THIRTY THREE

Monica leapt out from the couch and rushed over , embracing Olivia tightly, “I wasn't expecting you.” Monica disengaged briefly from the hug, her eyes lingering on Olivia for a moment, “Girl!! You look good and glowing. Are you sure this is a hostage situation?”

Olivia chuckled, “I know, I just needed to get out of the mansion for a bit, to come see you.” Olivia replied, hugging her back. “How have you been?”

Monica shrugged, leading Olivia to sit beside her, “It's been…..interesting. This place is amazing. But we need to get out of here, I know we’ve been treated like princess Liv, this world is dangerous, we’re in the middle of a Mafia war, anything could happen.”

“I know,” Olivia sighed, looking around the lavish room. “But it's not that simple. Lucas is…….. complicated.”

Monica's eyes narrowed, “What do you mean by its complicated? Are you really in love with him?”

Olivia glanced at Monica, then back to the screen without saying a word.

“How can you be so calm Liv? We’re in the middle of gangstars and violence.”

“Because… ,” Olivia hesitated, “I've gotten so close to Lucas, really close.”

Monica's mouth opened in shock, “You did not just say that. Close how?”

“We….we had sex.” Olivia confessed, her cheeks flushing slightly.

Monica threw her hand in the air dramatically, “Are you out of your mind?” Liv! He’s a Mafia boss, this is insane.”

“I know it sounds crazy,” Olivia said, trying to calm her friend, “But Lucas isn't what he seems . He’s…..different with me.”

Monica shook her head, disbelief etched on her face, she touched Olivia's neck, with the back of palm, “Are you sick?” Monica asked.

Olivia looked at Monica a raised brow, “No, why?” She replied, shaking her head.

“I think you are, do you hear yourself? This is the same guy who has enemies trying to kill him , and you want to tell me he’s different?”

“Yes,he is,” Olivia insisted. “He cares about me, Monica and I care about him.”

Monica stared at her for a moment, then sighed deeply, “Olivia,I just want you to be safe.”

Olivia nodded, “We just need to be careful and play along , trust me.”

Monica bit her lip, looking torn, “Alright, Olivia. I'll trust you. But please be careful. This is a dangerous game.”

Monica grinned, grabbing the remote . “Let’s enjoy ourselves and forget about the world outside for a while.”

As the movie resumed, the two friends sat down on the couch, the movie playing in the background, as they channeled their attention to the movie playing, trying to enjoy the moment.

Suddenly Olivia's phone buzzed, Olivia glanced at Monica briefly before checking the screen. “Who is it?” Monica asked, moving her attention from the TV screen to Olivia's face, searching Olivia's face for clues.

Olivia hesitated for a moment before answering, her voice tinged with apprehension, “it's detective Harris,” she replied quietly , her mind racing with implications of his call.

Monica's expression darkened, “Detective Harris?” She asked, “What does he want?” she questioned sharply, her concern deepening.

Olivia shrugged, pressing the phone to her ear, steeling herself for the conversation she knew was about to unfold, “Hello, Detective Harris,” She greeted.

Detective Harris’s voice crackled over the line, brimming with barely contained urgency, “Olivia,” he began, his voice low but forceful , “I have given you enough time to send what you have on Lucas Moretti.”

Olivia squared her shoulders , meeting Monica’s intense gaze, “Its not that easy, detective Harris.” she said, her voice steady despite the rising tension.

Harris didn't mince his words, his tone turning colder, “ I have evidence to expose Lucas Moretti” He said bluntly, “Since you’ve refused to do your job, I'll proceed with what I have.”

Olivia felt a surge of frustration and anger at Harris's ultimatum, “You can't just use me as a leverage ,” she shot back, her voice betraying, a mix of defence and desperation , “I’m not your pawn.”

Monica leaned closer, her expression a mix of concern and curiousity, “What's going on?” She mouthed. Olivia glanced at her, reading her lips. “Hold on,” Olivia mouthed back.

Olivia turned her attention back to the phone,“You’re making a mistake Detective Harris, the situation is more complicated than you know.” Olivia said, more like a warning.

Harris chuckled, “I know everything Olivia, I know about the chaos going on between Lucas and Massimo, I know …..everything.”

Olivia's eyes widened, “how is detective Harris so updated with every move” she thought.

Harris' voice came through the phone again, interrupting her thought, “Make your choice , Olivia,” he pressed , the implications clear in his voice, “ before it's too late, Lucas Moretti has a lot of enemies coming for him.”

With those ominous words hanging in the air, Olivia ended the call, her mind racing with the right of the decisions looming around. Monica and Olivia exchanged meaningful glance. “What's going on?” Monica asked.

Olivia turned to face Monica, “I think Harris might be playing a deeper game,” she admitted. “He knows too much, more than he should.”

Monica's eyes narrowed, her expression hardening with suspicion, “How do mean?” She asked slowly, her voice tight with curiosity.

Before Olivia could respond, the tranquility of the penthouse was shattered by the unmistakable sound of gunfire echoing from the street below.

Olivia instincts kicked in instantly, “Get down!” she commanded urgently, pulling Monica down.

Just then the door to the cinema swung open revealing Vincent, “This way quickly”, he urged, his voice a calm command but cut through their fears. They both weren't expecting him in the penthouse . He was dressed in a black suit and a gun in his hand.

“What's happening?” Monica asked, when she sighted Vincent, her voice trembling slightly.

Vincent’s jaw tightened, “It seems we have company. Massimo's men are here.”

Monica's eyes widened in alarm, “Who is Massimo for goodness sake.” Her voice laced with fear and frustration. In that moment another gunshot ran through the air, they immadietly got down.

“Stay behind me, don't leave my sight,” Vincent ordered, ready for defence.

Monica felt a surge of fear and uncertainty wash over her. Caught between loyalty to her job and the complicated feelings she had for Lucas, Olivia knew that whatever happened next would change everything.