You Looked Down on Me Once, Now You Look Up. novel Chapter 244

A middle-aged man stood by Oliver’s side, polite and careful, making small talk. Every so often, he’d sneak a glance toward the private room, like their conversation had something to do with Patricia.

Before long, the waiter brought out their food and Oliver walked in.

“Why didn’t you invite anyone else in?” he asked.

“I wanted us to have a rare night alone, just the two of us,” Patricia answered.

She smiled at him. “Is this your way of saying you feel neglected, Mr. Padilla?”

“A little, but not too much.” The truth was, Patricia always seemed busy—chasing after old scores, digging up secrets, making plans. The time she spared for him each day felt like a luxury.

Oliver figured that by now, he didn’t need to stick to a schedule or show up at an office like everyone else. But when Patricia was gone, the house felt empty. He was like a lonely statue, waiting for his wife to return.

So instead of sitting around, he kept busy, trying to do something meaningful. Turns out, having a go-getter wife was a whole new adventure.

After dinner, they stepped out into the lively downtown area of Blue Ridge.

As they left the restaurant, Oliver handed Patricia a mask. “Let’s take a walk around here.”

“You know Blue Ridge that well?” Patricia asked.

He nodded. “I used to come here all the time as a kid. Once I moved abroad, I only came back every couple years.”

Patricia slipped her hand into his, and they wandered through the old part of town, fingers intertwined. The stone streets were calm, only disturbed now and then by an electric scooter buzzing by.

Oliver held her close, making sure she stayed on the safer side of the sidewalk, protecting her from the crowd.

Blue Ridge was known for its perfect weather, the kind of place anyone would want to retire.

Patricia soaked in the slow pace of the old city and sighed.

Oliver wrapped his arm around her shoulders and looked down at her. “What’s on your mind?”

“It’s been ages since I felt this relaxed,” she said.

“If you really like it here, let’s come stay for a couple months every year,” Oliver suggested.

Patricia grinned up at him, her eyes curving with mischief. “What, you own a place here too?”

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