CHAPTER 85: CHAPTER 85

Olivia’s POV

The moment David joined the group, my blood turned to ice, and my whole body completely went numb with shock. I quickly hid my face with one hand, hoping he wouldn’t notice me.

How the hell did he get here? Oh my God. What was he doing here? Was he a friend of the family’s too? Shit!!

Even Kira had noticed him and was shocked as well. Alex’s party was the last place I could’ve ever thought I’d see David again.

The universe was really playing a fast one on me, and it was getting quite annoying.

Out of curiosity, I risked a brief look at him, and I had to admit, even with all his toxic baggage, David looked... better. More polished. His time in France had clearly agreed with him - his hair was perfectly styled, his suit was tailored to perfection, and there was also a new confidence in his posture.

As he chatted with Alex like they were close friends, I told myself I needed to get the fuck out. I began my strategic retreat. Step by step, I backed away from the group, using Maxwell’s broad shoulders as a shield.

Almost there. Just a few more steps and I can disappear into the crowd...

But just as David finished his congratulations and Alex began making introductions, I knew I was out of time. Without another thought, I spun around and bolted.

"Excuse me," I muttered to a confused waiter as I practically dove into the ornamental bushes where I’d thrown my phone earlier.

My hands shook as I fumbled through the leaves, thorns tearing at my cheap suit as I searched for my phone. Come on, come on...

Finally, my fingers found my phone.

I didn’t waste another second. Holding my phone tightly, I hurried toward the exit, my heart hammering against my ribs. I’d done what I came to do - made sure the bride and groom saw "Oliver" at their wedding. I’d even encountered my stranger again, and survived that mortifying conversation with Gabriel. Now I just needed to get home before my mother spotted me, or worse, before David realized who he’d just seen.

I left the venue, then passed the parking area, until finally I got to the street. Only when my feet hit the sidewalk did I allow myself to breathe properly.

I made it. I actually made it.

I raised my hand to hail a cab, already looking forward to my house and the surprise package waiting for me, when a sleek black car suddenly pulled up to the curb in front of me.

Before I could process what was happening, the passenger door flew open and David stepped out.

"Olivia!" he called out.

Oh my God. How did he know it was me so quickly.

Run.

The word screamed through my mind as I spun on my heel, but David had always been athletic. Before I could take more than three steps, his hand closed around my wrist.

"No, no, no!" I struggled against his grip, my voice cracking with panic. "Let me go!"

But he was already pulling me toward the car, his grip strong. "We need to talk, Olivia. Get in the car."

"Are you insane?" I tried to dig my heels in, but the shoes wouldn’t cooperate with me. "You can’t just kidnap people!"

"I’m not kidnapping you!" David protested, though he was literally dragging me toward his car. "I just want to have a conversation!"

"That’s literally what kidnappers say!"

A couple walking by slowed down to stare, and I finally thought I was going to be rescued, but David flashed them his most charming smile.

"Pre-wedding jitters," he explained smoothly. "You know how brides get. And this one is a really special bride.

"I’m not a bride!" I protested, but he was already pushing me into the backseat.

"Not yet," he agreed, sliding in beside me and pulling the door shut. "Drive, Roy. Somewhere private."

"Where to, Mr. David?" the driver asked, completely unfazed by the kidnapping happening in his backseat.

"The warehouse district. Find somewhere quiet."

As the car pulled away, I pressed myself against the opposite door. "This is kidnapping, you know. Actual kidnapping."

"This is a conversation," he corrected, his voice eerily calm. "About lies. And disguises. And fifty thousand dollars that you apparently decided you wanted to return."

My stomach dropped. "I can explain..."

"Can you?" He turned to face me fully, and I was struck by the cold fury in his eyes. "Because I’m really curious to hear how you explain this clusterfuck."

"What clusterfuck? I don’t..."

"Stop." His voice cut through my protests. "Just stop with the lies, Olivia. I know it’s you."

"You’re delusional..."

"Wow, look who’s speaking." He suddenly reached over, and I flinched back. But instead of grabbing me, he plucked something from my hair. A bobby pin. One of the many I’d used to pin my hair up under Oliver’s wig.

He held it up between us like evidence. "Delusional about this?"

Before I could stop him, his hands were at my neck, finding the edge of the spirit gum holding down my fake Adam’s apple Nikita had fixed earlier. With one swift motion, he peeled it off, including all my face disguise.

"Or this?"

"David, stop..."

But he was already reaching for the wig, his fingers finding the clips underneath. Then he pulled it free, and my long hair tumbled down around my shoulders.

The transformation was complete. Oliver Hopton was gone, and I was left sitting there as undeniably myself.

David sat back, the wig dangling from his fingers, his eyes blazing with fury.

"Hello, Olivia," he said quietly. "Fancy meeting you here."

I swallowed hard. "Okay. So maybe it’s me."

"Maybe?" His voice rose slightly. "MAYBE?"

"Alright, fine! It’s me! Are you happy now?"

"Happy?" He let out a harsh laugh. "Oh, I’m fucking ecstatic. Do you want to know what I’ve been doing for the past week, Olivia?"

"Not particularly..."

"I’ve been trying to reach you, trying to apologize, trying to make things right. And just when I thought things were going great between us, you know what I get?"

I remained silent.

"I get lies. What are you doing here Olivia? Weren’t you supposed to be recuperating somewhere far from here?"

Oh shit.