Exclusively Yours – Episode 6

                              

Olivia’s POV

Do you ever get that feeling like you could faint from hunger? No? Well, that was me. Ignoring the grumbling of my stomach, I watched as Riccardo signed the contract. A wide smile adorned his ridiculously handsome face, with a spark in his eyes when he looked at me.

I couldn’t help but wonder when he fell in love with me. I mean, I don’t have memory issues where I wouldn’t remember meeting him.

“Beautiful,” I heard him say.

I raised an eyebrow at him. “Huh?”

“You’re ten times more beautiful when you have thoughts running through your pretty little head.”

I swallowed and unconsciously took a step back. “Am I supposed to say ‘thank you’ to that?” My voice came out sassier than I intended.

Riccardo chuckled, shaking his head. “No, Sunshine. Never say ‘thank you’ to something so obvious.”

I tilted my head, confused and still hungry.

“If someone tells you, ‘you’re a girl,’ are you going to say, ‘thank you’ to that?”

“No?”

“Exactly.” His finger ran through his long, soft, curly brown hair. “Did you have breakfast?”

“Yes.” I lied through my teeth like a pro.

“Hmm,” he hummed lowly. “So, are you sick?”

“No!” I snapped. “Why all these dàmn questions?!”

It only took him two steps to reach me, his eyes gradually darkening. “Don’t yell. I hàte it.”

I rolled my eyes with a snicker. “And why the héck should I care about what you hàte or like?”

Riccardo chuckled almost evílly, a smirk stretching across his lips. “Olivia, don’t dare me.”

“And what if I do? What will you do?”

“For example, demolish the bakery and build a motel there. What do you think?”

He knows my weakness and plans on using it against me.

The smirk on his face remains unyielding as he tilts his head, waiting for my next response. His proud face annoys me to the point of contemplating thrówing him óut the window again.

“Fine, I’m sorry.”

“Good.” He said, turning to walk back to his seat but then turned back to me. I recoiled, leaning backwards. “Mind your language too. I already told you.”

“Can I go now?”

“No, sit. We need to discuss the wedding.”

No, I’m starving and I might actually pass out if I don’t eat something in the next ten minutes.

“We can do that later,” I tried to persuade him. “You must have things to do.”

He took his phone from his mahogany brown desk, did something on it, and then put it back down. “No, I’m not busy. Sit.”

I threw my head back, closed my eyes, and let out a groan. My stomach desperately cried out for food, and my body yearned for a warm blanket.

When I didn’t sit down, he stood up and walked towards me again. Taking my hand in his, he led me back to the sofa and gently pushed me into sitting.

I opened my mouth to say something, but a knock on his door interrupted me. The knocker, however, didn’t wait to be called in. The door opened, revealing a lady in formal dress. She walked to the table, dropped a bag on the table, and left.

Riccardo grabbed the bag and dropped it onto my lap. “Eat.”

I would have refused if I wasn’t on the verge of passing out. I glanced at the bag, then at him, and back to the bag before opening it to start eating.

“Thank you.”

                              ✷✷✷✷

I slumped heavily onto my sofa and let out a deep breath. My eyes scanned every corner of my living room, and another sigh escaped my lips.

I am exhausted, worn out, and cold. My body lacks the energy to move when I hear my phone ring. I remain in that position as tears stream down my face.

Why?

Why does all of this have to happen to me?

What did I do to deserve this?

I haven’t done anything wrong in my entire life, except for laughing when a child fàlls down. 

Is that why God is punishíng me?

I mean, how am I supposed to not laugh when it’s so funny?

Okay, fine. I’m sorry for laughing at those kids who féll, and I promise to do it less from now on.

I forced myself to get up from the sofa and sluggishly made my way to the kitchen to get a bottle of cold water. It soothes the ache inside me, and I let out another sigh.

                              ✯✯✯✯

≈THE NEXT DAY≈

I was abruptly woken up by the persistent ringing of my phone that I tried desperately to ignore. I shifted to a more comfortable and colder spot on my bed, hoping to continue sleeping, but then it rang again. I groaned and kicked my feet in the air before reaching for the nightstand to unplug it.

Unknown number?

Who could that be?

I was still contemplating who the person could be when a message popped up on my phone.

UNKNOWN NUMBER: Good morning, Sunshine.

I audibly hissed once I figured out who it was.

But wait, how does he have my number?

I didn’t give it to him.

Whatever.

I got up and headed to the bathroom to get ready for the day since the annoying calls had ruined my beauty sleep. Exiting the bathroom after my shower, I noticed my phone lighting up with another message.

UNKNOWN NUMBER: Remember, we have a date tonight.

ME: What if I can’t make it tonight? I have plans.

UNKNOWN NUMBER: Cancel them.

Does he think I’m his puppet that will dance to his tune?

ME: Is that a command or a request?

UNKNOWN NUMBER: Whichever you prefer, Sunshine.

To me, it sounds like a command, and I hate being told what to do by someone I loàthe.

ME: Maybe if you add ‘please’ to it, I might change my mind.

The ‘typing’ indicator appeared and disappeared before appearing again.

UNKNOWN NUMBER: Will you please cancel your plans?

That’s more like it.

ME: I’ll think about it.

UNKNOWN NUMBER: Thanks. Save my number.

How does he know that I haven’t already saved it?

Does he have cameras hidden in my house?

Is he watching me right now?

UNKNOWN NUMBER: No, I don’t have any hidden cameras in your house. I just know what you’re like.

Yep, he definitely has cameras in my house.

Créep.

ME: You creép me out.

UNKNOWN NUMBER: I love you too.

For the love of Jesus, save my soul.

TBC 📖✍️