Chapter 4

• I had stepped out to deliver some files downstairs when Justin arrived at the company. I had seen him walk into the elevator without him seeing me.
• Shortly after, I went back up to my desk. From the glass wall demarcating us, I could see him occupied with work. I didn’t want to make this any more awkward than it already was, so I went in to see him.
• He looked up the moment I walked in. “Olivia.” He called softly, the way he pronounced my name sent thrills of excitement through me.
• “Hi… Sir.” I muttered awkwardly, a bit shy. “Um… I have delivered the packages to the different levels, I have also succeeded in fixing a new date for the failed meeting.” I announced.
• He nodded. “Thank you Olivia.”
• I immediately noticed the difference in his expression; the usual glee was not there, his eyes were unreadable, cold. Was it about last night?
• “Um… Olivia, we need to talk.” He began, and I immediately knew where this conversation was going.
• My heart began to race. What was he going to say?
• “About last night…”
• My chest tightened.
• He hesitated, then took an obvious breath. “Listen, last night was a moment of vulnerability. What happened between us was a mistake and it cannot happen again.”
• My face immediately dropped in disappointment, sadness creeping in. My feelings were hurt and I could feel the tears forming in my eyes, but not today… I cried a lot yesterday, I am a grown woman, I should start acting like it.
• I immediately shook it off. “Um… Here is the morning report.” I said, dropping a checklist on his table, almost like I didn’t hear what he said.
• I just needed time to process my thoughts. I turned around and walked back out to my desk, refusing to show my tears.
• Later in the evening, all of the workers had left, so I walked back into his office.
• He was standing by the glass wall, looking out to the city. Hearing my footsteps, he turned around to face me. “Olivia… you are still here.”
• “Hmm,” I nodded with a smile. “I thought it was best for us to discuss this without the risk of someone overhearing.”
• He furrowed his eyebrows. “Discuss what?”
• I huffed. “The kiss… Come on Justin, did you really think that you would just ask me to forget it and I would. Why did you do that?”
• He sighed and came closer. “Olivia, I am sorry if my words came out harsh, but that is how it should be. We cannot have anything,” he said, pointing to the two of us.
• I swallowed. “Why not?”
• “You know why, Olivia.”
• “Because I work for you?” I asked, pretending to be oblivious to his reason.
• “No Olivia, because you are my stepdaughter.” He said with his jaw clenched. “Because this… Us… it is not just wrong, it is risky.”
• “Wrong? It didn’t feel that way when you kissed me last night. You liked it, and I liked it too.”
• “That doesn’t mean it is right,” He quickly cut in. “We shouldn't give in to the temptation.”
• “What if I like the temptation?” I asked in a soft voice, trying to touch him.
• “Olivia…” he groaned, taking a step back.
• “Come on Dad. Who defines what is right and wrong? This isn’t fair, Justin. You can’t get all in my head with such gestures and then tell me it is wrong, you are not my father.”
• “Everything that has happened between us in the past has led us to this moment. I am in love with you, I agree it is not your fault, but I am not going to apologize for my feelings.” I said, tears forming in my eyes.
• He sighed and ran his fingers through his hair. “You need to understand the position that I am in, the two of us cannot work. I am doing this in your best interest, not because I don’t like you.” He insisted.
• “My best interest? You worry for me, but you forget that I am an adult, I am no longer a child, I can make my own decisions and I want us.” I argued.
• He shook his head. “I am sorry Olivia, No.” he stated in finality.
• I took a deep breath and let it out. “Kiss me again.” I said softly, almost in a whisper.
• “What?”
• “Kiss me again, Justin. And if it still feels wrong, then I will forget any of this ever happened.” I promised.
• He stood there looking at me, his gaze gentle yet intimidating. Then he covered the space between us and his hand caressed my face, his eyes fixed on my lips.
• “You think I don’t want to?” he muttered, his warm breath against my face.
• “Then do it, tell me if it feels wrong.” I pushed.
• He held up my jaw, bringing his mouth closer to mine. My eyes closed on their own and I waited for his lips, to savor it one more time, even if it was the last.
• But then he sighed and pulled back. “I am sorry, I can’t do it.”
• “Justin…”
• “Go home Olivia, please.” He immediately turned his back to me, running a hand through his hair again. “You need rest, you have been working all day.” He added.
• I huffed and shook my head in disappointment. “Okay,” I whispered. “Goodnight then.”
• With that, I turned around and walked away. A part of me was glad that kiss didn’t happen, because what if it was the last?
• I was confident that my feelings were not one-sided. I have seen the way he looks at me, the way he speaks to me, the way he cares for me. That was a man in love with me, and he is not going to be able to hide from his feelings forever.