Chapter 9 OLIVIA

OLIVIA'S POV

Life is a paradox of contradicting similarities!!!

I have never been a fan of physical contact and it took a lot to get to where I am today as

regards relating to others.

All because of a traumatic experience...one I am still progressively healing from.

I went perfectly motionless at Jarek's touch and my eyes stuck on the hand that fastened

over my tensed one.

We said nothing but his hand was on mine till we got to the event centre.

He quickly came out from his car to hold the door open for me and I hooked onto a waiting

elbow.

We walked elegantly into the event hall where the party was already in motion.

Barely had we entered, when two women quickly strolled towards us, stopping us from going

to our designated seats.

"Hi, Mr Jarek. I never knew you would want to attend such a gathering... " The one that used

all of her lip gloss on her lips said in a suspiciously low voice. She was speaking like she

was watching her tone, trying to be decent.

'Of course, he would attend. He works in the company also ' I thought as I mentally rolled my

eyes.

Their gazes were so focused on Jarek that one could think I was a piece of an illusion.

"You know since you don't usually attend such..." The other lady added with a bright cheery

smile.

They were ogling and drooling at the sight of him, their eyes feeding on the sight of him in a

sleek suit - an all-black outfit save the pocket filler that was surprisingly olive green like my

dress.

"Evening Miss Lydia and Miss Rachel. Meet Olivia Forte...my girlfriend" Jarek said, pulling

their lost attention to me.

I wasn't expecting it as I thought he would have just responded to them and gotten us out of

their pretentious presence, but he seemed to have other plans.

Their eyes settled on me and I could see the itch my presence brought to them. It was clear

Jarek was one of the popular men at work and I'm certain his popularity didn't stem from his

personality because that was cold and indifferent. It did come from his looks and maybe he

is good at what he does. He walks with that air around him...that air of defined and earned

confidence.

"Your...your girlfriend. I never knew you had one, Mr Jarek'' Miss, too- much lip gloss said.

"Nice to meet you, " She said all too quickly.

'Your facial expression doesn't say it was nice though!' I thought and before I could politely

respond to her, she turned on her heel and walked away.

"Good day, Miss Forte," The other said, and with that, she also followed the other lady.

I turned to Jarek with an amused smile.

"What was that?" I asked. The hostility in the air was almost palpable and never in my mind's

eye did I think the evening would begin that way.

"Don't think about it Liv.

You are the prettiest female around here. It's only natural that they react. Come on, let's find

our seats" Jarek said.

'Prettiest female?

No, I don't think so. He is just trying to flatter me clearly!'

We found the designated table for us and settled into it. Just as he sat beside me, people

began to clap.

I was backing the door and was about to turn but Jarek stopped me.

"Garland and his wife just arrived. Don't turn. Don't act interested.

Just keep your eyes on me" He said.

I blinked as I stilled myself to do as he said. It would not be proper for me to begin to scroll

through social media in an attempt to dim my existence at this moment.

The clapping stopped and I assumed the party had continued. I poured some water for

myself and took a sip of it to calm myself.

There was a fruit skewer on our table and I reached for one of the strawberries.

It tasted almost bland, just like my purpose for coming to this place that isn't my turf, but I ate

it regardless.

'Just two months, and it isn't every weekend you will be seen out together!'

"You have something at the corner of your lip," Jarek said.

Out of habit, I used my tongue to try to retract whatever it was that was by the corner of my

lip.

"Not that corner..." Jarek said but before I could use my tongue at the second corner of my

lips, he stretched out his hand and brushed whatever it was away.

His finger lingered a little, ensuring to properly remove it but his thumb gradually slid below

my lower lip.

Just a little act but my skin felt like it had been ignited. His finger stayed as our eyes met.

I wouldn't put it past us that there hasn't been 'something'. This is something I would rather

not look into since I turned into his arms at that wedding, but it has only been a week.

Maybe I'm ovulating and I'm just in need of masculine attention or something.

Someone cleared a throat, and the both of us came back to earth; just like that, the spell

around us was shattered, and we looked at whoever it was.

Garland and his wife were standing before our table. They were going from table to table to

congratulate their workers who had come for their wedding and who had seen to it that their

business was still thriving.

I had forgotten about them.

"Evening," Jarek said curtly as he stood up. He shook his boss' stretched-out hand and also

Garland's, and I think his clutch on Garland's had been firmer.

I smiled at them - flashing a tight and pretense-filled smile.

"Congratulations on your wedding," I said to her, ignoring Garland's fastened eyes on me.

"Thank you. Although I must say that you look a little familiar. Were you at my wedding?"

Garland's wife asked.

My mouth went dry as I searched for the right words to say.

'Yes, I did. I was the lady that was crying like a fool close to the altar'

"You both will have to pardon us. This is my Lady's song and I know she would like to dance

to it..." Jarek said.

He placed his hand on the small of my back and led me away from them before they could

say something else.

'That was weird because no one would talk to his or her boss in that manner. Most people

had either literal fear or reverential fear for their bosses!'

It was as we were walking away that I resumed taking in oxygen and also then that I noticed

that there were already others dancing.

"I'm sorry about that," Jarek said as we walked.

I said nothing. The earlier the better we are done with the show we are putting up, the better

it is for me. I wasn't made for such exposure.

Our hands intertwined, one of his hands around my waist, my other on his shoulder, and I

realized that the song that was playing was my favorite song.

'How did he know that? Or had he just said that to them to get me out of there?

But regardless I was angry. He was the one who would not allow me to repay him with

money or something else. Instead, he had to propose a fake relationship!'

"Relax little Miss. Your muscles are all tensed..." He started. "Do not try to freaking patronize

me. You were the one that didn't want Garland close to me and yet you brought me to a

place where I am bound to see him. What do you have to say for yourself, Mr Jarek?" I

asked fiercely.

His thumb around my waist worked in circles as we danced.

He turned me till my back was pressed to him and his hand was around me. My eyes

subconsciously closed at how close I was to him. I could almost feel the heat of his skin

beneath his suit.

"The earlier you get over him, Liv, the better.

I do not like the fact that he still occupies a part of your thoughts..." He said, his rich voice a

whisper in my ears.

"That is none of your business, Mr Jarek. I will..." I started, my voice devoid of the fierceness

it once possessed. He swiftly twirled me around and a small gasp fell from my lips as my

eyes flew open. He caught me again.

"It is my business because you won't be able to put up a good show if you still think about

him," He replied. We were now facing each other as we danced. His eyes a sizzly fire and

mine a reflection of his.

"Then let me pay you some other way since you insist on getting paid. Tell me what you

want. Something other than this.

You can get another woman to take pictures with to show your parents but I don't think I can

do this again.

So what do you want?" I asked again.

I saw pillars and humans move swiftly around me as he swirled me again.

There were not many people on the dance floor.

When he caught me again, he fixed me in a dip, my back arched onto him as his hand

encircled me. My hand was around his neck and our breaths fanned each other's faces.

My lips were parted and my chest was heaving like I just participated in a zombie chase.

"You!" Jarek said.