Chapter 8

The Woman Who Resembled Olivia

"Ah… that woman died because she was hit by a car. Her body was thrown far though she was fat." David woke from his sleep, forever dreaming of Olivia.

"Why does that woman always disturb my sleep? Six years have passed—why must she keep returning? I still often visit her grave, and it was her fault, for she made me raise another man’s child, yet she died as though becoming a ghost in my dreams."

Because David had shouted in his dream, Bella, who lay sleeping beside him, awoke as well. At once she took a glass of water from the small table beside the bed.

"Did you dream of Olivia again? Six years, David—does she always appear in your dreams?" asked Bella.

"Yes, I know. It feels as if I can hardly sleep in peace each day. I ought to see a psychiatrist. These dreams grow worse and worse, though I have already been examined by several doctors, still it is like this," David replied, his face fearful, as though Olivia chased him in his dreams.

"Yes, I shall go with you. David, might it be that Olivia truly died and her soul became a restless spirit? Might she have turned into a ghost because she was angry with us? She could not accept being accused of infidelity, nor that you struck her then?"

"Impossible, there are no ghosts in this world. The dead are simply dead. Why do you speak such nonsense? I only dream because she used to be here. A wife such as she could never trouble us—she was the sinner, for she made me raise the child of another man," David answered.

Bella said nothing, but muttered within her heart.

*‘You do not know that I too once saw her at the airport six years ago after her death. But when I checked the CCTV at the convenience shop within the airport, nothing was found. Was I mistaken then? I have already studied Olivia’s background: she was but an orphan, without family, and thus when she died, no one searched for the truth. I am safe.’*

There was a secret that made Bella afraid—that if perhaps Olivia’s ghost came, her deeds would surely be revealed to David.

*‘David, you must remain ignorant. You shall never know of my deeds in the past. I shall choose you wholly, for the only one worthy to replace my sister, whom you once loved, is I—not any other woman.’*

David and Bella were preoccupied with their own matters.

The sun was already high in the blue sky. Olivia and Oscar were still upon the plane bound for Indonesia. This was Olivia’s first return to her homeland after David’s betrayal.

*‘David, it has been six years. I was declared dead six years ago. Have you forgotten me? I helped you and was a good wife to you, yet you were cruel. Now I have returned—beautiful and successful. How will you react when you see me? When you see your wife, declared dead, yet alive before you?’*

Olivia longed to know David’s response, and surely it would shock him. Her smile broadened, for she would stand confident in her new appearance and fear no more ridicule.

Time passed swiftly, and now Olivia, Oscar, and also Daniel had arrived at Bali International Airport. They were returning home to the island of beauty, with so many beaches there.

"At last I am home again. Oscar, who shall fetch us?" asked Olivia.

"There will be a driver. But we must wait, for I have only just contacted him," answered Oscar.

"I shall walk around this airport with my son. You remain here. I only wish to stroll and to buy food here, and to introduce it to my son," said the beautiful woman, smiling.

"Yes, I shall wait for you here."

"Darling child, come with Mummy. Mummy shall buy you the traditional treats of Mummy’s hometown."

"What are they, Mummy? I love every snack and every food," replied Daniel.

"Mummy shall buy Ayam Betutu and Sate Lilit at a small restaurant near the airport. Come quickly with Mummy! Mummy is already so very hungry." Olivia seized Daniel’s hand and led him to the small restaurant near the airport.

There they found several small restaurants open. Olivia ordered both dishes there and ate them at once. Daniel greatly enjoyed the two Balinese specialities.

"This Sate Lilit and Ayam Betutu are so delicious. The seasoning is very different from the grilled chicken in New York, Mummy," he exclaimed.

"Of course, for you have lived in New York since the age of five. We have finished eating—come quickly back. Little Papa will be searching for us."

They left the place as soon as they had finished eating. Then Olivia went to the airport lavatory, wishing to wash her face. She told Daniel to wait in front of the ladies’ room.

As she was about to enter, she saw Bella coming out.

"Why is Bella here? What is she doing here? This is bad—I must not be recognised. She knows my true face before I grew fat. I must leave at once." Olivia quickly put on her dark glasses.

Olivia walked so swiftly, passing Bella by. Daniel, fortunately, wore a mask and dark glasses as well, so he was not recognised—though his face resembled David’s very closely.

"What is it, Mummy? Why do you pull my hand?"

"That wicked woman is here. Come, we must go—she must not see us."

"The wicked aunt who once pinched and slapped me when I was at Daddy’s house?"

"Come quickly! Yes—that aunt."

As they walked towards where Oscar waited, Olivia accidentally bumped into a handsome man. He turned and saw Olivia stumble. At that moment, Olivia’s dark glasses fell, and her face was clearly revealed.

"You… you are the woman who looks like Olivia—or are you she?"

Olivia was silent, yet at once she realised that the man was…

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