The Billionaire Darkness

Chapter Forty-Six

Olivia Thorne

I sat up in my room listening to music, and not really wishing to leave my room.

I had gone through this cycle of waking up, showering, getting dressed, walking to school to clear my mind—something my mom had said I could do until it gets cold in early January like it did every year. Get through my classes, talk to my friends with a smile on my face, and walk on  eggshells with Demetri who had seemingly become more closed off and distant.

I respected boundaries but normally the need for space and time alone is brought up between close friends, trusted family, and especially our partners.

There are exceptions, I was just unaware I was one.

As the song changed, I heard my phone vibrate scooting a millimeter or so along my window sill, the light flashing up and reflecting my background onto the window. Picking it up and moving my laptop to sit on my calves I turned on the phone screen to see a message from Demetri.

Demetri

Hi Oli I was wondering if you wanted to come to my house for a little bit
Received 4:13

My mom is home she could drive me

Read 4:14

That works or I could come get you
Received 4:15

If you want
Received 4:15

The fact that was an afterthought says a lot.

A piece of me knew that I shouldn't, that it wouldn't be good if I went but still, I ignored the feeling in the pit of my stomach as paranoia and unjustified nervousness.

Sure, that works

Read 4:16

Perfect be there in five
Received 4:17

Okay

Sent 4:18

Setting my phone back down I walked across the room to my closet I pulled on black slightly ripped jeans, and a long-sleeved black crewneck that had holes for my thumbs, and a larger grey shirt.

Semi satisfied with what I had done I walked downstairs and slid on my shoes which my mom noticed as she sat in the living room doing teaching because she worked for NYU which I was going to attend in a few years for Med School.

At least that's the plan.

"I'm going to Demetri's for a little bit, I'll message you when I leave, and if I'm not home by ten send out the hounds, or call my friends they'll hunt me down knowing Paris," I say and my mom laughs nodding slowly.

"That girl is crazy is all the best ways," my mom says.

"I know," I say cracking a small smile that felt foreign to me. The action felt foreign.

Then I heard Demetri's car pull up to the curb and I opened the front door.

"Bye mom," I call before slipping out the door.

"I love you Olivia," she calls back right before the door shuts.

I love you too.

Walking down the steps I opened the door to the Camaro and got inside, and immediately feeling tense, even as I buckled my seat, placing my bag between my legs on the floor.

"Hi Oli," he greets with a smile that like usual seemed forced, almost painted on then genuine, and it didn't do anything but increase my unsettled feeling.