Chapter 4 - Connor POV

Connor POV

Hearing my name come out of her perfect mouth send shivers and all the blood downwards. I hand her my personal business card as she leaves my office. Her delectable scent lingers and I take a deep breath. 

I look through the schedule she has left me for the remainder of the day and she has organised it from most important to least leaving a post it note on top in her beautiful handwriting stating the reason for doing so is in case the important meetings run over. She is smart, and sexy and charming and everything I imagined her to be when I saw her at the park everyday. Do I dare to imagine?

Half an hour passes and my phone dings.

O: Connor, I didn't have time to pop my head in because the engineer had already arrived to fix my boiler. Thank you for letting me have the afternoon off. Please let me know if I can make up the time any other way. Olivia.

C: Olivia, that really isn't necessary. I hope your boiler is fixed swiftly. Connor.

She doesn't reply and I curse myself for staying so formal. My first meeting is about to start and I gather the paperwork I need, finding that Olivia had placed it all in a pile in the same order as my meetings. She honestly is a diamond.

It’s 7pm and my meetings have all concluded. I hated taking my own notes but Olivia made it easier by organising everything before she left. My phone dings and I scramble to grab it as I’m being driven home.

A: Con, you still going to the function on Saturday? Gonna bring a date this time? Al

Shit. I forgot about the fundraiser this weekend. Such boring affairs with the rich and powerful stuffed into expensive suits or dresses boasting about how rich they are. It always baffles me how so much ego can fit into one function suite. A date? The only person I want to date I cant right now and then there's my irritating ex. Daisy Winters. She is the epitome of everything I hate about that social circle. Entitled, stuck up and whiney, Daisy is everything Olivia isn't. I then realise that it's Thursday and that gives me two days to sort everything for the event. 

C: Al, I’m going to have to show my face as I have already given my father my word. A date? I'm not sure. You? Con.

A: Cummon Con you are an eligible bachelor. I'm sure you can find some gorgeous bunny to hang from your arm for a night. I know I have ;) Al.

The fuck? Al doesnt date, like ever. Sure he sticks his dick in most of the beautiful women that fawn over him but date? This is unheard of. Shit I am going to have to find someone to take with me. 

C: Well in that case I will have to take someone. Thanks for throwing me under the bus bro! Are you in the office tomorrow or will I see you next at the function? Con.

A: Friday is golf day my friend. I’ll see you at the fundraiser. With my date. Al

I have arrived home and Roxie is all over me. She seems happy though so the dog walker must be doing okay. I place my shoes on the rack and my keys on the hook. As I’m taking my blazer off my phone goes off again. I assume its Alexander again so I ignore it and head for the shower. Once I've washed the day away, I wrap the towel around my waist and head out of the bathroom. My phone goes off again and I realise it wasn't Alexander at all. It was Olivia and something is wrong.

Olivia POV

The engineer has left and, after messaging Connor with an update that I will be available for work tomorrow, I'm having the warmest shower of my life. You know the saying you don't know what you have until it's gone. Totally applies to hot water. I leave the shower and part my hair down the middle to plait both sides, opting to deal with it once I return from visiting mum. My mum has lung cancer. She’s been fighting for longer then the 6 months they gave her to live and I have a feeling I have something to do with that. Recently however I have noticed that although her brain is still young her body is giving up. It's nearly time to have that talk with her. The one where I tell her it is okay to let go. That I would rather she went peacefully rather than living in this agony everyday. She tries to hide it but I can see it in her eyes. Being the coward that I am I still haven’t gained the strength to say the words out loud. I selfishly want to hold onto my mum for as long as possible.

I am about to leave when my phone rings.

“Miss Harris?”

“Yes, May I ask who is calling?” A feeling of dread comes over me as I answer.

“Are you the daughter of Bethany Harris?” The unknown male voice asks.

“Yes that is my mother. What's going on?” I can feel myself starting to panic.

“Bethany has taken a turn. Your mother is in hospital, I am afraid it's nearly time.”

My heart stops, the world spins but I am frozen in this moment. The moment I was warned about but never imagined would come so soon.

“I’ll be right there.” I hang up and run to my car only just remembering to lock my door.

I get to my car and try to start it. I try and try but the fucking thing is failing me. At this moment my car is being an absolute bellend. I go to my phone and call the first number in my messages thinking it was my best friend Ally. Ally Malloch was my go to in these situations.

“Olivia?” The masculine voice of my boss answers. I stiffen in my seat begging the tears to stop falling.

“Shit *sniff* Connor I’m sorry *sniff* my mum….” that's all I can manage before I give in to despair and the sobs rack my body.

“Olivia, send me your address. I'm on my way.” He hangs up and I send him my address before my rational brain kicks in and reminds me how utterly ridiculous it is of me to drag my boss into my personal life.

I send him my address and message Ally to meet me at the hospital. They instantly come back with an emphatic “Ofcourse” It was a comfort to know that Ally would be there when I arrived.

I heard a car engine and looked up and my mouth drops open. A beautifully sleek black Mercedes with blacked out rear windows pulled up in front of me. Surely not, I think to myself. But it surely is as I see Connor in all his jeans and tee glory. If I wasnt so distraught I would probably be gawking but alas now is not the time. 

“Olivia lets go. Just tell me where.” His voice is low and soft.

“To the hospital please” was all I managed to squeak out as I climbed into the back. His driver nodded and as soon as Connor closed the door we left. We sat in silence the whole journey but it wasn't uncomfortable, if it wasn't for the fact this was the first time I would assume this was a normal occurrence. 

We arrived within 10 minutes and after thanking Connor’s driver, who was introduced as Neil, I leapt from the car and into the arms of Ally. They looked fabulous as always in combat boots, jeans and a crop top. Blonde wavy shoulder length hair tickled my nose as I pulled them close. They kissed my cheek and their beard was bristly against my skin. 

“Oh Livvy! I went to check on our ol mumma but the hospital staff wouldn't talk to me.” Ally gushed and sounded a little pissed. 

“Thank you for coming Ally.” I manage a weak watery smile as my tears continue to fall. Connor clears his throat behind me and Ally instantly eyes him from head to toe. Giving me a wink they move towards my boss.

“Ally Malloch, best friend, surrogate sibling and bodyguard, and you are?” Ally always finds a way to teeter on the edge of hostility without being outright offensive and I love them for it.

“Connor Williams, boss, chauffeur and friend if Olivia will have me” He shakes Ally's hand and smiles.

After receiving one of Ally’s no nonsense firm handshakes Connor walks towards me. 

“Olivia would you like me to stay?” 

“Honestly Connor I cant thank you enough as it is. Please don't stay on my account. I know you’re a busy man.” I glance at him in the hopes that he isn’t looking at me. Instead I stare straight into those bright blue eyes and they are filled with concern.

“I hope you find your mother well and I hope to see you tomorrow in the office.” he hesitates before adding “Olivia please let me know when you get home and if there is anything else I can help with.” 

I nod and he turns to leave. Ally takes my hand and makes a swooning action. I giggle and shake my head as we go in, secretly glancing back to the car as it leaves.