Olivia’s POV:This morning, however, in the cold light of day with a headache and fuzzy brain, waking up by his side, all my doubts and fears dive right back in. We didn’t have s*x. I told him I’m not feeling well and he was okay with it----all night was just cuddles. I know I had to indulge myself for the last time.Harvey was right. I shouldn’t forget who he is and what he could do. I have to be smart and keep my heart shielded until I figure it out if this thing between us can work. There is a lot at risk.Though Harvey did not say it directly but I could put two and two together, Brandon Pembroke is still an outsider in my life, an enemy under that pretty face. I haven’t given him cause to show it yet. He is on the charm offensive because I’m something he wants. Of that I am sure. When the novelty wears off, or I give him a reason to be mad, then we shall indeed see who he is. The genuine proof of whether I can trust him will be when I disobey him and make him angrier than hell.
Brandon glanced down at his phone lighting up in the center console of his car and sighed as Alice’s name flashed on the screen. That air of irritation and anxiety mingled together and pushed solidly to the surface. He was running late as it was, which he hated like crazy, but he knew for a fact that whatever she wanted, he would give in to.Alice just had a way of getting under his skin, even when she was being as infuriating as in the past months, and try as he might, he had no willpower when it came to her. Hitting his dash connected to his phone, her voice rang around the car's interior as soon as he pressed it. He was on his way to a client meeting.He used his car because he knew he had to. Olivia didn’t want people to see him parked whole night and whole day in her townhouse. This was his last meeting for the day. And he looked forward to fulfilling that promise to Olivia tonight.“Brandon…? Are you there?” She was slurring badly, most likely way too drunk.His temper rose inte
Olivia’s POV:Best friend?A female best friend?I’ve known Brandon for some time now and we’ve talked about an array of things, work-related and personal but this friend never came up. Until now. My gut tells me I have to meet this friend. Of course, I couldn’t and wouldn’t impose that on Brandon. We don’t exactly have a label to begin with, right?I was almost ready to cut off what we have this morning. Now that this special friend showed up, maybe I’d have a better reason to end things with Brandon. It’s always easier to put a blame on someone than explaining why you are scared to trust and allow people inside your carefully crafted wall.I padded through the townhouse in my fluffy slippers. I realized my stomach is grumbling so I decided to make my way to the kitchen and fix something. I have two staffs here who take care of everything for me and Ethan. As I did so, I noticed that the house needed more stuff for the boy and made a mental note to browse the internet for essentials
“What was that?” Brandon frowns at her, anger well hidden beneath that cool and calm exterior in which he excelled.“I had a few drinks…or more, that’s what.” Alice shrugged nonchalantly. “You found me, yay.”“Alice, this sh*t is getting old. What’s the problem?” Brandon tugged her with him by the hand, turning away without waiting for more of a response. His manner is all hostile, even if he seems fine to the untrained eye. He’s mad at her, that’s clear.When they got outside into the night air, Brandon lets Alice go to walk ahead to the car, she almost stumbled clumsily. Catching her heel on an uneven paving stone. He guides her to the car silently, in a controlled manner, his face deadpan. Alice can sense the distance between them. Her nerves are gnawing at her, mood wary, skin tingling with apprehension that something is off and different this time. She knows that lately, they haven’t exactly been getting on.For weeks now, there’s been a coolness between them, but right now, besi
Alice’s POV:I don’t know how to respond; but I know I’m happy. I also know he did the right thing. Olivia will never suspect we’re lovers and I can be around them. Watching over my property will be easier than when I’m at a distance lurking like a shadow. However, I will not show Brandon that I loved the idea.“T-that’s awesome.” I managed to say. “I’ll take a cab. Thank you.” Not waiting for a response, I unclip my belt and slide out quickly. As expected, Brnadon moves to catch me across the center console, but I’m quicker. Dodging his outstretched grasp and leaving his door open, I move fast along the grassy edging to the road.I’m an expert in heels on all terrain and I want him to be desperate to have me back in the car. I tuck my head down, determined to walk. He catches up to me quickly, easy strides for someone with legs like his. I don’t hear him approach and inhale sharply at the sudden warmth of hands on me as he catches me by the waist from behind and pulls me back to a ha
Olivia’s POV:Last night was a bummer for me. The last time I slept this awful was the night after I had my entire family arrested. I know I shouldn’t be feeling this way given the blur of my relationship with Brandon. We kiss, we touch and we like each other, I am very sure about that but labels are important too.And now that an important person in his life showed up---my gut keeps on pushing me to be nosey. Honestly, I would care less if we maintained that professional barrier up between us.But I can’t let my emotional issues get in the way of my day to day life. I have to leave the comfort of my home and show up at work. But first, I need a run. The townhouse where I decided to live has a park nearby notorious to runners in the morning and I feel like I needed the endorphin boost.I washed up, got dressed and grabbed a smoothie in the kitchen as a pre-run energy booster. I also checked on Ethan who was snug on his small bed. Maurice was already up and nodded at me when she saw my
Olivia’s POV:I was stunned. No, shocked to the core when an expensive looking man waited for me in the private visitor’s lounge in Bedford Women’s Correctional.“Hello, Olivia.” His teeth were pearly white I swear they could’ve blinded me.“Hi…I think you have the wrong Olivia…”He chuckled. “No, I have the right Olivia. You’re Olivia Charleston, right?”Damn, even his laughter sounded costly. Who is this man? I felt like a lump was blocking my throat so I nodded like a sea lion. With my orange outfit, I might pass as one. He motioned me to take the seat adjacent to his and sat down.“My name is Harvey Brown. I’m Meredith’s lawyer and executioner.” He extended his hand and I took it but very gingerly. “I heard you’re a free woman tomorrow.”“Meredith? She’s alive?” I realize that it was an inappropriate question and ignored everything he just said. “I am so sorry…it’s just that…the last time I saw her…she was being wheeled to an ambulance. They said it’s heart attack. I…I haven’t hea
Olivia’s POV:“Okay…where am I supposed to stay?” I asked.My mother pulled out two hundred dollars and tossed it on the table carelessly as if she were giving money to a beggar. “Here, take this. Find a motel or rent a place. It's up to you.”I forced a bitter smile. “And what about Paul? What does he say about this?”Just then, Paul emerged from the bathroom. Without hesitation, he said, “Of course not. You're my sister. Of course, I'm on your side. If you want to stay here, I'll clear the room for you.”It seemed he still cared about me. I nodded with relief. “I’d like to stay for a while. I missed you guys.”But as soon as I said that, Paul’s expression froze. He stood there, looking at me, but made no move to clean the room. I stared back, puzzled. Did I say something offensive?At this time, Miles walked up to me, her voice sharp. “Olivia, have you lost your mind in prison? How can you be so inconsiderate? Can't you see how cramped the house is? Even if we clear out the room, it
Olivia’s POV:Last night was a bummer for me. The last time I slept this awful was the night after I had my entire family arrested. I know I shouldn’t be feeling this way given the blur of my relationship with Brandon. We kiss, we touch and we like each other, I am very sure about that but labels are important too.And now that an important person in his life showed up---my gut keeps on pushing me to be nosey. Honestly, I would care less if we maintained that professional barrier up between us.But I can’t let my emotional issues get in the way of my day to day life. I have to leave the comfort of my home and show up at work. But first, I need a run. The townhouse where I decided to live has a park nearby notorious to runners in the morning and I feel like I needed the endorphin boost.I washed up, got dressed and grabbed a smoothie in the kitchen as a pre-run energy booster. I also checked on Ethan who was snug on his small bed. Maurice was already up and nodded at me when she saw my
Alice’s POV:I don’t know how to respond; but I know I’m happy. I also know he did the right thing. Olivia will never suspect we’re lovers and I can be around them. Watching over my property will be easier than when I’m at a distance lurking like a shadow. However, I will not show Brandon that I loved the idea.“T-that’s awesome.” I managed to say. “I’ll take a cab. Thank you.” Not waiting for a response, I unclip my belt and slide out quickly. As expected, Brnadon moves to catch me across the center console, but I’m quicker. Dodging his outstretched grasp and leaving his door open, I move fast along the grassy edging to the road.I’m an expert in heels on all terrain and I want him to be desperate to have me back in the car. I tuck my head down, determined to walk. He catches up to me quickly, easy strides for someone with legs like his. I don’t hear him approach and inhale sharply at the sudden warmth of hands on me as he catches me by the waist from behind and pulls me back to a ha
“What was that?” Brandon frowns at her, anger well hidden beneath that cool and calm exterior in which he excelled.“I had a few drinks…or more, that’s what.” Alice shrugged nonchalantly. “You found me, yay.”“Alice, this sh*t is getting old. What’s the problem?” Brandon tugged her with him by the hand, turning away without waiting for more of a response. His manner is all hostile, even if he seems fine to the untrained eye. He’s mad at her, that’s clear.When they got outside into the night air, Brandon lets Alice go to walk ahead to the car, she almost stumbled clumsily. Catching her heel on an uneven paving stone. He guides her to the car silently, in a controlled manner, his face deadpan. Alice can sense the distance between them. Her nerves are gnawing at her, mood wary, skin tingling with apprehension that something is off and different this time. She knows that lately, they haven’t exactly been getting on.For weeks now, there’s been a coolness between them, but right now, besi
Olivia’s POV:Best friend?A female best friend?I’ve known Brandon for some time now and we’ve talked about an array of things, work-related and personal but this friend never came up. Until now. My gut tells me I have to meet this friend. Of course, I couldn’t and wouldn’t impose that on Brandon. We don’t exactly have a label to begin with, right?I was almost ready to cut off what we have this morning. Now that this special friend showed up, maybe I’d have a better reason to end things with Brandon. It’s always easier to put a blame on someone than explaining why you are scared to trust and allow people inside your carefully crafted wall.I padded through the townhouse in my fluffy slippers. I realized my stomach is grumbling so I decided to make my way to the kitchen and fix something. I have two staffs here who take care of everything for me and Ethan. As I did so, I noticed that the house needed more stuff for the boy and made a mental note to browse the internet for essentials
Brandon glanced down at his phone lighting up in the center console of his car and sighed as Alice’s name flashed on the screen. That air of irritation and anxiety mingled together and pushed solidly to the surface. He was running late as it was, which he hated like crazy, but he knew for a fact that whatever she wanted, he would give in to.Alice just had a way of getting under his skin, even when she was being as infuriating as in the past months, and try as he might, he had no willpower when it came to her. Hitting his dash connected to his phone, her voice rang around the car's interior as soon as he pressed it. He was on his way to a client meeting.He used his car because he knew he had to. Olivia didn’t want people to see him parked whole night and whole day in her townhouse. This was his last meeting for the day. And he looked forward to fulfilling that promise to Olivia tonight.“Brandon…? Are you there?” She was slurring badly, most likely way too drunk.His temper rose inte
Olivia’s POV:This morning, however, in the cold light of day with a headache and fuzzy brain, waking up by his side, all my doubts and fears dive right back in. We didn’t have s*x. I told him I’m not feeling well and he was okay with it----all night was just cuddles. I know I had to indulge myself for the last time.Harvey was right. I shouldn’t forget who he is and what he could do. I have to be smart and keep my heart shielded until I figure it out if this thing between us can work. There is a lot at risk.Though Harvey did not say it directly but I could put two and two together, Brandon Pembroke is still an outsider in my life, an enemy under that pretty face. I haven’t given him cause to show it yet. He is on the charm offensive because I’m something he wants. Of that I am sure. When the novelty wears off, or I give him a reason to be mad, then we shall indeed see who he is. The genuine proof of whether I can trust him will be when I disobey him and make him angrier than hell.
Olivia and Brandon’s private meetings became more frequent over the weeks. He constantly visits her office and that gesture brought gossips among hotel staff. The flowers for her arrived rarer and whenever they do, Brandon makes sure the staff recycles them as décor for the reception desk.There was even a time when Olivia heard some of them talk about her personal life in the pantry and that brought her back to her senses. If the people are talking, that means she’s no longer in control of her precious ‘work-life balance’.It’s five minutes before six in the evening. The nightshift staff had logged in for their shift and those who work in the office have left one hour ago to be with their families. Even her secretary left an hour ago. Olivia is a firm believer of ‘what you can do for today, do not leave for tomorrow’. She had no intentions of working too late that night. Since having Ethan in custody, she tries to be home before his bedtime so she could spend more time with his nephe
Brandon left his apartment with a cool attitude, but as soon as he closes the door behind him and ensuring that Olivia won’t follow him----he rushed to the stairs and saw Alice leaning on his motorbike. She had her car parked a few feet away from it. If Olivia would peek through one of the windows, she would definitely see them. Like a thief, he snatched the woman to the corner where Olivia’s view was blocked by the roof.His blood boiled. “What are you doing here?”She smirked at him and challenged his glare. “I’m supposed to ask you, Brandon. I wasn’t informed about this little shenanigan with Olivia. What? You’re operating on your own now? Are you pushing me to side now?”“Alice,” his tone lowered, he couldn’t risk arguing with her right then and there. “I’m sorry. It was a spur of the moment. I was about to text you but I was driving. Baby.”“Hmph.” Alice placed her arms across her chest in haughty derision and surveyed the building he came from. “Brandon, you took her here. You n
Olivia’s POV:Unfortunately, he tried again and this time I was prepared to control myself. Brandon tilted his head and cupped my jaw with his hand to pull me snugly and comfortably as he ducked lower. Not that I’m surprised or complaining. Pushing his fingers into the underside of my hair, clamping me to him possessively and taking immediate control. I have a severe weakness for this man dominating me the second kissing is involved. Weirdly, as in life, I hate it when he exerts his authority over me at any other time. Before I took over the hotel, he was the alpha male and I don’t want his submission.God. He makes me feel desirable and addicted when he overpowers me sexually.He kissed me softly at first and then opened his lips to tease mine with them and traces my tongue with his. Sensations are swirling, making me dizzy and giddy all at once. Waves of flutters rush from my head to my toes, and my body responds quickly.“The movie tonight is ‘The Godfather’” Brandon pulls away, a