"May I come in?" Desmond asked, standing at the threshold of Olivia's bedroom.
The door was wide open as she unpacked her boxes.
"Sure." Olivia replied.
Desmond walked in, carefully looking at the books she was removing from the box.
"You're a reader, huh?" He asked.
Olivia, who was sitting on the floor, looked up at him with a small smile. "It helps pass time."
"Do you need help?" Desmond asked.
"No, I'm alright." Olivia replied.
For days, she had been too busy taking care of her daughter in the hospital and had not been able to fully unpack in her new home.
"A few of my friends are visiting today." Desmond informed. "I would like you to meet them."
"Oh." Olivia walked to the vanity to organize her cosmetics. "Are you sure? I mean I'm pretty sure they've heard about what happened at the Colbert's event and I'm not even divorced yet. They might see you as a home-wrecker." Olivia voiced her worries.
Desmond laughed. "Do you think I care?" He asked, as he walked towards her.
Olivia gazed at him admiringly. "Where do you get your confidence?"
"From my father. He was a very confident man." Desmond stated. "His confidence was more notable than his wealth."
Olivia raised a brow. "I thought you don't come from old money and generational wealth."
It was a well known fact that Desmond Wrightwood came from humble beginnings. Unlike Sebastian, who had a wealthy father who paved the way for him, Desmond was a self-made billionaire.
"I do not." Desmond replied, wrapping his arms around Olivia's waist, pulling her to his body. "What about you?"
Olivia chuckled. "I am very far from generational wealth." She said, trying not to get distracted by the feeling of Desmond's body against hers. "I grew up in a catholic orphanage."
Desmond frowned. "Really?"
Olivia nodded. "Laurel is my only family. I have no brothers or sisters or parents that I know of."
"How did you meet and marry Sebastian?" Desmond asked.
"I got a scholarship to a very prestigious private high school." Olivia explained. "And somehow the Billionaire's son, fell in love with the orphan. I got another scholarship to further my education in another country, but Sebastian wanted me close and he spoke to his father, who instead, gave me a scholarship in the same university Sebastian got into." Olivia narrated.
"So you met the late Gerald Gilbert?" Desmond asked, surprised.
"Yes. He was a great man, very accommodating, kind and confident." Olivia said. She liked Gerald Gilbert a great deal while he lived.
Desmond smiled sadly. "He was."
"Sounds like you knew him too." Olivia said.
"No, no." Desmond laughed awkwardly. "But I have heard a lot about him, he's an icon."
"I believe you could be like him." Olivia said.
"That means a lot, blondie." Desmond grinned, leaning towards her.
Olivia's breath was caught in her throat as Desmond's lips covered hers. The kiss was slow and steamy, much like the first one they shared at Rob's party.
Throwing off his shirt and undoing his belt, Olivia and Desmond moved to the bed, forgetting that the door was still wide open.
"You're so hot." Desmond whispered against her skin as he flipped them over, laying above her.
Olivia knew she was making a mistake; sleeping with Desmond would only heighten her feelings for him and that was the last thing she wanted. She did not have the willpower to reconsider as Desmond's mouth moved against hers.
"Ahem!"
The sound of someone clearing his throat snapped Olivia and Desmond back to reality. They immediately sat up, to see Rob by the threshold.
"I was just searching for you." Robb said. "Shut the door next time, would you?"
Olivia tried prying herself away from Desmond's body, but he would not let her go. She was glad she was not undressed.
"Is Trina and everyone here?" Desmond asked Rob.
"Yes. Feel free to join us when you finish." Robb winked, then walked away.
Olivia sighed. "That was awkward."
"No, it was not." Desmond laughed. "We were only kissing. Robb has walked in on me doing worse."
Olivia glared at Desmond. She had heard about his playboy lifestyle from the media and from Sebastian, but until that moment, she had not given it a second thought.
"You should go." She said. "Your friends are waiting."
"Come with me." Desmond suggested as he got up, then put on his shirt.
"I will be there in a couple minutes, my hair is a mess."
"I will be waiting." After giving her a quick peck on the lips, Desmond hurried out.
Olivia stared at her reflection in the mirror as she brushed her hair, wondering if she was just another one of Desmond Wrightwood's conquests.
Olivia heard their laughter before she descended the stairs.
…"And I'm the one with anger issues?" Someone concluded a joke, making the group of five burst into laughter.
Their laughter came to an abrupt end when Olivia walked in.
"Hello." She said coldly, as she stared at their familiar faces. It was the same people in the VIP section at Rob's party.
They stared back at her, surprised and confused before Desmond spoke up.
"You might remember Olivia." Desmond said as he walked to Olivia's side, placing an arm around her waist.
"How could we forget?" The man who had almost fought Desmond asked.
"Hello, Olivia." The only woman in the group greeted. "What are you doing in the Wrightwood bad boy's company?"
"The blabbermouth is Katrina, we all call her Trina." Desmond introduced jokingly. "That's Elias, he's kind of a jerk. The blonde man is Nathan and you already know Rob."
"Nice." Olivia simply said. Even after years of being introduced to important people by Sebastian, she still hated introductions. She and Desmond took a seat.
"So the rumors are true." Elias started. Olivia remembered how he insulted her and almost got in a physical fight with Desmond for it. "You stole Sebastian's trophy wife."
"She really is a trophy." Trina said, eyeing Olivia.
"Rumors? I saw our friend Desmond and Sebastian Gilbert come to blows over her at the Colbert's event." Nathan narrated.
"How did it feel, having two gorgeous Billionaires fighting over you in public?" Trina asked.
They all paused, waiting for Olivia's answer. "Exhilarating."
Everyone laughed, except Elias. "She's just your type." He said. "Blonde, pretty, sharp-mouthed but moldable. Even has the body."
"Do everyone a favor and shut up, Elias." Desmond said.
So Desmond had a type? Huh.
"Are you two dating?" Trina asked.
"Mind your business, Trina." Rob warned.
Trina ignored Rob, continuing with her series of questions. "How is Mr. Sebastian Gilbert taking the news that you are living with his biggest rival?"
"Do you always ask so many questions?" Olivia snapped.
Sensing her discomfort and slight hostility, they left her out of the rest of the conversation. After deciding she had heard enough, Olivia excused herself from the living room.
She soon found herself sitting by Desmond's pool with her legs in the water. She had a lot on her mind, especially regarding her daughter. The doctor was not optimistic about chances of Laurel's recovery, but Olivia would not give up so soon.
"Olivia Gilbert." Someone called.
She turned to see Rob. "Rob?..." She trailed, waiting to hear his surname.
"Saunders. My name is Rob Saunders." The name rang a bell in Olivia's head, but she was unsure.
"Have we met before?" She finally asked.
"Why are you sitting out here all by yourself?" He asked. "Did Trina's questions provoke you?"
"A little." Olivia admitted. "I'm not in a great place mentally right now either, I would hate to say something I would regret."
Rob sat beside her. "What, is Desmond still such a horrible roommate?"
Olivia laughed. "It's not about him. I think he's the best thing that has happened to me in a long time." She spoke truthfully. "But I'm going through a messy divorce and my daughter is sick."
"I'm sorry about that." Rob said. "You will be fine. You seem like you can handle whatever life throws at you. You seem really special."
"Thanks, Rob." She turned to face him squarely. "Do you think Desmond thinks so?"
"Definitely." He replied quickly.
Something clicked in Olivia's head as Rob got up to leave. "I remember you."