Chapter Four

NEXT MORNING•••

Damien's eyes roamed to the cabinet built into the marble wall where Olivia's scrubs and toiletries always stood and the emptiness made something in him churn. He was suddenly pissed, remembering how she left with his brother of all persons.

 He continued staring at his reflection on the large mirror and the look of anger slowly morphed into irritation at himself. He was Damian Brown, a business man, owner of diverse companies and a Billionaire. It was dumb to get angry over people who weren't worth it. Besides, he was irresistible and it was easy to get any woman of his choice at the raise of a finger. Someone like Olivia held no value to him and that was it. 

Turning away from the bathroom, he walked back into the room. He picked up his phone and dialed the Chief Operating Officer. After passing the necessary information, he hung up, his gaze lingering on his phone. He stared at Olivia's contact boldy sprawled on his phone, and her endless texts.

 They were texts that made no sense to him then, she would inquire on his return and ask if he needed anything at work. It was a normalcy for her to remind him to stay safe on occasions where he had to get out of town but he never bothered to text back.

He should as well delete her number and everything that had to do with her since she was out of his life. But instead of doing that, he tossed the phone away and moved to his closet, baring it open to reveal several expensive cloths and accessories.

 He decided to wear something simple and unsuspecting for what he had in mind to do. A grey T-shirt and jeans, nothing too major. 

 He walked briskly to the garage and picking a Mercedes Benz CLA that complimented his outfit, he drove off with a screech.

 The thoughts came again with full force as he manoeuvred his way through the city. Olivia had no one in the city, not one relative. Where could she have gone to? What was that little brat up to? She could not possibly book a flight out of the city because she had nothing. No money, no relatives, no friends, nothing, zilch, nada. So where could she have disappeared to? 

 Like a lightbulb that suddenly came on, Damian remembered Rosie, Olivia's only friend. He knew that they go way back, Olivia spoke about her most times and stopped talking about her when he restricted her from meeting up with the rookie actress years ago at a cottage in the suburbs.

 Damian changed directions and in less than ten minutes, he was carefully parked at a distance where he had a good view of the cottage. He waited for a few minutes for any sign of Rosie or Olivia but nothing happened. It was glaring that no soul existed in the shack and it increased his curiosity. Where else could she have gone to?

And what was he even doing there? Why was he thinking about where she had gone or what she was doing with her miserable life? 

Just when he thought of driving away, a vehicle slowly drove into the lawn and stopped. Damian raised a brow as his twin stepped down and briskly walked to the wooden door. His brows furrowed, as his hands balled into fists. What in fucking hell was he doing there? There's no way he could be there for Olivia. 

 Darian knocked and waited, placing his hands on his waist. He wanted to check up on Olivia since she was not answering her phone. He knocked again and heard footsteps advancing towards the door.

 The door opened to reveal Rosie whose face suggested tiredness due to inadequate amount of sleep and messy hair that was packed in a bun.

 "What the fuck do you..." She suddenly paused when she looked up and saw who it was. Nervously, she smiled and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "Hey, hi. How can I help you?" 

 "Uh... Hi, I just wanted to know how Olivia's holding up and..."

 "She left," Rosie cut in.

 "What?" Darian blurted out in mortification.

 "This hot looking man came up here yesterday, and she left with him."

 "Who could that be?"

 "Well, not really. Never seen him." Rosie shrugged and leaned on the door, fixing her gaze on the confused Darian.

 "Do you know where they went?"

 "Newsflash, he just appeared at my doorstep like a knight in shining armor and whooped her away, just like that."

 "That's... strange" He stepped back, his brows still furrowed. Where could Olivia be and who was this man Rosie mentioned? Surely it wasn't his asshole of a brother, was it? "Thanks for this information."

 "Yeah, do well to visit next time. And when you do, ask about me" Rosie winked and promptly shut the door.

 Darian got into his car and lingered for a moment, still wondering where Olivia must have gone to. He hoped that she was safe and drove off shortly after.

Damian's eyes followed his brother's car until it was out of sight. His eyes glinted with a dangerous light, as if he was ready to explode any moment from then.

 What business had Darian got to do with Olivia that required him checking up on her? He shouldn't mind, but he could not help but feel the fury that cascaded down when he saw Darian. He had heard the conversation between Rosie and Darian and it perplexed him. And who was the man she followed? Surely he wasn't hotter than him. 

Angrily, he drove back to the mansion. The nerves of that little brat to sign the divorce papers immediately and leave to God knows where with some man. Was she having a secret affair where they were still together? No, it wasn't possible. Olivia would never do that. She loved him and could never be capable of cheating on him. 

 Laurie was seated in his study, and waiting for him as he entered. His casual dress even bared his sculpted features the more and she wistfully gazed at him as he moved to his seat.

 "Hey Damian. I was worried when I heard you wouldn't be coming to work today. Where did you go? Are you okay? You do not look good. What should I..."

 He cut in, settling on his executive chair "You should be at work, Laurie."

 "Yes, but I was worried about you. Aren't you happy to see me?" When she got no reply, she prodded "Is something wrong with you? You seem...off. Anyone pissed you off?"

 "Why don't you talk to me, Damian? Is it her? Are you bothered by the divorce? I thought you hated her guts. She's not even beautiful and doesn't have a class." She slithered out of her chair and the next moment, she was behind him, hands working skillfully on his shoulders as her tone turned seductive. "You did the right thing, Damian. I'm here now, there is no use for her. We were meant to be, from the onset. She was the obstacle that stood in the way of our love. Now that she is gone, why don't you look at me?" 

 Damian looked up at her, long straight blonde hair and lashes that puckered in concentration as she kneaded his deltoid muscles. He tried to find what made her alluring when they were still together years ago, but nothing came forth. Not her heavily painted lips, nor the tenderness of her hands as she massaged him.

 "Leave."

 Laurie froze, stunned at his order and tone.

 "Now." He added, looking anywhere but at her.

 She clenched her jaw and picked her bag. Taking one last look at Damian, she exited the room with a slam of the door. 

**************

Olivia observed how her Uncle dished out instructions to his workers in the company as they took a tour around the buildings. 

 Ivan had shared his ideas of training her to be well grounded in the art of business and she looked forward to it.

By the time they were done, she already knew the basic concepts of how he ran his company. Ivan could not be more glad as he dished out skeptical questions to his niece and she excellently answered them all. 

 He knew that she would have been elevated in status and position if she had furthered her studies and decided that Olivia would acquire more degrees to be most eligible to run his companies.

 On their way back to the estate, Olivia stared out the window at the blue sky and birds that flew in numbers.

 "It is your starting point. The best is yet to come," She heard her Uncle say and turned to him. 

 He had a smug smile on his face as he stared ahead and continued talking "I'm proud of you, Olivia. You are a strong woman, you have been able to put your past behind you and focus on your present and that is pretty brave, I must say."

Olivia stared at him as though in a daze and finally, a corner of her lips pulled up into a small smile "Thank you, Uncle Ivan. This wouldn't be possible without you."

 "Alas! We're home. The issuing of the invitation cards will be done after lunch. You know what to do."

 "Yes, I do." She chuckled, one that hid vicious intents.

 Ivan had planned to host an introduction party for his niece and he invited a host of business men, Billionaire's and important figures. All the Chief executive officers of every major company was invited since the party would pave way for recognition and future business deals. 

 Before dusk set in, Olivia had sent all invitation to the respective CEOs. Marietta ordered that a massage be done on her due to the tedious job of sending invitations cards to the companies. The headmaid saw to it that the best treatments were administered to Olivia as her master had commanded.

******************

 Darian killed the engine of his car and hopped out, feeling quite jolly. He walked with springy steps into the company and flashed his all charming smile at the women he greeted him. They blushed in response as he continued walking to his brother's office. 

 "Oh, I'm sorry if I'm disturbing whatever this is" Darian said and took a seat in front of the table, opposite Damien. He winked at his secretary who could barely hide her blush as she started packing the files, ready to leave. 

"If you hadn't noticed, we were in the middle of something important" Damian growled, glaring at him. He had not quite forgotten the way he pulled up at Rosie's house the previous night. 

"I'm more important, brother. I will always be your priority whether you like it or not" He replied with his signature smirk and relaxed on his seat. 

"The fuck do you want this time? If you're here to piss me off, you came at the wrong time" 

Darian laughed heartily, throwing his head backward. "Seems divorce isn't going well with you, brother. Wait, what was it again? 'The papers are signed, mint and new'"

Damien gritted his teeth as his brother laughed one more time. He wanted nothing more than to connect his fist to his mouth and instantly wipe the smile off. 

 "Well, I've come bearing good news. You should stop acting high and mighty already and lower your fucking ego cause I got an invitation as well. You know the kind you receive because you're f*cking Damien Brown and I don't"

"Cut the chase, I don't have all day. What invitation are you talking about?"

 Darian waved the card in his brother's face "The introduction party that will be hosted on Friday by Ivan Arthur. I'm sure you know him damn well from the States. Billionaire, philanthropist, business tycoon. He owns one of the newest blooming company in town."

 Damian furrowed his brow in deep thoughts. Of course, he knew Ivan Arthur, they crossed paths a few times. He also knew he had the newest business in town but an introduction party without him being invited? That was unlikely to happen.

Yanking the card off Darian's hold, he glanced through it, confirming his thoughts. It was indeed a party requiring the presence of every important elite in city. He was always the first to receive invitations to important events and gathering but now, he couldn't help but wonder. 

  Why has he been omitted?