Chapter 439
Maybe it was the sudden, sweet confession at Graceful Haven Church, but now Olivia's heart raced every time she saw Atticus.
And as one of the people involved, Atticus could definitely sense Olivia's change in demeanor.
Today was the first day they confirmed their relationship, the moment they both realized they still had feelings for each other.
If it weren't for Isabella's sudden incident, he might have had more time to talk with her.
Holden, standing nearby, had no idea what was going on. He just felt the atmosphere was strange but couldn't pinpoint why.
At that moment, Atticus spoke up, directing his words to Olivia, "Olivia, come with me for a sec. I need to talk to you."
In front of Holden, Atticus was being quite straightforward.
Olivia's face turned bright red instantly.
She knew what Atticus wanted to say, but she had no idea how to face him alone right now.
"I still need to check on Isabella later, so maybe not."
"Didn't you just say Isabella didn't want to be disturbed?"
Atticus raised an eyebrow, effectively cutting off Olivia's escape route.
"That's because..."
"Olivia, don't lie to me!"
Olivia was at a loss for words.
Atticus's gaze had changed, making it clear that if she dared to avoid him again, he would take her away right then and there.
Holden was stunned.
Was this what he thought it was?
Atticus and Olivia were together!
Regardless, he knew he shouldn't be in the way right now.
"Atticus, I'll keep an eye on Isabella. You two should talk."
Holden said as he headed upstairs, but his eyes couldn't help but glance back at Atticus and Olivia.
He was both shocked and impressed. Atticus had hidden it well!
Soon, the hall was empty except for Atticus and Olivia.
Olivia remained seated on the couch, not moving an inch.
Atticus stood about six feet away, not in a hurry, quietly watching her. After a few seconds, he spoke a single word.
"Come here."
It was a commanding word, yet he said it with such a gentle tone.
Olivia's heart couldn't help but flutter.
He was clearly trying to lure her in.
Going to him now felt like walking into a trap.
She bit her lip and shook her head vigorously.
"No."
Atticus saw her defensive posture and thought she was just shy because of his sudden confession. He chuckled softly.
He couldn't resist teasing her, "What happened to the fearless Olivia? Now you're scared just to get a little closer to me?"
Olivia's eyes widened, her face reddening as she retorted, "It's not the same!"
"What's different?"
Atticus insisted she speak the truth.
Olivia was both angry and embarrassed, but she couldn't bring herself to say those words in front of him.
Before, he had always seen himself as an elder, treating her like a child.
Now that he admitted he had feelings for her, their relationship had changed to that of a couple. How could it be the same?
Being alone with him now, what if someone saw them? How would she explain it?
No, she wasn't ready for that yet.
"No means no, don't ask anymore."
Olivia turned her body away, refusing to look at Atticus.
But she underestimated how much Atticus's mindset had changed now that they were officially a couple.
When Olivia heard footsteps, she realized Atticus, who had been six feet away, was now sitting beside her on the couch. He scooped her into his arms.
Olivia gasped, instinctively clutching Atticus's shirt, her face turning even redder.
"Atticus, let me go. We're in your house."
Holden and Isabella were still upstairs. If they heard or saw anything, she would be mortified.
"So what?"
Atticus didn't mind at all. In fact, he found it perfectly normal. "You're my girlfriend. Whatever we do is perfectly fine."
"Stop it."
The more Olivia listened, the hotter her face felt. She couldn't help but try to cover his mouth.
For so many years, because of Atticus's rejection, they had never been this close. They rarely even touched hands, let alone embraced so intimately.
Atticus's presence made her heart race, and being in the Wilson Family's hall made her even more uneasy.
"I'll go with you, okay? Just let me go first."
Olivia decided to compromise for now and deal with the rest later.
But Atticus wasn't going to let her off that easily. He had already invited her, and now it wasn't up to her to decide.
He chuckled softly, tightened his grip, and lifted her up. As Olivia buried her face in his chest in fright, he whispered in her ear.
"Do you really think I don't know you? If I let you go now, how could I get you again? So be good and don't move. I'll carry you."
Atticus didn't give her a chance to refuse, carrying her straight into his study.
The room's decor was in cool tones, with a sophisticated black-and-white color scheme, matching Atticus's personal style.
Atticus closed the door and set Olivia down, pulling out a chair for her to sit.
He then walked to the opposite side and sat in the main seat.
Seeing his calm and serious expression, Olivia realized he hadn't brought her here to talk about love but because he had something important to discuss.
She felt a bit foolish for thinking he wanted to continue the sweet talk from Graceful Haven Church.
If she had known he had something serious to discuss, she wouldn't have hesitated outside for so long.
Olivia wanted to smack herself. Could she stop thinking about nonsense all the time?
They were a couple now. Having a physical relationship was inevitable, so why rush?
She cleared her throat, pulled out the chair, and sat down, refusing to admit she was a bit disappointed Atticus hadn't done anything more.
But what she didn't know was that Atticus, fourteen years her senior, had already seen through her little thoughts.
He was a normal man who had been abstinent for years. Now that he had confessed to the woman he liked, it was impossible for him not to have any physical reaction while holding her.
But he didn't want to scare her or leave a bad impression.
He wanted to take things slow, make up for the lost years, and let everything happen naturally.
Returning to the present, Atticus suppressed his desires and looked at her with the calm and mature demeanor of the eldest son of the Wilson Family.
If it weren't for his affectionate and loving "Olivia," Olivia might have thought the confession at Graceful Haven Church was a dream.
"You were outside the ward when Isabella and Michael were talking, right?"