CHAPTER 82: CHAPTER 82

Olivia’s POV

After a moment of regaining control and calming my racing heart, I finally rejoined the party still looking out for my mother.

My mystery man’s touch still lingered on my skin, and for some reason, I felt truly happy. Someone loved me. Someone was protecting me. Someone thought I was worth fighting for.

Even if he did express his devotion in the most mysterious ways, it still made me feel very special.

The fairy lights twinkled overhead, casting soft glow on couples that were dancing so lovingly. It was so beautiful to watch but I smiled to myself, knowing I had someone now.

I spotted Alex at the center of the stage, champagne glass raised. Vanessa stood by his side, looking so radiant and dazzling, while Maxwell lurked behind them like the perfect chaperone.

"...and so I toast to the woman who taught me that love isn’t just about finding someone you can live with," Alex was saying in a loud proud voice, "but finding someone you can’t live without."

Gag me.

But even my cynicism couldn’t dampen my mood tonight. I had a mysterious stranger who left me breathless and a package waiting for me at home. My life was beginning to take shape.

"Don’t they look sickeningly perfect together?"

I whipped around to find Gabriel standing beside me like a gorgeous, brooding ghost. He was wearing a midnight blue suit that made his dark hair look sinful, but his eyes... God, his eyes looked like someone had just ripped his heart out and served it on a silver platter.

"Gabriel," I breathed, then caught myself. "I mean, hi."

He moved closer, close enough that I caught his scent. It smelled familiar. Felt familiar. It felt like... like the same scent that had been driving me wild just minutes ago.

Wait.

What?

My brain screeched to a halt as the pieces clicked together. The height. The build. The way he moved. The protective instincts. The scent that made my body respond like I’d been programmed for it.

Oh my fucking God.

Gabriel was still talking, his voice rough with emotion. "Two years, you know? Two years I thought she was mine. We were college sweethearts who found each other again, and I actually believed we had a second chance at forever."

I stared at him, my mouth probably hanging open like a fish, while my mind raced. The way he’d appeared outside Maxwell’s office. The way he’d connected with me on the first date. The way he had looked at me like he wanted to devour me whole.

"She told me she loved me," Gabriel continued, his jaw clenching. "Right up until the moment she saw Alex again. Turns out I was just the consolation prize while she waited for the real thing."

Holy shit, it’s him. Gabriel is my mystery stranger.

"But you know what the really pathetic part is?" Gabriel turned to look at me directly, "I’m still crazy about her. Even knowing she chose my twin brother over me, even watching her glow like a damn Christmas tree in his arms, I can’t seem to turn off what I feel for her. Apparently I’m too raw and intense for her." He finshed with a scoff.

What?

The bottom dropped out of my world so fast I felt dizzy. Gabriel was in love with Vanessa. Still in love with Vanessa. Which meant... which meant what exactly? That I was some kind of rebound? That Olivia was distraction? A way to get back at his brother?

But why would he do such a thing? Why would he indicate interest in Olivia if he was still in love with Vanessa?

Also, if he’s my mystery man, then why is he telling me about being in love with someone else?

"I’m Gabriel, by the way," he said, extending his hand with a rueful smile. "I don’t think we were properly introduced last time, since you ran off like your pants were on fire."

I shook his hand automatically, my brain still fuzzy. His fingers were warm and calloused, but somehow, it didn’t feel like the stranger’s hand.

"Why did you run off?" he asked, tilting his head. "You looked like you’d seen a ghost."

"I... Mr. Wellington sent me on an errand," I stammered, which was technically true. "I was in a hurry."

Gabriel nodded, but his eyes stayed fixed on mine with great intensity. "Well, I should let you get back to the festivities. Though I have to ask - have we met before tonight? You seem... familiar."

"I don’t think so," I murmured.

"Hmm." He studied my face for another long moment. "Well, enjoy the party, Oliver."

Then he melted back into the crowd just as Alex’s toast ended with a thunderous applause. I stood there feeling really confused.

Okay, let’s think: What if Gabriel was my mystery stranger who’s been fucking me senseless while claiming to protect me? But he is also still desperately in love with his brother’s fiancée. But then why had he declared love to me just minutes ago. I mean, his scent is unmistakably the same with my stranger’s, but his hands... God, I’m totally confused right now.

*I need alcohol. Lots of alcohol.*

But first, I needed to congratulate Alex like a good little employee before I could escape this nightmare and go home to examine whatever my stranger had left in my apartment.

I approached the happy couple with legs that felt like jelly. Alex spotted me immediately and waved me over with a wide grin.

"Oliver! You made it!" He looked genuinely pleased to see me, "I was starting to worry when Maxwell said you’d had some kind of episode earlier."

"Episode?" My voice cracked slightly.

Maxwell appeared at Alex’s shoulder like the devil himself, his green eyes glittering. "Oh yes, our dear Mr. Hopton had quite the dizzy spell yesterday. I was so concerned that I had to send him home early."

"I had a dizzy spell?" I asked in surprise, wondering what was going on.

"Yes, you did." Maxwell said, as if forcing me to accept it.

What the hell?