CHAPTER TEN

Lucas's expression darkened slightly, but he motioned for her to continue, “Go on”.

She took a step closer , meeting his gaze head-on,”I've done everything you asked, I found out who the traitor is, and you let him go. Now, I need you to keep your end of the deal. Give me back my phone”.

Lucas leaned back on his chair, his fingers steepled under his chin, “Your phone? And what do you plan to do with it”.

“I need to contact my family”, Olivia said firmly , “To let them know I'm alright”.

He shook his head slowly, a hint of smile playing on his lips, “And how do I trust you? How do I know you won't use it to expose everything?”

“Because if I wanted to expose you, I would have done that already?” Olivia shot back, “I’m here, aren't I? I’ve kept your words now it's your turn”.

Lucas’s eyes narrowed , and for a moment she though he might refuse. But then he slowly nodded, “Fine”.he said, “You can have your phone, but there is one condition”.

Olivia's heart skipped, hoping Lucas wouldn't give an impossible condition.

“You stay here”, Lucas said, his voice firm, “You can have your phone, but you stay under my protection until this situation with Marco is fully resolved”.

She frowned, considering his words, “Not like I have a choice”, she muttered.

“Good”, Lucas nodded, reaching into a drawer and pulling out her phone. He placed it on the desk in front of her, “Agreed…But remember Olivia, this is for your safety , don't do anything stupid”.

She took the phone, feeling a rush of relief wash over her, “I understand”.

As she turned to leave, Lucas voice stopped her, “And Olivia?”

She paused, looking back at him, “Yes?”

“Be careful”, he said, “Marco is out there, and he is more dangerous than ever”.

Olivia nodded, as she turned to leave, Lucas watched her with admiration as she left his office. He couldn’t deny the fact that , She was smart, brave and a constant thorn in his side , he found himself admiring despite her stubborness.

Just then the door to his office opened, and Vincent walked in.

“Boss, Mia just left” Vincent said quietly.

Lucas nodded, not looking up, “I figured, she would”.

Vincent hesitated, “Are you alright?”

Lucas finally looked up,his eyes filled with a mix of anger and sadness, “I don't know Vincent , I really don't know, A lot is happening , and there are some difficult decisions I have to take for my father’s legacy , for the family, for everything I'd built.


Vincent nodded in understanding ,”We’ll get through this boss, we always do”.

Lucas nodded,feeling the unbearable weight of everything.

…….🌵

Olivia sat in her room, she was able to contact of her family. After the call, a thought crossed her mind to call her editor to tell him everything that she had seen and had been happening here.

“I'll call him tomorrow”, She muttered to herself, as she freshen up, and changed to her night wear , it was part of the clothes Lucy brought for her some days ago.

As she wore the night wear, she noticed it was exposing her cleavages and it barely covered her butts. She wore it anyway since , she would only be putting it on in her room. She laid her bed, and drifted to sleep.

The next morning, the soft rays of sun glowed across Olivia's face, she groggily opened her eyes, her heart pounded at the thought of still being in Lucas mansion that felt like a prison to her , she stared at the ceiling for some minutes pondering on her next move. She knew she needed to contact her editor, Richard.

But just then , her phone rang, and she checked the caller's ID. It was her best friend , Monica, with a smile, Olivia answered the call.

“Liv!!!!, thank goodness, I've been trying to reach you, where have you been?”, Monica said , rushing her words, her voice was a mix of relief and anger.

“I’m sorry Monica, I've been out of town working on a big story”, Olivia explained, trying to sound reassuring.

“Out of town? You disappeared for weeks , , and that's all you say? Are you in some kind of trouble?” Monica demanded.

“No, I'm fine , really”. Olivia lied, her heart racing, “I’ll explain everything when I get back”.

“Alright, but you better call me again soon, I don't like being kept in the dark, '' Monica insisted.

“I will, I promise, Olivia said before ending the call”.

After the call Olivia dialed Richard's number, her editor, her heart pounding as she waited for him to answer, “Olivia, where the hell have you been?” Richard's voice came through the line, his voice sharp with concern and frustration.

“I’m fine Richard”, She said trying to keep her voice steady, “I'm still working on the story , things have been….. complicated”

“Complicated? Olivia you’ve been gone for weeks and barely any updates”, Richard snapped, “We need that exposé now. The public deserves to know what's going on in that mansion”.

Olivia took a deep breath , glancing around nervously , trying to keep her voice low, “I know, but you have to trust me. There's more at stake than we thought''.

Richard sighed heavily, “Okay, fine, but don't take too long”

Just as Olivia was about to respond , the door to her room burst open, Lucas stood there his eyes filled with anger. Olivia jumped up from the bed in a hurry, fear gripping her . She noticed that the fury in Lucas' eyes began to shift to something, she couldn't comprehend as she lingered his gaze on her body . That's when she realized her nightwear was exposing her cleavage and her barely covered buttocks.

Her face flushed with embarrassment , Olivia quickly reached for the duvet on her bed, pulling it up to cover herself, “Lucas , I …”


“Who were you talking to?” Lucas’s voice was a low growl , his gaze still fixed on her.

“No one important” , she lied, her voice trembling.

Lucas stepped closer, his presence dominating the small room, he strode round the room slowly, till he got closer to Olivia, standing behind her,with his hands tucked in his pockets, “Don’t lie to me Olivia , I heard everything”, he whispered close to her ear, taking the phone from her hand.

Olivia swallowed hard, her breath caught in her throat, she could feel the heat radiating from his body, she could perceive his soothing cologne, a scent of precious woods and exotic spices, with the intrigue of mandarin and bergamot. Despite the fear, there was a strange electricity in the air, “I …..I was talking to my editor, he’s worried about me”.