Oliver has a very sour relationship with his parents; little wonder why they won't when he went through so much as a kid. I'm not particularly a fan of his parents, but I just didn't want him beating himself up over the fundraiser.When we arrived at the event, the venue was a bit packed with all the crème de la crème of society mingling together and making deals. We all know that charity is just a front for their illegal deals.I tagged along under the disguise of hunting for a rich guy, but actually, I'm here to keep an eye on Oliver; I didn't want him to fall into one of his crazy episodes. I can't deal with another one of his episodes."Son! You made it," Mr. Caine called out after seeing Oliver."You didn't give me more of a choice now, did you?" Oliver whispered to his dad.Now, do you understand when I say his relationship with his parents is sour?"Honey, it's nice to see you again," his mom exclaimed, spreading her arms for a hug."I wish I could say the same," he replied."C
I knew Mrs. Caine never liked anything about me, but to think that she had me investigated all this time is one thing that pisses me off. What could I have possibly done to her to deserve what she is dishing out to me?"Charmer!" Oliver yet out as he ran towards me,"Charm, just hold up!" I heard Oliver calling from behind. I had no reason to be mad at Oliver, but I was just not in the mood to talk to anyone. I needed to unleash my anger on something or someone, but I didn't want to unleash it on Oliver."Just go back inside, Oliver; I just want to be left alone," I snapped at him while still walking away, without a glance in his direction."You know I can't; just hold on for a second," he said to me, but I didn't stop for even a second. He grabbed my left hand from behind, spinning me to face him."I don't want to talk to you," I yelled at him, fighting to pull my hands away from his grip."Charm, please calm down and listen to me," he said, tightening his grip on my arms."Oliver, l
Throughout my day at the office, I was nothing but a shadow of myself, taunted regularly by the memories of what had transpired between Oliver and me yesterday night. It was as though Mother Nature and the Devil had made a pact to frustrate me; everywhere I turned, I could only see people making out.I entered the office thinking I was kind of free from it all, only to be handed a case of a noise complaint from some neighbors against a couple. The neighbors couldn't stand the screams and heavy groaning that came out of their apartment each time they were at it.It was my first time covering such a weird story, and I was to interview the couple. Honestly, I think the couple needs to be exiled because I spent the major part of the interview trying to separate them from each other. I wonder how they get things done around the house when all they do is tug at each other's clothes.I couldn't finish up in time to swing by the house and change before going to Ellen's engagement party; it wa
We were both shocked and dumbfounded when we heard the voice. We both turned immediately toward the voice, only to find Arielle standing a few feet away from us. I turned to meet Oliver's gaze. I was signaling for him to say something, but he was just too scared to say a word. I knew right then and there that I had to manage the situation before it spun out of control."Nothing, just having a little falling out with Oliver." I tried covering up. I didn't know how much of our conversation she listened to, but I just knew it was best to start this way."Baby, I have never seen you guys argue over anything; are you sure this is nothing?" Arielle kept shaking Oliver's right arm while Oliver stared at her like a moron.I don't like her one bit, but I just don't want her to find out what transpired between Oliver and me.I quickly eyeballed Oliver to say something to salvage the situation; he caught on and assured her that he was fine. He also assured her that we were practically fine now.
I stood at the center of the room, mouth open, as she went on about how Oliver was hers and hers alone.I knew there was something off about her from the very beginning, but to think she could pretend this much is just something else. I was too shocked at the very words coming out of her mouth, but I hid my surprise as quickly as they came. I knew then and there that it was about time I told her off."The last time I checked, Oliver wasn't yours, and neither is he mine. Besides, what makes you think he can't see past your pretense, you dumb kitty?" I fired at Arielle."Haa! Oh wow, the b*tch does bite; well, he is mine since I'm the one he is with now."She gloated while walking around the room like she had won a Nobel prize. "I have no business with your man, stupid, but when you start acting as though you love Oliver, then it becomes my problem besides we both know you only love spending his hard-earned money and you don't have any single feelings for him." Arielle was shocked at
"Hey Dean, come on in. I guess you guys decided to bring the breakfast upstairs," Arielle said with fake enthusiasm, then she dragged Dean into the room. She recalled me as she walked past me. I stood transfixed at the door while holding it open.Dean placed the tray on the table beside the other platter, and he sat on the bed, making Oliver shift closer to Arielle, who went on scolding Oliver for abandoning her downstairs. I couldn't believe my eyes; the very thing I ran away from found its way to me."Baby, you left me all alone downstairs," Arielle buzzed while tugging at Oliver's arm. I was growing impatient with the whole drama, and how good she was at pretending made it even more unbearable. I wanted to grab her by the hair and drag her out of the room but advised myself against it. I knew she wouldn't let it slide, but I made up my mind to avoid her like the plague she is. I have only realized since her little drama that she is capable of anything just to stick by Oliver's si
I was struggling to free myself from the water, but it kept pulling me down into its depths. I wasn't much of a swimmer, and I do black out when thrown into a vast body of water. I continued struggling to get an edge and free myself, but I was gradually losing consciousness while sinking to the depths of the river.In a split second, my whole life flashed right in my face. I never imagined I would be dying out here in a small river, in this tiny town, and most importantly, without actualizing my dream of marrying a billionaire. The thought of dying a pauper broke my heart into pieces as I gradually sank to the bottom. I know the river glitters like gold, but it's not lose to the real thing. I prayed earnestly in my heart to the god of riches to give me one more chance to make my dream come true.I was a few inches away from hitting the bottom and almost lost consciousness when someone grabbed my right arm. I have never been as grateful as I was when I felt those strong hands on my arm
OLIVER'S POV"Welcome back, sir." Martha was all smiles seeing me home."Thanks, Martha; I thought today was your day off?" I asked her, surprised to see her."It is, sir, but you have been away for a while. I thought I should help clean up the place before you get back. Besides, I know you have not been eating well since you traveled." I couldn't help but smile at her. Of course, Martha has always treated me like her son.She has been working for me for the past 10 years; we have grown so accustomed to each other that you would mistake her for my mom.She lost her husband and two kids a few years ago in an accident before she started working for me. She came to me broken in many pieces. I guess I would say we both healed each other."I'm fine, Martha, but I sure missed you." she chuckled. "Yeah, I know you did miss my cooking."I laughed hard. Don't blame me; the woman sure knows her way around the kitchen. "Did anyone come looking for me?""Anyone, yo
I could swear I saw that guard standing behind me the day Ellen visited me; normally I shouldn't have recalled, but they scared the shit out of me."What is he doing here?" I asked myself, hurriedly walking into the building, hoping Ellen didn't send him here to kill me just because I called Oliver. I mean, that will be madness, but it isn't beneath her anyway."Hey," I heard a male voice yelling behind me, and I quickly increased my pace, almost running."Hey, stop," he kept yelling, but something was off about him; he wasn't yelling at the top of his voice; it was more like he didn't want to attract attention to himself.But I will be damned to stand around and find out what he wanted."Stop, I just want to talk," he said in a whispering tone.I stabbed the elevator button with my fingers, occasionally looking back to see if he had caught up with me.The elevator door pulled open, and I quickly ran inside, stabbing the button to close faster.The door was almost closed when he stuck
DEAN'S POVI haven't been myself ever since I left. I found it hard to go back ever since I left. I thought she had finally accepted me and made up her mind to forget about Oliver, but seeing how pale she was at the engagement party, I knew I stood no chance against Oliver. I was feeling guilty seeing how miserable she looked.I made up my mind after dropping her off at her apartment to leave the city for a while, but that was the dumbest idea ever. I should have stayed behind to fight for her love.I had known her for only a couple of months, but it just felt like I had known her like forever. I couldn't stand watching her pine for someone who would be married to someone else in a matter of weeks.I packed up my things and decided to leave. I came by her apartment to tell her about how I felt and my plans to leave.I stood at her door for hours contemplating my options, but I wasn't ready to learn the truth, so I decided to leave without telling her.I thought maybe it would give he
I haven't seen Oliver ever since the incident with Ellen; at first, I was pissed, hoping to see him and return the slap, but when I remembered he gave me a video of Carson trafficking young girls, I became scared for him.I worried that he must have told her those things because he was scared. But I couldn't bring myself to call him; the last thing I want is another visit, from Ellen. But anyway, I was kind of glad it wasn't Carson or Geoffrey; it wouldn't have gone after the slap, and maybe it would have been a bullet to my head.I was still lost in thought thinking about what best to do and how to go about it when I heard my phone ringing. I grabbed the phone from my desk, hoping to be done with the call before Tanner caught me.She is literally on my neck lately; I guess Geoffrey threatened the shit out of her when he came for Barker's file and she decided to take it out on me like she always did.One look at the caller ID, and I was pissed. I thought I made it clear that I didn't
I opened my mouth to say something, but it closed right back. He started from Oliver to me, then back to Oliver. I have no idea what was going through his mind, but I would give everything to find out."Hi, Dean, you're back," I blurted out, running my fingers through my hair."Yes, I came back a few days ago," his gaze was still on my hair. But then it hit me; did he just say he came back a few days ago; he couldn't call me since he came back."Maybe he lost his phone," I thought to myself."Oh, what are you doing here?" I asked him, hoping that would make him forget all about me."I have an appointment with Oliver," my gaze shifted to Oliver."Yeah, yeah, I forgot the brunch," he said, checking his time."What brunch?" I asked confused."Uh, the club is holding a brunch later today," Oliver explained."Oh," I spat out, taken aback.For the love of God, he had the time to attend a brunch but didn't bother seeing me after how we left things."I should go," I quickly said, turning to l
To think I was taking shit from the security guy to find out more about the shipment only for Oliver to hand it over to me on a platter without ass-licking anyone. I felt the urge to shove my foot down the security guy's throat but decided not to. I have always known that our system was dysfunctional, but I never imagined that our system was rotten to this extent.For heaven's sake, why would he traffic these little girls in a container halfway across the world? I could feel my blood boiling and my muscles cringing while watching the video.But one thing still baffles me: where do they all go? I mean, the girls. He gets the shipment every month; where does he keep these girls?It takes a lot of work and connection to keep this kind of deal off the police and the media raiders. I was lost in my world losing track of time. I looked up from the video I was watching to see Oliver dozing off with his head leaning on the window.I sighed, "He has gotten thinner." I whispered to myself; he
I was at the office going through the stupid case Tanner gave me; you know, some days I just hate my job more than you can imagine.How on earth am I stuck behind this desk learning about how cats mate, just to cover the news of two neighbors fighting because of their cats? When I should be covering better cases, I think Tanner is back to her usual self now.When I mean back, I mean back to torment me, because tell me what the heck is this?I was getting frustrated by the stupid case, and my throat was getting dry, I was about to get myself something to drink when someone pushed a cup of coffee to me.I stopped, staring at Kevin as he stood there smiling. "You look beautiful when you are working hard," he said, smiling. I was confused at first wondering what he was on about, then it hit me."He isn't hitting on me," I whispered to myself, staring like a moron while he was acting like he just handed me the world."I have lost my charm, I'm doomed," I murmured."Enjoy," he waved, smil
It's been one week since the incident at the office, but why the gray sedan was still on my ass beats me.It was more like a third leg following me everywhere. I was in the room one evening preparing to step out for a date. Yes, I know what you are thinking.I am not going to let any man tie my ass down, nor will I allow anyone to kill my dreams.That dream of living in wealth and affluence, I checked myself out in the mirror, and I was looking so good.I picked up my clutch and my phone to step out. But decided to take a final look at my date, to feed my eyes before I gaze on the real thing.Nick Barnes is one of the most talked about eligible bachelors in New York City. I heard he lost his father recently to a terrible accident, making him the sole heir of his father's fortunes.I feel so terrible, but it's great news. I mean, now is the perfect time for him to get married, and I heard he recently broke up with his girlfriend. Are you thinking what am thinking? You know what that m
"Hey, what just happened?" Malcolm asked, looking all worried. I was surprised to see him here of all places."What are you doing in this neighborhood?" I asked him." I came to see a friend, I was about to leave when I noticed what was happening," he explained."Are you okay? What was that about?" he queried. "Oh, it's nothing much; I just picked up a difficult case," I quickly said while trying not to mention anything concerning the Carson's. I don't want him running off to tell Oliver a thing. "Are you sure? That guy was about to stab you, Charm." "It's fine; I will be more careful from henceforth, and I will make an entry at the station," I said while I tried leaving. "Charm, I don't think it's a great idea to walk alone tonight; after that," he said, holding my hand and dragging me along. I didn't bother fighting because it didn't seem like I stood any chance. We drove home silently without saying a word. I noticed his concerned stares, every now and then, but I didn't say a
One look at the caller, and he quickly excused himself. I took a sneak peek at his phone, and it had Ellen as the caller. I wonder what I was expecting anyway. I waved him off and went downstairs after a few minutes to see Dean speaking to Oliver. I couldn't help but imagine what he could be telling Dean with all seriousness if not to warn him to stay away from me. "Hey, is everything okay?" I was beginning to get worried." Dean asked the minute I came over. "Sorry, I should have called; I ran into a friend and had a little catching up," I said. "Oh, ok," Oliver gave me a side eye, but I ignored it. I walked away from both men with the excuse of getting something to eat. I took a plate to dish out food from the feast right before me. "The puppy has a new owner now." I heard Mrs. Caine's voice from behind me, but I ignored her anyway. The last thing I want is another confrontation with her. "You should take more food, you poor thing; I don't think that would be enough," she chuc