Chapter 23
"Morning, Ollie," Finley called out to his brother as he descended the stairs on a sunny Saturday morning. "Want some toast?"
"I'm fine, actually," Oliver replied, glancing around the kitchen and realising that Harper was still not up. "Is she still in bed?" he inquired.
"No, she actually went out early this morning, all dressed up and everything. Said she was going on a date," Finley explained casually.
"A date? With whom?" Oliver hadn't witnessed Harper interacting with any other boys, except for...
"His name is Kunal, I think," Finley responded, noticing his brother physically flinching before regaining his composure. Oliver took a seat at the breakfast bar, book in hand, while Finley joined him after his toast was ready. "Ollie, are you really going to marry that girl?"
"What brought this up all of a sudden?" Oliver questioned, looking down at his younger brother munching his toast.
"Well, are you?" Finley persisted, shaking him slightly. Oliver shrugged, realising that the prospect of marriage had not been confirmed yet, and that it would likely depend on how well their next date went, considering how promising the last one had been.
"If things continue to progress positively, that might be the likely outcome," he explained, trying to refocus on his book and deflect Finley's persistent line of questioning.
"But do you love her?" Finley's tone grew more intense, his concern evident.
"Finley, what's gotten into you?" Oliver inquired, setting his book aside and looking at Finley, who now appeared visibly angry.
"You don't want that, though, do you?!" Finley shouted, his frustration bursting forth. "Because you don't love her. You love Harper, I know you do!"
Oliver let out a weary sigh, his hand gently rubbing his forehead in an attempt to alleviate some of the mounting stress. "I'll introduce you to her next time. She's really pretty and a fantastic cook. I'm sure you'll like her."
Finley abruptly stood up, unable to bear witnessing his brother's emotional turmoil any longer. "This is ridiculous! I don't understand why you're being so dumb!" he exclaimed, rushing up to their shared bedroom and slamming the door behind him, his emotions overwhelming him.
When Harper arrived home after her date with Kunal, a sense of contentment washed over her, lifting her spirits higher than they had been in a long while. Their evening had been delightful, starting with a trip to the movies to watch a heart-wrenching romance about a time traveller that had left both of them shedding tears. They then savoured a delicious lunch at a cosy café, followed by indulging in sweet scoops of ice cream. In the afternoon, they leisurely strolled through the town, taking in the sights, until they eventually arrived at her father's restaurant for a delightful dinner.
As she stepped back into her house, Kunal's question lingered in the air, "Would you like to go on another date?" Harper smiled warmly and nodded, her voice filled with genuine enthusiasm, "I would love that. Goodnight!"
Inside the tranquil house, Harper found herself humming a tune as she made her way to the kitchen, seeking a refreshing drink. To her surprise, she noticed on the stovetop was a simmering pan of pasta, indicating that someone had been there.
"You're in a good mood?" Oliver's voice caught her off guard as he stood in the kitchen doorway. She startled slightly, not expecting his presence. "Oh, sorry, I didn't see you," she responded with a touch of nervousness. Gesturing toward the pan of pasta, she inquired, "Is this yours?"
"Yeah, it is," Oliver confirmed, something about his demeanour seemed off. "I heard you were on a date. I'm surprised you even came home tonight." Harper was taken aback by the comment, waving her hand dismissively as she explained that their outing hadn't progressed to such an extent. She chose not to reveal that their relationship had not yet reached the point of holding hands, let alone spending the night together.
In her fluster, Harper leaned to place her hand on the nearby countertop and she inadvertently knocked the pan handle, causing scalding water to cascade down her leg. A scream of agony escaped her lips as she felt the searing heat burn her skin.
"HARPER!" Oliver's voice echoed through the house as he rushed to her side, swiftly lifting her up into his arms. "IT BURNS! IT REALLY BURNS!" she cried out, the pain of the scalding water searing into her leg.
"Of course it does," he mumbled, carrying her carefully through the house and into the bathroom. "Don't worry, you're going to be okay!" Oliver tried to maintain a calm, attempting to prevent her from panicking. He adjusted the shower to a cool setting, then turned his attention back to Harper, who was now seated on the floor, the pain in her leg causing her to cry out. "I'm really sorry, but I need to take your jeans off. They're soaked in hot water, and we need to cool your skin down," he explained, waiting for her consent before proceeding. With gentle care, he eased the jeans off, mindful of her flinching and wincing from the pain. Once her trousers were removed, he lifted her into the tub and positioned her on the edge, allowing the cool water to cascade over the burned area. Handing her a towel, he discreetly turned away, granting her a moment of privacy.
After a few minutes, Oliver turned off the water and inspected the burn on Harper's leg. "It doesn't look too severe," he reassured her. "I don't think it'll be too serious." He let out a relieved sigh and passed her the showerhead, suggesting she use it if the pain became too intense.
Harper offered a warm smile to Oliver as he settled down against the side of the bath, sighing heavily, trying to alleviate the stress of the situation. "You truly have the qualities of a natural doctor," she remarked, admiration evident in her voice.
"If only it were that simple," Oliver responded with a hint of weariness. Harper's gaze drifted down to him, taking note of the exhaustion etched on his face. She couldn't help but ponder the weight of the burdens he carried at this moment. Everything in his life seemed to be shifting rapidly, with little control in his hands.
The following day marked the long-awaited return of Oliver's father from the hospital, and the atmosphere in their home instantly lightened. Aaron couldn't help but inject some humour into the situation, remarking on the recent string of hospitalisations. "Let's hope that's the end of our hospital visits, eh?" he chuckled.
Ian greeted Aaron with enthusiasm, acknowledging his role in holding down the fort during his absence. "With some assistance from Harper, of course," he added, giving credit where it was due.
Eleanor chimed in, affirming Harper's helpfulness during their busy times. A smile formed on Harper's face as she accepted the recognition. She explained that she and her father had prepared a small welcome home dinner to celebrate Aaron's return. Everyone gathered in the dining room, their eyes drawn to the table adorned with a delectable spread of food that made Aaron's mouth water.
Oliver, ever mindful of his father's health, cautioned him about his dietary choices. "You need to be careful about what you eat," he advised, emphasising the need to avoid alcohol, oily foods, and sweets for the time being.
"But the hospital food was so dull," Aaron protested half-heartedly.
Oliver dismissed his father's complaint, stating firmly, "That's completely irrelevant." As they settled at the table, Ian reassured Oliver that he had cooked with Aaron's dietary needs in mind, ensuring a delicious meal while adhering to the necessary restrictions. Aaron's face lit up with delight, and they all began serving themselves from the sumptuous spread.
Aaron seized the opportunity to broach the topic of the "marriage arrangement" that had been discussed with Mr. Fontaine. The room fell silent, and all eyes turned to Oliver as Ian urged them to address the matter.
"It's my life," Oliver responded tersely, revealing little about his thoughts on the subject.
"Don't give me that. I can see that you're only doing it for the sake of the company, and that's preposterous!" Aaron's frustration was palpable, threatening to escalate the tension in the room.
"Dad, you need to manage your stress levels," Oliver advised calmly. "I can take care of myself, so don't worry."
In the midst of the conversation, the doorbell rang, interrupting the escalating emotions. Oliver excused himself to answer the door, the voices growing louder as they approached the dining room. Mr. Fontaine and Lizzy entered, their presence met with warm greetings.
"We're thrilled to see you're all better," Mr. Fontaine exclaimed, his loud personality filling the room. Ian stood up to shake his hand, expressing gratitude for their visit.
"Nonsense, we may soon be relatives after all," Mr. Fontaine boisterously remarked, hinting at the marriage arrangement. Oliver introduced Lizzy as the girl he was currently dating, placing a hand on her back as she approached Aaron and presented him with a large bouquet of flowers.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, and congratulations on being discharged," Lizzy greeted Aaron warmly, her gaze shifting back to Oliver, who gestured for his younger brother, Finley, to come closer.
"This is Finley, my younger brother," Oliver introduced him.
Lizzy laughed, finding a resemblance between Finley and Oliver. "Nice to meet you, Finley," she said amiably.
Finley nodded slowly, assessing Lizzy with curiosity. "Nice to meet you too," he replied.
Oliver continued the introductions, mentioning that Ian and Harper had been living with them for a couple of years since their house had burned down. As Oliver spoke, Ian stood up and shook both Lizzy's and her father's hands.
Harper offered a gentle smile, rising slowly from her seat. Lizzy captivated her with her beauty—short blonde hair in a shoulder-length bob, dazzling blue eyes, and a natural elegance that defied precise description.
"Oh, you're Harper?" Lizzy's interest in her was evident. "Do you mind if we speak alone for a moment?" The sudden request made Oliver and Harper nervous, but she agreed nonetheless.
They retreated to the tranquil back garden, taking a seat on a bench opposite each other. "You've been living with Oliver for two years now?" Lizzy inquired as they settled down.
"Yeah, about that long," Harper responded, her hands fidgeting nervously.
"To be honest, I was quite jealous of you, getting to spend so much time getting to know him. His mother is very fond of you too, something I'm not sure I can achieve any time soon." Eleanor's lack of effort in building a connection had deeply saddened Lizzy.
"Do you really like him?" Harper asked, concealing her own emotions as best she could.
"Well, I think from the moment I met him, I kind of fell in love," Lizzy confessed, blushing and smiling as she recounted their initial encounter. "Initially, I was planning to decline this arranged marriage. The idea seemed outdated and almost comical. But now, I think I would be more than happy to marry him." Her voice faltered, and she cast her gaze downward. "But I don't sense that same feeling from him. I don't think he..."
Harper interrupted her, assuring her, "He does like you. I'm certain of it."
"You're sure?" Lizzy asked, her hopefulness growing. "I just sometimes feel like I'm with him. His mind is somewhere else," she observed Harper's face closely. "Or on someone else."
"I don't know about that," Harper laughed nervously. It's not like it could be her and she didn't know anyone else that he was interested. "I think he does really like you, you really have nothing to worry about on that front.
Lizzy smiled, expressing her gratitude profusely, and they returned inside to join the others for drinks. However, before Harper reentered the house, Ian approached her, indicating his need to talk.
"I think it's time we make a move, don't you think?" Ian asked, lighting a cigarette and leaning against the deck's railing. Harper remained silent for a moment, letting the news sink in. "It would be strange if they were to get married, and we stayed here. Besides, seeing them together would be challenging for you. I can tell you're holding so much inside," Ian observed, his perception sharp. "It's time to let go and find our own place. I still have the money from the insurance pay-out, so I'll start looking at houses tomorrow."
Tears welled up in Harper's eyes. She knew he was right, and yet, it felt like the worst news she could have received. She nodded, trying to play off her sadness with a slight smile.
A few days later, Harper found herself on a delightful date with Kunal at the local aquarium. The vibrant array of fish swimming gracefully mesmerised her, and she relished in the simple pleasure of experiencing such natural beauty. She couldn't help but notice that Kunal shared her enthusiasm for the small joys in life, and it was refreshing to have someone who understood her excitement.
As they strolled down the bustling high street after leaving the aquarium, Kunal nervously linked arms with Harper and to his surprise, she didn't pull away. Suddenly, a familiar voice called out from behind, causing them to turn around. Lizzy appeared, brimming with excitement, with Oliver following close behind, seemingly less excited about seeing them both.
"What a coincidence!" Lizzy exclaimed, rushing toward them. "Is this your boyfriend?" she asked, gesturing toward Kunal, who introduced himself with a bashful smile.
"We're on a date," Harper replied, her eyes meeting Oliver's, who seemed distant and sullen.
Lizzy chuckled warmly. "Oh, that's sweet," she said, glancing at Oliver, noticing the look on his face. "We're on a date too, right?"
Finally, Oliver looked down at Lizzy, his expression softening as he nodded with a smile. Kunal leaned in and whispered to Harper, "I see he has a type, she looks a lot like Jenny." The two of them chuckled as Oliver looked between them both intently.
Lizzy, with her ever-friendly demeanour, extended an invitation. "We're going to the metropolitan art exhibit. Would you like to come?"
Harper couldn't hide her lack of enthusiasm. "An art exhibit?" she questioned, finding the idea much less appealing than the arcade they had discussed before meeting Lizzy and Oliver.
Oliver interjected, trying to clarify. "Don't worry about that, Lizzy. I don't think these two would appreciate that kind of entertainment, not in the way we would."
Kunal, taken aback, raised his voice. "What's that supposed to mean? Are you suggesting we're dumb or something?"
"Well, would I be wrong?" Oliver replied, his words laced with a touch of bitterness. Lizzy's horrified expression mirrored the shock in the air. "Oliver!?"
Harper's patience reached its limit. She refused to tolerate this behaviour on a day that had been so enjoyable. "I thought you were different, Oliver, but it seems you're still the same jerk you've always been!" Grabbing Kunal's hand, she pulled him away from the scene. "Come on, let's find something we can truly appreciate," she shouted to make sure he could hear as they walked away.
Lizzy heard Oliver sigh and looked up at him as Harper and Kunal distanced themselves, his eyes following them as they moved away. "Hey, Harper!" Harper turned around, ready to confront Oliver. "You two look great together," he said with a wistful smile.
Harper's eyes narrowed, and she nodded confidently. "Thanks, I think so too!" she declared before turning back. "Let's go."
With a single glance at Oliver's face as Harper walked away, Lizzy understood the situation. Her perceptive nature allowed her to grasp the emotions at play better than Oliver or Harper ever could.
"Why would you say that?" Lizzy asked, her voice filled with curiosity and concern. "Why did you call her stupid?" They resumed their journey toward the art museum, their conversation growing more serious.
"I was calling her boyfriend stupid," Oliver clarified. "He just gets under my skin."
"The only one being stupid here is you," Lizzy retorted, both sadness and anger evident on her face as they came to a halt. She stared at the ground, her words cutting through the tension. "I'd like to go home."
The two of them drove to Lizzy's house in complete silence, Oliver unsure what to say, or why Lizzy was even angry in the first place. Maybe he took it a bit far calling dumb?
When they arrived, Oliver started to get out to open the car door for her, but she insisted he leave it. "For someone as intelligent as you, Oliver, you're acting rather foolish right now," she remarked as she swiftly exited the car. "Call me when you figure it out."
Oliver contemplated her words as he drove back to his own home, realising there must be something deeper at play involving Harper. He concluded that Lizzy might not have liked Harper for some reason and resolved to address the situation later, reminding himself that Harper's departure was imminent, hoping it would resolve the conflict.
Kunal and Harper went to the arcade after their unpleasant interaction and managed to blow off some steam by playing some arcade games.
"That was fun!" Harper cheered as they exited the arcade, "should we go get some food?"
Kunal stopped in front of her and turned back, taking a deep breath to give him some confidence. "Harper, will you be my girlfriend?" he asked her, his face completely red and eyes full of hope. Harper was caught off guard and froze to the spot, she had no idea what to say. She'd had a lot of fun with him, but did she want to commit and start a relationship with him? That wasn't a question that she had the answer to unfortunately. Kunal could see this on her face and laughed bashfully, "take some time to think about it," he told her, rubbing the back of his head. "I'll be around, I always am." She smiled sweetly at him and thanked him.
"I really will think about it, I promise."