Stranger in my Ass-Chapter 226

Olivia’s POV

We were in the first-class cabin, on our way to Tokyo - one of the most beautiful cities in the world - with spacious seats that reclined into beds, attentive flight attendants, champagne served in crystal flutes.

I should have been thrilled.

Instead, I sat there like a statue while Gabriel flipped through glossy Tokyo travel magazines, pointing out temples, restaurants and shopping districts we were going to visit.

"Look at this place - Senso-ji Temple. It’s the oldest temple in Tokyo, absolutely stunning. We have to go." He turned the magazine toward me. "And this restaurant in Shibuya serves the best tonkatsu in the city. You have to try it."

"Mmm-hmm," I murmured, not really seeing the pictures.

My mind was elsewhere, spiraling through a pattern I was only now beginning to recognize.

Ever since I’d encountered Maxwell for the first time in his love doctor’s office, he’d been everywhere. Turning up at unexpected places.

At the company - as the CEO, my apartment building - when I’d gone on my first date with Gabriel, The club, my neighborhood, events I’d never mentioned to him. Always there, always watching, always somehow knowing exactly where I’d be.

Was that normal? Were those pure coincidences?

Or something worse?

The thought sent a chill down my spine.

If I hadn’t met Maxwell, would my life have been this crazy and chaotic? Would I have been drugging security guards and running away at midnight? Would I be sitting on this plane, dreading arriving in a beautiful city because I knew - knew - he’d be there too?

He always had to turn up and destabilize everything.

But not this time.

This time, I knew exactly what to expect. Maxwell was coming to Tokyo for business. I was here for vacation. The city was huge. And even if - when - we inevitably crossed paths, I’d be prepared.

I’d see him coming.

"Olivia? Olivia? Earth to Olivia?"

I blinked, suddenly aware that Gabriel had been calling my name multiple times.

"Sorry, what?"

He set down his magazine, concern creasing his forehead. "Are you alright? You’ve been completely zoned out since we took off."

"I’m fine."

"You’re not fine. You’ve barely said two words, and you’ve got this faraway look on your face. " He leaned closer. "Don’t you like Tokyo? If you really don’t want to be here, we can change our plans. I can book us tickets to somewhere else..."

"No, no, I do want to be here," I said quickly. Then paused. "Who else is coming?"

Gabriel blinked. "What?"

"To Tokyo. Who else is coming on this trip?"

"Uh... us? Just us?" He looked confused. "That’s kind of the point of a vacation together?"

"Are you sure?" I pressed, probably sounding slightly unhinged. "None of your friends are coming? Your brother? Maxwell? Damien?"

"Why would I bring my friends on what’s supposed to be our vacation?" Gabriel’s confusion was deepening. "Olivia, what’s going on?"

"I don’t know. You tell me."

"Look, Liv." Gabriel’s voice turned gentle. "I know this is fake dating. I know we’re just friends helping each other out. But I can’t disrespect you by turning our trip into some kind of group hangout. This is for us. Just us."

The sincerity in his voice made guilt twist in my stomach.

"You’re right. I’m sorry. I’m just..." I trailed off, not sure how to explain the paranoia Maxwell had instilled in me. "I’m just being weird."

"You’re allowed to be weird. Just talk to me when you’re ready, okay?"

I nodded, and forced myself to actually pay attention as he went back to his magazines.

This time, when he pointed out a beautiful garden in Shinjuku Gyoen, I listened. When he showed me pictures of the famous Shibuya crossing, I made genuine excited noises. When he described the robot restaurant in Shinjuku, I actually laughed at his enthusiasm.

Maybe this could work. Maybe I could actually relax and enjoy this vacation.

Maybe Maxwell wouldn’t ruin everything.

Maybe.

The moment we stepped out of Tokyo Narita International Airport, I felt it.

The energy. The vitality. The sheer life of this city.

"Oh my God," I breathed, taking in the sights of taxis and buses and people moving about. Even the airport was stunning.

Gabriel grinned at my expression. "Just wait. This is nothing."

Our ride was waiting - a sleek black car with a driver holding a sign with Gabriel’s name. We loaded our luggage and settled into the back seat as the car pulled into Tokyo traffic.

And then I couldn’t stop staring.

Everything was beautiful. The buildings rose like gleaming towers against the sky, covered in massive digital screens displaying everything from advertisements to art. But between them, I could see glimpses of traditional architecture - temples with curved roofs, small gardens, shrines tucked between modern structures like secrets.

"Look!" I pointed excitedly as we passed a street lined with cherry blossom trees. "Are those..."

"Cherry blossoms, yes!" Gabriel leaned across me to see better, his arm brushing against mine. "We’re a bit early in the season, but some varieties bloom sooner. We should visit Ueno Park - it’ll be incredible."

"And that!" I pointed to a massive red gate rising above the buildings. "What is that?"

"That’s a torii gate - marks the entrance to a Shinto shrine. Probably Senso-ji, based on where we are." Gabriel shifted to point out my window, his hand coming up to gesture at something in the distance.

His knuckles grazed my breast.

We both froze.

It was an accident - clearly an accident - just an unfortunate consequence of the tight space and his enthusiastic pointing. But the touch had sent something through me, and suddenly we were staring at each other, his hand still suspended in the air, my breath caught in my throat.

Gabriel’s eyes were dark, intense, searching mine for... something.

"Sorry," he said quietly, but he didn’t move away.

I should say something. Should laugh it off. Should do anything except continue staring at him.

But I couldn’t look away.

For a moment I saw something flicker across his face. Something that looked almost like longing.

Then I averted my gaze, breaking the spell.

"It’s fine," I said, my voice coming out slightly strangled. "Accident." 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢

"Right. Accident."

The car suddenly felt too small, the air too thick. We both turned to look out our respective windows, a heavy silence settling between us that hadn’t been there before.

What was that? What just happened?

We were fake dating. Just friends. This wasn’t supposed to be complicated.

But the tension in the car said otherwise.

The rest of the drive passed in that awkward quiet, both of us pretending to be absorbed in the scenery, neither acknowledging the elephant - or rather, the accidental breast graze - in the room.

The hotel was exactly the kind of place Gabriel would choose - elegant, modern with traditional Japanese touches, perfectly situated in the heart of Shibuya.

We approached the reception desk together, our earlier awkwardness dissipating slightly in the bustle of checking in.

"Two rooms," Gabriel told the receptionist. "Should be under the name Gabriel Fisher."

"Ah yes, Dr. Fisher. We have your reservation. Two deluxe rooms on the fifteenth floor." The receptionist smiled as she processed our information. "Here are your key cards. The elevators are just over there."

We thanked her and made our way across the lobby, wheeling our suitcases behind us.

"So," Gabriel said as we approached the elevator bank, clearly trying to restore normalcy. "After we drop off our bags, maybe we could grab some lunch? There’s this amazing sushi place at..."

The elevator dinged.

The doors slid open.

And there, standing inside like a perfectly orchestrated nightmare, was Maxwell and my brother, Kennedy.

Time seemed to slow down.

Kennedy’s eyes widened in shock when he saw me. "Olivia?! Sis! What are you doing here?" He greeted happily, stepping off the elevator and enveloping me in a hug.

"Kennedy?!" I called, returning the hug warmly. I couldn’t believe it. I knew I’d see Maxwell eventually, but Kennedy too? Here? Now? Immediately upon arrival? It was overwhelming.

I drew back, smiling up at him, then I turned towards Maxwell, and my smile died instantly.

Maxwell’s reaction - or lack thereof - made my stomach drop.

He was looking right past me.

Like I wasn’t even there.

"Gabriel!" Maxwell’s face broke into a warm smile, the kind he reserved for actual friends. "Hey, man! Didn’t know you’d be in Tokyo!"

He pulled Gabriel into one of those masculine half-hug, back-slapping embraces that men do.

"Maxwell!" Gabriel returned the hug, genuinely pleased. "Yeah, last-minute vacation. What are you doing here?"

"Business meetings. Boring stuff." Maxwell’s eyes flicked to me for a fraction of a second before returning to Gabriel. "You here alone?"

"Actually, I’m with..."

"We should grab drinks while you’re here," Maxwell interrupted smoothly, still not acknowledging my existence. "Catch up properly. I’m here all week."

Kennedy was staring at me, his expression unreadable. A thousand questions seemed to be swirling behind his eyes, but he said nothing.

I felt like I was watching this scene from outside my body. Maxwell was pretending I didn’t exist. Actually acting like I was invisible.

After everything. After all his games, his manipulations, his lies... he was ignoring me.

"Maxwell," Gabriel said, sounding slightly confused by the weird energy. "You’re not going to greet Oliv..."

"I’ve got to run," Maxwell cut him off again, checking his watch. "Meeting in twenty minutes. But seriously, text me. We’ll set something up."

He clapped Gabriel on the shoulder one more time, then brushed past me, his arm touching mine without so much as a glance.

Kennedy followed, but not before catching my eye one more time. His look was intense, almost apologetic, "We will catch up later, Liv," he promised, before turning and walking away.

I stood there, frozen, watching them disappear through the hotel lobby.

What. The. Hell.