OLIVIA
Exiting the cab, I inhaled the crisp California air, absorbing the scenery unfolding before me-UCLA. This place holds my future.
"You're destined for greatness, Olivia," my dad's voice echoed.
A smile tugged on my lips as I thought about the conversation we had before I left.
My mum once told me when I was thirteen, "Be bold, Olivia. You've got the strength to conquer," and I've held on to those encouraging words even after she left.
Now, those words echo as I face the uncertainty of this new chapter in my life.
Turning to Emma, her presence reassured me. We'd come a long way together, and now we're stepping onto a new chapter-college. I sighed, stealing another glance at Emma, who also appeared to be sharing a moment.
"Well, here we are, college," she remarked.
"Is it strange to admit I'm terrified about what lies ahead?" I questioned, nervously rubbing my arms.
"Honestly, I believe I'm more terrified than you are."
"Oh, hush. At least Aunt Stella's here. My dad is 2782 miles away, I have no one," I exclaimed.
"You have me."
I smiled warmly at her. "You have no idea how pumped I am because of that."
Having gathered all our necessities, including the map of the school and our room numbers, we made our way to our assigned room. My dad generously secured a college-owned apartment for me, while for Emma, it wasn't a big deal as her parents are loaded.
Arriving at our room, excitement bubbled between us as we chatted about what the space might look like. With anticipation, we opened the door using the provided key, but our excitement was abruptly halted by a piercing scream.
"Dios mío, chi diavolo sei?" (My gosh, who the hell are you?), a startled voice exclaimed.
I looked up at the culprit, gaping at her appearance; she was beautiful.
Starting from her naturally tanned skin to her rosy lips, button-shaped nose, and eyes that could draw any guy in. She stood around 5'6 with long, slender legs, and hands that were currently holding a baseball bat.
I had to stifle a laugh seeing the Italian girl holding a baseball bat. She looked so harmless, like she couldn't hurt a fly. The contrast between her appearance and the intimidating object in her hands was strangely amusing.
"Say what now?" Emma blurted, extremely confused by what she had just said.
"We're your new roommates. I'm Olivia, and this slightly confused person here is my best friend, Emma," I stated, comprehending her words clearly.
"Sei italiano? (Are you Italian?)" she inquired.
I gave her a small nod, and she made a face, visibly impressed.
"I'm Isabella," she introduced herself, and I shook her outstretched hand.
"Welcome to my-our humble abode. Feel free to wander around," Isabella warmly greeted.
I headed towards the room Isabella indicated for Emma and I.
Upon entering, I gasped; it was cozy and perfect. A queen-sized bed occupied the left side, complemented by a nightstand holding a table lamp and a peculiar-looking plant. To my right, two doors led to a walk-in closet and bathroom. A chair with a small table stood in front of me. The walls, painted white, were adorned with frames. The room I presently stood in was beyond perfect for me.
Arranging my clothes neatly into the closet after unboxing them, I gave my cosmetics and jewelry a final touch. Just then, Em walked in.
"I love this place," she declared, sprawling out on my bed.
"Hey, I just made that," I retorted as she rolled her eyes, and I huffed in annoyance.
"Your room looks exactly like mine," I hummed in agreement while staring at the photo before me.
"You miss her, don't you?"
"Every day, Em." I paused, my eyes momentarily clouded with memories.
"I really wish she was here to watch me unpack my stuff, to give me that 'don't do drugs' talk. Sometimes, it feels like I'm moving through new chapter and experiences in my life without her guiding my hand. She was my rock, you know? Her absence, especially today, makes everything a bit more bittersweet."
Tears welled in my eyes at the thought of my mom, who had passed away five years ago due to an accident involving a drunk driver, and no, he didn't get away.
"Wherever she is now, I'm sure she's watching you with a proud smile on her face. She must be so proud of the woman you've become and how far you've come. And about the drug talk, Olly, let's avoid going down that path," I chuckled and pulled her in for a hug.
"Oh, when you're done, let's stop by at Auntie's Cafe; she's been dying to see me."
"Sure, sure," I hummed.
"Sooo, Isabella is a ray of sunshine," Emma started, and right on cue, the door suddenly burst open, and Isabella came walking in.
"Oh my days!" Em exclaimed in shock.
"Get used to it, bellissima (beautiful)," she said as she shimmied her way towards the bed, plopping herself on it.
I let out a small laugh at her antics and discreetly sighed, feeling relieved that we weren't stuck with a cranky and snobbish roommate.
"So let's get to know ourselves," she begins. "You already know I'm Isabella; you can call me Izzy though. My last name's Russo."
"I'm Emma, Emma Smith," Em finally spoke.
"Oh, you finally spoke. For a moment, I thought you had threewords syndrome, you know, a disease where you could only say three words for some amount of time," Izzy laughed.
"She's just really shy around new people, right Emma?" I nudged her, snapping her out of her trance.
"Yeah," She awkwardly chuckled. "I'm just getting used to the whole vibrant personality. It's kind of overwhelming, no offense. You sound like an amazing person, and I'm sure we'd be great friends."
"Well, brace yourself," Isabella declared, "because you'll be seeing a lot more of me now that we're roommates."
"I'm Olivia Davis; you can call me Olly," I introduced, "that's literally what everyone calls me. I'm a business major, and so is Emma."
"Well, aren't I just lucky?" she remarked, "I'm also a business major, and so is my stupid twin brother. Luck sure wasn't on my side for that one," she added, rolling her eyes, making us laugh.
"So my Aunt has a cafe nearby, let's go there?" Em suggested.
"Sure, yeah, like a date," Izzy remarked.
Em choked at Izzy's words. "What?"
"You should see your face right now," Izzy cackled.
"I meant like us three drinking chocolate frappe and gossiping about college and all the sorority sisters in it," She squealed.
She sure is hyper.
I turned to look at Em, and it seemed like she was thinking the exact same thing.
"Okay, let's go then," I said, and we all stood, heading towards the door.
°°°°°°°
Arriving at Aunt Stella's, we exited the cab and walked in after paying. It felt like entering a haven of warmth and nostalgia.
The rustic charm enveloped us as soft jazz tunes played in the background. Cozy booths with worn leather seats and mismatched throw pillows offered a private retreat. Fresh flowers adorned the tables, and the aroma of coffee and baked goods filled the air.
Aunt Stella, with her bright smile, bustled behind the counter. The unique decorations - vintage posters, paintings, and antique teapots, added character to the space. The gentle glow of pendant lamps cast a warm ambiance, creating a play of shadows on the walls adorned with framed photographs.
"Emma, Oh my sweet Emma," Aunt Stella cooed once she sighted us, locking Em in a tight hug and pinching her cheeks.
"Auntieeee," Emma groaned.
"I can imagine how that feels," Isabella giggled. "My mum is almost worse than this."
I laughed, shaking my head, turning when Aunt Stella acknowledged me.
"Olivia," Aunt Stella said, pulling me into a warm hug and taking a step back to appraise.
"Look at you, you've grown so much since the last time I saw you; you look so pretty, just like her."
A bittersweet smile tugged at my lips, and I felt a gentle warmth spreading through my chest. I've always been told I looked like her, and that's the best compliment I could ever receive.
"And who might this pretty young lady be?" she asked, turning to Isabella.
"Oh, this is our roommate, Isabella," Emma said.
"Ciao," Izzy greeted, offering a sheepish smile as Aunt Stella pulled her into a hug.
"You all find a place to sit, and I'll send a waitress to bring you chocolate frappes and muffins, yeah?"
"Absolutely, we'd love that," Izzy replied, leading us toward a booth closer to the window.
As we settled into the cozy booth by the window, Izzy, with her trademark enthusiasm, began painting a vivid picture of our new college life.
"You won't believe the quirks of this place!" she exclaimed, eyes sparkling.
"There are these wild traditions and events that you never knew could exist. A junior I met on my first day filled me in on all this. This place is like living in a real-life soap opera. First, we've got Social butterflies flitting from one event to another, hunting for their next I*******m-worthy moment. Their social calendars are busier than most people's class schedules."
She paused, taking a sip of her chocolate frappe before diving back into her storytelling. "Then there are the fashion police. Wearing pink on Wednesdays? Totally a crime to them. It's giving Mean Girls vibes. And the academic elitists? You'll find them in the library 24/7, competing for that valedictorian status."
Izzy leaned in, her tone conspiratorial. "Now, brace yourselves for the 'Gamma Epsilon Theta' sorority. Rumor has it their initiation involves a catwalk in stilettos and reciting Shakespearean soliloquies while balancing a stack of textbooks on their heads. They've got perfectly styled hair, designer outfits, and a signature fragrance of condescension. Encountering them is like navigating a maze of judgmental stares and obvious critiques."
She chuckled, glancing around the cafe. "Trust me, I was a victim last week for their passive-aggressive comments. According to them, wearing black polish is disgusting. They looked at me like I'm beneath their elevated status. Ugh, I'm so glad you guys are here. But then again, you might barely encounter them since most of them are majoring in Fashion. I only ran into them because I got lost, and NEVER AGAIN!"
We found ourselves laughing at Izzy's animated storytelling, grateful for the little insight of college stereotypes.
OLIVIAStill sitted at Aunt Stella's Cafe, Izzy continued rambling about college life."Alright, let's dive into the juicy details about boys in college!" Izzy exclaimed, wiggling her eyebrows mischievously.Emma raised an amused eyebrow. "Oh, this should be interesting. spill the tea, Izzy.""Alright, listen up, my dear roomies. College boys come in different flavors. First, you have the charming heartbreakers who knows exactly how to make you swoon. Be cautious; they're smooth talkers. Then there's the mysterious artist-usually spotted with a sketchbook in hand. They're intriguing, but good luck figuring them out. And of course, the jocks, the scholars, and the free spirits - each with their unique appeal."Izzy leaned. "Now, if you're up for a challenge, there's the intellectual debate enthusiasts. Trust me, trying to keep up with their discussions feels like running a mental marathon. And, brace yourselves for the occasional awkward encounter with the 'campus celebrities.' They mi
OLIVIAThe class turned out to be more fun and interesting than I had expected. The professor explained the segment in a way that was more engaging than boring, and the class concluded after two long hours.As I tucked my notes back into my backpack, Matteo approached me."So, I didn't get your name," he said."I-It's Olivia, but you can call me, everyone does-uh, I mean, you can call me Olly, everyone does," I muttered in embarrassment."Okay, everyone does, I hear you," he teased, and I blushed in further embarrassment."So, mind if I get your number?"I shrugged, collecting the phone he stretched out and typing my number on it."Thanks," he gave me a boyish grin and left. "Stop hitting on my friends, Matteo!!!" Izzy's yell carried a hint of an Italian accentMy phone buzzed, and I glanced to find a message from an unknown number.Unknown: Nice meeting you, Olly."Looks like Olly was the first to pick her best flavor after all," Emma remarked, making Izzy snicker."Come on, I'll sh
OLIVIAI had just finished talking to my Dad and was about going to bed when Emma knocked on the door and opened it.I glanced up from my bed as Emma walked in, her usual spark dimmed by a heavy emotion I couldn't place. "Emma, what's going on?" I asked, concern lining my voice.She took a deep breath and then, after a moment's hesitation, spilled the weight on her shoulders. "My mum- she called me today."Surprise registered on my face before morphing into understanding. "Your mum? That's- unexpected. How do you feel about it?"Emma perched on the edge of my bed, her fingers fidgeting with the hem of her sleeve. 'Feelin' kinda confused, I guess? It's been years, Olly, and outta the blue, she hits me up. Talking 'bout she's in a better place now, tryna sort herself out. But it's just- it's tough, you know?'I moved from my position to sit beside her, wrapping my arms around her. "I can't even imagine, Em. That's a lot to process. How did the call make you feel?"She sighed, her voice
OLIVIA Spinning around, with a hint of irritation on my face, I shoot Em a look that shuts her up real quick. "Ease up, sourpuss; she's got car sickness," Izzy quips from her seat beside Em. I've got the shotgun seat, and guess who's at the wheel? Matteo. Anyway, Em and Izzy claim they despise the shotgun seat, but it's a total farce. Back when Dad used to drop us off at school, Em always claimed shotgun like it was her throne. And as for Isabella, it's crystal clear; she winked at me after her not-so-stealthy lie. I'm pretty sure Matteo saw through her act too. Back to the current situation, Emma has been groaning non-stop, but now I'm pretty sure she's doing it just to get under my skin. "So, Isabella, which one of your friends is coming over?" I inquire. Matteo snickers, and she shoots him a glare that promptly silences him. She mumbles some incoherent words, assuming I can hear her. "Huh?" "I never really had friends, well, I did have them, but that's by the wayside," sh
MATTEOThe morning sun pierced through my eyelids, a painful reminder of the night's escapades. Blinking away the haze of sleep, I found myself in my room at my family's mansion. The lingering scent of last night's revelry clung to the air.Dragging myself out of bed, the rhythmic thud in my head betrayed the previous night's excesses. Olivia's laughter echoed in my mind, a melody that had unexpectedly become a part of my memories. The mere thought of her smile left a warmth that almost countered the throbbing headache.Descending the staircase, the clinking of cutlery reached my ears, guiding me to the kitchen. My initial assumption of peace and quietness was shattered when I laid eyes on Dante. Impeccably dressed, a stoic facade, and sipping on black coffee as if he had it all figured out."What are you doing here?" I muttered, my voice hoarse, still tethered to the remnants of sleep.He continued typing on his phone without missing a beat. "Making sure the house is still standing."
OLIVIAThe morning sun filtered through the curtains, coaxing me out of my dreams and into the reality of a day filled with anticipation. The excitement of the getaway to Matteo's family villa lingered in the air as I stretched in bedJust as I was savoring the warmth of my cozy bed, the serenity shattered with the abrupt entrance of Izzy and Em. The duo burst into my room with infectious energy, their laughter echoing off the walls."Up and at 'em, sleepyhead! Today's the day!" Izzy declared, her enthusiasm contagious.Em added, "Let's shake off that beauty sleep; a weekend of luxury awaits!"Izzy laid out outfits on the bed. Em, with an energy level too high for this early in the morning, danced around singing tunes. They both pulled me out of bed, pushing me into the bathroom. Their laugh echoed behind me as they shut the door leaving me to go on with my daily business.Once freed from the bathroom, I surveyed the outfits Izzy picked.Opting for a casual but stylish look, I settled
OLIVIAThe morning sun cast a gentle glow over the villa's poolside terrace, and I found myself waking up to a brand new day, wrapped in the lingering magic of the night before. Matteo's touch on my shoulder stirred me, his voice softly breaking the silence."Olivia, it's morning."Blinking away the remnants of sleep, I stretched and yawned. In a daze, I mumbled, "Morning already?" still lost in the haze between dreams and reality. I looked around and realized we fell asleep beside the pool.Matteo chuckled, a warmth in his eyes. "Time flies when you're having fun. It's 7:00 am."I inwardly groaned.As we both rose from the makeshift bed, – or you could say the heavy blanket that served as insulation, the reality of the impending departure hung in the air. "We should probably get ready to leave," Matteo suggested, his reluctance mirroring my own.I sighed, "Do we have to? This place is like a freaking dream."He smiled, his eyes holding a shared sentiment. "As much as I'd love to sta
DANTEThe low hum of my sleek Aston Martin reverberated through the air as I parked in front of the building. The sleek lines of the building mirrored the precision that defined my life. Russo Enterprises.Stepping into the building, the familiar nod from the receptionist greeted me."Good morning, Mr. Russo.""Morning," I replied, the routine of corporate life unfolding around me.Victoria, my personal assistant, rushed with a tablet in hand. "Mr Russo, there's an urgent matter from Anderson Global. They're eager for the collaboration we discussed."I sighed inwardly. Anderson Global – a calculated risk that could tip the scales of profit or loss. "Set up a meeting. Let's see if they're worth my time.""Of course, Mr. Russo," Victoria acknowledged.Walking past my secretary, Marissa, she flashed me a seductive smile, "Morning, Mr Russo." I nodded in acknowledgement, ignoring her failed attempt to flirt.We shared a history, but I made sure her place in my world was clear. A pawn in