BITTER - Michael Gray.

THIRTEEN.

♛

Considering Ada's strict communist views about labour and work ethic, her house was fucking huge. Yes, Tommy bought and paid for it, but Ada was the one with sofas made out of smoking jacket velvet.

"Ada can I use your phone?" Michael asked. He was very on edge, always checking his watch and looking towards the door.

"Business first." Polly shut him down as she placed some files on the desk.

Even though he was chief of accounts, there was no real reason why Michael had to be there. He was supposed to be a witness, but he knew nothing about the papers Ada was about to sign. Olivia however, had spent many hours working with Millie making sure the finances were correct and wouldn't make the company go tits up.

"Michael stop looking at your watch. Olivia stop falling asleep." Polly didn't even need to look at the pair of them to know what they were up to. Michael was indeed checking the time, and Olivia's eyeballs were rolling in the back of her head she was so shattered. Michael quickly tucked his pocket watch away.

"Ada, whilst you're reading this, can I go and use your phone?" Michael persisted.

"No, you can shut up and pay attention." Olivia sighed as her eyelids drooped.

"Please?" He ignored Liv's comments and continued to push.

"Who's the lucky girl Michael?" Ada caught on, smirking at him.

"Her name is Charlotte and Michael cannot breath if he does not talk to her every two hours." Polly's sarcastic remark sent Liv into a fit of giggles. Ada and Polly were happy at the fact Liv was, she hadn't smiled properly in a long time.

"Phone's in the hall. Dial naught for the line." Ada laughed at his begging. Michael rushed off quickly, thanking Ada for letting him run up her phone bill.

"I don't like that Charlotte much." Polly lit a cigarette.

"Oh. Why not, I thought you loved her?" Olivia was confused. Everyone raved over how brilliant Charlotte was.

"She's such a pushover. Michael needs someone with a bit of tenacity." Pol sighed.

"Hmm. A bit like you Liv." Ada looked up from her papers with a wide grin.

"Don't you dare Ada Shelby...or is it Thorne?" Liv joked with Ada over her ever changing surname.

"I'm knackered." Olivia whined. On cue, a large yawn erupted from her, making the noise of a baby bear.

"Well, your bed is upstairs and on the left. Go sleep it off." Ada smiled.

"Night darling." Pol bid her goodnight.

Michael had booked the appointment. He leant on the table for support as he took in what he'd just done. It'd be done before he knew it. No worries.

Liv slipped out of the doorway only to crash into his firm body. They were still frosty with each other despite being in such close proximity all the time.

"God I'm sorry." Olivia manically apologized as she stressed. She didn't want to anger him anymore, he seemed on the brink.

"S'alright." He shrugged it off.

"How is she then?" Liv joked with him. Michael couldn't crack a smile even if he wanted to, he just wanted to crawl into bed and forget what he'd done.

"Night." He shoved past Olivia and slammed the living room door behind him. A large sigh came from Liv.

Making things decent between the two of them would be a lot more challenging than it seemed.

Olivia entered the large bedroom. It was the size of the square footage of the Watery Lane house all together. The bed could hold all of John's kids and him and his wife. The ensuite was a thing of luxury. Ada sure knew when to pick and choose her communism.

Liv flopped herself onto the bed. She couldn't wait to escape under the thick blankets and fall into a blissful sleep.

Ada had other ideas.

"Get out." Michael sighed as he came into the room.

"Get out." Olivia retorted in the same tone as Michael.

"This is my room. For the love of god woman let me go to bed." He groaned and tiredly rubbed his face. Whatever that phone call was about really knocked it out of him.

"No. This is my room. Go ask Ada." Liv took her shoes off and flung them into a corner.

"As you wish." Michael left. Olivia breathed a deep sigh of relief, she'd finally shook him off. Or so she hoped. But no, Michael was back again seconds later, this time with Ada by his side.

"Oh sorry you two. You're gonna have to share. Anyway I need to put Karl to bed and Pol's gone out so sleep well goodnight!" She shouted quickly as she ran away before either Michael or Olivia could protest.

"Your turn on the sofa I believe?" Michael took his coat off and chucked it onto a chair.

"Charming." Liv sighed, heading for the door.

"Lighten up. I was joking." He sighed.

"It's hard to tell. Work on the delivery, yeah?" She snidely smiled at him.

"Look. Just for tonight we'll be civil. We're both tired and want to sleep, I don't have the energy to take the piss out of you. Go to sleep." Michael started undressing in front of her.

The shirt was already off and the trousers were next. Liv stood there with her arms folded, taking the sight in front in. No complaints.

Michael slipped into the bed and switched the lamp off on his side of the room. Olivia gave in, she really didn't have the energy to fight even if it was her favourite past time. She undressed as well, but neatly folded her clothes up and put them on a chair nearby. Michael wasn't yet asleep, and managed to get a look at Olivia. Only a quick look, she caught on and proceeded to chuck an empty cigarette case his way.

"You're disgusting." She climbed into the bed next to Michael. Weird, this is oh so weird.

"Whatever. I'm going to sleep." He snapped at her. Their backs were facing at opposite ends of the bed. A millimeter further and Liv would've been on the floor.

"Yes, you said." She turned the lamp off. The room was pitch black even though it was only nine in the evening.

"You're a pain in the arse." He muffled from behind a pillow.

"Get used to it sunshine you're stuck with me."

♛

a/n: some biiiig shit is coming soon, for you to read it :) x