Bought by the billionaire I met in the rain

Chapter3

THIRD PERSON'S POV

Olivia stood at the window as the cold winter air blew. It was break time, and the library was empty. She watched as people hurried past. Life had been a little calm for her, and she had learned to embrace her struggles.

As she watched people hurry past, she wondered if every one of them had a weight they had to carry, a problem or a past they wished they could forget. Ma would always say, “Life is fleeting; don't spend it hung up on the past,” but even though she tries to remind herself of Ma's popular quote, the past few months had been the worst time of her life. And even though it wasn't so bad anymore, the past always has a way of sneaking up on her and wrapping its thorns around her.

"If you want the job, then strip and lie down..." The voice that still echoes in her head came in again. Her fists clenched and her breath hitched.

“Olivia," Mrs America called her, drawing her out of her thoughts.

“Yes,” she jumped, startled and shifted away from the window.

“Come here and sit.” Mrs America said to her.

Her eyebrows pulled up and together. Olivia knew that anytime Ma asked her to come sit, something serious had happened, and she wanted to discuss it. “Is everything okay, Ma?” Olivia asked.

She gave her one of those looks that said, Don't ask; just listen. Olivia immediately walked over to the center table in the library and sat down.

Mrs America wobbled over with her walking stick. Olivia watched with bated breath as she slowly made her way to the table. Mrs America didn't like to be held when she was walking, and after multiple times of being hit with the walking stick for trying to help her walk, Olivia now knew better.

“How long do you plan on working here?” she asked after she successfully made it to the table.

‘Ughh, this woman never beats around the bush.’ Olivia thought to herself, “How do you mean, Ma? Did you decide to close down? Is the pain getting worse? I told you to take your medicine regularly and tell me if it's getting bad so we can go to the hospital,” she asked, her face etched with worry.

“Stop nagging like an old woman!” she scolded Olivia. “It's no surprise that you have caught a man ever since. It's been two years since I have known you, but more men have visited me than have visited you. If you are going to waste that beautiful face, then give it to me. With this body to complement it,” she gestured to her body, “I will be getting married again in a couple of months.”

Olivia burst into laughter. She laughed until tears came from her eyes. “I don't doubt you, Ma. Everyone knows how popular you are around here. You have all the old men under your body's spell. They can't resist you.”

"Not just the old men, the young men too. They can't resist my charm. I wish you would learn from me,” Mrs American sighed.

Olivia chuckled. “Well, you can have them all, Ma.”

“Ughh, I have never seen anyone as stubborn as you.” Ma said exasperatedly,

“Says the most stubborn person that I know.” Olivia muttered.

“I heard that, but I am going to ignore you. Anyway, back to what I said earlier. How long do you plan on working here? It's time you moved on to something with better pay. It's been two years since you started here, and I can't pay you as much as you need. You have things you need money for now; you know what I mean when I say that, right?”

Olivia nodded. “I understand what you mean.”

“There is an opening for a cleaner at that company not too far from here. Their pay is much better than what I pay you here. It's like three times your current pay; you know what that money would do for you. I took the liberty to submit an application for the job for you the other day.”

“Ma! You should have told me first. What if I don't want to be a cleaner?"

Mrs American snorted, "Well, you do not have an option. I already submitted the application form for you. It is for your own good. How long are you going to stay here? The little I pay you can't do anything for you."

"When did you even submit the application? And how come I didn't know?" Olivia asked. Suddenly it clicked. "Ohhh, I remember now. It was the day you said you were meeting a friend, right? So that is where you sneaked off to that day?”

“Yes, so keep checking your phone; you might get an email soon. It's just a cleaning job. I don't understand why they have to make it as though you are applying for a big position. Who receives an approval email for a cleaning position?” She clicked her teeth. “Anyway, I have said my piece. I would have said go and think about it, but there is nothing to think about. The decision has already been made, so we will just wait for the email,” she said nonchalantly.

“But how will you cope without me here?” Olivia asked with a tone of worry.

“I was coping before you came along; I will manage just fine. Don't let anything drag you down; you are still young. Save up and go back to school; do something with your life, little one, and leave the past in the past,” she said and stood up. A feat that wasn't easy for her because of her big behind. “I hope you are not stifling laughter while looking at my ass from behind?”

“No, Ma. I would never.” Olivia said, stifling a laugh.

At night, Olivia sat at her vanity table when her phone chimed she picked it up from her bedside table. It was a spam message; she meant to drop the phone back, but her eyes caught the email icon notification on her phone. She hurriedly opened her email and saw a new email. She had gotten the job and was asked to start by Monday.

She dropped the phone in a daze and looked to the other side of the room where her twins lay asleep. She walked closer and sat beside them, stroking her beautiful face. The memory of the day she was blessed with her two boys suddenly hit her.

“Watch out!” the voice had screamed, but it was already too late. She looked as the bookshelf fell on her; unconsciously, she put her hand protectively over her big tummy. She was vaguely awake when the ambulance came and took her to the hospital. Mrs America remained by her side, holding her hand all the way to the hospital.

“The babies are at risk. She is bleeding profusely; we have to operate on her immediately and bring them out,” the doctor had said to Mrs America. Olivia had listed Mrs America as her guardian. She immediately signed the paper, and the doctors got to work.

Eight hours later, Olivia had woken up from her deep slumber to find two beautiful boys sleeping in their bed beside her, and Mrs America was sleeping on a chair beside her.

Olivia left out a heavy sigh at the memory. Her hand moved to her stomach, subtly touching her scar their birth had left on her. It was a constant reminder that she had almost lost them. But also a reminder that she hadn't been alone at that scary moment. She couldn't help but be thankful to Mrs America for everything. A woman who didn't know anything about her but showered her with kindness from the moment she met her. If it hadn't been for Mrs American, maybe she would still be roaming the streets trying to survive.

“I knew this day would come. You are both almost two now and should start school soon. I am going to work really hard to give you the life I never had,” she promised in a low voice to her babies.

As Monday rolled around, Olivia got ready and dropped off the twins with Mrs America, who was fighting hard to hold back her tears. “Ma, it's just a cleaning job. Why are you crying like I suddenly became a CEO or got a real job?” Olivia said, holding back her own tears.

“They say the journey of a thousand miles starts with the first step. This is your first step. You have been holed up all these years and let your past hold you back, but you are finally making the step to start living again. It might not seem like much now, but you will understand better with time. Make friends when you get there, okay?” she said to Olivia.

“Okay, Ma. But today is my first day. I can't start making friends immediately, but I promise to be a friendly whale when I am there.”

“Good, now off you go. Don't worry about the twins; they are in good hands.” She pushed Olivia out of the door.