Welcome to Hillside Villa (Part II)

"Besides, what's the used of all these rooms if not to be occupied by people worthy of it. And Mr. Ryan here is so deserving of it," Olivia said as she bent her tall, slender body so that she could see eye to eye with little pumpkin.

"What do you think?" she asked him. Little pumpkin stared at Olivia with his big eyes, trying to see if there was anything wrong with her. Not long after, he nodded.

"Big sis, it's okay. Little pumpkin doesn't like sleeping with lights," he confessed and slowly walked towards his big sister, asking for a hug.

The way he acted tugged Bella Lim's heart. She didn't wait long to pull him into a hug. She knew little pumpkin was comforting her, telling her not to worry about him and to trust Eric Wu as well as Olivia.

"Alright, if little pumpkin said so, big sis will conform to it," she assured little pumpkin who was squeezing her body, probably worried that she would insist on her own opinion.

"Madam Olivia, thank you very much," appreciation was the only thing Bella Lim could say. She knew what Olivia had mentioned was correct. Little pumpkin was already six years old. He needed his privacy.

"Good, I'll help him. You can go inside and look around. Tell me if you need something," Olivia reminded before she escorted little pumpkin to his room.

Bella Lim watched them disappeared behind the door. Then, she entered her room.

"Wow!!"

Bella Lim exclaimed as she looked around her in wonderment. Just now she only took a glimpse and noticed that the room was big, but right now she thought the room was really big.

The style was similar to an expensive suite she had seen in an advertisement before. She had her own walk-in closet and a big bathroom. A cozy area to be lazy and a balcony to enjoy the mountain scenery. She loved how the light lilac color intelligently matched with muted pastel colors within the purple spectrum. The combination exuded a calm, serene energy to the place.

This was something she wouldn't dare to dream of sleeping. Perhaps, she could only afford such indulgence once she was older and had enough savings.

Before reaching the villa, Bella Lim had no expectation about her room, but this, she was beyond impressed. It was mind-blowing!

She decided to check on little pumpkin who probably was reacting in much excitement compared to her.

As she opened little pumpkin's bedroom door, the first thing she saw was Olivia tip-toeing. Both her hands were carrying her heels.

"Madam Olivia?" Bella Lim called, curious as to why she was walking on her toes.

"Shh, Mr. Ryan is sleeping," Olivia muttered with one finger in front of her lips.

"Sleeping?" Bella Lim was surprised. She approached the bed and saw her little pumpkin sleeping soundly.

"He must've been so tired," she said in a low voice, enough to reach Olivia's hearing.

"He is," Olivia responded. A gentle smile was on her face.

They both decided to leave the room, to avoid disturbing little pumpkin's sleep.

"Miss Bella-"

"Madam Olivia, just call me Bella," Bella Lim interjected. It was awkward for her to listen to a senior addressed her in so much respect. Plus, the woman next to her didn't look simple. She could be someone close to Eric Wu.

"Sure. Bella!" Olivia adhered and called Bella by name without delay. She showed no hesitation as if it was within her expectation. Bella Lim couldn't stop a smile from forming when she heard Olivia's respond.

She followed her towards the center of the second floor. The area was like the living room for that particular level.

"Is there anything you're not satisfied with? Just tell me, I'm responsible for everything," Olivia stared at Bella Lim. There was eagerness in her eyes as if she loved to be troubled by her.

"N-No, everything is good. Well, it's perfect. I- Thank you!" Bella Lim didn't know what to say. There was something about Olivia that she couldn't fathom.

"Madam Olivia, what is your relationship with Eric?" she asked and noticed the startled expression of Olivia. However, it was quickly replaced with a small laugh.

"Well, how should I say this. I am already by his side since he was small," Olivia answered.

Bella Lim nodded.

"Like a guardian?" she guessed.

"Hmm, yes. Similar," Olivia replied with a chuckle. Bella Lim didn't ask any more as she thought that Olivia could be Eric Wu's godmother or babysitter.

"Bella, may I ask, how did you know that Enlai Gong is Eric?" this time it was Olivia's turn to startle Bella Lim.

"That...," Bella Lim swallowed hard. She wasn't expecting to hear that question. Deep down, she was surprised to know that Enlai Gong's real identity wasn't really a secret. At least, Olivia knew about it.

"I was the one who helped him with the publisher before," Olivia spoke as she noticed the struggle on Bella Lim's face.

Her revelation was shocking news to Bella Lim. She knew that someone was helping Eric Wu, but she never knew who that person was.

"I see," she responded with an awkward smile, knowing that she wasn't free yet. Although their conversation diverted a bit, she was still shackled to answer the previous question.

"You can count on me. I'll keep your secret if you want to. I just want to make sure that I can trust you to work with him," Olivia told Bella Lim.

The feeling of guilt gushed within Bella Lim. She began to think that it would be alright to share her story with someone who knew Enlai Gong's real identity. She took a deep breath before finalizing her decision to confess.

"I'm probably lucky to see him writing his story. I saw the insignia of his name in every page he had written. Maybe he had forgotten, but he once told me he was Enlai Gong," Bella Lim explained. Her face was solemn since she also reminisced about her past.

Olivia who was listening had her eyebrows knitted. Her gaze was fixed on Bella Lim trying to recall if Eric had told her a story similar to that. However, she remembered nothing. She inwardly sighed, disappointed.

"I see. Don't worry, I'll keep this a secret. I hope you can help him much better than I do," Olivia decided to drop the topic. She understood that Bella Lim was unwilling to talk more about it.

"Thank you and I will," Bella Lim promised. She felt grateful towards Olivia. Although this was their first meeting, her heart was telling her that she could be trusted.

The rest of the time was spent talking and sharing stories. When the clock hit three in the evening they decided to wake little pumpkin. Olivia brought them to the garden for an evening tea. Around five, she concluded that it was time for her to leave.

"No need to send me off. Remember to call me if there's anything that you need. I'll be glad to help. Oh and if you're hungry, just make something in the kitchen," she reminded.

"Sure, thank you for the company. I hope to see you again," Bella Lim said. She had built a rapport with Olivia and thought of her as a friend as well as a mother figure. So was little pumpkin. He warmed up to her in a matter of time. That only meant one thing, Olivia was a kind and loving person.

"Oh dear, we will! Besides, I'm afraid that Eric will bully you. Bella, if he does, tell me and I'll scold him," Olivia laughed after saying so.

Bella Lim could only smile unsure of how to respond to her words. "I will," she finally replied once Olivia insisted that she must report to her if Eric Wu indeed bullied her in the future.

Their conversation ended because Olivia had to make a phone call. Soon, she was seen leaving the villa. Bella Lim and little pumpkin wanted to see her off, but she insisted for them to take a rest. Due to that, Bella Lim didn't see the luxurious car that was waiting for Olivia outside.