Love Burns

Chapter 3

Quinton

"Good afternoon, Sir"

"Good afternoon, Charles" Charles is my dad's consigliere, his right hand man I would say. He's one of the few people in this company who work diligently and does it well. He is also my dad's brother. 

"Do you have the reports I asked for?"

"No sir, unfortunately we have lost all our reports from 20+ years ago during the digitization."

Dammnit. The more I try to find out about what happened to my mom the more frustrated I get. I've tried almost everything. Calling some of dad's top agents, looking for old reports-hell, I even even tried filing a police complaint, but all of them have told me the same thing.  Charles went on about the recent developments of the company which include one of our latest discoveries — pixie dust. Charles says that dad will hold the investor meeting soon, once all the effects of this drug are studied for one more month or so. Then suddenly, I hear my dad screaming. 

"Dad! What happened?"

"Nothing son, it's just that your brother Franco here, decided to fool around with Mr.Russo's niece."

I chuckle. Leave it up to Franco to lower your already sinking expectations.

"Quinton, this isn't funny. And Franco, tell me, WHAT THE HELL WERE YOU THINKING?"

"Dad, I SWEAR I didn't know it was Russo's niece. I was drunk and the lights were way too dark for me to see who anyone was"

"I don't care if it was a mistake or if the lights were too dark for you to see or whatever, we are on the verge of losing one of our most important clients, and it's all your fault."

"Dad I-" a loud slap cuts off whatever excuse he was gonna make. "I do not want to hear anymore of your excuses, OUT."

In the car, I couldn't think of anything other than the slap. For the first time, my brother got what he deserved. That should keep his mouth shut for a few weeks. Okay who am I kidding, that will keep his mouth shut for two days and then it's the same old shenanigans again.

- The next day 

The best part of my day has become going to school and watching Olivia in class. Even though she's a bit feisty, she's really pretty. With her light brown hair, her hazel eyes and her pale skin. She also looks so good in that damn uniform. She notices me staring and shoots me a glare. "Can you concentrate on the class instead of me, please" 

"Why? Are you feeling shy?" What am I doing? Why am I flirting with this girl?

"Maybe, if you payed attention, you would know that whatever she taught right now will be on the paper tomorrow."

"We had a paper tomorrow?"  Damnit Quinton, get yourself together.

"You're hopeless."

"Hopelessly in lo-" The stupid bell interrupts me.

"Thank god, I didn't have to hear the rest of that"  She says, smiling. I love her smile, and I love how she looks when she smiles. Her smile reminds me of my moms'. Bright and carefree. 

"Hey Olivia"

"Yeah?"

"Can you tutor me during break?"

"Um, sure okay, I guess"

I was counting down the minutes, the seconds even, for the break bell to ring. After what felt like an eternity, the bell finally rang and I saw Olivia sitting at the corner alone. Why is she sitting alone? Does she not have any friends yet? Also, Why do I care?

"Hi sweetie, Did I keep you waiting?"

She looks up from her book, in mock disgust, "Yeah, you did actually, is being late one of your best qualities?"

"How would you know about my qualities?"

"I-whatever, lets just get started, What topics do you have the most trouble in?"

"Everything"

"I'm serious, if you don't tell me, I can't help you."

"Okay fine, lets start with learning the reactions or something."

"Fine." As soon as she starts, I lose focus immediately. Her voice is as sweet as honey and her eyes. Her eyes, goddamnit. I could just stare at them all day. I did this for about ten minutes till she caught on, "Quinton De Marco, If you do not pay attention right now, then I'll never help you again."

"Okay ma'am, wait you have something on your face."

"What? Where?" 

"Here, let me get it." I wipe a few breadcrumbs off the side of her lips. 

"Uh, thanks.." She says, while her cheeks reddening. I'm glad to see I'm not the only one affected by our friendship. The lunch bell rings and she runs back to her locker, I catch up to her eventually, mind you, this little girl can run quite fast.

"What did you run off for?" I say, while trying to catch my breath

"Oh nothing, just thought I'd get my daily workout in, haha" She says while looking embarassed and I find it adorable. Adorable? What are you thinking Quinton? You don't even know her.

"Well, um, I gotta run for my next class, see you tomorrow! And good luck with the test! Don't forget what I taught you!" She flashes a big cheesy smile and runs off. That smile. That smile made me feel something in my stomach — and my heart. She's dangerous, extremely dangerous for me and my wellbeing. 

I reach home but I still haven't lost the smile since Olivia and I talked by her locker. Both my dad and my brother are shocked. I usually come back from school more pissed off than in the morning, I guess some things are just bound to change. They ask me if I'm okay and I assured them that everything is fine — more than fine even.  I told them that I'm going out for my afternoon run. 

While I was standing outside putting my earbuds on, I see a familiar figure. Is that...Olivia? It is. And she looks even more beautiful. Whoever made this particular set of athleisure needs a raise. The material clings onto her curves in the most flattering way and I'm stuck starring at her, as always till her voice brings me  back to reality.

"You again?" she asks, though her question makes it sound like she's irritated, she has a relaxed look on her face. If feisty Olivia, was a threat to my existence, Calm Olivia will send me into cardiac arrest.

"For your information, I live here."

"Wait, WHAT?"

"Why are you so shocked? Is it really that unbelievable?" I ask while trying to fight the urge to smile. 

"No, its just that it seems like a really weird coincidence." 

"Honey, nothing that happens between us is a coincidence." Who knew I'd be so poetic around a random girl.

"Whatever, I gotta finish my workout and go home and study for the test."

"Didn't you get your daily workout in at school?" I ask, flashing her one of my rare smiles which isn't so rare around her.

"Sorry what, I can't hear you! See you tomorrow!" Why do I find this adorable? Why do I like her? She tried to make me a creep on the first day we met. Weirdo. I hate that I keep running into her and I hate that my heart has a mind of its own around her. I continued on with my run, but with every lap, a certain brown haired hazel eyed woman appeared in my head. And it was driving me crazy.