CHAPTER FIVE.

*ASTRAPHOBIA*

Olivia woke up to the sound of thunder and to say she was scared was an understatement, she was so frightened. She’s Astraphobic but it wasn’t usually a problem since she shares the bed with her grandmother and always felt safe with her.

She fell off the bed at the sound of another thunder and shifted to the corner of the room crouching into a ball. Something was moving outside her window as she could see the shadow which only scared her the more, she bolted out of the room mumbling comforting words continuously to herself.

Her legs were shaking as she ran through the hallway and down the stairs into the living room. Her fear only increased when she saw figures walking around in the dark and they seem to still at her presence. She reached for the switch hastily and turn on the lights. There were about five men in black surrounding a wounded man who was on the floor, that was when she noticed who the man was facing.

Mason was sat on the couch in front of the wounded man with one hand holding a phone, he was showing the injured man something on the phone which made the man plead profusely and Mason just eyed him boringly. Derek was standing behind the couch he was seated on while Ace was nowhere to be found. The sudden intrusion of light had diverted all their attention towards her.

“Fucking hell!” Mason exclaimed as he stalked towards her while she walked backwards a bit. “The fuck you doing here?” He asked.

“Can’t sleep.” She answered shakily.

“Shouldn’t have come here.” He spat. “Up you go.” He commanded.

Olivia didn’t like the tone he was using with her or the way he ordered her like a kid but right now, that’s the least of her worries. She looked towards the stairs but couldn’t summon the courage to go back into her room.

“Please, I want to see Ace.” She begged.

“Not available.” He answered briefly before grabbing her arm roughly and dragging her up the stairs and towards her room. How he knew which room was hers, she didn’t know.

She tried snatching her arm but he was stronger. He got into her room, released her and turned back to leave but she tugged on his shirt looking towards her window.

“What?” He barked.

“Something’s moving outside my window.” She told him.

He scoffed, went towards her window while she followed him. He lifted the curtains and Olivia saw the tree branch that had grown a bit close to her window moving due to the wind.

“See?” He said before dropping the curtains and moving to go while she just followed him.

“Another problem?” He sighed heavily.

“I’m astraphobic.” She confessed to him and he looked at her for a while before moving to sit on the only couch in the room and made himself comfortable.

“Go sleep, I’ll stay here.” He said taking out his phone.

“The shit I do for Ace.” Olivia heard him mumble as he tapped on his phone.

“I’m sorry.” Olivia said as she got into bed. She glanced at the clock and the time was 2:18AM, it was still raining heavily but she was not as afraid as she was anymore.

“Just go to sleep.” He said as he presses his phone. Olivia just stared at him till she felt her eyes closed and slept off feeling safe.

*** *** ***

A knock on Olivia’s door woke her up from her dreamless sleep. She opened her eyes and sat upright when the knock sounded again. She was too tired to stand up and go to the mirror to check her appearance so she just told the person to come in and the door opened to reveal her Dad, he was all dressed up. She looked at the clock and it was 10:06AM, oh no! now they will think she’s some lazy girl.

“I’m so sorry, I woke up late.” She quickly apologized.

“It’s Saturday, you are free to sleep as you want. Just wanted to check in on you, Derek’s not busy today so whenever you are ready, tell him so he can give you a tour of the house. I gotta go, see you when I come back.” He said and kissed her forehead.

Where was he going on dressed up on a Saturday? That was added to the many questions Olivia had no answers to. She bade him goodbye before he left and she immediately got out of bed to start her day, all signs of tiredness erased.

She took her bath, brushed her teeth after drying and styling her hair, then wore a straight purple gown. She got out of her room and walked downstairs greeting the few workers she saw on her way and they answered her back with a smile. Her day was already going good, she loves it when people reciprocate her smile.

She spotted Derek watching TV in the living room and went to him.

“Good morning, Derek. Sorry I woke up late.”

“Good morning. I woke up five minutes ago, just brushed my teeth and came down here.” He said with a shrug and Olivia believed he was not lying because he did look like someone who just woke up.

“You ready ?”

“Yeah.” She answered him.

He stood up and Olivia followed him. He showed her the kitchen first which is closest to the living room and further proceeded to show her all other areas such as the Banquet hall, guest rooms, Maid quarters, bodyguard quarters, the swimming pool, Gym room, game room, general library which was Olivia’s favorite so far, and all other areas.

After they were done with the first floor, he took her upstairs and started showing her the rooms there and who uses it, the guest rooms and finally, her dad’s office. She got to know where Derek and Mason’s room were. Derek had told her that he and Mason rarely stayed over but when they do, they used their rooms. Ace’s room was right beside hers which was surprising considering she hasn’t seen him come out of there since she got here. But then again, she only went out of her room twice since she arrived at the house.

Michelle’s was next to Ace’s. Next to Mitchell’s was Michael’s which was followed by Ruby’s.

Derek started walking towards the path which led to the metal door Olivia went to last night.

“Dad said I’m not allowed in this part.” She quickly spoke up.

“I’m aware, just wanna show you something.” He continued walking and stopped when they got to the hallway which lead to the dead end, then he pointed at something on the left side of the wall.

She followed his finger and that’s when She saw it, there was a sign which read ‘The West Wing’ with an arrow pointed towards the metal door and under it, it read ‘Off-limits’.

“I didn’t see it.” She confessed.

“I figured but don’t worry, it’s the only ‘off limits’ area in the entire house besides the bodyguard’s quarters which I believe you won’t have to go to.” He concluded.

“And that’s the end of our tour.” He exhaled heavily.

“Thank you.”

“You are welcome. Wanna hang out?” He asked as they were walking back.

“Where?”

“I’m going to see my little sister, you can tag along.” He proposed.

Although, her brain was telling her not to go since she’s not the type who likes stepping out of the comfort of her home, she still said yes. He told her he has to clean up and that she should meet him downstairs in ten minutes.

She entered her room, shifted her curtains to the side and just stood there watching the view outside.

It isn’t much, maids walking here and there, bodyguards rooted in a spot, a man walking two dogs which she immediately prayed to not ever encounter due to the way the dogs looked as if they engage in body-building exercises.

If she ever has the opportunity of keeping a pet, She would choose a rabbit. True to his words, when Olivia got downstairs after ten minutes, Derek was already there waiting for her. They got out together and he led her to a motorbike.

Olivia’s eyes twinkled at the sight. She had seen it many times but had never gotten on one. She was excited as she imagined what it would be like once she was on it.

But just like a switch, her mind remembered a scene she had seen the last movie she watched. How a guy’s bike had gotten out of control and the guy was sprung off of it as he rolled on the hard ground which scraped off part of his exposed flesh. Olivia’s skin developed goosebumps as she thought about it.

“Afraid?” Derek asked.

“Nope, I’ve just never gotten on one before.” She explained to him.

He took out the helmet and was about to put it on her head when Olivia halted him.

“I’m sorry, I will be back.” She said quickly and ran inside the house heading straight for her room.