7 - Party Favors

Levi was nowhere to be found in the apartment the next morning. The realization practically made my heart go into overdrive.

Just what did he get up to last night? How bad did it get? How many women did he attack??

Turning on the TV, I checked out the local news, dreading to hear a headline like ‘Rapist On The Loose’ or something.

But the only remotely interesting update was about some dog biting a guy in the park. “Where are you, Levi?” I whispered. I half-expected him to materialize out of thin air right then with a smart comment, but the apartment remained quiet.

Oh, well.

I decided to try and busy myself, taking the time to clean up the house and do a little decluttering. At around mid-afternoon, it occurred to me that tonight was Mom and Dad’s anniversary party. And I didn’t have a present.

“Shoot.” I let out a big sigh. “I’m sure I can pick something up along the way.”

As I started getting ready that evening, I began to imagine what it would be like to walk into that anniversary party with Noah Paul on my arm. How would that turn out, I wondered?

It would shut Mom up for once, that was for sure. Dad would probably like him. He’d appreciate Noah’s success.

But was that what I really wanted? I picked up my cell phone, staring at Noah’s number in my phone. I was just itching to call him and ask. It was way too short notice, though. And probably not a good idea. The guy was my boss, after all, and I really didn’t want to jeopardize this job.

I was just grabbing my purse to leave when I thought I heard a noise in the living room. I trotted outside in my dress and heels, expecting to find Levi there.

The living room was empty. The door to the balcony was ajar, however. Had I left it open? I must have. I shut and locked it before heading out.

An hour later, I found myself getting dropped off outside Mom and Dad’s home, a big, restored two-story mansion I’d grown up in. Seeing the place all lit up like that with people filing in and out brought back memories - some good, some bad.

*Alright, let's do this.*

I headed up the steps, gift-wrapped box in hand. “Olivia!” the maid greeted me. “So nice to see you. You look really pretty.”

“Hi, Marla. And thank you.”

She held out her hand to take the gift but I went over and added it to the pile myself.

“Olivia!” a voice hollered nearby, making me wince.

I turned around, pasting on a smile. “Mom.” I let her hug me, then she pulled back to assess my outfit. “Is that dress the right size? Looks a bit small on you.”

“Mom, please. Oh, Happy Anniversary.”

“Thank you, sweetie. You know I’m not really one to make a big deal of things but everybody expects these parties by now.”

“Uh huh.”

“So, you really came alone? That’s good because I have a few people I’d like you to meet - ”

“She’s not alone,” a male voice interjected, surprising us both.

I looked over, my jaw dropping when I saw Levi walking towards us. Not only that, he was in a suit and tie?? Where did he get that?? Did he steal that right off the back of some poor soul??

Levi came over, casually putting an arm around my waist and holding me to him. I thought about pulling away but that would have looked suspicious to Mom, so I just stood where I was, smiling stiffly.

“And you are…?” Mom prompted.

“Call me Levi.”

“Levi.” She studied him for a long moment, like she wasn’t quite sure what to make of this man. Her and me both. “A pleasure to meet you,” she finally remembered her manners.

“The pleasure’s all mine,” he practically purred.

“Can you tell me why my daughter’s never mentioned you before?”

“She wanted to surprise you.”

“I see. Well, I must say it worked.”

“I’d be happy to tell you more at a later time. But tonight? Tonight is all about you and Olivia’s father. Happy anniversary.”

Mom smiled at that, relaxing to his charm.

“You’re right,” she went, smoothing back her hair. “Anyway, you two go on and have some fun. I’m going to go check on some of the other guests. Don’t forget to say hello to your dad, Olivia.”

I nodded, waiting for her to leave before turning to Levi. “Alright, what gives?”

“Don’t read too much into this. I was bored.”

“Where were you? You didn’t come home last night.”

“And you were worried?”

“Of course I was worried! Who knew what kind of sick shit you were getting up to??”

He stiffened, not saying anything for a moment. “For your information, I didn’t do anything.”

“Yeah, right.”

“It’s the truth. I spent most of the night at the movies.”

“The movies? You expect me to believe that?”

“There was a Steve Carell movie on.”

I stared up at him, thinking that he sounded genuine. “So...you really you didn’t hurt anyone?”

“Don’t worry, I kept my hands to myself.”

“How come, though?”

“Well, you ruined the mood, for starters.”

“Oh, right, blame it on me.”

“But I also came to the conclusion that you and I should settle things between us before I move on to somebody else.”

“Meaning what exactly?”

“You know what,” he said quietly, leaning closer and lowering his hand to cup my ass from behind.

“Stop that!” I hissed, pushing his arm away. “You shouldn’t even be here, damn it!”

“Too bad. I’m staying.” He nodded over at the buffet table. “And I’m getting a bite to eat.”

“Whatever. Go.”

He took off through the crowd, leaving me on my own. I went in search of my dad, finding him chatting with his friends from work.

“Olivia!” He came over, giving me a big hug and lifting me off the floor. “Glad you could make it.”

“Hey, Dad. How are things with you?”

“Eh, can’t complain. How about you, sweetheart? How’s that job of yours? Have you gotten promoted yet?”

“No, Dad,” I said, reddening a little as I thought of Noah.

“Really? Maybe it's time to consider other options. How do you feel about hedge funds?”

“That’s sweet, Dad, but I don’t want to work for the company. It’s just not my thing.”

“Well, there’s always a place for you if you need it.”

“Hey, Olivia, how about humoring an old man with a dance?” one of his co-workers I only knew as Mr Lowry piped up, coming over to take my arm.

“I really don’t - ” I didn’t get a chance to finish my protest as the big, burly guy drew me out onto the floor. He pulled me close to him, laughing alcohol-soaked breath onto my face. “Your boyfriend couldn’t make it out tonight?” he asked.

“I don’t have a boyfriend.”

“Really? You must be breaking hearts left and right, with your good looks.”

I tried to get away but he pulled me back, twirling me clumsily.

“So, what kind of men are you into?” he asked, grinning wolfishly down at me.

*Ugh, he’s being so gross!* I tried to catch Dad’s eye to ask him for help but he was busy telling a joke to the rest of his buddies. “Could we please stop??”

“The song’s not finished yet!”

“No, but you are,” I heard a voice as Levi popped up right next to us, seemingly out of nowhere.

Levi grabbed my hand, pulling me away from a disappointed Mr Lowry. Levi led me through a set of glass doors, out onto the spacious patio.

“Ugh,” I went, doing a shudder. “Thanks for that.”

Levi cast me a smirk. “I really can’t leave you alone, can I?”

“I hate these things.”

“Then why do you come to them?”

“What do you mean? They’re my parents.”

“No, they’re not,” he said off-handedly, looking out across the gardens.

“Excuse me?”

“Well, not really, anyway.” He paused, seeing the look on my face. “Not by blood.”

“What are you talking about??”

Levi went strangely silent for a moment. “You didn’t know?”

“Know what?”

“That woman - your mother. I sensed no magic from her. Which means it's impossible that she gave birth to you.”

I was stunned for a moment. “Y-you’re lying.”

“Why would I lie about a thing like that?”

My mind began to race. I whirled on my heel, going back inside in a rush.

“Olivia!”

Ignoring Levi for the moment, I went in search of my dad, pulling him away from his group.

“Ow! Watch it, Olivia! What’s gotten into you?” he said, puzzled.

“Dad. Remember that time you told me that you and Mom ‘lost’ my birth certificate?”

He blinked at me. “What about it?”

“Was that true?” I took a moment to swallow. “Or are you and Mom just hiding it from me for some reason?”

He did a hollow little laugh. “What reason could that be?”

“I don’t know, Dad. You tell me.”

He paused, sliding his gaze over to where Mom was dancing with Grandpa Roland, surrounded by a mess of other relatives. “These people aren’t my family, are they?”

“Now, that is not true, Olivia.” He frowned, looking unsure about whether or not he should say anything further.

Finally, his need to get whatever weight was on his chest won out. “Your mother and I have been here for you from Day One. The details don’t matter to us and they shouldn’t matter to you.”

“Well, maybe they do.” Tears began to well up in my eyes but I quickly blinked them away. “Excuse me, Dad.”

“Wait, Olivia, where are you going?”

I didn’t answer. I took off, wanting nothing more than to just get out of there. I called an Uber, fighting back tears as I waited for my ride.

A few minutes later, I saw headlights approaching. Thank God.

As it pulled up, I heard footsteps behind me. Levi appeared at my elbow, going over and opening the door.

I stared at him in disbelief.

“Well, what are you waiting for?” he quipped. “A freaking red carpet??”