“I wish I could be there with you, Liv,” Avery confessed, her voice tinged with regret. “But this opportunity, it’s something I can’t let slip away. I hope you understand.”
Olivia nodded, even though Avery couldn’t see her. “I do, Avery. I truly do. Pursue your dreams and know that I’ll always be cheering you on from here. Who knows? I’ll surprise you on set soon.
“Alright I’ll see you soon, are you going to work today?”
“Roman said I didn’t have to. So, I’ll just find my way to our restaurant.”
“Wouldn’t that be lonely?”
“No, maybe. I just need some time alone now.”
“You do you.”
***
Olivia sat alone at the familiar table in their favorite restaurant, savoring the warmth of the hot chocolate as it slowly eased away the remnants of the day’s worries.
She took another sip and sighed, deeply relishing the taste.
As she took another sip, her attention was drawn to a woman who had just entered the restaurant. The few patrons focused attention on her, murmuring.
She was undeniably stunning, exuding an air of confidence that demanded attention. But something about her demeanor, a snide look on her face, piqued Olivia’s curiosity. She realized she recognized her; it was the same woman from the party on the first week of her internship.
The woman approached Olivia’s table, a mocking smile playing on her lips. “Well, well, look who we have here. The middle-class girl who thinks she’s fit for someone like Roman.”
Startled by the unexpected confrontation, Olivia blinked, trying to comprehend the situation. “I’m sorry, do I know you? We’ve met before, haven’t we?”
“I’m Scarlett.”
Scarlett’s eyes narrowed, her tone dripping with disdain. “Oh, no, my dear. We have met. I’m just here to remind you of your place. You’re nothing more than a temporary distraction for Roman.”
Confusion mixed with rising anger coursed through Olivia’s veins. She couldn’t understand why this Scarlett woman seemed intent on attacking her. “I don’t know who you think you are, even though we have met, but Roman and I have a genuine connection. Your assumptions are misplaced.”
Scarlett laughed mockingly, her voice cutting through the air. “Connection? Please. He’s just using you to fill a void until he gets bored, and then he’ll discard you like the middle-class girl you are.”
Attempting to mediate the situation, Olivia’s voice remained surprisingly calm, though anger simmered just beneath the surface. “Look, I don’t know what your problem is, but it’s clear you have some issue with Roman. Whatever it is, it doesn’t give you the right to harass me.”
Scarlett’s eyes gleamed with a mix of contempt and amusement as she reached out and tipped over Olivia’s hot chocolate, causing the warm liquid to spill onto Olivia’s sweater.
Olivia gasped, and before she could confront her, Scarlett slinked away.
“Are you alright, ma’am?” A concerned waiter hurriedly approached Olivia’s table, armed with napkins to clean up the spilled hot chocolate. Olivia nodded, forcing a faint smile despite her quickened heartbeat.
“Thank you, I’m fine. Just a little surprised.”
A woman seated at a nearby table, who had been silently observing the entire confrontation, chimed in. “You don’t recognize her? She’s Scarlett Devie, his hung-up ex. She’s been causing trouble for Roman ever since they broke up.”
Olivia’s eyes widened in realization, connecting the dots. The pieces of the puzzle fell into place.
The hints of bitterness in Scarlett’s words and the venomous jealousy behind her actions. It suddenly made sense; even the snide conversation she had when they first met, she understood now.
Taking a moment to gather herself, Olivia turned to the woman. “So, she’s Roman’s ex? I had no idea. But why is she doing this? What does she hope to achieve?”
The woman shrugged sympathetically, offering her a napkin. “Some people find it hard to let go, especially when they’ve had a deep history. Scarlett most likely still harbors feelings for Roman and seeing him move on with someone else threatens her ego. She wants to create chaos, to make him question his choices. He’s the kind of man you should stay away from till the crazy woman in his life leaves him completely.”
Olivia sighed, a mixture of frustration and determination settling within her. She wondered what Roman felt for her now.
“Well, I…I’m not dating him .”