CHAPTER 5.

Olivia turned over in bed for the third time, sleep wasn't happening.

Theo was next to her, lying on his back, pretending to sleep.

Her phone lit up on the nightstand again.

Alex.

She sighed and turned her face down.

“What is he saying?” Theo asked, his voice low.

She turned to face him. “I haven't opened it yet.”

“Why not?” His voice barely whispers.

Olivia blinked slowly, her throat tightened. “Because I don't want to talk to him or have anything to do with him.” Her voice cracked as she bit her bottom lip to stop it from trembling.

She was trying her best to hold back her tears. But, the minute Theo reached out for her and pulled her into a hug, it became impossible. A small tear rolled down her cheek, then another. Theo used his thumb to clean her face and held her tighter.

“It's okay.” He whispered.

And for the first time that night, she believed it.

––

When she opened her eyes the next morning, the first thing she saw was Theo, still sleeping.

His arm was wrapped around her waist, her face on his shoulder. For a few minutes, she just lay there, enjoying the quiet and calmness while watching him.

Then he stirred.

“You're staring.” He said, eyes still closed.

“I'm not.”

He opened his eyes. “It's okay, you can't resist me, I know.”

“You wish.” She muttered, brushing her hair back with her fingers.

Olivia's phone buzzed again.

Theo sighed. “He has probably left you a hundred messages, at least read them.”

She shook her head and sat up, rubbing her eyes. “I have to get ready for work.”

He rolled onto his back, arm behind his head.“I think I should start charging you for emotional support, human pillow, I'm running a full service.”

“You’ll pay for making me share my bed too.”

“Okay.”

She blinked. “Okay?”

“Yeah. Do you like Italian?”

She furrowed her brows. “What?”

“I'm taking you out tonight.”

She stared at him in disbelief. “You're joking.”

“I'm not.”

She hesitated. “Oh wow! Ummm….sure.”

“I'll pick you up at seven.”

“Okay.” She said with a small smile tugging at her lips.

––

By the time she finished taking her bath, Theo was gone and he left a note on her lamp stand

See you tonight.

She stared at it longer than necessary, smiling. Her morning routine moved slower than usual. She couldn't stop replaying the events of things from last night.

And the worst part?

She likes it. She enjoys the attention. It's almost as if Alex doesn't exist anymore.

She finished dressing in her usual, black pants trousers, a blue blouse and black heels.

Grabbing her keys, she made her way to the front steps and into her car. She dropped her bags on the passenger's seat, took out her phone and dialled Ella's number.

It rang twice.

“Look who decided to return my call.”

“I'm sorry,” Olivia said, pulling out of the driveway. “I wasn't just in the mood to talk to anyone last night.”

Ella's voice softened a little. “Because of Alex?”

“Yeah,” she exhaled.

“Sorry.”

Olivia paused. “Theo came to my house last night.”

“What?!” Ella's voice jumped. “Theo showed up at your house?”

“Yeah. He stayed the night and then he invited me to dinner. Tonight.”

“He stayed the night?” Ella squealed.

“We shared the bed.” She said casually.

“Oh my fucking days!” Ella was grinning through the phone.

“I know right.”

“So did you enjoy it?”

“Yeah, I did.” A smile tugged at Olivia's lips.

“So, what are we wearing for dinner tonight?”

“I have no idea.”

The conversation kept going till Olivia arrived in the parking lot of the office's building.

“Babe, I just arrived at work. I'll call you later.”

She ended the call.

The smile on her face from her call with Ella lingered on her face till she walked into the building and saw him standing next to her office.

The smile vanished.

Alex.

Her stomach clenched.

He looked up the minute he saw her. “Hey.”

Olivia used everything in her power to stop herself from breaking down because she couldn't stand him.

“What are you doing here?” She asked, flat.

“I came to talk to you.”

“There's no need for that.” She kept walking.

He stepped in front of her before she could reach the door. “Please, just five minutes.”

She hesitated. “Okay.”

He stepped aside, clearing the path for her as she pushed the door open and walked in without waiting for him. She dropped her bag on her desk, crossing both legs and arms and leaning on her desk.

“Well?” She said,

“You look beautiful.”

She blinked. “You think this is a joke?”

“No. I'm sorry.” He cleared his throat. “I just….I didn't come here to fight. I've been thinking about everything from the party the other day and.…..I messed up.”

She let out a bitter laugh, rolling her eyes. “Understatement.”

“I know. I'm not here to justify anything.” He stepped forward. “Just tell me what to do so that I can fix this. Us. I miss you, Liv.”

She tilted her head. “Okay then. Let's start with why? Why did you lie?”

“I didn't.” He replied fast.

She scoffed. “Okay. Get out of my office.”

“Wait,” he sighed. “I only pretended to see if you love, it was a test, I didn't mean to hurt you. I swear.”

Her eyes flared up in anger. “A test? The test isn't for three years. You have no excuse. Please leave.”

“Please,” he moved closer. “Liv, you have no idea of how much I cherish those three years I spent with you. I love you, Liv. And I promise you, no more secrets.”

Her gaze hardened. “No more secrets?”

“Yeah.”

“So, you have nothing else to tell me?”

He shook his head. “No. Except that I'm sorry.”

She paused. “Wow.”

“What?”

“So you just looked me in the face and lied to me. Again.”

“Liv–”

“When were you going to tell me that we share a mom?” She snapped.

Alex froze.

“You—” All the tears she had been holding in finally let loose.

Alex tried to comfort her but she screamed. “Stay away from me.”

“Liv, I—”

She cut him off. “I don't want to hear anything from you anymore. Please, just leave.”

“Liv–”

“Get out!”

“Liv, she is not your mother!”

“What?” She whispered, barely able to breathe.

Alex swallowed. “She's not your real mom.”