Chapter 03
"He said what?!" Olivia's friend and the Marketing Manager of the company asked with wide eyes. Olivia sighed and shook her head, "I'm not doing this Macey, what if it all goes south? What if he asks me to sleep with him?" She said worriedly. Macey rolled her beautiful blue eyes, "Come on, it can't be that bad. I'm sure women are dying to get under him, plus, didn't he just say today that you're not his type?" He asked. "Yeah," Olivia nodded, hoping that had to count for something. "But I'm not doing it, I'm going home, I'll face Mr Chad in the morning with some fancy excuse," she said and with that marched into Macey's front seat and folded her arms. "Are you sure about this? You might not have a job to come back to when all this is over," Macey advised. Olivia looked at the looming building, she really needed her job alright but she couldn't stand a night with Chad alone in the office and just a thin desk between them. "I'll tell him a believable lie, come on, didn't you say you wanted to have drinks with someone, let's go," she said. Macey shrugged and drove off. Working late with Chad Steele was usually a scandalous affair. Every secretary that he worked with over time ended up trying to get into his bed and life - again. The same was true for Rose who acted like she owned him. They arrived at the club a few minutes later and Macey was able to get them in because she knew the bouncer - in fact, she knew a lot of men that Olivia wouldn't think of knowing. "So, have you met this one before?" Olivia asked as Macey walked to a skinny man by the counter and gleefully hugged him. "No, we're just getting to know each other," she replied and clung to his side as they ordered shots. Olivia was the third wheel as Macey handed her a glass of cocktail and made herself comfortable on the man's lap at the corner of the club, leaving her alone at the counter. "Hey, beautiful, do you want something strong?" The bartender asked and Olivia shook her head eagerly. She didn't want anything strong. Anytime Macey got drunk, she was the rescue driver and right then, with the sound of her laughter, she was sure Macey was definitely getting drunk that night. The music changed after a few minutes and everyone began to grind on the dance floor. Olivia threw back the sixth shot and could feel the room spinning already. "Do you wanna dance?" Someone very close to her whispered and she was about to ask him off when he already grabbed her hands and led her to the dancefloor. "Why is such a pretty thing like you seated all alone in the bar, did you come alone?" He asked. Olivia shook her head, "Came with friends, they're just busy I guess," she replied and gulped down two more shots, trying to get him away from her but it wasn't working. The man clung to her waist and grinded hard against her cheeks. "I have to take this," Olivia said as her phone suddenly rang and was removed outside. It was Macey and she noticed that her car was still parked outside. "Yes, what's up? It's a mess so you're leaving so soon?" She asked. "On the contrary. He's amazing so I want to know his place," Macey replied. Olivia gasped, "You just met him and you want to have sex with him?!" She asked with wide eyes. "Come on, Liv. Live a little will you? You can drive the car home, I'll pick it up from your place tomorrow, bye," she said and hung up immediately. "Shit!" Olivia whispered under her breath and turned to walk to the car but someone was right in front of her. She startled briefly before realizing it was just the guy from the dancefloor earlier. "Leaving so soon, gorgeous?" He asked, leering at her. Olivia rolled her eyes at his tone, his eyes were fixed on her cleavage and it disgusted her. "Yes, I have work tomorrow," she replied and gestured at the car, "You're in my way." But the man didn't move, he got closer to her and grabbed his crotch, "You gave me a hard-on with that grinding of yours, now you have to take care of it, it's not fair to leave a man like this," he whispered. Olivia stepped back, "What are you doing? Get away from me right now, my boyfriend will be here any second from now," she said, her voice trembling as much as her feet. She was drunk and couldn't even defend herself, the street was pretty quiet too, she didn't feel safe. "I heard that call, darling, your boyfriend isn't coming, you're alone here and you're going to take care of me," he sneered. Olivia turned immediately and saw a man, dressed in a suit and stepping out of a Bentley, one that she made the mistake of not looking at closely. In panic and with the buzz in her system, she rushed to him and threw her arms over the stranger, kissing him fiercely on the lips. "Oh, I guess you're really with your boyfriend, sorry man," the pervert said and walked into the club again, no doubt to find other victims. His warm lips caressed her mouth and his tongue gilded softly against her, Olivia moaned and ran her hands through his hair, giving caution to the wind, "Take me," she whispered dreamily. "I'm here for a business meeting with the owner of the club. Olivia, are you okay?" The stranger asked, Olivia nodded but then her eyes widened, "How did you know my name?" She asked in surprise just as the man lifted his face and she gazed into the eyes of none other than Chad Steele. "Oh," Olivia sighed and lost consciousness in his arms.Chapter 04Waking up the next day, Olivia wished the events of the previous night was a dream, but she wasn't that lucky. "Olivia Parker, you have to stop being so reckless!" The voice of her mother, Hilda, sounded through her bedroom wall. Olivia groaned and sat up just as her mother barged into the room without a tap and with her hands akimbo, glared at her. "You came home drunk last night and you know how important today is," she said. "I didn't drink much mum, it was just a dew shot, I'm perfectly fine," she replied in defense. "Oh really? Then I guess you can remember how you crawled into your room last night, literally," she stated. Sighing, Olivia palmed her face and fell on the bed again. "Do you see who dropped me off?" She asked and Hida shook her head, "No, before I could get to the door, they'd driven away and left you standing there like fucking idiot! You should be glad they were nice enough to bring you home," she snapped. "Yeah, yeah," Olivia said but her mind was
Chapter 05 The office hallway seemed to stretch on forever as Olivia hesitated, her eyes fixed on the tall figure walking towards her. “Shit," she muttered under her breath, her heart thumping. Chad, her new stepbrother, had his piercing blue eyes staring right through her. It had been a very awkward morning since her mother made that announcement last night. Her boss was her stepbrother and she had just kissed him - how more awkward could that be? "Hey, Chad," Olivia ventured, her voice soft and tentative, trying to break the ice. But Chad didn't even flinch. He walked past her as if she were invisible, his long strides eating up the distance. Olivia felt a sting of rejection, her face warming with embarrassment. "Wow, okay," she muttered under her breath, her eyes following him as he disappeared into his office. "Guess this is going to be the longest hours of my life." She groaned loudly. The announcement of their parents' engagement had sent shockwaves through both her l
Chapter 06 __ Moving In Olivia stood in her room, gazing at the half-packed suitcase on her bed. She sighed, still reluctant to leave behind the simplicity of their small apartment. Hilda, her mother, bustled in, radiating excitement. "Please be happy for me, darling. I'm getting married, and I don't want you to feel alone," Hilda said, wrapping Olivia in a warm hug. Olivia managed a small smile, though her mind was preoccupied with other concerns. "Is he really going to live with us?" she asked, her voice tinged with apprehension.Hilda arched her brow. "Matthew? Of course, he'll live with us; it's his house, remember?" She laughed."It wasn't Matthew I was asking about. It's Chad," Olivia clarified, a hint of anxiety creeping into her tone.Hilda smiled widely. "I know you're used to it being just the two of us, but you have a sibling now. You should be happy to bond with him."Olivia nodded, trying to push away the memory of the searing kiss she shared with Chad. She forced a sm
Chapter 07___Steak and Tension Chad descended the stairs, his eyes scanning the room for Olivia. He half wished that he could avoid her, but he wasn't that lucky. She stood by the fireplace, her back to him. His father, Matthew, beamed with pride, his arm around Hilda. Cathy chatted with Olivia, oblivious to the tension between them. As Chad approached, Olivia turned, their eyes meeting for a brief, charged moment. He felt a jolt but remained standing without a glitch. She looked away, her cheeks flushing. "Dinner's ready," Matthew announced, leading them to the dining room. Chad took his seat, Olivia across from him. The conversation flowed, but he couldn't focus, his gaze drifting to Olivia. She avoided eye contact, her smile as fake as the decorative flowers on the table. As the main course arrived, Chad's father raised his glass. "To my beautiful bride, Hilda, and our new family. May our love and happiness grow with each passing day." Chad forced a smile, his eyes locking w
Chapter 08__A night at The stone's. Olivia seethed internally as they finished up dinner, her eyes drifting to the empty chair where Chad had sat. He had no doubt left the dining room because of her and she knew exactly why. “Hey, honey? Do you like turkey? I had it specially made when your mother told me how much you love turkeys," Matthew said with a smile. Olivia knew that her new stepfather was just trying to lighten the mood and so she tried to wear a pleasant smile on her face as she replied, "I like it. The turkey is perfect, the meal is really nice," she replied. Hoping that she did sound brighter than she felt. How could Chad be so cruel to her? Why did he hate her so much? Why did she make the mistake of kissing him that night? Or was that even when it all started? Chad had always acted like he never noticed her at the office. Until that fateful day when she went to his apartment to give him an important document. Then suddenly, he wanted her to work late. She had plann
Chapter 09__Sounds of Night. Olivia jerked awake from sleep. She was sure something had woken her, but she wasn’t so sure what it was. She rubbed her sleepy eyes and looked up at the dark ceiling. Her gaze then shifted to the window. She couldn’t see anything or hear any sound as she listened for another few seconds. Yawning, she rolled out of bed and padded softly to the window. At least she could be grateful for the view from her room. Her window overlooked the beautiful garden she had seen earlier that day. Olivia looked again and turned on her bedside lamp. Her room was still filled with her bags, yet unpacked. She decided that maybe the garden wasn’t such a bad idea, and she slipped her feet into her flip-flops and went downstairs. Pushing open the front door, she was shocked to hear nothing but the sounds of frogs croaking and chirping insects of the night. She didn’t know when a soft sigh escaped her lips. At last, she was blissfully alone. “I wish my mother found l
Chapter 10___Sounds of the Night 2 Olivia jerked back, for a second, she was stunned to meet him by her door. "What...what are you doing here?" She asked in a flustered tone. Chad glared at her, his anger evident on his features. "Why did you go to the gardens?" He asked, his tone leaving no room for her refusal. She shook, she'd scarcely heard him speak in such a way. Even when he had to yell at her in the office, he sounded human. But right then, she couldn't hear any softness in his tone, he was icy. "I was just taking a...a.stroll," she replied and tried to step back. But Chad's hands shot out and grabbed her by the arm before she could move out of reach. He moved even closer and stared down at her, his chiseled face just inches above her, she couldn't breathe anymore, her lungs frozen for a second. "You're not afraid of the night?" He asked with a cold voice, she winced slightly, not at his grip but the tone of his voice. The shadow was still over his features and with the d
Chapter 11__Bossy Olivia trudged into the office, her feet heavy with exhaustion. She had barely slept the night before, her mind racing with thoughts of the incident with Chad. How odd could he be? Was he now a prisoner in his home? Sighing, she dumped her tote bag on the desk and dropped her Styrofoam cup. She was dressed in a thin black shirt and pair of trousers, her usual crisp attire now rumpled and worn.As she settled into her chair, Macey looked up from her computer, concern etched on her face. "Hey, are you okay?" she asked, eyeing Olivia's disheveled appearance.Olivia nodded wordlessly, not trusting herself to speak. She was still trying to shake off the fatigue that clung to her like a sticker. Macey's eyes narrowed. "You're twenty minutes late," she reminded Olivia, her brow arched in disapproval.Olivia sighed, rubbing her temples. She had woken up late, missing her alarm in her groggy state. But of course, that was to be expected after such a night."Yeah, I know,"