Olivia glanced at her parents and her lips parted. “He must have know who I am, but please tell me who he is?” Tears welled up in her eyes. Juliet glanced at Parker for support before continuing, it was breaking her heart over and over again to watch Olivia cry. "I also think you know who he is, perhaps he must have met you, perhaps he looked into our family and saw the mess we were in, and then he approached us using our dire financial straits against us. He offered to help by paying off the debt when we needed it most, but on one condition – that you marry him." Olivia's mind was a whirlwind of confusion and disbelief, she has just returned to this country, so who could it be. She looked at her parents and shook her head. "Then why the hell will you and father agree to such a thing without consulting me first?!" Her eyes were bloodshot as she looked at them. "I'm afraid your father saw it as the best way to save the family business, to clear our deb
The morning sun filtered through the curtains, casting gentle rays of warmth on Olivia's tear-stained face. Her eyelids felt heavy, and the throbbing pain in her head served as a cruel reminder of the emotional storm she had weathered last night.The revelation from her parents that she was getting married in just three days left her feeling trapped and suffocated. She had cried herself to sleep, the tears becoming her solace as she tried to cope with the sudden upheaval of her life.As Olivia reached for her phone on the nightstand, she noticed the notification light blinking. With a sigh, she unlocked her phone and saw a message from Lawrence, the man she once thought was her soul mate and best friend.Memories of their time together flashed through her mind like an old movie reel, each scene playing with vivid clarity, their first meeting when he has walked up to her, with a charming smile on his face childhood face.The late night conversations during the early stages of their fri
Chloe listened attentively, offering a comforting hand on Olivia's shoulder. She didn't try to fix things or provide easy answers. Instead, she let Olivia vent, giving her the space to release the pent-up emotions that had been consuming her."I can't believe they're making me marry someone I barely know," Olivia sobbed. "I feel like my life is slipping out of my control, I can’t even make this decision on my own, and the wedding is in two days, Chloe, and I don’t know who this man is---“ Her voice was hoarse and a knot rose in her throat.“If he paid your parents debt, that means you must have known him from somewhere, or didn’t you---““You know everyone I know Chloe, the only man I know is Lawrence, and perhaps, a few admirals who has lost contact with me after I left for Hawaii, who would it have been…” She sniffled.Chloe thought for a while and then she blinked as she looked at Olivia. “Olivia, what if it’s that crazy man from before?” She asked and Olivia blinked as she looked
Olivia took a deep breath and turned her cell phone off as she turned her gaze back to Chloe who was surprised because the Olivia she knew would never shut Lawrence off. “Are you okay?” Chloe asked, concern evident in her eyes. Olivia shook her head, her sincerity showing as she slowly lowered her gaze. “Honestly, I am not,” she admitted, her voice heavy with sorrow. “I still think of Lawrence. He is my best friend and a man I have crushed on for almost my entire life. There's no way I wouldn't cry and beg him to make me his girlfriend instead of Angel. But what use is it when I'll be getting married in two days?" Her words carried a sense of resignation and pain in her heart. Chloe slowly took her hand and squeezed it gently trying to offer comfort. “I am sad that you are going through all of these, if only things were better, I would have asked you to escape with me,” she said, attempting to lighten the mood. Olivia chuckle. “Oh, my boyfriend, you are the only one that I love…” O
Asher walked over to her, a thin smile spread through his lips as he approached her, his leg covered in black trouser.“Why are you here?” Olivia quickly asked, he was the last person she thought she would see again, their deal was over, there was no deal to start with, she helped him and that was it, she didn’t need his favor anymore.He tilt his head when he saw the look on her face, it didn’t look like things were going on well for her. “You don’t look so bright, did you fail in your mission of convincing your parents about the marriage?” He raised the corner of his brows, already knowing the answer to his question since no one has called him with a change of plan.Olivia drew a sharp breath and looked away from his eyes. “Well, it didn’t work out, I think I am still stuck.” She exhaled sharply and then looked at him. “I am sure yours is working out…”“Yeah,,, you can say that.” He grinned as he looked at her. If only you know who that is with.“I am so happy for you,” She smiled.
Olivia arrived home and headed straight into her room, she felt exhausted, she knew she has talked to Chloe and cleared her mind, but her heart still felt heavy, she has ignored Lawrence call from earlier and has met Asher waiting for her close to her apartment and has requested a favor from her.And to top to everything, her wedding day is in two days, the weight of the world seemed to lift off her shoulders as she stepped into her cozy room.She didn’t feel hungry as she has eaten dinner with Chloe, and her parents didn’t come to call her for dinner, perhaps Chloe has told them she was with her all day, they didn’t look so worried, not that she was ready to say a words to either of them.After a quick hot shower later, she came out of the bathroom rejuvenated, wrapped in the soft embrace of her favorite pajamas, on that she has gotten on the last summer camp in high school because she knew Lawrence was going to that came too.As she snuggled into her bed, the dim glow of her bedside
There was no way she could say no, not when it was Lawrence, they have had their odds as best friends, but they had work it out together, the last person she wanted to hold grudges on was Lawrence, he is her one true love, someone she couldn’t bear keeping malice."We need to talk, Lawrence," she replied, her voice steady despite the turbulence of her emotions. “I understand you have a girlfriend, although in don’t know why you kept her a secret, but I am okay with you keeping one, you should have told me earlier about it, did you know how surprised I was to find out like that?” She lied.“I am sorry, she is---““It’s okay, I forgive you.” She didn’t want to hear him explain, she was also keeping a secret from him, one that he would find out in two days, but when they get to that bridge they were going to cross it, but for now, she didn’t want to be reminded of that contractual marriage.“Olivia…”“I have something else to tell you.” She told him and walked over to the swing and sat d
Olivia stood in front of her open wardrobe, her fingers gently grazing the fabric of the dresses that hung before her. Asher's words from last night echoed in her mind, he wanted to take her somewhere.To spend the whole day with her, in return of finding out who she was getting married to, he had said, with a hint of excitement in his voice that had left her curious yet also slightly nervous.Her gaze settled on a dress that held sentimental value, the one Asher had gifted her on their previous outing. It was a delicate balance of elegance and comfort, with a soft rose hue that brought out the warmth in her complexion.Olivia's lips curled into a small smile as she remembered that day, how nervous she was, but still confident and brave to respond to his scary parents and the sparkles in Asher's eyes as he had helped her into the dress.If I am going to appear in the presence of his parents again, then I should wear something similar to this dress She thought to herself.With a determ