CHAPTER 202: CHAPTER 202

Olivia’s POV

The moment I settled into the passenger seat of Maxwell’s car, I knew It wasn’t going to be an easy ride.

The space was too confined. Too intimate - I was beginning to wonder why he’d chose to go with this really small car in the first place.The scent of his cologne filled the enclosed area, making it impossible to think clearly. And Maxwell - Maxwell was watching me with those intense eyes, like he was waiting for me to bolt and run.

"Comfortable?" he asked, his voice smooth as silk.

"Fine," I managed, pressing myself against the door. "Perfectly fine."

He smiled slightly, as he started the engine. "You seem nervous, Oliver."

"Not nervous. Just... eager to meet the family."

Liar. You’re terrified and he knows it.

We pulled out of the driveway, and I tried to focus on anything except his proximity. The trees lining the road. The other cars. The clouds. Literally anything - like how the fuck he knows the way to my parents house.

"You know," Maxwell said casually, one hand on the steering wheel, "I’ve been thinking about last night."

"Last night?"

"The incident with Agnes. How you and Kira were hiding under my bed." He glanced at me briefly before returning his eyes to the road. "It was very... heroic of you. Trying to protect me."

"Just doing the right thing," I mumbled.

"Mmm." The sound was low, almost a purr. "Tell me, Oliver, do you often find yourself in compromising positions? Under beds, for instance?"

What is he playing at now?

"Only when necessary," I said, trying to keep my voice steady in Oliver’s tone.

"And it was necessary last night?"

"To save you from being drugged and assaulted? Yes."

Maxwell was quiet for a moment, and when he spoke again, his voice had dropped lower. "Assaulted? Do you really care that much about me, Oliver?"

The question felt dangerous.

"You’re my employer. Of course I care."

"Is that all I am to you, Oliver?" He shifted in his seat, and somehow the movement made him seem even closer. "Your employer?"

What is he doing? Why is he asking these things?

"What else would you be?" I managed, my mouth suddenly dry.

"I don’t know." Maxwell’s hand moved from the steering wheel to rest on the gear shift - inches from my thigh. "You tell me."

The tension in the car was becoming suffocating. Every breath I took felt charged, making my skin tingle and my heart race.

"Maxwell..."

"We’re almost there," he interrupted, pulling into a shopping district. "But I need to make a quick stop first. Won’t take long."

He parked in front of an upscale boutique, and I saw my opportunity.

"Actually," I said, already unbuckling my seatbelt, "I really need to use a restroom. That coffee at breakfast is catching up with me."

Maxwell’s eyes narrowed slightly. "There’s a restroom in the restaurant..."

"I don’t think I can wait that long," I said, trying to sound urgent. "It’s... it’s kind of an emergency."

I saw something flash through his eyes before he finally nodded. "Fine. There’s a coffee shop across the street. But be quick. We’re already running late."

"Five minutes. I promise."

I practically leaped out of the car and speed-walked toward the coffee shop, feeling Maxwell’s eyes on my back the entire way.

The moment I was inside and out of his line of sight, I bolted.

Straight through the coffee shop, out the back exit, down an alley, and onto a completely different street.

Please let there be a taxi. Please, please, please.

A yellow cab was idling at the corner, and I ran for it like my life depended on it.

I quickly yelled out the address, throwing myself into the backseat. "And please hurry."

The driver nodded and pulled into traffic, and I finally allowed myself to breathe.

I did it. I actually did it.

My phone buzzed immediately. Maxwell.

Maxwell: Where are you?

I turned off my phone and shoved it in my pocket.

The taxi ride to Nikita’s shop felt like the longest fifteen minutes of my life. Every red light made me want to scream. Every slowdown in traffic made my anxiety spike.

Finally, finally, we pulled up in front of Nikita’s shop.

I threw money at the driver and ran inside.

"Nikita!" I called out.

The woman emerged from the back room, her face lighting up when she saw me. "Olivia! Your friend left a package for you. Come, come, we don’t have much time."

She led me to the back room where a garment bag hung waiting.

Inside was the dress Kira had chosen - a stunning blue dress that would hug my curves to my waist, then fall freely. Stilettos. A delicate gold necklace. Everything I needed to transform back into myself.

I changed quickly, stripping off Oliver’s clothes and binding, finally able to breathe properly. The dress slid over my skin like water, and for the first time in days, I felt like myself.

Nikita helped with my makeup, working her usual magic. Foundation. Eyeshadow to make my eyes pop. Lipstick in a shade that made my lips look full and kissable.

"Beautiful," Nikita declared, stepping back to admire her work. "No one would ever know you’re that handsome young man."

"Thank God for that," I muttered, checking my reflection.

She was right. Olivia looked feminine, elegant, completely unrecognizable as Oliver.

I hailed another taxi and gave the driver my parents’ address, my heart pounding as we got closer.

This is it. I’m about to have lunch with my family while Maxwell is probably out there looking for Oliver.

The taxi pulled up in front of my parents’ house, and I took a deep breath before stepping out.

I walked up the front path and knocked on the door.

My mother opened it immediately, her face lighting up. "Olivia! Sweetheart!"

She pulled me into a tight hug, and I felt some of my anxiety melt away. This was my mom. My home. Everything would be okay.

"Hi, Mom," I said, hugging her back. "Sorry I’m a bit late."

"You’re here now, that’s what matters." She pulled back to study me. "You look beautiful, honey. That dress is stunning."

"Thanks, Mom."

We walked inside, and I saw my dad in the living room, reading a newspaper.

"Dad!"

He looked up and smiled, setting aside the paper to give me a hug. "There’s my girl. How’s work been treating you?"

"It’s... been good," I said, which was possibly the understatement of the century.

"Kennedy should be here soon," Mom said, heading toward the kitchen. "He texted that he’s coming with Kira."

"Yeah," I confirmed.

"Oh wonderful! The family will be complete again."

I settled onto the couch, trying to calm my racing heart. So far, so good. No Maxwell. Just a normal family...

The doorbell rang.

Mom went to answer it, and I heard Kennedy’s voice first, then Kira’s nervous laughter.

They walked into the living room, and Kira’s eyes went wide when she saw me. I gave her the smallest nod, and she visibly relaxed.

"Mom, Dad," Kira greeted. "How’ve you been?"

"We’ve been good baby!" Mom hugged Kira warmly.

Then turning to Kennedy, she embraced him tightly. "It’s been too long, son. We’ve missed you terribly."

Kennedy returned the hug, mumbling how he’d missed them all so much. Then he moved to Dad, who clapped him on the back like a son returning from war.

Turning towards me, Kennedy hugged me with all the warmth in him. "It’s been so long, sis."

I immediately returned the hug, holding on to him tightly, finally glad I could freely hug my brother again, "I’ve missed you so much, bro."

From behind Kennedy’s back, I saw Kira making a funny face at me, trying to make me laugh. I held back, shooting her my middle finger.

"Actually," Kennedy said, releasing me from his embrace. "I mentioned to Mom that an old friend of mine might stop by. Someone I think you’d want to meet."

Someone I’d want to meet? Why would I want to meet Maxwell?

But before I could ask any questions, the doorbell rang again.

"I’ll get it!" Mom called out cheerfully.

My stomach dropped. Please don’t be Maxwell. Please don’t be Maxwell.

"Olivia," Mom said from the doorway, "someone’s here to see you."

I turned, and my breath caught in my throat.

Gabriel.

Gabriel Fisher Gregory stood in our living room, looking unfairly handsome in casual clothes, a charming smile on his face.

"Gabriel?" I stood up, extremely shocked. "What are you doing here?"

"Your mother invited me," he said, moving closer. "She thought we should talk more. Get to know each other better."

I shot a look at my mom, who smiled innocently. "He’s such a nice young man, Olivia. And you two seemed to get along so well the first time."

Oh God. My mother is still trying to set me up with Gabriel. I thought she’d dropped it.

"Hi, Gabriel," Kennedy said, shaking his hand. "Didn’t know you were coming."

"Last minute invitation," Gabriel said smoothly. "Hope I’m not intruding."

Before I could respond - before I could process how Kennedy seems to know everyone in Maxwell’s circle - the doorbell rang a third time.

"My goodness," Mom said, "it’s like Grand Central Station in here today!"

She disappeared to answer it, and I tried to steady my breathing.

It’s fine. Everything is fine. Gabriel being here is weird but manageable. Just stay calm.

"Everyone," Mom’s voice called from the foyer, "we have two more guests!"

I turned toward the entrance, and the world stopped.

Maxwell walked in.

But that wasn’t what caused my heart to almost give out.

Beside him, dressed in Oliver’s clothes, wearing Oliver’s wig, with Oliver’s masculine disguise...

Was someone who looked exactly like me.

Someone who looked exactly like Oliver.

What the fuck.