EIGHTY FOUR

Monica passed around her small working space. She had tried calling Olivia multiple times, but every attempt had been met with the same frustrating message: the number you’ve dialed is not reachable.

She paused and looked down at her phone, hesitating before dialing Oliviia's number again. The line rang twice but the familiar automated voice informed her that the call couldn't be completed.

Sighing in frustration and worry, Monica murmured, “Come on, Olivia, where are you?” she muttered under her breath, her mind racing with probabilities and risk.

She picked up her phone again, and called the airline, going to get some Information about Olivia's flight. After a few minutes on hold, she was connected to a representative.

“Hi, This is Monica Ross. I’m trying to get some information on a flight that was supposed to depart earlier today. My friend was on it , and I haven't been able to reach her.”

The representative asked for the flight details, and Monica provided everything she knew, her anxiety mounting as she waited for an answer.

“I’m sorry ma’am,” the representative finally said, “It looks like the flight was delayed and eventually canceled due to some operational issues.All passengers were rebooked on other flights.”

Monica’s heart skipped a beat, “Canceled? Do you have any record of a passenger named Olivia Carter? She was supposed to be on that flight.”

The representative checked the system and confirmed that Olivia had been booked on that flight, but there was no further information about her.


Monica felt a wave of helplessness wash over her. “This doesn't make sense. She wouldn't just leave without telling me. Please file a missing person report with the airport security, and we can see if there's anything on the surveillance footage.”

As Monica ended the call, her eyes worked up in tears, “Olivia, Please be okay.”

……..🌵

Olivia's door room fluttered open, and Mia stepped inside, she had a hardened expression as she saw Olivia sitting on the floor, leaning against the wall, her face bruised and swollen.

“Mia,” Olivia said, her voice hoarse from hours of silence, “What do you want?”

Mia's lip curled into a cruel smile, as she walked closer, her heels clicking against the floor. “You ruined everything Olivia, you took Lucas from me and now you’re paying the price.”

Olivia glared at her, too exhausted to argue. “I didn't take Lucas from you, he left you because you betrayed him.”

Mia's eyes flashed with anger, and before Olivia could react, Mia slapped her across her face, the sound echoing in the small room. Olivia's head snapped to the side, but she quickly recovered, the sting of the slap, igniting a fire within her.

Without thinking, Olivia retaliated, slapping Mia back with all the strength she coykd muster. The force of the blow sent Mia stumbling back, shock and fury written all over her face.

“You ….how dare you!” Mia spat, her hand flying to her cheek when Olivia's hand struck her.

But Olivia wasn't done, she stood up, despite the pain in her body, and slapped Mia again, even harder this time.

Mia gasped, her hand still on her cheek, her eyes wide with disbelief. “You bitch! You’ll pay for that.”

Olivia's chest heaved with the effort, but she had her ground. Her voice steady as she spoke, “You don't get to work on here, and pretend like you’re some victim, Mia. You made your choices, and now you’re stuck with Marco. But don't think for a second that I'm going to just sit here, and watch you walk over me.”

Mia's face twisted, but before she could respond, the door opened, and Marco stepped into the room, his expression darkening as he took in the scene.

“What the hell is going on here?” Marco demanded, his voice cold and sharp.

Mia doubted a trembling finger at Olivia, “She hit me Marco! She dare to lay her hand on me.”

Marco looked between the two women, his expression unreadable, he stepped closer to Olivia, his eyes narrowing as he studied her bruised face, “Is that true Olivia? Did you hit her?”

Olivia met his gaze, without flinching. “If I did, she deserved it.”

Marco's eyes darkened further, “You think you can disrespect me and get away with it , Olivia?”

She scoffed her voice laced with contempt, “Disrespect you? Don't flatter yourself Marco, you’re a coward, you tried to play at being a Mafia boss. You'll never be half the man Lucas was.”

Marco’s fist his clenched at his sides, his anger boiling over, his breath hot with rage, but he tried to control himself, “I see you still have some fight left in you. It’ll make breaking you all the more satisfying.”

Mia stared at Marco in shock, she had expected Marco to hit Olivia, “You’re just going to let her get away with this?”

Marco turned his gaze to Mia, “She’s not getting away with it, sweetheart.”

But Mia ignored Marco, and stormed out of the room in anger. Marco lingered on the doorway , his eyes still fixed on Olivia. “You think you’re tough, don't you?” he said softly, his voice full of disdain, “But don't forget Olivia, you’re at my mercy.”

With that Marco left the room, leaving Olivia alone in the room. Olivia listened to the sound of footsteps fading away, down the corridor. The tears she had been holding back for so long, broke free, spilling down her cheeks in hot silent streams.

She buried her head in her hands,her body shaking with sobs, the pain, the fear, the helplessness , it all came crashing down on her at once. How did it come to this? She closed her eyes just for a moment, to escape the reality of her situation.

In the darkness behind her eyelid, she saw Lucas , his strong confident figure moving towards her.

“Pretty doll,” She heard Lucas’s soft voice, like a balm to her wounded heart. He stretched a hand towards her, and for the first time in what felt like eternity, she felt a twinkle of hope.

“Lucas,” she murmured, reaching back for him, “You found me.”