Chapter 1

Olivia POV

The sound of something shattering behind me sent a wave of shock through my body.  But before I could see anything, a pair of hands covered my eyes.

A startled gasp escaped my lips as panic surged through me. 

“What the—”

“Relax.” A familiar voice spoke against my ear. 

My hands immediately flew to his wrists, trying to pry them away. “Hey! Let go! I have work to do.”

“Can’t you sit still for one minute?”

“Ryan, I swear, if this is another one of your pranks it won’t end well.”

“It's not. Just be patient.”

“Can you get this over with? I have an invoice to compile and submit before lunch.”

“You’re just impossible.”

“How much longer do I have to sit like this?”

“Olivia.”

“What?”

“Just sit still.”

I sighed and leaned back in my chair. “Fine.” 

I sat there for what felt like an hour before he lifted his hands slowly away from my eyes.

I blinked several times as the office lights flooded my vision.

My gaze drifted to my desk and what I saw, left me speechless. 

Right in the middle sat a beautifully decorated chocolate cake, with “Happy Birthday” written across it in white icing.  Pink and gold balloons floated around my cubicle, their ribbons tied neatly to the desk.

A bouquet of fresh white lilies rested beside the cake, filling the air with their delicate fragrance. Next to them sat an expensive-looking box of chocolates.

Then the realization hit me. I had forgotten my own birthday. “Oh my God. I totally forgot about my birthday.”

I placed a hand on my chest as I noticed the entire department had gathered around my workstation.

“Happy birthday, Olivia!” they said in unison.

“Thank you everyone,” I said as I tried to fight back the tears that were trying to fall.

Ryan took my hand and pulled me gently to my feet. “Happy birthday, my love,” he said softly.

I wrapped my arms around him without thinking as he hugged me back. The office immediately broke into applause and teasing whistles.

“Kiss her already!” Someone said from the crowd.

Ryan pulled back just enough to look at me. “I don't want to disappoint my audience.”

Before I could respond, he kissed me. It was brief, but it was enough to make me smile against his lips.

“I can't believe you did this,” I whispered.

“This is nothing compared to what I had planned for later.”

I narrowed my eyes. “There’s more?”

A mischievous smile spread across his face. “Yes and you’ll have to wait so you don’t ruin the surprise.”

My best friend Maya appeared beside us carrying paper plates. “He's been excited about it all week.”

“You knew?”

“Of course I knew. Someone had to stop him from buying enough balloons to violate fire safety regulations.”

“And you didn’t think to tell me?”

“Would it have been a surprise if I had told you?”

“No, but you could've given me a hint.”

“Can we cut the cake now, before accounting starts billing us for wasted time?” One of my colleagues who was carrying a plastic knife spoke.

“At least let her make a wish,” Ryan said as he lit the candle on the cake. 

I closed my eyes and wished for my mother’s health to improve because that was the only thing that would make me happy.

I opened my eyes and blew out the candle as the crowd gave another round of applause. 

As everyone rushed forward for the cake, Ryan leaned close enough that only I could hear him. “I love you Olivia.”

“I love you too,” I said grinning like an idiot.

***

By lunchtime, Maya and I made our way to the cafeteria. We served ourselves and found a seat near the large windows overlooking the city. The sunlight spilled across the polished tabletop as I took my first bite of grilled chicken.

We ate in silence until she finally spoke. “Is Ryan not having lunch with us today?” 

“I sent him a message earlier but he hasn’t replied.”

“That's weird,” she said.

I smiled. “He’s probably busy with work.”

“Or maybe he's preparing the mystery surprise.”

Maya's phone buzzed against the table. Her smile disappeared as she glanced down at the screen.

“Is there a problem?” I asked.

“It’s nothing. I need to use the restroom. I’ll meet you at the office,” she said as she stood from her chair.

She disappeared into the crowd, leaving me alone with my thoughts and a ridiculous amount of curiosity about what Ryan had planned.

I had just finished my drink when a colleague from Human Resources approached my table.

“Olivia, your presence is needed at Conference Room A immediately.”

“Why?”

“I’m not sure. I was only asked to call you.”

“Is this the surprise?” I thought to myself.

I thanked him before heading toward the elevator.

The moment I walked into the conference room, the hope I had vanished. The CEO, CFO, Head of HR, legal counsel and two internal auditors were already seated. 

“Please sit down, Ms. Carter,” the CEO said.

I sat slowly. “What's going on?”

The HR director slid a thick folder across the table. “An internal investigation has been conducted regarding fraudulent activities. The investigation found evidence that company funds were diverted into accounts connected to you.”

I stared at her in disbelief. “Connected to me?”

She opened the file and handed the documents over to me. “As seen in the documents, your credentials were used to authorize them.”

“I didn't do this. I am being framed.” My voice shook as I flipped through the pages. “I would never steal from this company.”

“Do you have any evidence to support your claim?” the CEO asked.

“No, but—”

“Since you started working at the company, we’ve made progress, which is why this is difficult,” the CEO said cutting me off.

Tears filled my eyes. “Don’t fire me over a misunderstanding. Please give me time to prove my innocence.” 

“Unfortunately, we cannot do that.” He paused before speaking again. “Effective immediately, your employment with Blackridge Technologies is terminated.”

“No. Please... you have to believe me.”

The HR director slid the termination papers toward me. “Corporate Security will accompany you while you collect your belongings.”

I don't remember leaving the conference room. I only remember standing over my desk with tears streaming down my face.

I packed my belongings with trembling hands. I picked up my phone and called Ryan. The call rang once and disconnected. I tried calling again but this time, it went straight to voicemail.

Then, I tried calling Maya. It also went straight to voicemail.

Why can’t I get through to them?

With my cardboard box in my arms, I left the building I'd walked into that morning as Head of Finance.

By the time I reached our apartment building, I felt numb. 

Ryan's apartment was next to mine and as I walked past it, I noticed his door was slightly open.

I became alert because Ryan never left his door open. Setting my box down, I picked up a heavy decorative umbrella stand from the hallway and pushed the door open quietly.

I heard laughter coming from the bedroom. Then I heard Maya's voice.

What was Maya doing here? 

I moved silently down the hallway and stopped beside the partially open bedroom door. What I saw rendered me speechless.

They were tangled under the sheets with little to no clothes. I placed my hand over my mouth, trying my best to stay silent.

“I still can't believe she never suspected anything,” Maya said between laughs.

Ryan chuckled. “Olivia trusted me. Too bad it had to end like this.”

My breath caught in my throat.

Maya laughed again. “What about the car?”

“Already paid for,” Ryan said. “Let's just say Olivia ended up funding my dream car without ever realizing it.”

“I can’t wait to go on a test ride with you,” Maya said as she leaned in for a kiss. 

Fresh tears streamed down my face. The umbrella stand slipped from my fingers as it hit the floor with a loud crash.

“What was that?” Ryan said as he rushed to the door.

His eyes landed on me and the color drained from his face.

“Olivia.”