UNFOLDING ENCOUNTER

OLIVIA'S POV 

The first time I met Vanessa, she was nothing like I'd expected. Given her history with Dawson and her newfound Involvement in Mr. Chen's deal. I braced myself for someone cold and calculating, maybe even openly hostile, but when she walked into Dawson's office that day, all polished smiles and delicate charm, it caught me off guard.

"Olivia, right?" Vanessa extended her hand, her eyes shining with warmth, her tone sweet and Friendly. "I've heard so much about you. It's so lovely to finally meet the woman the whole office has been talking about.

I hesitated, but only for a second before shaking her hands. “Likewise,” I said, but like her, I read about her in the magazines, managing a polite smile.

It was strange I couldn't quite pin down why, but there was something about her presence that felt…calculated. Despite her sweetness, the air between us was thick with unspoken tension. Her words, though pleasant, had an edge to them, as though each sentence was laced with a hidden meaning.

“I just want to say how impressed I am with the work you've done on the Bahamas deal,” She continued, her voice light as she tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear.  "Dawson's very lucky to have you on his team.”

There it was, that subtle emphasis on team, as if to imply that was all I was, Just another employee, but I wasn't about to take the bait.

"Thank you," I replied, keeping my tone professional. "I'm happy to be part of such an important project."

Vanessa smiled, but her eyes lingered a little too long on mine as if she were sizing me up. It wasn't hostility, It was more like... curiosity. Or maybe a warning. I couldn't tell. But I knew one thing for Sure. I wasn't going to let her rattle me- Not when I had enough on my plate with Lily's health.

As if on cue, my phone buzzed in my pocket; it was Emily, texting me updates about Lily; I excused myself from the conversation, thankful for the distraction. Vanessa's presence was starting to wear on me, and I needed a break from her Incessant pleasantries.

Later that day, I arrived at the hospital to cheer on Lily. The Infusion was Successful. The relief I felt was overwhelming as I stepped into the room and saw her sitting up in bed, colouring in her sketchbook. Emily was sitting beside her reading a book, her presence as comforting as always. I had called Emily earlier to come to stay with her to give Dawson some documents.

"Mummy?" Lily's face lit up when she saw me,  “Look What I drew.”

I smiled and leaned in to admire her drawing - a colorful depiction of the two of us Standing by the beach, holding hands. “It's beautiful, sweetheart,” I said, “how are you feeling now, baby?” She looked better and happy, but I was the happiest seeing her up and playing.

“Hey, you," Emily said softly as she closed her book.  "Is everything okay at the office?” 

I gave her a grateful smile. “It's….. fine just a lot going on”

Emily raised an eyebrow "Vanessa”

I nodded. Emily had been my sounding board since the beginning of this whole mess. She knew how exactly I felt about Dawson's sounding of this whole mess. I felt about the ex-fiancee.

“She's Interesting." I said choosing my words carefully, “All smile but…..I don't trust her?" 

“You're smart not to!" Emily replied, her tone Protective. "Just be careful."

Before I could respond, there was a knock at the door. My heart skipped a second when I saw Dawson standing there, holding a small Stuffed bear in his hands. 

"Hey," he greeted, stepping into the room with that easy charm that got me feeling calm. “I thought I'd  stop by and see how Lily's doing." 

Lily looked up from her drawing, her big brown eyes alive with curiosity. " Who's that?" she asked, glancing between Dawson and me.

I opened my mouth to respond, but Dawson beat me to it, “I'm a friend of your mummy” he said, his voice soft as he Crouched down to Lily's level. "I brought you a little gift."

He handed her the bear and Lily's face lit up as she took it, hugging it to her chest. But then she looked up, her little brow furrowing in that way she always did when she was thanking hard about something.

“Are You just Mummy's Friend?" She asked, her voice Innocent but sharp, "Or are you her boyfriend?”

Heat rushed to my cheeks, and I Shot Dawson an apologetic look, but he only chuckled, clearly amused by Lily's bluntness.

"Well," Dawson said, his smile softening, "that's something I'm hoping to talk to you about when you're feeling much better.”

Lily nodded, seemingly satisfied with that, and turned back to her drawings, focused on adding the bear to her beach scene.

I glanced at Dawson, my heart fluttering. At the ease with which he handled the situation. It was at that moment, as he stood there with my daughter, that I realized something. My feelings for him Weren't just professional admiration of the residual gratitude for all that he had done to help with Lily's treatment.

I liked him more than I liked him.

It was terrifying, the realization that I was developing feelings for Someone again, especially after everything I had been through with • But with Dawson, it felt... much more different.

He is understanding, didn't push, didn't rush. He was just steady and dependable. 

Later that day, Dawson and I lingered outside the hospital, the city lights flickering in the distance. That tension from earlier in the day had faded, and for a moment, it was just us standing together in the cool night air.

"Lily's something else. Dawson said, breaking the comfortable silence. "She's smart, curious-- Just like her mom."

I smiled, looking down at my hands. "She's everything to me."

We chatted for a while before we said our goodbyes. My mind was still spinning with the stress of the day. I wasn't ready to admit it out loud, but it was undeniable, I was falling for him. And that, more than anything else,  scared me.