Cold

CHAPTER 7

Unknown to Josh and Olivia, Christian saw them together. He looked at them and sighed before returning to his room.

“Let’s go to the dining room to discuss this”, Josh said as he headed downstairs, Olivia following closely behind.

“So, what’s the plan?" Olivia asked impatiently as they sat opposite each other.

"See..." Josh began. “Christian may seem like he’s unbearable to be around, but he is very cute and he adores his older brother very much. He used to love going to these relaxing events—like taking his brother on picnics, amusement parks, art museums and things he deemed to be fun”.

He smiled before continuing, “So, I was thinking if we could get him to do that again, but with Eunice”.

Olivia nodded in agreement with the idea. “That sounds like a plan. But Christian is not really friendly, I fear. How do we convince him?”

Josh smiled, his face showing some mischief. “Have you forgotten that I’m here? Leave it to me. I’ll get him on board anyhow. Your own responsibility is to get Eunice excited about it. Let’s make her express the need to go out, until Christian sees it. That way, he will eventually succumb."

Olivia clocked her brows, smiling widely. “I’m in." They spent the next few minutes discussing and arranging their plans.

The next morning, Olivia was bathing Eunice, then she started a conversation.

“Do you want to see the park?" she asked the girl, who looked up at her confused.

“I can tell uncle Josh to convince uncle Christian to take you there. You are going to have a lot of fun."

After hearing Olivia’s suggestion, Eunice looked very excited. After dressing up, Olivia took Eunice to the dining room, before moving to the kitchen, hoping to catch Christian there and in a good mood. When she entered, she found him leaning against the counter with a cup of coffee in his hand.

“Good morning, Mr. Mason”, Olivia greeted, trying to sound as friendly as possible. Christian looked at her with an ambiguous expression before replying. “Good morning, Miss Benjamin”.

‘It seems like he’s in a bad mood already. God help me, Olivia thought to herself.

“I was thinking of taking Eunice to the park today, but I want your permission. Maybe you could also go with us”, Olivia rubbed her hands in nervousness as she made the effort to connect with Christian.

Christian looked at her as if she’d just suggested they take a trip to another country. “I have a lot of work, I’m not available”, he replied coldly.

Olivia nodded, not wanting to push further or get herself into trouble. “Of course, you are busy. I understand. But if you have a change of mind…”

“I’m not going. And can you stop thinking? Your job is to take care of Eunice. Don't do more than that." He cut her off, turning away to go to the dining room.

"Ouch," Olivia said to herself dryly. Determined not to let Christian’s words or actions ruin her day, she prepared somestrawberry milkshakes for herself and Eunice.

As she was entering the dining room, Josh sauntered in with his usual bright, and playful smile. “Good morning, guys! Good morning, my little princess.

Christian mumbled a response, and Olivia smiled at him. Eunice as usual, jumped into his arms to greet him. Watching Eunice’s excitement as she jumped on Josh, Christian’s expression sort of shifted, as if he was wishing to be Josh. Unbeknownst to him, Josh and Olivia quickly caught on to his expression.

Josh winked at Olivia, signaling the start of something she’s supposed to go along with. “Olivia, I thought very deeply about the conversation we had last night."

“Oh?” she replied, trying not to sound too eager. She did not know the direction of this conversation, but she still followed it.

“Eunice should have some outdoor adventures, and I know we are all concerned about her safety, so I’m suggesting we all go with her”. Josh looked at Christian as he said the last clause, publicly airing his intention.

“So, Christian, how about going to the park with her? The three of us. Let’s just think of it as a stress relief trip, Josh suggested.

Christian, who had been silent the whole time, looked up. “I’m not going anywhere. And I don’t think Eunice should be in a crowded environment. The noise levels at the places you suggest are just too much.

“Listen, buddy. We all want what’s best for Eunice. And what is best right now is bonding with people, especially you. I’m not going to be here all the time.

Christian’s eyes narrowed at Josh’s counter. “I don’t need your help with my niece. I think I know what’s best for her."

Josh held up his hands in mock surrender. “Alright, alright. No need to get defensive. We’re just looking out for her. I know you are new to this parenting thing, that’s why we want to help.

Christian’s jaw tightened, and without another word, he left the dining room. However before he left, he turned to look at Eunice who had a glint of disappointment in her eyes. Olivia watched him go, feeling a mix of frustration and concern.

“You reassured me that you would convince him. You did the exact opposite," Olivia said as she glared at Josh.

Josh smiled as he replied, “That is just one of my many strategies." Did you see the look on his face before he left?

After breakfast, Olivia and Eunice spent the morning playing in the garden. Josh was not around. However, Olivia’s thoughts kept drifting back to Christian and the little incident that happened during breakfast.

Olivia looked up and noticed Christian watching then from a windows upstairs. His expression was unreadable and blank. Olivia could not push him away from her mind.

“Olivia?” an innocent voice sounded, bringing Olivia back to her thoughts.

“Yes, sweetie”.

“Can we have a picnic lunch?" Right here in the garden." Eunice's eyes glistened as she looked at Olivia in hopes that she agreed.

Olivia smiled, grateful for Eunice’s initiative. “Of course, that sounds like a plan”.

Later in the afternoon, as they set up their picnic, Olivia notices Christian coming out of the house. He was wearing casual clothes and his expression was less tense. He walked over slowly, his reluctance written all over his face.

“Can I join you?" he asked, trying not to sound like his usual cold self. Eunice’s face lit up. “Yes, Uncle Christian! Come sit beside me!”

Olivia looked at the happy girl beside her, and smiled warmly. “Of course, you can join us”. She said as she looked at Christian who gave her a wry look.

Christian sat down on the blanket, and for a moment, the three of them sat in silence, before figuring out where to start. As they ate, Olivia noticed that Christian kept trying to feed Eunice. However, he did not know how to get her attention, so she did it for him.

“Eunice, darling, do you want Uncle Christian to feed you some strawberries?” Eunice’s face lit up as she heard Olivia’s question. She quickly turned her head over to Christian who already held a strawberry in his hand. “Yes”.

Christian too happily fed her a strawberry before turning to look at Olivia. Olivia was also looking at him with a smile that seemed to say, ‘That’s how you do it next time’.

However, Christian saw this look to be a mocking look, so he got angry. The three of them continued their lunch in silence, while Christian fed Eunice. Soon after, Christian suddenly stood up. “I should get back to work."

As he walked away, Olivia felt a glimmer of hope from within. He’s finally breaking the wall he built around him. There is a chance for Eunice and Christian to bond, but why does it seem like Christian is running away?

Josh arrived around dinner time that evening, so he went to meet Olivia in the kitchen to help her set up Eunice’s dinner as well as get a report of what happened during the day.

“Olivia”, he called from behind her. “Hey, Josh. How was your day?" Olivia quickly replied as she turned to look at him.

“You look very happy. Was today fruitful? Did Christian reach out?" Josh asked, seeming impatient.

“Yes, he did. He came out to have our little picnic lunch with us. He even fed Eunice. Olivia recalled as she gushed with happiness.

“Alright, then. That’s one step ahead. I’ll also try to help out in anyway I can", Josh said before leaving for the dining room.

Later that night, Olivia was reading Eunice some bedtime stories, before she looked back to see Christian at the door. He looked like he was struggling to say something.

“Mr. Mason. Do you want to come inside? Please come in.

“I was thinking of reading some bedtime stories to Eunice, but you are already doing that. So I should be going”,Christian said.

Olivia ushered Christian in, and he picked up the book, continuing from where she had stopped. His voice was so soft and soothing that Eunice slept off almost immediately.

They left Eunice’s room soon after and came in front of Olivia’s room. Christian stopped and looked at Olivia coldly, before saying, “Whatever plan you have in your head, you better thwart it now."