Novels by Olivia Moriarty

Layla tanpa lelah memasuki mobil, berbisik, "Sial."Misi Layla adalah memantau dan mendukung Calantha untuk bergabung dengan pesta dan bertemu Asher. Tapi seorang wanita bangsawan menghentikannya dari memenuhi tugasnya.Layla menemuinya di WC. Wanita paruh baya yang gemuk itu begitu tersiksa oleh sakit perutnya sehingga ia mengira Layla adalah putrinya, dan berpegangan pada tangannya, berteriak tanpa henti meskipun ia telah mencoba segalanya untuk menenangkannya. Semuanya berakhir ketika seorang gadis lain masuk ke dalam WC dan menolong Layla dan wanita yang menyedihkan itu.Ketika gadis itu menyelamatkan Layla, pesta masih berlangsung, tetapi Asher telah pergi untuk mengejar penerbangannya ke Los Angeles.Layla tidak menunggu Calantha terlalu lama, dia langsung keluar dari mansion."Apakah semuanya baik-baik saja?" Layla bertanya saat mobil sudah meluncur."Tidak apa-apa," Calantha berhenti berkata, "Asher tidak meragukanku."Layla merasa sejak di dalam mobil, Calantha sangat aneh, d

"Apa? Pesta dansa? Dengan Asher?" Calantha tidak percaya dengan apa yang baru saja didengarnya."Itu benar, tapi jangan khawatir, ini adalah pesta Masquerade Ballroom Dancing. Kamu akan menggunakan topeng, dan kamu hanya perlu menari bersama Asher tanpa harus berkomunikasi dengannya." Selena berkata."Tapi aku belum pernah pergi ke pesta dansa. Maaf, Lady Selena. Aku tidak bisa ikut pesta ini." Calantha menolak."Jangan khawatir, aku akan mengajarimu." Selena berkata."Kenapa kau tidak mau bergabung?" Calantha bertanya. Dia tidak menyangka Selena akan membiarkannya bertemu Asher sebelum pernikahan. Ini terlalu berisiko."Aku sibuk." Selena berkata.Padahal, di hari pesta Masquerade Ballroom Dancing berlangsung, Selena dan John akan berkencan dan menari bersama di sebuah restoran mewah dan rahasia. Tapi dia tidak akan mengatakan yang sebenarnya pada Calantha.Dan, tentu saja, dibandingkan dengan Asher, John jauh lebih penting bagi Selena."Bagaimana Asher Pittman bisa mengetahui siapa

Asher mendengar butler berbicara dengan ekspresi tidak sabar. Tidak menunggu kepala pelayan selesai berbicara, Asher buru-buru berjalan ke lantai dua."Selena, apa itu kamu?""Sialan!" Calantha berpikir.Gaun pengantinnya terlalu besar. Calantha tidak bisa berlari cepat, Asher ada di belakangnya, selama dia berlari, dia bisa mengejarnya.Tapi tidak...Asher mengikutinya dan menjaga jarak tertentu."Selena, kau mencoba gaun pengantin.""Kukira hanya aku satu-satunya yang bersemangat menantikan pernikahan. Kau membuatku bahagia, Selena.""Sial, sial... Aku harus mencari kamar untuk bersembunyi." Calantha berpikir. "Sial, semua ruangan terkunci. Ruang latihan terlalu jauh."Calantha tidak berani berbalik untuk memeriksa jarak antara dia dan Asher, karena dia khawatir Asher akan mengetahui sesuatu yang tidak biasa.Jika Asher mengetahui rencana pelarian Selena, semuanya akan menjadi lebih buruk.Calantha teringat sore hari dua hari sebelumnya ketika dia dan Selena mendiskusikan rencana it

Atas permintaan Layla, Calantha pindah ke mansion Selena pada sore berikutnya setelah dia mengucapkan selamat tinggal kepada Gael.Ini adalah kunjungan kedua Calantha ke mansion Selena, namun, untuk pertama kalinya, dia tidak memasuki mansion dan tidak melihat kemewahannya sepenuhnya.Ini adalah mansion dua lantai, dirancang dengan gaya kerajaan Eropa.Layla mengatur agar Calantha memiliki kamar di ujung koridor lantai dua. Itu adalah ruangan besar dengan jendela-jendela besar. Dari jendela kamar, dia bisa melihat taman."Kamar ini akan menjadi satu-satunya kamar yang mendapat sinar matahari pertama di hari itu." Calantha berpikir.Setelah Calantha menyelesaikan makan malamnya, tidak ada yang memberitahunya apa yang harus dilakukan. Calantha berusaha untuk tidak terlalu banyak berpikir dan fokus menikmati hidup di tempat baru.Ruang baca mansion itu menarik perhatiannya.Dua hari kemudian, Calantha menghabiskan seluruh waktunya untuk membaca, dan dia masih belum menerima permintaan ap

"Katakan pada supir untuk mengantar Nona Ellis ke tempat yang dia inginkan," kata Selena kepada kepala pelayan.Dia mengangguk hormat dan segera memenuhi permintaan Selena."Asistenku, Layla, akan menghubungimu untuk mendiskusikan persiapan rencanaku. Aku berharap dalam jangka waktu satu bulan, Nona Ellis siap membantu kita mempersiapkan rencana itu kapan saja." Selena memberi tahu Calantha.Calantha mengerti. Selena ingin dia berhenti dari pekerjaannya di kafe dan menghabiskan seluruh waktunya untuk mempersiapkan pernikahan."Aku mengerti," jawab Calantha.Setelah Calantha pergi, Selena segera pergi ke ruang baca, tempat kekasihnya, John, berada.Selena memeluk John, memberinya ciuman penuh cinta."Apakah semuanya berjalan lancar?" John bertanya."Di atas semua yang hebat, Calantha lebih meyakinkan daripada yang kukira. Karena dia benar-benar membutuhkan uang," jawab Selena, menghirup aroma tubuhnya. "Kau tahu, John-ku, Calantha sangat menarik dan bijaksana. Asher tidak akan memanfaa

Calantha keluar dari mobil. Dia merasa kewalahan ketika melihat rumah mewah di depan matanya."Nona Ellis, silakan ikuti saya. Lady Selena sedang menunggu Anda." Kepala pelayan melihat Calantha masih berdiri dan memandang mansion itu. Dia memperingatkannya."Ah, ya, ya..." Calantha merasa malu. Dia mengejar kepala pelayan itu ke dalam mansion.Sampai hari ini, Calantha masih tidak percaya bahwa suatu hari dia akan melangkah ke rumah besar yang begitu megah.Kepala pelayan membawanya ke taman di mansion. Dari kejauhan, Calantha bisa melihat wanita cantik Selena sedang menikmati teh.Langit biru jernih, udara sejuk, sinar matahari yang lembut.Ketika dia hanya berjarak sejengkal dari Lady Selena, kepala pelayan menghentikan Calantha, sendirian, mendekati Lady Selena, dan memberitahukan kedatangan Calantha."Saya ingin berbicara dengan Nona Ellis," kata Lady Selena.Saat ini, Calantha bisa mendekati Miss Selena. Pelayan di mansion dengan cepat mengatur lebih banyak kursi untuk Calantha.

I approached him. Ivor was sleeping drunk, his eyebrows squinting as if he still couldn't get rid of his thoughts.I give him a massage to loosen his eyebrows. I sat there, watching his sleeping face for a few minutes. As the time for me to leave was approaching, I felt even more confused, the emotions in me conflicted like the sea when the storm was approaching.I touched his cheek and stroked Ivor's hair. After that, I helped him into my room even though he was heavy compared to me. It took me a while to tie him to the bed. Fortunately, he was drunk enough not to wake up in the process.I found on him his phones, taken from my sim card drawer and put them on the bedside table. I took from the closet the backpack that I had prepared before, inside were the necessary things for my trip.After making sure I could leave at any moment, I was beside him, leaning on him, feeling the warmth of his body.It was the most peaceful time I've ever felt.Not long after, Ivor woke up.He must still

Discovering the secret road was not enough. I had to plan meticulously. Anna seemed to be used to me being cold to her, so I could spend an afternoon with Joy in my room without anyone suspecting me.After crossing the forest, I could only walk to the nearby residential area, however the road was very long, and I needed to be in good physical shape.There was no guard at the helipad or nearby area when I arrived but I could not be subjective.At the same time, I need to get in touch with Bruce as soon as I get to the residential area, otherwise they will quickly take me back to the mansion.And Ivor, I have a plan for him, too.“Lia, it's nice to have your palate back,” Ivor looked at me, his voice cheerful as we were having lunch together.That's the thing, of course, if I need to have the energy to walk a long distance.“Because I've been having so much fun lately,” I said.He laughed, “I should have finished my work sooner and spent more time with you. You must have had a hard time

“Sorry I couldn't always be by your side,” Ivor said, looking at the puppy. “I hope he helps you feel comfortable living here.”My eyes widened in surprise. I looked at the naughty puppy in his arms, happy. I pat his head, he wags his tail vigorously."What is his name?" I looked at Ivor.“Ah, oh,” Ivor faltered a little, avoiding my gaze. "He still doesn't have a name. I hope you can name him.”I pursed my lips, thinking for a moment, “Joy. What was it like?"“Great,” he laughs, dropping the puppy, now Joy, to the ground and patting its head. “Puppy, we will call you Joy from now on.”Joy barked happily. What are we talking about?From the day Joy appeared, life in this mansion became easier for me. At least the other people, whom Ivor sent to monitor me, including Anna, didn't try to talk to me anymore.I spend more time with Joy than Ivor. My emotions were in intense conflict, so I didn't want to meet Ivor, who was the cause of that problem.Joy is extremely naughty. He usually spe

Every time I look at Lia's peaceful face, I don't want her to be sad or miserable.I won't allow anyone to hurt her, even if that person is her biological mother.I stroked Lia's cheek. I don't want to lose a soulmate like her, who has been with me for many years.I get annoyed thinking about the damn man who got her pregnant but so far he hasn't come to see her once. Then he'd better never see her and her baby again.That's why Lia needs to stay in this mansion, live under my protection.I got up, left her room without making any noise and went back to my room.…Lately, Lia often sits alone outside in the garden and reads books, she always seems sad when I'm not with her. She also became difficult to get along with everyone else except me.The proof is that she rarely talks to Anna. After a few unsuccessful attempts to initiate a conversation, Anna could only give up.“She seems to be wary of me,” Anna said after entering my office. “She was very upset knowing she was being controll

I frowned, very hesitant.But at last I sighed, closed my eyes, took a sip of pea blossom tea.“Not bad,” I said, surprised. “But not good either.”Lia chuckled, “So you can still drink it, right? Drink this cup of tea.”I could only do what she said, drink the whole cup of tea. Lia, who was carrying an empty cup, went outside. Before closing the door, she looked at me and said, “Good night. It's already a new day in Vietnam, so let's go to sleep“Good night,” I smile back at her and after Lia closes the door, I sit down and continue my work.I was tired, leaning back on my chair. It was late, and I had done some work. I needed a few minutes to relax, so I got up, poured a glass of wine, walked over to the window and took in the view.The taste of the wine that I love seems to be different from the previous times. I suddenly remembered the taste of the tea Lia had brought me earlier. The cool aroma of pea tea seemed to be hanging around on the tip of my tongue.The phone rang unexpecte

I smiled and pulled out a chair for her, “Sorry to be so busy with my work.”I could see the surprise in her eyes.I'm happy with that show. I always wanted to get closer to Lia, but I didn't know how to keep her and make peace with her, and my work at the company dominated me.I looked at Lia, who was having fun when the maid brought the plates up for us. I will not wait until I find a way to make peace with her, I will take care of her from now on.We had a nice dinner. During the process, I had to use my serious brain to talk in a funny way. Although some of my jokes seemed bland, at least Lia laughed a lot.“Oh, Ivor, look, you didn't leave any food on your plate,” I heard Lia's surprised voice."Yeah. I'm surprised, I still don't understand what's going on.Lia smiled, “You've been very picky, this is the first time I haven't seen leftovers on your plate.”I was even more surprised, looked down at the plate and then at Lia, and laughed. I didn't expect that one day my picky eating

The sound of the door opening woke me up. The softness of the bed made me unwilling to sit up.“It’s time to go home,” Asher’s cold voice sounded, and I immediately sat up, saw Asher standing and leaning back against the door. His bright brown hair was a little messy, his vest was gone, two buttons of his shirt were undone. He was looking at me.“What about the ball?” That was what I thought of first when I saw him.“It’s over,” Asher announced.“No way,” I looked at Asher with amazement, soon after, anger invaded me. “Why didn’t you wake me up?”I stood up but immediately shouted because of the pain in my ankle. I fell to my bed, bit my lips and closed my eyes tightly, enduring the pain.“You can’t dance with me anyway when you can’t stand up,” Asher said sarcastically.I frowned, “What about you? What did you do?”Asher shrugged, “Dance with another girl.”I said, “So, your mother, did she see you dancing with another girl?” It was my only worry; I didn’t want to displease Bertha; sh

“Don’t worry, I asked the doctor to come right away,” Bertha said and sat down next to me. Her arrival reassured me. “Thank you,” I said. ”Asher re-aligned my joint.” “What?” Bertha looked at me in surprise and then looked at Asher. “Asher, you should let the doctor do it.” Asher shrugged, “I can do it professionally. Why do I need to wait for a doctor?” I heard Bertha’s sigh, and she said, “Selena is just a lady, she needs to be treated gently.” “Oh,” Asher gave me an ironic look and a smirk. “My mistake, I’m sorry.” When the doctors arrived, Bertha immediately asked them to check my ankles. She watched my entire inspection. My gaze could not leave her. Of course, Bertha recognized my gaze, too, and she answered me with a gentle smile. For the first time in my life, there was a woman who treated me like that. I suddenly remembered my mother, wondering where she was all this time. Would she remember me and Gael? And my father- “Oh my God, our talented doctors told me your situ

Calantha’s POVAll I had to do at that dinner was shut up and eat.I was happy about it, because at least it didn’t get me into any trouble.During the meal, Asher occasionally watched me.What did he want?I was not a kid, and I always bothered him.After dinner, at Bertha’s request, Mary took me to places where there were many ladies of the Pittman family for me to get to know.“Long time no see, Lady Anderson,” said a straight dark-haired girl, whose face was filled with freckles.How ironic! She didn’t call me Lady Pittman, even though the members of this family all attended Asher and Selena’s wedding.Apparently, Selena wasn’t very popular with her family.I wondered what I should do, answer ironically or keep silent.“Selena, this is Vivi, Asher’s cousin. A smart and active girl,” Mary said in a pale, idle voice.She would lull people to sleep if she would read a speech with that accent.“Nice to meet you, Vivi,” I smiled elegantly and properly.“Mary, just Vivi? don’t forget me

“Is that why I have to listen to you? Asher, I don’t believe Bertha would leave me alone when I was in danger,” Calantha said, glaring at Asher with a provocative look.“What gave you such strong faith?” Asher said sarcastically.“Because I’m her daughter-in-law, I met her as Selena,” Calantha insisted.Asher felt both funny and angry at her naïve thoughts.“As expected, this little lamb should be locked in Rosé, to avoid her causing more trouble for me,” he thought.Asher whispered in Calantha’s ear. He said, “Of course, listen to my every request, because you’re mine. Calantha, as soon as you signed that transaction, you were mine.”“It’s all temporary,” Calantha countered.“Oh, so after Selena returns, do you think you can still live in this upper-class society?” Asher said. “Best of all, don’t think or care about anyone in this elite, just focus on me. And don’t let me find out you’ve been in stealthy contact with anyone, or I won’t take revenge on you. I know, Calantha, you’re st

Calantha had to join an elite party once again. But it wasn’t like the ballroom party, where she was just a side character, nobody noticed her, she just went there, hid in a corner, danced with Asher and left. At this new party, she was the protagonist.How could Calantha confidently stand in front of the Pittman family’s members, the true nobles, and communicate with them?Calantha had asked herself many times, but she couldn’t find the answer. These sessions on the rules and conduct of the elite only kept her from acting low, but did not help her gain confidence and courage when faced with people whose social status was higher than hers.Calantha was under pressure.She ate less. In her last sessions with rigorous teachers, she thought that these sessions were not as scary as she had ever thought.And when she could no longer see them, Calantha became confused and panicked like she had lost a support.Calantha continued to live her boring days in a lavish and splendid mansion. No one

The next few days, Calantha learned how to dance. She liked it because it was the only thing that make she fell comfortable at Rosé. The other reason was, when she learned how to dance, the teachers would allow her to wear gorgeous dresses. It was as heavy as making Calantha fall in love; she wondered when she danced, if she looked like a princess, or if she looked beautiful.Through the butler, she knew that Layla was his assistant, known as “Lola”.Calantha did not see Layla anymore, she did not know where Layla was and what she was doing. She wondered when she could work on her escape plan. However, she trusted Layla, because of Layla's appearance at Rosé. Asher often came home for dinner. Sometimes he was late, Calantha thought she would eat alone, but the butler had asked her to wait for him.She speculated about Asher’s strangeness.Was it because she was familiar to Selena?He locked her up in Rosé, so Asher’s attitude had a tremendous impact on her life at that time.One day,