Chapter 35

7:45 am

Private Library,

Stefan's Manor

O L L I E

"Is it just me, or are you both being extra sweet today?" Trevor noticed and sat on the couch across from me, as he stared at me holding some freshly-picked flowers from the garden handed to me by Stefan. Stefan is currently preparing my breakfast downstairs and he told me to stay put.

I did not expect Stefan to go along with me when I suggested that we start over again and get to know each other better. We did not follow the conventional way of entering a relationship, because conventional is boring. But still, I want to experience it. I want to feel a sense of normalcy with all this chaos.

I decided to spend my time enjoying the fresh air from the open windows of the private library. The double doors of the balcony were also wide open, and the entire room looks so vibrant and cozy. Earlier, a team of ten people arrived for the bi-monthly cleaning. Every single decor in the mansion was replaced with something new and pleasant to look at.

The place was turned upside down and actually, the cleaning is still ongoing. It was just not that obvious because it was not rowdy and noisy. I just learned that Stefan lost a bet with his brother, Reeve, with his efficient servants in the line, so for a month, the mansion was silent.

Stefan mentioned that his house staff will come back next month. According to him, Reeve is just fickle and with trust issues, so Stefan just gave in and let go of his staff for a month.

As of the moment, Reeve is burying himself with work as a coping mechanism for his heartbreak. Stefan was worried that Reeve would kill himself from overwork. It did not bother my sweet daddy that his staff was gone for a while because he was temporarily staying that time at his penthouse, but then he met me.

Stefan wants the house to be clean and comfy to live in. I was curious that no one lives in the mansion except Stefan, and of course, Devon, but the latter also has his own place. Devon has a villa within the manor while Trevor has his own too. However, being alone with Stefan made me feel happy and giddy. I also felt comfortable; I'm kind of fidgety when it comes to new people.

Stefan is an exception. He is always an exception.

Almost a month passed since I got here, and overall, four months since mom and dad passed away. I still miss them; so much, and I will miss them every day. I hope they're in a good place. I will pray for that wish to come true.

My eyes roamed around the whole library and were satisfied when the entire second floor was clean and free of dust, especially the bookshelves. New ornamental plants were also added to give a pleasant and cool atmosphere inside the space.

We are going to discuss the plans they have formulated, and this is our meeting place. "We decided to go back from where we started," I smiled and answered Trevor, then put the flowers on the coffee table.

Trevor frowned and I followed where his eyes landed... on my empty ring finger. He snapped his head at me, his eyes held confusion. "You..." Then he smiled and reached for my hand, giving me an appreciative squeeze. "Thank goodness. You finally realized."

"Huh?"

"That Stefan is no good and you should look for someone better-- ow!" Trevor glared at the person who smacked him, which turned out to be... Stefan. Trevor glared at Stefan but my sweet daddy dismissed Trevor.

"Stop putting ideas into his head," Stefan said in his threatening tone while Trevor rolled his eyes and then flopped himself on the couch across ours. I didn't even notice Stefan's presence in the room.

Giggling softly, I looked at Stefan and he grinned at me, then set down my tray of food. He sat beside me and kissed my cheeks. "Hey, gorgeous. Good morning."

I blushed and my heart leaped at his endearment. Yup, my daddy is so sweet today, I thought and giggled internally like a girl finally being noticed by her crush. "Hey, Stef. This looks delicious," I referred to the huge platter he prepared, eyeing the sliced fruits inside a cute bowl.

My stomach rumbled when I smelled the delicious aroma coming from the fluffy egg omelet and crispy-thin bacon... just the smell was enough to make me salivate. He also made me a strawberry-kiwi smoothie... the pale pink color of the drink had me gulping hard because I know his smoothies tasted the best. He also found time to bake some oat cookies which are my favorite.

"Daddy bear, thank you for going through the trouble of making my favorites. I truly appreciate it," I said softly and hugged his side, then sighed pleasantly when I felt his finger on my head, giving my hair gentle strokes.

"Anything for my darling," he replied with a hum and pressed his lips on my forehead. Stefan gave me the spoon and fork, as he let me eat in peace, while he was within a respectable distance. From time to time, he will brush my locks and smile at me, his eyes shining with so much adoration. Just wow.

I was in the middle of sipping my smoothie when Trevor broke the silence. I forgot that he was still around; all of my attention was on Stefan and the delicious platter before me. "I still see hearts and flowers in the air around both of you... but something seems amiss," he noticed while arching his brow, staring at me and Stefan back and forth, while Stefan chuckled and I turned to Stefan, beaming.

"Oliver is not on Stefan's lap." Someone commented and Trevor snapped his fingers. That someone was Devon, a laptop on his left, while typing something on the phone on his right, and sat beside Trevor. Devon placed his laptop on the table and smiled at me. I nodded and waved at him, a wide smile on my face.

Trevor nodded and blinked slowly, then turned to Stefan. "That's right. Oliver is sitting on the couch and eating peacefully, without you coddling him. Did the world turn upside down? Am I dreaming or what?" Trevor exclaimed in amusement, bewildered by Stefan and I's current arrangement.

I put down my smoothie and smiled. "Did you forget, Trevor? I mentioned earlier that Stef and I are starting over."

Trevor frowned and folded his arms. "What does that mean exactly?" I glanced at Stefan and he gave me a gentle smile, then turned to Trevor.

"I'm courting him," Stefan answered and Devon snapped his head from his phone, both he and Trevor slack-jawed as they stared at the both of us, a loud "WHAT?!" filling the area.

Stefan briefly explained our current situation, both Devon and Trevor listened intently, quite surprised by our decision. I finished my breakfast while Stefan patiently went along with Trevor's interrogation, as he reached for my hand and sent gentle squeezes. I smiled at him when he glanced in my direction, a dazzling smile being returned. Stefan picked up the table napkin and wiped the side of my mouth, a soft thank you bubbling out of my throat.

I don't understand why but my heart beats even faster today. There's something about Stefan that I can't pinpoint. The way he's being extra thoughtful and considerate just makes my heart race faster. Also, he just keeps on getting more handsome by the minute. Am I falling deeper than I already am? I never imagined that I can still fall in love with him more than I already am.

"Well, it's your decision. We're here to support you guys." Trevor gave us a thumbs-up while Devie nodded and smiled.

It's great to have nice friends.

****

Same day

9:45 am

Private Library, Stefan's Manor

"By the way, investors from the Europe branch and the Asian branch will be arriving tomorrow. I already arranged their VIP accommodation at the hotel," Devon reported and I stared at the additional will once again.

I wonder why our lawyer did not mention this. Does he not know? Or maybe, mom and dad did not trust him too. I'm so confused. A large hand rubbed the length of my spine so I glanced at the man beside me, holding a concerned expression.

"Is something wrong?" Stefan asked and thumbed my cheek.

I sighed and leaned into his touch. "I'm just wondering why our lawyer did not know about the additional will. He should've just told me in private if he doesn't want others to hear."

"But that would compromise your safety, baby. Elena has eyes and ears everywhere, maybe inside your house too." I gasped and just realized something. There was someone in our mansion who seemed close to Elena. He was the assistant butler, and I just thought that she just loves to pick on him. When I shared that with Stefan, he nodded.

"There's a huge possibility that it was all an act. Don't worry, my love. We will get to the bottom of this," he assured me and kissed the side of my head. We are planning to conduct the succession ceremony in less than two days, so all things need to be in proper order. I hope the plan that we came up with is good enough to send Bryce and Elena to jail.

However, what I'm worried about are my grandparents. They are all I have left. I am so concerned for their safety. Dad's parents passed away way before I was born, leaving him all the assets of the Pines family. Dad was the only child, and his other relatives were busy with their own families which makes them impossible to contact.

I'm not close with Dad's side of the family. At the very least, they did not scorn me when they learned about my sexuality. Others understood, and some of them just don't care, which was better than hatred, by the way.

"I just received a message," Trevor paused and stared at me, the suspense was making my heart pound nervously. "Your grandparents, Roman and Elizabeth Ainsworth, are arriving today." I sucked a breath and froze... as I let what Trevor said sink in.

"What? Today? B-but... I did not receive anything... " I turned to Stefan but he just gave me a knowing smile. Stefan nodded and kissed my forehead.

"It's been a long time, right?" Stefan asked and I nodded, my throat tightening up from so many emotions. My heart swelled from so much happiness. After almost five months of wanting to see them and tell them what happened... it's finally happening.

But a shadow of fear crept into my heart and Stef immediately noticed it. He moved towards me and gently brushed my locks. "Don't worry a thing. They're safe. Mom and Dad are with them, and they have elite security details guarding them. You can relax. Believe me," Stefan assured me and I was able to breathe again, nodding. I trust Stefan, and I believe him.

Just then, the door opened and the nostalgic and familiar voice was sent to my ears. "Olive, my boy..." It felt like time stopped for me as I followed the voice of the person I missed the most.

The person who accepted me and comforted me when things go wrong. My special person. With wobbly knees and misty vision, I tried to stand up, and almost fell to the floor if not for Stefan's support.

"G-grandma? Is that you? I... I'm not dreaming?" Elizabeth shook her head and in a flash, I was enveloped by her warmth and smell, the uncontrollable sobs ripping from deep within me, as I savor what remained of my home.

I clutched to her dress tightly, afraid that if I let go, she will disappear... just like a beautiful dream. "I'm sorry, Olive. It must have been hard," her gentle voice cooed, and I nodded, silently sobbing.

"How's my crybaby Olive?" I snapped my head up and a new batch of tears flowed when I saw Grandpa, even with all the visible wrinkles marked by age, he still stood strong and intimidating. I let go of grandma and jumped towards Grandpa and gave him a bone-crushing hug.

"I miss you too, grandpa. So, so much." After all, it was grandpa who became my number one protector, especially from Elena, when judgmental people and relatives would accuse me of being a liar and attention-seeker. Grandma joined in our hug and I thank the heavens above for letting me be with my family.

I lifted my head slightly and I was able to take a glimpse of Stefan, staring at me full of adoration and pride. I did not even notice that Stefan's parents were there. My mind was just all floaty and preoccupied from too much happiness.

Finally, they are back. My family is back.

****

The library was arranged to accommodate the newcomers. Devon set up an even larger projector while Trevor arranged the chairs and lit up the fireplace. Being coddled by my grandparents and Stefan's parents made me feel warm and giddy. I never thought that there is someone other than Stefan and my family who would shower me with affection.

My grandparents and I still haven't touched on the subject of my parents' accident, but I will open it up later. Stefan and I were currently sitting on the middle sofa, while grandma and grandpa are on my right side and Stefan's parents are on my left.

In front of us was the coffee table drowning with printed documents, photographs, and other pieces of evidence that we will submit to the prosecution's office as a part of our plan. For now, we will talk about the succession ceremony. Trevor stood up and prepared his presentation.

"Okay, now that all the main stars are present, we will proceed with the preparation for the succession ceremony." Trevor flashed a pie graph consisting of the current division of shares for the empire.

I wrinkled my forehead and glanced at Stefan confusingly. Then back to Trevor. "Elena has 25% of the shares of stocks? How did that happen? I thought Mom only gave her 10%?

Grandpa and Grandma nodded. "That's true. We are quite shocked as well. So much has happened in just three months, and that included my daughter and son-in-law in an accident. Even my Olive suffered greatly as well. I feel so useless," Grandpa gritted out in a dark tone, as he clutched Grandma's hands, his head bowed down.

With the room so silent all of a sudden, I heard his muffled cries so I did not waste any time and went to my grandpa. Grandma smiled warmly and I nodded. I took grandpa's hands and squeezed them.

"Grandpa... look at me." He did, tears in his eyes and it broke my heart, to see him ao vulnerable and in pain. "Don't blame yourself. We did not know what was going to happen. What we can do is prevent Elena from executing her schemes. I want justice for mom and dad. I promise we will get them behind bars for life."

Grandpa gasped and pulled me for a hug. "My boy... you have gotten stronger. You don't need me to protect you anymore." I pulled away for a bit and glanced at Stefan who was watching us intently.

"It's because of someone I love so dearly, Grandpa. I can't always rely on him, so I have to get stronger so I can protect him as well," I replied in a voice filled with raw emotion and love, as Stefan and I stared at each other lovingly, the clearing of throats were the only thing that broke the magic we made ourselves.

"Gosh, Oliver. At my age, you and Stefan still make me feel butterflies. It's like watching my favorite romance drama! I love it!" Anna, Stefan's mother, squealed.

Then Lucas, Stefan's father, cleared his throat and called his wife's attention.

"Why, darling? Don't I make you feel that anymore? Am I getting rusty?" Lucas's baritone voice filled the air and Anna bit her lower lip and blushed furiously. She squealed and jumped on Lucas, peppering him with a thousand kisses.

I then nodded at my grandparents and went back to Stefan, my kind daddy was busy telling off his parents. "Mom, Dad... please stop it. I'm getting embarrassed," Stefan grumbled and facepalmed, while Trevor and Devon snickered, my grandparents joining in as they teased Stefan for it. Wow, I'm surrounded by oversized kids. Kids at heart.

When everyone had enough of teasing Stefan, we went back to the serious stuff. It turned out, that eight stockholders holding 15% shares combined were forced to sell their stocks to Elena.

"Elena coerced and blackmailed these shareholders into selling their stocks. Information is a great weapon. Whoever holds more capital, monopolizes a huge amount of information as well." Trevor flashed the pictures that Elena used to blackmail the shareholders.

Three men went clubbing during office hours, and they were seen holding and doing lascivious things to the women they were with. Being known as conservatives, such information would spell the end for their businesses and careers if the media got a hold of it. The other three were captured dealing with illegal drugs and gambling. Being part of such upstanding families, the truth being exposed to the public eyes would destroy their reputation and sully their family names.

The other two were threatened by Elena's goons, using their families as hostages. That means Elena is not to be trifled with. "If Elena holds a huge amount of information, that means we have to surpass and outwit her," Stef said and Devon smiled.

"Don't worry, my friend. We control the flow of information. We know everything that is happening. Elena has not even seen the tip of the iceberg. We are ten steps ahead of her," Devon replied confidently and Stefan nodded.

"That's true. Trevor's team is in charge of gathering the information, while Devon's team is in charge of executing the plans. Every single thing is well-thought-of, and I assure you. We will get justice." I nodded and gave Stefan a short hug, as he kissed the top of my forehead.

"By the way, you should see their office, baby. You'll be amazed," Stefan added and both Devon and Trevor nodded. If Stefan's elite security team monopolizes the flow of information, that would mean that they knew a lot. All of these pieces of evidence and data came from them.

"So that means... Elena will definitely go to jail?" Stefan nodded and smiled. It means that they could choose to know everything about me, but they did not pry on my privacy. I respect them for that.

We were about to end the meeting when we heard a crash on the second floor of the office, near the shelves exactly.

When the person in question stood up, I gasped softly. His white shirt and black dress pants were a bit crumpled, his hands full with books, and his black hair sticking out everywhere as he slowly descended the stairs with a soft yawn, rubbing the sleep away from his eyes.

I think he's the same age as me. I'm not sure. He is good-looking, with gentle features on his face. I can't make out the color of his eyes from where I sat. He is slightly taller than me, his body frame toned and lean. He groaned and frowned. "That definitely hurt. How did I even fall from the sofa?" He rubbed his hand on his hurt head and sighed. "When did I fall asleep? I was supposed to finish my research when..." he mumbled to himself and when he noticed that all of us were staring at him as we held our breaths, he dropped his books.

Trevor was the one who first regained his composure. "Jesse? What are you doing here, babe?" Trevor's tone was gentle and filled with affection as he approached Jesse and took the books from Jesse. Trevor strokes Jesse's raven-colored locks. Then, Trevor placed a soft kiss on Jesse's forehead and the latter closed his eyes, enjoying Trevor's attention. After that, Jesse wrapped his arms around Trevor's torso and sighed softly.

"You're... Jesse?"

He turned his eyes on me and his blue eyes sparkled in excitement. "Ollie! It's nice to meet you. Finally!" He exclaimed and removed his arms from Trevor and jumped on me and gave me a bone-crushing hug.