OLIVIA FOX [Completed]

CHAPTER TEN

Thank you for reading.
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I wake up the next morning in Orlando’s house. In his bed. I know it is his bed because I have been in it. Because it has his scent. My head hurts and I feel this mild piercing pain in my eyes. I yawn. Goodness. My breath stinks. I get up from the bed. Almost reluctantly. What am I wearing? It’s Orlando’s t-shirt. What does this one say? ALL I NEED IS YOU. Jesus. Orlando.
I cannot remember what happened last night. I should not have drank too much. Orlando is not in the bedroom. I am guessing he is in the kitchen. I walk to the kitchen and he is busy. Cooking. Shirtless.
“Good morning.” I say. My breath really does stink. I am so glad I am not standing close to him.
“Good morning Fiancé. You must be hungry. Breakfast will be ready in a bit.” He says cheerily. It was impressive. How much he loved to cook. And how his dishes tastes so good. Wait. What? Fiancé?
“Why would you call me that?”
“You don’t remember? You asked me to ask you to marry me and I did and you said yes. So, we are engaged to be married.”
Goodness gracious. I remember.
“Orlando you do know I was joking right? I was under the influence of alcohol. Orlando I was drunk. I didn’t mean any of what I said.” He is looking at me like I am crazy.
“You do understand what I am saying right?” I ask.
“I will ask you to be my wife. Not just now. So you have nothing to worry about.”
Jesus.
“It’s nice by the way. Seeing you in something other than an expensive gorgeous dress. You are cute.” He made a face as he said gorgeous.
“Whatever.” I say smiling and rolling my eyes at the same time.
“Do you have an extra tooth brush?” I really need to brush my teeth.
“No. But you can use mine.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yeah. It’s totally cool.”
I look into the mirror as I brush. Orlando’s toothbrush in my mouth. Is this not what couples do? First, I am in his t-shirt. Second, I am using his toothbrush. Olivia, what’s next?
I am done brushing. Maybe I should take a quick shower too. I smell…Funny.

The food is delicious. So delicious.
“Where did you learn how to cook so well?”
“My mom. I was always around her when I was a kid. I picked up a thing or two. Somebody looks impressed. Be careful Olivia, you might just fall in love with me.”
“You wish.” Too late. I am already in love with you.
He smiles, showing his beautiful dental arrangement. “Did you get the nightmares?”
“No. I can’t remember anything after I vomited. I can’t remember sleeping. Wait did I vomit on you?”
“No you didn’t. I watched over you while you slept. To ward off any nightmares. You looked so peaceful. Best view in the world.”
I bit my lower lip. “And Carl?”
“He went back to your house last night. I told him I will take care of you.”
“And he accepted?”
“Yeah. I’m on his good side now.” Orlando blinks.
“Now why are you shirtless Mr. Orlando Baltimore. Are you trying to seduce me?” I place my jaw in my hand.
“Why? Do you feel seduced Miss Olivia Fox?” His eyes are inviting.
I chuckle.
Orlando starts clearing the table. I cannot let him do that. I do not want to seem useless.
“Let me do it.”
“No. Relax. I’ll take care of this.”
“I insist.” I insist.
I clear the table and wash the dishes and I join Orlando in the sitting room.
“Your phone was ringing all night. Whoever was calling is so persistent. I pick the phone up from the table. It’s Mable. She must have been so worried that I was not answering. I call but she does not answer. So I leave her a voice note.
“Hey Mable. I’m fine. Don’t worry about me. It’s a week already. Where are you?”
I drop the phone back at the table and I sit beside Orlando.
“You guys are close? Mable is it?”
“Yeah. She’s my best friend. I have known her almost all my life. She has always been there for me. Most times I really don’t know what I would do without her. Friends like her are rare.”
He kisses my fore head. “Now you have me.”
I smile. “The other day you asked me to show you something I did that nobody knew about and I showed you. It’s your turn.”
“Olivia.” There is a half smile on his face.
“What? Get up. Get up. Get up. Entertain me Mr. Orlando Baltimore.”
“Follow me.” He gets up and enters the hall way and opens a door. The room is empty except for a few canvases, a large table, a red couch and some brushes in a container.
“Wait. You paint?”
He nods.
“That is so cool.” I feel like a child all over again.
“Sit on that couch. Or better still lie by your side and support your head with your hand.”
I chuckle. “You want to paint me?”
“Yes princess. Now do as I said.”
“This is so exciting.” I say hopping.
I lie on the couch by my side facing Orlando just as he instructed. My head is supported by my hand. I am still wearing his t-shirt. My thighs are exposed.
Orlando starts to do things with the brushes. There are so many of them. Then paint. In a palette. I cannot wait to see the outcome of this. This man is so full of surprises. All I want right now is to make love to him. He finishes in a while and turns the canvas to face me. Unbelievable.
“it’s… I look…”
“Sexy?”
“Yeah. Sexy. This is beautiful Orlando.”
“I told you. You are sexy.”
I grin. “So nobody has ever seen you paint? Nobody has ever seen your painting?”
“No. It’s just you.”
“Why? Orlando this is beautiful. This is talent. You should really let people see it.”
“Why do you think I’m an architect? Painting is something I do for myself. It came naturally to me even as a child. Just like you say you have a connection with water, it’s the same for me when I paint. When I’m having a difficult time, I paint and I see solutions. I can’t share that with the world. I know it sounds fucked up but…”
“I understand.” I really do.
“So why did you show it to me?”
“Because you are special to me. Because with you, I’ve got absolutely nothing to hide.”
“I want to kiss you so badly.” I say in a whisper.
“What are you waiting for?”
I run to him and jump on him claiming his lips. Exploring the insides of his mouth with my tongue. He carries me to the couch and lays my back on it. My hands are around his neck and my legs are still circling his waist. I can feel his bulge.
“Make love to me. Now.” My voice sounds breathless.
He smiles his wicked smile. “Yes princess.”
Next thing I know, he is between my thighs. Moving. Straddling. My legs quiver as I come. And I smile in delight as he comes crashing on top of me.

I am back in my house. With the painting of me in my hands. I take it to the bedroom. Orlando is out. He has to work. I change into my clothes. My laptop. I go to it and decide to finally check my email. There are a lot of condolence messages. I delete all the them. Most of them without reading. There are some messages from work. I ignore those. I check my most recent mails. An invitation to a fundraiser. It is Mrs. Claire. I attend her fundraisers every year. I am not too sure I want to go this year.
Mable pulls up in the driveway. I hear the sound of her car and the sound of her shoes as she walks to the door. The door is not locked so she comes in. Oh boy. Am I excited to see her? I go to her and embrace her.
“You look good. You look amazing.” Mable says.
“Hi Mable.” Carl says to Mable.
“Carl.” She walks to him and gives him a short embrace. I and Carl exchange a knowing look.
“Welcome Miss Mable.”
“Thank you Laura.”
Something is wrong with Mable. I can sense it. She is trying to be cheerful but she cannot deceive me. The Mable I  know is always chirpy. Her chirpiness came naturally. She did not have to force it.
“What is wrong?” I ask her as we sit.
“Olivia. Why is it so difficult for me to be happy?”
“Mable you’re scaring me. What happened?”
“I had sex with my boss.”
I want to laugh. I really want to laugh. But that would be very insensitive. “What’s the problem? Last time I checked the guy was single.”
“No he is not. After the sex, he told me is getting married. I feel like the world’s greatest fool. Immediately we got back to San Jose, I quit my job. I can’t keep working there knowing I’ve fucked the man.” Mable starts to sob.
Oh my. This is more serious than I thought.
“Mable. The man is a dick. Don’t feel bad. Don’t cry. Please.”
“Is there a man out there for me? I fall in love with men who don’t want me and those that want me cannot be with me. I just want to be happy. Is that too much to ask?” She is sobbing hard and it is breaking my heart. I think of Carl. But I promised him.
“Listen to me. Any man. Any man would be lucky to have you. Have you looked at the mirror recently? You are beautiful. Charming. Funny. Sensitive. Resourceful. If I were a guy, I would totally do you.”
“Oh my God. Olivia shut up. I’m so straight.” She is laughing.
“If I were a guy Mable.”
She is still laughing.
“I’m glad you are laughing. There is a man out there for you. You just have to be patient.”
“And if he doesn’t find me?” she asks.
“Then we’ll grow old together.” I am teasing her.
“I love you Olivia. Always remember that.”
“I love you too. Not like I have a choice. I’m stuck with you.” I am laughing and I pull her into my arms.
“Shut up.” She says and she holds tightly.
I want to tell her all about Orlando. But not today. Not while she is in this mood.

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