Driven to Obsession

Chapter 7: The Unraveling Part 1

The rest of the day passed in a blur of routine work and fleeting thoughts of Sam. Olivia tried to immerse herself in her tasks at the shop, but every so often, her mind would drift back to the conversation they'd had that morning. The way he had looked at her, the gentleness in his touch—it was all so different from the intensity she had come to expect from him. It was as if she had glimpsed another side of Sam, a side that was softer, more vulnerable. And that glimpse had only deepened the complexity of her feelings for him.

She was in the middle of replacing a carburetor when her phone buzzed in her pocket. Olivia wiped her hands on a rag before pulling out her phone, her heart skipping a beat when she saw Sam's name on the screen.

*I'll be there around 5 to pick up the car. Looking forward to seeing you.*

The message was simple, but it sent a ripple of anticipation through her. She glanced at the clock—she had about an hour before he arrived. Plenty of time to finish up and mentally prepare herself for whatever might happen next.

But as she continued working, she couldn't shake the feeling that something was about to change. The calm she had felt that morning was beginning to fray at the edges, replaced by a growing sense of unease. She couldn't pinpoint exactly what was bothering her, but it was there, gnawing at the back of her mind.

By the time 5 o'clock rolled around, Olivia had finished the work on Sam's car and was waiting at the front of the shop. She told herself to stay calm, to keep things professional, but her heart was racing with anticipation and uncertainty.

Right on time, Sam's sleek black car pulled into the lot. He stepped out, his expression unreadable, and walked toward her with that same effortless confidence that had drawn her to him from the beginning. But there was something different in his eyes today—something darker, more intense.

"Hi," Olivia greeted, trying to keep her voice steady.

"Hi," Sam replied, his gaze locking onto hers. There was no smile, no warmth in his eyes, only a simmering tension that made Olivia's pulse quicken.

She handed him the keys, her fingers brushing against his as she did. The brief contact sent a jolt of electricity through her, and she quickly pulled her hand back, trying to focus on the business at hand.

"The car's ready," she said, her voice a bit too formal. "I've tuned the engine and fixed the fuel injectors. It should be running perfectly now."

Sam nodded, but his gaze never left hers. "Thank you, Olivia. You've done an excellent job."

There was something in the way he said her name that sent a shiver down her spine. It was as if he was testing the waters, seeing how she would react to him now that they had acknowledged the tension between them.

"Do you want to take it for a spin?" she offered, trying to diffuse the tension with practicality. "Make sure everything feels right?"

For a moment, Sam didn't respond. He just stood there, his eyes boring into hers with an intensity that made it hard to breathe. Then, slowly, he nodded.

"Yes," he said, his voice low and controlled. "I think that's a good idea."

They walked to the car together, the silence between them heavy with unspoken words. Olivia's heart was pounding in her chest, a mix of excitement and fear swirling in her gut. She wasn't sure what to expect, but she knew that whatever happened next, it would be significant.

Sam opened the passenger door for her, his hand brushing against the small of her back as she slid into the seat. The touch was brief, but it sent a thrill through her, heightening her awareness of him.

He got behind the wheel, the car purring to life with a turn of the key. As they pulled out of the lot and onto the road, Olivia couldn't help but steal glances at him, trying to read the expression on his face. But Sam remained unreadable, his focus seemingly on the road ahead.

They drove in silence for a while, the city streets passing by in a blur. Olivia's mind raced with thoughts of what might happen, of what he might say. But Sam remained quiet, his demeanor calm yet intense, as if he was holding something back.