Her Peculiar Husband

CH2 || Green Eyed Ghost

Olivia

****

I was squealing like a kid as if I received my favourite gift.

"I am saved now," I shouted. Fortunately, my cabin was soundproof otherwise the noise would have left the room. I was able to book Ray's appointment for Ava's wedding. The slots were empty and I couldn't thank God enough for helping me.

The session of self-loathing which was started because of my carelessness came to a halt when I received the news that Ray's slot was empty. Without wasting a single moment I booked it.

Ray couldn't even deny that, after all, the heiress of the Parker Industries Ava Parker was about to be her client, the queen the world admired.

"Why are you doing this?" Mia's question burst the bubble of my sheer happiness.

"What am I doing?" I was confounded. I couldn't get into my head what she meant.

"You should have lied that you couldn't arrange the hairstylist and put the blame on Ava."

"Why? Mia, I know Ava is an evil witch but she is getting married. I just can't ruin things for her most special day."

"I hate her," she said, being infuriated.

I sighed. Hate was a strong word. I did dislike Ava but hate for her wasn't in my dictionary. Though there were people whose existence I despised from the bottom of my heart.

"Let's not talk about her. Anyways, she is moving to New York with her so-called rich husband." I tried to distract her but I wasn't quite successful.

"As if things would change for you when she would leave." She was right. My best friend knew nothing would change for me. Things might even get nastier but I was trained for the same. I was used to living in hell.

Actually, I had been living in the same since my childhood.

"I know nothing will change but I am happy." I lied. I had to as I didn't have any other option. I knew what happiness meant. I used to be happy for others but myself, I had no idea when was the last time I felt joyful from my heart. Maybe when I bought that red dress I presumed. That's why I got hurt when Ava asked me not to wear it. Well correction, she ordered me.

"Living like a slave makes you happy? Working in Parker Industries day and night, most of the time on weekends as well, gaining profits for the company. Does all this s**t make you happy? Living with people who don't give a s**t about you makes you happy?" Her every word, every statement was a slap on the facade I was used to wearing every day for the outer world.

She was the first person to know everything about me and the second was Mike, my other best friend. They both had been my constants since childhood. If I survived my darkest days it was because of both of them.

"Mia, I am fine. Let's not discuss this. I am ecstatic that Ava is leaving. How about we celebrate tonight?" I tried to comfort her. She was upset, not for herself but for me.

"You would ditch me like every other time."

"I won't. I promise."

"I don't believe you." Well, I couldn't expect her to believe me instantly as I had indeed ditched her more than once in the past. Though it wasn't my fault completely. I was never allowed to be out of the house for long. I was only allowed to be out for office and that too because I worked in our household's company. I was forbidden to work anywhere else.

"I am coming with you. Let's go out now."

"What? Are you sure? What would you say at home?"

"I would say that I went out for Ava's wedding preparations. No one would utter a word to me." Ava was working out for the first time in my life. She on that day had unknowingly become my lucky charm for the second time.

I was glad at least she proved beneficial for me in any way.

"Let's go then. Let me call Mike as well." she was excited. We went out and I asked Lia to inform my father that I left to prepare something for Ava's wedding.

I left my car back at the office as I had decided to come back to the office after clubbing. I had left my phone in the office cabin intentionally because I didn't want to spoil my mood. Only two types of people used to call me, one who loved me which were Mike and Mia with whom I was going to spend my time and the others were those who wanted to use me according to them. I wasn't in the mood to get used.

Out of blue, I had felt the intense urge to drink and celebrate. Also, I was aware after Ava would get married I would never get this golden chance.

Mia and I first went to a shopping mall to buy dresses. She was about to buy dresses for both of us. She bought a red velvet knee-length dress with a v-shaped neck while for me she chose a sleeveless V-neck satin black dress which was too short to even reach my knees.

"This is too short. I can't wear it." I denied it.

"Oh come on, it's a once-in-a-lifetime moment. We are partying after so long. Please wear it for me." Her consistent requests and puppy eyes left me in a dilemma.

"I don't think I can." I was terrified that if I got caught by someone from my family, I would die.

"I know you are insecure but you should try it. Remember back in college you loved these dresses." Those were the days when I had a little bit of liberty when I could breathe according to my will but that time was long gone. My face fell and I was downhearted at the mention of the old days.

"That time was different." My justifications weren't enough for my best friend. She didn't pay heed to my words and pushed me inside the trial room.

I changed into that dress and admired the girl in the mirror. I looked pretty but I wasn't even allowed to look pretty.

"Olivia, are you done?" Mia asked from outside.

"Yes." When I came out Mia gaped. Her look was enough to discern she was buying that dress for me.

I didn't have a say but a part of me that was trapped inside wanted to enjoy, wanted to break all the obligations.

After we were done getting ready at her house, we drove to a club. It didn't take us more than twenty minutes to reach there from Mia's house. We found Mike waiting for us at the entrance only.

"Mike," I called before running towards him. I hugged him the moment I reached closer. It had been a long since we met. The last I met him was at a charity ball six months back on the day Ava's wedding announcement was made.

"I missed you," I said.

"I missed you too, Oli. You can't even imagine how much" he replied, hugging me tighter.

"I am here too." We pulled back when we heard Mia and pulled her in for a group hug.

"Come, let's go inside," Mike said when we pulled back. The three of us walked inside to a private area booked by Mike already.

Mia excused herself for she had to take a call leaving me and Mike behind. My and Mike's last conversation started playing in my mind when he had confessed his love to me and asked me for marriage but had turned down his offer. I felt uncomfortable when I found him intensely staring at me.

"How are things with you?" Mike questioned. His eyes showed a glint of concern for me.

"Same as before." I wanted to lie but couldn't. He was aware of some major life happenings of mine so there was no way he couldn't have been able to catch my lie.

"Why don't you think of my offer?" I was skeptical and reluctant to have the discussion we had six months ago at the ball.

"That isn't a getaway, Mike. You know it." Those were the exact same words I had used in the ball. He wanted me to get married to him. He was in a delusion that marrying him would solve my problems. What he was unmindful of was that my problems would follow me wherever I would go.

There was only one way to get away from my issues which was to escape the Parkers and I had been working on the plan for the last three months.

No one knew about it except Lia, my assistant. She was the one who was arranging things for my permanent departure from Amsterdam.

"But it's a probable solution." Mike had been trying to convince me. Even when he wasn't in Amsterdam but he would still call me and remind me of the offer once a week.

"I don't even love you."

"I am fine with only me loving you." I didn't want to use anybody just to get out of my situation. I have never been that shallow.

"What are you guys talking about?" Mia came back. I was hoping for her to not notice our grim expression.

"Nothing, Oli was telling me how much she missed pancakes made by me." Before I mess up like a klutzy Mike saved me.

"Indeed. She would always bring that into our daily conversation. When would you treat us then?" Mia asked.

"Whenever my pretty ladies want."

We talked, enjoyed our time. I was relieved that my phone wasn't with me otherwise I would have started getting calls from my house. House that never provided a feeling of home.

Like I had wanted I drank a lot when the bartender came with the drinks. Shots after shots and I was still yearning for more.

"I hateeee Ava Parkerrrr." I slurred. The alcohol had started showing its adverse effects.

"She is a bitchhhh," Mia added before we giggled.

"I am so happy she is getting married tomorrow to some rich egoist jerk." Mia continued further. I listed all Ava's wrongdoing like calling me a w***e and ordering me around, dating the guy I had a crush on back in college, and then dumping him in the end.

Suddenly, I felt bad for the man she was marrying. Even when he was rude like I have read and heard I was sure he wouldn't be a mean person like Ava. I hadn't stopped drinking when my eyes landed on two green dots at a distance, staring in my direction.

'Is that a ghost?' I mumbled but soon enough it was gone, sending chills down my spine.Olivia

I was squealing like a kid as if I received my favourite gift.

"I am saved now," I shouted. Fortunately, my cabin was soundproof otherwise the noise would have left the room. I was able to book Ray's appointment for Ava's wedding. The slots were empty and I couldn't thank God enough for helping me.

The session of self-loathing which was started because of my carelessness came to a halt when I received the news that Ray's slot was empty. Without wasting a single moment I booked it.

Ray couldn't even deny that, after all, the heiress of the Parker Industries Ava Parker was about to be her client, the queen the world admired.

"Why are you doing this?" Mia's question burst the bubble of my sheer happiness.

"What am I doing?" I was confounded. I couldn't get into my head what she meant.

"You should have lied that you couldn't arrange the hairstylist and put the blame on Ava."

"Why? Mia I know Ava  is an evil witch but she is getting married. I just can't ruin things on her most special day."

"I hate her." I sighed listening to her. Hate was a strong word. I did dislike Ava but hate for her wasn't in my dictionary. Though there were people whose existence I despised from the bottom of my heart.

"Let's not talk about her. Anyways, she is moving to New York with her so-called rich husband." I tried to distract her but I wasn't quite successful.

"As if things would change for you when she would leave." She was right. My best friend knew nothing would change for me. Things might even get nastier but I was trained for the same. I was used to living in hell. Actually, I had been living in the same since my childhood.

"I know nothing will change but I am happy." I lied. I had to as I didn't have any other option. I knew what happiness meant. I used to be happy for others but myself, I had no idea when was the last time I felt joyful from my heart. Maybe when I bought that red dress I presumed. That's why I got hurt when Ava asked me not to wear it. Well correction, she ordered me.

"Living like a slave makes you happy? Working in Parker Industries day and night, most of the time on weekends as well, gaining profits for the company. Does all this s**t make you happy? Living with people who don't give a s**t about you makes you happy?" Her every word, every statement was a slap on the facade I was used to wearing every day for the outer world.

She was the first person to know everything about me and the second was Mike, my other best friend. They both had been my constants since childhood. If I survived my darkest days it was because of both of them.

"Mia, I am fine. Let's not discuss this. I am ecstatic that Ava is leaving. How about we celebrate tonight?" I tried to comfort her. She was upset, not for herself but me.

"You would ditch me like every other time."

"I won't. I promise."

"I don't believe you." Well, I couldn't expect her to believe me instantly as I had indeed ditched her more than once in the past. Though it wasn't my fault entirely. I was never allowed to be out of the house for long. I was only allowed to be out for office and that too because I worked in our household's company. I was forbidden to work anywhere else.

"I am coming with you. Let's go out now."

"What? Are you sure? What would you say at home?"

"I would say that I went out for Ava's wedding preparations. No one would utter a word to me." Ava was working out for the first time in my life. She on that day had unknowingly become my lucky charm for the second time.

I was glad at least she proved beneficial for me in any way.

"Let's go then. Let me call Mike as well." she was excited. We went out and I asked Lia to inform my father that I left to prepare something for Ava's wedding.

I left my car back at the office as I had decided to come back to the office after clubbing. I had left my phone in the office cabin intentionally because I didn't want to spoil my mood. Only two types of people used to call me, one who loved me which were Mike and Mia with whom I was going to spend my time and the others were those who wanted to use me according to them. I wasn't in the mood to get used.

Out of blue, I had felt the intense urge to drink and celebrate. Also, I was aware after Ava would get married I would never get this golden chance.

Mia and I first went to a shopping mall to buy dresses. She was about to buy dresses for both of us. She bought a red velvet knee-length dress with a v-shaped neck while for me she chose a sleeveless V-neck satin black dress which was too short to even reach my knees.

"This is too short. I can't wear it." I denied it.

"Oh come on, it's a once-in-a-lifetime moment. We are partying after so long. Please wear it for me." Her consistent requests and puppy eyes left me in a dilemma.

"I don't think I can." I was terrified that if I got caught by someone from my family, I would die.

"I know you are insecure but you should try it. Remember back in college you loved these dresses." Those were the days when I had a little bit of liberty when I could breathe according to my will but that time was long gone. My face fell and I was downhearted at the mention of the old days.

"That time was different." My justifications weren't enough for my best friend. She didn't pay heed to my words and pushed me inside the trial room.

I changed into that dress and admired the girl in the mirror. I looked pretty but I wasn't even allowed to look pretty.

"Olivia, are you done?" Mia asked from outside.

"Yes." When I came out Mia gaped. Her look was enough to know she was buying that dress for me.

I didn't have a say but a part of me that was trapped inside wanted to enjoy, wanted to break all the obligations.

After we were done getting ready at her house, we drove to a club. It didn't take us more than twenty minutes to reach there from Mia's house. We found Mike waiting for us at the entrance only.

"Mike," I called before running towards him. I hugged him the moment I reached closer. It had been long since we met. The last I met him was a charitable ball six months back on the day Ava's wedding announcement was made.

"I missed you," I said.

"I missed you too, Oli. You can't even imagine how much" he replied, hugging me tighter.

"I am here too." We pulled back when we heard Mia and again pulled her in for a group hug.

"Come, let's go inside," Mike suggested when we pulled back. The three of us walked inside to a private area booked by Mike already.

Mia excused herself for she had to take a call leaving me and Mike behind. My and Mike's last conversation started playing in my mind when he had confessed his love to me and asked me for marriage but I had denied it. I felt uncomfortable when I found him intensely staring at me.

"How are things with you?" Mike questioned. His eyes showed a glint of concern for me.

"Same as before." I wanted to lie but couldn't. He was aware of all the life happenings of mine so there was no way he couldn't have been able to catch my lie.

"Why don't you think of my offer?" I was skeptical and reluctant to have the discussion we had six months ago at the charitable ball.

"That isn't a getaway, Mike. You know it." Those were the exact same words I had used in the ball. He wanted me to get married to him. He was in a delusion that marrying him would solve my problems. What he was unmindful of was that my problems would follow me wherever I would go.

There was only one way to get away from my issues which was to escape the Parkers and I had been working on the plan for the last three months. No one knew about it except Lia. She was the one who was arranging things for my permanent departure from Amsterdam.

"But it's a probable solution." Mike had been trying to convince me. Even when he wasn't in Amsterdam but he would still call me and remind me of the offer once a week.

"I don't even love you."

"I am fine with only me loving you." I didn't want to use anybody just to get out of my situation. I wasn't that shallow.

"What are you guys talking about?" Mia came back. I was hoping for her to not notice our grim expression.

"Nothing, Oli was telling me how much she missed pancakes made by me." Before I mess up like a klutzy Mike saved me.

"Indeed. She would always bring that into our daily conversation. When would you treat us then?" Mia asked.

"Whenever my pretty ladies want."

We talked, enjoyed our time. I was relieved that my phone wasn't with me otherwise I would have started getting calls from my house; the house that never provided a feeling of home.

Like I had wanted I drank a lot when the bartender came with the drinks. Shots after shots and I was still yearning for more.

"I hateeee Ava Parkerrrr." I slurred. The alcohol had started showing its adverse effects.

"She is a bitchhhh," Mia added before we laughed.

"I am so happy she is getting married tomorrow to some rich egoist jerk." Mia continued further. I listed all Ava's wrongdoing like calling me a w***e and ordering me around, dating the guy I had a crush on back in college, and then dumping him in the end. Suddenly I felt bad for the man she was marrying. Even when he was rude like I have read and heard I was sure he wouldn't be a mean person like Ava.

"But I pity that jerk," I confessed. Emotions of gloominess kept kicking in from the inside of me to come out and I started sniffing. Mike was trying to pacify me but soon after Mia started to cry because of me. I had to stop crying for her.

"Let's raise a toast to the rich, innocent fiance of my b***h sister," I yelled. Mia cheered for me and so did Mike.

I tried to get up to get to the dance floor but stumbled and fell on the couch I was sitting before beside Mike.

"Oli, you are very drunk." Mike held me steady. I laughed looking at his stern expression.

"I knowwww. I am sooooo drunkkkk." I slurred again and giggled.

"Let's get you home," he suggested.

"Noooo." I got up instantly. I didn't want to go back to the place which was a prison.

"I wanna dance." Wobbly legs of mine took me to the dance floor. Everyone was moving in my sight at three sixty degrees.

How? I had no idea.

When I looked up I found the ceiling staring at me. The ceiling had two eyes, he looked threatening. My index finger moved ahead and touched the ceiling.

"The ceiling is soft." I giggled. I was overwhelmed by my new achievement of finding a rare type of ceiling.

"Oli." I heard Mike who was coming towards me.

"Catch me," I yelled and tried to run. One step I took and I stumbled once more. Before my head touched the ground I found myself floating. I had clutched my eyes shut but had to open them when I heard, "Are you fine?"

I gaped when those green eyes of the ceiling came into my sight.

"The ceiling speaks." My eyes were widened. My hands palmed the cheeks of the ceiling. The ceiling's face was blank with only green eyes. I ran my hand around his eyes and touched something softer.

"Why can't I see your lips when my fingers can touch them? Am I going to be blind?" My heart ached and tears pooled up in my eyes. Before I could question the ceiling about the non-existence of its lips I started to feel dizzier and my eyes got closed.

When I opened my eyes I found myself tucked in bed in Mia's room. I wasn't in a state to go home. Mia told me she had lied to my family and let me stay at her place. I after a long time slept without fear, oblivious that the next day my life was going to be ruined forever.