Olivia’s POV:
How I’ve waited for this moment!
If not for their cold-heartedness, I might have been drained dry by them and eventually discarded. Their cruelty pushed me to become self-reliant.
“Liv,” Miles’ energy shifted. She was now approaching me with her fake smile. “I-if this hotel is yours, why didn't you tell us earlier? Look at the misunderstanding we had just now. If you had told us you were the CEO, we could have happily celebrated your nephew’s celebration together.”
Paul nodded repeatedly, as usual. “That’s true, Liv. You kept this a secret too well. Come on, let’s just have a nice family gathering today. You don't know how much we've missed you these past six months. Right, mom and dad?”
I raised a brow. “Really? I remember you calling me names, you called me poor, and insisted on kicking me out. Before I forget, who slapped me and called security to throw me out? Oh. It was you. Dearest brother, your way of expressing your longing is certainly unique, isn't it? Damn, you change your mind just like how you change underwear, Paul.”
Seeing this, my father quickly tried to mediate. “I’m sure this misunderstanding can be amended. After all, we’re all family. Why are you blowing this out of proportion?”
Naomi patted my hand gently and said soothingly, “Yes, yes, I agree with you, Love. It was all just a misunderstanding. We’re family. Olivia, blood is thicker than water. Paul and Miles were just joking. They wouldn’t have really kicked you out. Don’t be so sensitive.”
I quickly snatched my hand back. I looked at my so-called family, my voice resolute. “Have any of you considered doing stand-up comedy? Because you guys can pull it off. You claim we're family, but have you ever truly treated me as such? Before I went to prison, when I could make money and support you. All you did was to pretend to get along with me, showering me with your fake affection. But the moment I was released, knowing I might no longer be of any value, you heartlessly kicked me out. Did you ever consider that if I were penniless, I could end up on the streets, facing danger, or worse, dying?”
They all fell silent. But I was not done.
“Maybe you did think about it, but you didn’t care. After all, to you, I was no longer useful. If something had happened to me, you’d probably have felt relieved, glad to be rid of a burden. Honestly, that day lived rent-free in my head but not anymore.”
Miles stepped in, “Liv, that’s not true…”
“Don’t get any closer, Miles. You are not family.”
“Liv, that’s below the belt.” Paul warned me, but this time, he was more cautious. They knew who had the advantage now.
“Shut up, Paul. When you kicked me out, you were ruthless. Whenever you see me, you don't hide your disgust. When you hit me, you didn't hold back, all because you thought I was poor. Now that you see I have money, you suddenly change.”
Nothing. They just stood there, absorbing everything I said. Even the other guests and relatives remained still. The atmosphere in the room became heavy. But I do not care. I don’t care if Brandon is there. He knows.
“I warned you all a long time ago not to regret it. Now, you want to cozy up to me and get on my good side? It’s too late for that. You can't reach my level now.” I vented all my frustrations and then turned directly to the head of security. “Throw them out and ban them from entering again!”
“Understood, Ms. Charleston” the man responded respectfully. He then gestured towards Paul and the rest and said with an icy tone, “You are no longer welcome in this hotel!”
My parents, Paul and Miles, looked stunned and unwilling to accept it, trying to protest. I turned my back on them, not wanting to waste another glance. The chief of security was not holding back and escorted them out, pushing them along.
“Olivia, what's the meaning of this? You’re forgetting your family now that you have money? I’m your mother! How could you do this to us? You are an ungrateful daughter, we raised you for so many years!”
“You ungrateful b*tch, you'll get what's coming to you!” Paul screamed.
They were unwillingly shoved out, shouting curses as they went.
“Wait.” I suddenly turned around and walked towards them.
Paul thought I had changed my mind and immediately stopped cursing, speaking to me with relief. He was smiling now. “I knew you wouldn't be so heartless, Liv. You wouldn’t ruin Ethan’s day.”
Smack! I raised my hand and slapped him hard across the face. “You owed me that.”
Ignoring their shocked expressions, I turned and walked away with confidence. In my mind, I know that I was closing that chapter in my life. I never want to see my family again. However, they still call and message me frequently. Why? For money. That’s what drives them. Money is their God. My family came up with a menagerie of reasons to call me. Either my mother was supposedly sick because of me and needed medical expenses, or the house was too small for my nephew to play in, and they wanted me to buy them a bigger one, or my brother wanted a new car and asked me to pay for it.
They always found ridiculous reasons to shamelessly ask for money. I just found it laughable. Did they really think I was still the pushover they could exploit? I couldn't understand where they got the nerve.
When they couldn’t get the money, they would send all kinds of insulting messages. I blocked them all one by one.
Living alone was peaceful yet busy. Though sometimes lonely without family, I felt at peace most of the time. At least now, I only had to take care of myself.
It had been a week now since that happened. The peace that I feel now is revitalizing me. Now that the chief of security knows my face---I was no longer the 'boss without a face'. The staff knew me now and they've been working harder more than ever.
I heard gentle tapping on my door. "It's open."
"Hey," Brandon walks in. Carrying two cups of coffee from my favorite coffee shop nearby. "It's late. Aren't you planning on getting some rest?"
"Hi," I smiled back. Clearing my desk of papers to make some space for the coffee. I pressed the intercom. "Donna, please get us some cheesecake from the kitchen."
"I knew you'd prefer that." Brandon gently placed the paper cups in front of me and sat down. "That's why I didn't get any."
"See, that's why we are friends." I pointed out.
He frowned. "Liv, you don't have friends."
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