Chapter 2

Olivia POV

“How dare you!” I said, slapping Ryan across the face.

 “Olivia, I can explain,” Ryan said.

“She already heard what we said. We might as well come clean,” Maya said as she covered herself with the sheets.

“Did you ever love me?”

Ryan stared at the floor, avoiding my gaze.

“Answer me Ryan! Did you love me?”

“No!”

“Then why did you deceive me?” I fell to the ground as I broke down in tears. 

I turned to look at Maya who was still on the bed. “We’ve been best friends since we were six. Why did you do this to me?”

“Enough with the drama, Olivia. I’ve always hated you since we were little. You had everything I wanted and you always found a way to rub it in my face,” Maya said as she stood from the bed and walked toward me.

“What did I have, Maya? Last time I checked, your parents are still alive, your mom isn’t dying and you never struggled. So what reason did you have?”

“You had scholarships, recognition, a thriving career and a boyfriend who took care of you. I was compared to you my whole life and I hated it. I hated you!”

I got up and lunged at Maya, but before I could reach her, Ryan stepped between us and shoved me, hard enough that I fell. I winced looking up at both of them.

“I did everything for you, Ryan. I got you a job and this apartment. Is this how you repay me?”

“Oh shut up, Olivia. I only used you to get what I wanted. Now that you are nothing to me, I want you to get out!”

“You won’t get away with this!” With that, I stood up, picked up the cardboard box containing my things and left the apartment without looking back.

With shaky hands, I unlocked my apartment door and slid down the door once I got in. I couldn’t stop the tears from falling.

My phone's notification sound went off. With tears in my eyes, I unlocked the phone. It was a text message from my little sister.

EMMA: Happy Birthday to the best big sister ever! I know you're probably buried in work, but I hope Ryan spoils you today. Love you! 

Another message appeared beneath it.

MOM: Happy birthday, sweetheart. Your father would have been so proud of the woman you've become. We love you more than words can say.

These brought fresh tears to my eyes as I held the phone to my chest. “I still have them… I can’t lose hope.” I whispered through broken sobs.

With the little strength I had left, I stripped off my work clothes and ran a bath.

The moment I sank into the water, my body relaxed.

I hadn’t realized I’d slept off until my phone rang out, jolting me awake. I picked up the phone from the floor and looked at my screen.

It was Anaya, my friend from college.

“Happy birthday, girlfriend!” She squealed.

“Thanks.”

“What’s going on, Liv? You sound different.”

“It’s nothing. I’m just tired.”

“Well, I’m standing outside your door. Open up.”

“What?” 

“Girl, open up. I’m tired of standing.”

“I’m on my way. Give me a second.” I left the bathtub, cleaned up, threw on an oversized T-shirt and made my way to the door.

“Surprise!” Anaya squealed, holding a box of cake and a huge pink teddy bear.

Anaya stood in the doorway in a fitted red dress that hugged her curves perfectly. Her long black hair was pulled into a sleek ponytail, and the gold hoops dangling from her ears caught the hallway light whenever she moved.

“Thank you,” I said forcing a smile.

I took the cake and teddy bear from her and set them on the sofa.

“Hey, look at me Olivia,” she demanded.

I turned to meet her gaze.

“Why are your eyes swollen? Were you crying?”

“I lost my job, Anaya.”

She gasped. “Oh my goodness. How?”

“Ryan and Maya set me up. They embezzled company funds using my bank account. And because I am the Head of the Finance Department, they fired me without letting me prove my innocence.”

“The actual fuck!” She picked a bottle of wine from the dining area and walked toward the door. “I’m going to break that bastard’s head today.”

“Anaya, calm down. This won’t solve anything.”

“He’s a bastard and I always had a bad feeling about that snake Maya.”

“It’s okay Anaya, I don’t want to have anything to do with them.”

“Don’t tell me you sat here crying already accepting defeat. You know what? Get dressed.”

“Where are we going? It’s already past seven.”

“I am taking you to the club. You're not going to spend your birthday crying over two people who don't deserve your tears.”

“Anaya, I don’t feel like celebrating.”

She held me by the shoulders. “Olivia, if you want to get back at them, you need to stay strong and this is the first step.”

I sighed in defeat. “Fine.”

I dug through my wardrobe until I found a black leather dress I’d never worn. It still had a tag attached to it.

“Nice choice. Now let’s pair it with these boots and this fur coat,” Anaya said, handing them over to me.

I quickly changed while Anaya did my hair and makeup. With the way I looked, no one would even guess that I had just survived the worst experience.

“Let’s go, babe.”

I locked my apartment door and walked straight to the parking lot where Anaya’s car was parked.

The car ride was loud with Megan Thee stallion songs blasting through the speakers.

I gasped the moment Anaya pulled up at Vault.

Vault wasn't the kind of club you simply walked into. You either had a membership, knew someone who did or had a name powerful enough to get you through the door.

“What are we doing here, Anaya?”

“Consider it a birthday gift.”

She hooked her arm through mine and walked us straight past the security guards.

“How did you do that?” I whispered.

Anaya grinned. “I know the owner.”

The moment I stepped inside Volt, I was struck by how elegant the place was. The dim golden lighting reflected off the polished black marble floors, while sleek black walls and plush velvet booths gave the club a sophisticated, luxurious atmosphere. A long bar stretched across one side of the room, its shelves lined with expensive bottles illuminated by soft amber lights.

“Anaya, this place is breathtaking.”

“I know right? Let’s order something at the bar.”

We walked over to the bar and took a seat on the bar stool. I admired the place while Anaya ordered our drinks.

After having two glasses of what tasted like vodka, my head was already spinning.

“Girl, you can’t even handle two glasses?”

“Anaya, I just want to forget everything. Let me drink in peace.”

Suddenly, a man hugged her from behind. She turned and smiled at him. “Hey, babe.”

He was tall and broad-shouldered and dressed in a fitted black shirt. His blond hair was neatly combed back, revealing sharp features and striking blue eyes. A luxury watch sat around his wrist that probably cost more than my monthly rent.

They kissed briefly before she pulled back. “Luke, this is Olivia. Olivia, this is Luke, my boyfriend.”

He reached out for a handshake and I took his hand. “Nice to meet you.”

He turned to the bartender. “Give them anything they want.”

“Yes, boss,” the bartender replied.

My eyebrows shot up.

Boss? As in the owner of Vault?

Anaya whispered something to him before he left.

“You didn’t tell me that you were dating the owner of the biggest club in the city.”

She smiled sheepishly. “Surprise?”

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

“Well, I didn’t have the time to tell you. It just happened.” She continued. “Can you wait here? I want to talk to him in private.”

“Sure.”

Once she left, I kept ordering drinks, trying to drown in my misery.

Then, I felt a presence beside me. I turned to see who it was and I was left speechless.