EIGHTY THREE

Olivia's eyes opened gently, as she glanced around inside the faintly lit room, observing the cold, naked walls and table in the middle of the room. Before she could regain thoughts, the door burst open, and Marco stepped inside, his walking stick tapping on the floor.

“Who do we have here, if it isn't the infamous Olivia Carter.” Marco sneered. He took a few steps towards her, his eyes narrowing as he looked at her. “It's been ages since we’ve seen each other hasn't it.”

Olivia glared at him, her fear immediately replaced by anger as she struggled against the gag used in covering her mouth, trying to speak. But the gag muffled her words.

Marco laughed, a cruel, hollow sound , and walked around her slowly, like a predator circling his prey.

“I’m sure you have a lot to say, don't you?” he taunted, finally reaching down to yank the gag roughly from her mouth. “But let's keep this civil, shall we?”

Olivia gasped for air, her voice shaky but defiant, “what do you want, Marco. Why did you kidnap me.”

“What do I want?” Marco echoed, feigning surprise, “Oh, Olivia, it's not about what I want. It's about what you’ve taken from me.”

She stared at him, confusion mixing with fear in her eyes, “Taken from you? I don't understand….”

“Oh, I think you do,” Marco interrupted, his tone darkening. “You’re the reason Lucas turned on me. You’re the one who ended my little dealings. And now, look where we are. Lucas is dead, Vincent is on his deathbed, and you…..you’re all alone.”

Olivia's heart skipped a beat, “Lucas isn't dead.” she said, her voice trembling with faintest hope, “no one found his body, he could still be alive.”

Marco’s expression twisted with a mix of anger and pity. “You really are delusional, aren't you? Lucas is gone. He fell into the water, and even if by some miracle he survived, he’s never coming back. And that means no one is here to protect you.”

“Lucas always beats you, Marco,” Olivia spat, her fear giving way to rage. “You can't be compared to Lucas. You’ve tried so many times to hurt him, and Every Time you’ve failed. This is an evidence.” She said pointing at Marco’s injured leg. “He’ll find you, and when he does….”

Marco's hand lashed out, striking her across the face, with a vicious slap that left her reeling. “Enough!” He shouted, his eyes blazing with fury. “You think you’re safe because of Lucas? You think he's a kind of untouchable god? He’s nothing! And now , so are you.”

Olivia's head snapped to the other side, impact from the force of the blow, but she refused to cry out. She tasted her blood that bursted on her lip, but she held back the pain, forcing herself to meet his gaze with as much strength as she could gather.

“Why are you doing this?” she questioned, worry and fear could be sensed in her voice. “ What more could you possibly want?”

Marco's lips curled into a cruel smile as he leaned in closer, “What I want, Olivia, is to see you suffer. To see the look on your face when you realize that everything you’ve fought for, everything you care about, is slipping away from you, Just like it did for me.”

Tears filled in Olivia’s eyes but she struggled not let them fall, she couldn't show him weakness, not now. “You’re a weakly, Marco.” she whispered, her voice shaking with emotion, “You hide behind your hatred, But in the end, you’re still just the envious little boy who never could measure up to Lucas.”

Marco’s eyes narrowed dangerously, and for a moment, Olivia thought he might strike her again. But instead, he stepped backwards, his smile broadened into something more threatening.

“Perhaps you’re right,” he said softly, his tone laced with malice, “But you see, Olivia, there’s something you don't know. Something that will make this all the more enjoyable for me.”

Olivia's heart throbbing, anxiety washing over her. “What are you talking about?”

As Marco walked towards the door, his smile grew unfriendly, with his walking stick tapping against the floor, “Oh, you'll find out soon enough,” he said,as he paused on his track, giving Olivia one last, chilling look. “I’ll be back, Olivia. We have a lot more to discuss.”

Then, he turned and left the room, the door closed with force behind him. Olivia was left in the dark, her mind consumed with fear and anger. She knew she had to stay strong for herself and her baby.

Marco was unaware that Olivia was pregnant, but Olivia knew that even if he knew about her pregnancy, it wouldn't stop him from trying to hurt her. She had to find an escape route, to protect her unborn child, to survive this ordeal.

Olivia stayed in there for hours,the thoughts of escaping for survival filled her mind. Then the door cracked opened again, and Marco stepped inside, a smirk playing on his lips.

The man who followed behind him was tall and burly. “Get her a room.” Marco ordered the man, his tone casual, as if he were talking about an inconvenience rather than a person. “I want her close. I’ll decide what to do with her…when I’m ready.”

The man nodded and turned to leave,without saying a word to, but Olivia’s voice cut through the tension, filled with desperation and anger.

“Marco, please let me go. You don't have to do this.”

Marco chuckled darkly, shaking his head, “You still don't get it, do you? I’m in control now, Olivia, not Lucas , not Vincent and certainly not you.”

She glared at him, fighting back the tears, threatening to spill over. “This isn't control Marco. This is cruelty. What are you going to gain from keeping me here.”

Marco stepped closer, his eyes gleaming with a mix of amusement and malice. “What do I gain? The satisfaction of knowing that Lucas's precious Olivia is at my mercy.”