Olivia’s POV:A party was reserved several weeks ago at the hotel’s club and lounge. It’s one of the many additions I immediately worked on when the hotel fell into my lap. It became one of the best venues for high-end clients and the waiting time is long. As the CEO and owner, I make it a point to rub elbows with important clients, that way, I keep tabs on who’s hot and who’s not.My day was good, my father and brother had finally came around and I told them I might bring Brandon the next time I visit. They were thrilled to know that I’ve finally dipped my toe in the dating pool. If only they know how murky the pool is. After checking with the inhouse event coordinator and making sure that we are prepared for the slightest problem, I venture down to the club, wearing a simple back fitted shift dress over black three inch strappy heels and my hair up in a sleek ponytail. I went for understated glam today and simple with natural makeup, which is my usual forte. Also, it’s low key to m
Olivia’s POV:He grins at his deviousness, and all I can do is exhale heavily, glance heavenwards for strength and accept the inevitable. He was never easy to live with before, and now he will simply be the same unbearable man, except with his mind set on pushing me to spend time with him. I think I liked him more when he spent half his life being rude to me.“Okay! You’re not funny, you know, even if you think you are.” I snap it at him, frustrated that he knows how to corner me and harass me when I still feel all messy brained.“That’s a matter of opinion.”I don’t even dignify that with a response, just straight to my demands to regain a little control here.“Fine, on one condition.”“Name it.”“I’ll go to dinner with you tonight as long as it’s not a restaurant or anywhere where you brought Alice.” I raise a brow at him sarcastically, looking for a little bad mood to wound that cocky attitude and this time, it pulls a heavy exhale from him. He’s not amused. He looks slightly irrit
Olivia’s POV:I did not expect a date in the hill, overlooking the city was what he meant. But here we are. He told me a lot of things that I did not expect to hear from him. Brandon is unveiling his life story from me. I wonder how much of it was true.The fact that he lied about Alice still remains. A part of me cannot trust him fully. A piece of me is anchoring me down from falling wanton to his lap. I guess I prefer it that way, so if he hurts me again, I could say ‘I told you so’ to myself and not be mad.He may not see it, but Brandon still craves acceptance even now. Still trying to divert any kind of blame. A part of him still suffers from her lack of love towards him. I can see it all over him. Meredith tried to fill that gaping hole but he pushed her aside. Somehow, his parents made him believe that no woman would ever love him, and it colored how he treated me when I got close. No wonder he never trusted me. He was programmed to believe he was unlovable. Yet he never ran sh
Olivia’s POV:The conviction in his voice, the gentle way he strokes his thumb over mine and pulls me to his chest to lean his nose against my temple, stirs a belief in me deep down that this is a genuine apology for all of it. I genuinely believe him without doubt, question or niggles.We have hit a crossroad, and I need to choose a path. I have a longing to walk into the light, and maybe my master of darkness will be the one to lead me there. I can either dwell and continue to find fault and put hurdles in his way, or I can take his hand and see where this takes us. I’m so tired of living in the shadows and misery. “No point dwelling anymore. The past will only drag you backwards.”I deflect the tender moment and push him away gently to give myself breathing space. Hating the route of our conversation and stare at the fire instead. Hating myself for being so conflicted and hot and cold with him, even if I cannot help it. Not knowing how to feel or how to be with him from one minut
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
Brandon’s POV:I am Aunt Meredith’s only family and I have high hopes for myself. My Aunt is a complicated person. She married three times and her wealth came from all the marriages that did not give her any children. To this day, she’s Meredith Walton. Her last marriage was lucrative.She was a Pembroke and wealthy in her own right before she married all the ridiculously wealthy men. Until this day, I had no idea how a woman who doesn't have an active social life managed to ensnare three of America's wealthiest. Aunt Meredith's conviction wasn't even disclosed to the public eye. Because she's freakishly wealthy and had connections everywhere---people assumed she was just chilling in one of her many properties in the tropics when, in fact, she was serving time in Bedford Women's Correctional.Her life was pretty scandalous too. But that’s beside the point. My main concern here is who takes over all her assets. Harvey Brown’s secretary smiled at me when I walked into his elegant office
Olivia’s POV:That night, I still couldn’t get that scene yesterday from my head. I have a feeling that it was going to live rent-free in my head from now on.Miles rubbing her belly and speaking to me mercilessly.My father talking as he put out his cigarette and said coldly, “Liv, you're grown up now. It's time you understood the importance of contributing to the family instead of causing trouble.”Each of their words felt like a sharp knife piercing my heart. Despite my overwhelming disappointment, my eyes welled up. I looked at them and said hoarsely, “No wonder you never visited me once during my five years in prison. I thought you were just too busy to see me. But now I see you only saw me as a moneymaker. You kicked me to the curb without hesitation the moment I couldn't make money anymore.”I tilted my head back, fighting to hold back my tears. Then, I asked, “So you're all determined to kick me out today?”“Yes!” They all replied without hesitation.Clearly, there was no room
Olivia’s POV:The conviction in his voice, the gentle way he strokes his thumb over mine and pulls me to his chest to lean his nose against my temple, stirs a belief in me deep down that this is a genuine apology for all of it. I genuinely believe him without doubt, question or niggles.We have hit a crossroad, and I need to choose a path. I have a longing to walk into the light, and maybe my master of darkness will be the one to lead me there. I can either dwell and continue to find fault and put hurdles in his way, or I can take his hand and see where this takes us. I’m so tired of living in the shadows and misery. “No point dwelling anymore. The past will only drag you backwards.”I deflect the tender moment and push him away gently to give myself breathing space. Hating the route of our conversation and stare at the fire instead. Hating myself for being so conflicted and hot and cold with him, even if I cannot help it. Not knowing how to feel or how to be with him from one minut
Olivia’s POV:I did not expect a date in the hill, overlooking the city was what he meant. But here we are. He told me a lot of things that I did not expect to hear from him. Brandon is unveiling his life story from me. I wonder how much of it was true.The fact that he lied about Alice still remains. A part of me cannot trust him fully. A piece of me is anchoring me down from falling wanton to his lap. I guess I prefer it that way, so if he hurts me again, I could say ‘I told you so’ to myself and not be mad.He may not see it, but Brandon still craves acceptance even now. Still trying to divert any kind of blame. A part of him still suffers from her lack of love towards him. I can see it all over him. Meredith tried to fill that gaping hole but he pushed her aside. Somehow, his parents made him believe that no woman would ever love him, and it colored how he treated me when I got close. No wonder he never trusted me. He was programmed to believe he was unlovable. Yet he never ran sh
Olivia’s POV:He grins at his deviousness, and all I can do is exhale heavily, glance heavenwards for strength and accept the inevitable. He was never easy to live with before, and now he will simply be the same unbearable man, except with his mind set on pushing me to spend time with him. I think I liked him more when he spent half his life being rude to me.“Okay! You’re not funny, you know, even if you think you are.” I snap it at him, frustrated that he knows how to corner me and harass me when I still feel all messy brained.“That’s a matter of opinion.”I don’t even dignify that with a response, just straight to my demands to regain a little control here.“Fine, on one condition.”“Name it.”“I’ll go to dinner with you tonight as long as it’s not a restaurant or anywhere where you brought Alice.” I raise a brow at him sarcastically, looking for a little bad mood to wound that cocky attitude and this time, it pulls a heavy exhale from him. He’s not amused. He looks slightly irrit
Olivia’s POV:A party was reserved several weeks ago at the hotel’s club and lounge. It’s one of the many additions I immediately worked on when the hotel fell into my lap. It became one of the best venues for high-end clients and the waiting time is long. As the CEO and owner, I make it a point to rub elbows with important clients, that way, I keep tabs on who’s hot and who’s not.My day was good, my father and brother had finally came around and I told them I might bring Brandon the next time I visit. They were thrilled to know that I’ve finally dipped my toe in the dating pool. If only they know how murky the pool is. After checking with the inhouse event coordinator and making sure that we are prepared for the slightest problem, I venture down to the club, wearing a simple back fitted shift dress over black three inch strappy heels and my hair up in a sleek ponytail. I went for understated glam today and simple with natural makeup, which is my usual forte. Also, it’s low key to m
Olivia’s POV:Ethan was jittery. He was all over the place. I managed to pull some strings so we can have a little privacy. My father and brother and not exactly soft spoken individuals and I am certain I’d hear harsh comments from them.“So, let me get this straight…your family tried to kill you and you put all of them in prison?” Maurice asked me for the nth time.“Yes, I have a pretty f*cked up family tree.”“Wow, Ethan.” She turned to my nephew who was playing with his favorite toy in the world. “Don’t be like them, okay? Auntie Olivia is nice.”I couldn’t help but smile. I have a f*cked up life, yes, but I have Ethan and Maurice and for now, that’s an achievement. I tried to give her an overview of the hatred the male members of my family would throw my way so she won’t be traumatized. Fortunately, she came from a tough family so it’s normal for her as well but she was not happy when she learned about the plot to kill me. Obviously, she found it horrendous.The envelope I had in
Olivia’s POV:After obsessing crazily and turning my head inside out for a few hours, I finally managed a little sleep. Torn about the choice in front of me I never imagined I would ever have. And what he told me about Alice. It all makes sense now. The way she looks at him and all that conversation we had back in Eli’s farm. No wonder she showed up. I told him I understand. Crazy, right?More importantly, the fact that Brandon loves me. He is offering me something real.I think the world has ended, and hell has frozen over because I cannot seem to digest this at all. Never in a million years would have imagined him, of all people, offering me something that only a few months ago I had longed for. I would have done anything for a chance at claiming his heart, and now here I stand with precisely that, and it’s like it’s not even real. Detached from any sense of reality and floating like a numb blob of confusion in my head.My initial reaction to his confession of love was anger becau
In Harvey’s office, a man was ushered inside by his secretary. The lawyer had been expecting Mr. Mark Dawson. New York’s top private investigator. Getting him do a job was next to impossible because Dawson only takes premium clients and he’s a hard man to get. In the PI industry, Dawson was considered a legend but the man prefers to lay low. Apart from that, his professional fee will put a dent in anyone’s bank account. However, Harvey Brown doesn’t mind. Meredith generously allotted ‘emergency funds’ for him, intended should situations like this arise.The tall, broad man stood in front of Harvey’s desk and roamed his eyes in the luxurious room. “Damn, when do PI’s get offices like this, Harvey Brown? You are one lucky bastard for having Meredith under your wings. God bless her soul.”“This does not concern her, Mark.”“Then why am I summoned to Mount Olympus if it weren’t for the Gods?”Harvey grinned. He and Mark were buddies in Cambridge but parted ways during the later years in I
Olivia’s POV:Whether I like it or not, the truth remains. Neither of us knows how to do this. It’s not like we have a guidebook on how to love and trust. It’s like the blind leading the blind and blindness has no cure. I mean there is, but still…“You broke me, many, many times and I never fully recovered. It’s not that easy to let someone who does that back in when you found it hard enough to do the first time around. But here we are.” I admit honestly, sheepishly and can’t look him in the eye anymore. Flinching when he moves towards me, caging me in with his body and traces the tears down my cheek. His breath warming my face as he moves in all around me and overtakes my space once more. My head is full of his scent and nearness. “And now you want to meet my family. Like they’re the easiest people on the planet.”“If I could go back and change it all, I would. Believe me, Liv. I know what I did.” The tender caress of a lover and not the man who terrorized me and reduced me to ashes.
Olivia’s POV:My insides flip flop all over, warning me how dangerously close I am to falling right back under his spell. He has so much power over me and exerts so little effort to use it. I need to be smarter.“Why are you being so smug and annoyingly confident right now? You weren’t so self-assured this morning, so what is it that’s got you smiling and acting like I’m a done deal today?” I snap at him, not so much in anger but irritated that he is making me crazily nervous and awkward, making assumptions, and I’m making an idiot of myself. I hate that I’m not in control of myself. He only grins at me.“You let me stay tonight. My odds went up massively when you stopped trying to escape. And you haven’t stopped blushing since you came out here. I can see it even in this light, so I’m reading that as progress.”“I hate you. You’re an a**ehole, you know that?” I sigh at him, turning a mock raised brow and pouted facial expression, but he silences me with a swift move and pauses just