Chapter 60: Bite Him

Olive remembered a similar incident that had nearly caused a rift between them. But how was she supposed to know he would be involved with Pamela? Pamela was the person she hated most.

Olive lowered her eyes and asked, "How did Pamela save you?" She was genuinely curious because, to her, Pamela seemed incapable of such an act.

Elvis, prompted by Olive's question, reminisced about an incident from over seven years prior. The snow fell heavily, the cold was bone-piercing. His limbs were cold and stiff, his eyelids heavy. As he slowly closed his eyes, he felt his life slipping away.

However, a pair of soft hands embraced him, and a tender voice called, "Mister, what's wrong? Wake up! Don't sleep!"

He desperately wanted to open his eyes to see who it was, but he couldn't. In a daze, he felt the girl gently moving him into a nearby cave. Though unable to open his eyes, he felt her gather branches to build a fire, felt her hand on his icy forehead.

"Mister," she said, "I won't let you die. You must live. Your family would be so sad." Soon, her small body nestled against his, hugging him tightly.

Elvis, barely twenty, was transitioning into manhood. He'd never hugged a girl before. Her body felt impossibly light and soft. He smelled her sweet fragrance, a scent that captivated him.

He survived. Years later, he still remembered that night—a small girl saving him from death's door.

The next morning, the girl woke and said, "Mister, it's dawn. I can't carry you. I'll call for help. Goodbye."

As she left, he grabbed her wrist, giving her a silver pendant he always carried. Though unable to see her face, he rasped, "I'll be back for you."

The girl ran off, and the man she summoned took him home. He returned to the cave many times, searching for her. Then, one day, Pamela appeared, holding his silver pendant. "Mister," she said sweetly, "You're finally here. I've been waiting for you."

Elvis blinked, snapping back to reality. He pursed his lips. "That's in the past," he said. He didn't tell Olive the rest.

Olive, knowing Elvis's noble birth and refined upbringing, understood Pamela's role in his survival was undeniable. She didn't press further, regretting her question. No matter what he said, she wouldn't be happy.

Unable to remain calm, they arrived at the airport gate. Olive wanted to leave immediately, unbuckling her seatbelt and reaching for the door.

Elvis grabbed her arm. "What are you doing? Let me go! North is back. I want to pick her up." Olive pushed him.

He held her firmly. "Olive, we're still talking. I've confessed about Pamela. There's nothing between us. Don't be angry."

"No, Elvis, you know I can't tolerate this. You need to do something about this. My third request might be what I said earlier."

Seeing her anger and resistance, Elvis frowned. "Mrs. Augustine, assuming Pamela likes me, shouldn't you hold onto my heart more tightly, and not let others succeed?"

"This time, I'm breaking the pattern. If you get entangled with Pamela, I'll teach you both a lesson."

Angry, Elvis pulled her into his arms, kissing her lips to silence her. She'd refused his kiss earlier. She turned her head, then bit his forearm hard.

Pain shot through his arm; he released her. Olive fled the car, leaving him slumped in the driver's seat, hand over his eyes. Her kiss felt like a threat; any other outcome would be worse.

Olive entered the airport and spotted North in the crowd.