to stifle her laughter.
• "Initially, I thought he was a monster straight out of a movie. But when I realized he wasn't a hologram, I was sure he was a human."
• "Physically, he looked like Khal Drogo from Game of Thrones. But after he dressed up, he appeared more civilized, although the comparison would be something like The Beast from Beauty and The Beast," she continued, which was met with a nod from Granny Claire.
• "I thought if he got angry or went on a rampage, he would look more like Durotan in the Warcraft movie," the girl said, her forehead furrowing sharply.
• Mrs. Claire looked momentarily puzzled. Olivia figured it was because the older woman didn't recognize the characters she mentioned. But surely, Mrs. Claire knew who The Beast was.
• Who wouldn't know the character of the Beast, every child knew that legendary figure. And when the middle-aged woman's memory seemed to align with the character Olivia meant, she smiled again, almost laughing.
• While wiping the corner of her watery eye, the woman looked back at Olivia. "Is he really that frightening?" she asked, met with Olivia's chuckle.