Olivia
I was stunned, literally. Inside the car.
I never expected to see Blake here, not on a special occasion. I tried to remember if there was a special day today but there was none. Not my birthday. Not my parents’ anniversary. Nothing.
My parents didn’t tell me anything about Blake’s sudden visit. Or maybe they didn’t know as well? Maybe that’s why Cindy texted me earlier to let me know Blake was in the house.
“Olivia? Do you want to go in?” Karen asked. I didn’t know what I should do. I had promised myself that I would face Blake with my head up high. To let him know that I was alright. His words meant nothing to me. Well, maybe a bit because I could change myself into a better version of myself.
The past surely had affected my present.
The wound in my heart was deep and although I was curing myself, the wound would remain there. Just like a cup. Once it broke and was sealed once again, the cup would not be the same anymore.
I looked at Karen and smiled. “Just wait for me.” She nodded her head and I walked out of the car. It was not like I would be around that long and had a nice conversation with a cup of coffee with him. I already had a plan for myself. I would change my clothes and I would go out in a second.
I’d promised Javier to see him. I went inside the house as I could hear Cindy’s voice coming from the dining room and I followed it. Slowly while maintaining my breathing. Once I stepped in, I saw Cindy and her eyes were on me. “Oh, welcome home, dear.”
“Hi, Cindy.” My eyes instantly moved to the man who I was trying to prove. He was sitting on the stool with his back facing me. He slowly turned around, making me remembered my dream this morning. That was probably an omen to me because the man himself…was now at my house.
Blake finally fully turned so he could see me and my heart pounded loudly. Stupid heart. Stupid me for feeling this way.
“Hello, Olivia,” he greeted while smiling lightly.
“Blake.”
Our eyes met instantly. We were quite far from each other yet it felt like he was standing right in front of me. I could sense the fire between us. It made me…breathless. It made me frozen in place. I couldn’t move. He hypnotized me with his eyes.
I don’t need you anymore.
His words that day reminded me as I broke our eye contact immediately. Looking away from him and turned to Cindy. “I’m going out with Karen. I’ll be back before dinner,” I told her.
“Oh, sure, dear.” I went to my bedroom. Although I was focusing on my steps, I could feel his burning stare on me. I reached my bedroom and held my heart. Jesus, it’s pounding loudly.
I calmed myself down. Inhaling. Exhaling. Inhaling. Exhaling.
I reminded myself Blake didn’t want me anymore. He was here just to visit Cindy, not me.
I immediately changed my clothes. I wore a black long sleeve shirt and light blue short pants. I wore my favorite Adidas sneakers, grabbing my Adidas backpack by putting on a towel, change of clothes, phone, and wallet. I tied up my hair into a ponytail and walked out of my room and went downstairs. I saw Blake was still there and talking to Cindy. Okay, calm yourself, Olivia.
And like Blake could sense me, he looked up where I immediately walked down. I didn’t want him to think that I was standing there and looking at him. I headed to the dining room but I kept my distance away from them. “I’ll be going now, Cindy, Blake. I’m sorry I can’t stay for long.”
“No problem, Liv. Have fun!” she said and without waiting for Blake to say something, I turned my heels and headed to the door. Another burning stare could be sensed within me. I wished he would just stop that.
I walked out and headed back to Karen’s BMW and jumped in. “You’re okay?”
“Yeah. It was intense but I managed just fine.”
“Did he say something?”
“Nothing. Just a hello and only sitting on top of the stool without doing anything.”
“Well, glad there’s no drama inside. I thought you would come out angrily or crying.” I laughed at her suspicion. Well, I was thankful because none of that happened.
“I’m fine, Karen. It was…hard, I’m not going to lie. Facing him was hard but I did my best and not showing any sign to him.”
“I’m glad to hear that, then. Alright, let’s go!” And we went off to Javier’s club after I texted Cindy to let her know where I went.
We went downtown and once I saw the Premium Soul’s sign; I was amazed. Even from the outside, you could tell it was exclusive and so premium. It looked different than the other fitness clubs. Karen stopped right in front of the building. “You want me to pick you up later?”
“Oh, no. It’s okay, Karen. I’m sure you have other stuff to do. I can’t bother you to pick me up wherever I go. Please, don’t worry about me.”
“Well, I don’t really mind actually,” she said. Well, maybe she didn’t but I did.
“Don’t worry. I’ll go home before dark,” I tried to persuade her.
“Okay, then. Well, maybe Javier will be glad to take you home.” I could only chuckle. I parted ways with Karen by jumping out of her car and waved my hands before she goes.
I walked inside the club, heading to the receptionist sitting behind the tall desk. Even for a receptionist standard, he was handsome and his body was well-built. “Hi, um, I have an appointment with Javier as my Trainer?”
He raised his eyes and then he smiled genuinely at me. “Ah, Miss Graham? Javier has been waiting for you. Please, have a seat while I make the call.”
“Thank you.” Instead of sitting, I stood near the receptionist. A few minutes later, Javier came out from the door behind the receptionist.
“Hi, Olivia!” he greeted and he was wearing a black polo shirt-like with Premium Soul’s name on the left side of his shirt and gray gym pants. Completed with black running shoes.
“Hey. Sorry, I suddenly changed the day.”
“No problem. Please, come in.” He escorted me inside by allowing me to enter the room first and he followed from behind. He walked first and headed upstairs to the second floor. We arrived at the door at the very corner and Javier opened it for me. I scanned the room and it was completed with lots of equipment. The treadmills, and some other stuff I couldn’t tell what the name was. A long mirror was there and some pictures on the wall. “Can I take your bag?” he asked and I turned to him and slowly handed it to him. He took it and put it on top of the couch. I saw a dispenser there and some cups.
“Is PT always given a private room?”
“Yes. Usually, the client will be having an hour or two with the PT and they can use the equipment here freely without having to worry to wait their turn at the shared room.”
“Are you supposed to attend to a client now?”
“No. Usually, I’m busier in the morning or after office hours. You don’t need to worry about it.”
“I see.”
“So, what makes you change your mind?”
“Well, I thought maybe soon is better. And after I got home, I can tell my parents how it’s like. At least I have a perfect reason for why I want to join.”
“I understand. Well, get ready, then. Stretch your body first. You like doing some sports?”
“No.”
“Wow. No wonder you’re so skinny. I didn’t mean to be rude but…how’s your weight?”
“Um, I think the last time I checked…a hundred and three pounds?” Javier’s mouth was slightly opened. Like he couldn’t believe what he just heard.
“Are you serious? And your height?”
“Five foot four.”
“Okay, problem solved. You are way too skinny. You should be around a hundred and ten. Don’t worry, girl. I’ll help you gain weight and look healthier. I will change that unhealthy diet of yours.”
“Hey, I didn’t go to the gym to gain weight!” And he laughed. Like, hard.
“I’m your trainer, Olivia. And my job is to make sure my client’s need is fulfilled. I know you want to be healthier and that’s what I’m doing now. Trust me because, with my help, you will gain an ideal weight and a healthier body. You could get yourself a boyfriend later.” I only smiled at his statement.
“That was not my intention coming here.”
“I know, but maybe it’ll help. Gym boosts your beauty as well. Because you looked healthier, your skin will be brighter, your aura will look positive at the opposite sex’s eyes,” he explained. I actually never thought about that. But he was right. Although that was not my intention, I would let him trained me. I guess a boyfriend could count now.
“Well, please don’t be too hard on me. I’m still a newbie here.”
“I promise.”
***
Blake
“Well, my little girl is certainly avoiding you, brother,” Cindy commented while looking at her phone. I fucking know that and I was not surprised with it.
It was all my doing. I did all that and now I had to take consequences for my action.
“I guess Olivia was surprised. Because she knew you won’t come unless it’s a special occasion,” she said and put down her phone on top of the island.
“I agree,” I replied lazily and drank my coffee. My eyes went to her and she was staring at me.
“Why are you here, Blake?”
I put down my cup. “Am I uninvited in this house? I’m still family and I can visit my sister.”
Cindy scoffed. “You never bothered to do that before with your own family, with our parents.”
“I was busy, Cindy.”
“And you are not now?” I only smirked. “You just want to see Olivia,” she stated but I didn’t answer. “You are bad by hiding it, Blake. I can see your intention the moment you step in inside my house.” I forgot one thing before I came here. Cindy sometimes could read me easily. No wonder because she was my sister but yes, I missed Olivia. Seeing her only at family dinner or thanksgiving were not enough for me. And the little brat always gave me the cold shoulder. Either looking away or ignoring me. Like she refused my presence around her space. Well, I deserved that and I aware of it.
What changed about me for the past two years was I drowning myself in works. Even John had practically begged me to stop. Well, it costed him as well. With my overload works, John’s responsibility had increased as well. Thanks to his boss who couldn’t help himself by getting rid of a girl out of his mind. Is she changing as well because of me? Oh.
“She changed her hair,” I said.
“She dyed it last summer and it looks good on her.”
“Natural is better on her,” I murmured softly.
“What was that?”
“Nothing.” I drank my coffee again. Well, Olivia looked good with her new hair color but she looked too mature with it. Natural brown looked better on her. No, it was the best color on her. What the fuck was she thinking? Why she had to change her style like that? Was it because of me again?
“Has Taylor called you already?”
“No. Why?”
“We wanted to invite you to Christmas dinner. If you are not busy.”
Christmas dinner with them. Meaning I could see Olivia again but if I said yes now, that would look odd and suspicious. “I have to check my schedule first.”
“No problem. We’re not going to force you.”
“Is it because you know Olivia will not too pleased having me around?” I smirked.
“Not exactly. But I know my girl is trying her best to look perfectly normal around you.”
“My girl, huh? So, Olivia is your girl now.” Well, that was the truth though. The day I dropped my adoption on her and giving her away to Taylor; she had become Cindy’s.
“You better not forget my little threat to you two years ago, Blake. You will be dealing with me and Taylor as well,” she said and her eyes were on me. I glared back at her. I wasn’t threatened by her and I would not hurt her daughter anymore.
“Where did Olivia go?”
“I don’t know,” she replied plainly. Her brown eyes were still on me.
“Are you really her mother, Cindy? How come you have no idea where your daughter goes?” I mocked her.
“I trust my daughter to go anywhere she pleases with her best friend alongside her.”
“You are too naïve, little sister.”
“I don’t want to argue with you about this, Blake. If you’re worried, you can look for her,” she challenged. She was just fucking challenged me. Alright then. I drank the last of my coffee. “I’ll see you again soon, Cindy.” I stood up and walked out of the house. I headed to my car until I could hear her voice again.
“She’s in Premium Soul.” What the hell?
I stopped my steps and turned to her. Cindy was standing in front of her entrance door. “She texted me right after she walked out. And if you want to go there, I ask you kindly to bring her home after you have finished your business with her,” she said and I smiled at her. I went to my car, igniting the engine, and headed to my destination.
Premium Soul.