TO HAVE & HAVE NOT

49

Olivia

"What was that about between you and Tommy? He didn't say anything, did he?" I inquired, my brow furrowed with concern as we settled into the cozy atmosphere of Johnny's living room later that evening. The soft glow of the lamp illuminated the space, casting warm shadows that danced upon the walls filled with framed photographs and eclectic artwork.

"No, darling, don't worry about that," Johnny reassured me, his tone light and breezy as he leaned back into the plush sofa, a playful smile curling on his lips. "He was just giving me a tour of the place, and we stumbled into that room—I thought it was magnificent." Despite his upbeat demeanor, a nagging intuition whispered that perhaps there was more to the story than he was letting on.

"Are you sure?" I pressed, my voice tinged with unease. "You would tell me if he said something out of line, wouldn't you?" I searched his eyes for any hint of dishonesty.

"Yes," Johnny affirmed, lightly squeezing my hand, his touch warm and grounding. "But enough about all this. I want to revisit that comment you made earlier." His expression transformed into one of mischief as I felt a rush of heat creep into my cheeks.

"What comment?" I asked coyly, trying to feign innocence while I mirrored his smile, shifting closer. Johnny's strong hands settled on my waist, pulling me into him until my body melded against his, the warmth radiating between us intoxicating.

"Remember when Finn caught us kissing, and you said that we'd done enough practicing?" Johnny teased, his voice low and filled with playful intent. "Or maybe we haven't."

"Oh, now that you mention it, I do recall that comment," I replied, pretending to ponder the memory, my heart fluttering at the idea of our shared secret.

"Yeah?" Johnny queried, his eyebrows arching. "I was hoping..." His voice trailed off suggestively, leaving the air thick with unspoken possibilities.

"What were you hoping?" I challenged softly, leaning in closer until our lips almost touched, the playful tension electrifying the space between us.

"Come," Johnny implored with a spark of excitement in his eyes. He stepped back slightly, his hand clasping mine firmly as he tugged me toward his bedroom. "Let me show you."

Johnny and I made love often, our bodies entwined in a dance of passion that was both exhilarating and comforting. The magnetism between us was intense; it surged like an electric current through our veins, making it nearly impossible to keep our hands off one another. Each touch ignited a fierce desire, and each stolen glance was heavy with unspoken promises. The chemistry we shared was not just strong; it was an intense force that pulled us together like planets caught in each other's gravitational pull.

Just a few short days later, the world changed its focus to the glittering spectacle of the Oscars. With the bright lights and the promise of dreams coming true, it was a night everyone looked forward to. Johnny looked striking in his suit—carefully chosen from the costume department of the film set. I, on the other hand, had decided to wear a dress that held a special place in my heart: the infamous blue sparkly dress once worn by Lauren Bacall on the red carpet. It shimmered under the lights and seemed to echo the glamour of a bygone era. It was classy yet bold, and I felt like a million dollars in it. Johnny shared my enthusiasm, his eyes lighting up the moment he laid eyes on me.

"I love you in that dress," he said, his voice laced with sincerity as we settled into the plush confines of the limousine. Our hands intertwined tightly, fingers laced together as though they were two puzzle pieces that fit perfectly. I leaned my head against his shoulder, feeling the warmth radiate from him, and I realized at that moment how deeply intertwined our lives had become.

At 21, I was still discovering the depths of love and connection. Despite my young age, I had never truly loved anyone before. My past relationships felt more like practice; they were fleeting and surface-level, especially with Carlos, whose public declarations of affection hid an empty reality. With Johnny, everything was different. I loved him profoundly, unapologetically. From the mischievous grin that played on his lips to the genuine kindness reflected in his eyes, I adored every part of him. Most importantly, he made me feel secure—something I had long craved after living in survival mode for what felt like an eternity. In his presence, I felt free, ready to embrace the brighter future in front of us.

The vehicle came to a stop, and the door swung open, letting in a blast of flashing lights and cheers from the eager crowd waiting outside. As we stepped out, Johnny gently took my hand, helping me navigate the chaos that erupted around us. The air was electric, crackling with excitement as fans shouted our names and cameras clicked frantically, capturing every joyous moment. Johnny offered me his arm, and I wrapped mine around it, feeling a swell of pride to walk beside him down the iconic red carpet. We paused frequently, smiling brightly and waving at the fans who cheered us on, basking in the attention that came with the night.

As we approached the entrance to the grand hall, an event worker guided us to our table, number 2B. It was a surreal moment—Johnny and I both nominated for Best Actor and Best Actress, and our film garnering numerous accolades as well. In past awards shows, my heart would race with the desperate need for validation, to prove myself as a worthy actress to the world. Yet this time, all I wished for was Johnny to take home the award. He deserved it, and I felt an overwhelming sense of pride in sharing this moment with him.

But as we walked toward our designated table, the excitement I had felt moments earlier began to fade, replaced by a sinking feeling in my stomach. There he was—a familiar face that threatened to unravel the happiness we had built. Sitting casually at our table, with a grin wide enough to draw attention, was Leo. My heart sank.

"Johnny! How's it going?!" Leo exclaimed, his voice booming with enthusiasm as he turned to face us, a huge smile plastered across his face.

"Leo, hey!" Johnny responded, his tone warm and friendly. The innocence in his expression struck me—he had no idea about the tangled web of history that lay between Leo and me. It was a secret I had no intention of revealing. "Didn't know you'd be sitting with us. But good thing you are! It's been a minute."

"It has," Leo replied, leaning in for a hug. "Doing well? Ready to win?"

"Oh, I don't know about that. But I'm doing good," Johnny said, his voice steady and confident.

"And Olivia, nice to see you," Leo added, his gaze shifting to me.

I felt like a deer caught in headlights. My heart raced as I stood frozen, trying to don the mask of professionalism I had trained myself to wear. After all, I was an actress, expected to put on a performance even if my heart was racing. "Yes. It's... it's good to see you too," I managed to say, forcing a smile that I hoped was convincing enough to mask the turmoil brewing beneath the surface.