My Undoing

Chapter 17- Fun house Mirrors

Olivia's P.o.v

I replay everything over and over in my head...Before he slapped me and the look in his eyes afterwards,completely empty.Before he slapped me for a brief moment I felt..happy.I shouldn't have said what I said.Not out loud,maybe that's why he slapped me. I'm so stupid,what was I thinking.I raced to the door and locked it behind him because I knew if he walked back in I wouldn't have the strength.I didn't wanna be alone but I didn't know who to call.I couldn't call Kaeli she'd asked way too many questions.And if I call Owen ...He'd kil..No.

I search for a number and dial it on my phone"Hel,Hello...umm It's Olivia. I'm sssorry to bother you but if you're not busy could you come over please. Just to talk." They ask me if everything is ok and I lie and tell them I'm fine and they'll be over in 20 minutes.I walk into the kitchen and see what turned him back into the monster I feared, dozens of lillies and white roses covered every surface.I lower my head and I knew they were from Owen.How could such a sweet act be destroyed in a single moment.

I run the shower, I wanted to wash his scent away, the blood away, the shame away, the pleasure, his kisses everything away. I stood under the water wrapped up in my stupidity, thinking about his kisses.How he kissed my face playfully, and his words.All lies.... I'm so stupid.A knock wakes me from my self destructive feelings.I quickly throw something on and answer the door.She's standing there with coffee in one hand and a bag of food in the other.Her smile quickly fades once she looks at me.

"Ms.Vega?Are you alright?"I shake my head "Please Avery I told you to call me Olivia, and..I.I'm."But my voice begins to crack and I can't keep on my brave face and I break down.She let's herself in and helps me to the couch,trying to calm me down. "Olivia please tell me what happened, who did this to you?"She cups my face and I let out a long exhale,I can't even look at her I'm so ashamed.

She takes my hand "A long time ago,I had a friend who was seeing someone. And he seemed like such a great guy.He was smart and devastatingly handsome.He was so devastating that we didn't notice the first time he gave her a black eye.Or when she needed stitches after several fights and he didn't like what she said.He was so charming that all didn't notice anything was wrong.."

She looks down and slowly takes a sip of her coffee."That's how I met Mr.Blake, he knew the oh so charming marksmen."I sit there a moment trying to process what I just heard "What happened to your friend?" She takes another long sip of her coffee

"Unfortunately we didn't notice soon enough. She finally had enough.That night I helped her pack her things,but he came home early.She asked me to wait out in the hall for her.I knew ... I .. shouldn't have left her alone, he locked the door behind me.I heard screaming and crying.She begged him to stop.I pounded on the door, banged on her neighbor's doors.I called 911.Finally it got really quiet. And I didn't hear anything.I called his brother he lived a few buildings away.He rushed over opened the door and that's when we saw him on top of her. She was half naked and barely conscious.His brother beat him and held him til the police arrived and EMS took my friend to the hospital.She died three weeks later."

I look at her in confusion "I thought you said Owen was the one who helped your friend?" She looked up at me with a slight smile."Owen was racked with guilt for years with what happened that night. I think a part of him still blames himself.I think he feels that he should have seen the signs, or should have known his brother was like that.And he thinks that if he would have done something differently that night my friend would still be here".

My eyes widen "Wait Owen was..."She looked down and shook her head "Eric's brother.He made sure Eric went to prison for what he did.Eric couldn't handle what he did I guess and took his own life shortly after going to prison."

I just sit there for a moment trying to take in everything she said."Olivia that is why I'm hoping that you tell me please, I beg you to please tell me what happened." I tell her that I had an argument with someone but I ended things, and assured her I was fine. She stayed awhile and we ate and watched a movie.I asked her if she could let Owen know I just need a few days before I could see anyone .She nods and smiles as she makes her way to the door."Olivia please if you need anything, I don't care what time of day please call me."She takes my hands and pulls me in for a hug.

After a few moments she releases me from her warm embrace. I felt so bad for Avery, even worse for Owen."Avery..What was your friend's name?"She smiled as if a wave of memories hit her all at once.

"Laura...Laura Elaina Reigns."