8 - Keeping Secrets

“T-thanks,” I said to Levi, clambering into the back of my Uber.

Levi got in next to me, shutting the door.

As we drove away from my family home, I thought I saw Dad emerge on the front steps, but I turned my eyes away before I could make sure.

“Mom’s going to be so pissed when she finds out,” I murmured. “But then again, I have a right to be pissed, too.”

“So, they never told you, huh? I guess it’s on me for letting the cat out of the bag.”

I reached down, playing with my bracelet without realizing it. “Is it possible for parents to be loving and distant at the same time? Almost like they don’t know how to love you, exactly?” I paused, noting Levi’s curious expression. “What am I saying? You don’t even know what I’m talking about.”

“You’re right. I don’t. But I can recognize when something’s off.”

“I can’t believe it. If they’d just told me, I would have understood! Instead, I had to find out from *you*, of all people.”

“I thought you knew.”

I shook my head angrily. “Only child. Older parents. And yeah, I guess they would have had the money for something like that. But then who are my real parents? Where are they?”

Levi stared at me, looking like he didn’t know what to say. I stared out the window, exhaling heavily.

Today was supposed to have been a nice little get-together but look how that turned out. I started thinking back, going over a thousand childhood memories with a different eye, imagining myself as Mom and Dad. *She’s someone else’s daughter. I’ll never tell her. Why does she need to know?*

Afterwards, when we got to my building, I plopped down on the porch steps instead of heading in.

“What are you doing?” Levi put to me, his hands planted on his hips.

“I just want to sit out here for a while.”

“Are you sure that’s a good idea? There are all kinds of dangers out at night.”

“You mean, like you?”

“Like me and worse.”

“What’s worse than you?”

He looked away, not answering. Maybe I’d hurt his feelings? Yeah, right.

Levi leaned against the post, looking down at me as I pulled out my phone. “What are you doing now?”

“Looking up how easy it is to adopt a baby.”

“Stop that,” he chided, grabbing my phone from me. He stuck it in his pocket, staring down at me with a stern expression. “Alright, so what if they’re not your parents? It’s not that big a deal, is it?”

“It is to me.”

“Why?”

“I don’t know! It’s like...the story I thought I always knew wasn’t the right story at all.”

“It changes nothing, Olivia. You’re still the same person, and they’re still the same people too. You’re all still the same screwed-up humans you were before I told you what I did tonight.”

“Thanks a lot.”

A few minutes later, we both noticed a sleek, dark car coming up. It slowed, coming to a stop right in front of us.

I stood up as Mom emerged from the car. “Olivia…” It was clear from the tone of her voice and the look on her face that she knew I knew.

I crossed my arms in front of my chest, not saying anything.

Mom came up, shooting a glance at Levi. She seemed surprised that he was still around. “Would it be alright if I spoke to my daughter alone?”

He nodded, heading inside the building.

Mom cocked a brow at me. “The two of you are living together?”

“Mom…”

She sighed, taking a moment to choose her words. “So, how did you find out?”

“It doesn’t matter. What matters is I know, and not because you or Dad told me. Which you should have.”

“Why does it matter?”

“I don’t know. Maybe I need to know about my family history someday. For, you know, medical reasons.”

“Somehow, I don’t think that’s it.”

“I just wish you had told me.”

“We just didn’t want things to change.”

“Well, they have.”

“Olivia, you’re our daughter. We tried to give you the best life possible. We loved you - love you. You’re the future we always wanted.”

“But what about my past?”

“Your past?”

“Do you know who my real parents are? Is there any way for me to find out?”

“No, honey. It doesn’t work that way.”

I pursed my lips together, feeling angry and disappointed. “How old was I when you got me?”

“You were just a baby. Not even a year old.” She hesitated a moment. “All I know is that you were given up by a young mother who couldn’t take care of you.”

*A witch?*

“I see,” I said, nodding stiffly.

“Please, Olivia, don’t let this ruin everything. Your father and I love you.”

“I know. But I need time.”

“OK. I understand. I’m sure he will too. Take all the time you need. We can...start over, if need be.”

“Thanks, M- ” I cut myself off before I could say ‘Mom’. I was sure she’d noticed. “You should get back to your party.”

“It’s just a party.”

Just a party! I never would have thought I’d hear her utter those words. “Seriously, Mom, you should go.”

“Right. Well, OK. If you change your mind, your dad and I are here to talk.”

I nodded, watching as she got back in the car. As it pulled away, I climbed up into the building, going up to my apartment.

Levi was planted on the couch in wait, feet propped up on the coffee table. “So?” he prompted. “Did you let her have it?”

“No, not really.” I went over, smacking his boots off the surface.

“Why not?”

“Because as angry as I am at them...they’re still my mom and dad. I still love them.”

He scoffed. “You humans are so soft.”

“Whatever. I’m going to go take a shower and turn in early. I have an early meeting tomorrow.”

“With that boss of yours, huh?”

“How did you know that?”

“Just a guess. You must be excited.”

“Ugh.” I took off before he could interrogate me.

OK, but yes, the truth was, I was a little excited. This was Noah, after all.

Alright, so things had been a little weird between us at that restaurant, but I knew that had been nerves on my part. Next time, I’d do better.

As it turned out though, Noah and I didn’t have much chance to talk in the morning because we were both in such a rush. Plus, he had to run off to an appointment after the meeting while I went back to work.

*What a waste of a good outfit*, I thought, peering down at my blouse and miniskirt.

Another thing that sucked - the morning meeting had set me back so I was definitely going to have to stay late again to catch up on work.

By around 8pm, I began to feel sleepy. I leaned back in my swivel chair, shutting my eyes. *Just a short nap...then I’ll pick up where I left off.*

I was just nodding off when I sensed movement - my legs were being eased apart by someone’s hand. I jerked up, looking down to see Levi crouched down in front of me. “What the f - ??”

“Shh, keep it down,” he scolded.

“What?? Do you want a kick to your damn face??”

He ignored my threat, grasping my ankles and yanking me forward.

“H-hey!” I yelped, startled.

He reached up, using his hands to force up the sides of my skirt. In a panic, I tried to push his hands away but it didn’t really work.

Levi inched forward and pulled me to him at the same time.

“L-Levi,” I protested, until I felt the heat of his tongue between my legs, over my underwear. Oh my God! I hadn’t been prepared for how amazing it would feel. I’d had him finger me twice now, but this was...something else altogether.

I went still as he lapped me in smooth, slow strokes. I was practically unable to breathe. A moment later, Levi looked up at me. “You’ve never had anyone do this to you before, right?”

“You really should stop,” I said in a low, unsteady voice.

“Why? There’s no one around,” he said, pulling the fabric aside.

Just as he said that, I heard the glass doors slide open a few feet away. I looked up, my jaw dropping when I saw Noah and a few others walking in. *I thought they went home! What are they doing back here??*

“Olivia?” Noah spotted me still in my cubicle.

“Shit.” I grabbed my coat, using it to cover Levi’s face just in time. “H-hey, Noah!” I said a little too brightly.

“What are you still doing here?”

“I was just...finishing up some stuff,” I said, aware of Levi still moving under my coat. *Damn it, what is he doing*? Skin met skin as he ran his tongue over me, before stopping to tease my clit. “Uhh…” I couldn’t help whimpering.

Noah leaned one arm along the partition. “Are you OK? You look a little pale.”

“I’m fine.”

“Are you sure? Maybe I should give you a ride home?”

I swallowed, becoming aware of Levi inserting a finger even as his tongue continued to work on me. “N-no, thanks. I’m going to take off in a minute.”

“OK.” Noah paused, lingering like he still had something he wanted to say. Before I could hear what it was though, someone else from the group called him over. “Excuse me.” He went over, joining them in one of the meeting rooms.

As soon as the door closed behind Noah, I pushed the coat off my lap. I pushed my fingers into Levi’s hair, guiding his movements until I came, shivering with it.

Unfortunately, Noah came out again and heard me making weird noises. I froze, seeing a startled look come over his face. “Olivia??” his voice was worried. “What’s wrong?” He started jogging over.

Crap!

I pushed myself away from Levi, hurrying out of the cubicle to meet Noah. Unfortunately, my legs buckled and Noah had to catch me before I stumbled.

“Whoa!” Noah said, his breath warming my ear. “Are you OK?”

“Y-yeah,” I murmured. “I think I’ve just been sitting down too long.”

“That’s it. I’m taking you home, Bryant.”

“I’m fine.”

“No, you most definitely are not fine. Get your things. We’re going.”

I returned to the cubicle to grab my bag and coat, and was only half-surprised to see that Levi was gone. My skin prickled at the thought of him possibly being nearby though, unseen to us.

I fell into step with Noah, flushing as I thought of how close I’d been to getting caught. If Noah had realized what was really going on...no, I didn’t want to think about that.

“What’s going on with you, Olivia?” Noah asked me later in the car. He sounded concerned, not angry.

“What do you mean?”

“You seem really distracted lately. Is something wrong? Maybe I can help?”

I shook my head.

“Look, I know I tend to come off as harsh and cold at work but I’m trying to change that. If there’s something wrong, I’d rather you tell me now. I don’t want to come into the office one morning to find your resignation letter on my desk.”

*Is that what he’s worried about?*

“It’s nothing to do with work,” I told him.

“Oh.” The edge of his mouth lifted for a moment before dropping again. “But something else is going on?”

“Um…,” I wavered, thinking of Levi. I let my mind wander, my thoughts settling on an idea. “It’s my family. My parents, to be exact.”

“OK?”

“I just found out I’m actually adopted.” I let out a humorless laugh. “Go figure.”

“Oh. Wow.” Noah shifted in his seat, doing a low whistle. “I can’t even imagine what that must have been like. How do you feel?”

“Kind of numb. I told my parents I needed some time to process.”

“That sounds wise.” He went quiet for a while, eyes focused on the road. Yet, I could see his mind working. “I never knew my parents.”

“What?”

“They both died when I was young. Car accident.” He lifted one hand, bending one finger slightly. “See that? I was in the backseat and broke my finger. I can’t move it any more than that.”

“Wow,” I said quietly. Without thinking, I reached over, touching his hand in curiosity.

Noah glanced at me in surprise but didn’t pull away. Realizing what I had done, I pulled away in embarrassment a moment later. “I’m sorry. That...that’s awful. That’s much worse than my thing.”

He did a good-natured chuckle. “No, don’t say that. Everybody’s got their own problems, their own demons.”

That last word made me jerk a bit. “Right. So...what are yours? Your demons, I mean?”

Noah shrugged. “Being too much of a workaholic, I guess.”

“What? Come on, you can do better than that.”

“It’s true. I let life pass me by, Olivia. Maybe I’m a coward. Or maybe I’m selfish.”

“You’re not. You can’t be.”

He said nothing, simply letting out a sigh as we pulled onto my street. He came to a stop outside my building, killing the engine.

“Wait a minute,” I said. “How did you know where I live?”

“You don’t remember.”

“Remember what?”

“Your first office Christmas party. You got drunk. Someone had to take you home.” He said each sentence matter of factly without looking at me, staring down at his hands.

“R-really? I thought it was Alison…”

“I told her not to tell you the truth.”

“Why?”

“I don’t know. I suppose I didn’t want to make you uncomfortable.”

“Why would it…?” I trailed off as he turned to look at me in the dark interior. Noah stared at me for a long time...or rather, at my mouth.

*Is he...thinking of kissing me? No, no way. I must be imagining it - wishful thinking and all that.*

“You should head up now, Olivia,” he told me quietly.

“Right. Um...thank you for taking me home, Noah.”

“You’re welcome. Hope you feel better.”

“Mmhmm,” I went, clambering out quickly. All of a sudden, I didn’t trust myself to say another word around him.

I didn’t look back as I went up to the entrance, much as I wanted to. I’d always had a crush on Noah, but this felt different. This felt dangerous.

And yet, I found myself wanting more.