Only if you know (Book 1)

Chapter 6

Olivia was in a pleasant mood. Not because she was beaten up, but because she met Cameron the day before. His innocent expression always makes her smile. Of course, she cannot support him financially and emotionally, but she can be a better and stronger person for him. He is the only person she has left who is of her own blood.

      She went downstairs and sat with the Knights' family with great enthusiasm. 

      “You look happy today,” Eliana said, smiling. “And you’ve done a good job covering that bruise.”

      “Yes,” Olivia replied with a faint, polite smile. “I feel better now. I don’t want people to think I’m clumsy.” Her tone was light, practised. It was the kind of calm that hides a lifetime of chaos.

      “Are you going somewhere?” William inquired.

      “Uh, yeah… just for a walk. I need some fresh air,” Olivia said quickly, trying to sound casual.

      “Well, that will be good for you,” William said, smiling.

      “I hope so.” She murmured, taking a bite of toast and sipping her orange juice before anyone could question her further.

      She’d learned to eat quickly, not out of hunger, but to avoid attention. Her body had long since adapted to small portions; large meals made her sick now.

      After breakfast, she grabbed her bag and left. It took her fifteen minutes to reach her destination. When she pushed open the creaky wooden door, the smell of old paper and coffee wrapped around her like a hug.

      “Hello, Grams.” Olivia smiled and greeted her.

      “Livy dear?” The elderly woman’s voice trembled with surprise and delight. “It's so good to see you again after all this time.” Grace, the owner of the small library, hurried toward her and pulled her into a warm embrace. 

      Olivia smiled, truly smiled, for the first time in days. This library had been her childhood sanctuary. Her mother used to bring her here every weekend, and Grace had treated her like family. That is why Olivia still called her Grams.

      They talked for hours. Olivia told her about returning to town, leaving out the painful parts, and asked if she could work there part-time.

      Even though Olivia has a substantial inheritance in her account, she refused to spend it. She doesn't want to rely on it, and she especially doesn't want to burden Eliana and William with it. She already owes them a great deal. And, to be honest, all the money in her bank account is for Cameron, her little angel. He will be able to use it once he's grown up. She is already irreparably damaged, and the money will be a waste if spent on her. Cameron deserved to have it.

      Olivia was ecstatic to learn that she now had a part-time job here, but it would not begin until next week. Her shift will be after school at 4 p.m. On Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays. She is also free to work extra hours if she so desires. And she undoubtedly will be spending a lot of time here. Perhaps seven days a week. She isn't bothered by it. It's the best way for her to get away. She does not wish to remain free. It's the only way she can get away from her demons. She just needs to finish high school, and she will be out of here. She only needs to wait until she reaches the age of eighteen, at which point she will be able to leave Knights and Rosewood for good.

      She stayed until five, helping Grams sort the shelves and sharing a simple lunch. Grace insisted she eat more, so Olivia pretended she’d had a large breakfast. The lie rolled off her tongue effortlessly. 

      Later that evening, she took the bus to see Cameron. The moment she saw him, every ache in her body eased. She had spent around an hour with him before returning to the Knight's house at nearly eight o'clock. They were very interested in where she went. She had texted Eliana earlier, explaining she’d met an old friend and wouldn’t be home for lunch. It was another small lie, harmless and necessary. Olivia was still hesitant to tell them about her job, so she kept her mouth shut.

      During dinner, Eliana and William mentioned they’d be leaving for Pelican City that night. William for a medical conference, and Eliana for a fashion show. That meant Olivia would be alone with Caleb.

      And then, before she could process it, they were gone. She barely made it to her room before Caleb barged in, his face tight with anger.

      “Where were you?” he demanded.

      “Wait, what?” Olivia was baffled.

      “I asked where the hell you were all day.” He said again, a little slower this time.

      “I was out.” She said cautiously.

      “No shit, Sherlock!! Could you maybe be more specific?” He was staring her down with a death glare.

      “I, uh, I went to—” She began, but Caleb’s harsh words cut her off.

      “Just save it. You must know that I don’t care where you went, but please stop making my parents worried. Just leave from here. Don’t come back anytime soon. You can do whatever you want. Disappear, for all I care. But stay away from my parents. Don’t drag them into your chaos. They’re not your parents, who would put up with your bullshit. So do yourself and us a favor and leave before you hurt them.”

      He turned to go, but paused at the door, voice cold and final. “And one more thing. Stop using my parents’ money for your shit.”

      Then the door slammed.

      Her day couldn’t have ended better. Note the sarcasm. All these words were not new to her, so why does it hurt so much? Why the bloody hell? She cannot be feeling anything. She isn’t allowed to.

Only if he knows the truth.

Only if he knows. 

      Olivia reasoned that she deserved it. That she was a disgrace to the universe. She only needs to think about her strategy now. If he wants her out of this house, he will get exactly what he wants. She had no intention of intruding, but she had been doing so recently.

In his room, Caleb paced restlessly. ‘Damn it. Why the hell am I feeling so bad?’ Caleb pondered. 

      Yes, he was irritated that she had been gone all day to who knows where. His parents have been worried sick. It’s like a re-enactment of that day. They were overjoyed that Livy wasn’t high and was still alive. They didn’t tell him that they were concerned about the drugs, but they didn’t have to. He knows them. After all, they are his parents.

      When she returned home, he was infuriated. He was boiling with rage when his mother and father informed him that they would be leaving for a business trip in three days and that he would be alone with her. Livy went to her room after they left.

      Caleb had been pacing in his room for some time, but his fury grew stronger by the minute, so he went into her room. He vented out all of his anger on her. He told her everything that came into his head. But the scariest part was that she was terrified. With each word he said, she shook and flinched more and more. She stood there like a rock, not letting a single tear fall from her eyes.

      He didn't realize what he said to her until he came back to his room. Heck! He doesn't even want to remember it. He had no intention of telling her anything. He never aimed to go so far, but his rage got the best of him. 

      He must exert control over. He never had anger issues, so why does she always get the worst of him?

      Caleb sat on his bed after taking a deep breath. He hoped he wasn't too harsh on her.

      Only if she is aware of what she is doing to him.

Only if she knows.