Larry’s House
“Mom, you wouldn’t believe who I saw today?” Ava said, sitting beside her mother.
Hilda probed her body, obviously curious to listen to what her daughter wanted to say.
“Who did you see?”
“Who else if not Olivia, that bitch. She really has no Shame, moving around the public with her old rich backer.”
Hilda shook her head, disgust evident on her face.
“Who knows what kind of life she’s living with her pathetic mother, I’m sure they are going about having their way with old rich men just to reach the top.”
“And what kind of irresponsible people would live that kind of life?” Larry’s voice asked out of the blue, startling Ava and her mom.
Hilda and Ava turned their heads to Larry, who seemed to be coming out from the living room.
“Dad?” Ava smiled, acknowledging his presence.
“How was school today dear?”
“Would have been great if I didn’t get to see Olivia flaunting her shameless attitude.” Ava stated.
“Olivia? Is she still in your school?” Larry asked, his eyes clouded with an unreadable emotion.
“No dad, I saw her following an old rich man around. I’m sure she’s after his money.” Ava sneered.
Hilda fixed her gaze on Larry, scanning his face, trying to comprehend what was going on in his mind.
Larry creased his brows, his eyes flashing with anger. “Such a waste!” He muttered.
Hilda got from where she sat and went to sit with Larry, suddenly faking a pretentious face.
“Larry dear, don’t think too much, it’s not your fault that she is just an ungrateful child. I’m sure she learnt those ways from her mother.” See said, making her voice sound as coquettish as it can, as she straddled his back.
“It’s fine, at least I have you and Ava, I’m sure you won’t disappoint me. As for Lily and her daughter, they’re dead to me.” He said, through clenched teeth.
Hilda gloated with pride, her cheeks flushed red as she leaned in to kiss him.
“Of course Ava and I love you more than you can think of.” She smiled, hugging him.
“I’d take this as a hint to leave you both, love birds.” Ava smiled and got to leave.
******
Olivia had been waiting for Morgan for hours, even when aunt Maureen requested she should go to her room, she declined, insisting on waiting for Morgan.
She wanted to thank him again for today. Last night she couldn’t get the contract papers from him, because of his hard chest. So she decided to get them tonight, even if he came back in the morning, she’d wait for him.
Later in the night, midnight actually, Morgan was back. With unsteady steps and disheveled hair, he walked into the sitting room, slowly undoing his tie.
He paused when his gaze stopped on the petite figure laying on the sofa, his gaze darkened. He moved further, close to her, his eyes scanning her small, fragile figure.
An unnatural yet sweet smile escaped his lips, without him noticing it. Just as he was fixed on staring at her face, Olivia’s eyes fluttered and opened.
Morgan paused, the small smile quickly vanishing from his face, as he took a step back.
“Don’t you have a room, why sleep here?” Asked his deep voice, his gaze staring intensely at her.
Olivia was now standing , her hazy gaze meeting Morgan’s dark gaze. She brushed off the strands of hair that fell across her face.
“Actually, I was waiting for you?” Her lips twitched, pausing into a deep thin line.
“Waiting for me?” He corked his head, staring at her like she was some kind of joker.
“Hmmh” Olivia hummed, nodding her head in response.
“And why would you wait for me?”
“I want to go through the contract papers again. I wasn’t able to do that before cos of some reasons.” She stated, staring at his face for any possible response.
“Do you want to back out already?” He asked.
“Not really, I just want to go through it.”
“I see. I’d have Nicholas send them to you in the morning. Just know that a contract cannot be altered after it has been signed.”
Olivia nodded, ” Thank you, for today.”
As if he didn’t hear her say thank you, he turned to leave but paused Midway.
“Don’t sleep on the couch next time. You could say whatever you want to say the next morning.”
With that he turned and left in large strides.
Olivia heaved a deep sigh and headed for her room.
Later In the morning, Olivia and Morgan were dressed and ready to visit his father in the hospital.
Olivia was dressed in a purple, long, strapless gown with furs covering her shoulder. The gown had a slit, which stopped right before her knees.
With light makeup adorned on her beautiful and smooth face, adding more glow to her originally beautiful face.
Her hair dark and wavy, trailing down her waistline. She could easily pull of as a model, a pure and innocent one.
The drive to Fransisco hospital was a long one. No one spoke all through the drive, as Olivia was quiet, a series of questions Popping into her mind about Morgan’s father.
Meanwhile Morgan had his attention pulled into his laptop, while secretly stealing glances at Olivia, who was far from noticing.
Soon they arrived at the hospital, it took a while before Olivia came out of the car, her eyes glistening with nervousness. She only hoped Morgan’s father was a lot easier, compared to his status and fame.
Morgan took her palms in his, slightly startling her. He sent her a reassuring gaze through his dark eyes, one Olivia found heartwarming.
“Just make it look real, okay?” Morgan whispered into her ear, his hot breath fanning against her.
Olivia nodded, smiling cheekily, obviously faked, but that didn’t matter to Morgan.
They walked into the hospital, followed by Nicholas.
“Look who we have here!” Xavier’s thick and deep voice was heard, as he smiled at Morgan, who walked in with Olivia.
His face cold, and aloof seemingly detached from whatever was happening around him.
Xavier’s gaze swept past Morgan, and stopped on Olivia, who had her face fixed on the man laying on the bed.
Olivia instantly felt bad, how didn’t she think of getting the man something, like a gift or so.
Morgan seemed to read her mind, he leaned in and whispered, “He wouldn’t need it, quit thinking about it.”
Tingled by his hot breath, Olivia’s cheeks flushed red, she smiled and nodded.
Xavier still had his gaze fixed at Olivia, as they walked past him, moving closer to Gilbert, who tried sitting up.
Seeing him struggle, Olivia quickly pulled away her hand from Morgan, and rushed towards him, helping him up.
“Thank you my dear” Gilbert mouthed, his gaze etched on Olivia.
His gaze on her was so intense that Olivia felt her cheek heating up.
“Now, had she committed an offense by trying to help him. Did he already see through their plan?”
These thoughts ran through Olivia’s mind and she went back to sit with Morgan, nervously fumbling with her hands, which Morgan caught suddenly.
“Where did I see this face? She looks so much like that woman.” Gilbert thought, unaware of the tension in the room.
Just as he was about to say something, Morgan cut him out sharply.
“Why are you staring at my wife like that? I know she’s too surreal, please don’t make her nervous.”
Olivia’s pulse quickened, pounding loudly in her chest.
She glanced at Morgan, but he didn’t stare back, she swallowed.
Olivia plays it cool, it’s all in the act. Don’t mess it up, play along.