Stranger in my Ass-Chapter 249

Olivia’s POV

I left Maxwell’s room quietly, carefully closing the door behind me like any sudden noise might shatter what little remained between us.

Gabriel looked up immediately from his phone, concern written across his face. "Did you tell him what you wanted to say?"

I nodded, sliding into the seat beside him and buckling my seatbelt with trembling fingers.

"And?" He was studying my face now. "Why do you look so sullen? Did something happen? Is everything alright?"

"Everything’s fine." The lie tasted bitter. "Just feeling a bit tired. I think I’m going to sleep."

I curled my legs up onto the seat, trying to make myself as small as possible, as invisible as Maxwell probably wished I was right now.

"Olivia?" Kennedy’s voice came from the front. "You sure you’re okay? You look pale."

I nodded without opening my eyes. "Just tired. It’s been a long couple of days."

Gabriel’s hand found mine, squeezing gently. "Rest. I’ll wake you when we get to Tokyo."

I murmured something that might have been thanks and let my eyes drift closed.

But sleep didn’t bring peace.

My mind raced with images of Maxwell’s face - the shock, the disbelief, the hurt bleeding through his expression. The way he’d looked at me like I was a stranger. Like I was something toxic he needed to remove from his life.

I’d destroyed our friendship before it even had a chance to begin.

Made it worse by throwing up in his bathroom like some kind of dramatic, pathetic mess.

He hated me now. Had to. How could he not?

As exhaustion finally started to pull me under, I became aware of another sensation - hunger. Deep, gnawing hunger that made my stomach ache.

But I couldn’t find the strength to stand, to walk to wherever the plane kept food, to ask Gabriel to help me.

So I forced myself to sleep through it, hoping it would fade.

I woke to Gabriel’s gentle hand on my shoulder, his voice soft in my ear.

"Liv. We’re here. Time to wake up."

I blinked groggily, disoriented. The plane had landed. Through the window, I could see the familiar Tokyo airport.

"Come on." Gabriel helped me unbuckle, then stood and grabbed both our bags. "Let me help you."

He held my hand with one of his, our luggage in the other, and guided me down the plane stairs like I was made of glass.

The moment we stepped onto the tarmac, I saw him.

Maxwell.

Already getting into a waiting car, his movements fast and purposeful despite his injury. The car pulled away before I could even think about calling out to him.

Not that I would have. Not after everything.

"Where’s he going?" The question slipped out before I could stop it. "Why is he in such a hurry?"

Kennedy, walking beside us, glanced at the disappearing car. "Important meeting. He got a call during the flight. Something urgent that couldn’t wait."

"But his wound is still fresh," I protested. "He should be resting..."

"That’s Maxwell for you," Gabriel said with a slight shrug. "Work always comes first. Even when he’s literally been stabbed."

I stared after the car until it disappeared from view, worry gnawing at me despite knowing I had no right to be concerned. Not anymore. Not after what I’d done.

We climbed into the waiting car - a black sedan that Kennedy had apparently arranged - and rode in relative silence back to the hotel.

Tokyo looked the same as when we’d left it. Bright. Bustling. Alive.

But everything felt different now.

When we pulled up to the hotel, Gabriel turned to me. "Do you need anything? Food? Rest? Both?"

My stomach chose that moment to growl audibly.

"Lunch," I admitted. "But I’m also exhausted. I don’t know which I need more."

"Rest first," Gabriel decided. "I’ll have lunch sent up to your room. You can eat and then sleep properly."

"Thank you." I meant it. Gabriel was being so kind, so patient, when I felt like I was barely holding myself together.

"Go on up. I’ll take care of everything."

I nodded gratefully and made my way to the elevator, to my room, to the temporary sanctuary where I could finally fall apart in private.

Once inside, I unpacked quietly - hanging clothes, organizing toiletries, going through the motions while my mind stayed stuck on Maxwell’s face. On the way he’d looked at me. On the words he’d spoken.

Get out.

When I couldn’t take it any longer, I pulled out my phone and called Kira.

She answered on the second ring. "Hey! How was the flight? Are you back in Tokyo?"

"Yeah. We just got back." My voice came out flat, emotionless.

There was a pause. "Liv? What’s wrong? You sound terrible."

And just like that, the dam broke.

"I told him." The words tumbled out in a rush. "I told Maxwell the truth about Oliver. About me. About everything."

"You WHAT?" Kira’s voice rose to a near-shriek. "Are you serious? I don’t believe it. When? How?"

"On the plane. In his bedroom. I just - I couldn’t wait anymore, Kira. Damien knew about it already, and Maxwell deserved to hear it from me first, so I just... told him."

"Oh my God." Kira was quiet for a long moment. "How did he take it?"

I sank onto the bed, pulling my knees to my chest. "He was shocked at first. Like, genuinely shocked. I don’t think he believed me initially. Then angry. So angry. And then..." My voice cracked. "He asked me to leave his room."

"Wow." Another pause. "What do you think he’ll do about it?"

"I really don’t know." And that was what terrified me most. "He acts so cold and expressionless sometimes that I can never tell what’s going through his mind. He could be planning to have me arrested. Or he could be planning to just... cut me out of his life completely. I have no idea which would be worse."

"Liv..." Kira’s voice softened with sympathy. "Don’t beat yourself up too much about this. You did the right thing by telling him. You came clean. That took courage."

"Did it? Or was it just stupid?"

"It was brave. And honest. And eventually, he’ll see that." She paused. "You said your truth. That’s what matters. And even though the job offer is probably gone now, at least you’re free of the deception."

"Job offer?" I repeated, confused. "What job offer?"

"Kennedy didn’t tell you?" Kira sounded surprised. "He mentioned he was trying to convince you to work for Maxwell. As a personal assistant at first, then moving up to junior associate once Maxwell changes the hiring policies."

My memory suddenly clicked. "Oh yeah... that. Kennedy told you about it?"

"Yeah. And I have to say, Liv, I don’t like it." Her voice turned firm. "You only just escaped from hell working as his assistant. How could you even consider going back there? Returning to the same situation that made you miserable?"

"It wouldn’t be the same..."

"I’m going to call Kennedy about this right now..."

"No! Kira, don’t." I sat up straighter. "Please. Don’t talk to Kennedy about the job offer. He was trying to help."

"Help? By sending you back into that toxic situation?"

"It’s not toxic. Not really." I found myself defending Maxwell almost automatically. "Maxwell was only cruel to Oliver because he thought I was a man. He expected me to behave like one, to handle things like a male assistant would. But as a woman? As Olivia? I don’t think he’d be cruel. He wouldn’t be."

"Olivia..."

"He likes me, Kira. Even if he hasn’t admitted it out loud. You’ve seen the way he looks at me. The way he acts around me. He asked me to be friends. He’s been trying, in his weird Maxwell way, to be better." I took a breath. "So I don’t think he’d be cruel if I worked for him as myself."

Kira was silent for a long moment. "I still don’t like this."

"It doesn’t matter anyway." I slumped back against the pillows. "I’m not even sure I’ll get the job offer now. Not after what I told him. He probably wants nothing to do with me."

"I hope not," Kira muttered, so quietly I almost missed it.

"What?"

"Nothing. Just..." She sighed. "Are you okay? Really?"

"I’m fine. Tired. Hungry. Emotionally drained. But fine." I forced some energy into my voice. "What about you? Are you okay? How’s... everything?"

"Everything’s fine. Damien’s resting. I’m just here making sure he doesn’t lack anything."

"Kira." I couldn’t let this go. "Please be careful with him. The man definitely has plans. He wants to take you away from Kennedy. He’s admitted as much."

"Liv, I appreciate your concern, but I’m fine. Really." Kira’s voice was gentle. "Damien’s not that bad. At least not as bad as Maxwell. And besides, he’s injured. What could he possibly do?"

"It’s not what he’ll do physically that I’m worried about. It’s the mind games. The manipulation. He’s a Wellington, Kira. It runs in the family."

"I know. And I’m prepared. I won’t let him confuse me." She paused. "Trust me, okay? I’ve got this under control."

I wanted to believe her. "Just... promise me you’ll be careful. Really careful."

"I promise. Now go eat and rest. You sound like you’re about to collapse."

"I will. Talk later?"

"Definitely. Love you, Liv."

"Love you too."

I hung up just as there was a knock on my door.

"Olivia?" Gabriel’s voice. "I’ve got lunch."

I opened the door to find him holding a tray laden with food - soup, sandwiches, fruit, a pot of tea.

"I wasn’t sure what you wanted, so I got a variety," he said, carrying it to the small table by the window. "Figured you could pick what appeals to you."

The smell of the food made my stomach growl again, reminding me I hadn’t eaten since breakfast. Which felt like a lifetime ago.

"Thank you, Gabriel. This is perfect."

He smiled, leaning against the doorframe. "I’ll let you eat in peace. But call me if you need anything, okay? I’ll be in my room."

"I will. Thank you. For everything."

After he left, I sat down and stared at the spread of food, and stomach wanted all of it immediately.