Chapter eighty seven

Oliver

After almost three weeks since I met Alberto and he gave me a not-so cryptic message about Dad, I finally decided to come to the only place I could find answers.

I drummed my fingers on the steering and stared at the gates of the manor from a distance. I wanted to turn around and drive away, but I forced myself to stay calm. I am going to talk with her and get this over with.

The longer I put it off, the more restless I feel. I couldn't afford the feeling right now. I know my mum keeps secrets, everyone does. But I just didn't think she'd keep something that got my father killed. She loved him too much to do that.

Love. My eyes tightened on the steering as the memory of the night of Dallas's birthday flashed across my mind. Her words from last night came running through my mind.

Of course, I didn't love her. I know love very well. I've seen it multiple times, between my parents, Suzy and her first husband, even Ethan was in love with someone once but I don't know the girl.

What I feel for her is definitely not love. It's darker and more twisted. I can't see her sad for even a second without feeling the need to kill the person responsible for it. I can't even stand to see a single tear in her eyes. It makes my chest tightened in an unexplainable way. The thought of seeing her with someone else makes me murderous. I'll do anything to keep her with me.

The closest word to describe what I feel for her would be obsession or madness, but it's definitely not love. I'm not one of the heroes who would let her go for her own good, I'm the kind who would kill every single person in the world if it meant she would stay with me. I would never let her go.

Jenna was just a responsibility I have to bear, but Dallas was everything to me. And what I feel for her is definitely beyond physical attraction or love.

But I didn't say any of that yesterday despite how much I itched to do so. I couldn't offer her the entire truth. It would definitely scare her away. I offered her a kernel of the truth, but I knew that wouldn't be enough. Dallas wanted more. She deserved more and I knew it, but I was too selfish to let her go.

I'll settle that later, right now, I should focus on why I'm here. I need to force myself to keep calm, despite the anger inside me. I haven't seen or talk to her since she stormed out of my house a month ago after she saw pictures of me and Dallas. I had a horrible feeling this conversation won't go well.

I drove into the compound and stopped in the parking lot. I stepped out of the car and drew in a shaky breath as I dragged my gaze around. The nagging feeling I get everytime I step into this house is still there. This is where I grew up. Where everything happened.

I fled from this house as soon as I could live on my own, but my mum refused to leave the house. But she doesn't force me to come here often, thankfully.

My eyes landed on a familiar white Porsche. A suspicious feeling settled in my stomach. Mum didn't own a white Porsche and Suzy is obsessed with bright and nauseating colors. I tried to think of where I'd seen it but ended up shrugging it off. Maybe she bought a new car.

I made my way into the manor, the servants bowed their heads as I walked in. It's another reason I don't like this place. There's just too many workers. I don't like having that many people in my personal space.

I trudged into the sitting room to see Mum sitting with a lady. I couldn't see her face because she had her back on me but I could recognize that stiff posture anywhere. Jenna.

Mum looked worried as she said something to Jenna. She hadn't noticed me yet. She finally raised her head and saw me. Her eyes widened in surprise before she smiled widely. She was probably wondering why I came here.

Jenna turned around, an equally worried expression on her face. She gave me a tight smile and nodded slightly, adjusting her sitting position. She angled her back and stared straight ahead.

“Oliver, good to see you. Come have a seat.” Mum said, but I was already walking to the couch.

I took a seat opposite them, leaning back into the couch. I schooled my face into a neutral expression. After the way we left things the last time we saw, I'm not sure how to approach the subject I had in mind.

“How are you?” She began, facing me slightly.

“Fine,” my tone had more edge than I intended. I didn't expect to see her with someone. I needed to talk to her alone.

Jenna was staring everywhere but my face, a stone cold expression on her face.

“I'll take my leave now, Ma.” She flashed my mum an obviously fake smile.

“No, you should stay. You're fiance just got here. Maybe you guys should talk.” Mum insisted.

She didn't even ask me why I came to see her after she basically called me a monster, she just shoved the fiancee, I didn't even remember I had, in my face.

“No, it's fine, Ma. We'll have plenty of time to finish our conversation. I'm sure he came to talk to you about something important.” Jenna said and threw me a look that I didn't bother to acknowledge.

Thankfully, mum agreed with her. She gave her a quick hug and Jenna left. Mum turned to me fully.

“You didn't acknowledge your fiancee.” She started.

Great. Straight to business it is.

“I came to ask something important from you.” I said, ignoring her comment.

She pressed her lips together, clearly disappointed I didn't take the bait. She gave me a curt nod.

“I'll prefer we go discuss in the study for some privacy.” I stood up and strolled off.

I could hear the sound of her heels trailing behind me. I slowed my pace a little, but she didn't walk by my side. Still not talking to me. Point taken.

I shut the door of the study after we both entered. The study used to be my father's. I haven't set foot in it ever since Mum handed over the company to me. I had no reason to.

She took a seat on the couch and stared at me expectantly. She knew better than to expect an apology.

“Do you know any of father's previous rivals that might still hold a grudge against him?” I asked directly. No use mincing words when it's clear she didn't want me here.

Her posture stiffened, her eyes slightly widened. I waited calmly for her to recover from the shock. Neither of us liked talking about my dad. Well, except when she wants to manipulate me into doing something. But there was no one else I could ask. She's the only person who would have known about something like that.

She finally relaxed, though her posture was still stiff.
“Your father was a kind man. Everyone adored and respected him. I don't know of anyone who would wish ill on him.” She paused, letting the word sink in.

“Why do you ask? Did something happen? Is it about Kang Chemicals?”

“Yes. But I can handle it. I'll take my leave now.” I rose to my feet and made to step out when she stopped me.

“I have a favor to ask.”

I paused my strides and faced her.

“I need you to accommodate Jenna for a few days. She went through–”

“No.” I cut her off before she could finish. There's no way I'm allowing her live with me. Not even for a single day.

“Her house was broken into and she's really scared. She needs help. Your house is one of the safest in the city with the best security. The poor girl can't even ask for your help because of how humble she is. A far cry from that red-headed gold digger…” the look in my eyes must have stopped her from completing that sentence.

I don't care if she's my mother, no one talks about Dallas that way.

“My point is, she needs your help. And she's your fiancee for god's sake. It's not unheard of for engaged couples to live together. It would also give you the opportunity to know each other.”

“The answer is still no. She can stay in a hotel.”

“She's really scared to be alone. She's your fiancee.” She cried.

“I don't care.” I walked away.

I made it halfway to the door before the words fell out of her mouth,

“You know, Jenna's father, Ron, was very close to your father. They were even business partners before we left Korea. I'm sure he knows more about your father's business than I did. He might have answers for you. And he'd be coming to New York soon.”

I fisted my hands at my sides. Of course, I should have expected she'd do this. She'd blackmail me into doing her biddings again. It's what she always does.

For a moment, I was tempted to accept her offer. But for once, I did something I wanted. I walked away.