Chapter 2: Past Aggrement

Mr and Mrs Garcia arrived at the location and stopped at the entrance of the grand Auditorium. The attendant opened the door for them and they stepped on a red carpet coming out of the car. 

The cameras of the press present started flashing as they walked towards the auditorium. Mrs Garcia couldn't help but smile ear to ear as the camera lights flashed and the press tried to speak with her which she happily ignored feeling just like a celebrity.

This is the kind of life she wants. Being the centre of media attention. Her husband is an average rich man but does not have enough money to give her the kind of power and attention she seeks. When she walks around town, she looks like an ordinary rich person due to the expensive clothes she wears. 

The auditorium was well-decorated with crystal chandeliers lining up the auditorium roof. There was a huge stage at the front and multiple round tables with flowers nicely arranged in the room. On each table, there was a number which corresponds with the number on the invitations tickets given out. 

 "Table, 45, really?" complained Mrs Garcia feeling displeased with where they will be sitting

"You couldn't get a number that will bring us closer to the front, but table 45," she complained 

"Sweetheart, these tickets are only given to the rich and famous. We being here counts for something," Mr Garcia replied 

"If you want to do things, do them right," she said walking away towards table 45 leaving Mr Garcia watching her back. 

He followed her and sat down behind their table. Another couple joined their table. 

"Matthew?" someone called from Behind and Mr Garcia turned wondering who else in the room was called Matthew aside from him. 

"It is you, Matthew," came Mr Carter

"Mr Carter, when did you arrive in this country?" he said with a hug and a pat on the back. 

"A couple of days ago because of this programme," he replied patting his back. 

"Long time," Mr Garcia said and Mrs Garcia cleared her throat drawing her husband's attention that she was there.

"Say hello to my wife, Mrs Eva Garcia," he introduced

Mr Carter greeted her by planting a kiss on the back of her hand. Just then Mrs Carter walked in. 

"Ah, meet my lovely wife, Ivy Carter," he introduced wrapping his arms around his wife's shoulders as she greeted Mr and Mrs Garcia

"Nice to meet you all," Mrs Carter greeted with a smile and Mrs Garcia reciprocated the greetings. 

"Here is my card, let's meet somewhere for a chat," he said and headed for the stage with four bodyguards behind him.

"You are friends with Mr Carter?" Mrs Garcia asked knowing exactly who Mr Carter is. 

A well-known billionaire with power and influence. Rumour has it that he has a very handsome son and might be looking for a suitor for his son soon. 

"He is an old-school friend. We never met again after college," he replied 

"Well, you have met him now and you have his card," she said and Mr Garcia already knew what she meant as he watched her grab a glass of wine from the waiter who just walked past her holding a tray of wine. 

"Thank you all for making it to this year's Billionaire's Meet. As you are well aware, we are here to relax and have fun. Let me kick start this evening with a song from the beautiful Ana," the voice of the MC travelled across the hall drawing everyone's attention to the front 

In a few minutes, the voice of a beautiful lady filled the room with a melodious song. The program continued with an open floor for dances as music played in the background. Others seize the opportunity to build a new business partnership and that is how the evening went till it was over. 

"I hope you will be calling Mr Carter tomorrow. He is extremely rich and powerful," Mrs Garcia reminded on the way home.

"How did you know?" Mr Gacia asked 

"I googled him and there is more than the news announced," she said showing him her phone 

"He is the key to expanding the family business and a better life," she added 

"I make six figures monthly. The business is doing very well and we have two branches opened in other locations. That is why Jonathan here is. You lack nothing and you have a beautiful apartment. What more do you want?" Mr Garcia asked 

"If you can go higher you don't settle," she said and the car drove into the compound. 

Mr Garcia watched her walk toward the entrance and wondered if she is ever satisfied. He blamed himself for her newfound attitude. If he had not cheated on her, she wouldn't have fallen ill and would probably still be working. 

He followed her into the house and the lights went off in the house for the next day but while everyone slept, Olivia was cleaning the kitchen and mopping the entire house. Aside from Mr Garcia and Mrs Garcia, no one knows including herself, Jonathan and Camila are her half-siblings.  

To Olivia, she is an orphan brought into the house by Mr and Mrs Garcia. She was not even aware of her adoption. She was working like a servant in the orphanage and she continues to work in this apartment as a servant. 

Her mother passed on the day she was born and Mr Garcia put her in an orphanage home because Mrs Garcia did not want to see her. Olivia is just a month younger than Camila but Olivia only knows that her mother passed on giving birth to her. She wishes life could be different like she sees it in telenovelas when she walks in to do something and the TV happens to be on but well this is what she got. 

When the orphanage was closed down due to suspicion of minor exploration, the caretaker brought Olivia back to Mr Garcia for them to adopt her. She was seventeen years by then. Mrs Garcia was not ready to let her stay in their home but eventually, she agreed on the condition that she takes a job as a servant. Mr Garcia did not have an option but to bring his daughter in as a servant. It was a relief for Mrs Garcia as they were in no position to employ the services of a servant. They didn't have to pay Olivia cash as they were paying her in kind and she liked that idea.

She has since been the servant to the family thinking she is an orphan. She is always at the mercy of Mrs Garcia and never understood why she doesn't like her. The rest of the family did not treat her as badly as Mrs Garcia treats her but never defends her either when Mrs Garcia decides to make her miserable. It was 3 am when she was done. She slept for a while setting an alarm for 5.30 am. Breakfast is expected to be ready by 7 am. 

The next day after breakfast, Mr Garcia called Mr Carter after persistent pressure from Mrs Garcia. 

"I would be meeting him later today," he announced to Mrs Garcia after the call was done

"Great, I would find something nice to wear," she said and smiled  and Mr Garcia just looked at her

Jonathan went to meet up with a friend in town and Camila went to visit her friend Isabella. Mr and Mrs Garcia also left the house with specific instructions to Olivia to go to the market. She was given some money to take the bus for that.

At Mr Carter's apartment, Mr and Mrs Garcia were received in the beautiful garden. Mrs Carter was also there and they spoke for a while before Mr Carter pulled Mr Garcia aside for an important discussion 

"You remember the promise we made to each other back in college?" Mr Carter began

"You took that seriously?" Mr Garcia said laughing 

"Ethan Carter is my only son and with my current situation, I can only trust my friend," he said 

"What situation?" Mr Garcia asked curiously 

"I would tell you all about it later but for now, I need you to honour your promise," he said 

"By this you want my daughter to marry your son?" Mr Garcia asked 

"Yes, Olivia to be specific," he said 

"Olivia?" he said knowing his wife would never agree to Olivia becoming the wife of a billionaire's son. 

"Why Olivia and not Camila?" he asked and Mr Carter looked at him not sure if now is the time to tell him or if he needed to wait a while.