Sinful desires

MEETING THE BILLIONAIRE. Olivia didn't really like the city. To be honest, she was more of a town's girl having lived the most of her life is Eastern Texas. She loved the horses, and the smell of hay on a dewey winter morning. She loved the animals, and how crimson the sky would color at times. But this, running down the tarred roads of Illinois to catch the bus, this she didn't quite love. Slipping from her hands was her backpack that she carried like a seventeen year old. Deep down, she still felt like she was, at least hoped, that she was. That she never grew up. It certainly didn't help that the past few years were a blur. College which for her was supposed to be her prime years, were actually the most mediocre. Olivia spent her whole life behind a book and love song’s playing beneath her headphones wherever she went. I wouldn't really say she had friends, but she had Alli. Besides him, she was as alone as one can be. She waved her long arms, yelling out at the bus that was about to pull away. Gathering her books and bags in her hands, she stumbled forward, strands of her red hair falling over her glasses. The color of her hair being her most fun feature -sometimes she wore in braids, or a messy bun which was ironical because she'd spend minutes in front of her mirror achieving the level of complexity and messiness. She never really liked makeup, mostly because getting to work in the mornings were hectic and it'd turn to a mess. Her nails brushed against the bonnet of the bus as she halted by the steps, her eyes immediately met Hamilton, the driver whom she'd known since she got here with her aunt sometime ago. Her aunt who now lived separately, not far off from her. She usually called each morning as sort of some daily checkup that had turned a ritual. "Morning Liv" The driver watched her as she climbed into the bus. "Morning Ham" She made her way to the seats, settling in with the chaos that were her hands. Once she put work documents away, she heaved a deep sigh and adjusting the colors of her striped office shirt and wrinkled her thigh long skirt. There was not much difference from what she had worn the previous day, except in colors and style. Olivia was deeply predictable, although she thought if she had the money, she would have better style, which we can all agree on. However for now, she'd stick to her mum's old shirt and skirts she'd sewn by herself. She wasn't living below average, she was content However, where she was in this moment wasn't exactly where she'd planned to be. But it was life, and sometimes it surprises us, Liv had wild dreams growing up, like owning a design label in the New York City, a trademark to that name. She had even wilder imaginations and fantasies, even though she was still a virgin. It was the books, the books she'd read growing up. The smut that gave her thrill and made her timbers shiver. However, she never really got to feel the real thing, mostly because she was shy. And deeply scared to give her whole self to one single person, one person that could break her heart. All her life, Olivia had fallen for just one person and it didn't end well after the She'd rather read the terribly plotted, w*****d romance stories and enjoy it, if it was the closest she would feel to love. The mythical feeling that was, love. Looking out of the windows as the bus pulled away, she was reminded of how she felt about the city. She didn't detest because this placed housed her, alongside the year long memories but she just never thought of it as home. The fall weather was beautiful today, and she was resuming work after a week bank holiday that had been given. And even after such break and, a million deep breathes that reassured her that she got this-Olivia was still a mess. It was then her phone lit up in her hands and she looked to screen to see, mum. It was Agatha, her aunt who was more or less a mother since both her parents died in the car crash. September 07, she'd never forget that day-she believed changed her life. Fresh off their summer trip, her mum and dad were involved in a ghastly accident. She'd moved on from it, that's if one could ever move on from something like that. Maybe a much better phrase was that she didn't dwell any more on that past. Because she always had Agatha growing up, and most of the time she was just enough. In the new city, she had Agatha. Navigating the terrifying puberty years of girlhood, she also had her aunt. For the big moments and even the smallest, that it until months ago that she moved out-an attempt to find her own footing, But one promise that she made and kept was that they talked everyday. And though Olivia never said it, it was her favorite part of the day. "Hi Agatha" She heaved a sigh, a smile crawling to her lips. "How are you, Liv?" There was some noise behind her but she could still hear the genuinity in the tone of her voice. "How are you?" "I'm okay" Liv had toned out the entire world, as she spoke to her favorite person. The roads, were bumpy so occasionally, she swayed side to side. "Did you catch the bus?" "Yes, i did" Olivia replied, implying that that wasn't always the case. "I had to run and at some point, this son of a b***h got mud all over my shoes" She added, rolling her eyes to the back of her head. "Aww i'm so sorry" Agatha replied. "Don't worry, everything will be okay soon", Liv closed her eyes to those words, taking comfort and solace in such assurances. And, she nodded, knowing she could always count on her to make her feel better. "I'm making lemon tea" She could hear the sound of the cutleries behind her. "If you were here, i would give you some. It's a shame you didn't come here for the break-" She paused, as if she still had words to say. "I- had work" "My own work" Olivia rephrased. "I know Liv, but this place gets boring. I don't want you forgetting your home" she scoffed, leaving a smirk at the corner of her lips. "I could never" She said. The winds filled her hair as Liv adjusted her glasses on the bridge of her nose, resting on her knuckles, she listened to a Weyes Blood, song the moment her aunt hung up. Music was her free therapy, an escape from her anxieties. She had the latest edition of Love the Sin, a novel by Onyemaobi, in her hands but she chose to bury her head into it, but rather fill her eyes with reality. Maybe the city wasn't so bad if you actually took note. She sat in the chair, with an arched back, waiting for her stop. And the moment the bus came to a halt, she launched forward, rushing down the aisle and out. "Bye Ham", "Have a good day, Liv" she heard from behind her as she alighted. "See you later" She filled her lungs with the crisp Chicago morning air before her eyes sent on the queue of cars before her. The lot was filled, and it usually wasn't. There was also a crowd swarming through the door, and while she climbed on her toes, she searched for Alli. She mounted the steps that led into the building, over her a sign that boldly said Archers. Hefting out her ID, Oliver paced towards the front door and headed to the elevators with her bag still over her shoulders. "Hey" She greeted the door man and made her way through the dispersing crowds. "Hi" "Liv" She suddenly heard from behind her, and she recognized that voice. But the moment she turned around, someone bumped into her from the stairs, falling the books in her hands down for the nth time that day. "Son of a b***h" She muttered beneath her lips, ready to pick a fight with the suited man that had just passed-his cologne infiltrating the thick air and she coughed. He didn't even both to look back, but she knew she wasn't deaf. At least he would have heard her books fall to the ground. She leaned forward, finally succumbing but still arching her brows in anger. And Alli walked up to her. "Hey" He reached out to the last book on the ground, and handed it over to his best friend. "What's up?" "Some cocky b***h just bumped into me and didn't even utter a word," Alli turned around. "That guy?" He pointed to the exact one in a shimmering black tuxedo and a clipboard in his arms. Liv arched her brows the moment people began to gather round him and her eyes diverted to Alli. "What the f**k is going on?" "That cocky b***h is Damien." She narrowed her eyes at him as if that name was suddenly meant to ring a bell. "Didn't you get the email?" Alli asked like he had no idea that the phone might be the worst way to reach Liv. She shook her head, walking past him. Damien hefted the mic to his lips as he turned around, his cold dark eyes meeting Liv's blue ones for just a second. And she felt a chill run up her spine as she held her novel close to her. It was anxiety in her stomach, for whatever reason, accompanied with anger and rage for a person she didn't even know. Well, she did know his type. They filled the world, arrogant, cocky, privileged. But what he was doing here, that, she had no idea. That is until a construction worker walked through the doors, holding up a large plaque that bore the name. His name, Damien Archer. And she turned to Alli, who'd sensed she'd finally got it. "Hold on" came a shrill whisper as she looked back and forth. "Archer?" She pushed a hard lump down her throat and Alli walked up to her, leaning in closely. "He's our new boss" He said. "Since when?" "Since Hank died." Her brows collapsed at such news, her heart falling simultaneously. "What?" "A heart attack" He added. "So his son being the heir to the company will be taking, over. You should really check your emails, maybe-"She zoned out again, turning to face him. Damien. But he was already looking at her. And there was anxiety again, the kind that erupted in her stomach and she looked away, and back. Both their eves pulled away as she pointed to the stairs. "I should go-"She paced, clearing her throat and Alli stretched out his arms. "Wait" He shrugged. The moment he wasn't before her, she calmed. And Liv clutched her chest, knowing the only reason she felt this way was because something about Damien was strikingly familiar. Or maybe it was Alexander. And in that moment, it hit her, and if she didn't already hate him, which she did, she was to going to detest him more. More than the city or whatever. 'A DARK PAST. Alexander Damien was first guy she ever loved. Liv the only guy. But then again, she was ten and had only a vague idea what that word actually meant. Love could mean playing down the slides with father, or casual dinners and game nights after such long days. Love was what she felt for Gerald, her dad. Because he died in that car crash. But that's way ahead of ourselves. ELEVEN YEARS AGO The door closed behind her ans Liv alighted with her summer camp suitcase wheeled in her hands. Every single year, she looked forward to spending two weeks at Camp Kiwi, not essentially because it was fun or that she had her best friend, those were all reasons as well but most of all, because she got to see Alex. And she had a feeling that summer will be the time she summoned enough courage to actually walk up to him. She smiled, the sun beaming against her glasses before she made her way down the steps and towards the checkin. "Bye Liv" Her mum yellee, but she was already a distance way. It was Alli that turned around to bade his goodbyes. And a sigh escaped Sara's lips as she went back into the car. Liv, on the other hand had already sighted whom she thought was her soulmate from far away-Alex, his brown fluffy hair and magical freckles that made him seem like a deity's incarnate. He was at the forefront, with a vintage luggage, and amongst the usual rugby boys, jeering and laughing at whatever they found funny. Alli bumped into her, also sighting what had caught her attention and he sighed. "It's been three years, Liv" He rolled his eyes as if he was such a stranger to long overdue crushes, especially if it was for some straight guy. But the difference between the two of them was Allo didn't really expect much. He had come to terms that he might never actually have a middle school love story or whatever, unlike Liv, who'd just read Wild Sin and was convinced she could get with Alexander. He tossed his head over his shoulders and they made eye contact. She could never get over his void dark eyes, with so much mystery, yet to unravel and she flashed a smile, her now braceless teeth peeking through as she waved, at him. Alex nodded, at this strange enthusiastic girl, and she felt the butterflies erupt in her stomach, leaving her with a strange mix of anxiety and goosebumps. "I have a feeling, Alli" She whispered. "I have a feeling this summer would be different." They looked to each other and Alli felt his arms drop. "I just know it" She sounded so convinced that he didn't even utter a word. Except, "Yes." NOW "As many of you already know, my father, Hank Archer, CEO of Hank Corporations passed, away sometime last week due to some health complications" Damien mounted the stage in a hall full of employees and media coverages. He leaned towards the mic, his coarse deep voice echoing through the halls. "He always said his only wish was his company, his legacy never dies. He didn't care about much, but this. That is why he left a majority of it, alongside his fortunes to me, his son Damien Archer. I'm here to make sure my father's legacies lives on to honor his very last wish. As of today, i would be overseeing the executives of this company, assuming the position of CEO. And i want nothing but to work, hand in hand with everyone already here-" His voice fazed into her ears as Liv felt the breeze, against her lips. "You gotta be kidding me" she muttered as Alli leaned into her. "That's all he gotta say about Hank?" "Hank was the sweetest person" She whispered. "I know Liv, we'd save the eulogies for his funeral" Alli replied. "Good afternoon and have a good day" The cameras immediately went off, flashing into her eyes as he mounted down the podium. And with each flash was a 'memory beckoning back at her. A memory from several years ago, with her legs swinging in the air and barely grazing the grounds. The birds chirped loudly in the trees above her as she sat on the opposite end of the wooden table. The breeze was fresh, like nature and the smell of wood and papers blended rightly in her nose. There was a silence between her and Alli as he drew whatever in his A4 pad. Liv just preferred to daydream with her headphones over her ears and a novel in her hands. She was present but her mind wasn't. That was until a familiar figure approached her from behind. And she could recognize that scent even if she was asleep. She jolted up but he was already as close. Alex. Alli mouthed in shock as he inched closer to her, her hands nervously twirled the edge of her brunette ponytails as he tiptoed. "Hey" He said and Liv tossed the book away. "Hi" "You must be Olivia" "You uhm-you know my name" She stuttered as she secretly pinched into her skin, an attempt to check her consciousness, that she wasn't asleep. That this was actually happening right now. In the center of the park, with eyes peering from the bushes amidst the gasps. It was exactly how she envisioned it. Like it happened in the novels. And while a million things ran through her head, she forgot she was still standing there and had to utter a reply. "So what do you say?" Her ears zoned back into his words. "Huh" She blurted out. "A picnic later in the evening by the Bay Waterside, what do you say?" He asked again and Liv nodded frivolously this time. "Of course" She gasped, turning back to Alli who had the straightest face imaginable to mankind. The moment Alex turned his back, she threw herself across the wooden table in her yellow flowery dress. "Did you hear that Alli?" She shook him, in the process squeezing his drawings. He looked up at her, flashing a fake smile. "Oh i heard" "Come on, Alli. I told you, it's this summer. It's going to happen this summer. All i needed was to get those braces out and a glow up man, i got the man" She squealed before reminding herself that she was still in public. "I got the boy, like Marilyn, and Ruby did in Oscar Petterson's Lily" She spoke book language and whenever that happened, Alli tended to zone out. And she noticed his lack of enthusiasm. "Why aren't you happy for me?" She asked, him. "It's not my fault you don't like any girls from around here" Those words stung his heart like a bee sting and he pushed a lump down his throat. He was ten then, so he had no idea what a s****l orientation was. And a part of him still hadn't come to terms with who he really was, even after so many years. And he didn't think Liv knew till now. He scrunched up his artwork, tossing it into the grasses far from him before he stood. "Just be careful, Liv" He replied. "It's all i'm saying" He left her standing there, the winds breezing into her yellow dress as she bit on a finger. And there was that chill that usually ran up her spine at the thought of Alex. There it was. "Does that mean i work for him now?" "Now that Hank's-dead" it still felt unnatural for her to say. She and Alli paced down the corridors, heading to their cubicle. In the same room, but still a distance apart. Alli ruffled his shirt. "I don't know but that would be awkward wouldn't it?" He asked. "Being a secretary to someone you already don't like?" He added and she rolled her eyes. "All i'm saying is he should have at least turned around. Maybe even apologize for turning my books over instead of acting like anyone besides himself doesn't exist" She gritted, through her teeth as Alli muffled a shrill laughter. "What's so funny" She turned to him and he raised his palms to her. "I didn't say nothing" He replied unconvincingly before pulling away from her. Rolling her eyes, her fingers found a way to her jaw. "Besides there's something so familiar about him-" The last part she said in a whisper. "Damien Archer." ELEVEN YEARS AGO Liv had spent the entire evening looking for Alli but he was nowhere to be found. Now, she was in a halter top, accompanied with a deerstalker hat-typical camp attire. Liv would, lie if she said she hadn't spent a huge chunk of her time in front of the mirror and downing mouthwash as if she was about to have her first kiss. She was. She thought she was. Night had fallen and the moon was partially out, hiding behind a burst of dark gloomy clouds as if it were about to rain and Liv made her way down the strap bridge to the Kiwi fountains and finally she got to the Bat waterside, with some white Orchids -she read how they were the most suitable flowers for boys. There was a tower sprouting, above her but the grasses were bland. Plain, and void of any food or picnic mat. Or even Alex. "Alex" she called, pulling a strand of her hair behind her ears. Her rainbow ribbon shot out proudly as she halted. And in a moment, she stared in the windows on the tower, admiring how well she looked after so much effort, like the girls she'd read about. The ones in novels and in the telenovelas that she watched. But all of a sudden, a drop of water fell into her glasses and slowly, she wiped it off. "s**t" She cussed, before tilting her head to the sky-assuming it was rain but it was not. The moment Liv faced the height of the tower, there was a hanging bucket that hovered above her. And within a second, it tilted to the side, emptying all it's content on her. A wave of water washed into her hair and over her body and in a split second, Liv was soaked, all to the amusement of the people above her. She could hear the jeering, and the laughs as she shivered to look down on her stained blouse. The water was muddy and across her shirt was a smudge of brown. The orchids fell to the ground as Liv backed away, then suddenly she slipped and fell to the ground as well, finding it hard to get up on her feet. It was then it hit her, there was no picnic. There was no Alex, God forbid someone like him ever paid her that much attention. God forbid she ever had something. It was a dare. It wasn't real. None of it was real. Tears filled 'he eyes but they couldn't even fall, it was painful. She suddenly heard splatters towards her before a hand reached towards hers. It was Alli. She couldn't bear to look at him, knowing how right he had been. And how wrong she was. But he didn't care about right or wrong, he just wanted to get her out of there, even if they were laughing at him as well. "Shut the f**k up" He yelled up at them as he held Liz. "Shut up faggot" Came a reply that bruised his heart. But before they could leave the waterside, there was that scent that filled the air and Olivia was quick to turn around. To face him, -Alex, with pants rolled to his knees, soaked,and a smirk across his face. "Why?" Was the single question she asked, and he scoffed lightly. "You think i was interested in you?" He threw a question back at her. "You think anyone in their right minds would be interested in you?" He jeered and Liv pushed a lump down her throat. It struck her, so deep she could fall to her knees. Love, was terrible. Boys were. And she was done. Alex was the first guy she ever loved. And he was the last NOW She closed the door behind her, making her way into the storage closet. Liv could feel her heart sink into her chest as her hands bore the side of the railings. She relived those excruciating memories within a split second and she was unsure why. The thing was, she'd buried painful memories like those in the back of her head. Without grief, without mourning. Just completely forgetting it ever happened. But this, this came back to her. The door barged up behind her and Liv turned around. Her fingers clasped the edge of the table as her eyes fell to the ground-his shimmering black boots to be precise. Slowly, her eyes wandered up his crisp suit till they locked eyes. She didn't move, rather just pushed a lump down her throat as he drew nearer. Closer and closer, he inched. And when he was close enough, his lips parted to speak. "You were my father's secretary" His voice went low in a coarse whisper as he held her chin to face him. "You're mine now" He added. And Liv was suddenly overcome with anxiety the moment their skins brushed together, and a drop of water fell behind her eyes. Alas, it was all she needed to remember him-the last fragment of the memory. "Why?" Was the single question she asked, and he scoffed lightly. "You think i was interested in you?" He threw a question back at her. "You think anyone in their right minds would be interested in you?" He jeered and Liv pushed a lump down her throat. It struck her, so deep she could fall to her knees. And then suddenly, one of the rugby boys clung to him. "Come on, Damien. We don't want to wake Ms Wheeler" They scribbled away just as a tear dropped from her cheeks. There she was, standing before him again. But now, short of breath. "Mr Archer" Her lips quivered and he looked down on her, oblivious to who she actually was. "You can call me Alex. THE CEO AND HIS SECRETARY. Olivia realized what love was growing up with her parents. Sara and Gerald were madly in love with each other. Be the stares they made with each other from the front seat, to how affectionately, they held each other. Growing up, Liv wanted Wanted someone to give her half the attention her dad gave her mum. She wanted that happy ending, until she didn't. "I'm saying crabs are overwhelmingly overrated" "Sea food, in general" Sara rolled her eyes before looking to the foggy windshield in front of her. Rain splattered against the glass, inaudible to both their chuckles while Liv just watched from the backseat. "What's so funny?" Liv was so much similar to her. "Why didn't you say this before we ever got married?" Gerald hummed, turning to look to his wife with his hands still against the steering wheel. "Are you saying something as trivial as my opinion on seafood would have stopped us from getting married, Mr Sanders?" Sara dramatically turned to him and he scoffed. For the moment that he stared at her, it seemed like everything had suspended, time and all of its entities. "It could never" Gerald whispered. "Nothing could change the way i feel about you" Now, Liv was the only person that saw the approaching headlights in front of them and she numbly pointed while Sara reached for her husband's hands. "I love you" She whispered. "Forever" "Mum" "Forever" Gerald whispered before turning to face the roads. But alas it was already too late. The blinding lights shone in his eyes as he gripped his steerings to swerve to the right. It was late. And he watched his whole life flash before his eyes, because torever was no longer forever. Especially to Liv who'd watched both her parents die that night. And the moment the car tumbled down the hill with her in the backseat, she shot her eyes open. It was a dream. One of the persevering nightmares she had of that night. She sat up on her bed, rubbing her sweaty temples with her fingers as her eyes narrowed at the clock. That was a dream -but meeting Damien Archer the previous day wasn't. Her chest rose and fell at the singular thought of him as she brought her feet to the cold floors. She remembered every single word, every touch, the sound of his breath. His scent that was so strong it was irritable. And she detested him with everything she had in her for that one thing he did eleven years ago. He had changed, at least on the outside. He was now the public's best person Damien Archer, heir to the Archer Corporations. Powerful, perfect but he hadn't always been that way. He was a boy, a ruthless one and the one that shattered Liv's heart. So much that it was irreparable. Alex was the first reason Liv never believed in love and happy endings. And after that summer, she never went back to Camp Kiwi. Meaning she hadn't seen him until the previous day where he was inches away from her, hands holding her chin to face him. "You were my father's secretary" His voice went low in a coarse whisper as he held her chin to face him. "You're mine now" He added and Liv tried her best to back away from him, but there was a desk right behind her. "Mr Archer-"She muttered shakily. "You can call me Alex." With that, he pulled away, failing to recognize the girl right before him as the ten year old who he'd taken advantage of years ago. "I have the rest of the day covered with media preparations but i'd love to meet with you tomorrow morning. Seven am, prompt" His hands reached for the metal knob. "Don't be late. Or you'll lose your job" He snarkily, said before walking out. And the moment the door closed behind him, Liv's shoulders collapsed with a deep exhale. And she turned, away, cussing the day she was born under her breathe because what were the odds? What were the f*****g odds she'd meet Alex in the future, and he would be the same arrogant self he was