Chapter 5

Olivia POV

“Why are my things outside?” I asked, pointing at the boxes scattered across the pavement.

He sighed. “Olivia, I was going to call you.”

“Call me about what?”

“You've been evicted.”

My mouth fell open. “What?”

“I'm sorry.”

“No, you're not.” I stepped closer to him. “You can't just throw my things outside and tell me I'm evicted. What the hell is going on?”

“I've received several complaints about you.”

“What complaints?”

He hesitated. “Several tenants claim they've seen different men coming in and out of your apartment.”

I blinked. “What?”

I looked toward the building. “Who complained?”

“I'm not going to give you their names.”

“Then at least tell me what exactly they're accusing me of doing because I did not bring anyone to my apartment.”

His expression changed. “One of the tenants claims that one of the men visiting your apartment assaulted him.”

My mind immediately went to Ryan.

“Olivia, I can't have this kind of activity happening in my building.” 

“Those complaints are fake.”

“Can you prove that?”

I opened my mouth but once again, I couldn’t prove my innocence.

My landlord shook his head. “Please, pick up your things and leave.”

I grabbed his arm. “My mother is sick. I just lost my job. I have nowhere to go.”

“I'm sorry, Olivia.”

Then he walked away.

I stood there, staring at him. My chest felt like it was on fire.

I looked at my belongings scattered across the pavement. Ryan had done this.

Without thinking, I stormed down the hallway and pounded on Ryan's door.

“Ryan! Open the damn door!”

The door suddenly swung open and Maya stood there half-naked. Her hair was messy and she quickly pulled a robe around herself.

Then she smiled. “Olivia.”

I pushed past her. “Where is he?”

Ryan appeared from the bedroom. The moment he saw me, his expression hardened.

“What are you doing here?”

I laughed bitterly. “You know exactly why I'm here.”

“You finally got kicked out of your apartment. Well, it’s about time,” he said grinning from ear to ear.

“You two destroyed my life!” I pointed at both of them. “I swear to God, I'll make you pay for everything you've done to me.”

Maya and Ryan burst into laughter.

I stared at them. “You think this is funny?”

Ryan stepped closer. “You're standing here threatening us when you have nothing.”

I felt tears burning my eyes. “You're going to regret this.”

Maya smiled. “I'll hold my breath.”

I turned around and walked out without giving them the satisfaction of seeing me cry. The moment the door slammed behind me, my tears fell. I went back outside and looked at everything I owned.

I booked a ride because I couldn’t spend the night on the pavement.

When the driver arrived, he immediately got out to help me load my belongings.

“Do you need help with these?”

“Yes, please.”

He picked up one of the heavier boxes. “Where are we heading?”

“A motel.”

He glanced at me through the rearview mirror after I climbed inside. “Are you moving?”

“Something like that.”

He didn't ask anything else and I was grateful.

When we arrived at the motel, I paid for three nights because that was all I could afford at the moment.

After the driver helped me carry my belongings into the room, I sat on the edge of the bed, thinking of what to do next. I knew I needed a job, so I opened my laptop.

I scrolled through several job listings until I came across the nanny position.

“A nanny?”

The job was beneath my qualifications, but I had no other option.

"Swallow your pride, Olivia."

I sighed, then clicked on it. I filled out the application, then hesitated over the submit button. The thoughts of Mom and Emma made me click the submit button.

I closed my laptop.

I lay on my bed until my eyes slowly closed.

...

I woke up to the sound of my alarm going off. I picked up the phone and checked the time. It was seven minutes past eight.

I sat upright. “No.”

The interview for the nanny position was scheduled for eight. “Shit!”

I jumped out of bed. I rushed into the bathroom, took my bath and quickly brushed my teeth before pulling on the first nice outfit I could find. I tied my hair in a messy bun because I had no time to style it. 

I grabbed my bag and ran out of the motel.

The taxi ride felt like it lasted forever and the traffic was bad. I kept checking the time and it was already eight-fifty.

“Please, go faster,” I said in panic.

The driver glanced at me through the mirror. “Miss, we’re already at the address you gave me.”

I looked out the window and then I saw the building. “Wait, are you sure we’re at the right place?”

“Yes, Miss.”

The taxi pulled toward a massive glass skyscraper that towered over the surrounding buildings.

I stared at the name displayed across the front. “CALLAHAN GROUP.”

Why was a nanny interview happening here?

The Callahan Group was the largest company in the city. It controlled multiple businesses across different industries, from finance and technology to real estate and sports.

And its sports division was one of the most successful in the country. The company owned an elite hockey academy that trained aspiring players from middle school through college.

It was owned by Roman Callahan, the thirty-two-year-old hockey superstar. The best hockey player in the state. I don’t really watch hockey, but I’d heard his name countless times. I never imagined I’d step inside his company.

I quickly paid the driver and rushed inside.

I approached the reception desk. “I'm here for a job interview.”

The receptionist smiled politely. “Name?”

“Olivia Carter.”

As she typed my name into the computer, I saw her expression change. 

“I'm sorry,” she said.

My stomach dropped. “Why do you say that?”

“Your interview was scheduled for eight o'clock.”

“I know and I apologize for being late.”

“I'm afraid the interviewer has already disqualified you.”

“Can I still speak with them?”

“I'm afraid not.”

“Please.”

She shook her head. “The interview process has already ended.”

“How is that possible?”

“Only four persons showed up.”

I had finally found a job opportunity and I had ruined it. 

Was I cursed as a kid or was this sheer bad luck?

I turned around to leave. I had barely taken two steps when I heard footsteps behind me.

A little boy was running through the lobby. He looked about six or seven.

"Hey!" I said, trying to stop him as he ran past me, but he didn't stop.

"Slow down!"

The boy ran straight toward the entrance.

My eyes widened because he was running toward a busy road.

"Wait!"

He pushed through the doors and kept running.

Without thinking, I dropped my bag and sprinted after him.

"Stop!" I said, running after him.

He finally slowed down and I grabbed him, holding on to his arm before he could take another step. As I pulled him closer to me, I heard a horn and when I looked up, there was a massive truck speeding toward us.

I froze in place.