Chapter 1
Two months later.
After weeks of hospital visits, medications, and strict instructions from doctors, Olivia was finally home.
The moment she stepped inside, she paused.
Home.
Her own living room.
Her own couch.
Her own peace.
A small smile appeared on her face.
Maverick stayed beside her, one hand lightly supporting her as they walked toward the lounge.
“Careful.”
Olivia rolled her eyes.
“I’ve heard that word more times in the last two months than in my entire life.”
“Good. Then you’ve had enough practice.”
Before she could respond, Maverick disappeared into the kitchen.
A few seconds later, he returned with a glass of water.
Olivia accepted it with a sigh.
“Maverick, I’m fine now.”
“That’s exactly what someone who isn’t fine says.”
Tania looked Olivia up and down dramatically.
“Honestly, Olivia, you’ve gotten so skinny.”
Olivia groaned.
“Tania.”
“I’m serious.”
Tania folded her arms.
“I think those hospital people were charging money and stealing blood at the same time.”
James immediately laughed.
“That’s actually possible.”
“It is not.”
“It explains a lot.”
Despite the teasing, Olivia couldn’t stop smiling.
For the first time in weeks, she felt normal again.
And more importantly
She could finally get back to work.
As if reading her mind, James suddenly spoke.
“Oh, by the way.”
Everyone looked at him.
“Tomorrow we’re having a welcome back party.”
Olivia frowned.
“A what?”
“A welcome back party.”
James looked very pleased with himself.
“Your entire team is coming. A few family members too.”
“James”
“It’s already planned.”
Olivia looked ready to argue.
Then gave up.
Maverick, meanwhile, had already moved on to the important part.
“I’ll have the food arranged.”
Everyone looked at him.
“We’ll get everything from the restaurants.”
James nodded immediately.
“See? That’s why you’re my favorite.”
“You say that to everyone.”
“Not true.”
“It is.”
Before the argument could continue, Olivia spoke.
“Maverick.”
He looked at her instantly.
“Sit down.”
Something in her tone made everyone quiet.
“And you two as well.”
James and Tania exchanged a glance before sitting.
For a moment, Olivia looked at all three of them.
Then she spoke.
“I want to keep my professional life and personal life separate.”
The room immediately became serious.
Olivia continued.
“I don’t want anyone finding out about us.”
Her eyes briefly met Maverick’s.
“At least not until the restaurant project is completed.”
Silence.
James was the first to react.
“Wait.”
Everyone looked at him.
“What about Noah?”
Olivia sighed.
“What about Noah?”
“He’s your cousin.”
James pointed between Olivia and Maverick.
“And he’s literally a CEO.”
“I’ll handle Noah.”
Olivia replied calmly.
“He won’t be a problem.”
James nodded slowly.
“Fair enough.”
Maverick looked like he wanted to say something.
“But”
Before he could finish, Tania cut him off.
“Olivia’s right.”
Everyone looked at her.
“It doesn’t take people long to start talking.”
James nodded immediately.
“Unfortunately, she’s right.”
“Thank you.”
“Don’t get used to it.”
Tania ignored him.
Meanwhile, Maverick leaned back in his chair.
For a few seconds, he remained quiet.
Then he sighed.
“Fine.”
Olivia raised a brow.
“Fine?”
“We keep it secret.”
A small smile appeared on Olivia’s face.
“Thank you.”
Maverick looked at her for a moment.
Then nodded once.
“Until the project is finished.”
None of them noticed the look James and Tania exchanged.
Because both of them knew exactly what was going to happen.
Keeping this relationship secret was going to be much harder than Olivia thought.
The next evening, Olivia’s welcome back party was in full swing.
The house was filled with familiar faces, laughter, and conversations happening in every corner.
Olivia had barely managed to sit down before Beau and Rosy claimed her completely.
“Ma’am, when are you coming back?” Beau asked for what felt like the tenth time.
“We miss you.”
“Terribly,” Rosy added dramatically.
Olivia laughed.
“I’ve only been gone two months.”
“And those were the longest two months of our lives.”
“You’re exaggerating.”
“We’re not.”
Olivia shook her head.
“One or two more days.”
Both of them looked relieved.
“Finally.”
At that exact moment, the front door opened.
Maverick walked in carrying a bouquet of yellow flowers.
The perfect guest.
The perfect gentleman.
And apparently a man who had never seen this house before in his life.
James almost laughed.
The acting was ridiculous.
Maverick greeted a few people, handed the flowers to Olivia, and behaved exactly the way any invited guest would.
Nothing more.
Nothing less.
Beau immediately spotted him.
“Sir Maverick?”
Maverick looked over.
“Good evening.”
Beau blinked.
“You invited him too?”
Noah answered before Olivia could.
“Of course.”
He walked over with a smile.
“He’s one of our best clients.”
Then he glanced at Maverick.
“And a good friend.”
Maverick nodded politely.
“It would’ve been rude not to come.”
Only James nearly choked on his drink.
A good friend.
Right.
Meanwhile Charles was focused on something far more important.
“The food is incredible.”
Several people agreed immediately.
Charles pointed toward the buffet.
“Seriously. Who arranged all this?”
Before anyone else could answer, Noah grinned.
“Maverick.”
A few surprised looks followed.
“Your restaurants?”
Charles asked.
Maverick nodded.
“One of them.”
That earned several compliments at once.
Maverick thanked everyone politely.
But his attention kept drifting elsewhere.
Toward Olivia.
Not enough for anyone to notice.
Just enough to make sure she was comfortable.
A drink appeared near her before she asked.
A chair was moved when she needed one.
Someone always seemed to help before she had the chance to struggle.
Subtle things.
Small things.
Things nobody paid attention to.
Except James.
And Tania.
Who paid attention to everything.
Fortunately, Maverick was careful.
Not too close.
Not too distant.
Always nearby.
Never suspicious.
It was almost impressive.
Almost.
A little later, Ms. Dalton arrived.
The older woman immediately pulled Olivia into a hug.
“Thank God you’re alright.”
Olivia smiled warmly.
“I’m okay.”
“You scared all of us.”
“I’m sorry.”
Ms. Dalton shook her head.
“No. Just don’t do it again.”
“I’ll try.”
The conversation continued for a few more minutes.
Then suddenly
The front door opened again.
And the room seemed to pause.
A young man stepped inside.
Tall.
Well-dressed.
Confident.
The kind of confidence that didn’t need attention because it naturally attracted it.
Several people turned toward the entrance.
Even Olivia looked up.
The stranger smiled politely.
And for the first time that evening
Maverick’s attention left Olivia completely.
Because something about the newcomer immediately caught his attention.
Noah noticed the confusion on a few faces and walked over.
“Everyone, this is Liam Grant.”
The newcomer shook a few hands as people greeted him.
Then Noah looked toward Olivia.
“While you were on leave, he was handling most of your team’s work.”
Olivia raised a brow.
“Really?”
Before Liam could answer, Beau jumped in.
“Ma’am, trust me.”
He pointed dramatically at Liam.
“He’s even stricter than you.”
Rosy immediately nodded.
“Much stricter.”
“Traitors,” Olivia said.
The entire group laughed.
“So that’s why everyone suddenly started missing me.”
“Exactly,” Beau replied without shame.
Liam finally laughed.
“To be fair, your team is talented.”
“They didn’t sound talented five minutes ago,” Olivia replied.
That earned another round of laughter.
Noah shook his head.
“Anyway, there is one small problem.”
Everyone looked at him.
“Liam is one of the best engineers we’ve hired in years.”
Liam sighed.
“That’s a dangerous introduction.”
“I’m not finished.”
Noah ignored him.
“The company wants him leading his own team.”
Olivia nodded.
“Makes sense.”
“Unfortunately, building an entirely new team takes time.”
“So until then,” Noah continued, “he’ll be working with your department.”
Olivia looked at Liam properly this time.
“Welcome to the chaos.”
Liam smiled.
“I’ve already survived two months of it.”
The room laughed again.
Then Liam stepped forward.
He shook Noah’s hand first.
“Thanks for the opportunity.”
Noah nodded.
“Don’t make me regret it.”
“No promises.”
That made Olivia smile.
Then Liam turned toward her.
For the first time, their attention was fully on each other.
He extended his hand.
“Olivia Dalton.”
His smile widened slightly.
“I’ve heard a lot about you.”
Olivia shook his hand.
“Hopefully nothing too terrible.”
“Actually, mostly terrifying.”
A few people nearby laughed.
“Good,” Olivia replied. “That’s the reputation I was aiming for.”
Liam looked genuinely amused.
“I can see that.”
The handshake lasted only a second before they stepped back.
Completely professional.
Completely harmless.
Yet for some reason, Maverick had already moved closer.
Not enough to be obvious.
Not enough for anyone to question.
Just enough to quietly insert himself into the conversation.
James noticed immediately.
Of course he did.
Tania noticed too.
Of course she did.
Neither said a word.
Liam turned toward Maverick.
“And you are?”
Before Noah could answer, Charles spoke up.
“That’s Maverick Astor.”
Recognition immediately flashed across Liam’s face.
“The restaurants owner ?”
“The restaurant owner?” Maverick repeated.
Liam laughed.
“Sorry. CEO sounds too formal.”
For the first time, Maverick smiled.
“A fair point.”
“I’ve heard good things about your restaurants.”
“And I’ve heard good things about your engineering work.”
The exchange was polite.
Friendly.
Professional.
Exactly the kind of conversation two successful men should have.
Yet James suddenly leaned toward Tania and lowered his voice.
“Uh oh.”
Tania didn’t take her eyes off the scene.
“What?”
“I think Maverick just found someone he doesn’t want standing too close to Olivia.”
Tania nearly choked on her drink.
And judging by the look on Maverick’s face
James might not be completely wrong.
