Chapter 7 : Is She Your New Toy

**Olivia POV

Carl finally came back with my sister the next day, making me super excited to see him. I ran towards him with a giggle, jumping into his arms. He wrapped his arms around me and pressed a kiss to my lips.

However, the sparks still didn't quite fly despite the fact that I was so thrilled to see him.

"Hey, honey. You look beautiful today." He pushed me away and took my hand to spin me around, causing my pink dress to flair out around my thighs.

He pulled me in and touched my cheek with his hand, "I missed you."

"I missed you too! How was your business meeting?" I was excited to hear how it had gone.

"It was great! We talked over a few drinks at a local bar. Bethany really knows how to capture a room and reel them in. She has great assets to bring to the table." Carl went on about how amazing my sister was.

"I'm glad she helped you," I commented, even though I was still a bit upset that he didn't come check with me before he took my sister on the trip. But, I decided to focus on what I could control, not something that had already happened.

"So, what do you want to do first?" I was looking forward to spending time with him, after all, that was why we came here.

"I'd love to show you around, but I'm tired from my long trip. I'm going to go lay down for a bit." He leaned down to kiss my cheek.

"I can go with you!" I grabbed his wrist and walked with him.

"No, actually, I'm a bit tired. Do you mind me catching up with you later?"

"Oh…of course," I said. What else could I say?

"Thanks Olivia, I really appreciate it." He took my hands from his wrist and smiled before leaving me alone.

I nodded reassuringly with a smile, but as he turned away to leave, my smile faded.

Why wouldn't he want to spend time with me? I thought he would have wanted to see me.

Yes, I got it, he had just gotten home and may be tired, but it wasn't like I was asking him to be super active. We could have watched a movie or lounged beside the indoor pool to relax. He could have laid on a couch while I played him piano. There were so many options, yet he chose to be alone.

Did I do anything that upset him?

Maybe I should talk to my sister, she probably would have some recommendations.

However, when I reached her door, it was shut as if she was asleep. I sighed and touched the door. She was probably tired like Carl as well from the meeting.

I stood in the hallway for a moment, noticing golden sunshine peering onto the floor through the window.

It was a beautiful day today, since there wasn't much I could do, I figured getting some fresh air in the garden would be a good idea.

I was happy with my choice the moment I was greeted with a fresh breeze and delicious floral scents. I smiled. It was a gorgeous day, and my mood was immediately brightened.

"...Wait!" A young woman's voice caught my attention. There were a few tall bushes surrounding me, and I paused in my tracks, trying to figure out which direction the sound came from.

"Ellis…please listen to me! I've never met someone like you before and I just…"

Him again?!

I needed to get out of here.

But it was too late. Ellis had turned the corner from behind a bush and he saw me. I watched a smile spread across his face as soon as he realized that I was there.

I put my index finger against my lips and tried to tell him silently with my gestures, "Sorry, I'll leave now." However, before I could sneak away, I saw a twenty-some-year-old girl caught up behind him.

"Ellis, I can't stop thinking about you! Why don't you give me a chance, give us a chance—"

Ellis stopped to look at her, his voice low and cold, "I've already told you. I have no interest."

"Why do you treat me like this?" The girl sobbed.

He didn't say anything more, but turned around and walked towards me. I could see the annoyance on his face.

Did he have to be so harsh on the poor young lady?

But it was none of my business. I had no interest in my fiance's father's relationships. All I wanted to do was leave the scene before she noticed me.

She continued begging, "I can do anything for you, I love you…" However, her words caught at her throat the moment she saw me.

For a moment, I didn't know whether I should pretend I didn't see anything and walk away, or I should give her a smile and greet her.

She didn't give me any choices though.

"Who is she?! Is she your new toy?!" she pointed at me angrily, demanding an answer from Ellis.

Ellis frowned and narrowed his eyes. He immediately warned her, "Watch what you're saying. She is—"

She ran closer to me and looked at me up and down.

She shouted, "Is that why? Ellis? Because you have a new toy now?! You don't want to be with me because of her?!"

My eyes widened. What was she talking about?! Me? Ellis? No, of course not!

"She seduced you, didn't she?" she continued.

I was dumbfounded and couldn't believe I was stuck in such a drama.

I? Seduced Ellis?!

I looked towards Ellis, who seemed to be as surprised as me, but very quickly, he gave me an innocent look with a slight shrug.

"Ellis, how could you… how could you…?" The girl started sobbing pounding her fists against his chest.

I gestured to Ellis with my hands and moved my lips to silently say to him, "Tell her that she misunderstood!"

However, after the initial shock, for some reason, he stood there quietly and stared at me for a couple seconds. Then, as if he was amused, I saw the corner of his lips curling up.

What was so funny?! Did he not understand the situation?

Knowing I couldn't count on Ellis to clear the misunderstanding, I cleared my throat and explained to the young woman, "Excuse me, but I think you might have—"

"—Yes, I'm dating her. Now you know why?" Ellis walked up next to me and looped his arm around my waist.

I froze. What the…what was he talking about?!

The woman shifted her jaw and glared at me, "You choose her over me?"

"Why wouldn't I? As you can see, she is just gorgeous," he said as he warmly smiled down at me and brushed a strand of my hair behind my ear, ignoring the way I was staring at him with an irritated expression. "She's the most attractive, cute and smart woman I've ever seen…"

I gasped, and couldn't believe what I heard. What was going on? How dare he…!

The young woman looked at him, and looked at me, and finally burst into tears.

She covered her face with her hands, and as if she couldn't stand one more second here, she cried as she ran away. "Ellis, I hate you…!"

After she was out of sight, Ellis pulled out his cell phone and ordered, "Security, make sure she's out of the property. Also, tell Davis Wilson that if his sister ever sets foot in my property again, his contract that is due to renew in a month will be terminated."

I couldn't wrap my head around what happened.

Realizing that Ellis's hand was still on my waist, I jerkily pulled myself away from him and glared at him. "What were you talking about?! I'm not...."

"You're not what? My toy?" he pulled up a crooked smile as if he was greatly amused.

"I…I…" How could he say it like that?!

My face was burning again, and I protested, "How could you tell her that?! I'm not dating you! You're such a liar!"

His smile faded from his face, and his eyes narrowed a bit.

I paused for a moment. Was he…angry? But how could he be angry with me? I didn't do anything wrong!

I shook my head. Why should I even be concerned about whether he was upset or not? I was just taking a walk in the garden and then pulled into this drama....

"Miss Richardson," he put a hand into his pocket and kept his distance, "First, thanks for helping me get rid of that girl. Second, I'm sorry if what I did just now bothered you, but it was just much easier that way."

I sneered. He always made it sound like he had a good reason for everything he did.

"Third," he looked me in the eyes, without his usual smile, he felt a bit cold and distant, "You can rest assured. I have no interest in foolish girls."

"Excuse me?" I was taken aback.

"That's right," he said as he started walking back to the house, "I don't like foolish women. Remember what I told the girl about you?"

I paused. I remembered he said I was the most beautiful, attractive, cute, smart woman? I wasn't sure why he brought it up and my face was heating up a little. I muttered, "I knew you just made it up. It's not like you really meant it…"

"I meant it," he shrugged.

I froze. But then he said, "Everything besides being smart."

Did he just say that I wasn't intelligent? I was at the top of my class!

"You...." I crossed my arms and raised an eyebrow at him, speechless.

He smirked, leaning back against a topiary with his hands in his pockets. His crooked smile made me feel that he was amused by me again.

Then he delivered, "Well, someone who was smart wouldn't believe everything my son does or still be dating him."

I scoffed, "How can you be Carl's father but be so negative about him?"

He had a short laugh before walking away without another word.