Elliot's POV
I quietly ate my dinner as Olivia and her parents watched me.
They popped in for a surprise visit and I was already tired of them.
"Elliot," my father-in-law, Standley Campbell, repeated my name for the tenth time.
I put down my fork and looked at him.
"What are you going to do about it?" he asked as he folded his arms.
"What can I do?" I asked, just wanting to sleep.
"My daughter, who is your wife, is being harassed at work," he spoke angrily. "I need you to do something about it."
"Olivia won't tell what she is being harassed about and doesn't know who is doing it. What can I do?"
He glared. "Make an announcement. They are your people so they will listen."
I sighed as I picked up my fork again and began to eat.
"To make it worse, you are not performing your husbandly duties," my mother-in-law, Karen Campbell, interrupted. "Olivia is supposed to be pregnant by now."
"Mom," Olivia said shily, although she probably asked her mother to say that.
"Is there something wrong with you that you are not performing, boy?" Standley asked.
"I'm perfectly fine, sir."
"Well you two go up to the room and get started," he said. "I'm sure your father wants a legitimate heir to his company. If not your no-good brother's child will have to take over."
I feel like I'm drowning.
I sighed as I got up and headed to my bedroom.
Olivia quickly followed behind me.
"When are they leaving?" I asked as she closed the door.
"I don't know," she said. "I told them to stay as long as they want."
"Olivia, they expect us to have sex," I pointed out.
"Is that such a bad thing?" she asked. "It's not like it's our first time."
I shook my head. "I can't do it anymore. I don't feel anything towards you. I've told you this a million times."
"Well, try harder!" she shouted at me. "Don't forget that I did you a big favour by marring you."
I stayed quiet as I felt guilty.
"Now take off your clothes and get me pregnant," she said as she stripped.
"I want a divorce."
She paused as she watched me. "No, you don't."
"I really thought this friendship marriage could work, but it clearly isn't."
"Don't be ridiculous," she said. "You owe me."
"I do," I agreed. "But I won't return the favour like this. This will affect my life too."
She began to laugh. "When you are ready to do this, call me. I'll be downstairs with my parents."
"Olivia, are you listening to me right now?"
"No Elliot, I'm not," she said. "I love you and I know you do too. You're just playing hard to get."
I let out a deep breath when I realized that nothing I say will ever change her mind.
I picked up my jacket and walked out.
"Where are you going?" she asked as she ran behind me.
"I can't sleep here tonight," I said. "This mansion is a shit show."
"Elliot, come back right now!" she shouted.
I ignored her as I picked up one of the many car keys from the stand and headed to its designated car.
Luckily, my hands landed on the keys to my black Rolls-Royce.
I know how to drive, I just don't.
Why drive when you can have someone do it for you?
My father used that line so much that I decided to follow it.
I stepped into the car before driving as far away as possible from this place.
I thought about heading over to Blake's, but I sent him away on a business trip.
When he gets back I'm going to question why he lied to me about sleeping with Sereia.
I don't get it. There's no reason to lie about that.
Ah, Sereiaâthe beautiful temptress.
Her kisses are so intoxicating, they leave me feeling like a drunk lost in a bar.
My lips craved the feeling of her warm ones on mine.
If there is anyone I want to be the mother of my heir, it's her.
Not that we will be having any heirs anytime soon.
Dammit, why am I thinking about having a child with her?
I haven't even known her for six months as yet.
I haven't known her for six months, yet I'm willing to risk my marriage and business partnership for her.
My mind kept thinking about her the whole drive and soon enough, I landed in front of her house.
I continuously hit my forehead with my palm. "What am I doing here?"
I should just go and sleep at a hotel or something.
Why am I here?
Why am I wondering if she's okay or if she's feeling lonely?
Head to the hotel, Elliot.
I stepped out of my car, and my feet carried me to her door as if they had a will of their own.
I knocked on the door and it took a couple of seconds before she opened it.
Her eyebrows raised. "Elliot, what are you doing here?"
"Do you have space for one more?"
She immediately opened the door wider for me. "I'll always have space for you."
I watched her as I walked past her.
She wore nothing but an oversized white t-shirt, her thick thighs bare, and her hair loosely pulled back in a messy knot.
She closed the door and locked it. "I was eating spaghetti and meatballs. You should try some."
I was so full, but I smiled. "I'd love that. I'm starving."
I'd do anything just to share time and memories with her.
She grabbed a bowl and happily shared my food.
"Tell me how it tastes," she smiled as she handed me a fork and the bowl.
I swirled my fork in the spaghetti for a few seconds before bringing it to my mouth.
This was the best spaghetti and meatballs I've ever had.
She watched me in anticipation, her legs shaking a little bit. "So?"
I nodded. "It's good."
"Yay," her cute voice said as she dug into her food.
I looked around the place and it seemed nothing like how I would imagine her house to be.
It was empty, except for the basic furniture and appliances.
There were no flowers, pictures, or art.
My eyes landed on the bottle of bourbon on her marble kitchen counter and I pointed at it.
"It seems like you like my drink now."
She looked at the bottle before her cheeks turned dark shade of red. "Dang it."
The corner of my lips upturned as she got up and walked over to it.
"I was going to write a new note because I hated the one that I wrote," she explained as she walked over with the bottle and a small card. "It sounds desperate and childish."
Thank you for taking care of me. This bottle might not show it, but I'm truly grateful for you. You and your kindness mean more to me than words can express -Sereia.
I stared at the heavy words she'd written on the paper.
No one has ever thanked me or said that they are 'truly grateful' for me.
No one ever told me I mean more to them than words can express.
She grabbed the paper out of my hands and threw it in the trash.
"I know you don't like it, but I said it was just a draft," she frowned. "I'll write a new and better one soon."
My eyes began to burn as I felt a tear gather on one side.
I immediately stood up and pulled her into a strong gripped hug.
The strength of my unexpected hug probably caused her pain as her body slammed into my chest.
It was harsh, but I just wanted her to hug me so badly.
Her soft, warm body felt like a Teddy bear against my skin.
I expected her to complain about my suffocating hug, but she didn't.
Instead, she wrapped her arms around me and slowly rubbed my back.
"You do want to sleep with Teddy tonight?" she asked about my teddy bear.
"No," I truthfully said. "I want to sleep with you."
...
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