《You Can't Buy My Love》


 Chapter 1: 1: Olivia

    Chapter 1: 1: Olivia


    Late one night, at the seniors'' graduation party, my friend Jeremy had decided that I was a prude. Even


    though I protested against him, the hard evidence he held against me said otherwise.


    One of the reasons was that I was eighteen years old, and I''d never been felt up. Now, in the most


    theoretical sense. I don''t think that makes me a prude. I think it makes me modest. Just because I don''t


    run around letting all the hotties grab my breast does not make me a prude.


    The second reason was that I was still a virgin, and wasn''t nning on losing my virginity no matter


    how many guys I''ve dated. They were all immature pervs, with no life and no future.


    I mean, seriously. I gave them the countdown of one year, how hard was that? Besides, I have this


    thing, called self-respect, and no one is gonna take that from me.


    I sat down on the bar stool, as he lectured me about letting go and cutting loose. Whatever. He went


    from telling me how uptight I was, and how many people would just KILL to bang me, and for some


    reason I couldn''t shake the feeling that one of those people were him. Saying that all I needed to do


    was getid and everything would change.


    Some friend.


    "Seriously, though Olivia. You''ve never even-" I cut him off with a loud groan.


    "I don''t need this, Jer," I told him sternly, getting up off the bar stool, and grabbing a red solo cup filled


    with alcohol. Beyond the kitchen doors were ring music, and a bunch of random people that I didn''t


    mean a thing too. I mean, there was my boyfriend: Chad. But, he was probably grinding on someone


    else''s girlfriend or taking shots with his jerk buddies.


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    "I''m so d that the world revolves around sex." I shot sarcastically, taking a long swig of beer. "And


    I''m even more d that I know how to masturbate." I finished off with a sly smirk, causing him tough


    and shake his head. His brown hair shaking slightly. He crossed over to where I was standing by the


    countertop.


    "Okay," he says, taking my drink and hocking it all down. My hand found its way to my hip, and I


    narrowed my eyes at him. "but if you ever need help with that," he stepped up closer to me so that


    there was nothing but breathing space in between us. "you let me know." I halfughed, and half


    scoffed rolling my eyes.


    "Jeremy please, we are just friends." I emphasized the "just" as I pushed him away from me. He


    "If you say so." The doubt in his voice made me wanna throw a drink in his face. I am so unattracted to


    him it''s not even funny. He was one of the guys that I mentioned earlier. The one with no life and no


    future. If I hadn''t known him my whole life, I wouldn''t even waste my time.


    "Besides," I continued, straightening up my tight ck dress. "I have more important things to worry


    about."


    "Yeah? Like what?" He asked, raising a brow.


    "Like college," I said simply, pulling out my makeup bag, and applying anotheryer of my vampire red


    lipstick. I''m not sure why though. It''s not like I was nning on impressing anybody. Just a habit I


    guess.


    "You''re still on that?" He asked annoyed. My eyes widened, and I red at him.


    "And you''re not?"


    "Who cares about college?" He asked with a scrunched up face that made him look like a five-year-old


    when their mom tries to make them eat vegetables.


    "I do," I said defensively. Jeremy was really starting to piss me off. Isn''t it ironic how the person who


    can actually afford college doesn''t want to go, but the person who can''t does?


    "Yeah, well I don''t. I just wanna be free. Enjoy my youth." Your youth isn''t gonna be too enjoyable if you


    have no money, I thought sarcastically. I wouldn''t say it, but I really wanted to get off this topic. Besides,


    whenever you pick a fight with Jeremy, you never win.


    I took a swig of my drink, then made my way back to the living room. Of course, it was just as I thought,


    Chad was talking to one of the cheerleaders from school -- but I wouldn''t necessarily call what they


    were doing "talking". He had her pushed up against the wall, his arm hanging over her head,


    whispering sweet nothings into her ear.


    He never did that to me anymore.


    I let out a heavy sigh and gave one more nce at their smiling faces, then grabbed my ck tote and


    headed for the door.


    See, Chad has always had a wandering eye, and I''ve learned its best to just let him be. Let''s face it,


    once I go off to college he and I will only be a distant memory, and if you''re asking why even bother


    with the title? Well, I ask myself that same question everyday.


    "Olivia!" My best friend Amy walked up to meughing. "Oh my god, you''re leaving already?" She


    asked frowning.


    "Yes," I sighed. "It''s been a really long day, I''m exhausted."


    "Awe!" She moaned. "But okay!" Her bright brown eyes sparkling from the high of finally being done


    with school. "See you tomorrow?" She asked, and I nodded my response before leaving.

 Chapter 2: 2: Check, Please

    Chapter 2: 2: Check, Please


    Nn''s POV


    "Nn!" Someone yelled rather loudly.


    "What?" I said sleepily. I opened my eyes, the room was hot and bright. I lived in a kick-ass apartment,


    with a killer view of the city, but while the view was amazing, it was nearly impossible to sleep in.


    Still half asleep, I grabbed the baseball cap on my nightstand and put it on my face, in an attempt to


    shield my eyes. Next to me, I felt a warm body stir.


    "You were talking in you sleep," Olivia -- no, Bianca -- said.


    "Yeah, sorry." I rubbed my eyes and focused them on the woman beside me. She was brte and


    pretty -- generic. "I was dreaming," I said, looking into her brown eyes. God I love girls with brown eyes.


    I really lucked up this time.


    "What kind of dream?" She smiled brightly, and I smirked.


    "You know what kind of dream," I said, pulling her close to me and kissing her on the lips. I didn''t know


    her, but hey, why not take advantage of this perfectly good woman? Besides, she is HOT.


    She giggled in surprise, and I turned our bodies so that I was on top of her and her legs wrapped


    around my waist. "Condom," she said breathlessly, and I nodded.


    "Condom," I repeated, reaching over and grabbing one from the nightstand. Isn''t this a great start of a


    morning?


    After the sex, which was surprisingly better than I thought it would be, considering I was too drunk to


    perceive how it wasst night, Bianca told me she was hungry, so I decided to take her out for


    breakfast.


    Cool, no problem. It''s the least I could do. I threw on a leather jacket then helped her in hers. I could be


    sweet when I wanted to be. Which was very rare of course.


    We pulled up at the restaurant that was literally right around the corner, and I parked my Mercedes


    Benz. I turned off the engine, and rushed to the other side to open her door. She smiled brightly at me,


    and I returned her smile, taking her hand and leading her inside.


    We sat in an empty booth, ordered, and I suddenly realized the huge mistake I made. What if she


    thinks this is a date? I clinched at the very thought, disgusted. Eek. Dates equal rtionships. Which, I


    happen to despise. I don''t understand why people always have toplicate everything with "love".


    Don''t they understand that that''s when everything starts going wrong? You tell someone you love them,


    and you want to be with them, and everything''s downhill from there.


    She smiled brightly at me, her brown eyes sparkling, and I half smiled back. She looked so happy it


    almost made me regret having to finish something that I didn''t particrly start. Geez, you''d think. As


    many times as I''ve done this it''ll make things easier. But, it''s not. It''s not really my fault though. Girls


    misinterpret things.


    "So," she started, and I swear my heart stopped. "What do you wanna do today?" She looked at me


    expectantly, and I sighed heavily.


    "Listen," I decided to go the candid route this time around, and justy it all on the table. "Britney." She


    furrowed her brows, and I realized my mistake. Something with a ''B'', I thought to myself.


    "Bonnie. Whatever your name is. I don''t have time for a rtionship. I have to focus on work, and bills,


    and cars, and not you." She blinked at me, with a face filled with mixed emotions, and I shrugged. "If it


    helps, I''m sorry."


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    Before I knew it, she was up on her feet and I was covered in ice cold tea. Man am I d I didn''t order


    a coffee. "You bastard!" She yelled, and I nodded slowly licking my lips.


    "Now that''s one I haven''t heard in a while," I mumbled, and her mouth dropped. I resisted the urge to


    then stormed off. "It was nice meeting you," I called, getting a lot of res from people. I sighed,


    running a hand through my hair. "Can I get the check, please?"

 Chapter 3: 3: The Pizza Girl

    Chapter 3: 3: The Pizza Girl


    Olivia''s POV


    I woke up to my little brother, shaking me violently. I squinted before turning over to look at him. "What


    do you want?" I asked him, annoyed.


    "Mom wants you to help her open the restaurant today!" He screamed, walking back out of my room.


    Ever since I graduated, I''ve been a permanent employee at our family''s pizzeria. My Mom took it over


    when my Dad left. He decided he didn''t want anything to do with pizza; or us. I sat up in my bed,


    ignoring the fact that I absolutely despised working in this ce. We get the worst customers!


    That''s why I have to get out. I have to be something that doesn''t involve my family. It''s just taking


    me so long to save up the money. Working in my family''s pizzeria definitely isn''t going to cut it, and I


    wouldn''t dream of asking my Mom for the money. The pizzeria pays for "just enough" as my Mom


    would say, and "not a cent more".


    Shoving those thoughts away, I got up and got dressed, then headed downstairs from our small


    apartment, to the restaurant that rested below. "Thanks so much foring, honey!" My Mom beamed.


    "I have a really busy day today." I half smiled at her, putting on an apron. "I have apany ordering a


    ton of pizza for a luncheon."


    "Okay, Mom," I bit my lip, looking at all the dough ready to be made on the counter.


    "And if you don''t mind, can you also drop them off?" Sheughed nervously, and I rolled my eyes.


    "Okay," I sighed.


    Twenty-four pizzaster, I got ready to take all these pizzas to this employee luncheon. I didn''t bother


    dressing up, I just threw some jeans on, and ran my fingers through my dark waves. "I don''t see why


    they can''t pick these up." I spat sarcastically, loading them all up in the backseat with my brother.


    "They also wanted you to serve, that''s why," he smiled deciously.


    "Wait-what?" I asked, cutting my eyes at him.


    "Mom didn''t tell you?" Heughed hysterically, pushing me towards the driver seat.


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    "Oh my goodness," I cried, driving towards the destination. She set me up, and she did it on purpose.


    When I pulled up to the twelve story business, I sat in the car and called my Mom crying. "Why would


    you do this to me?" I whined. "Mom this is so embarrassing," I cried.


    "Sweetheart, all you have to do is set up the pizzas on this huge table! You''ll be out of there before


    anyone sees you!" She said over the phone.


    "And you wanted me to take Ben with me?" I asked, gesturing towards my ten year old brother.


    "Sweetheart, it''s okay you got this!" And with that, she was gone.


    "Ugh!" I groaned, getting out of the car. "Why is this happening?" I grumbled. This is exactly what I


    mean! When I save up, I am going to the FARTHEST college I can find! I am so tired of these


    embarrassing situations!


    "We should hurry if you don''t want to be seen," Ben said simply.


    "Fine," I rolled my eyes. "Let''s fucking go!" I groaned.


    We were met at the back of the ss building, I''m guessing the janitor bought us a two story cart to


    carry the pizza on. "Load them up here," he said, pushing it close to my small Toyota.


    Ben and I loaded the cart with all the pizza, and carried the rest by hand. "Whoa," I sighed as we came


    in. "What is this ce?" It was spacious, and huge, and fancy.


    "It''s a familypany," he responded simply, pushing the cart of pizza. "That''s why we got pizza from


    your mom''s restaurant. Just supporting the local family businesses."


    "Wow, that''s kind of them," I beamed. At that, heughed.


    "No," he said with a heavy Latin ent. "Not kind, it just looks good on paper." At that, I shrugged.


    Maybe he''s right, people this rich don''t care about local pizzeria unless it''s for the press.


    "Right this way." He guided us to a huge, carpeted conference area. "We have to take the pizza out of


    the box, and ce them onto these trays." It was a long table, with 24 silver trays set up in a nice order


    waiting.


    "Are you serious?" I chuckled. "They can''t just use the box."


    "No way," heughed. "The only reason we are eating pizza, is because all the lower level employees


    are attending." For some reason, this offended me, and I stopped gawking, and started unpacking.


    Fuck these people! Feeding poor people pizza? From other poor people? Capitalism at its best, I


    scoffed inwardly.


    24 silver trayster, after Alejandro took all the boxes to the trash, I took my brother and headed back


    outside. "Oh my goodness, Ben," Iined while we walked back out of the building. "If only I had


    enough money already, I would have been out of here!" I whined, as if he even cared.


    He won''t understand what this is like for another eight years! "I''m tired of being looked down on by


    these people. I just want to be a revered psychologist already."


    "With your paycheck?" He joked, causing me to roll my eyes.


    We both got into my car, and just as I was cranking it up, I was startled by a tall man. "Excuse me,


    ma''am?" He called.


    Ben and I both screamed in surprise, and I inched on the gas a little bit by ident, knocking the man


    down in the street. "Holy shit," Ben said, and I didn''t have time to scold him because I ran out to check


    on him. "Did you justmit murder?" He asked.


    "NO!" I shouted, bending down beside the man. "Are you okay?" I asked nervously.


    "Yeah," heughed, looking up at me with his bright green eyes. "I guess I shouldn''t have scared you,"


    heughed, standing back up to his feet.


    "Did I do something wrong?" I asked him, looking over his now dusty tailored suit.


    "No, of course not," he sighed. "Do you mind if we talk in private?" He asked, peering over at Ben.


    "Sure," I agreed reluctantly. "Go wait in the car Ben." Once he was gone, I sighed hoping this wasn''t


    about the pizza.


    "Well I couldn''t help but overhear your conversation and I really think I can help you," he exined.


    "What?" I asked, my nerves disappearing. "You were spying on me!?"


    "No way!" He spat nervously, ring his arms. "I just was smoking and I overheard," he fumbled to


    exin himself.


    "Oh," I said simply, trying not to go off on him. "How do you think you can help me?" I asked him.


    "Let''s not discuss it here," he said. "Under the circumstances of course. Take my card. It has my


    personal number on it. Call me and we can set up a meeting." It sounded so official that I was almost


    confused.


    He didn''t seem that old, probably in his early 20''s. How could he possibly help me?

 Chapter 4: 4: Wife For Hire

    Chapter 4: 4: Wife For Hire


    "Let me just cut to the chase, Nn," my Dad sighed as he looked at me with that look he always


    gives. "I''m not going to keep funding you, you idiot! Every time I look in your expenses it''s thousands


    blown on shenanigans and girls." He furrowed his thick eyebrows, and I rolled my eyes while my


    brotherughed in the chair next to me.


    "But-" I began to object, but he put his hand up.


    "I don''t want to hear it." He spat, disappointed in me I assume. "How am I supposed to trust you with


    money and fortune if you don''t know how to be responsible?"


    "Dad, let me just exi-"


    "Save it, Noel!" He stood to his feet in anger and that''s when I knew, this time he was serious. He''s had


    this talk with me many times. I imagined myself in this very same office, with this very same talk; at


    eighteen, at twenty, and then at twenty-three. All the same results, but this time the tone was different.


    "I''ve waited for you to clean up your act, your almost 30! When I was your age, I had your mother, and


    we had you!" At that, Jared and I both stopped ying, and sighed heavily.


    "You''re serious, Dad?" Jared asked.


    "As a fucking heart attack," he said simply, sitting back down. "I don''t want to see in here again, until I


    see improvements." With that, he dismissed us both.


    "Oh my fucking god, its actually happening!" I eximed, freaking out in the entrance office way. "What


    the fuck am I going to do?" I asked my brother, who seemed amused by the situation.


    "I guess... ask me for a job," he shrugged.


    "So just because you''re boring and stupid, I have to suffer?" I asked him, making my way downstairs. If


    I don''t get out of here I''m going to scream.


    While we descended in the elevator, I thought of what I could possibly do to get him off my back. I don''t


    want to change, and lead some boring adult life. There are too many cars to drive, too much money to


    spend, and too much sex to have. I can''t quit now, I''m in the prime of my life!


    "Wait a second," I thought out loud, catching my brothers attention. "If Dad''s only problem is that I don''t


    have a wife, then its simple!" I grinned.


    "What''s simple?"


    "I''ll get married. Then he can''t turn me down!" We exited the elevator, and Jared narrowed his eyes at


    me.


    "And who exactly will you be marrying?" He asked, with a confused look on his face.


    "I''ll hire someone," I said simply. "One thing you need to learn little brother," I started. "Money can buy


    anything. Including people."


    "Oh... right... of course," he trailed off sarcastically. "So you''re spending more money irresponsibly, in


    order to continue to spend money irresponsibly?" He asked, and I nodded in excitement.


    "It''s brilliant. And he ims I''m not a good business man."


    "Yeah, it''s quite the investment," he said in a snarky tone. "And who is going to be desperate enough to


    do that?" Just as he answered that question, we walked past the conference room where I noticed a


    girl setting up. A light immediately went off in my head, and I decided to try it out on her.


    I made my way to the back of building, where I knew she woulde out from, my brother Jared


    trailing not too far behind. Not too many minutester, the door opened slowly.


    "Oh my goodness, Ben," I heard a soft voice say. "If only I had enough money already, I would have


    been out of here!" My eyes lit up hearing those words, and I looked at my brother excited. "I''m tired of


    being looked down on by these people. I just want to be a revered psychologist already."


    "With your paycheck?" The kid responded.


    Jared stared at me wide eyed, just as surprised as me. You can call it fate, or divine intervention, but I


    wasn''t going to waste this opportunity. I ran quickly after her, calling after her. They both screamed, and


    she inched her car, knocking me to the ground.


    "NO!" she shouted, bending down beside me. "Are you okay?" She asked nervously.


    "Yeah," Iughed, looking up at her. She actually wasn''t bad looking. She had long, dark waves in her


    head, and bright blue eyes that suited her pale skin. "I guess I shouldn''t have scared you," Iughed,


    standing back up to my feet.


    "Did I do something wrong?" She asked in a way that made her seem so innocent.


    "No, of course not," I sighed. "Do you mind if we talk in private?" I asked, peering over at Ben.


    "Sure," she agreed. "Go wait in the car Ben."


    Once he was gone, I wanted to hurry before I lost my nerve. "Well I couldn''t help but overhear your


    conversation and I really think I can help you," I exined.


    "What?" She asked, seemingly angry at me. "You were spying on me!?" She screamed, and my eyes


    widened in fear.


    "No way!" I eximed, getting freaked by her allegations. "I just was smoking and I overheard," I lied.


    "Oh," she said simply. "How do you think you can help me?" She asked.


    "Let''s not discuss it here," I said. "Under the circumstances of course. Take my card. It has my personal


    number on it. Call me and we can set up a meeting." I tried to formal, so that I didn''t scare her away. IContent ? provided by N?velDrama.Org.


    hope that it worked.


    I watched her drive away as my brother walked up to meughing. "This is the girl?" He asked with a


    sly smile.


    "I think so," I said softly.


    "She don''t seem like your type," he shrugged.


    "Exactly," I smiled deviously. "She''s someone dad would like, and since I''m not attracted to her, it''ll be


    easy to keep things professional." I told him matter-of-factly.


    "That''s your grand n?" He asked with augh. "You shouldn''t y with people like that," he warned.


    "This is gonnae back to haunt you."


    I rolled my eyes at him, tired of his negativity. "You know what your problem is?" I asked. "You care too


    much," I said seriously, causing him to scoff.


    "And I suppose your problem is that you don''t care at all? And what if she doesn''t call you?"


    "Trust me," I said confidently. "She''ll call."

 Chapter 5: 5: The Gig

    Chapter 5: 5: The Gig


    "Mom!" I whined as soon as I came through the door. "I can''t believe you lied to me!"


    She rolled her bright blue eyes,pletely ignoring me. "Get back to work, Olivia." She said it in such


    a stern voice, that I knew not to argue with her.


    She was in the kitchen, going over her finances while my sister Dina gave out orders. I could never


    bring myself to ask my Mother for any money, she has been through way too much this year.


    After my Dad left, she''s had to take over every detail money wise, all while still taking care of us. I


    admire her for it, but I don''t hate her because she can''t afford to send me away.


    Maybe this is God''s way of saying "take your life into your own hands". Maybe this is his weird, low key


    way of assisting in a miracle.


    After working a long shift, I finally was left to my own devices. Iid down on my small twin bed, in a


    room that I shared with my little sister, Dina. I still had the card that the man from earlier gave me, and I


    was trying to think of reasons that I should not call. In my head I came up with a million scenarios,


    begging myself to just rip it up and suffer.


    It was like something else was possessing me, and I couldn''t stop what I was about to do next. I pulled


    out my cell phone, and dialed the number that he told me to. Maybe it would be a grant, maybe I would


    have to go a serve poor pizza every weekend for a fee. Whatever it is, I hope it gets me out of here!


    "Hello?" The voice answered.


    "Hi, I''m Olivia, we met earlier..." I trailed off, unsure of what to say next.


    "Oh, hi! I''m so d you called!" He eximed, seemingly excited.


    "Yes, well, I was curious as to how I could get the money for school. Of course I''m not expecting this to


    be free money," for some reason, this made himugh.


    "Of course, nothing in life is free."


    I nodded in agreement, as if he could hear me. This seemed like a creepy sex thing, and I couldn''t


    ignore how it felt. I''ve heard stories about rich guys that buy virgins, and have some weird infatuation


    with them.


    Was I really ready to sell my virginity for tuition money? Was that also a form of selling your soul. "Well,


    what I was wondering was, what will I have to do?" I asked him.


    "Nothing really, and I know what you''re thinking, it''s not like some creepy sex thing." My eyes widened


    in shock, he seemingly took the words right out of my mind. "Think of this as more of an acting job


    more than anything."


    "Acting?" I asked, raising my thick brow.


    "Have you ever done it before?" He asked.


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    "Well..." I trailed off, thinking of all my time in school. "I was in a y once in middle school."


    "That''s good enough for me!" He smiled, and I bit my lip out of nervousness. "Can we meet in person


    tomorrow? Then I can break down all the details."


    "Okay."


    "Can youe by my ce tomorrow around 3PM?" He asked, and I nodded my eptance.


    "Okay." After I hung up with him, my nervousness soon turned into anxiety. He said it''s not a weird sex


    thing, so that''s good. Maybe I should brush up on my acting skills though, just in case.


    The next day finally came, and I had to all but beg my Mother for the day off. I pulled up at the address


    that he texted me, and was surprised to find an actual nice t apartment.


    I knocked on the door, unsure of what to expect. "Hi!" A smiling face greeted me, and I was rushed in


    immediately. "You have no idea how much this means to me that you''re here! Please, sit down."


    He sat me down on a blue leather couch, and looking at his ce, I could already tell that this man was


    made out of money! Even the thread looked expensive. I began to wonder what a man like him, could


    possibly want with a girl like me.


    "Well I bet you''re wondering why you''re here," he smiled. I blinked at his amazing way of always


    reading my mind, then suddenly felt the weight of his boyish charm attacking my heart strings. He was


    cute to say the least, with his shaggy blond hair, and deep green eyes. Focus Olivia, I thought to


    myself. This is strictly business.


    "I had mywyer draw up a contract. I know there''s no need for legalities but this is a lot of money


    we''re dealing with," he exined, cing a piece of paper in front of me. "How much is your tuition


    anyways? I assumed it would be somewhere around fifty thousand dors?" He asked, seemingly


    writing the numbers down on a check.


    I blinked at how fast all of this was moving, and how easy it was to get this amount of money. What


    could possibly be worth all of this? And how could it be executed by little old me? I wondered.


    "I just want to cut to the chase," he began, handing me the check and the contract. "I need you to


    pretend to be my wife for three months. If you can do that, the money is yours." I took my gaze of the


    check, and back onto him.


    "You want me to pretend to be your wife?" I asked him, raising a questioning brow.


    "Yes, you''re eighteen aren''t you?" He asked. Now he wants to know my age? I thought to myself,


    resisting the urge to roll my eyes.


    "Yes, but-" he cut me off, not giving me time to ask anything else.


    "Okay, then it''s settled. You''re perfect, of course we''ll have to lie about your age but there''s no one to


    impress but my father."


    "You''re doing all this to impress your father?" I asked.


    "Yes," he sighed, running his hands through his hair. "It''s a long story, you should wait for the movie."


    He waved me off in a way that showed he didn''t want to talk about it, so I just left it alone.


    Pretend to be a wife? I guess I can do that. I watched my Mother do it for years. "Okay," I nodded. "I''ll


    do it."


    "Great!" Heughed, handing me a pen. "The contract also says that you''ll be staying with me for the


    three months that we''re together, and we also actually have to get married." At this my mouth dropped.


    What am I going to tell my Mom?!


    "Wait, you actually want to get married?" I asked. "Pretending is one thing but, to actually marry


    someone is another."


    "Don''t worry! Mywyer is going to handle everything. You''ll sign a prenup, and as soon as we''re done


    we''ll get the marriage annulled. It''ll be just like it never happened!" He exined.


    "You''re going through a lot just to impress your father." I sighed, and he nodded in agreement.


    "Tragic, but necessary. So, will you sign?" He asked with so much desperation, I don''t think I could


    have said no if I wanted to. It seems we both needed this.


    "Okay," I nodded, signing my soul away on the dotted line. I imagined him being Satan in a red suit,


    grinning all the way back to hell. "When do we get married?"

 Chapter 6: 6: Africa

    Chapter 6: 6: Africa


    "She actually agreed to all this?" My brother asked, bbergasted.


    "I told you little brother, money can buy anything." I told him matter-of-factly, sipping on a cold beer.


    "And when is this rouse supposed to be taking ce?" Heughed.


    "This weekend, and you know what? You better not breathe a word of this to Dad. Not a word or I


    swear to Christ, you are dead to me."


    "Oh, I''m not going to say anything," he started with a sly smile. "I''m just going to stand idly by while this


    fails in your face."


    "I don''t need your negativity," I sighed, rolling my eyes at him. "This is a wellid n, and honestly, it''s


    going to work."


    "What if Dad finds out?" He asked.


    "He''s not going to."


    "But if he does, you''re cut off for sure," heughed. "When is your new wife going to be here anyway?"


    "She''ll be here tomorrow, and I''m taking Dad out to meet her tomorrow night."


    "Wow," Benughed. "Not even going to practice for a day?"


    "I had my assistant write down everything there is to know about me, she''ll have enough practice," I


    exined.


    "What about all there is to know about her?" He asked, raising his thick brow.


    "I''ll learn as I go," I waved him off. "She''s so perfect! She''s just boring enough that I don''t like her, and


    just pretty enough to be able to stand next to me and pass as believable." I stopped to think for a bit


    about her. "And her personality is tolerable."


    "Wow, Noel! You''re talking about a human being, not a damn dog." I all but spat at him, then turned the


    Sunday football game up higher.


    "I''m sorry, I can''t hear you, the game is on."


    ~*~


    I had to mentally prepare myself for Olivia''s arrival. Ever since I moved out, I''ve lived alone. I never had


    a woman stay more than a night in my bed; I don''t like people all in my space. But I guess I can


    sacrifice a few months of my privacy for the greater good.


    As soon as I was done girl-proofing my home, the doorbell rang shortly after.


    When I opened the door, it was not only Olivia, but a little blonde girl. "Hello?" I said, but it came out as


    more of a question than a greeting.


    "This is my little sister, Dina." Olivia exined with a suitcase in her hand. "She''s dropping me off to the


    ''airport''." She did air quotes when saying the word airport, and I immediately lit up with understanding.


    "Ohhhh," I sighed. "Well,e in you two." I gestured for them to enter, then took the suitcase from


    Olivia.


    "Wow!" Dina eximed, looking around in amazement. "Nice ce!" She grinned, making herself at


    home.


    "Don''t touch anything," I told her, sitting Olivia''s suitcase down next to the couch. "Please." I noticed


    Olivia sitting shyly down on the edge of the couch and furrowed my brows, she seemed so much more


    quiet and reserved than her sister.


    "You are about to be staying here?" She asked Olivia, looking though my refrigerator.


    Olivia just shrugged, then looked up at me. "What did you tell your mom?" I asked her, honestly


    curious.


    "A huge, borate lie that she made me take part in." Dina answered for her, smiling sarcastically. I


    chuckled softly, then crossed my arms over my chest in amusement.


    "Do tell," I grinned, looking at Olivia who still hadn''t spoken a single word.


    This belongs to N?velDrama.Org.


    "Well, my sister here-" Dina started, sitting next to her sister on the couch. "Is doing some work in


    Africa for a free ride to college."


    "Africa?!" I asked, my eyes bulging. "You couldn''t have been closer?" I asked her with augh, and she


    rolled her eyes at me.


    ¡°It was just a quick thought.¡± She said, ying with her dark curls in a way that actually made her look


    kind of cute. Wait. What? Shut up, Nn! She is off limits.


    I sighed heavily, standing up to my feet. ¡°Well, we¡¯ve got a long day of getting to know each other, so


    how about I show you to your room?¡± I asked her, and she nodded.


    ¡°Okay. Dina I guess you can leave now, I¡¯m safe.¡± She told her sister, and walked her to the door. ¡°And


    be careful while you¡¯re driving, you know you don¡¯t have a license.¡±


    ¡°This small girl is driving?¡± I asked in disbelief. She looked like she could be no older than twelve.


    ¡°I¡¯m not small, I¡¯ll be fifteen next month!¡± She corrected me, and I blinked in shock.


    ¡°Your mom just lets you drive around?¡± I asked them both.


    ¡°My mom taught us all to drive at ten. In this family, if you¡¯re old enough to see the road? You¡¯re


    driving.¡± Olivia told me, then shooed her sister out of the door. ¡°Text me when you get home,¡± Olivia


    said, giving her a tight hug.


    ¡°Text me when you get to Africa,¡± Dinaughed.


    Once her sister was gone and it was just us, I took the opportunity to make fun of her. ¡°So Africa, huh?¡±


    I asked her with a teasing smile.


    ¡°Shut up.¡± That was all she said before closing the door.


    ¡°Not even Hawaii?¡± I asked, following her back to the living room as she rolled her eyes at me once


    again.


    ¡°Can you just show me my room?¡± She asked, her eyes squinting at me.


    ¡°Follow me.¡± I led her down the hall, and into the guest room. I only had a three bedroom, but since


    Ben still lived at home with my Dad, I kept a bedroom ready for him just in case. ¡°Here you are,¡± I told


    her, sitting her suitcase down. ¡°I¡¯ll let you get settled.¡± She looked around the room, and I slowly backed


    out of the door. ¡°When you¡¯re ready we can get started on the quizzing. You still have the file my


    assistant gave you right?¡± She nodded her head ¡®yes¡¯, so I left her to unpack.


    I know this sounds weird, but I didn¡¯t know how to act around her. It¡¯s like, legally she¡¯s my wife but, in


    reality we¡¯re just strangers. She¡¯s a teenaged girl trying to figure out her life, and I¡¯m a grown ass man


    still trying to do the same.


    Almost two hours had passed by, and she finally came out of her room. Not that I was keeping count or


    anything. ¡°Hey,¡± I said as soon as she descended the hallway. ¡°I hope you like Chinese because I


    ordered.¡± I gestured to the Chinese that I scattered on the kitchen table. ¡°I didn¡¯t know what you liked


    so I just got one of everything.¡± For some reason, this made herugh.


    ¡°Thanks,¡± she said, sitting across from me.


    ¡°Are you okay- I mean, did you get settled?¡±


    ¡°Yeah.¡± She answered, grabbing a box of rice and chop sticks.


    ¡°If you need anything, just let me know. Seriously, anything, it doesn¡¯t matter what it is. I want you to be


    She looked at me before eating, and didn¡¯t say anything. Her expression was unreadable, but in the


    end she nodded. ¡°Okay.¡± Was all she said. ¡°Let¡¯s get started on these questions shall we?¡± She asked,


    picking up the file from the table.

 Chapter 7: 7: The Lie

    Chapter 7: 7: The Lie


    Olivia''s POV


    "I now pronounce you husband and wife." Nn''swyer grinned as I signed the paper that proved that


    we were both married.


    I could understand the fake marriage, but what I couldn''t understand was the lengths to make it look


    legitimate. He really didn''t exin much except my role, and I didn''t press him. Besides, I had to figure


    out what I was going to tell my Mother.


    Hey Mom, I married that guy that I met yesterday, I''m going to pretend to be his wife for three months! I


    internally groaned at how terrible that sounded. Howpletely mad she would be. She would never


    let me out of the house again! I could kiss college goodbye, it''ll bemunity for me.


    "Well, I''ll see you back at my ce tomorrow morning?" Nn asked once he handled all the


    documents, and I nodded.


    "Okay," I sighed. "I''ll see you tomorrow."


    On the ride home I came up with a thousand reasons why I could be gone for months, but nothing


    came to mind. "What am I going to do?" I groaned, hitting my head against the steering wheel.


    I got out of the car and ran into my room immediately. I didn''t want to risk my Mom putting me to work.


    She promised me the day off, but that is liable to change if she sees me lurking around.


    I got my suitcase from off of the closet shelf, and opened it up on my bed. I need to leave, I need this


    money. It''s only a few months anyways, not really a huge sacrifice. There''s just no way I can tell my


    Mom though, she would never allow it. Her little girl staying with a strange man, for a strange


    arrangement. It just screamed murder me.


    With that thought in mind, I sighed heavily. I can''t just run away. There would be missing posters


    everywhere. My inner thought train was interrupted by the entrance of my sister Dina.


    "Going somewhere?" She asked, ncing at my suitcase.


    I rolled my eyes in response, and closed the door behind her. "Dina, I have to tell you something, but


    you have to promise you won''t tell Mom."


    "How much?" She asked, and I resisted the urge to smile. Ever since we were little, Dina and I used to


    trade secrets for things. When we were girls, it was food, snacks, toys, whatever we could get our tiny


    hands on. When we got older, it became a secret for money. It was the only thing worthwhile to us.


    "How much is this secret worth to you?"


    "I''ll give you a hundred dors." I told her, and her eyes bulged.


    "That much, huh?" She smirked, folding her hands across her chest. "Do tell."


    "I have to leave tomorrow, but she can''t know where I am. I need a reason to be gone." I exined to


    her. "I came into some money for my college fund, and I have to go away for a few months to get it."


    "Why don''t you just tell her that?" She asked, her blond hair shaking around her neck.


    "She won''t understand." I said simply.


    "She''ll understand if it''s you going to school."


    "She won''t understand me getting married."


    "Whoa!" Dinaughed, seemingly in disbelief. "You''re getting married for money?!" She almost yelled,


    and I put my finger to my lips, shushing her.


    "Please be quiet before someone hears you!" I told her, rolling my eyes in annoyance. "I''m only


    pretending to be married for some rich guy, in the end I get the money, and he gets..." I trailed off, still


    unsure of what he was getting out of this. "Whatever he gets."


    "That is quite the arrangement," she said with an impressed look on her face. "I never would expect


    something like this from you. Maybe me. But not you."


    "Will you just stop and help me?" I asked her in desperation. "I have to go. I can''t stay here forever, I


    just... can''t."


    "Alright, fine." She threw her hands up in surrender. Even though she was four years younger than me,


    I did often times look to her for answers. She was stronger willed than I was, smarter than I was, way


    more outgoing than I was. She was the one that got into trouble the most growing up, and her my Mom


    don''t get along at all; only because she''s not afraid to march to her own best like I am. "When are you


    leaving?"


    "Tomorrow morning," I told her with a nervous look on my face.


    "Don''t give a girl much to work with do you?" She asked with a teasing smile. "Well, I have a n


    anyways, we''ll just have to change the script." At that Iughed. Who knew I would be an actress


    just to be a marine biologist?


    ~*~


    Thank God for my sister. She concocted a whole n. I was going on a missionary to Africa to build


    homes for a few months, and in return I would receive a free ride to the college of my choosing.


    "Oh honey that''s wonderful!" She gushed. "When do you leave?" She asked.


    "Tomorrow morning," I shrugged. "The flight is paid for."


    "Isn''t that a little soon?" She asked. This was a question that we didn''t prepare for.


    "She applied months ago." My sister butt in, noticing that I got stuck.


    "You didn''t mention to me?" She asked, looking confused.


    "I didn''t want to bring it up, in case I didn''t get in." I lied, and realization crept over her face. "Well let me


    close the shop, I''ll take you to the airport.


    "No!"


    "No!" My sister and I both shouted in unison. "No Mom, you don''t want to lose out on business. Dina


    can take me to the airport."


    "Okay, fine." She said, no questions asked. It''s a good thing I was the good child, if the roles were


    reversed she would very suspicious. I never did anything to displease her.


    We both let out a sigh of relief, and she squinted her eyes at the pair of us. "I really wish that you would


    have told me about this honey." She urged. "Just because things are a little rocky right now, doesn''t


    mean I don''t want to know my daughters. Do you both understand?" She asked us, and we nodded.


    "Now go on, I''ll make dinner and help you pack. I want to spend some time with you before you go at


    least." I smiled at her softly, almost hating myself for deceiving her.


    After a night of family bonding, my Mother came up to help me pack, and even tucked me into bed like


    a small child. I didn''t know how much I missed it until she nted a warm kiss on my forehead. No


    matter how old you get, you never get too old for your Mother''s love. It''s the only timeless thing we


    have.


    The next morning followed with fake kisses, and fake goodbyes. I felt bad for lying, and even worse for


    dragging my sister into it.


    We showed up at Nn''s ce, and Dina looked just as amazed as I did the other day. We took the


    elevator to the top floor, and then knocked on the door. "I''ming in with you," Dina said. "I need to


    make sure this guy isn''t crazy."


    When he opened the door, he seemed a little confused. "Hello?" He answered, but it came out as more


    of a question than a greeting.


    "This is my little sister, Dina." I exined. "She''s dropping me off to the ''airport''." I did air quotes when


    saying the word airport. I thought that was better than saying she was making sure that he wasn''t a


    psycho trying to kidnap me.


    "Ohhhh." He sighed. "Well,e on in you two." He gestured for us to enter, then took the suitcase


    from me.


    "Wow!" Dina eximed, looking around in amazement. "Nice ce!" She grinned, making herself at


    home. I all but rolled my eyes at her. She keeps carrying on like this, she''ll make him think we''ve never


    seen anything nice.


    "Don''t touch anything." Nn told her, and I side eyed him. "Please." He added in. Much better, I


    thought to myself.


    "You are about to be staying here?" She asked me, and I shook my head softly as she looked though


    the refrigerator. "This ce is bigger than our whole apartment." At that I shrugged, then looked up at


    Nn. I was used to having less; I was used to being in small spaces. It didn''t bother me. Besides, he


    has all this space and no one to share it with. Is it really worth it?


    "What did you tell your mom?" Nn asked me. Before I could even get to answer, Dina strode over


    with her input.


    "A huge, borate lie that she paid me to take part in." Dina answered for her, smiling sarcastically. I


    chuckled softly, then crossed my arms over my chest in amusement.


    "Do tell." He grinned, looking at me.


    "Well, my sister here-" Dina started, sitting next to me on the couch. "Is doing some work in Africa for a


    free ride to college."


    "Africa?!" He asked, his eyes bulging. "You couldn''t have been closer?" He asked with augh, and I


    rolled my eyes.


    "It was just a quick thought." I said, ying with my hair nervously.


    "Well, we''ve got a long day of getting to know each other, so how about I show you to your room?" He


    asked me, and I nodded mypliance.


    "Okay. Dina I guess you can leave now, I''m safe." I told her, and walked her to the door. "And be


    careful while you''re driving, you know you don''t have a license."


    "This small girl is driving?" Nn asked in disbelief.


    "I''m not small, I''ll be fifteen next month!" She corrected him, and he blinked in shock.


    "Your mom just lets you drive around?" He asked, his eyes dashing between both of us.


    "My mom taught us all to drive at ten. In this family, if you''re old enough to see the road? You''re


    driving." I exined, then shooed Dina out the door. "Text me when you get home," I said, giving her a


    tight hug.


    "Text me when you get to Africa," Dinaughed.


    Once Dina was gone and it was just us, he turned to look at me. "So Africa, huh?" He asked with a


    teasing smile.


    "Shut up." Was all I said before closing the door.


    "Not even Hawaii?" He asked, continuing his teasing.


    I rolled my eyes at him, tired of his games. "Can you just show me to my room?"


    "Follow me." He led me down the hall, and into a single room. "Here you are." He said, sitting my


    suitcase down. "I''ll let you get settled." I looked around at where I would be staying for the next three


    months. It was cozy, and seemingly decorated by a designer. Certainly nothing a man would do. "When


    you''re ready we can get started on the quizzing. You still have the file my assistant gave you right?" I


    nodded my head ''yes'', then watched him leave the room.


    As soon as I was alone, I threw myself back on the bed. It was much bigger than mine, and much


    softer. I never had a room to myself before. I went from sleeping with my parents, to sleeping in the


    room with my sister four years after.


    I ran my hand along the soft, burgundyforter, then curled up in a warmfortable spot. I have no


    idea where this bed came from, but it felt like someone personally ascended the heavens and grabbed


    a big fluff of cloud.


    I didn''t know what the next three months would hold. I didn''t even know if it was worth it in the end.


    Would I miss my family? My old life? Certainly it was toote to turn back. I had already signed my


    name in blood on the dotted lines. I had already married this man; this stranger.


    With that thought in mind, I heaved a heavy sigh, and then drifted off to sleep.


    ~*~


    I nervously stepped into Nn''s Porsche as he held the door open for me. We were on the way to a


    restaurant that he and his family frequented. Even though it was a fake meeting, I was still nervous as


    hell.


    These people were high ss. So much so, that Nn hired a stylist just for me to meet his father.


    After hours of cramming, there followed even more hours of plucking and prying.


    I knew how to get dolled up when I needed too, but these people took getting dressed up to the


    extreme! I had my eyebrows plucked, my hair curled and rolled, and my feet and nails done all in one


    go. I had never been pampered like this before. He even had someone to pick out a nice dress for me


    to where. It''s a shame, they have all this money and they don''t even dress themselves.


    I sighed heavily, trying to ease the nerves that were shaking inside of me. Just be arm candy, I thought


    to myself. Just be the perfect bride.


    "Are you okay?" He asked, not once taking his eyes off the road.


    "Yeah," I lied. I seem to be doing a lot of thattely. "I just wish we had more time."


    "I know but it has to be tonight. I''ve waited long enough. My father needs to see us together, and fast."


    He exined.


    N?velDrama.Org owns this.


    "You still didn''t tell me why." I said nonchntly.


    "It''s not really important." He said, and I nced over at him. "To you." He went on, probably after


    realizing how ridiculous he sounded. "Anyways, it''s better if you don''t know."


    "It''s not like you''remitting a crime or something." Heughed nervously, shrugging a little bit.


    "I''m just saying, for acting purposes. If he tries to trip you up you won''t know." He exined.


    "You''re acting like your dad is some kind of cop or something." I said, rolling my eyes.


    "No but he definitely has connections." He exined.


    "Is that why the marriage had to be legal?" I asked him.


    "Yes." He replied simply. "Look, just be yourself. And act like you''re in a rtionship with me, that


    shouldn''t be too hard, right?" He asked.


    "Right." Iughed nervously.


    We finally pulled up to the ce, and he pulled to the front of the building. Someone walked up to my


    door immediately, and opened it up. I let out a nervous sigh before stepping out of the car.


    I looked down at my white, straps heels, and hoped I didn''t buss my ass on the pavement. I''ve worn


    heels before, but let''s just say they weren''t my choice of shoes.


    "Miss," the valet parker said, helping me out of the car.


    "Thank you." I said softly, waiting for Nn toe around the car.


    He held his hand out for me to take it, and Iced mine into his. I had hoped he didn''t feel the sweat


    that begun to fill my palms. The feeling almost seemed silly. We had only met two days ago, I''m not


    sure how we''re going to convince a room full of people that we''re married.


    "Just be yourself," Nn whispered to me as we made our way to their private section. "Don''t be


    nervous."


    We walked together in confidence, like we were the best couple in the entire restaurant. I''m sure that


    he knew a couple of these people as well. So the act was for everyone.


    We walked to an outside patio portion of the restaurant, and were greeted by a white haired old man


    whom I''m assuming was his father. "Well, well, well," he started, standing to his feet. "Who do we have


    here?" He grinned.


    "Dad, this is Olivia." Nn exined, and he grabbed my hand to kiss it.


    "It''s nice to meet you Olivia," he smiled. "My son has never brought a woman home to meet me before.


    You must be very special," he exined. "And very beautiful might I add."


    "Thank you," I smiled politely at him, and watched as he pulled my chair out for me to sit down.


    Nn sat down next to me, and his father sat across. I tried my hardest not to sink down in the chair


    from shyness. I hated being the center of attention, and I hated how his father was studying us with


    close scrutiny.


    "When my son told me he was bringing a woman to dinner tonight, I didn''t really expect you," he


    exined, making Nn roll his eyes. "I''ve seen the kind of girls he brings home."


    "Dad!" Nn whined, sounding much like a teenaged boy.


    "So, how did you two meet?" He asked.


    My eyes widened at the unexpected question, and I grabbed a ss of champagne off the table. "Well,


    we-" before I could finish speaking, we were joined by someone who I''m assuming was Nn''s little


    brother.


    "What''s up guys." He said as he sat next to his father. "Whoa!" He said when his eyesnded on me.


    "Who''s this?" He asked with a sly smile.


    "I''m Olivia." I told him, smiling politely still.


    Nn stood up to his feet abruptly, and grabbed a ss. "Now that everyone is here I have an


    announcement," he started. "Olivia and I are married."


    I don''t know how I was expecting that to happen, but that definitely wasn''t it. I blinked as I stared at his


    father who suddenly wasn''t smiling anymore. "Is this a joke?" He asked, and Nn once again rolled


    his eyes.


    "No Dad, it''s not."


    "Can I talk to you in private?" He asked Nn, and I slipped on my ss as they walked away.


    "You clean up nice." Ben said as he watched me closely. "I admit I didn''t think you would really go


    through with this. Guess I was wrong." He shrugged.


    My eyes widened, and I leaned in closer to him. "You know about us?" I asked him.


    "Of course I do." He said simply, his brown eyes glistening under the candle light. "I however, think he


    was wrong about you. I think you''re absolutely beautiful."


    "What?" I asked him in all seriousness. "What did he say about me?" I asked him.


    "I probably shouldn''t," he teased, sipping his ss of champagne. I gave him a wide eyed gaze, and


    blinked in shock. "Okay, since you begged." He shrugged. "He said that you were boring, and pretty


    passable."


    I squinted at him, feeling myself getting angry. "He said what?" I asked.


    Ben nodded, and I sat back in my chair with folded arms. I cannot believe this! This whole time this rich


    jerk has been pretending to be my friend, pretending to be nice, all the while talking shit about me to his


    brother!


    Oh, so this is how he wants to y, huh? I said to myself, looking over at him and his father. I''ll show


    him passable.

 Chapter 8: 8: The Proposal

    Chapter 8: 8: The Proposal


    Nn''s POV


    This belongs ? N?velDra/ma.Org.


    "What do you think your doing?" My Father asked, seemingly furious with me. "You think life is some


    kind of... funny game?" He asked, his gray hairs trembling.


    "Dad. What happened? This isn''t a joke." I told him, and he eyed me with close scrutiny.


    "I know you, you little bastard. This better not be a game." He threatened, and for a second I almost


    called the whole thing off.


    "Dad. Olivia and I are married. She lives with me now, and I made her my wife." I said with a straight


    face.


    "Is she pregnant?" He asked.


    "Ew! Dad that''s gross." I answered, balling my face up in disgust. Before the conversation could end, I


    saw a very angry Olivia stomping towards me. "Whoa, what''s wrong?" I asked her nervously.


    "Noel," she said in a low, stern tone. "I need to talk to you... over there." She said, pointing away from


    everyone.


    "Okay... honey..." Iughed nervously, looking over at my Dad who looked both curious and amused.


    "Women," I mouthed to him, mocking an annoyed look.


    I followed her away from everyone, and she did not look happy. At. All. "So I had an interesting talk with


    your brother." She said, folding her arms over her chest.


    "And?" I asked, putting my hand in the back of my neck.


    "And... you said some pretty hurtful things. And I''m d to know how you really feel. Let''s not forget,


    you''re paying me, but this is a business deal. You''re not going to turn your nose up at me." She said,


    rolling her eyes. "You spoiled little rich boy!" She poked me in the chest with every word, and I blinked


    in shock. No woman had ever talked to me like that before.


    Every woman I''d ever been with, waited on me hand and foot. They practically threw their panties at


    me. But here Olivia was, defending her own honor and standing up to me.


    "Okay." I muttered under my breath, feeling like a scolded child.


    "Your money does not make you better than me, Nn." She said sternly, sighing heavily. "I''m going to


    the restroom." With that, she stormed off, and I couldn''t help but watch her leave.


    I am going to kill my brother.


    I headed back to our table, where Ben was staring smugly at me. "Hello brother."


    "How could you do this?" I asked him in annoyance. "You just made her not like me!"


    "Good. You deserve it." He smirked, ordering food off the menu from the now emerged waiter. "She


    deserves to know how you really feel about her."


    I couldn''t continue yelling at him, because my Father had gotten off his phone call, and was headed


    back to the table. "Well, Noel. I have to admit, at first I thought you were joking but I have to say I''m


    convinced."


    "Because of our marriage license?" I asked him.


    "No," he answered. "Because of the way Olivia talked to you." Heughed. "Only a wife would do


    something like that," he shrugged, and Ben and I stared at each other in disbelief.


    At that, I started grinning. My dumb brother. Thought he was hurting me, but only helped me further.


    "Alright, Dad listen. It''s okay. I know it''s sudden, but I wanted to make sure it was right first."


    "There''s my favorite daughter inw!" My dad eximed. "I have a proposal for you."


    "Hi, I''m sorry about that. Men!" She shrugged.


    "It''s okay. Why don''t you kiss and make up with him. He''s terribly sorry for what he did. At least do it for


    me?" My Dad asked her, and she thought for a minute before looking at me.


    "I guess I can do that." I stared at her with a nk face. I wasn''t sure if this was her acting like we were


    making up, or if she was actually making up with me.


    She gave me a pondering look before leaning over, and kissing me right on the mouth. At first it caught


    me off guard, but then I gave into it. I looked her in the eye as she pulled away, but I still couldn''t figure


    out what was in her head.


    "Your ex-girlfriend, Nn," my Dad started. "What happened to her?" He asked.


    "He thought she was..." Olivia trailed off. "What was it babe? Boring and passable?" She asked


    sarcastically, and that''s when I knew she was acting.


    My Dadughed, and Ben choked on his drink. I sighed heavily, and shook my head dismissively. "Let''s


    not talk about her, please, Dad." I said.


    "Alight, fine." He threw his hands up in surrender, then turned his attention to Olivia. "So, Olivia, I take it


    your going to spend this weekend with us on our yacht?" He asked her, and my eyes widened.


    "That''s this weekend?" I asked, the whole thing slipping my mind.


    "Yes. It is."


    Every year for my mother''s birthday, the whole family gets together and goes boating in Italy. I had


    gotten so wrapped up in this n, that I forgot all about it. "Yes, I guess I wille." She smiled


    politely. "But I''m afraid I must be going now. I have such a busy day tomorrow, and I do need some


    rest." She shrugged, standing up from her seat. She didn''t say a word to me, but I assumed I should


    follow her.


    She sighed heavily, but grabbed my hand and held it anyways. "This doesn''t mean we''re friends,


    Nn." She said to me once we were in the car. "I can''t believe those things you said." She sighed,


    and I instantly regretted the words ever leaving my mouth.


    "I''m sorry, Olivia," I said, shaking my head.


    "You know what, just save it Nn." She sighed, looking out the window. "I''m not some charity. You''re


    not scoring points by being with me, and helping me out."


    It seemed like nothing I said would make this better, so I stayed quiet the rest of the way home.


    Once we got back, she hurried off to her room, and I was left to think about what I did. Did I screw this


    up?

 Chapter 9: 9: The Shopping Trip

    Chapter 9: 9: The Shopping Trip


    Olivia


    When we got back to Noel''s apartment, I hurried back into my new room. I was still embarrassed


    beyond belief, and I had wished that I didn''t have to face him. I didn''t want to have to look at him


    everyday knowing this is how he feels about me. I''m just a poor broad that would do anything for


    money. That''s what he thought.


    I finally unpacked my things, trying to befortable. It seems I was stuck here for a while. I may as


    well settle in. I was pretty unsure of what to do all day, so I pulled out a book I wanted to read. I never


    really had much freedom at home. I was always on one errand or another. So, I wasn''t really sure of


    what to do in my spare time; what I liked.


    I was about to turn neen in a few days, and all I knew was how to seed in school and flip dough


    bread through and through. I heaved a heavy sigh, and decided that it couldn''t hurt to do some yoga.


    This room had plenty of space, it even had its own balcony! I didn''t have a yoga mat, but I didn''t mind


    the wooden floor.


    I put on some rxing wave sounds, and continued on with stretching, and breathing. I hadn''t done


    yoga in so long that I forgot how rxing it is.


    I hadn''t even realized that I fell asleep until there was an abrupt knock at the door. I opened my eyes


    quickly, waking up in the sleeping dog position. I took a nce at the clock on the nightstand, and


    noticed that almost two hours had gone by.


    Since the knocking continued I assumed that Nn wasn''t going to open it, so I slowly peaked my


    head out of my room to make sure that he wasn''t around.


    I ran to the front door, swinging it open. "Hi?" I said, but it came out as more of a question.


    "Hi!" There was a beautiful brte girl, about an inch taller than me. "Nn said you would be here."


    "Who are you?" I asked, raising a questioning brow.


    "I''m his sister. Nova. Can Ie in?" She asked.


    "Sure." I sighed, holding the door open for her.


    "Nn didn''t tell me he had a sister." I said, shaking my head at the sight of her.


    This belongs ? N?velDra/ma.Org.


    "I''m sure he hasn''t told you a lot of things." Sheughed. "He''s like that with women." She shrugged


    nonchntly. "Our parents got married, and then divorced after eleven years, so we still consider each


    other siblings." She smiled, and I sighed in relief.


    I wasn''t hoping there was another woman around, but I didn''t want to be alone in another country with


    three men alone. I don''t even know these people! I know nothing about him aside from basics because


    he doesn''t tell me anything. Some marriage.


    "Now I came here to take you shopping." She grinned. "You want to be the wife of a rich man? You


    have to act like it."


    "How would you know what a rich mans wife does?" I asked her in all seriousness.


    "Because I am the wife of a rich man!" She beamed, holding her hands out proudly. "I''ve been married


    for a year. Even though I''m twenty-three, I felt ready for some reason. Spent so long watching


    marriages fail, I wanted to prove to myself that I could make it work." She shrugged, and I nodded.


    "Okay," I sighed. "I''ll get dressed."


    ~*~


    Nova and I had spent almost all day going into stores that I didn''t even know existed. It was one thing


    to go shopping for clothes at the local Walmart, and another to be shopping in ces where everything


    isn''t even priced it''s so expensive.


    I could have gotten anything I wanted, but I remembered to dress a little more mature than I would


    have liked. Since Nova was the age I was aiming for, she helped me pick some stuff out. She even


    introduced me to some restaurants that I''ve never heard of. It''s clear that I don''te on this side of


    town often.


    I may live in Santa Monica, but I am in no way important enough to be on this side of town. "So you


    guys are just letting him concoct this scheme?" I asked her, as we sat down and ate.


    She just shrugged, biting down into her tbread. "Nn has been like this since we were young. He''s


    always concocting one scheme or another. Everyone has roles as children, he was always the one to


    get in the most trouble." Sheughed. "Don''t you have siblings?" She asked.


    "Yes." I nodded. "But I usually wasn''t the one to get into trouble."


    "I see." She sighed, sitting back in her seat. "This is your first time doing something bad?" She smiled


    softly, and I nodded.


    "Well, at least it''s for a good cause." She shrugged. "What''re you going to college for anyways?" Nova


    asked.


    "I want to be a marine biologist." I answered simply, figuring it was the best thing to study.


    "An animal girl?" She asked, raising her thick eyebrow. "Interesting." She said quietly, and I gave her a


    confused look. "We should head back." She started, leaving cash for the bill. "You probably want to


    head back and pack. It''s going to be a long weekend."


    "You''re going on the trip too?" I asked her as we walked back to the car.


    "Yes, I do like to go." She exined. "I like sailing on the yacht and remembering theirte mother."


    "Who''s alling?" I asked her, curious.


    "Just us, and their grandma. She alwayses. Even if their father is seeing someone, he NEVER


    brings them to honor histe wife." She exined. "He only brought my mother because they were


    married. She''s the only woman that''s evere."


    Once Nova dropped me off at the apartment, she had the bellboy help me carry up all of my shopping


    bags. I hadn''t realized how much stuff we bought until I saw it all covering the whole living room floor. I


    sighed heavily, and couldn''t help but feel overwhelmed at how much my life has changed seemingly


    over night.


    If you told mest week I would be spending thousands of dors to prepare for a trip to Italy, I would


    honestlyugh in your face. I decided to leave the shopping bags alone, and sort out my Steve Madden


    luggage set that I picked out. It came with six pieces, and I didn''t even know all this luggage was


    necessary to go on a trip. I guess since I wasn''t really used to going anywhere, I wouldn''t need to have


    all this luggage.


    I decided to pack my new clothes first, then the shoes, then intimates, then personals. I didn''t usually


    like wearing makeup, but Nova got a bunch of stuff; she said I was definitely going to need it.


    When I was done packing, I sat all of my six bags at the front door, and smiled softly. I was actually


    really proud of myself. My happy moment was ruined by Nning home from work.


    I rolled my eyes slightly, and he nced at all of my luggage. "What is this?" He asked, clearly amused.


    "We''re going away for three days not three years." Heughed, and I side eyed him.


    "Hello, I''m a girl, I need a lot of stuff."


    "Definitely not a whole wardrobe." He sighed, going to the kitchen. The first thing he did was pull out a


    can of beer, and I all butughed at him.


    "You keep that up, you''re going to have the belly of a pregnant woman." I said observingly.


    He lifted up his dress shirt, then stared down at his abs. "I think I''m good." He shrugged, cracking it


    open despite myments. I scoffed at him, flopping down on his leather couch.


    "What am I supposed to do all day anyways?" I asked him, grabbing the tv remote off the coffee table.


    "Whatever you want." He shrugged, taking a swig of his beer, and sitting down next to me on the


    couch.


    "That''s boring." I stated, flicking on the television. He sighed heavily, running his hands through his


    already messy hair.


    "You should be happy. You''re getting paid to sit around and shop with my sister. Find a hobby or


    something, I don''t know." I rolled my eyes at his empathy, channel surfing. "By the way, that stuff is


    "No way, not fair!" I protested.


    "I saw what you two spent!" He scoffed. "I said to go shopping, not bankrupt me."


    "Hey!" I smiled. "Your sister picked those ces, not me." I held my hands up in defense, and settled


    on watching ''The Nanny'' on HBO. I always did like this show.


    "By the way, do you have a passport?" He asked me.


    "Yes, I do." I told him nonchntly. "I''ve been to Canada." I told him nonchntly. Remembering the


    I should have a good two years left before it needs to be updated.


    "Okay, well we''re leaving for Italy in the morning. I don''t have a private jet if that''s what you''re thinking,


    but we''ll be in first ss."


    "I wasn''t thinking that." I answered, squinting at him. "I don''t know how much money you have."


    "Enough to buy a private jet," he smirked teasingly, and I tried to hide the fact that I was actually


    blushing.


    Wait, I said to myself. Stop it, Olivia. He is the enemy. I blinked rapidly, turning my head back to the TV.


    "Anyways, I''m good." I continued, ignoring the fact that I felt the tiniest bit of attraction to him. God the


    things my Mother would say.


    "Okay." He shrugged. "We''re leaving in the morning. Got a long day ahead of us."

 Chapter 10: 10: My Little Italy

    Chapter 10: 10: My Little Italy


    Nn


    "This flight is TWELVE hours?!" Olivia yelled, and I rolled my eyes at how dramatic she was being.


    "Will you rx?" I said to her, folding my arms across my chest.


    "It''s one thing to hop on a ne for an hour, maybe two- but TWELVE?!" She eximed, her eyes


    widening. "That''s overkill."


    "Will you stop being so dramatic?" I asked her with a bored expression. "Come on we have to load up


    your thousands of bags." She followed behind me reluctantly, and I shook my head in annoyance. This


    is exactly why I don''t spend a lot of time with girls. They do way too much.


    She didn''t say much else as we boarded the ne, she just put in her headphones and stayed in her


    phone. "We''re in first ss and the only thing you can look at is your phone." I protested, looking out


    the window over her. "You millennials." I scoffed, forcing her to roll her eyes at me.


    "I''m trying to distract myself that I''m going to be in the air for half a day." She smiled sarcastically. "Do


    you mind?" She asked.


    "No. Not at all." I sighed,ying my head back in the plush seat. I closed my eyes to prepare for what I


    always do on long flights: sleep.


    I dozed off half way through the announcements, and just put my phone on airne mode because I


    already knew what to do. The only thing that woke me was someone grabbing my wrist extra tight. I


    jumped up, startled, but when I looked over it was only Olivia.


    She had grabbed onto me, afraid of the turbulence on the ne. At first I was shocked, but then my


    expression softened. Her eyes were shut tight, and she was clutching onto me for dear life.


    I shook my head softly, then leant in closer to her. "I thought you said you''ve been to Canada." I asked,


    poking fun at her.


    "We drove." She answered me without once opening her eyes, and I smiled at her. She was just so


    cute and innocent. I couldn''t help but to be soft on her.


    "Don''t worry," I said softly. "Just put on your headphones, close your eyes and we''ll be there in no


    time." I told her, cing her headphones back over her head.


    She blinked at me, still looking a little scared, but she begin to y her music none the less. I took this


    opportunity toy my head back down and sleep.


    I woke with a start, ncing down at my Rolex watch. I had been sleep for only five hours, and when I


    looked over, Olivia was still sleep along with me. Her head was rested on my shoulder, and she was no


    longer listening to her headphones, but reading a book.


    I took the book from her sleeping hands, then pulled her nket over her shoulders. I couldn''t do much


    but go back to sleep; so that''s exactly what I did. I would usually visit the bar, but I didn''t want to risk


    waking Olivia back up. I thought it best that she sleep through most of the flight.


    I woke once more, this time it was because of the rustle of the passengers grabbing their carry-ons and


    getting off the ne. Olivia was already up and I all butughed at her, not only was she getting her


    bags ready, but she was getting my bags ready as well.


    "I''m ready to go!" She eximed when she noticed me staring. "Get your things, let''s go." I shook my


    head at her in amusement, then grabbed the two bags that I carried on.


    We exited the ''Malpensa Airport'', and entered the ck SUV that was waiting to drive us to port. "What


    about our luggage?" Olivia asked me.


    "Don''t worry. They''ll get them." I told her simply, getting into the backseat.


    "I gotta say, I''m really nervous about this." Olivia said when she settled down in the car. "Being in such


    close proximity with people. Do you think they''ll be able to tell?" She asked, looking up at me nervously.


    "Just act naturally. Just the way you did the other night." I told her, cing my hands over hers


    reassuringly. Before I realized what was happening, we both gave each other a shock look, and I pulled


    away from her quickly. "Sorry." I muttered under my breath.


    She didn''tment on what happened though, she just started to look out the window. Something I


    imagine one would do if they went to Italy for the first time. It sucks that she''s going to spend the whole


    time on a boat though.


    "I can''t believe I''m in freaking Italy!" She eximed, looking at everything like a small child in a candy


    shop. "I knew I was going to have fun being married to you, but I''ll admit I never thought it would be like


    this." She grinned, pulling out her phone to take photos. "Dana is not going to believe this!" She


    grinned, looking at the photos that she just took.


    "Okay," Iughed softly. "We''re almost there. Get ready to put your game face on." I told her, and she


    nodded seriously at me.


    "I can''t wait to see what''s on this boat! I''ve always wanted to see the inside of a yacht." She smiled,


    closing her eyes whimsically.


    Iughed at the sight of her, not knowing it would be this amusing to see her visit another country. "It''s


    not just a yacht." I shrugged. "It''s a super yacht. It''s huge, and it has six rooms. We use the same one


    every year."


    Sheughed hysterically, and I stared at her ndly. "A super yacht?" She asked, and I nodded.


    "That''s really what their called," I smiled.


    "Six bedrooms?" She asked, peeking up through her sunsses. I nodded simply, and a slow smile


    creeped on her face. "Wow. I am going to enjoy this." She smiled, pushing her sses back with her


    index finger.


    This belongs to N?velDrama.Org.


    "Okay!" I said once the car came to a stop. "We''ve reached the port." She all but jumped out of the car,


    and I tried my best not to find her excitement amusing. I guess you spend so much time with money,


    that you forget what these things are like the first time around. I guess this would be amazing for a girl


    out of high school who''s never seen much.


    We both descended the port, boarding the yacht with caution. "I thought your family would be here


    already." Olivia observed, noticing how quiet it was.


    "They left before us," I sighed softly, pulling out my phone. "Maybe they got held up." I shrugged simply,


    and she nodded.


    Before I could even dial my brothers number, we were bomb rushed as soon as we set foot on the


    MANGUSTA. "SURPRISE!" An abundance of people shouted, and my eyes widened.


    "What in the-" I was cut off by Olivia grabbing my wrist out of shock. I scanned the room at close family


    and friends, until Inded on my Father. I rushed over to him, and he had the biggest smile on his face.


    "I wanted to surprise you both!" He grinned, hugging both me and Olivia. "Since you didn''t get a real


    wedding, I wanted to have a marriage party before we left!" He seemed so proud of himself, so I faked


    excitement.


    "Wow! Dad! That''s amazing!" I grinned, looking around at everyone.


    "And I know for a fact he didn''t take you on a honeymoon?" He said knowingly, directing his question to


    Olivia.


    "No, he didn''t." She smiled softly. "We eloped." She made clear, and he shook his head softly.


    "Now you get to have both." He said to her, gripping her tiny shoulders through her id nnel. "Now


    you two go freshen up, this party isn''t going anywhere." He smiled, pushing us towards our cabin. "Your


    mother would be so proud." He gushed, and Olivia looked over at me guiltily.


    "Guess we should change." She shrugged, and I nodded. "You go wait for me in the room, I''m right


    behind you." I told her, looking for my jerk of a brother.


    I finally found him, then pulled him into an area that people wouldn''t hear. He had a proud look on his


    face and I red at him. "Why didn''t you tell me about this?" I asked him through gritted teeth.


    "And ruin the surprise?" He asked, clearly amused. "Why would I?"


    "You''re trying to sabotage me!" I pointed at him, and he scoffed.


    "No. You''re going to do that to yourself. I''m simply letting things y out, and choosing not to get


    involved." He said with a sly smile.


    "Congrattions!" I was interrupted by my aunting to hug me, but that didn''t stop me from ring


    at him over her shoulder. "I''m so happy you finally settled down." She gushed, pinching my cheeks.


    "I would love to talk but I have to get dressed." I told her, giving him onest re.

 Chapter 11: 11: My Little Italy Part 11

    Chapter 11: 11: My Little Italy Part 11


    Olivia


    "SURPRISE!" An abundance of people shouted, and I grabbed onto Nn''s wrist as a reflex. I''m


    actually d I was wearing shades because they scared the living hell out of me!


    I followed behind Nn since I was the stranger here, and he walked over to his Dad. "I wanted to


    surprise you both!" He grinned, hugging both me and Nn. "Since you didn''t get a real wedding, I


    wanted to have a marriage party before we left!" He seemed so proud of himself, and I grinned like this


    wasn''t awkward as hell!


    "Wow! Dad! That''s amazing!" Nn grinned, looking around at everyone.


    "And I know for a fact he didn''t take you on a honeymoon?" He said knowingly, looking directly at me.


    "No, he didn''t." I smiled softly. "We eloped." I shrugged, and he shook his head softly. In all of our


    rousing, we didn''t think of a honeymoon, or a wedding.


    "Now you get to have both." He said to me, gripping my shoulders. "Now you two go freshen up, this


    party isn''t going anywhere." He smiled, pushing us towards our cabin. "Your mother would be so


    proud." He gushed, and I looked over at Nn guiltily.


    "Guess we should change." I said to him, and he nodded. "You go wait for me in the room, I''m right


    behind you." He said, and I followed the driver as he loaded up our luggage in our room.


    Even though this was only a boat, the room was surprisingly spacious! Even though I was caught in the


    middle of an entanglement, I still couldn''t help but gawk at everything.


    The room was themed blue and this dark grayish- cream color, and it even had its own balcony with a


    view of the ocean outside. "Oh my god!" I eximed, trying to be quiet.


    The first thing I did was flop down on the bed, and instantly reminded myself not to fall asleep. "This is


    freaking awesome!" I grinned, flopping around on the bed in excitement. I did consider this deal we had


    a professional job, but god it just came with so many perks!


    Am I wrong for enjoying all of this? Besides, in a few months he''ll get what he wants, and I''ll get what I


    want, but I''m pretty sure what I want doesn''te with trips to Italy and super yachts. May as well


    enjoy the fruits of mybor.


    My happiness was interrupted by the entrance of Nn, and I sat up in bed quickly. "This is so


    annoying!" He groaned, running his hands through his hair.


    "Are you okay?" I asked, chuckling softly.


    "I hate surprises. I hate family gatherings." He exined, sitting in the arm chair across from me. "Two


    of the things I hate are happening right now." Heined, and I tried to pretend not to notice the


    chocte sitting on the pillow next to me.


    "I''m sure it''ll be fine." I said to him, resisting the urge to chow down while he''s in distress. I don''t think


    that would be very wifey of me.


    "Fine?" He asked, standing to his feet. "Can you pretend to be my wife in front of my whole family?" He


    asked, towering over me.


    "I think we''re doing pretty good so far." I shrugged. "I don''t think anyone suspects a thing." I reassured


    him, trying to get back to enjoying the rich life. I haven''t even begin to explore everything in this room


    let alone this yacht, and he''s making me feel guilty for wanting to right now.


    "Really?" He asked me, and I thought he was being dramatic, but the expression on his face seemed


    actually desperate.


    "Yeah." I nodded, standing to my feet. "We''re doing good." I told him, holding his face in my hands with


    an amused smile. "Now let''s get dressed, and put on a 50,000 dor show for these people."


    With that, I busted open my suitcase and looked for the perfect white dress. "You''re wearing white?" He


    asked, partly surprised.


    "I''m a bride aren''t I?" I asked him, gasping at my own thoughts. "Let''s both wear white." I told him,


    pointing at his suitcase. "It''ll be so perfect!" I gushed, clutching my dress in my hands.


    I looked it over once more, d I decided not to leave it in the store after all. It was a low cut white


    dress, that flowed down to the foot. One side was left open for major thigh action, and it even had a


    small trail at the end. It was perfect for this event!


    I got dressed in the closet, surprisingly it was a walk in so it was easy. I threw on some strapped white


    heels to match, and some jewelry that I picked out when I shopped with Nova.


    I gave myself a once over in the mirror, and nodded with approval. "You are so ready for this party girl."


    I said to myself with a smile. Who knew I actually looked this good?


    When I made my way out of the closet, Nn was already dressed and waiting for me. He actually


    listened to me, and wore white, but of course he had to top it off with sunsses. As soon as he seen


    me his mouth dropped, and I blushed shyly as he gave me a once over.


    "Ready?" I asked, and he nodded without speaking.


    I reached out to grab his hand, but he protested. "Hold on." He said quietly, reaching into his duffle bag


    for something. He pulled out a small red velvet box, and opened it up. Inside it was the most beautiful


    diamond ring, fit for a princess. I gushed a little, looking at how the diamond shined in the sun. "Do you


    like it?" He asked.N?velDrama.Org owns this.


    "Let''s just say, if I was really your wife, you''d be getting some right now!" Iughed, and he smiled


    softly.


    "I keep forgetting to give it to you." He shrugged, and I held out my hand so he can ce it on my ring


    finger.


    "Now we''re ready!" I grinned, staring down at my hand like I was really married. I swear in a perfect


    world, this is actually happening. It was actually easier than I thought pretending to be his wife. What a


    wonderful life it must be to really be married to this man.


    Once we stepped out on the yacht we were met with cheers and ps. I grinned brightly at everyone,


    showing off my ring. "Mrs. Farrow!" I screamed, and everyone cheered louder.


    We held our hands up like we were on a victory tour, and I heard someone shout out in the crowd.


    "Kiss her!" This was followed by a bunch of encouragements to do just that, and I looked over at Nn


    for a sign.


    He looked over at me, then suddenly pulled me close in his arms. I could feel his hands gripping my


    side tightly, and he pulled me into his groin so tight I could feel his package lifting beneath me. My eyes


    widened, and he leant over to whisper in my ear. "Let''s give them a 50,000 dor show." He smiled,


    then ced his lips softly on mine.


    This action was met with adoringughter, and I threw my hands around his neck. I wasn''t sure if the


    kiss was real, or for show, but I guess it doesn''t matter. I''m being paid to be a wife, so I''m going to be


    the best damn pretend wife money could buy. Plus it didn''t hurt that he was such a good kisser.


    "Get a room!" Nova yelled, and I pulled my head away almost instantly. For a second there I almost


    forgot that we were in front of people.


    I cleaned around my lips to make sure there wasn''t any running make up, and gave Nn onest look


    before turning around. "Here, I have a toast." Nn''s father said, handing us both a ss of


    champagne.


    "Wait," I whispered to him. "I''m not old enough to drink." I told him, unsure of how he would react. He


    "Who cares, it''s your wedding party." He told me, and I smiled shyly.


    "Okay." I shrugged, then stood back beside Nn.


    "Everyone," his Father started. "I want to make a toast. This is to my eldest son, and his stunning new


    wife Olivia. I''m so happy that our family has grown!" He smiled proudly at the pair of us, and I tried to


    hide the guilt that crept up on me. "I''m so happy that my son now has someone to keep him on his


    toes, and I''m d I get to honor him around my wife''s birthday. She would''ve been so happy to be


    here." He smiled. "So this is to the three of you." I blinked swiftly, trying not to cry in front of his family.


    Everyone raised their sses, and we toasted, abs partied, and drunk all night long. It was a


    celebration of marriage, life, and death all in one.

 Chapter 12: 12: Swimming Pools

    Chapter 12: 12: Swimming Pools


    Nn


    I watched as Olivia sashayed down the hall, and tried not to be amused by how bubbly she was when


    she drank. After the party, she wanted to explore the yacht without over fifty people on it.


    I smiled as her heels clicked against the floor, and followed behind her flowing dress. It was like


    something out of dream. She was something simr to an angel, and I wanted to reach out any touch


    her but I knew that I couldn''t.


    It was a little chilly out, and the stars were shining brightly; as if it were for her. I smiled at her childlike


    banter, andughter. Maybe it was the shots, or maybe it was the high of actually pulling this off, but I


    was enjoying every moment of it.


    We were out on the deck, the only light outing from inside the yacht. "Are you always like this


    when you drink?" I asked her, and she nodded.


    "I''ve only been drunk once though," she said.


    "I like it." I told her, cing my hands in my pocket. "You''re way calmer, and less hostile." She pped


    my chest yfully, and I smiled softly at her.


    Is it possible to like someone you just met in the worst circumstances? Even if I did show that I liked


    her, would she even notice, or would she think I was only pretending?


    We stood on the deck of the boat alone, and I sighed heavily at my own thoughts. "You know," she


    started, leaning on the rail. "Being married to you would be so fun." She beamed, looking out at the


    water. "If only you weren''t so self centered, arrogant, narcissistic-" I rolled my eyes at her with a sly


    smile, and cut her off before she could continue.


    "Are you done?" I asked her, standing face to face with her.


    "You know it''s true." She said, shaking her head at me.


    N?velDrama.Org owns this.


    "It may be true. But you''d make a really great wife." I can''t believe I''m actually admitting these things to


    her! What the hell did they put in that Rum?! "You know, if we were really married." I added, turning


    away from her.


    "You must love it out here." She said, turning back to face the ocean. "I''m so jealous."


    I looked down at her, confused. "Why are you jealous of me?" I asked her, honestly curious.


    "You have everything. You want for nothing. And still, you get toe out here and rx. You can just


    press pause on life." She shrugged. "When you live paycheck to paycheck, the only thing you can


    really do is pray for a good enough excuse not to go to work that day."


    I bit my lip because I simply had nothing to say. I was used to having money, this was just as normal to


    me as her working in her parents shop. I didn''t even realize how much I just took it for granted. Maybe


    it was a blessing to just be able to get away and think about my Mother. She really would have loved to


    be here. She would love to see me be married to someone kind, and beautiful. Also, look at my Dad,


    he''s really happy. He hasn''t been this happy since she died.


    "I''m sleepy." Olivia yawned, pulling me out of my head.


    "Okay." I smiled at her, holding her hand. "We can go to bed now.


    When we reached our cabin, she sat down on the bed to take off her shoes. "I hope you don''t think


    you''re sleeping with me." She scoffed, and I gawked at her. "You''re sleeping in the bathroom."


    "Howe you get the bed?" I asked.


    "Because. I''m the woman." She said proudly, and I rolled my eyes.


    "Fine, give me a pillow." She threw me a pillow and the top nket to me, and I made myself


    It wouldn''t even take that long for me to fall asleep. Good thing this tub was made for two people, so


    there''s enough room to stretch out. I closed my eyes tight, and drifted off to sleep slowly.


    ~*~


    The next morning I woke up to Olivia''s singing. She was wrapped in a white bath robe, and cing


    objects in the bathroom. "Good, you''re finally up sleepy head." She smiled, taking her earrings out of


    her ear. "I can finally shower."


    "First you want me in the tub, now you want me out?" I asked her, rubbing the sleep from my eyes.


    "As much as I''m sure you would love to see me naked," she smirked, turning on the shower, "it''s not


    going to happen." She gave me a deadpanned look, and I sighed getting up slowly.


    "Fine, I''m going." I told her, grabbing my pillow and nket. She gave me onest sarcastic smile, then


    closed the bathroom door in my face. I guess drunk, easy going Olivia is gone now.


    Since the bathroom was upied, I headed out into the dining area, where I knew breakfast would be


    served. Nova and Jared were already up, and I made myself a breakfast buffet te. There were


    mimosas, waffles, fruit, and bacon. I had a little bit of everything.


    "How''s your fake wife?" Nova joked, and I red at her.


    "Shut up." I said, pouring syrup all over my te.


    "I didn''t know you would take it this far," Jared started. "But your dedication is admirable." Heughed,


    and I rolled my eyes at him.


    "Too early for your judgments." I said simply, chowing down on my food. "Besides, all your ns to


    sabotage me have backfired." I boasted childishly.


    We didn''t really have a lot of time to talk privately because Olivia made her way into the dining area.


    "Oh. My. Word!" She shouted when she saw the breakfast buffet. "I have to take a picture because my


    sister is NOT going to believe this." When I looked over at her, she was wearing the tiniest blue and


    white striped bikini, and I tried to hide the fact that this was the first time I was seeing her in this light.


    Her body was extremely toned for a girl who works in a pizza shop all day, and she even dressed it with


    belly beads and an anklet. I don''t know how to exin it, but I love it when girls take the time to


    essorize their bodies. Things like anklets and belly chains really do something to me.


    I turned my head away quickly, finishing my food. God I hope no one noticed me staring at her. "You''re


    going swimming?" Nova asked her, actually shocked. It''s funny that no one really uses that pool at all


    when we''re here, we mostly just sit around watching tv or being on our phones.


    "Duh!" Olivia said, putting a strawberry in her mouth. "I don''t know about you, but this could be thest


    time I ride on a yacht. I''m doing everything!" She said in excitement, sitting down with a full te.


    "You''re eating all that?" Jared asked, eyeing her hefty te.


    "I may be skinny," she started, "but I can eat."


    "Shouldn''t you be swimming first?" Nova asked her, and she stopped mid bite.


    "No way! I''d rather wait 20 minutes." She exined, then dug into her te. "Nothing but time," she


    said through a full mouth.


    "Okay," Novaughed, shaking her head. Once we were done eating, we made our way to the living


    area to watch tv. This was our usual routine, but I watched Olivia as she made her way to the deck


    area, and lied down on one of the loungers.


    I picked up one of the magazines off the table while my brother and sister flipped through the channels,


    thest thing that I wanted to do was get caught watching her. If Jared saw me, I would never live this


    down. I just couldn''t help but look at her though, I don''t know what it is about her, but I just can feel


    myself liking her more and more.


    I watched as she closed her eyes and let the sun hit her skin. She stretched her body out like a horizon


    and ran her fingers through her damp hair. "Didn''t know you could read a magazine upside down."


    Nova joked, snatching the book from me.


    "Come on," I whined, as she ran down the hall to her cabin.


    "Maybe you were reading something else instead." Jared smirked, and I squinted at him.


    "I was just... thinking..." I trailed off. Luckily I didn''t have to keep exining myself, because my dad


    finally walked in.


    "Good morning everyone. What''s on the agenda today?" He asked, grinning from ear to ear.


    "Binge watching ''Prison Break''," Jared said proudly. "I never seen it before and I think I wanna see


    what it''s about."


    "You''re an embarrassment." Dad said, grabbing a te of breakfast.


    Jared put the show on, and Nova walked in with her bathing suit on, and we all looked at her. "What?"


    She asked, holding out her hands. "I want to swim too." She pouted.


    "You never did before?" Dad asked.


    "That''s because no one else did." She shrugged. "I didn''t want to feel awkward." My Dad blinked at her,


    then watched as she happily walked over to the lounge next to Olivia.


    "I have a great idea!" My Dad grinned. "Let''s all go swimming."


    "No." Jared whined, hitting his head with the remote.


    "Yes. You can watch tv at home. Let''s get some sun." I honestly didn''t even protest, I wanted to get


    closer anyways I just didn''t want to be the one to make the suggestion.


    My Dad strode over to the couch that overlooked the pool and the lounges. "I forgot how nice it was out


    here." He said, rxing with a ss of mimosa in his hand.


    Ipletely ignored him, as I watched Olivia finally stand up to get inside of the pool. Nova got in with


    her, and it was just a show of her and Nova acting like young children on summer break.


    Jared begrudgingly sat on the other side of Dad, and I smiled as I watched Olivia go underneath the


    water and swim. "She is having the time of her life." My Dad grinned. "I gotta say, I didn''t expect you to


    make such a great choice. Your past rtionships seemed a little rocky."


    "What can I say, Dad?" I smiled. "I was looking for love in all the wrong ces. Turns out, love lived on


    the poor side of town." Jared scoffed, and I tried not to re at him.


    "There''s no such thing as a poor side of town son." He said, shaking his head. "You learned how to pick


    your woman, but not how to be a decent human. I guess that''s my fault..." he trailed off, staring out into


    the distance. "What should we do for your mothers birthday?" He asked, changing the subject.


    "I want to have a nice dinner by candlelight." Jared said. "It was always her favorite."


    "And dressing up." I added, remembering how she''d always make us wear suits even though it was


    only us. Her birthday was always a special asion. That''s why we never stopped celebrating it.


    Dealing with losing someone isn''t easy; especially if that someone is your Mother. That''s why I told


    myself after she died that I would never fall in love. Why would I pour all of myself into someone that I


    could lose? Or have children with someone that can eventually be taken away from them? It''s not fair.


    Maybe it''s selfish of me, but I vowed that I would spend the rest of this miserable life alone. Plus, there


    were plenty of blonde haired vixens that I could be alone with. Especially in California.


    I looked over at Olivia again, staring nkly at all the joy in her face. That''s why this n is so


    important to me; my father will know that I tried, we''ll have a very public and messy divorce, and he''ll


    relieve me of any future pressures of getting married again. It''s the perfect n! If only I can just keep


    my damn hands off of her. She''s already making that hard.

 Chapter 13: 13: Time Zoned

    Chapter 13: 13: Time Zoned


    Olivia


    I sighed as I opened my eyes; sleeping on a boat was way morefy than I expected! Also, this bed


    is a dreame true! I smiled as the sun hit my face through the balcony door, and then begin to grin


    at the fact that I was literally spending my neenth birthday in freaking Mn!


    I didn''t know what the future held for me, but I think it''s about time I started to take advantage of this


    stress free life I have been given ess to. This is the first time in my life that I didn''t have to worry


    about my family, or money, or school, and honestly it was kind of cool.


    I sat up in bed, grabbing my phone from under my pillow. It was a FaceTime from my mom. I hopped


    out of bed immediately and shut the balcony door as well as the blinds. If she knew I was on a boat in


    the middle of nowhere, I''m sure that''ll be a serious red g.


    I stripped out of the robe I was wearing, and threw on a long, gray T-shirt that I brought with me just in


    case. Once I was in costume, I sat in the corner at the table, so she couldn''t see anything in the room.


    After all, I was supposed to be building houses for the needy, not living in thep of luxury.


    I finally answered the phone, and not only was my mom on camera, but also my sister and brother.


    "HAPPY BIRTHDAY!" They all yelled in unison.


    "Hi guys!" Iughed, shaking my head at the pair of them.


    "Oh, my sweet Olivia!" My mom gushed. "I can''t believe it''s your birthday and I can''t spend it with you!"


    She cried, and I rolled my eyes at her drama.


    "Mom. It''s okay. Really!" I sighed. "I''m in a whole other country! There''s nothing that can top that!" I told


    her, not being totally dishonest.


    "I know but I wish I could bake you a cake, and hold your hand." She continued, this time it was Dina


    who rolled her eyes.


    "Wow! It''s broad daylight over there!" Ben said in shock, and I looked around and nodded.


    "Yeah it''s actually super early," I said simply, tying my hair up in a ponytail.


    "We waited until midnight to call you!" Ben said, and Iughed at his missing tooth in the front of his


    mouth.


    "Well, sorry I can''t stay on the phone," I started. "I have important house stuff." I mumbled, and my


    mom whined.


    "Aw! Okay baby! I love you." My mom said.


    "Bye guys!" I grinned, hanging up immediately.


    I sighed heavily with relief. I can''t even believe I pulled this off! I have no idea what I would have done if


    I was still in America! She would for sure know that we weren''t in different time zones. My whole cover


    would be blown.


    I threw myself on the bed, just grateful to get away with me scheme another day. I stripped out of my T-


    shirt, then put my robe back on. Now it''s time to enjoy my birthday and this yacht. I screamed in


    excitement, but into a pillow so I didn''t wake anyone, then hopped up in excitement. Today is going to


    be the best birthday ever!


    ~*~


    I lounged on the pool chair, ready to dive into the water. It looked so cool and blue. I honestly can''t


    even remember thest time I went swimming; some things in life we really take for granted I think.


    I guess I could get a little tan, since I am supposed to be in Africa. Maybe staying in the sun won''t hurt.


    When I opened my eyes, Nova was beside me in her own bikini, making herselffortable on the


    chair beside me.


    "I think I''ll swim too," she smiled, settling down with a copy of ''Lolita''. I smiled at her choice of book,


    then closed my eyes again.


    "Lolita," I sighed. "Light of my life, fire of my loins. My sin, my soul." I loved that book, and I think I


    almost forgot that.


    Nova gasped, her mouth dropping as she looked over at me. "You read?!" She asked, and I shrugged.


    "I read." I said longingly. "A long time ago." I looked out into the distance, remembering when I was


    younger and I used to read anything I could get my hands on. I would read books in two days tops, and


    be ready to dive into the next one. I would stay up, sometimes until 2 or 3AM to finish them if I was


    really into it.


    I lived in books; I lived for books. It seemed there was a whole world out there to get my hands on.


    Then I grew up, and I grew tired, and then suddenly there wasn''t enough time anymore for books. Or a


    world that seemed so unlikelypared to reality.


    Deciding not to be sad on my birthday, I stood up finally, then dived into the water, letting it wash over


    my body. I held my breath and closed my eyes, allowing myself to sink lower and lower. I didn''t want to


    think, I wanted to swim. I held my breath and lingered under the water until I couldn''t take it anymore;


    until the only thing I could think of was getting air.


    After about an hour of swimming, Nova convinced me to take a break, and we decided to go and sit


    with the rest of them. "That was so fun!" Nova screamed. "I need to go wake up my husband, he''s been


    asleep long enough." She pouted, grabbing a towel and running back inside. I honestly loved her, she


    was like a giant child.


    I wrapped a towel around myself, and resisted the urge to sit alone somewhere. Sometime I get so lost


    in my head that I forget that I''m supposed to be the wife of a rich man: a happy wife.


    "Having fun?" Nn asked, watching me as I sat down next to him.


    "Yeah." I mumbled quietly, nodding my head slightly. His Dad and brother were engaged in a


    conversation that I came in toote to be apart of, and I looked out at all the ocean around us. Who


    knew pretending was so draining! I don''t know how actors do it.


    I stood up and made my way back into the dining area, deciding to eat more fruit. I grabbed a couple


    grapes and threw them in my mouth before grabbing a te. "Hey," Nn said softly, causing me to


    look at him. "Are... you okay?" He asked, his face showing genuine concern.


    "What?" I asked him through a slightly packed mouth.


    "I don''t know. Your aura justpletely changed out there." He pointed to the pool, and I sighed softly,


    packing my te.


    "I''m fine Noel." I told him, shaking my head. "I''ll be fine."


    "Did something happen?" He asked.


    "No!" I practically yelled at him. "It''s just stupid girl stuff that''s all." I said, waving my hand dismissively.


    "Okay." He said, but he didn''t seem as convinced as I had hope.


    "What''re we doing today anyways?" I asked him, trying to change the subject.


    "Probably just having a dinner for my mom''s birthday," he said, shrugging slightly.


    I gave him a wide eyed gaze, and sat my te down. "Today is your mother''s birthday?" I asked him,


    trying not to freak out about the coincidence.


    "Yeah," heughed. "Why are you saying it like that?"


    "Today is my birthday." Iughed. I don''t know what reaction I was expecting, but when he stared at me


    like a deer in the headlights, I cocked my head in confusion. "What?" I asked him.


    "You can''t tell anyone that." He sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose.


    "What? Why?" I asked him, shocked at his demand.


    "Because, Olivia," he whispered, pulling me to the side. "I didn''t mention that to anyone! Do you know


    what a shitty husband that would make me to forget my wife''s birthday?" He asked. "On my mother''s


    birthday?!" He looked so desperate as usual, so I just rolled my eyes in response.


    "Fine," I said simply. "but you owe me."


    "I''m already paying you, what more do you want?" He asked me, and before I could stop myself my


    eyes drifted down to his shorts.


    I blinked quickly, and turned my head, hoping that he didn''t notice where my gaze went. I literally didn''t


    mean that at all! I mean, yes he is attractive, but no I don''t want what''s in his pants! I mean, no I never


    This belongs ? N?velDra/ma.Org.


    did have an interest in high school boys and he is in fact not that, but I don''t need toplicate things


    more than they already are.


    "Nothing." I breathed. "I guess the money is enough." I quickly scurried around him, wishing he would


    stop being so close all the time.


    "Olivia," he called, and I stopped in my tracks. "Just... happy birthday." He shrugged. "I''m sorry."


    "It''s okay." I said simply, wanting to go change out of these wet clothes. "We''re only ying a part,


    right?"

 14: Birthday

    14: Birthday


    Nn


    I watched as Olivia made her way down the yacht hall to our room. I felt like such a dick making her


    hide her birthday from everyone, she deserved to have a birthday too. Maybe I should just tell everyone


    that we didn''t want to take the attention away from mom. Maybe that would be a better approach.


    "Alright, we''re going to dock at the next port and go sightseeing." My father said, entering the yacht


    with Jared. "I''m going to get dressed."


    Once he left the room, I sat down on the couch next to Jared who immediately turned on the tv. "I''m not


    with all this shit!" Heined. "I just wanna sit here and get waited on hand and foot, and watch


    prison break!"


    "You keep it up," I started. "Your ass is going to be fat." I closed my eyes, leaning back on the couch.


    Not going to lie, sleeping in that tub has me exhausted; but I guess this is the price I pay. I mean, I


    didn''t really expect her to just let me jump into bed with her.


    "What''s wrong with you?" He asked, grabbing a bowl full of chips.


    "Today is Olivia''s birthday." I admitted. "I don''t know if I should do something. Should I?" I asked him,


    honestly curious. He didn''t say anything at first, he only looked at me. "What?" I asked after a while.


    "Holy shit!" He grinned slowly.


    "What?" I asked once more, getting annoyed at his antics.


    "You like her!" He shouted in excitement, standing to his feet.


    "What?" I asked, appalled at his usations.


    "You like Olivia!" He said again, grinning from ear to ear. "You actually want to do something for


    someone other than you. Nova is going to love this." He ranted on and on, then disappeared down the


    hall. I instantly regretted saying anything to him.


    He is really trippin. Attracted to Olivia? Yes. Do I like Olivia? No. I almost scoffed at the usation.


    Nn Dn Ferguson does not fall in "like" with any woman! Liking leads to loving, and that''s not what


    I''m about.


    Have I grown to tolerate her presence? Maybe. Do I want to sleep with her just once? Could be nice.


    Did I still feel bad about her finding out what I said about my brother and chewing me out for it?


    Definitely. What she demanded from me that day was respect; no woman has ever did that. So of


    course I''m going to give her all the respect she deserves.


    With that thought in mind, I decided that I was going to do something nice for her today. I made my way


    to our room, making it my business to find out something this girl liked and wanted so that I could give it


    to her for her birthday.


    I entered the room without knocking, which probably was a mistake. As soon as I opened the door


    Olivia was standing before the bed wrapped in nothing but a towel. "Oh my god!" She gasped and ran


    into the bathroom.


    "I didn''t see anything!" I yelled, sitting on the bed. "I''m sorry." I added,ying back. She didn''t say


    anything, and it felt like she disappeared for hours.


    When she finally came out, I sat up quickly, and she was wearing a long old T-shirt that stopped just


    above her thighs. "It''s okay," she sighed. "I didn''t expect you toe in that''s all."


    "So we''re going out sightseeing, andter we''re going out to dinner." I told her, watching as she


    dropped in the arm chair across from me.


    "Wow, are all rich people so scheduled and coordinated?" She asked, grabbing her phone off the table.


    "Yes." I shrugged. "At least the ones I know."


    "You''d think money would make people more spontaneous," she shrugged. "How should I dress


    anyways? How does your average rich, married woman go sightseeing?" She asked dramatically, and I


    rolled my eyes.


    "Alright, that''s really enough." Iughed. "Where whatever you want. I''m not in the business of telling


    women how to dress, that''s why I took the time to hire you a stylist."


    "A stylist that I''ve only used one time," she pointed out, staring at me over phone.


    "Okay, well, that''s why you went shopping." I sighed. "So just wear whatever." I honestly didn''t care


    what happened at this point, I just wanted toe back and take a nap before dinner.


    "Fine," she shrugged, standing to her feet. "I''ll go get ready in the closet." I watched as she went into


    the closet, and I finally took this time to go shower.


    All I could think about was her; that wasn''t particrly normal for me. Maybe my simple minded little


    brother is right. Maybe I really do like her. With that thought in mind, I drifted off into a memory of the


    This belongs ? N?velDra/ma.Org.


    I was a sophomore in high school, and I didn''t really understand what it meant at the time. I remember


    her face until this day; Samantha. That was her name. She was so pretty and so sweet, she blushed


    when I called her beautiful.


    In hindsight, I guess it was pretty stupid I mean, I had no experience with girls. Somehow though, when


    she broke up with me for my friend, I decided from that day on that women were just lying cheaters,


    and I didn''t want anything to do with them romantically.


    Maybe that was a long time ago. Also, it could be linked to the fact that I lost my mother that very same


    year. Maybe the timing was just wrong. How could I possibly wine and dine someone that I have to pay


    to be here? How do I know she''s genuine and vice versa? I guess that''s the thing with love, it''s about


    taking risks.


    I try to pretend that I shut down because of my mother, and even though my brother gets on myst


    nerves, a part of me knows he''s right. My mother wouldn''t want me paying people to lie to my father;


    and she certainly wouldn''t want me using a woman. She would want me to be honest and happy. I was


    neither of those things.

 15: Tease Me

    15: Tease Me


    Olivia


    I could feel the boat stopping, and I still wasn''t dressed. I really didn''t know what to wear though. I


    stared at all the clothes I brought with me, scanning them as they hung there waiting for a body to


    apany.


    Seemingly out of nowhere, the closet door opened, and my eyes widened as I watched Nn walk in


    wearing nothing but a towel around his waist. His eyes immediately met mine, and I saw the hint of a


    smile on his face.


    "I need my clothes." He stated, shifting through the clothes on his side of the closet. I blinked in shock,


    tugging at the hem of my T-shirt and biting my lip.


    I tried to focus on looking for something to wear, but I couldn''t help but notice that he was only an inch


    away; naked underneath a towel. Was this some sort of game to him? I wondered. I felt him hovering


    over me, and I turned around slowly to meet him.


    "Are you teasing me?" I asked him, peeking up at him through my eyelids.


    For some reason, this made himugh. "I saw you in your towel, so I thought it only fair that you see


    me in mine." He smirked, and I could see amusement dancing in his eyes.


    "Oh really?" I asked, cing a hand on my hip.


    N?velDrama.Org owns this.


    "Yeah." He said, sliding by me and out of the closet. Two can y this game, I thought to myself. I


    finally decided on a pink matching set. The shirt was very low-cut, and it had to be tied together. I''m


    happy that I''m actually a c-cup so the boob part filled out pretty nicely.


    The shorts were not particrly short or tight, but that didn''t matter. All he''s going to be staring at is my


    chest! I finished my look off with straps ts, and a belly chain that showed off my toned figure. I felt


    that a straw purse would be cute, so I grabbed that too.


    Before stepping out of the closet, I applied bright red lipstick, and some perfume. I don''t know what


    made him think that he could just start a war like this, but I''m sure to win.


    "Are you ready?" I asked, stepping out of the closet. I pretended not to notice him gawking at me, and


    walked straight out of the room without a second look back.


    He thinks he can out tease me! He doesn''t even know what I''m capable of. I''ve been teasing these


    bummy high school boys for four years now, and they still haven''t gotten any!


    Surprisingly, we were the first ones ready and out of our rooms. I couldn''t wait for my feet to touch the


    Nn followed behind me like a lost puppy, and I smirked with satisfaction. I put on a pair of


    sunsses before I turned to meet him, pretending that the sun was in my eyes. "It''s hot out here," I


    sighed, wondering how that was even possible.


    I tried to hide the fact that I was happy as hell that he was looking me up and down; I tried to pretend


    that I didn''t notice. "Are you supposed to be teasing me back?" He asked, and my heart skipped a beat


    at how close he was getting to me.


    "Is it working?" I asked, keeping my cool.


    "Maybe," he shrugged. For a second, I thought that he would reach out and touch me, but we were no


    longer the only ones on the dock anymore.


    "Ugh!" Nova groaned, putting on a sloppy straw hat. "It''s way too hot to go sightseeing." I watched her


    roll her eyes, and the man who I''m guessing was her husband came out shortly after her.


    "At least the wind feels nice," he added, his short dark hair blowing in the wind.


    "I don''t even want to be here right now, mom would never make us do this on her birthday." Jared said,


    ring at his father as he made his way down the dock.


    "Everyone stopining!" Their father said sternly. "Don''t start with that mom stuff either."


    "Where are we going anyways?" I asked, trying to act naturally when I felt Nn grab my hand.


    "The Tower of Pisa." Their father answered, and I gasped.


    "THE LEANING TOWER?!" I all but screamed, and he nodded with a grin. "LETS GO!" I yelled, tugging


    on Nn excitedly.


    ~*~


    After we visited the tower, we visited a pizzeria in Naples, and the irony was definitely not lost on me. It


    honestly reminded me of home in a strange way. It definitely looked different than back in America, but


    it was the best pizza I ever had in my life.


    After lunch, we all decided to go back to the yacht and rest before dinner, so we made our way out of


    the pizzeria. Somehow I managed to roam off, and stopped at a small concession stand that sold


    goodies and souvenirs. I decided to get something for my sister that she would like.


    While I was reaching into my straw purse for some money, of course I was approached by a man who


    looked once my senior. I rolled my eyes in annoyance, focusing on the tender. "Is this yours? I''ll pay."


    Of course he was American, I gave him a deadpanned look then shook my head.


    "I''ve got money." I told him, not being swooned by his boyish charm.


    "You''re really beautiful you know that?" He continued on. "You should be someone''s wife. I would


    literally marry you right now."


    "Ugh!" I groaned mming money on the counter. "Leave me alone!" I yelled, wishing that the worker


    would bag my souvenir faster.


    "Come on, you''re here all by yourself." He pressed, getting closer than I would have liked.


    "Look," I said sternly, ring at him. "Will you fuck off and leave me alone?" With that, I grabbed my


    bag, and stomped away to where I hoped the others would be.


    "Where were you?" Nn asked once I stumbled up behind him.


    "Getting harassed by lousy tourists." I said with a sigh.


    "You shouldn''t wander off." He said with a smallugh. "Let''s get back to the boat."


    ~*~


    I watched as Nn struggled to tie his own tie in the mirror of the closet with amusement. He already


    started to get dressed long before I did. I just wanted to crash in the bed and sleep after soaking in the


    tub.


    I had thrown on one of his button ups to walk around in, and currently deciding what to wear myself.


    "Want some help?" I asked him, not even waiting for an answer. I avoided looking him in the eyes at all


    cost, still not sure of what game we yed this afternoon, tying his tie with ease.


    He looked it over in the mirror, and I nodded with pride. "That''s nice." Hemented, looking at me


    with an impressed look. "Where did you learn that?" He asked.


    "My father," I shrugged. "Before he left." I said, passing him his suit jacket. "Nice suit." I smiled, hoping


    the subject would change.


    He smiled sadly at me, and I couldn''t help but notice his hand holding mine slightly before he grabbed


    his jacket. "Thanks." He said simply, and I continued on my search to find a dress for dinner.


    It was my birthday today, but I was trying to pretend that it wasn''t. So I was aiming for something that


    wasn''t too shy. I opted for a red, mini dress with sheer puff sleeves and called it a day. If I''m being


    honest, I never really was one to care about being dolled up, I was happy with sweats and an old T-


    shirt. This was honestly a lot of effort for me.


    "Are you ready?" Nn asked me just as I was strapping you my shoes.


    "Yeah, let''s go." I smiled, grabbing onto his forearm.


    Dinner was filled withughter and pretending. I personally couldn''t wait to get back to the boat and


    crash. Who knew being rich was so exhausting!


    "You okay?" Nn asked, watching me copse on the bed.


    "I''m exhausted," I groaned, sitting up on my hands.


    "I can tell," heughed, undoing his tie. "I''m gonna shower." He said, disappearing into the bathroom.


    I couldn''t imagine anything worse. I stripped out of my dress, throwing on an old T-shirt and a pair of


    Nn''s boxers. Now that there was nothing to do, I could finally hit max rxation. Overall, it wasn''t a


    bad birthday.


    I flipped on the television, smiling when Inded on ''the Golden Girls''. I absolutely loved that show! It''s


    the only show I can watch a million times and it still makes meugh exactly the same. I quickly ran into


    the kitchen area of the yacht, wanting to grab a couple of snacks.


    Now this is what I call living, I thought to myself. Twenty minutes into the episode and I was already


    at me.


    "You okay loser?" I asked, and he smiled softly at me.


    "Can I sleep with you? The tub is still wet." I blinked my response, trying to ignore the fact that he could


    have just dried it.


    "Sure." I sighed, making room for him on the bed.


    "I like this show. I used to watch it with my grandma." He said, making himselffortable.


    "Yeah." I smiled, remembering how I used to snuggle with my grandma and watch all sorts of old


    shows. "I find nche''s promiscuity so funny." I saidughing at her brag about her many men.


    "Why? Can you rte?" He asked.


    "No, but I bet you can." I grinned sarcastically, throwing a caramel popcorn at him.


    "I''ve had my fair share of women," he smiled proudly of himself, cing his hands behind his head.


    "I think I''m more of a Dorothy." I observed.


    "Why, cause you''re so mean?" Heughed.


    "I''m not mean," I told him, rolling my eyes. "It''s just a face." I told him, shaking my head.


    "I''m sure you have to be that way if you want to keep horny teenagers at bay." He smiled, wiggling his


    thick, bushman eyebrows.


    "How do you know I have to fight off horny teenagers?" I asked him, watching as he took a handful of


    my popcorn.


    "I''m just saying..." he trailed off, chowing down. "You have a nice body that''s all." Heughed, and I felt


    myself blushing before I could stop it.


    "Really?" I asked him, not even sure why I doubted it.


    "Yeah." He grinned. "Really nice."


    "If I didn''t know any better I''d say you were flirting with me." I teased, eyeing him with close scrutiny.


    He slowly sat back up, staring at me intensely. I blinked as his hazel eyes burned into me, then quickly


    turned to face the television. "So what if I was?" He asked, demanding my attention once more.


    "Then I''d say..." I trailed off, not sure if I should be ying this close to fire. I stared down at myp,


    popcorn in one hand. I must''ve looked ridiculous. "Maybe you shouldn''t..."


    Before I could even protest, I could feel him reaching to push my dark, curly hair behind my ear. His


    hand smoothly made its way to my chin, and I let him bring my eyes to meet his. "Maybe I shouldn''t,


    but..." he trailed off, and I grabbed his hand to remove it from my face.


    "No buts." I said sternly. "We''re in this for the long haul. We can''t get too involved."


    "We could just pretend like nothing happened." He encouraged me; pleaded with me almost. But I


    knew better.


    "I can''t do that." I said, shaking my head profusely. "I can''t. It''s one thing to pretend to be your wife in


    front of your father, but to pretend in my real life too-" I shook my head, realizing what a terrible idea


    that was. "You can''t ask me that."


    "I''m sorry." He said suddenly, putting some distance in between us. "You''re right."


    "I would- I want to." I said honestly. "But I don''t have enough experience to deal with you in that way."


    "Enough experience?" He asked.


    "We can''t..." I trailed off, turning off the tv andying down on my side of the bed. "Please let''s just drop


    it." I said nervously, turning my back towards him.


    What would he do if he found out I was still a virgin? What would he say? How could I possibly expect


    to do anything remotely sexual with him ande back with no feelings attached? Maybe I shouldn''t


    have engaged in the teasing and flirting today. At the time it seemed like fun, but now that I actually


    have a chance to think, there could be nothing but a disaster out of it.


    From now on, I just have to be more careful with him.

 16: I Want You

    16: I Want You


    Nn


    I lied down in bed, trying to ignore the fact that Olivia was just an inch away from me. Even though her


    back was turned, I could still smell her. I wanted to touch her; hold her even. But maybe she was right.


    We couldn''t get in too deep. We still have about two months left of this, and I know me. I was bound to


    hurt her.


    I silently cursed myself, then sat up slowly as not to wake her. I couldn''t sleep at all, so I went out into


    the living area to maybe watch TV for a while. To my surprise, Jared and nova were both still up


    watching ''Prison Break''. I see he''s determined to finish that show before we get back.


    I shook my head in amusement, making myselffortable on the couch. "What''s the matter?" Nova


    asked me, looking over in my direction. "I heard you got bit by the love bug," she grinned, wiggling her


    eyebrows.


    "I didn''t get bit by anything," I grumbled.


    "Oh yeah!" Sheughed, throwing a pillow at me. "Never seen you in such a bad mood before." I


    tossed the pillow on the floor, then rolled my eyes at the pair of them.


    "I don''t know why I came out here." I mumbled under my breath, slipping out onto the dock. They were


    getting on my nerves; I wasn''t in the mood to y around. I screwed up big time. The first time I


    actually meet a girl who''s notpletely despicable, and I can''t even do anything with her because I''m


    paying her deceive everyone.


    How do I even undo this? I can''t.


    "Woah man." Jared said,ing outside, Nova trailing not too far behind him. "You okay?" He asked,


    and I rolled my eyes.


    "Not you two again." I groaned, going to sit by the pool.


    "Never seen you so upset before, I thought your string of lies was working out for you." Jared said,


    amusement dancing on his face.


    "My string of lies is working just fine," I told him sternly, shaking my head. "That''s the problem."


    "You really like her, don''t you?" Nova asked, sitting down on the ground next to me.


    "No!" I yelled, then stopped when I realized I was getting too emotional about it. "I don''t like her...


    okay..." I trailed off, ignoring the look they both exchanged with each other. "I''ve just been thinking


    about my Mom that''s all. She woulda been so... disappointed in me."


    "Been trying to tell you that all along," Jared sighed, shaking his head.


    "Listen," Nova started. "Let''s just say for a second that you do like her. Why not take her out on a real


    date?" She asked, maybe trying to cheer me up. "Girls still like dates you know." She smiled, shaking


    her head.


    "Plus, you kinda owe her," Jared chimed in. "For being such a dick on her birthday."


    "And don''t even think about seducing her!" Nova imputed, pointing at me sternly. "If a woman likes you


    with her heart, her body is going to follow. When she''s ready!"


    "Yeah, well..." I trailed off, cing my hand behind my neck guiltily. "Might be a littlete for that." I


    cringed, watching as they both shook their head disapprovingly.


    "I can''t believe you." Nova said.


    "I can!" Jared scoffed. "And what did she say anyways?"


    "She said no." I said simply with a shrug.


    "No?" Jared asked. "That''s it?"


    "Look, she said she doesn''t have experience and she wants to keep things professional." I said quickly,


    wishing they would get off my back about it.


    "So she''s a virgin..." Nova trailed off knowingly, like it was the simplest equation ever.


    "What? No! Why is that your assumption?" I asked, annoyed that she even suggested it.


    "Okay," she said in a tone that was disbelieving, holding her hands up.


    "It doesn''t matter," Jared sighed. "Just take her out on a real date. Shouldn''t be too hard for you since


    you technically have never been on one yourself. Maybe you''ll both like it." He encouraged, and I


    gathered ideas up in my head.


    I did want to make things up to her. Maybe this would be how I can.


    ~*~


    After spending all night searching for the perfect date to take Olivia on, I proudly settled on something


    that I hoped she would enjoy. Verona was ourst stop before heading back towards home, so I bought


    two tickets to ''Romeo & Juliet'' the y.


    I don''t know what woman wouldn''t want to see this y in the heart of where it stemmed from. Once I


    got back on my outing with my father and brother, I spotted her by her favorite ce; the pool.


    I crept up behind her, watching as she sunbathed on the pool lounger. "Guess who." I smiled through


    my shades, bending down beside her and she smiled before she even opened up her eyes.


    "Fred?" She asked sarcastically, and I saw the hint of a smile on her face.


    "You guessed it." I grinned, ying along with her games. "I got you something." I said, putting the


    tickets in her face. She opened her eyes slowly, at first confused, then took them from my hands to


    read them.


    "You got us tickets to see ''Romeo & Juliet''?" She eximed, staring at me through bright blue eyes.


    "Wait... is everyone going?" She asked suddenly, and I shook my head.


    "Nope. Just you and me." I answered, watching as the realization filled her face.


    "You... and me?" She asked, seemingly unconvinced, and I nodded. "As in..." she trailed off, eyeing me


    with close scrutiny.


    "A date- a real one. But that''s only if you want to." I sighed, making it seem like I didn''t care as much as


    I did.


    She didn''t even respond, she just stood to her feet and started to scream. "I''m going to see Romeo and


    Juliet!" She yelled out to the ocean. "In Verona!" She jolted with excitement, then threw her arms


    around me before darting down the hall.


    I blinked in response. I had hoped she would be excited but I didn''t realize she would be this excited. I


    had fun gauging her reaction, and I idly wondered if I should let her get dressed in peace or go and


    tease her as she did.


    "I see you''re taking your wife out," my Dad pointed out, pulling me out of my head.


    "Oh," I started, standing to my feet. "Yeah, since ourst night in Italy and everything." I rambled on,


    trying to hide the heat that crept on my face.


    "Son. That is the secret to asting marriage." He nodded his approval, sipping on a cold beer. "I


    remember taking your mother to see that y." He smiled proudly, leaning on the doorframe. "I miss


    that woman."


    "Yeah... me too." I sighed. "I''m gonna go get ready."


    I took it upon myself to get dressed in Jared''s room. Since Nova was helping Olivia get ready, I


    assumed that she wanted her privacy. I put on my best ck, velvet suit, and hoped that by some


    miracle I didn''t screw things up more than I already had.


    After I was done getting dressed, I waited for Olivia in the living room. I don''t know why, but I felt like a


    nervous teenager; like I was getting ready to pick up my prom date. This is why I don''t do things like


    this. It''s too risky, too many uncontroble emotions. I could already feel my palms sweating, and for a


    second I even questioned why I was doing this to myself.


    That was until I saw her.


    I looked up for a second, and she was ascending the hall of the yacht. When Iid my eyes on her I


    knew exactly why I was putting myself through this. Somehow she got the whole velvet memo, and


    wore a tight red, mine velvet dress that hung off her shoulders and hugged all her curves perfectly. It


    even came with a matching set of red velvet gloves.


    I didn''t even realize I was holding my breath until she stood in front of me, staring at me shyly. Her hair


    was pulled to the side, and she was wearing red lipstick to match her dress. I honestly don''t even know


    what''s hotter than a woman in a red dress, and seeing the way her dark hair fell around her made me


    really wonder why I only messed around with blondes.


    "You look absolutely beautiful," I said before I could even stop myself. I didn''t even mean to say it


    aloud.


    "Thank you," she smiled softly, grabbing a ck coat to put around her.


    "Please," I started, reaching for it. "Let me." She smiled softly at me still, turning around so that I could


    drape the coat around her shoulders. "Ready?" I asked her, once she was all nice and warm.


    "Wow!" Olivia gawked, staring at everything around us so mesmerized. "I''ve never seen something


    more beautiful in my lifetime." She sighed, gazing around at the arena as we took our seats. "Have you


    been here before?" She whispered to me as the lights dimmed.


    "No." I answered simply, sitting back in my seat.


    "It''s beautiful isn''t it?" She asked, grinning like a small child on Christmas Day. I smiled softly at her,


    wondering how in the hell I could ever be so stupid.


    "You''re beautiful." I said to her, watching as she shifted in her seat from mypliment. She stopped


    smiling immediately to look at me, and the only reason why she looked away was because the y


    was about to begin.


    Throughout the y, there were bursts ofughter, of excitement, of anger. Any emotion you can think


    of in a collective breath. While everyone was watching Romeo & Juliet, I was watching Olivia. There


    was no greater art than her.


    I ate up all of her reactions, I even furrowed my brows and watched as she silently cried at the end. To


    tell you the truth, I can''t even really tell you what happened in the y.


    I was pulled out of my head by a sudden burst of pping, followed by the lightsing back on. The


    cast bowed, flowers were thrown, and the curtains closed. I watched as Olivia stood to her feet, and


    quickly followed.


    Without even thinking about it, I held her hand as we walked out of the arena. She didn''t say much to


    me though, I figured she was still in her head about the y. In fact, she didn''t say a word until we were


    almost back at the dock.


    "I didn''t even know..." she trailed off, looking out the window of the car the whole time.


    "Know what?" I asked, surprised that she was actually speaking again.


    "All the life I could be living," she said simply, her voice sounding deep and forlorn.


    I honestly didn''t even know what to say. I thought she would be happy to see the y, but now I see, I


    only showed her things she''s been missing out on. I didn''t even realize how selfish of me this was; to


    give her all these things and take her to all these ces then send her back to the bottom of the barrel


    once I was done using her up.


    Of course, I try to do something good the first time and itpletely backfires on me as usual. The


    driver parked us right in front of the dock, and I sighed as I helped Olivia out of the car after me.


    I tried not to feel so shitty as I watched her look out at the water. The dock was so beautiful, you could


    see the yacht in the distance, and the pathway was lit up with string lights that lit up the dark.


    "It''s funny, I almost don''t want the night to end," she smiled, and I watched as sheid the coat out just


    at the edge of the dock and sat down as best she could with a dress on. I took off my suit jacket, and


    mimicked her actions, sitting directly across from her.


    She stretched out her legs and crossed them one over the other, leaning back on her hands to look up


    at the stars. "Oh, are we star gazing now?" I asked her, chuckling slightly.


    "Yeah." She grinned, cing her hand over her mouth as sheughed. "I always wanted to do this."


    "A lot of firsts, huh?" I asked, cocking my head to the side.


    "Lots!" She eximed, and I took the liberty to scoot a little bit closer to her.


    "Did you like the y?" I asked, and she nodded her response.


    "I loved it!" She smiled. "I can''t believe I only ever read it."


    "You saw the movie didn''t you?" I asked, raising a brow.


    "Doesn''t even hold a candle to that y." She shook her head, and I shrugged. "Thank you." She


    smiled, and I could feel a smile slowly inching across my face.


    "It was my pleasure, Olivia." When I said that, she closed her eyes, and I idly wondered why.


    "When I was younger," she started, staring back up at the sky. "I used to read everything and anything I


    could get my hands on. I mean I... I''ve read stories that I still think about until this day." She sighed, and


    I actually sat and listened to what someone else had to say for once.


    "I''ve visited ces in my head, and lived full lives all through words. For the longest time, I thought that


    was enough. I''ve never been lonely; I''ve never longed for anything really. Instead I lived in this


    meticulously crafted daydream universe that I created in my head. I used it as a coping mechanism. I


    convinced myself it was enough. I never told anyone that." She finished, and I was so shocked at her


    opening up to me that I didn''t even know what to say. "Tonight you made me realize... it''s not enough


    for me." She shrugged, and I sighed in response.


    "I didn''t mean to make you feel like that." I told her, and she shook her head dismissively.


    "No," she said. "Don''t feel bad. You opened my eyes Noel. I don''t want to just read about these ces


    anymore, I want to see them with my own eyes in this life. I don''t want to live in a daydream anymore."


    She shook her head softly, and without thinking I reached out to grab her hand.


    "You don''t have to." I said suddenly.


    "Do you think that''s why my father left?" She asked. "Because he realized there was a whole world that


    he couldn''t give us? Or did he just realize there was a whole world that he wanted outside of us?" She


    asked me, and I furrowed my brows in confusion.


    "I don''t know, Olivia. I know he''s a terrible fool for leaving you though." I said honestly, and she smiled


    lovingly at me. "Come on, let''s get you inside." I helped her up to her feet, then picked our coats up off


    This belongs ? N?velDra/ma.Org.


    the floor.


    For once in my life I enjoyed thepany of a woman without wondering what she could do for me. I


    only wanted to know what more I could do for her. She seemed like a person who had been through so


    much, and she''s had such a short life. I swear I didn''t even realize how different our worlds were, and


    how good I had it.


    I didn''t know what the future held for Olivia and I, but what I did know was that I wanted her around as


    more than just a paid wife. I wanted her in my life for the long haul; however long that was.


    The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and


    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!