Chapter 27- Miserable Life

"We got the deal," chase jumped in joy while Mr. Chivalry and Jeremy laughed. Rhea and I looked at Chase who was the only excited one.

"Guys there is this party that Mr. Wellington wanted us to attend. It's his father's birthday today and they are celebrating. They invited us because now we are doing business together," Mr. Chivalry said and everyone seemed happy.

"I could really use a drink after this hectic day," Jeremy commented.

"I could use some cake. Haven't eaten one since Mr. Chivalry's birthday," Rhea commented as she settled down on the sofa.

"It hasn't been that long," I said and she scoffed.

"It's never too long to eat cake once in a while," she replied back and I chuckled.

"Only you, Rhea."

I saw Amanda standing in a corner, all by herself. I decided to walk over to her and invite her over to our conversation.

"Are you okay?" I asked, putting my hand on her shoulder.

She turned around and faced me. "I'm fine." She moved away to one of the chairs and I walked back to Rhea.

"What happened?" She whispered.

"Nothing, I think something is up," I whispered back, pointing towards Amanda.

"I know what's happening. I think she's planning something wicked but it's not gonna work because you and Chase are basically inseparable," she whispered back, chuckling and grabbing everyone's attention.

Inseparable? Maybe not.

"What are you two talking about?" Jeremy asked, sitting next to Rhea.

"Just about a wicked witch who can't make living for herself let alone ruin lives," Rhea answered back, staring immensely at Amanda who looked mad.

Chase walked towards me and took my hand in his. "Come."

"Wait, where?" I asked, looking back at Rhea who was winking at me so many times that it seemed like she was having a seizure.

"I want to take you somewhere," He replied back and we left the room.

"Where are we going?" I asked but he didn't seem to answer.

"Just be patient," was all he said before he escorted me in a car.

"I have to tell you something Chase," I said while he was driving.

"Yeah?" He asked, while concentrating on driving. When I didn't respond, he slowed down and glanced at me. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah. I- uh- I wanted to tell you something about-" I started but his phone rung, making me abruptly stop.

He picked it up and talked to the person on the other end. He took a U-turn and we went back to the hotel. "Dad said that the party starts now so we have to go. But, I'll definitely take you for a long ride soon."

He stopped the car and got out. He walked towards my door and opened it for me. "You were saying something?"

"Yeah," I replied back as he took my hand in his and led me inside. "I am-"

Rhea came jumping towards us and shouted my name. I looked to the side and found Rhea walking towards us.

"I'm sorry chase but she's mine now. See ya at the party," Rhea said, dragging me along with her. I looked back and found Chase smiling at me.

___

"Rhea?" I called her name while she was applying mascara.

"Yeah?" She replied back, blinking and setting the mascara.

"I have something to tell you about me. Can I trust you with it?" I asked and her eyes shot up towards me.

"More than your life," she replied back, walking towards me and then took a seat next to me.

"It has been a part of my life since teenage years but I have never told anyone before. It wasn't something I could control at that time," I started.

"Wait, you're gay?" She asked and my eyeballs almost popped out of my eyes. "I'm sorry Olive, I love you like a lot but not in that way."

"What? No!" I exclaimed and slapped her shoulder slowly. "Can you just listen?"

"Oh, thank god, I'm listening."

"I-" I started but then took a deep breath. "I wasn't always like this. Dark and twisted, hiding under my own skin. In high school, I was more of a girly girl who loved purple. Who loved to socialize. Who had a lot of friends. Who only knew to love."

"Okay, you know Richard Wellington right?" I asked, not boring her about my bright and bubbly life.

"I know him but I never saw him but I know he's hot," she thought for a moment and then replied.

"Well, when I was a freshman in high school, we met. I was too naive and dumb at that time and thought the attraction I felt towards him was love. It wasn't," I started and her eyes widened in surprise.

"So, we started dating and he was everything I had. I thought he loved me and I was happy with him while we were together. We dated for almost through high school and in college he proposed. I didn't think twice and said yes because we were together since I was thirteen. Everything I thought I knew about love, was him."

I walked towards the window and looked outside at the beautiful lights. Night time in Paris is so beautiful.

"And?" She asked coming towards me.

"And then one day, i found out that he had been cheating on me with almost every single high school girl. He was a fuckboy back in high school and no wonder if he's still one now. But, when I found out, my world fell apart. So, I decided to confront him and he told me bunch of lies about how he didn't do anything and I bought it," I said, glancing at Rhea who's face was in a total shock.

I sighed. "So, the wedding was on. I finished my first year of college and it was time for the marriage. The night before, he came to my house drunk. I tried to handle him but he kept trying to get close to me. He- he-" I started but tears started rolling down my cheeks.

"He... he sexually assaulted me that night," I started with a broken voice and tears not stopping from flowing down my cheeks. "That wasn't enough for him so, he started hurting me. On the wedding day, I had scars."

I slowly pulled the sleeves up and there were many marks. Tears were flowing nonstop from my eyes and I sobbed.

Rhea rushed to me and sat me down on the bed. She poured some water in a glass and I took couple of sips from it. "Olive, just stay put. We don't have to go to the party if you don't want to."

"No," I spoke. "We have to go. I haven't seen mom and dad."

Her face was confused and her eyebrows furrowed. "Mr and Mrs. Wellington. They are like second parents to me."

"Are you sure?" She asked and I nodded, wiping away my tears.

"Yeah and I have to tell chase about my past before Richard gets to him," I stood up.

"Why didn't you turn him in?" She asked, grabbing my attention.

I looked at her and thought the same thing. Why didn't I? I could have and I would have.

"I- I don't know. Maybe because at that time I thought I loved him. I thought he would change and come back to me," I replied back in vain.

He didn't come back and thank god he didn't. I was broken. He destroyed me. Even if I think about it, it always brings back the shivers. I remember how I felt being locked up in the attic for a day.

I remember how I felt more than the memories. It's fading away but the pain is still as fresh as new. The scars on my body are a constant reminder of trusting the wrong people easily. The scars remind me of how much I have dealt with.

Even though Richard did this to me, I hope he is happy. Making me miserable was one of the many things he wanted. But not anymore. Now, I'm not the same Olive I was 7 years ago. Now, I feel nothing towards him and if it comes down to beating his ass then I'm up for anything.

Rhea held onto me and both of us left for the hall along with others.

___

"Are you okay, olive?" Chase asked as he held my hand in his and we walked inside the hall.

"Yeah, why do you ask?"

"You seem distant since we reached here. Is everything fine?"

He actually noticed that I didn't feel safe in this place. Definitely not in the hotel. "Yeah, everything's fine," I lied.

"You were going to tell me something but we were interrupted both times. You can say it now," he said and I spotted Mr and Mrs. Wellington.

"I'll tell you once I get back," I told him and I let go of him and slowly walked up to Mr and Mrs. Wellington.

At first, they didn't seem to notice my presence until I stood right in front of them. Their eyes wandered at me and they smiled.

"Yes?" Mr. Wellington smiled.

"I don't look that different, dad," I replied back and he turned happy after realizing it was me.

"Livy?" He muttered and I nodded. He quickly pulled me into a hug and I hugged him back slowly.

"Oh, my dear. You had us worried sick," mrs. Wellington kissed my forehead and I smiled.

"I missed you guys," I smiled.

"We missed you more, dear. You forgot about us after you left. Not even a phone call in these seven years. Thanks god you're back now," she smiled, cupping my cheeks.

"Sorry mom I just didn't want to return back to Paris. A lot happened here and I can't seem to forget it even though it has been seven years," I replied back, faking a smile. "I'm not back, I'm just here for a deal and I'm leaving tomorrow."

"Oh," she muttered as the smile on her face turned into a frown.

"It was great seeing you both. I need to leave now," I replied back but she didn't let go of my hand.

"Can you come for brunch, please?" She asked but I looked away.

"Mom, you know I'd love to but... I can't, I'm sorry," I replied back as I hugged them last time and went towards Rhea, Jeremy and others.

"You know Mr and Mrs. Wellington?" Jeremy asked and I slowly nodded. "How?"

I looked up at him and then Rhea who seemed a little off. "It's in the past."

Amanda smirked at me and turned to leave to the bar where there were many people sitting.

"Where is Chase?" I asked as I sat on the chair.

"He went to the hotel to get a file," Mr. Chivalry answered.

"File? I thought everything was done."

"It is. They just wanted to have a look at the applicants of our office. So, chase is meeting him right now."

"Didn't we already showed it to him before? Why, do it again?"

"The younger son of Mr. Wellington is new to business so he just wanted to recheck it again."

Younger son? That's Richard. I quickly stood up from the chair and excused myself to go outside.

Suddenly I felt a pair of hands on my shoulder and I turned around to find Rhea standing behind me. "Are you okay?"

"Younger son is Richard," I said and looked away.

"He doesn't know that you and chase are together. Don't worry, he won't say anything," Rhea comforted me.

"I don't believe that. This is Richard, we are talking about. If he is still the same Richard he was seven years ago then he definitely knows everything about me. He is just waiting to get Chase alone so he can tell him," I replied back and walked towards the door to get a taxi.

Rhea followed me and tried to calm me down. "But you were going to tell him either way, then what's the problem?" She asked.

Suddenly a taxi waiting and I opened the door. "The problem is that he will lie about all of it," I said and sat inside the taxi to leave for the office.

I hope Chase hasn't met Richard yet. Richard would go to any extent to make my life miserable again.

___

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