I like this version of Olivia. A little unguarded and suggestive. Truthfully, I like the combative Olivia just as well, but a little champagne buzz suits her. I wasn’t at all sure how today would play out, given the circumstances of our union. Hell, given the circumstances of our last meeting when the tension between us in my office resulted in her knee in my crotch and my balls in my throat. Not to mention earning us a cleaning crew audience. If at all possible, I’d prefer for us to get to the point of nakedness without any injury this time, and if that means a little champagne-aided relaxation, I’m happy with that.
Our drinks arrive, and we both decide we prefer what we ordered for the other. I’m more than happy to let her fly high tonight even if she does tease me mercilessly for preferring the sweet-tasting concoction.
We talk about everything and nothing. Or nothing important, I should say. Despite our teasing, she accuses me of being reticent, which is the least of it.
‘We’re doing this the wrong way around,’ she murmurs softly. Her eyes glitter in the ambient light as she stares at the contents of her glass.
‘Is there a prescribed way to do these things?’
‘Well, yeah.’ She scoffs. ‘People tend to get to know each other first. You know, before getting married.’
‘Not always. What about arranged marriages? Besides, I tend to believe we should make our own rules. But feel free to tell me all your secrets.’
‘There’s not much to tell.’
‘I don’t believe that. What about school?’
‘I have a degree in communications.’ She shrugs like the topic doesn’t interest her.
‘Is the degree for talking?’
‘Ha. Very funny.’
‘I remember when you used to get a degree in an actual subject like science, humanities, or the arts.’
‘So old,’ she taunts. ‘I bet you don’t even use a calculator. You have an abacus, right?’
‘I’m much more holistic in my approach. I take off my shoes and use my fingers and toes.’
‘What happens when you get to the bigger numbers?’
‘I make everyone in the office take off theirs.’ As she laughs, I come to realise this is my new favourite sound. At least until tonight when my body will be over hers.
‘You find that amusing?’ I quirk a brow as though to suggest she’s laughing at my very existence.
‘Yeah,’ she replies on the breath of a sigh. ‘But that’s okay because it was always in my plan to marry an older man.’ If possible, my brow arches higher. ‘You know, so I can watch him die and stuff.’
Plates are cleared away, and more cocktails are served.
‘What were you like growing up?’ she asks. Elbow propped on the table, she cups her pink cheek in her hand, thoroughly animated. Though it could be the champagne.
‘Lonely,’ I reply in a moment of honesty that surprises me. ‘Mostly. My parents were older and not really interested in me. I went to boarding school at age eight and things improved.’
‘That’s, that’s awful. Boarding school was an improvement?’ she repeats tenderly. But there really is no reason for her sympathy unless it makes her feel better. ‘I can’t imagine what that must’ve been like.’
‘I imagine the exact opposite of your perfect childhood.’
‘I wouldn’t say my childhood was perfect.’
‘I don’t believe it wasn’t an idyllic experience.’
The way she conducts business says there’s an innocence about her. And innocence is the result of a lack of exposure to the real world. ‘I’m sure yours was a halcyon experience full of trips to the ice-cream store, teddy bears, and cuddles on demand.’ Because who could resist hugging her?Having her.There’s just something about this woman. Something enticing. Alluring. Something I can’t help but want to own. I’m sure my childhood sounds like a Dickensian novel in comparison, but I need to remember that, despite the way she’s looking at me, she’s here because I gave her no other choice.
‘Not so. I come from a broken home. My dad left when I was very young. I barely remember him.’
‘Daddy issues?’ I ask with a gleam.
‘Ha. You wish.’ She picks up her glass, though seems pensive for a beat. ‘My grandfather was a father figure for me. He owned a chain of drug stores until he retired. He was the best kind of man. Loyal and honest, he taught me the value of hard work. It’s to him that I owe E-Volve—his passing gave me the capital.’ She makes a noise that can only be described as disparaging. ‘I guess I didn’t pay enough attention to the advice he gave, or maybe I wouldn’t have fucked it all up.’ She takes a deep swallow, but I refuse to allow her to become maudlin.
