OliviaWhen I woke up, I immediately got up to look at myself in the mirror. My eyes were swollen, which greeted me and brought sadness once again.I thought it was all just a dream, but it truly happened and my swollen eyes were proof of that. I couldn't believe that the man who I never thought would harm me was the one who put me in a situation I never asked for.I was once a daddy's girl because I grew up with just the two of us in life. My mother passed away when she gave birth to me because she chose to let me live and sacrificed her own life just to save me from her womb.I knew that even though daddy and I were together, we were not whole, which led him to addiction to gambling, which brought me to where I am now.I was made the payment for Daddy's debts, and not only that, they forced me to marry someone I didn't know. I had no choice. I was forced to agree because of my deep love for daddy.I didn't want him to be imprisoned, so I chose to suffer with a man whose name I didn'
Olivia"The flowers are really beautiful, aren't they? Especially when taken care of!" he said while looking at a bunch of roses planted in their backyard.I smiled at his words and also looked at the beautiful flowers. They were so red. It's a good thing they have these here at their house. I can entertain myself with this while I'm here."But no matter how beautiful those roses are, they can still hurt you." I looked at him when he said that, raising my eyebrows."Huh?" I asked, looking at him"Nothing," he replied with a grin.This is the first time I've talked to Uncle Richard alone. I'm used to just greeting him whenever I see him with daddy. They're friends and business partners. It's just sad that our company failed.I sighed and caught uncle's attention. He looked at me for a moment before speaking, staring straight at me."You know, Olivia? I'm really ashamed of myself." His voice was calm and gentle as he said that.I sighed again, raising my eyebrows as I looked at him."Wh
Olivia"I can't find the reason why you didn't tell me the truth, Olivia! I thought we're best friends. Didn't we promise each other that no matter what happens, no matter how difficult the situation is, we won't keep secrets from each other?" Matthew said with a distant look and a serious face.I could only sigh in response to what he said. Even I, until now, am still confused. But no matter what I do, I can't turn back time, right? It already happened and there's nothing more I can do."What got into your mind, huh? Why did you suddenly get married? We're often together but you never once told me you had a boyfriend." He added and then turned his gaze towards me."I didn't have anything to tell you!" I replied curtly. I caught his attention with that statement. He looked at me with confusion, his eyebrows furrowed."Am I dreaming? Slap me!" he said, taking my hand and slapping his face with it. "I'm not dreaming. This is really happening."I took my hand back from his grasp."Are yo
OliviaEven though I didn't want to join them for dinner, I was forced to do so because Uncle Richard requested it. He said it could be my gift for his upcoming birthday in a week. I had no choice but to agree.They were used to eating dinner together all at once, even though they seemed like strangers due to the silence around. Well! In our place when I was still there, I wouldn't eat dinner until daddy arrived. I always waited for him because I knew that if I didn't do that, he would feel even more lonely. He would think he was alone even though I was with him.I suddenly wondered what he was doing now. Did he already eat? I didn't want to call him because I wanted him to understand the reason for my big grudge against him.I bowed my head slightly while we were eating together. I felt embarrassed, coupled with my lack of appetite, so I didn't feel like chatting with them.As I finished eating, taking the last spoonful of rice, Uncle Richard spoke, so I looked at him."Have more, Ol
OliviaWe were both lying on the same bed but apart and positioned on opposite sides. I was facing the right, and he was on the left side of the bed, so there was a moment of silence in the room.I had closed my eyes when he moved. Due to the softness of the bed, the mattress couldn't help but make a sound whenever someone moved on top of it. I didn't mind it at first. I didn't want to argue because I was already too tired, but it seemed like he was really annoying because he kept sitting back and forth on the bed.I turned around. I was still sitting on the bed, but my gaze was on him. I took a deep breath before speaking."Can you please stop moving around so much? If you don't want to sleep, let me sleep!" I said calmly."Are you ordering me?" he said with widened eyes."No," I paused briefly before continuing. "I'm asking you! Too many things have happened today. Can you let me rest?"He turned his gaze to me before moving away from the bed. I just looked at him, waiting for what
OliviaI was startled from my sleep as I felt a cold breeze brush against my skin, so I sat up. To add to that, a nightmare visited me in my dream.Even in my dream, Lloyd wouldn't stop bothering me! Even there, he still haunts me with nightmares. I just sighed while sitting on the bed.Unintentionally, I glanced around and didn't find what should have disrupted my morning. So, I immediately grabbed my cellphone to check the time. I was surprised to see that it was already eight in the morning.Oh, right. Starting today, I don't need to wake up early because I've already graduated from college. I got used to waking up early because of my early classes. I took a deep breath as I swallowed the saliva pooling in my throat.I stretched my bones a bit before deciding to get up. I went straight to the bathroom to freshen' up. I'm still really getting used to it. I'm still not used to sharing a bathroom with someone else, and not only that. I'm also sharing everything with him.I slightly sh
OliviaIt was already evening when some of Daddy Richard's staff began preparing for his upcoming birthday. It was still two days away, but I was really wondering why they were starting the planning now. He sent a few people here to the house to plan everything, so they were really busy.There was an event organizer holding a paper and pen going around their house to see what would be a good theme for the celebration. While I was on the second floor, I just watched them prepare until I heard Daddy Richard calling me from downstairs.I looked at him and then went down to meet him. As soon as I reached him, I asked why. He put his hand on my shoulder before answering."You know, maybe you should get used to these things because you're already part of this family!" he said with a smile while looking at me.I just smiled back in response."You know, Olivia... on my every birthday, this is how things always start," he added.Because of what he said, I gathered the courage to ask him about
OliviaThe chairs they prepared for the guests were slowly filling up. Perhaps only a few more are waiting, and the party will soon begin. I chose to stay inside for now because I am avoiding my father.I am not ready to face him yet. It feels like I am about to crumble every time we make an eye contact. He's like a kryptonite sucking all my strength."Olivia," someone behind me called my name. I immediately turned around and saw Matthew, looking all sweaty and out of breath."Why did you arrive late, and where did you come from? Why you look like a mess? Are you playing chase with a dog?" I raised an eyebrow as I looked at him.He sighed and took a deep breath before speaking and answering me."I still had something to take care of before I could come here. I thought I wouldn't make it because of the heavy traffic outside the village.""You never change! You always like to catch up at the last minute. We're already graduates, so you don't need to do that anymore.""Leave it to me. I
OliviaDaddy Richard's birthday passed, and I haven't seen his sweet smile that should have been brighter than usual. I don't know, but I feel like I am one of the reasons why his happiest day was ruined.I couldn't help but feel guilty because of the big mess that happened yesterday. I am currently lying in my room, thinking about what happened yesterday. It was the first time I saw Daddy Richard angry because every time we used to see each other, he was always smiling.I got up and sat on the bed before taking a deep breath. Luckily, Lloyd didn't sleep here, so I didn't have to argue with him about the bed that we haven't agreed on yet. I don't understand that guy! He didn't want to give me the bed.Why is he so different from Matthew? He's like the complete opposite of his brother. You really can't mistake them for siblings because aside from their different looks, they also have very different personalities. Oh well!I stood up and decided to go out for a walk. As soon as I steppe
OliviaThe whisperers stopped as the MC spoke for Daddy Richard's party. All attention was on him. Matthew and I were sitting together on the side near the stage."Good afternoon to everyone! How are you all?" greeted the MC on the mini-stage.I heard the guests responding in unison. After a few moments, the prayer began followed by the introduction of the birthday celebrant. Daddy Richard then went up to the mini-stage. He was dressed elegantly, in a tuxedo, and waved to his hundreds of guests with a smile.Like the MC, he started his speech with greetings and followed by thanking everyone for attending. While chatting with his guests and holding the microphone, I saw him glance at the table where we were seated.I noticed a brief pause in his gaze. Perhaps he was wondering why we were not seated at my husband's table. I nodded at him, and he smiled back at me before returning his gaze to his guests."Oh, by the way, I want to take this opportunity to introduce to you the newest memb
OliviaThe chairs they prepared for the guests were slowly filling up. Perhaps only a few more are waiting, and the party will soon begin. I chose to stay inside for now because I am avoiding my father.I am not ready to face him yet. It feels like I am about to crumble every time we make an eye contact. He's like a kryptonite sucking all my strength."Olivia," someone behind me called my name. I immediately turned around and saw Matthew, looking all sweaty and out of breath."Why did you arrive late, and where did you come from? Why you look like a mess? Are you playing chase with a dog?" I raised an eyebrow as I looked at him.He sighed and took a deep breath before speaking and answering me."I still had something to take care of before I could come here. I thought I wouldn't make it because of the heavy traffic outside the village.""You never change! You always like to catch up at the last minute. We're already graduates, so you don't need to do that anymore.""Leave it to me. I
OliviaIt was already evening when some of Daddy Richard's staff began preparing for his upcoming birthday. It was still two days away, but I was really wondering why they were starting the planning now. He sent a few people here to the house to plan everything, so they were really busy.There was an event organizer holding a paper and pen going around their house to see what would be a good theme for the celebration. While I was on the second floor, I just watched them prepare until I heard Daddy Richard calling me from downstairs.I looked at him and then went down to meet him. As soon as I reached him, I asked why. He put his hand on my shoulder before answering."You know, maybe you should get used to these things because you're already part of this family!" he said with a smile while looking at me.I just smiled back in response."You know, Olivia... on my every birthday, this is how things always start," he added.Because of what he said, I gathered the courage to ask him about
OliviaI was startled from my sleep as I felt a cold breeze brush against my skin, so I sat up. To add to that, a nightmare visited me in my dream.Even in my dream, Lloyd wouldn't stop bothering me! Even there, he still haunts me with nightmares. I just sighed while sitting on the bed.Unintentionally, I glanced around and didn't find what should have disrupted my morning. So, I immediately grabbed my cellphone to check the time. I was surprised to see that it was already eight in the morning.Oh, right. Starting today, I don't need to wake up early because I've already graduated from college. I got used to waking up early because of my early classes. I took a deep breath as I swallowed the saliva pooling in my throat.I stretched my bones a bit before deciding to get up. I went straight to the bathroom to freshen' up. I'm still really getting used to it. I'm still not used to sharing a bathroom with someone else, and not only that. I'm also sharing everything with him.I slightly sh
OliviaWe were both lying on the same bed but apart and positioned on opposite sides. I was facing the right, and he was on the left side of the bed, so there was a moment of silence in the room.I had closed my eyes when he moved. Due to the softness of the bed, the mattress couldn't help but make a sound whenever someone moved on top of it. I didn't mind it at first. I didn't want to argue because I was already too tired, but it seemed like he was really annoying because he kept sitting back and forth on the bed.I turned around. I was still sitting on the bed, but my gaze was on him. I took a deep breath before speaking."Can you please stop moving around so much? If you don't want to sleep, let me sleep!" I said calmly."Are you ordering me?" he said with widened eyes."No," I paused briefly before continuing. "I'm asking you! Too many things have happened today. Can you let me rest?"He turned his gaze to me before moving away from the bed. I just looked at him, waiting for what
OliviaEven though I didn't want to join them for dinner, I was forced to do so because Uncle Richard requested it. He said it could be my gift for his upcoming birthday in a week. I had no choice but to agree.They were used to eating dinner together all at once, even though they seemed like strangers due to the silence around. Well! In our place when I was still there, I wouldn't eat dinner until daddy arrived. I always waited for him because I knew that if I didn't do that, he would feel even more lonely. He would think he was alone even though I was with him.I suddenly wondered what he was doing now. Did he already eat? I didn't want to call him because I wanted him to understand the reason for my big grudge against him.I bowed my head slightly while we were eating together. I felt embarrassed, coupled with my lack of appetite, so I didn't feel like chatting with them.As I finished eating, taking the last spoonful of rice, Uncle Richard spoke, so I looked at him."Have more, Ol
Olivia"I can't find the reason why you didn't tell me the truth, Olivia! I thought we're best friends. Didn't we promise each other that no matter what happens, no matter how difficult the situation is, we won't keep secrets from each other?" Matthew said with a distant look and a serious face.I could only sigh in response to what he said. Even I, until now, am still confused. But no matter what I do, I can't turn back time, right? It already happened and there's nothing more I can do."What got into your mind, huh? Why did you suddenly get married? We're often together but you never once told me you had a boyfriend." He added and then turned his gaze towards me."I didn't have anything to tell you!" I replied curtly. I caught his attention with that statement. He looked at me with confusion, his eyebrows furrowed."Am I dreaming? Slap me!" he said, taking my hand and slapping his face with it. "I'm not dreaming. This is really happening."I took my hand back from his grasp."Are yo
Olivia"The flowers are really beautiful, aren't they? Especially when taken care of!" he said while looking at a bunch of roses planted in their backyard.I smiled at his words and also looked at the beautiful flowers. They were so red. It's a good thing they have these here at their house. I can entertain myself with this while I'm here."But no matter how beautiful those roses are, they can still hurt you." I looked at him when he said that, raising my eyebrows."Huh?" I asked, looking at him"Nothing," he replied with a grin.This is the first time I've talked to Uncle Richard alone. I'm used to just greeting him whenever I see him with daddy. They're friends and business partners. It's just sad that our company failed.I sighed and caught uncle's attention. He looked at me for a moment before speaking, staring straight at me."You know, Olivia? I'm really ashamed of myself." His voice was calm and gentle as he said that.I sighed again, raising my eyebrows as I looked at him."Wh