You Looked Down on Me Once, Now You Look Up. novel Chapter 178

“If you’re not eating, that’s your choice. But how about taking care of me instead?”

When it came to taking care of Patricia, Oliver Padilla never needed convincing. He was always eager, especially at night in bed. The man practically invented the art of service.

Patricia watched him stir the soup, his hand moving slow and steady. The mundane motion sent a rush of heat through her as her mind returned, unbidden, to the memories of last night. She swallowed hard, trying to steady herself.

“There’s something I need your help with,” she said, taking her time to find the right words.

Oliver, as always, was patient. His voice was warm, never rushed. “Tell me.”

“The Newton family has their eyes on that new energy project. Could you, I don’t know, make sure it doesn’t work out for them?”

Oliver picked up a piece of beef and dropped it into her bowl like it was the easiest thing in the world. “Of course. That’s not even a challenge. You shouldn’t waste a single frown on it.”

Patricia started to protest—she wasn’t frowning, was she?—but before she could say a word, his calloused fingertips brushed softly across her forehead, smoothing her brow. The touch sent a jolt through her, equal parts comfort and spark.

He made everything seem so easy. Sometimes Patricia wondered if she was even worthy of someone like him. The thought left a tingling ache crawling up her spine.

They locked eyes under the bright kitchen lights, both of them reading every emotion on the other’s face.

Patricia parted her lips, hesitated, and finally tried, “Mr. Padilla…”

The second she said it, Oliver’s eyebrows dropped a little, his expression cooling. He clearly didn’t like it when she put distance between them.

“How should I thank you?” she asked, still searching for her footing.

His answer was simple. “That’s easy.”

Sara always joked that her Uncle Oliver might be a little older, but he was a proper man—a rare find in a world full of weirdos.

“Huh?” Patricia blinked, confused.

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