OLIVIA'S POV
I watched through the window as heavy raindrops fell from the dark-covered sky, bringing the freshness that comes with rain. The buzzer sound of the oven brought my concentration back to the kitchen. Satisfied with the outcome of my baked homemade banana bread. Mrs Richard has been wonderful in showing me her cooking recipes. Immediately, I showed interest in one of her recipes and mom had said I could as well pass for a professional chef in my big blue apron and white head cap Dad got me. Carefully mixing the hot Mexican chocolate drink, Dad's favorite of all the chocolate drinks I have been making, and also the perfect drink for rainy weather. Twisting around in excitement, eagerness filled me as I imagined Dad's look of satisfaction after tasting my baked banana bread. I carried the banana bread with the chocolate drink and made my way upstairs to Dad's office. He has been distant for the past few days; he is either locked in the office or outside working out things in the company. I barely see him these days, and when I do, he looks distracted and worried. Knocking on the door again and waiting without any reply, I turned the knob and entered the warm and cozy office. A dark walnut bookcase lined the entire left-hand wall and bookshelf atop a matching file cabinet at the other side. There are indeed two deep green plush armchairs with fur rugs over the side and an Indian blanket draped over the arm. The view through the window panes overviews the back side of the garden with the imagery of white orchids and tulips. A large walnut piece, rather imposing, wooden desk that looks like the early nineties dominates the center, and a Captain style on wheels chair with a leather seat behind. A dormant fireplace at a side and on the mantle, a rough art Sketch no doubt mom's. Carefully dropping the tray on one side of the table so I could arrange the messy files on the other side, I saw the file with my name written boldly on it; not a bit bothered, I moved to arrange it. It must have been one of the legal papers for my adoption process, it always requires a lot of paperwork. ‘Marital contract draft'..., picking the paper with the headline I thought I must have clumsily packed that with mine. I'm pulling the file out for separation ...I froze; this must have been a game of mind or an illusion, right?? A marriage agreement between... OLIVIA BROOKE of QUEENS CONSTRUCTION and..KELLAN EASTON of BAES GROUP Taking a step back, my eyes widened as I read the words on the paper. I blink rapidly to clear my blurry vision still trying to process what I have just read. Dread and fear filled me, something I have not felt for a short while now. I heard the click of the door as Dad entered the office; he raised his eyebrows at my tears-stricken face. I watched as the realization of what had happened hit him. “Livia...I...” Cutting his words in a shaky and disbelieving voice I almost do not recognize as mine "You are marrying me off?" I said more like an answer to my questions.“Why? Have I done something wrong?” I voiced out, looking at him. “Of course not. Dear, please hear me out.” Looking everywhere but me, he continued, “It is not what you are thinking. It's just something that needs to be done.” “And what would you gain from it?" I questioned. "Ha…I guessed things like this would benefit your company right?" I added Without waiting for him to reply to me. I rushed out of the office. My heartbeat rapidly pounded in my ears as I darted down the stairs to my room. I felt sick to my stomach as the bile rose in my throat, barely making it to the bathroom to eat breakfast. Tired and weak, I sat down on the floor. I noticed Mom behind me in the bathroom. “Are you okay?” she asked. It must have shown on my face that I did not want to talk because she didn't say another word. Pulling over the blanket over me as she arranges the pillows under my head, I hear her quietly muttering, ‘You will be fine’ as I welcome the silence. When I woke up, I noticed it was dark; I must have slept through the evening. The silence made me feel empty and I dread what comes outside this room. Still lost in my thoughts, I saw Mom enter the room. “I brought you dinner in case you do not want to come down." “You should eat something,” she said again. “The dinner with the Easton”, I said to myself, now just realizing it myself, all the pieces coming together. “Does he know about it?” I asked looking at Mom who had a worried expression looking back at me. “Yes he does,” she replied. “So, it was all planned out, and I was the only one left in the dark,” I said bitterly. “Would you have done this to me if I was your real daughter?” “Yes, dear. There's no harm in this. The Eastons are a very respected and successful family, and Kellan on the other hand, is one of the most successful bachelors in the country and every young girl's dream,” she stated. “This will benefit both families and it's also an opportunity for you.” There was a pause, as I didn't have any words to say to her anymore. “You should eat Livia, and I want you to know that we want the best for you. You are our daughter, adopted or not.” She spoke again. “When you feel better we can talk better about it.” She gave me a gentle squeeze before leaving the room. That night I had slept with the lights on not wanting any shadows in the corners. It has been three days since and no one has talked about what happened. Mom was trying to be her chatty self and even Brian had made one or two jokes. Dad has been quiet and he went to his study immediately after dinner. Carefully watering the flower just like Mr Fergs had shown me I saw Dad coming from the other side he must have seen me from his office. Satisfied with what I had done after some minutes, I noticed Dad still sitting on the bench at the other side. Dropping my watering can, I went to sit beside him “Livia,” “Dad,” we spoke at the same time. Chuckling nervously, I rubbed my ears. “Livia, I want you to know I will never do anything to hurt you,” he began to speak. “The marriage agreement you saw is something that has to be done. Yes, the merger would greatly help my company but I would also want my daughter to marry into a family like the Eastons,” He explained holding my hands and looking at me “Hmm.. Brian explained, "I murmured thinking about what I read in the complete documents Brian had brought to me yesterday. I got a twenty percent share of the joint corporation the Eastons and the Brookes were working on, Brian had thiry while Kellan got fifty percent. Brian had taken his time to explain to me why the marriage was necessary to unify the shares. My name had been registered as a shareholder of the company three years ago. That must have been around when I came back to the orphanage from my abusive foster parents. Not knowing what to say at the moment, I turned to hug Dad and silently thought of what the future holds for me.KELLAN'S POVDriving through the busy streets of New York, I made my way to my company, BAES GROUP. It is a multi-purpose company that deals majorly in food and partnership with many other restaurants.Dad had taken over the company after his parent's death, a ‘family business' he called it. Something he had no interest in which had caused a lot of struggle in the company.Graduating with an MBA at the young age of twenty-five years, I took over from where he left it. The company's gross skyrocketed the first year I took charge of the business and Bae's group has become the highest-grossing company of all time, that has been the goal every year and I could say the risk of an international establishment many others were not financially able to make help after all it is a billion dollar company.Thinking of business expansion I remembered Sharon had talked about expansion to Africa at the hotel during the opening of Quings Jewelry, one of our partnerships.As I reached the company buil
OLIVIA P O VI had chosen a soft cashmere blended chive green dress that stopped just above the knees with intricate patterns that seemed to dance in a dimming light. The dress hugged the body delicately like a second skin paired with deep green heels.The makeup Artist mom hired had done what I could call a perfect job on the face. My hair was swept up elegantly, with a few tendrils escaping to frame my face, creating an image of a young, soft and beautiful woman.I stepped out of the cab at the restaurant in the address Kellan's secretary had sent me earlier. Not wanting to embarrass myself I knew I needed all the confidence I could to get through this dinner. I have been informed that dinner will be at six in the evening.I walked into the restaurant, my eyes immediately searching the busy yet quiet restaurant, taking in the appearances of the people, and I could not be more grateful to Mom for convincing me of my temptation to wear simple Jeans and a sweater.“Good evening, May I
KELLAN'S POV Not in the mood for my mother's snoopy attitude. I drove towards my penthouse after I dropped off Olivia.I parked my car only to notice the lights were on. In total confusion, I moved towards the entrance door, knowing there was no way it would be a bugler. Only two people had access to this penthouse, which was Sharon and me. I had also installed a top-notch security system, so if it was a person without access, I would have been notified.I opened the door to notice flowers scattered on the floor, following their trail to the dinner.“Surprise!” I turned around to see Sharon popping a Cheval Blanc white wine. “Aren't you supposed to be in Europe?” I asked, still in shock.“I believe this is where you hug and kiss me,” She said with her arms open.Laughing softly at her I pulled her to me and kissed her. I looked at the food varieties displayed on the dining table, mostly Vegetables.“Did you change your diet routine?"“Of course, yes, I did that for you," she said e
Olivia P O VA wedding is supposed to be a joyous occasion, a day to be celebrated, where two souls come together. Joined in holy matrimony. Bonded by vows to love and to cherish.I have always imagined something romantic despite the tug of survival I have passed through. A grand wedding, the prettiest, most expensive gowns, gorgeous heels that many brides would envy, a lovely veil to put any other veils to shame, and my handsome Prince Charming, my little fairy tale.But it was just that. A fantasy. A lovely one to dream of, but a fantasy nonetheless. Because my wedding was nothing short of a cruel reality.Everything is perfect just like how I imagined my wedding day“That’s it, Livia; remember, I am always on your side. You just do not see it yet because of this, and we understand you,” My mom said.My chest tightened as she walked to the bed and opened the box, revealing the white tulle veil custom-made by a popular designer. The train ran fifteen feet long with a lace design and
Olivia's POVI stood in that gaudy bedroom, my brain still echoing with the jollity of the reception. Before me stood that huge pile of silk and satin that more threatened to overwhelm than it welcomed. It was as if nothing was there in the room except the memories of the entire day: the fragrant posy on the dresser, the beautiful wedding dress I still wore—but nothing calmed me. Growing feelings of dread nibbled my insides.My eyes clung to the closed door, the one Kellan left without one glance toward me. A wash of sourness surged into my mouth at the thought of memories of cool detachment in his eyes—what I seemed to get for the whole day. I had hoped like some sort of fool that things would have been different tonight and maybe behind that closed door, he would finally show me a small piece of the affection that I so hungered to feel.I kept my ears tuned to the door, and then I couldn't move until Kellan was inside. His expression was, as usual, clean. He never turned around at m
KELLAN’S POVI sat on the very edge of my bed. The quiet of this room slammed into me like it physically was. That framed wedding photo on my nightstand seemed to mock me, Olivia and I smiling at the camera, caught in that moment, in a bald-faced lie. In the very eyes that had been on mine, the eyes in the portrait, the eyes which on the last night late had looked at me at the sight of a word, the very same dumb petition, for an unrequitable something, sprang at me afresh. I hunched forward, elbows on my es, running a hand through my hair. It was a complete bloody sham of this marriage that I detested. The door of the room creaked open. I didn't have to raise my head and look up to see who that was. The moms can walk into a house without making a single noise, silent as a ghost. I recognized the smell of her perfume before she spoke—jasmine and something sharp, like floral arrangement liquor, which was her very own, just as her diverged and fixed hair.She murmured it again, "Kellan,
Kellan's POVI woke from my sleep, a small sound of breath at my ear, light sifting through blinds into the room casting a faint mute glow. Sharon lay asleep beside me. Her dark hair fanned over the pillow, her arm laying loose across my chest. I was still lying, staring at the ceiling and thinking over all that had happened during the last few days. Dimly, I remembered last night, hot discussions, and then Sharon's bedroom. Anything but to feel the sordid reality of my life.I peeked over at the nightstand. 7:30 a.m. My phone was vibrating a little as it bumped up against the bedside table, a few quick pulses. I inched over, still careful over Susan, and looked at the message. It was from Mom: *Kellan are you coming home today? Your father wants to go over the strategy of our business for the next quarter.*My jaw tightened, old anger coming from somewhere down deep. They never let up, did they? Yesterday, so heavy with atmosphere, and yet today they wanted me to knuckle down, to pl
As I came out of the study, I felt a rush of adrenaline. I knew I played my cards perfectly. I gave them enough that they would be satisfied all the while keeping my agenda. I am not that puppet anymore that they take me for. I have Sharon, and now I have a plan.I thanked him and he moved one step across the threshold down the hall, and it was as if a weight did come off my shoulders in the truest sense. It was so quiet inside the mansion, it was almost unbearable. I realized I was alone. Not that I cared. I would be gone soon enough and whatever tension lay between us would stay behind for the length of the trip. This was as much peace as I was going to get. I walked inside to the sound of a soft voice coming from behind me."Kellan?"I stopped, shutting my eyes for just a second to ward off frustration, then turned back around. Olivia still stood at the end of the hallway, her arms locked over her chest in uncertainty, almost vulnerable, and my nerves received the smallest nip of