It’s two days to Christmas and Olivia has been busy decorating the entire house. I’m not really a fan of decorations but she’s been talking about how this will be our first Christmas together and it needs to be special and so on so I just let her do whatever she wants.“Marcus, that’s not where to hang it, it must be at the apex, Apex !!. I’ve told you that like a hundred times.” Olivia yelled looking up at Marcus who was hanging the distinct star on the side of the Christmas tree.I was sitting in the living room chatting with Liam and Victor. “Why don’t you come do it yourself, shorty ? I’m tired of this shit.” Marcus yelled back leaving the star on the side while storming out of the room.His anger was justified though, Olivia has been shouting at him endlessly for the past ten minutes. “Whatever.” Olivia replied. Then she looked in our direction and Victor and I quickly snapped our heads back to each other pretending we were still in a deep conversation. I heard her huff before
[OLIVIA]I jumped on Mason’s back showering his face with little kisses. He groaned and moved his head to the other side. I tickled his side but he did not even move. How can he not be ticklish at all ?“Tickling is fun until the tickler becomes the tickled, don’t you think ?” He rasped out and I quickly got off his back.“Merry Christmas !!” I screamed in his ear and he quickly rolled on his back covering his ear with his palms.“Where did you even get this burst of energy from ? Damn, I was having a sweet dream.” He complained before sitting up with his back slouched and his eyes still showing signs of sleepiness.“Soooo, no wishing me back ?” I narrowed my eyes at him.“Merry Christmas, my sweet girl. Wish you the very best of it.” He said with a peck on my lips and I smiled.He threw himself back on the bed face front and closed his eyes going to sleep again.I slapped his butt and he jolted up while I jumped away from the bed. “Lazy bum.” I whispered before hurrying my way out of
[MASON]I glanced at our linked hands as she dragged me into the room. Her hands were sweaty and I would have laughed if I was in the right state of mind. It’s one of the signs that gives her away when she’s nervous.I sat on the bed and watched as she hurried to the bathroom coming back almost immediately with a first aid kit in her hands.She dropped it on the bed, took out a cotton wool and when her hand advanced towards my face, I shifted back. I took the box, stood up and walked into the bathroom locking the door behind me.To be honest, I wasn’t angry at Olivia but somehow, I was really disappointed. She kept doing this, doing things behind my back then get remorseful after it is done. How am I supposed to make her understand that things don’t work like that?I cleaned up my face and put the box away. I bent over the counter and exhaled heavily before raising my head. I felt like punching the hell out of the mirror. Thoughts and questions were jumbled up in my head but the most
[MASON]We both removed our hands from the back coming out empty and I exhaled sharply when my head sting.“This has been fun, even though I wasn’t in the mood for it.” I said and moved off my car glancing around for my fucking cousin.“I called the cops.” A voice shouted from behind me and Gray was here.Where he came out from? I don’t know.“You’re dead the next time I see you. Julius forgives no one.” The man said to me. “I hope I never see you again, for your own sake, Judas.” I replied.The man glared at me before getting into his car with the three other men and driving off.I got into my car too and Gray wordlessly get into the passenger seat. I drove off with my head feeling like I had hot coals on it.I liked that man, Julius. He’s got the guts, the skills and his gaze, fucking strict but he’s damn rude, so damn rude.“I’m sorry.” Gray’s voice came beside me but I remain silent.“What did I do?” I asked after a minute.“What?” He asked confused.“Back at the restaurant, you
[OLIVIA]We had exchanged pleasantries and hugs when I had gotten back to the living room where my guests were sitting. After that, things get awkward as no one knows the next thing to say. We stared at each other with no one saying anything until Derek broke the silence by clearing his throat.“How have you been?” Ace asked me and I rolled my eyes.“As if you care.” I scoffed and he looked guilty.I couldn’t just forget the way he has been treating me for the past three and a half years. I was hurting and he didn’t care knowing apart from dad, he’s the only one I could really talk to about my mood and feelings.“What does a lady has to do to get some hospitality in this huge house?!” Scarlet yelled and laughed when one of the guards tried covering his ears.“Go get yourself some water in the kitchen, Scarlet.”I rolled my eyes.“No, I am a guest today and I would like to be treated as one.”She shifted on the couch and sat more comfortably raising her chin at me.I scoffed before going
[OLIVIA]I got downstairs seeing Mason pacing around in the living room.“I took her to your room.” I informed him.“I know. Why did you do that?” He asked “So you can talk privately and catch up, duh.”“What am I supposed to say? I don’t even know if she wants to talk to me. I left her four years ago without so much as a goodbye and haven’t reached out since, I bet she hates me right now.” Mason said and he almost looked nervous.“Firstly, stop pacing, you are giving me a headache.” I said and he paused before he came to sit beside me.“Listen to me. That woman doesn’t hate you at all and I honestly don’t think she ever could. You are just worrying for nothing. She wants to talk to you as much as you want to talk to her so I seriously don’t think you need all this stress. Just go in there and say whatever your heart feels like pouring out.” I told him and then I held his hands.“Blood or not, she’s your mother and nobody can change that. It’s high time you relieve that woman of her
[OLIVIA]“I’m fine, I’m fine.” I assured myself trying to calm down my breathing. Gerald rolled his eyes and went to sit on the couch. I went to him stretching the container towards him. He just eyed it before looking at me questioningly.“Your son and I baked and so decided to gift you some.” I told him smiling.He studied me for a whole minute and I was starting to get uncomfortable as mind fairies were whispering for me to run and get out of the room while I still can or I would end dead and Gerald would hide my body.“Are you sure you are Peter’s daughter?” He asked with his full attention on me and I was caught off-guard by his question.“Of course.” I spoke defensively.“I mean how is he even sure that you are really his?” Gerald asked again and I frowned.“Why are suddenly asking this?” I asked curiously.“You look nothing like him. Physically, morally, and even character-wise, you are not alike at all.” He said.“That’s because I took after my mom! I don’t know what you are i
[MASON]“Olivia!!!” I heard the yell of a familiar voice and my head raised sharply.I wasn’t the only one who heard it, the others did as well and all conversations stopped. The others being Scarlet, Ace, Derek and Gray. They had insisted on coming back to the house with me.We’ve been sitting in the living room for ten minutes and my eyes have been darting upstairs every seconds. I had asked for Olivia when I came because she wasn’t in her room or mine and Gray had told me that she didn’t tell him but he suspected that she went to Gerald’s.I was alarmed at first but I relaxed remembering how Olivia had handled her last confrontation with my uncle. And I also know Gerald won’t cross the line, the most he could do is try to get into her head, rile her up or express his everlasting hate for Peter and the Don.“Olivia!” We heard again and on cue, Olivia appeared on the stairs rushing down too fast for her own good.I stood up confused about what is going on.“Slow down, Olivia. You are
[OLIVIA] [A YEAR LATER.]................. Bare footed, with the heavy clothing weighing me down, I ran. Without looking back, I willed my feet to continue moving with just one destination in mind. The sound of the unrelenting footstep behind me pumped my adrenalin till I saw the door wide open and thanked the heavens. I ran towards Abigail and hid behind her using her as a shield as I breath heavily. She was looking around in shock trying to find the source of my problem. Few seconds later, Scarlet came running through the door with her eyes immediately spotting mine. She came to a stop seeing her mother in between us and she bent over trying to catch her breath too. “How are you able …..able…to run so fast in what you are we…wearing?” She managed to speak out. “Oh heavens! Why are you chasing the bride, Scarlet?” Her mother asked. “She was trying to dump that on my dress.” I pointed to the container in Scarlet’s hand. Michelle suddenly came behind her and snatched the containe
[MASON]“You know, I told my brother you were there when he was born and he thought I was lying.” Willow said pointing at the boy who was busy playing a game on what I assumed will be her phone, he was very absorbed in it that he wasn’t paying attention to us at all.“He wouldn’t remember. He was two years old the last time I saw him.” I chuckled.“Yeah, that was when we broke up.”“Wait, how old is he?” Olivia asked.“He’s ten.” Willow answered.“If you guys broke up when he was two, then that means Mason was …..seventeen years old.” Olivia reasoned. “At what age did both started dating?” Olivia looked at me with accusing eyes.“Fifteen, we are the same age. We dated for two years but we’ve known each other longer than that.” Willow answered and I wished they could bring up another topic already.“Fifteen? Is that legal?” Olivia pinched my butt again and I actually winced this time.I’m definitely getting my revenge later.“It’s called puppy love, Olivia. They got together as virgins
[MASON]I was relieved after confirming that Marcus had indeed taken guards with him, the ones that stay in the background and blend in staying hidden unless there is really a threat.All I know is the Don’s presence here comes with a lot of danger. Him stepping out of his safe zone and domain will make his opponents think that he is now vulnerable enough and they would do anything to try to get the upper hand, even if it means harming someone in his life, whoever it may be.That was why I’ve been extra careful about Olivia’s movement since the Don arrived. Her dad is the Don’s shadow after all. We just finished a meeting when I had received Olivia’s text that comprises of pictures letting me know that she and Gray were not in the house.The meeting comprised of the Don, Gerald, Carlos, Peter and I. Dad didn’t beat around the bush at all, he had went straight to the point. He apologized to Gerald without letting his pride get in the way.They apologized not for killing his brother who
[OLIVIA]The unfamiliar lady was staring again but then she smiled widely and that was when I realized, I wasn’t the one she had been glancing at, it was Marcus. The first time I noticed her gaze I had been sitting next to Marcus and now I’m also sitting beside him after Julius arrived.“What the fuck?” Marcus mumbled out still staring at her.The lady stood up and was coming towards us.“Who is she?” I asked.“Your fiance’s ex-girlfriend.” Marcus replied with mischievousness glinting in his eyes.“What? How come she is here?” I asked looking back at the lady who was still approaching us.“Mason didn’t tell you they met before you came here? They saw each other coincidentally and talked for a while.” Marcus asked and even though I love that he was telling me the truth to every questions I asked, the way he was so blunt about it amazed me.Now remembering, Mason did tell me he met with her. He had mentioned it when I had confronted him about Anastasia’s comment the first time she saw m
[OLIVIA]We all sat in a circle speaking one after the other with smiles on our faces. Leo was in Julius’ lap with the man’s hoodie held tightly in his grasp, I guess he felt like he was going to disappear again.Laurel had her head on his shoulder with her eyes still dripping and she was occasionally wiping it away. We all just did as if it was normal, the woman was very excited to see her husband again.Turns out I had misunderstood earlier thinking the man was Leo’s biological father. I didn’t know Leo considers Julius his dad nor did I think he would still remember him since he was very young when Julius was put away but the young boy did, he remembers the man who loves him immensely and always read him bedtime stories before sleep.Besides, Laurel said ever since Julius was locked up, she will always show her son pictures of her husband and bring up memories about the three of them just so Leo won’t forget Julius. It was hard because her doing that meant that Leo would be constan
[OLIVIA]“You better shut your mouth, Gray.” Marcus warned.The little boy reached Marcus and hugged his legs while Marcus patted his head. After they were done with their greeting. Marcus took his hand and they walked towards a woman seated on a spread-out fabric. She was already watching us.She smiled as we approach and then stood up.“Lauren.” Marcus smiled before giving her a hug.“I’m so glad you could make it. This one wouldn’t stop asking me when his uncle Marcus would be coming.” The woman said and the little boy looked embarrassed hiding his face behind his palms.So adorable.Marcus knelt on one knee removing the boy’s palms from his face.“Happy birthday, Leo.” He said before stretching out the container of fish rolls and the little wrapped box towards the boy.“My birthday gift?” The boy asked with a tone that made me wonder if he has never received a birthday gift before.“Yes. It’s all yours, buddy. Open it when you get home.” Marcus replied and the boy smiled happily n
[OLIVIA]“Come on Marcus, are you going to ignore me forever?” I whined.Mason has been gone the whole day and I’ve been very bored staying at home. Marcus was still holding a grudge against me because of what happened two days ago. His laptop slipped from my hands, it wasn’t intentional but he does not care whether it was intentional or if it was an accident.I even said I would buy him a new one but he declined. To be honest, I do not think any damage was done to the laptop at all after it fell but Marcus had snatched it away from my hands when I went to pick it. The screen was still on and there wasn’t even a crack. Nevertheless, he claimed I had ruined it and was yelling at me.What upset him the more was the fact that Mason had threatened to break his bones the next time he talks or yells at me the way he did. He has been ignoring me ever since but right now, I really need a companion before I go insane.“Should I cook for you?” I asked him and watched him blink rapidly biting h
[MASON] Everyone was outside preparing to go back to the hotel as the Don refused to spend the night in an unfamiliar environment. I just learned that the hotel they were staying at belongs to one of his close associates and so it was completely safe for him and his family.It was very dark outside and I plan on sending an extra security detail after them. Not being paranoid but one can’t be too careful. Carelessness however brings about nothing but disaster.The Don called me aside and we walked a few distance away from the others.“I just wanted to say, happy birthday.” He said with a slight smile.I checked my watch to see that the time was two minutes to twelve and I chuckled. It was almost the second day and past our birthdays.“I’m still on time.” The Don chuckles and I do the same.“Thanks.” I replied and he nodded before taking out something from his pockets and handing it to me.It was a flash and I was immediately curious to know what was on it.“I’m sorry, for everything.
[OLIVIA] Marcus was in his seat chattering away with Scarlet who was very excited on hearing the new happenings in his life. Thankfully, Scarlet had a rethink at the last minute earlier and pause in her plan of hauling her heel at Marcus. “Soooo, still no girlfriend?” Scarlet asked her brother who cringed at her question. Marcus shook his head and she shifted forwards staring at him differently which made Marcus stared back at her skeptically. “Just tell the truth, brother. Are you asexual?” Scarlet asked seriously. “All because I don’t have time for dating right now?” Marcus rolled his eyes at her. “Then, when will you have the time? You are pushing thirty!” “Get off my case, Scarlet. Here, have this!” Marcus shoved some food into her mouth and she glared at him while chewing at the same time. The sight was quite funny to me and almost everyone at the table found it funny too. “I need to attend to a situation. Will be back in a few minutes.” Mason whispered into my ears and