The Boss's Daughter [Richard Armitage fanfic]

Chapter 9 - A touch of destiny

(Richard's POV)

Another week, more cold. Since the lunch I had with Olivia we've been closer. We take a walk on every break we have on work and I feel better when I'm with her. Ian knows about «us» and he supports me, of course. But there is always a huge 'but' behind everything. We had to be careful with our actions or else everyone in the business would be talking gossip. We were just friends, but I wanted more than that. I decided that I wouldn't be hard with myself and I would try my best to make her mine.

-This seems more like Winter than Autumn! -she said, covering herself more with her scarf. I laughed and felt weak. My symptoms of flu had been growing along with the week and I knew that sooner or later I had to stop and stay at home, warm and drinking tea.

-You're right, Olivia. Richard here has been sick since last week. -Ian said, drinking his coffee. We were a group of three happy friends that I never knew I'd be part of. I was blessed to have Olivia and Ian with me since I started this new job. We were walking by the sunset in a park nearby. The brown leaves under our foot were shining with the sunlight and Olivia was... stunning. Her red heals popped out on her full black clothes. Her hair was loose and straight, her lips were red, matching with the shoes. She looked at me, concerned.

-You're sick? Why didn't you tell me? You could have stayed at home. -she said, touching my forehead. Ian came closer too and touched my cheeks. They looked to each other and back to me. By their faces and what I was feeling, I deduct that I was probably having a fever.

-Man, you're burning. Olivia, what did you do to him? -Ian joked and Olivia tapped him in the shoulder.

-Come on, let's get you home. -she said, turning around and making ourselves back to the cars. I sat down in her car and my head was squeezed in pain, I was shivering all over and all I wanted to do was sleep. Two minutes after Olivia started driving, I fell asleep on my battle to getting myself warm.

-Hello? Who are you? -I said, to that shadow in front of me. I was in a white corridor alone, dressed in white. It looked like a hospital... I saw the shadow walk closer to me in very slow steps. Then, when everything was clear, I saw a man with long dark hair, with some stripes in grey. Green eyes and a serious face. He was also dressed in white and he carried two children in his hands. One appeared to be around 5 years old and he really looked like Olivia. Blue eyes, full lips, her smile. The other was like 3 years old and was a mixture of Olivia and the man in front of me. I instantly clicked my brain and realized who they were.

-You're... William, right? And those are Christopher and Mitchell... -I said, confused with all that. He smiled at me, as the children did too.

-Yes. I know who you are. -he said, still smiling. I was shocked, I wanted to wake up from that dream.

-How?

-I've been watching Olivia ever since I died. I know you might find this confusing, but can you tell her something from me? -he asked, coming closer to me. I stepped back, but I hit a wall. He rested his hand on my shoulder and smiled.

-W-what is it? -I answered, nervously.

-Can you tell her that I want her to let go? Tell her we are at peace and we look after her every day. Make her forget about the idea that if she stays with you then she will betray me. Can you promise me that? -he said and I felt the boys grabbing my hands. I didn't know what to think, I just felt tears in my eyes.

-I will tell her, William, I promise. -I said, smillig at him. I lowered myself a bit so I could reach the boys height, more or less.

-Will you take care of our mommy? -Christopher asked, still touching my hand. I felt my tears falling from my chin and I hugged them both in my arms.

-I will, boys, I will... Your mommy loves you, more than her life. -I said, kissing their foreheads and getting up. William was still smiling at us and slowly they stepped back.

-Thank you, Richard. You are the only thing that can bring happiness back to Olivia. Take care of her as long as you live and remember... We are protecting you. -he said, leaving into the light.

-Hello?! William! -I tried to call, but the light was pulling me back.

-Oh look, the sleeping beauty is waking up! -I heard Ian's voice, laughing at me. I opened my eyes and I saw my living room. I was laying down my couch, wrapped in a blanket, without my shoes and coat.

-How did I get here? -I asked, trying to get up, but I felt something heavy and cold on my forehead. Then I saw Olivia coming and putting some things on my small table. She changed... Her hair was tight in a ponytail and she was not wearing her jacket and scarf anymore.

-It was hard to bring you here when you were asleep, but here you are. -she said, sitting next to me and taking the icy towel from my forehead. She was trying to lower my fever while Ian was drinking some tea. There were also two more cups of tea on the table. One for me and another for her, I suppose.

-Thank you... -I said, smiling at her. She dipped the towel into a bowl of water, drained the excess and put it back on my forehead.

-Stay still, you're still with fever. I took the liberty to feed your cats and use your kitchen to make us some tea, I hope you don't mind. -Ian said, smiling at me. I smiled back at him, but my eyes were locked on Olivia and the dream I had...

-Thank you man... Now, I don't want to be boring, but I would like some minutes alone with Olivia, if you please. -I managed to say.

-Of course man, no problem! See you tomorrow at work, get some rest! Olivia, send me a text if anything happens. -he said, getting ready to leave.

-Of course Ian, thank you. See you tomorrow! -she said, getting up and closing the door for him. She came back to me and sat down near my waist.

-What is it Richard? -she asked, looking worried at me. I took some seconds to find the right words to say.

-I had a dream about your husband and your kids, Olivia... They talked to me, I saw them, I felt their hands. There is something you need to know.