Shades of love

The longest month

Third POV

"Yes, father! We are having the most fantastic time" - Olivia said in a sugary voice while talking to her father on the phone.

"Oh, yes. Domenic is the most fantastic husband, he treats me like ... like a queen. He is so loving and considerate" - she chirped trying to sound happy, and convincing.

"Yes, hopefully, I'll be pregnant before the honeymoon ends, and you'll have your grandson"

'Yes, I know father... don't you worry, I'll do nothing to embarrass or damage your image" - Olivia nodded firmly as her father was looking at her, but her eyes swallowed in tears.

"Oh, yes I understand you are busy. Maybe we'll talk later?"

'Oh, okay I'll wait for your call, it's okay" - she added quickly after her father told her that he didn't have time to waste chatting with her "Have a great day, father" - her voice become sweeter "I love you" - she said, but her father had already cut the call, and all she heard was the annoying beep on the other end.

Frustrated and angry, Olivia smashed her smartphone on the hard floor.

'Stupid, old jerk" - she cursed out loud, trying hard not to cry. She looked at her reflection in the wall mirror and felt pity and disgust for herself. Olivia was one of those young women that put a lot of effort into her image, she always looked flawless

Expensive dresses, gold and diamond jewelry, branded shoes, endless make-up, and skin care products, and frequent visits to aesthetic clinics, plastic doctors, elite gyms... nothing was ever too much, and with all her father's money, she could afford to splurge in an extravagant lifestyle. But somehow nothing she ever did was enough. She couldn't fill that empty hole inside her chest, that made her feel so little, so worthless, so invisible. Olivia had thought that if she would marry Domenic, her life would somehow be perfect. Her mother would stop nagging her about finding a husband, and her father would pay more attention to her, and let the past go. She had thought that Domenic would be the perfect answer for all of her problems, he was what she had ever wanted. But he didn't want her. And he made sure to make this perfectly known, even though there were a married couple now. Somehow, her life became worse. Instead of enjoying her honeymoon, she was on a trip accompanying her husband, in his efforts to find the women he loved, and she loathed. Olivia felt humiliated, but it would be even more humiliating to stay alone in her new mansion, during what was supposed to be the best time of her married life. She didn't want to feed any more gossip materials to the people of her town.

"I just talked with my mother. She told me that my father and you have agreed upon marriage?" - memories flashed in front of her eyes, remembering the night Domenic put a ring on her finger.

"Yes" - he had replied in a serious tone "We set a date for the wedding, three weeks from now"

'Only three weeks?" - Olivia gasped "But, it's so little time... I.."

'It's just the ceremony, I'll fire the proper staff to deal with that nonsense"

'Oh.. okay" - she nodded, trying to hide her disappointment "I am very happy, Domenic..."

"Please, don't you ever forget that this is a business deal. This marriage is simply a means to an end, that will profit both of us. Nothing more. As we agreed" - his cold, emotionless voice somehow didn't sound convincing enough to her. After all, she had just gotten what she want, she could have everything else with a snap of her fingers. As any other man, she expected Domenic to fall before her feet, too.

"Yes, yes of course. I wouldn't want anything else" - she had smiled back then, but now she felt nothing but crying.

"How could I be so stupid" - she slapped both of her cheeks, and her elegant bun fell loose over her shoulders.

'That stupid, stupid b***h! Why does she always be an obstacle in my way? What is it about that b***h? Why didn't she die on that fire? " - she cursed out loud, breathing hard and feeling miserable. Olivia stayed like that for a long time, with no one coming to check on her room, even though she didn't show up to have breakfast, or lunch that day.

Finally, her phone rang, and that was the only thing that brought her back from the spiral of her depressive episode. The name of David flashed brightly. She picked it up from the floor, surprised that it still worked, even though the screen looked in a pretty bad condition.

"Yes?"

"We have to talk. I am guessing you are alone because your maniac husband is still on the hunt for his b***h"

"What is it to talk about?" - Olivia growled

'Your father knows. About the fire"

"What? But..."

"I just talked with Leo. He is waiting for us. Can you come by five?"

Olivia checked the time "Yes, I'll be there"

"Good... and don't you worry. Everything will be fine"

Third POV

"I can cook, and clean. If you, by any chance would need a maid, madam..." - Mia tried to persuade the other woman on the phone, but she didn't seem interested at all "Yes, yes... I understand. Please, let me know if you ever have an upon spot"

"No luck?" - Ruth asked behind her back, making her jump in fear. Mia still wasn't used to Ruth's strange way of behaving. She seemed to always appear out of nowhere, like a ghost in her own house. Even when she walked, her steps were feathery light, as if she was slithering instead of walking.

"No..."- Mia shook her head "But, I will find something"

"It's impossible to find a job in this city, without education or connections. People like us...we are always at the end of the food chain."

"I will find something, I am sure of it" - Mia nodded firmly, trying to end this conversation quickly.

"How? You can't even find a job as a maid. Even to scrubs rich people's toilets, you need someone to help you out"

"I will not quit until I find a job, I promise!" - Mia passed her by, trying to walk out of the small living room.

"You can always accept the job at the club, you know? The owner told me they are looking eagerly for new dancers, and they pay well. I think he liked you" - Ruth was not willing to let this opportunity slip her by. Mia stood frozen in her place for some seconds and turned around slowly.

"Ruth, I am extremely grateful for your hospitality. I will repay you, and I will get out of here as soon as I can. For that, I am looking for a job. A decent job. I will not work as a stripper or anything else alike. I would rather become homeless"

"Stubborn, just like your mother" - Ruth's face was emotionless, Mia had a really difficult time trying to figure this woman out. The more time she spent with her, the less she was sure that her mother was in her right mind when she told her that she could turn to Ruth for help if she needed to.

"I have nothing else in life, but my dignity. That's not for sale.' - Mia repeated firmly 'I would rather be homeless than accept that job"

"Self-righteous and arrogant, just like your father" - Ruth repeated

Mia stood frozen and dumbfounded for some short seconds.

'My father?" - she repeated slowly, not entirely sure if she could trust her ears "You knew my father?"

Just for a split second, she saw Ruth's cold face change.

'No... Your mom had talked to me so much about him, it was I time I felt like I knew him"

"Oh..." -Mia murmured, not sure if she believed her "She never talk to me about him"

"Yeah... what good is to talk about the dead? Claire had enough problems" - Ruth shook her head, as she was trying to change the subject "Make me a cup of tea, would you?" - she plastered a smile on her face, which was kind of rare for her.

"Yes" - Mia nodded "I'll make dinner too"

.....................................

Third POV

"Sir?" - the old battler politely tried to ask Theodor's attention.

"Owen" - Theodor looked up at him putting his book aside. 'You always come at the right time, it's almost like you read my mind. Take a seat" - he gestured to the leather seat in front of his big wooden desk. "I need something to drink, and someone to talk to. And you are the only one I can fully trust"

'That honors me, sir" - Owen smiled softly, accepting the glass of alcohol Theodor offered

"I just talked with my daughter"

"Miss Olivia, sir?"

"Well, yes! She is on her honeymoon. She said she is happy, but she never been a good liar"

"Why do you think she is lying, sir? Miss Olivia just got married, she should be the happiest"

"I wished she would have taken more from me. She is not even like my wife, truly a disappointment. But her husband though... is truly something. At least, in marriage she did well, she knew how to choose"

"Why do you say that sir?"

'He was right about the investments. My profits just doubled, and I got the new deal. My whole army of investors and lawyers couldn't close that contract, Domenic Knight did that in less than a week" - Theodor explained with a content expression on his face. "I know my legacy will be safe in his hands, as soon as they give my grandson"

'Why are you insisting so much on them having a child, sir? They are a new couple, they have time"

'I have to, Owen, time is ticking for me too. I am not young anymore. As much as I like Domenic, I can't leave my entire wealth in the hands of a stranger. But a child, that will carry my blood too... that's an eternal bond."

'What... what about your own children sir?"

"Olivia? I couldn't trust her to keep my fish alive, let alone a financial empire. My daughter has failed me in more ways than one, but I learned to live with that." - Theodor signed "And the other one was a complete failure too... well, I can't trust a bastard child with my legacy anyhow"

"About that, sir" - Owen took a deep breath, unsure how to break the news

"What is it, Owen?"

"I don't know how to say this, sir..." - Owen's eyes suddenly watered

"Owen, it's me! You can tell me anything. I am your friend, above all! Do you have a problem?"

"No... I am grieving the loss of a very dear friend"

"Who?" - Theodor frowned his brows "Do I know him"

"Her. It's Claire, sir! She had died a month ago"

'What? It can't be" - Theodor paled

"A month ago Just days before the wedding. There was a fire in her house. The girl survived, but Claire couldn't make it. She died of suffocation. I just found out"

"It can't be" - Theodor unbutton his shirt, feeling like there was not enough air in the room

"Sir? Sir? Are you okay?" - Theodor looked at him concerned "Help" - he finally yelled 'Will, John! Help me"- he called out at the guards "Sir, please... calm down"

"Claire" - Theodor murmured, as the image of a beautiful woman, with a shy smile and amazing dove eyes flashed in front of his eyes. "Claire" - he repeated again, and everything went dark.

.........................

Third POV

"Sir?"

'What is it, Derek? Did you find anything?" - Domenic asked in one breath. Even after a very long month of endless searching, he still was as determined as ever to find Mia. But, as time was passing by, he was feeling more and more anxious, more and more desperate.

"No, but the gentleman here, thinks he had seen her." - Derek explained pointing at the middle-aged man, standing behind him.

"Nice to meet you, sir. I am Christian Hernandez, at your service"

"Domenic Knight" - Domenic shook his hand with the unknown man "How do you know Mia?"

"I don't sir. I work as a taxi driver, and I am very sure I have had the lady as one of my passengers"

"What? Are you sure?" - Domenic's entire face lighted up with hope

"Yes. I have a strong memory, I am certain"

'Do you remember where you dropped her? I will pay you well, for this service, Christan"

"But you won't hurt her, would you sir? Whatever the lady did... she seemed already in trouble"

'Mia is the love of my life, I would never hurt her. I need to make sure she is safe and well. And she will be so, only by my side. Now please tell me"

"Oh.. if that's so..." - the taxi driver smiled brightly in relief 'Good, cause' the place I dropped her, it's a tough area, especially for a young lady"

"Please, Christian" - Domenic throwed his hand over his shoulder, in a friendly gesture "Help me save my woman"