The Boss's Daughter [Richard Armitage fanfic]

Chapter 11 - ... I want it. (continuation of the title of chapter 10)

Note: I don't own the poem in the end of the chapter. I found it here: http://www.scrapbook.com/poems/doc/30897.html 

(Olivia's POV)

The sun was setting already and I was finishing the dinner. Sophie has finished her cleaning and table setting. I was cooking octopus rice with salad for me and Richard. It was one of my specialties in the kitchen and I was praying that he liked octopus. The purple color was perfect and the smell was even better. I have to admit, I'm very good at cooking.

-Sophie, is everything ready? –I shouted from the kitchen.

-Yes, my lady!

-Thank you! You are free for today, you may go. But first, come here please! –I shouted again. I took a small plate and served some of my rice for her. I know she is going home and have dinner with her family, but I always liked when we taste my food together. For me, I took only one spoon.

-This is really good, Miss Rogers! Good job! –she said, giving me a high five. We both laughed and after some minutes, she left. I put the rice on a beautiful platter and left it on the side, covered with an aluminum foil to keep the heat. Then, I took a glass bowl, some lettuce, tomatoes, cheese and oregano and started to get the salad ready. I was humming «La vie en rose» while washing the lettuce when the doorbell rang.

-Sophie, why do you always forget something? –I said, taking a towel and cleaning my hands while making my way to the door. I opened it and I saw Richard. He was standing there with a black box in his hands. A gorgeous grey winter coat was falling gracefully on the top of him.

-Hi... -he said, smiling. I smiled back and told him to enter.

-Evening Richard. Come in, make yourself at home. –I said, closing the door behind him. He looked at my living room and smiled.

-Pretty and... very warm. –he said, looking at me and smiling. I laughed nervously and made my way back to the kitchen.

-Yes. I set the fireplace ready before you arrive, since its Winter time and you've already got a flu. –I laughed. He followed me back to the kitchen and stared at me for a while. I felt intimidated by his presence... He was so gorgeous and smelly, I just wanted to stay close to him forever.

-Don't worry about me, Olivia. I brought us some wine for the dinner. –he said, placing the black box on the table and taking off the bottle from the inside.

-Thank you! –I said, happy with his gesture.

-Now, tell me something to do, I want to help. –he said, washing his hands in the sink. I laughed and gave him some space to join me at the counter.

-Well, I was just about to start making the salad. You can help me with it. –I said. He looked at me and nodded, happy like a kid. We were talking while making our salad and I felt like we were more than just friends.

****

-This rice... Oh, my Lord, this is delicious! –he said, covering his full mouth with his tissue, making me laugh.

-Silly... Thank you, glad you like it. –I said, eating as well.

-You could've done something easier for me. Bread and cheese would do. –he said, making me laugh even more.

-Would you stop? Dinner is about eating and what I'm doing here is laughing, because of you! –I said and he giggled. I smiled and stared at him while he ate calmly. After some seconds of silence, I decided to touch on the issue.

-I've been thinking about our conversation that day... At your place. –I said, nervously. He looked at me and sighed.

-I'm sorry, Olivia. I know what I said wasn't easy to hear, but you must know that I don't regret it. –he said, looking serious. My heart felt heavy.

-I don't blame you, Richard, you were right. But you could've been nicer with your words, just that. –I said, finishing my meal. He finished his meal too and drank more wine.

-I was not telling you to give yourself to me that instant. All I was trying to say was –I cut him off instantly. I couldn't hear the same conversation again.

-I know... I know. I didn't invite you for dinner because I wanted to talk about the same things again. –I said. My heart beating on my chest and those crystal blue eyes staring at me were not making it easy.

-Sorry... But what is it that you want to talk about? –he said. I smiled at him and finished the wine in my glass.

-I want to give us a chance. –I said, looking at him. I felt those words coming out directly out of my heart, not just from my mouth. He was widened, blinking several times, staring at me like he had seen a ghost.

-I... I don't know what to say... Are you serious? –he said.

-Yes... I know I have been harsh with myself and with you. During this month that we've been apart, I realized how empty I was inside. And I know how it's like to feel empty, you know it... But this time was different. I was bored all the time, I missed you and your silly jokes. That's why I can't be hard with myself anymore and I must give us a chance. –I explained. He smiled at me sighed.

-I thank you for that. It was very kind of you. But you must promise me that you won't be suffering for William again. You know it doesn't make any sense... -he said. I knew I was ready to give us a chance to know each other more and spend some more time together, but... Forget about William? Forever?

-I can't forget about him, Richard, not forever. –I said, getting up and taking my dishes to the kitchen. He followed me and place his dishes in the sink too.

-Then I won't stay with you like this. I can't be with a woman that keeps thinking about her husband as if he still lives!

-He lives in me! –I yelled at him again, feeling tears in my eyes. I wanted him, I wanted Richard by my side, but I couldn't simply throw William out of my mind. Richard stared at me with a look in his eyes that made me feel... scared. He nodded and took a piece of paper out of his pocket. He threw it on the table and started to move backwards.

-Fine. I was going to give you that when you told me you wanted to give us a chance, but... You may have it anyways. –he said, turning around and putting his jacket on.

-Richard, wait... -I said, almost in a whisper. I walk after him and touched his shoulder. He turned himself to me and looked at me with pain.

-No. I will not be a toy in your hands. This is about feelings, Olivia. Feelings and reality. And unfortunately, I can't stay with you when you keep living in the past and you can't face this reality that is me and the life we could have together. –he said, leaving. I burst on crying and ran back to the kitchen to see the paper he gave me.

Leaves rustle past our feet

as we walk along

our hands are folded together

like a lover's embrace

we stop for awhile and I look

into her face

She says nothing, but her eyes do

They tell me that she loves me

and I know that it's true

-It is true, Richard... It's true. –I ran out of my house. I had to find Richard before he left.