Where were you standing before?
With her face pressed against the cool glass of the window, Olivia’s gaze was fixed on the vast expanse of space outside. A wave of overwhelming emotion washed over her, and she felt tears prick at the corners of her eyes. Clutching a fragile glass of water in her trembling hand, she could feel her veins pulsing with frustration and anger. In a sudden burst of rage, she hurled the glass at the floor, watching as it shattered into countless jagged pieces. With a shaky hand, she brushed back her tousled hair, trying to regain control of her emotions.
“Make sure you clean that up.” Xavier strode into the room with a cold, calculated confidence. His voice, though calm, held a hint of frost as he made his way to the walk-in closet. Behind him, Olivia’s footsteps echoed with determination and anger. She followed him inside and stood just inches away from his imposing figure. Xavier could feel her piercing gaze on him and knew that she wanted to discuss the fact that he was married. With a sigh, he decided to take charge of the conversation before she could even begin.
“What do you want?” His deep, commanding voice echoed off the walls of the walk-in closet, sending a shiver down Olivia’s spine. As she opened her mouth to speak, Xavier’s hand shot out and silenced her before she could even utter a word. The tension in the small space was palpable as they stood face-to-face, their eyes locked in a silent battle of wills. “Go clean up the mess you’ve caused first; after that, we can talk.” Olivia knew better; she didn’t force the conversation. She quickly went downstairs, grabbed a broom and a dustpan, and hurried back upstairs to clean up the mess.
Once she was done, she ran back downstairs to dispose of the glasses, and by the time she went upstairs, Xavier was all dressed and ready to leave.
“I’m done; can we talk now?” She asked hesitantly.
The man glanced at the watch on his wrist, then told her he was getting late. After that, he grabbed his car keys, but as he was about to leave, Olivia embraced him from behind, saying, “Please, I need to talk to you. I am not at ease,” she said as she sobbed behind him.
The man removed her tiny fingers and sighed, went and sat on the bed with one leg crossed over the other, and asked, “What is it?” He asked coldly. He knew the conversation was about his wife, so before it even started, he was already bored.
“You are married.” Xavier wasn’t sure if this was a statement or a question, but he just said what came to mind, hoping it would encourage the woman to carry on.
“Yes?”
“Not to me?” She continued,
“So?” he asked.
“But I am your girlfriend; you should have told me you wanted to get married; I could have agreed.” The man shifted one leg over the other and clasped his hands together as he stared at the woman in front of him.
“I didn’t tell you because I didn’t want to make you my wife. And I didn’t think I owed you an explanation. Is there anything else you would like to talk about rather than me getting married to someone else?”
A sudden jolt seemed to strike Olivia like a bolt of lightning, her skin paling in response. Beads of sweat formed on her forehead and trickled down the sides of her face, despite the cool weather. Her throat was constricted, and she struggled to catch her breath as she fixated on the man before her, his gaze intense and unflinching. The air around them crackled with an inexplicable energy, adding to Olivia’s unease. She could feel every hair on her body standing on end, a tangible reminder of the raw emotions coursing through her.
“So, where do I stand now that you are married?” she finally asked.
“Where were you standing before?” He questioned Olivia as he got up and started walking out of the room, but was stopped by Olivia’s question.
“What happens to us if she decides to move in?” She asked, and Xavier turned, this time really pissed.
“She is my wife. A husband and a wife stay together; if my wife comes back home, that is her choice, and hey, do me a favor. I never promised you marriage, so stop acting like a wounded chicken, yeah?” Olivia nodded.
The man turned and left the room. Olivia’s face changed from red to white when Xavier mentioned the obvious. Indeed, the man never promised her heaven and earth; they were just dating, but the woman wanted more. The woman was so angry, but it wasn’t easy to flare up.
She took her bag and left. She didn’t know who to take her anger on. She arrived at her agency for a photoshoot, but then it was already lunchtime. She followed everyone around. Olivia was used to flashing Xavier’s money and making claims that she had a rich boyfriend. The whole crew arrived at the restaurant. They booked a table for the 12 of them as they were seated, waiting for their orders.
With graceful poise and flawless beauty, a woman with milky skin glided into the room. I quickly sought out a secluded table, far from the prying eyes of others, and ordered a pot of fragrant tea. As she delicately sipped her beverage, those who had previously thought Olivia was the pinnacle of beauty were now captivated by the new face that she had just walked into the restaurant. Her features were like a work of art; her movements were fluid and captivating. Time seemed to stand still in her presence as she exuded an air of elegance and mystery.
“I think we should ask her to join our modeling agency.” The thought of that angered Olivia. The person spoke again: “Olivia, you always say that you are dating Mr. Knight, but wasn’t he the one who was supposed to be married not long ago to one of the Jackson family daughters? What was her name again, Avery Jackson?”
Olivia smiled as she sipped her wine. “I don’t share a man with people like Avery Jackson. Even if it was her wish, my man would never look in her direction. Mr. Knight has class.” As soon as she was done talking, one of the waiters called on the lady, who was flawless, as she was about to exit the restaurant.
“Mrs. Knight, you forgot your wallet.” Cathleen looked at the waiter and smiled brightly.
“Oh, thank you.” She walked out, went inside her car, and drove off.
“Mrs. Knight? So that flawless lady is married.”
All the men at the table were disappointed to learn that the lady was married. Then suddenly they all stared at Olivia, who was jealous of the attention that was now shifted to the lady who had just left. She has always been the one to steal the spotlight, but today she looked like a peacock with its tail open, which made her wonder who the lady was, even when she didn’t look at the woman.