CHAPTER 2.

“Liv.” Alex said, as if she were a ghost.

Theo glanced between them, smiling faintly in amusement. “Wait, you two know each other?”

“Yes.” They answered, still staring at each other.

Olivia started spiralling. Alex didn’t seem like he hung out with these kinds of people, more or less getting invited to their parties. To her, he was the guy that was still trying to get his shit together, the guy that was still searching for a job, the guy that couldn’t afford their rent, the guy that makes her work extra hard so she can cater for both of them. But tonight, that guy was—different.

“Please, excuse me.” Before anyone could reply back, Olivia vanished into the crowd.

“Well, this evening has been…” he took a pause. “Eventful. See you later.” He said as he patted Alex on the shoulder and walked away.

After Olivia's encounter with Alex, she went back out and told the driver to take her back to Ella's house.

The city lights blurred past the window as she replayed the entire night in her head. “What was he doing there?” she said to herself. It was far from how she expected the night to play out.

“Thank you.” She said to the driver as she stepped out of the car and headed towards Ella's door.

Ella opened the door in a silk robe and a smudged mascara like she was wiping off her makeup. “You’re back early. What happened?”

Olivia stepped inside, kicked her shoes off and sank into the chair. “I saw Alex.”

Ella's mouth parted. “Your useless boyfriend? What was he doing there? Was he catering?”

“Worse.”

Ella sat beside her, legs crossed. “What did he do?”

“Ella, he was there for the party.” Olivia finally turned to face her. “He was invited. Champagne in hand. Chatting with people. A suit that looks expensive.”

Ella blinked. “Are you sure it was Alex? As in, ‘can I borrow your credit card’ Alex. " ‘I'm still looking for a job’, ‘I'll pay rent next month’, Alex?”

“I was three feet away from him. He called me ‘Liv’.” The moment the words left her mouth, tears came rolling down her eyes. The man she had been with for three years has been lying to her for three years. “I'm so disappointed in myself for falling for that son of a bitch.” She leaned on the couch burying her face in her hands, shoulders trembling. “I deserve better.” She yelled.

Ella moved closer to hug her. “You deserve more than better. He's not worth your tears.”

Olivia melted into her embrace as more tears fell freely. “How could I be so dumb and stupid?” She choked out.

Ella pulled back just enough to look Olivia in the eye. “You weren't stupid or dumb. You just refused to listen to me.” She smiled, trying to lighten the mood.

“True.” Olivia let out a small laugh.

“Now, stop being a bitter bitch and let's work on bagging Mr. Investor.” Ella said, brushing a tear from her cheek with her thumb.

Olivia blinked. “Theo?”

Ella raised her brows. “Yes, who else would I be talking about?”

Olivia rolled her eyes but her lips widened slightly. “I still need answers.”

“You can get those from him too.” Ella grinned. “Look, all I'm saying is, don't let this heartbreak make you miss your blessing.”

“My blessing?” Olivia chuckled.

“No. Our blessing.” They both burst out laughing.

“Thanks for always having my back.” Olivia said softly.

“That’s why you have me.” Ella smirked, nudging her playfully.

Olivia yawned and stretched her arms overhead. “I'm exhausted.”

“Come on, let's go to bed.” Ella said as she stood up from the couch, pulling Olivia along with her.

––

The next morning.

Olivia left for work earlier than usual. The event from last night kept replaying in her mind. Though Ella had helped push the thought away yesterday, she couldn't help but wonder why? Why did he have to lie and make her suffer?

She walked into her office. It was quiet as usual. She sat behind her desk, legs crossed, arms resting on her chair and a mug of coffee on her table.

She went through her emails, there wasn't any recent. Went through all the files on her table and inside her drawer, none needed work. Then, she took her sketchbook and started sketching out new designs. Anything to keep her from going crazy.

Her phone buzzed against her desk, lighting up with a name she didn't expect to see.

Theo

She picked up. “Hello?”

“Good morning, love.” He said casually. “I'm getting coffee, we have things to discuss and yes, it is business related.”

She rubbed her temple. “This better be important.”

“It is.”

Though Olivia is skeptical about going, she still needs answers and maybe he might be able to provide them.

“Fine,” she sighed. “I'll be down in five.”

The call ended.

––

Olivia walked into the coffee shop across her office, her eyes scanned the whole shop till it met with a familiar green eyes.

“Before you say anything, I have matters to discuss with you as well.” She said as she approached him and sat on the chair in front of him.

“Go ahead.”

She tilted her head slightly, trying to sound as casual as possible. “So, your friend Alex…how do you guys know each other?”

Theo glanced up. “We were friends in elementary school. Why?”

She shrugged. “Just curious. He didn’t strike me as the rich type.”

Theo chuckled. “Me and him, we're basically the same.”

Olivia blinked. “Really?”

“Yeah. Why do you look surprised?” Theo leaned forward. “I thought you guys knew each other.”

“Not enough, apparently.” She said quietly. “We were together for three years,” she said sharply, then caught herself and looked away.

“Ohhh, he's the one you were talking about”

She nodded in approval.

Theo leaned back, his tone softening. “Damn.”

Silence fell between them. Olivia's mind was spinning. Why did Alex lie to her? Was it a test? But for three years? Just why?

Theo broke the silence. “For what it's worth, I didn't really know much about him. We used to be close but we started drifting apart when he moved in with Taylor, his foster mum.”

Her head snapped up.

“Taylor?”

“Yeah. Taylor Walker. Took him in when he was like twelve.”

Olivia's voice dropped to a whisper. “Taylor Walker?”

Theo nodded.

Her throat tightened. “That’s…my mum.”

Theo's eyes widened. “Wait, what?”