Olivia’s POV:“There you are,” Brandon approached me. I was not expecting him here.I know I look like an idiot now, my brows furrowed in confusion. It’s six in the evening. Brandon and I never interacted after office hours unless it’s very important and usually business related.“Hey,” I shrugged and awkwardly laughed. “I live here, Brandon.”Brandon scratched the back of his head, to me, it was a sight that I don’t get to see every day. Our relationship is purely business and I feel like I don’t know him as much as I should. Not that I should. He’s handsome, a far cry from Meredith’s soft and motherly features. Brandon’s chiseled jaw line and bushy eyebrows along with his piercing green eyes were his strongest features aside from his brain. The brilliance was there, he just lacked the initiative which I had, and the charm.“I don’t know how to counter that statement,” he playfully replied. Adjusting his cuffs.“Shouldn’t you be on a date or something?” I walked past by him.He’s si
Brandon’s POV:All in all, the night I spent with Olivia was not that bad after all. Ever since she appeared out of the blue in my life through Harvey Brown---I hated her. Because I didn’t want to walk away and leave the hotel along with other assets that should have been mine in some random stranger’s hands, with a heavy and hurtful heart, I chose to stay.The truth was, the whole idea of helping her with Ethan was not my idea. Alice convinced me to do it. At first, I was deeply troubled how she could allow her boyfriend to be with another woman and to push me into potentially being lovers with Olivia.I could still remember Alice’s sultry voice as she pointed the benefits of her plans, “Baby, think of this like an acting for a movie. You’re not doing this because you like her, we just need the moolah from her.”“You know what amuses me?” I retorted.“Hmm, what?”“How you use ‘you and we’. I get to do all the job and you…”Alice kissed the bridge of my nose lovingly. “Stop complainin
Lunch was served 12 noon on the dot at Bedford Women’s Penitentiary. The once empty hallway is now dotted by orange clad ladies, each aiming for sustenance to keep them on their toes until the next meal. Life inside is not always staying inside their cells. They have activities and tasks and their social skills—even if its limited—was still exercised.For Naomi Charleston, it was the time of the day to talk to her daughter in law, Miles. It’s been a week since their failed attempt to end Olivia’s life and she’s still in denial about her time in prison. Naomi still believes that she’s innocent and did not deserve any of this.Naomi sat on the far end of the mess hall where the ‘fresh meat’ or newbies take position because they do not have a particular group yet. The fifty-two year old waited for Miles to seat beside her as they usually do but the daughter-in-law acted as if she did not spot Naomi anticipating her and sat on the opposite end of the hallway.Pissed, Naomi carried her tra
Olivia’s POV:Rollin’s phoned me and I came back to Bedford as fast as I could. Rollins filled me in and I sent for the hotel driver to get Ethan and his nanny there too. There waited for Miles to regain her consciousness. I couldn’t recognize her from all the swelling and the surgical staples that peppered her face. This is all too sad for words. My mother---her mother-in-law, the woman she always adored and the one person other than Paul she’d stick up her neck for did this to her.Miles was stirring up. Perhaps she saw me. Her words were mere garble but I know she’s calling my name.“Shh… I’m here…” I can barely get my voice out coherently amid the gulping tears and emotional blubbering that are pulling me apart so quickly. The hopelessness of all of this when so much hurt has come first.It all feels so empty. After all, this, to finally see something genuine from her, something gnarly happens.“I…I k-now.” Miles stammered.She seemed hurt, sorrowful and intent on gazing into my
Olivia’s POV:After that afternoon, I went back to work and decided to finish all my pending paperwork. I was torn between wanting to exhaust myself with work or having one too many shots. Then, I came up with the very brilliant idea of both. My office in the hotel was my safe space after all. It was my home. Ethan is well taken care of. I sent two more people there from the hotel security just to ease my mind off the worst.With all that happened---there’s this paranoia in me that I couldn’t figure out what to do.A series of knocks came and the door opened and close and I waited for Brandon to speak. “Liv, hey…what are you doing here? Aren’t you supposed to stay at…” he paused and sees the vodka bottle on my desk. “Oh, that bad, huh?”I frowned as I finished gulping the contents. I was never a heavy drinker but I guess there will be exceptions. I put my glass down and stand up slowly, eyes on his tall, strong back as he messes with the ice canister, fidgeting to get his excessive en
Olivia’s POV:After that shocking encounter with Brandon, I distanced myself from his potency. I try my best not to be alone with him and I leave the hotel in a haste. Being an Aunt to Ethan is overwhelming and draining. But I’m not complaining. Before heading home, I pass by this small bar to pass the time and for drinks. It’s a small bar uptown that we visited last time with a client, and I can’t say I won’t be sad. This place works because of location and size and the chill ambiance. Mostly, members of the workforce who wanted to relax before heading home.The main bar is busy, crews running around wiping down surfaces, restocking and hoovering. It’s late, so they are almost done with the ritual clean up.“Hi, Olivia!” The bartender waved at me. “The usual?”“Yes, Millie.” I nodded and went for my usual spot.I watched one of the bar girls meticulously inspected shelves and wiping them down before giving her co-worker hell for missing some grubby spots, and my attention is piqued. I
Olivia’s POV:I throw my third sexy dress on the bed and slumped down in a deflated heap, annoyed with myself that I’m doing exactly what I said I wouldn’t do. I’m actually prettying myself up for him and stressing over how to dress and what to wear like some sad little teenage idiot on a first date. I can’t believe myself sometimes. Brandon texted me and told me to be ready for six and dress casually. Ironic, really, as that was my original plan, to show a lack of effort, and now, here I am with a bed full of dresses, and he is the one telling me to dress down. Whatever that means. “Damn it, Olivia! Could you relax?!” I hissed at myself. “You’re overreacting and it’s not fine! Look at your room! You turned it upside down to find an outfit that says ‘dressed down’!”Frankly, I don’t know if he means casual, pretty for somewhere like an Italian restaurant, or jeans and sweater casual. I’m not asking him because he will think I’m keen for tonight and definitely not. This is my first s
Olivia’s POV:I get a warm smile thrown back at me, and I’m once again hauled behind him, rather aggressively for a guy attempting charm and adoration. I try to wriggle my hand free, but he holds on tighter and flashes me that look of his that says, ‘keep trying, I’m not letting go’.I get pulled at a brisk pace to the front door, where I’m silenced with a chaste kiss thrown on my lips when he paused. My heart threatened to drill my ribs from the inside and keeping it cool was a chore. “You know kissing me isn’t the one thing we should do when we aren’t actually a thing.” I point out blandly.“Well, we kind of hugged last time, so I’m guessing it’s not really a step too far to do it.” I get that cheeky arrogant smirk, and I slapped him in the shoulder impulsively.“Hey! That’s rude and not very gentlemanly. In case you want to know, you’re not doing a great job of making me want to date you.” I huffed and get even more annoyed when that smirk turns into a wider grin, Brandon was amuse
Olivia’s POV:I lift a little higher, pausing and looking away to his chest, letting his eyes scan all of me as he stands motionless, listening, watching, taking it in and analyzing me with that quick brain. I get nothing from him, even when he slides his gaze down over my naked breasts and curves and comes slowly back up to lock on mine with a serious look that penetrates my soul. The smile faded away, but he still has a joyous aura surrounding him. “I will never give up on you. If you want this, you will never get rid of me again. I swear. I’m in this for the long haul, Liv.” “Good. Now take your clothes off, get over here and make love to me. It’s about time we stopped fucking around and got down to the real business.” I smirk as I say it. Hardly a sweet romantic seduction, but one thing I have learned is that I need to find my backbone with him.I was made to deal with this arrogant man. I need to remember that when dealing with him. He then breaks into the most gorgeous ungua
Olivia’s POV:I like this apartment; it somehow seems like I have been here before even though I have never laid eyes on it. I love the open space and simple furnishings. Nothing overly showy or flashy, nothing fussy. Just enough to feel comfy and relaxed in a way that invites you to come in and lounge your cares away. It’s peaceful and feels like home, even though I’m a stranger within its walls.It’s no surprise I like it, though; one thing I found when making the club gorgeous was that Lexi and I have a similar taste in décor, and we gel well in terms of style. We can argue about most things, but we never argued over styling choices.I waste no time in sinking into the hot bath and letting my weary bones blend with the water, turning my limbs to fluid weightlessness. I exhale with relief at the comforting feel of hot liquid overtaking my skin as it submerges and slides over all the tiny marks and grazes, littering the surface, cleansing them of grime and blood. Stings and nips beco
Olivia’s POV: She smiles again, nothing but warmth in that wrinkled little face, and I wonder if she was an attempt at giving himself a stand-in mother. She has that maternal vibe, and I could see why he wouldn’t want the hassle of a live-in maid whom he has banged. He hates women trailing around after him when he’s done with them.He made himself what he lacked, and I can see why he never let me come here before. A cozy home he never lets on is his, a dog and a motherly maid. Like his small apartment, this place is somewhere he can be someone else, and it feeds a side of him that his mother never nurtured. “Of course.” I falter, covering my sheer lack of knowing what’s happening or even something as basic about him as not liking reheated food. It’s not something that ever came up, seeing as I don’t cook for him or have ever had to get food for him. A girlfriend should know these things, though. I want to know these things about him.After today I guess that’s a moot subject, and I
Olivia's POV:Walking in the door, ushered by Orlie, we are all in complete silence. I don’t even take the time to acknowledge him. I have no words anyway. I'm disheveled, filthy, and broken inside as I’m led into a massive open plan penthouse apartment that I would never think of putting him in. A building in Upper Manhattan’s most luxurious area.“He owns this.” Orlie stated as if reading my mind.It’s warmer and homelier than the other one he took me to. There are substantial soft corner couches, side tables, and furniture for lounging and laying cups by your side, in front of vast windows spanning entire walls and showing New York at its finest in sweeping views. I feel like we are on top of the world as we are so high up in a vast modern yet comfy home. My eyes scan the roaring glass fire in the natural brick pillar standing imposingly in the middle of the room, giving no natural heat, so it’s a digital screen. It serves as a divider to the metal railed stairway behind it at the
Olivia’s POV:Oh, God no.He twists my wrist painfully, causing me to release the shoe finally and its clatters to the ground with an anticlimactic little noise as it slides from his gaping wound. My only hope of fighting a man this size. He overpowers me cruelly, and all I can do is grasp at his legs to stop myself crying out with the pain he’s inflicting. He is going for a broken bone.And then, she’s there. Alice.“Well, look at you. Not so pretty in a disheveled state are you?”“Boss, we can play with her, right?” The other man insisted.“Not yet. I’m waiting for Harvey. He’s on his way here, say, fifteen minutes with the documents because Olivia here will transfer all her money to me. Did you know, it was our original plan, me and Brandon? Unfortunately, he fell in love with you----so the money comes first and then, I’ll take him back. And we live happily ever after because you are dead.”“You’re lying.”“Oh, wait until Harvey shows up. I sent him the photos and the record and hop
Brandon’s POV:I stopped just when Harvey was about to ride with us. An idea dawned on me. I know Alice. I know how she thinks. “Harvey, go back to your office. Alice will call you. She will want Olivia’s money in exchange for her life. I’m sure. Don’t let her know that you already know. I’ll open my GPS, you know what to do.”Harvey nodded. I thought he was going to be difficult. “Okay, be safe. Take care of her. I’ll take of things on my end.”I hope I know how Alice mind works. Or else.Olivia’s POV:The noise in the alley comes back down towards me, echoing eerily, and I completely freeze, pushing my attention fully on Brandon to zone out the fear. He is quiet, but I can hear noises on his end as I clutch it to my ear. I think he is checking his screen for my location and leaving the call open, but he isn’t listening. I can hear voices in the background, Orlie and the other men as he tells them which turn to take. I can hear so much of where he is and the fact they are on the mov
Olivia’s POV:These are not from the hotel’s security. They might be the men Brandon warned me about, I just gave them all of me, with my stupidity. God knows how long they have been hanging at a distance watching the comings and goings in case they got a chance at picking me off. It’s horrifying to imagine they may have been out here this whole time, waiting for a time like this.I glance at him moving in, and the man from the car is now behind me, blocking my path. Eyes doing a quick scan of every avenue around me. I am aware of both, and my senses tell me how far away from actually touching them. I am more aware of the one behind me as it instils a higher fear factor, but my brain calms, and the part that works well in a crisis moves in to formulate an exit strategy. Adrenaline kicks in, and I do what I do best. I lift my feet and run like a bat out of hell crazy woman with no desire to die, to my right, down the alley.I used to be an athlete so I’m pretty swift in my departure. T
Brandon’s POV:“Where are you, Olivia? I told you to stay. Damn, how stubborn can she be?” I asked myself out loud, pacing her office for the nth time.“Relax, for all we know, she’s here and there’s nothing to worry about, sir.” Orlie tried to calm me but I can’t help myself.I’ve given her strict orders not to go anywhere alone. My guts tell me that Alice was just biding her time and she’s not really walking away even if I bribed her with money. She’s better than that, cunning and dangerous all rolled into one. My phone is in my hand and I’ve dialed her number so many times and sent her text messages that went from pleading to threatening if she didn’t show up any moment from now.The door knob to her office moved and I braced myself. But it wasn’t her. It was Harvey and the moment the lawyer laid his eyes on me----he was instantly enraged. He scanned the office before returning his gaze on me.“You…” he seethed. “Where is Olivia?”I shrugged. “That makes the two of us. I can’t find
Olivia’s POV:I wander a little further onto the cracked concrete pavement and walk in small circles for a while, hidden from view by the tall half-standing wall that used to be some sort of barrier. It’s high enough to act as a shade for me. I pace absentmindedly to try to calm my erratic swishing insides and breathless angst until the air penetrates my clothes and cools me down to a mild shiver. One eye on the group of men for no real reason and satisfied they haven’t acknowledged me over here at all.It’s not overly freezing today, and my dress is made of wool, so it’s warm enough not to go in for a jacket. I keep moving until I’m around fifteen feet from them, gazing out into the street and the traffic coming and going at the far end of the long lane ahead. The hotel nestles in a side alley not far from the main road, so the immediate area in front of me is car-free even though it's noisy out here. It can be peaceful if you walk far enough from milling security groups.I stare up