Chapter 38: Sluttish

OLLIE

“I’ll have someone from my team reach out later about your company,” he said, pulling back, a side smile appearing on his mouth.

“Okay, Archer,” I said, standing where he left me.

I watched him leave on his bike, feeling completely rejected.

Maybe my heart condition, what I said about my exes, or even his suspicion about me and Darius being a thing had messed with his mind.

~This was because of your stupid mouth and Darius’ stupid tongue!~

~No shit! Sherlock.~

I entered the manor, shaking off the feeling.

Sarah was standing in the foyer.

She had a bright smile on her face as she grabbed her coat.

As I looked at her, the unease in my chest shifted to a flicker of warmth.

“Heading out?”

“You are back!” she exclaimed.

“I need you to open my Christmas present before I hop out to run some errands. Wait here!”

With that, she dashed up the stairs, her footsteps echoing softly in the quiet guest house.

I sighed, my eyes passing through the Rothschilds’ immaculate home.

How strange how many things happened in such a short amount of time.

Sarah was pregnant, and I had a heart condition—a life and a death sentence.

Sarah appeared with a small gift in her hands.

“My only wish is that you accept it.”

The small present she handed me was unassuming, wrapped simply, but there was an air of excitement around it that made me speculative.

Why was she this excited about it?

“You shouldn’t have gotten me anything,” I said as I took it from her, crinkling the wrapping in my hands.

~Oh, please, God, don’t let it be a crazy jewel.~

“Oh, hush. Just open it!” she insisted, her eyes sparkling with anticipation.

I carefully tore the paper away, revealing a delicate box.

“Go on, open it!” she nudged, bouncing on the tips of her toes.

I lifted the lid.

Inside lay a silver key with a keychain that had an engraved message: ~Life can be tough but so are you.~

“To get you started,” she explained, “About the message, I thought it would remind you to take it easy… you know, with everything that’s happening.”

I frowned.

“What is this?”

“Your new start, Ollie. I could only afford three months, already paid in advance.”

Her hands closed the palm that was holding the key.

~Oh, no, what had she done?~

“Sarah?” I watched her eyes.

The amount of kindness and love she had for me made me feel completely uncomfortable.

“It’s not much, but it will help. I know you are about to lose your apartment,” she continued.

“Stop.”

I was about to freak out.

Was this how pride felt? No. It couldn’t be pride.

This was fear.

The sum of all my fears, opened and exposed for her to see.

I was really struggling, and my act had fallen apart.

How did she know?

I was about to speak when she cut me off.

“Ollie,” she softened her face.

“You don’t always have to play it tough.”

“No, I don’t want or need your help.”

“It’s okay.” She put her palm on my back.

“I swear it’s my money. It’s from working at the theater this year.”

I met her doe eyes.

“Sarah, I can’t. The baby. You have bigger responsibilities.”

Hugging me, she added, “The baby and I will be just fine. Besides, I’m not alone. Alexander is taking care of us.”

“No, Sarah. It is not fair.” I closed my eyes, feeling ashamed.

She held me out at arm’s length and looked into my eyes.

“Ollie, you’ve been there for me. Please, let me be there for you too. Listen, don’t freak out.”

“No.”

“Then you can pay me back! Olivia, just accept it now and pay me back later,” she said, surprisingly assertive.

“I dare you. If you are able to pay me back before Labor Day, I promise never again to throw out your ragged clothes.”

I narrowed my eyes, my mind thinking of ways I could make that work.

Maybe…

“And if I am not able to pay you back on time?”

“Well, I guess I will think of more ways to make your life miserable,” her fingers trailed over the fabric of my dress, clearly unimpressed with my choice of outfit for the day.

“No, thanks. I prefer to pay you back on time and…with interest.”

“Good.” Sarah locked eyes with me.

“Good,” I muttered back, closing the deal.

“Then it is an agreement, Ollie,” she laughed softly, brushing a stray hair out of her face.

“A beneficial agreement. What is your percentage?”

“Percentage?” Sarah furrowed her eyebrows.

~Duh.~ “Yes. How much do you want? Ten or fifteen percent more of what you are giving me?”

“You are sick!” she laughed.

“Fifteen percent it is for the pregnant blonde!” I chimed as if I was closing an auction.

In that moment, the key felt heavier in my palm, a tangible reminder of the life that was waiting for me once this week ended.

“Okay, whatever, just accept the fucking key, Olivia.”

I rolled my eyes, squeezing the key in my hand.

Secretly, a huge weight lifted off my shoulders, but I didn’t show it.

Suddenly I could breathe.

I would be all right for a little longer.

“I might have furnished it, and well…your closet. Just make sure you start dressing up like the author you are.” She winked.

My nostrils flared.

~Let’s not get sassy, Ollie. This is a beautiful moment.~

I relaxed again.

Maybe that yin and yang thing did actually balance everything out in life.

Putting everything on a scale, my diagnosis and Archibald’s rejection were on the downside.

On the bright side, Sarah gave me a new apartment, and Darius almost gave me an orgasm.

Besides, I might get my company back with a possible investor on the horizon.

And let’s not forget I learned about Anna’s past working at the diner.

I couldn’t wait to throw a comment at her face about that.

It would be the highlight of this week.

My mind went back to one thing, though, on repeat, again and again: Darius almost gave me an orgasm.

My legs trembled thinking about it.

When was the last time Roger even went down on me?

Not ever, that selfish prick.

Not that my vagina was a graveyard—it was always clean and waxed.

I hadn’t felt so unattended until now.

A new need was waking up inside me, and I got red-faced, reliving the moment in my head, how Darius grabbed me in the hospital bed, spreading my legs, making me tremble.

Who wouldn’t feel like this after being with him? I got hot at the thought of it, but also ashamed.

How could I look him in the eyes again?

I looked for another distraction and started biting my nails.

I had to admit it. I liked them both in different ways.

I liked Archibald’s warmth, his light personality, and how easy it was to speak to him.

But my body was attracted to Darius, a pull fueled by desire, like he could own me whenever he pleased.

~Fuck~. He had my meds! He also had ~my book~…

Sooner or later I would need to face him. ~Fuck.~ I was blushing again.

“Are you okay?” Sarah frowned, breaking my mind free from my thoughts. “Wanna do something tonight?”

“Tonight? What kind of plan?”

“I don’t know, something fun! I’ll call Vivian. She always has cool plans.”

“But you’re pregnant.”

“Yes, I am. That’s not an impediment. I can have mocktails,” she said on her way out, picking up her bag and the coat she left in the foyer.

“Oh, look at you all responsible.”

“I know. This baby is changing me. See you later for our girl’s night out?”

“Sure,” I muttered, watching her go.

My phone buzzed with a message.

Archibald

I found a company similar to what you described, raising capital under the name of Roger Ward.

Olivia

Yes, that is the name of my ex.

Archibald

I am setting up a meeting with an offer that he will not be able to resist. I’ll keep you updated.

Olivia

Thank you!

Wow, that was fast.

I kept thinking about Archibald and Darius, fighting the urge not to search them on Google.

I went into the bathroom to prepare for the night and noticed Darius’s marks on my thighs. I touched them with my finger.

They didn’t hurt; it was just a reminder of what happened.

I looked at my face next, almost as if I was seeing a stranger.

~What are you doing, Ollie? No. What are you going to do about it.~

I knew just the thing.