Confessions and Olivia (Olivia #2) (11 page)

“Oh and by the way, if you defy me again and go to that ‘boy’ it will be his funeral.”

What! He can’t say things like that!

“You’re a cruel twisted bastard!” I shout as his disappears behind the door. “You can’t stop me from seeing him.”

“Yes I fucking can and I will.” He calls from inside his office. “Mayra!”

I turn to Mayra in despair.
“May, don’t go in there. Leave the house. I don’t trust him.”

Mayra pu
shes me to the front door. “Don’t worry about me. Go and see Calvin.”

"Will you be Okay?" I ask holding both her hands, worried about what he wants with her. He's already lashed out, what if he does it again?

She kisses my hands and urges me to go. "You know me. I’ll be fine. I’ll be at my momma’s for tonight Okay, now go before he spots you.”

I run upstairs to fetch my car keys. My priority is to get to Calvin. I need to see if he's alright.

I call his cell but he doesn’t answer. Where is he? Maybe he's staying at his old place if he's back. I think I’ll try my luck. I have no other choice.

Shit, if Mauricio sees my car has gone he will know exactly where I’m heading, so I decide to call a cab.

I shut my bedroom door to use my cell, quietly telling them the address of my neighbor’s home a couple of yards down so Mauricio doesn’t spot me getting in.

Once it's booked, I open the bedroom door and peer around. I don't want him spotting me leaving the house. I pull on my red duffel coat
over my jeans and a loose t-shirt and walk downstairs heading for the front door. My heart is pounding. The fear of Mauricio catching me sneaking out to see Calvin is scaring the shit out of me.

I’m on the last step when I hear someone coming out the office. I stop instantly in my tracks like a dear in headlights staring towards the door.

I see Mayra’s face and the sigh of relief is over powering.

"Jesus May, you scared the shit out of me. Everything Okay?"

"I’m fine. Like I told you, I’ll be at my mommas. Now go." She demands in a rush.

I give her a tight hug before I leave. I know she will take the brunt of this because she’s helping me out and I’m so grateful for her. "Thank you." I whisper.

"Go."

I rush out of my front door and run down my drive way. I get to the bottom and pass my car when I notice something laying on the ground. My heart sinks when I realize what it is. A beautiful familiar piece of Jewelery.
Calvin’s necklace.
I pick it up instantly feeling indisposed. The thought of the necklace and ring being ripped from his neck during a fight is too much. He will most definitely realize its missing.

I watch the cab pass my house and park outside next door. I quickly place the necklace into my coat pocket and run.

Sitting inside the cab, I give him Calvin’s address and tell him to hurry if it's possible.

"I can't go any faster than I’m aloud miss." Great, I couldn’t have had a grumpier cab driver if I had asked for one of snows whites men.

I stare out of the window ignoring him biting my nails out of nerves, tears welling up but I wipe then away immediately. Everything is getting on top of me. Why is everything so difficult in my life right now?

I’m hoping with all that I have, that Calvin will be home. If he is, 'Why' is he home? And why was Mauricio texting him pretending to be me? I have no clue as to why Mauricio beat him. What has Calvin done? I’m completely clueless. Mauricio cannot tell me who I can or cannot see. He can’t demand I s
tay away from Calvin. He’s insane.

I realize doing this, is going to change my life. I can’t go back home now, not ever. My home isn't a home any more. There is so many lies being thrown at me, so much pain. My own step father threatening me? What the hell is that about? Threatening to kill the man I love? Taking him somewhere to be beaten up for some unknown reason.

My mom is not the person I once knew and why isn’t she on my side? How can I live there for another moment? I can't.

I know Mauricio can be a bit drastic at times but this takes it to a whole new level. What the hell is going through his mind? He's turned into a lunatic. Where has the kind, charming caring man I once called father gone? I just wish I knew what was triggering it. Right now it seems to be me.

My mom on the other hand, I don't understand her reason for all of this. Surly she doesn’t know what Mauricio has been doing to me does she? Would she leave him if she knew? The pain stabs me in the back as I have a horrible feeling she wouldn’t.

What if I gave her an ultimatum? I can't see a possibility that she would choose me. But should I give her one anyway? I mean, can I even ask my mom to choose?

I’m not that sort of person, so I think it's just best if I stay out of their way, out of their lives. If I’m causing my family this much grief, I will willingly stay away.

Chapter Ten*

I get to Calvin’s apartment quicker than expected. My mind must have been miles away.

I chuck the fare in the front seat not saying anything. The cab driver mutters something under his breath as I get out but I don't take much notice.

I look u
p at his apartment tower sucking in a deep breath. Its feels strange looking up at where he lives after so many months.

I pull my red coat around me tighter cold from the weather, cold from my feelings. The sickening phase begins to overwhelm me all of a sudden. What if he doesn’t want to see me again? And why would he? I mean, what if he thinks I set him up? God no, I hope he knows full well I would never be a part of this.

I just need to do this for my own piece of mind. I need to see him. I need to explain what's happened and at the same time, demand to know what the hell is going on.

I walk into the building and spot Paul the doorman. He walks straight towards me taking his hat off briefly like he does but he’s surprised to see me.

"Miss Olivia?"

"Paul, it’s so good to see you."

"Likewise, Miss. Can I help you with anything?" Paul is kind and warm and his worried eyes feel for me. I can tell he senses the distress I’m in.

"Are you Okay
? Would you like to take a second to sit?"

"No thank you, Paul.
I just need to know if Calvin is home. I really, really need to see him."

"I see."

I wait. Wait for anything off him. Some clarification.
Anything.

Paul steps back behind his desk, and gives me a warm wink. "I didn’t see a thing, Okay?" and gestures for me to go on up.

I stand for a second, taking in the fact Calvin
is
home. He’s here, and I’m going to see him properly for the first time in months.
What the hell am I doing?

"Paul, Thank you so much."

"You’re welcome." He smiles, watching me with his warm kind brown eyes.

I step inside the elevator taking deep breaths, pressing in Calvin’s digits. I remember the first
time I came in here. I met Miss well-wishing bitch with her compact mirror. She was right, I did need luck.

My fingers are trembling as I fidget with the hem of my coat. I’m working myself up because I need to brace myself for whatever lies ahead.

Calvin is home and he might not want to see me. I can't bear the thought, when all I want to do is see him, at last.

Looking into the mirror that's inside the elevator behind me, it'
s no surprise I look terrible. I’m even paler than I normally am. My eyes look with-drawn and the dark circles underneath are hideous. I pull my hair in front of my shoulders trying more presentable.

Hell
, why am I bothering. I couldn’t care less what I look like.

The doo
rs ping open and I step outside into his small personal lobby. I try to stop my rapid breathes but it’s no use. My anxiety is building by the second. I think I’m afraid of being rejected again.

Slowly, I walk over to his front door, feeling light headed as soon as I’m about to knock.

I can do this
.

I’m about to knock with my knuckles hovering over the door when I pause.

Common, just knock the damned thing.

My own hand suddenly takes over and knocks it anyway.
Oh god, oh god.
Why am I doing this?

After a few seconds I hear someone cursing loudly behind the door. I almost want to make a run for it.

The door is opened by Calvin's brother Ashton. As soon as he sees me he stands ridged, his face is like stone. The blood rushes from my cheeks as his burning gaze slices into me. The look he's giving me would put the devil to shame.

I stand feeling ashamed and guilty of something I haven’t done.

"You! What the fuck are you doing here? You wana set my brother up and then come over here looking all innocent?" He looks me up and down cruelly.

I lose my voice
as the result of his bitterness. "I...I come to see if Calvin was alright. I had nothing to do with this Ashton I swear to you..."

His brows rise
as he laughs with a cruel tone to his voice not letting me finish.

"You wanted to see if Calvin’s Okay? Oh, he's fine don’t you worry about that. But if he sees you he won't be. I can't believe you’ve got the fucking gall to call here. Stay the fuck away."

He's about to shut the door in my face. No! I won't let him shut me out anymore. I came here for a purpose and I refuse to leave until it's served.

I stand my ground.
"I just want to see if he's Okay for myself. I won't leave until I do. I never set him up, how could you think that of me? Please, let me in."

As I talk to him my voice gets louder, hopefully Calvin can hear me if he's inside.

“What the fuck is your problem with me?" I add glaring at him.

As
hton looks at me in repugnance. "Trust me you wouldn’t want to know what my problem is."

"Just let me through." I force my
way past him before he has chance to stop me.

"Get the fuck out Olivia, we don’t want you here. Who do you think you are, barging i
n here like this? You wana fucking gloat? Is that it?" He shouts behind, following me inside.

"I will
leave when I’ve seen him." I yell back at him walking through the apartment.

I walk into the living room and halt to a stop when I see Calvin. All the pain and despair and love comes flooding back. It hits me hard, paralyzing me. There he is. The man I am in love with. The man that left me. The man I haven’t seen in almost five months.
I can feel my beating heart come back to life.

Calvin slowly stands from
the sofa as soon as he sees me. "Olivia?" he breaths, narrowing his confused blue eyes before they flash to Ashton. He stands in gray sweat pants and no shirt. As soon as my eyes hit his body and face, tears escape. I clasp my hand over my mouth to keep myself from sobbing as my throat closes up. His beautiful body is covered in bruises, all over his ribs and stomach. His gorgeous face is ruined by a sore bloody black eye. It's red and half closed with so many cuts.

The bastards
. I have an overpowering urge to kiss each and every one of his bruises on his body. His black eye. His cut jaw. I walk slowly towards him.

"Mauricio did this?" I whisper my voice not being able to go any higher, it's all I can manage.

I hate Mauricio’s fucking guts. How could he.

Ashton comes to s
tand in front of me crossing his arms. I don’t look at him, my eyes are glued to Calvin’s. He keeps looking at me like he can't believe I’m here.

"Mauricio?" Ashton scoffs.
“You think your step dad would get his fucking hands dirty? He just drove the car, dumped Calvin and his men and drove off."

"But I thought..."

"Why? Because that's what he said?" It's almost a shout, he's irritated by me.

I know I should have been prepared for him to take it out on me but now it's happening, I don’t think I could have ever prepared for it.

"No Olivia, your step dad left, like the fucking coward is he and you set him up."

Calvin gestures
for Ashton to leave it, wincing as he holds on to his ribs.

My stomach is in knots seeing him this way, but I’m getting angry from Ashton’s accusations forcing my attention away from him.

"I never set him up Ashton. Mauricio had my phone. I knew nothing about this."

"And you expect us to believe that?"

"I would never let anyone hurt Calvin, how can you say that?"

I look to Calvin pleading my case. He’s the only one I care about believing me. But Ashton doesn’t let him speak.

"Hurt him? You think Calvin looks bad? You didn’t see the others. That's why that motherfucker got three men to do
his
job. Two of the so called 'men' that were fighting Calvin are a fucking mess and eventually had to hold him back so the other one could beat the shit out of him. I turned up a while later after my instinct told me something wasn’t right and took him on. Then they left us, threatening to come back and finish the job. Who does that? I didn’t trust your texts from the start. But wait? You thought he couldn’t take on a man like Mauricio?" Ashton speaks with pride and that smugness both brothers hold.

"Calvin ca
n look after himself,” he adds. “You think just because he looks like this, that they won? Just because there was three of them...”

"And one of me?" Calvin laughs, finally speaking
up, continuing Ashton’s sentence. Looking at me, his features have turned hard all of a sudden.

"Olivia, you really underestimate me." He says turning away from me exasperated.

"Obviously." I whisper as tears stroll down my face. He turns right away to face me on a sharp intake. He must have spotted the pain I spoke with. He knows too well I’m not talking about him fighting the world.

His features
soften towards me, hinting compassion. "Olivia, please don't think little of me." He’s pleading with me not to think little of him?

He begins to walk towards me but I take a
measured step back. I don't know why, it's automatic. I think now that he's in front of me, the way he treated me comes flooding back and it’s still so raw.

"Ashton, can you leave us for a while?" He asks his brother not taking his eyes off me.

"You’re not fucking serious. Get her out of here."

Calvin yells a little at Ashton.
"Fuck, Ashton. Just leave us."

Ashton reluctantly leaves the apartment after looking at Calvin like he’s gone mad. He brushes past me forcefully, slamming the front door behind him.

I look down at the floor. It pains me to look at him. I love him so much and my feelings become more apparent seeing him this way. I feel so much pain but a different pain at the same time. I realize he doesn’t love me, that's why we were in this mess in the first place. That and the fact he probably hates me right now, especially after everything. If he was still mine, I’d take him in my arms and make it all better, but he's not and I can't.

His beautiful piercing ice blue eyes softly look into mine, but I have to look away. I thought I hadn't and never would forget how amazing his eye color was, but I’m stricken, and I realize I must have.

This is the Calvin I know. Not the murderous looking Calvin I saw when I walked in moments ago or the stranger that cruelly finished with me.

We stand in front of each other after what seems so long, like strangers it’s almost awkward. Not knowing what to say. But I quickly think of something.

"You need to put something on that eye, take the swelling down. Some ice?" I advise all of a sudden, the caring side coming out of me instinctively.

"It's not as bad as it looks." He murmurs shrugging not bothered. He takes another step towards me so I move out
of his way and head towards the kitchen. I have no idea why, but I’m frightened of what might happen if he gets to close.

I grab some ice and wrap it in a tea towel and take it to him.

"Here."

He shakes his head, motioning that he doesn’t need it. I sigh again
at how stubborn he is.

"Sit." I demand.

I stand with an ice pack in my hand and wait until he finally takes a seat on his bar stool.

I walk around the breakfast bar going towards him with the ice pack. I hold it in front of his face waiting for him to give me the go ahead.

"If you must." He gives in reluctantly.

“Hold still."

I carefully place it over the top of his eye lid. He winces a little. "Fuck that stings!" but I hold it on steady and chuckle slightly. He looks up at me raising his other eyebrow. "What’s so funny?"

"You, you’re a baby sometimes."

Being near him like this is harder than I thought it would be. I try to suppress my feelings or I will go into an emotional overload.
I came to see if he was Okay, then I’ll leave.

"Why can't you look at me Olivia?"

I shake my head and close my eyes. Isn't it obvious?

"I just… cant. Look at what they have done to you. You know I had nothing to do with it right?"

Tears have not stopped since the moment I saw him. He reaches up and wipes them away with his thumb. His touch sends shivers down my spine. It means so much to me. I lean my cheek into his hand cherishing the contact.

"Of course I do. I know you. Please don't over think this." He tries to ease my pain by tucking a loose piece of hair behind my ear, like he always does.
Did.

"But it's all my fault." I whimper,

"No it's not. Don’t say that." He shifts to face me. I look down at him puzzled. "Of course it's my fault. Mauricio did this to you. And all because...” I swallow the lump in my throat. "I’m in love with you."