[Torn by betrayal and deceits]

Olivia Reynolds

“Aaah__Greta, please turn off the curtains, it fucking bright, I wanna sleep in” I mumble in between sleep, snuggling deeper into the pillow, my head buzzed due the impact, painstaking hurting as I groaned.

Why is my head banging, I thought amidst sleeping, it hit me, my nostrils flaring, that scent, this not my lavender bed scent, speaking of the bed, why is it so rock hard, not my usual comfy soft and also Greta why is she not answering.

Processing all at once, I jerk awake, my eye lids fluttering open, coming in contact with the ray of sunlight that filtered the room, right at my face, I wince, shielding my face with my palms in reflex, my face contour to horror as I scanned my surrounding.

where am I? this is not my room, I panicked, no ounce of yesterday event recalled.

Throbbing pain came between my legs and I momentarily prayed to God for my fears and doubt to be proved futile before taking in the leap of faith, I look down, my face contouring, turning white as sheet, thousands of shockwaves rushed down my spine.

I was naked, how could this be, I racked my brain for any yesterday event slowly shifting the duvet to confirmed and it true, the chrisoms red blood, a stack contrast on the white sheet couple with the pain and aching between my legs, proved something definitely happened.

“No, no. this can’t be real” I slapped myself, promptly pinching myself further but I was in still in the room, on the bed, this is definitely not a good omen to start a day with, how did all this happen and with who?

Figment of yesterday event came flooding, contract signing, escaping those menacing men, the elevator ride and the passionate night with a total stranger, I gasped, running hand through my hair, my throat tightened, words stuck like shards of glass. My palms were clammy, clutching at the sheets as though they could anchor me back to yesterday. But yesterday was gone.

“What have I done, what would I tell Ethan, what would he even think of me” regret wash over me.

A cheating girlfriend is definitely not what I want to be tagged if he come to know

He won’t know not unless you tell him or he find out my subconsciousness prey in, so which one is it goanna be, Olivia? it mocks

I inhale sharply as I exhale out, I will tell him, explained things to him, whether he forgave me… that was another story.

The stranger was gone, Strangely I relive every moment spent of the night, how the stranger made me feel, still aching for him, yet no matter, how hard I try racking my brain, I couldn’t picture his face, it blurry.

My head hurt from thinking, on the bed stand was a glass of water and aspirins, I gulped it down, sighing in frustration, at least he was considerate to leave this, dropping the glass, something caught my attention ,I yanked it ,it was a cheque ,my eyes growing wide at the figure ‘damn girl, who did I sleep with, a fucking billionaire’ I’m rich, no doubt but the amount inscribe on the cheque for a nightstand was absurdly insane “night stand” I mouthed, somehow tasting the word.

Who exactly does this man think he is, he thinks I’m for sale or something, a hookup he could randomly purchase, I fumed, having the urge to shred the cheque to pieces but on a second thought I halt with my intrusive thoughts.

My phone ringing break me out of this turmoil as I search for it, retrieving it, I swipe the answer icon.

There was a static crackled sound on the line, breaking, coming on, there was footstep running and heavy panting from the other end of the phone line and then there was;

“Ma’am Olivia, please save me…” Greta cries in agony and the phone went off in series of beeps.

“Hello, Nanny Greta, what wrong, what happened?” I panicked as I try to called but, it went directly to voicemail, shortly a message came in; WE HAVE YOUR NANNY, IF YOU WANT HER ALIVE, GET HERE, BRING COPS OR ANYONE, SHE DIES.

Cold shivers ran down my spine as I read the message “oh my god” I gasped processing the information, my nanny was kidnapped, all because of me, who could be cruel to do such a heinous thing.

having no moment to think it through as I search for my clothes, it was litter on the floor, torn” wow, just great for been an animal last night, I spot a male shirt as I took it, sliding it on, I walk out of the room.

Outside, in my car, I insert the location provided at my GPRS, turning on the ignition, I navigate the car down to the highway, speedily driving on the asphalt mode, it a miracle I didn’t get stop and file with speed driving tickets,

Thirty minutes of speed driving and going down memory lane, I pulled up at the location, today was off and I was not liking any bit of it, staring at the weird location, it was an abandoned factory, outskirt of town -what a weird place, I thought.

This was very irrational of me to head lunch without a plan but that how unconditionally, I loved my nanny, she has been my ride or die, ever since my mom died. Anything for that pure soul woman, I will never forgive myself if anything happens to her.

 I have a suspect, which I ruled out of who could be behind this and it no one but that Mr. Malloy, this could be his way of getting back at me for yesterday incident, clenching my fist, I stood with resolve ‘his going to regret this’ with that I venture into the factory.

Walking inside “Hello, anybody here?” I yelled “Nanny Greta?” I called out but was answered with a pin drop silence as I search through the building, at the top floor, I repeated the procedures

“Over here” a faint voice replies as I traced it and it led me to a spacious grandeur, only to come in contact with my family, stood my step dad sat relaxed on the couch was my step mom and sister, I let out an exhale of relief at the familiar faces, wait what are they doing here?

I don’t know what they were up to but whatever be it, I will not give them the satisfaction they seek.

“Well, well, look who finally showed up,” my stepmother purred, eyes narrowing at the shirt I wore. “In another man’s clothes, no less.” she added her tone not nice.

“Obviously the step bitch” her daughter chirp in, whilst I eyeroll “what with the early morning tantrum, what sought of game is this? weird choice of place, I must say” I inquired

“Oh honey, don’t mind the room aesthetic it will soon make sense as why it a choice setting.” My step mom replies a smirk tug at her painted redbud lips, a dangerous glint in her eyes.

“Enough with the silly game, where is she?” I inquired, I wasn’t in any mood for humor or antics

“Your poor nanny? Oh, she somewhere around here, hanging on tightrope of death and life”

My eyes narrowed “what that supposed to mean?”

 “Take it literally, cue words; beaten to plump, timebomb strapped around her, no escaped, time ticking”

I winced as my stomach churned at the imaginary sight of my Nanny going through their fuckup tortures, poor Greta.

“You wouldn’t dare” I threatened

“Already did” they pop

“What your problem? Why are you doing this? let Greta go, she has nothing to do with this”

“Oh, she has everything to do with this and our problem? Mr. Malloy called, regarding what you did to him, are you crazy, lost us a million-dollar contract”

Of course, it about this, always the money, was I even thinking something good would come out of this or them any.

“Well, since he called, you should have an idea of what he did, that foolish man tried to sleep with me, how despicable someone his daughter’s age and if standing for myself is something I did wrong and I should regret, then I don’t because having the same chance, I will do it over again” I vent out.

“You insolent bitch, do you have any idea, how much we lost? And the power he wields, one word from him, we could go bankrupt”

I sighed “And since when did you care about the company or are you just good at poking your nose into people’s business, I have more on my table than this” I retore

My step sister Clara grimaced “Since the day I inherit it” I blink at her “In your dreams baby”

“Nope” she popped “today actually, all thanks to you “she got up, cat walking towards me, inches step before me she waves a document directly at my face, whilst I stare dumfounded at her, my confidence plummeting, taking in the document, flipping through the pages, I repressed a shudder at the sight of my ink signature.

“Looks familiar to you” she taunts.

“I don’t understand” how is this possible?

“of course, you won’t decipher anything, when you are out there whoring instead of securing a deal”

How is this possible, I racked my brain, I didn’t remember signing any document or…. oh my god, realization dawn to me as I stare wide eye at them…fucking unbelievable.

“You tricked me” I asked in disbelief, forming the connection to their conspiracy “you all” I pointed at them “scheme this, drugged me and make me signed away my company, I can’t believe you would stoop to low to that level” I laugh dryly “that pathetic, even for you guys”

Ever since my mom died, they had been hellbent on taking power of attorney, I didn’t know, they would go to this length just to get it

“No darling, it you who is pathetic, couldn’t take care of a whole company, you should be thanking us of relieving you of a huge responsibility, sit back and let adults do the work” my step mom chirp in

I scoffed “sit back and watch my mom’s company get trampled, hard pass, you obviously mean no good, you and I know this company was mothers hard work, everything she ever work for and she entrusted everything to me”

“Well sucks, you screw it, win for us, we secured it”

“This won’t happen, I won’t let that”

“Oh, spare us the sermon darling, the deed is done already, there is absolutely nothing you can do about it, all paperwork’s has been due and approved, your signature was the last recipe needed and you failed bait to it”

“Why are you doing this?”

“Should you even ask? Well, if you wish to know, we don’t a problem with you, it was your dead mother that has always been the deal but that wasn’t for long, since we were able to get rid of her big time, so back to your question, honey we aren’t doing anything, just taking what really need to be ours and you she pointed accursedly at me “was one little pest we had to get rid of.”

“You killed her?” I asked in disbelief, momentarily stunned to core, taking in the revelation, my confidence plummeting to pit, these people are vipers and I was living in a den of vipers.

my step dad smirked “Your mother was never as careful as she thought. A little weakness here, a little medicine there… she never stood a chance.” he stated boldly, I turned at him. Unbelievable, this was the man she pledged her eternity with, her whole love.

“You did that” I asked for confirmation still puzzled with the sudden confession “but why? She did nothing but loved you, even when she happened to find out you were with another woman” I spat out, good riddance. Men.

“love” he scoffed “that bitch never loved me she was just using my skills and abilities to grow her company, whilst I live in her shadow, heck I’m not that supportive and submissive man she seeks, I had quickly ended the game before things escalated”

My mom will roll in her grave, hearing this from the man she did nothing but loved who wasn’t worth it, I wish she was here to see the man she would die for bluntly betraying her existence.

“Bravo dad or should I say Mike, because you have lost and not deserve the title dad, not from my lips again” and “mind you guys, this won’t go Scott free, I would fight for justice”

My step mom prickling laughter filled the room “justice baby, with which money, oh honey, we are the law, you are equally as the maids now and beside I’m not sure, you are making out of this place alive”

“What do you mean?” I eyed her

“You see the plan was simple that glutton Malloy pervert was to drugged you, ravished you” she sneered “and then killed you, it would have been a perfect exit for you and a grand entrance for us as the new company head but he was a pig to failed, not to worry we will give you the brutal one you deserved”

Pang of panic surge through me, fear etched in me too as my mind goes swiveling with the gravity of the situation “your plans will fail” I croaked, taking a step back

“Retreating already sister, not so soon” she yanked me back “because I’ve a great surprise for you, and your goanna love it or it would live you devasted” I dreaded what coming.

“What your problem Clara, haven’t you got everything you want?” I asked my voice down.

“Yes, but your mere existence is a threat, there will always be comparation base on feat between us, the face of AH magazine, Aurora hills prominent beauty queen, not for long because I will eliminate my competition”

“Finally, you admit, it pretty obvious you have always been jealous of my success, my accolades and achievements but you know what sister, the bitter truth is, you would never have attained it” I spat while she clenches her fist in balls. Good I hit the nerve so damn hard.

“You bitch, she cursed, reaching out for the nearby knife as she aims directly at me “jealous” she laughs “you got nothing for me to envy, in fact I’ve everything you can ever possess, Olivia I will always be ahead of you, heck I even have your man”

“My man?” I blurt out