CHAPTER SIXTY-FOUR

**OLIVER**
The cool, evening breeze blew against my face as I followed closely behind Gabriel as we walked through the festival, my face aching from the permanent smile on my lips. The sweet aroma of food drifted up my nostrils and caused my stomach to rumble, reminding me that I was yet to have my first meal of the day. I watched Gabriel as he interacted with everyone, and a slow smile spread across my lips at his childlike excitement, and the keen way in which he introduced me to everyone. I smiled to myself as I watched him dance with the elderly woman, twirling her lightly and laughing loudly. He looked happy. He looked free. It was unfortunate that the same couldn’t be said for me.
My eyes subconsciously swept the gathering, my heart pounding loudly in my chest as I sought the face of a particular individual. A part of me prayed incessantly that I wouldn’t find her, that somehow, by some stroke of luck, she disappeared into thin air, never to be seen again. And another part of me was hoping that she was present at the gathering, that part wanted to see her pretty brown eyes, and enjoy the way her lips always curved up in a seductive smile.
I swore under my breath and lifted my glass to my mouth, downing the liquid in one go, and wincing as it burned down my throat. I looked into the distance, my mind lost in thought, wondering through the world of possibilities, so much so that I didn’t realize that Gabriel had returned to my side and was speaking to me. His gruff hands on my shoulder brought me back to reality.
“Are you okay?” He asked, his eyes reflecting a warm and concern that I was all too familiar with…that I had come to love.
I smiled and nodded. “Of course, I am!” I said, trying my best to sound enthusiastic. “It’s a beautiful party!”
The way he smiled, and his hand reaching up to cup my face told me my lie wasn’t believed. Far from it.
“Oliver…you know you can talk to me about anything, right?”
I nodded. “I know, my love. But there’s nothing to talk about. Rest your horses.”
Gabriel nodded his head, even though the look in his eyes told me that my story wasn’t believed, and in different circumstances, he would push further. My stomach growled and Gabriel laughed and leaned in to kiss me.
“Let’s go get you something to eat. You must be starving.”
I took him by the elbow and shook my head. “No. I’ll do it myself. Just go out there and have fun.”
His eyes searched mine, as though searching incessantly for something, and the way he sighed loudly told me he didn’t find it. Finally, he nodded. “Fine. Take care of yourself, okay?”
I nodded. “I will. I love you.”
Gabriel smiled brightly, his eyes twinkling with love and happiness. “I love you too.”
I watched as Gabriel went back into the party, smiling and chatting with everyone, and drinking and dancing. I sighed and headed for the buffet, and my mouth watered as I beheld the different foods and snacks on display. I settle for a doughnut and sigh as I but into the delicious dough. As my jaw worked, I stared at the peaceful ocean and thought about life as I knew it, and how life would be if Gabriel was ever brought abreast of all that was happening.
“I was beginning to think I would never catch you alone.”
My jaw froze, and I swallowed hard, wincing against the lump as it went down my throat, I didn’t need to turn to know who was behind me. Her voice like a melody was enough indication, her scent drifting up my nostrils and eliciting sinful thoughts.
“You don’t want to look at me, Oliver?”
I sighed and slowly turned around to her, regretting the action as soon as I did. Carrie was dressed in a daring red dress that stopped at mid-thigh and hugged her figure, with a spaghetti strap and sweetheart neckline that highlighted her cleavage. She looked divine. I drew my eyes away from her body up to her face, the small smirk on her full red lips and the glint in her eyes telling me my wandering eyes hadn’t gone unnoticed.
“Hello, Carrie,” I greeted. “Beautiful night, is it not?”
She looked up at the dark skies and then back at me. “Yes, it is. You didn’t answer my question.”
“Which was?”
“I had asked you why you wouldn’t look at me. Is it because you don’t like my dress?” She asked solemnly, the mischievous glint in her eyes betraying the solemnity in her voice.
My eyes subconsciously strayed down to her body again, and my breath whooshed out of my lungs. She had the body of a goddess. My eyes immediately traveled back to her face, to the repression that now teased me.
“No,” I answered firmly. “I don’t like it.”
Carrie shifted on her feet and pouted. “That’s too bad,” she said. “I had worn this for you.”
I took a deep breath and let it slowly put through my nose, frustration settling comfortably in my gut.
“What exactly is your problem?” I asked.
“What do you mean?”
“What exactly is it you want?” I hissed.
Carrie’s eyes ran the length of my body seductively, her eyes lingering in very suggestive places.
“I want you,” she replied. “Is that too much to ask for?”
“Yes. Yes, Carrie. What about your cousin, Gabriel?” I hissed through my teeth. “What about you? Do you not feel shame for what you’re doing?”
Carrie threw back her head and laughed hysterically, finding amusement in the ungodly situation she had put us in. Her laughter rang out, loud and unrestrained, echoing through the space and cutting through the tension like a knife. It was as if she reveled in the chaos around us, completely oblivious, or perhaps uncaring, about the turmoil she was causing.
Her joy was contagious yet infuriating, causing a few heads to turn and investigate the source of her raucous laughter. I could feel my cheeks flush with a mix of embarrassment and anger. How could she be so callous? Did she find this all so funny? The more she laughed, the more I felt my irritation simmering to the surface, the urge to confront her growing stronger with every passing moment. “I’m just a simple woman, Oliver. Don’t make me out to be this terrible, wicked wench. I see a man I like, and I want him in my bed.”
“What about Gabriel?” I asked again. “That man calls you sister.”
“Gabriel is a big boy. Besides, he won’t know if we don’t tell him.”
Her eyes held mine, pinning me to the spot as I got lost in their depths, round and brown, while my mind still reeled from our earlier conversation. I couldn’t help but wonder how she could be so comfortable, so unfazed by the chaos she was creating. Did she have a score to settle with Gabriel? The thought nagged at me, twisting in my gut like a dark cloud.
What was her endgame? The confidence she exuded felt calculated, as if every word and smile was a piece in a larger puzzle that I couldn’t quite see. The way she interacted with Gabriel, so casual and affectionate, stirred an unsettling mix of suspicion and jealousy within me. It was clear that there was more to her intentions than met the eye, and I found myself desperate to uncover the truth behind her facade. Or maybe…just maybe…
“The goddess put you up to this, didn’t she?” I asked, suspicion heavy in my voice as my eyes squinted into slits.
Carrie cocked her head to the side and looked at me in confusion. “What goddess?” She asked.
I smiled wryly, her act was almost convincing. Almost. But I refuse to believe that she would do this on purpose.
“You’re a terrible person.”
She simply shrugged, unbothered by my statement and the gravity of the situation. Her indifference only fueled my anger further, intensifying the frustration simmering within me. It was infuriating to witness her casual dismissal as if nothing I said mattered at all.
I could feel my frustration bubbling over, the heat rising in my chest as I tried to comprehend her complete lack of empathy. How could she stand there, so relaxed, while I was grappling with a storm of emotions? It was infuriating to witness her casual dismissal as if my feelings and the implications of her actions meant nothing to her. Each second that passed only deepened my resentment, pushing me closer to the edge. I knew I needed to confront her, to challenge her apathy, but the words caught in my throat, choked by the mix of anger and disbelief.
“Oh please, stop being so self-righteous,” she said, waving me off dismissively. “Let’s not play coy here.”
“What…”
“You want me,” she stated. “You want me on you, under you, bent over in front of you. You want me.”
As she spoke, I felt my pants tighten as my brain coughed up visuals she forced my mind to curate.
“Why are you punishing yourself?” She asked as she stepped closer to me. Too close for comfort.
“Get away from me,” I whispered weakly, enjoying the scent of her sweet perfume as it surrounded me.
Her lips spread in a seductive smile. “You don’t want me to do that, do you?”
I opened my mouth to respond, but Gabriel approached us, a childlike smile lighting up his face. The sight of him brought a rush of relief, and I took a deep breath, stepping back a few paces, grateful for the interruption. His presence was a welcome distraction from the tension in the air, allowing me a moment to collect my thoughts and push aside the turmoil swirling inside me.
“Looks like you both are getting along just fine,” he said, laughter dancing in his eyes.
“We are.”
“You look beautiful, Carrie. That’s a great dress.”
“Thanks,” she said, and gave a twirl, my breath catching in my throat as she did. “I made the dress myself.”
“That’s impressive.”
“It’s a really beautiful dress. Right, Oliver?” She asked, her eyes panning over to me and holding mine captive.
I swallowed hard and nodded. “Right. It’s a great dress.”
Gabriel chuckled. “You know, I’ve been watching you guys from afar,” he started. “And I’m so happy that my two favorite people are getting along. It couldn’t have made me happier.”
Carrie giggles animatedly, her voice grating on my nerves. “Oh, it’s been a pleasure talking to Oliver and getting to know him. He’s such a good sport.”
Inside me, guilt and anger swirled like a fiery furnace as I watched Carrie laugh and chat with Gabriel, acting as if she hadn’t just been flirting with me moments ago. It was as if she were playing a part, pretending to adore her dear cousin while trying to seduce me. The hypocrisy made my blood boil, and I felt trapped between my feelings for Gabriel and the chaotic mess Carrie was creating. How could she so effortlessly switch between two personas?