Chapter 30

Olive, worried about Elvis, quickly lifted the blanket and stood. She searched the large room, but he was nowhere to be found. Had he gone out?

"Elvis!!"

The bathroom door swung open, and a large hand grasped her slender arm, pulling her inside. She saw Elvis. He'd showered; his black shirt and trousers were damp, his short black hair dripping.

"Looking for me?" His voice was hoarse.

Olivia touched his forehead; it was hotter than before. The tonic was potent. Elvis grabbed her wrist, burying his face in her neck.

"Olly, I'm very uncomfortable."

Olive's heart skipped a beat. She hadn't expected such a domineering man to act like a child.

"Olly, I've showered several times, but it still doesn't help. I was alone; why did you come looking for me?"

His hoarse whisper softened her heart.

"I didn't mean to disturb you. I'll go now."

Elvis interrupted, "You always do this. You leave people behind. Now that you're here, you think you can still leave?"

He raised a hand, fingertips resting on her pajamas, beginning to unbutton them. Olive held his hand firmly. She remembered the phone call she'd made to him during his business trip—a woman had answered, his lover.

Then what was she to him? Just another lover?

A cold wave of realization washed over her.

"Mr. Augustine, if you're truly uncomfortable, go find another woman."

Elvis's body tensed. He slowly raised his head, his narrowed eyes, bloodshot and fierce, fixed on her.

"What did you say?"

She didn't flinch, despite the terrifying look in his eyes.

"Mr. Augustine, if you need a woman, go find one."

Rage filled him. His eyes glazed over. She'd actually told him to find another woman! He clenched his fists, then threw a punch. Olive shut her eyes instinctively. His fist smashed into the bathroom mirror.

Olive opened her eyes to see his hand torn by the shattered glass, blood flowing freely. It was shocking.

"Elvis, your hand…"

He released her and stormed out, slamming the door.

Olive was distraught. She was caring for her unconscious Aunt Rebecca. Two days after Elvis slammed the door, he hadn't returned. Mrs. Samantha told her he'd gone on another business trip. Olive knew it was a lie, a fabrication to spare the old woman worry.

It was noon when her phone rang. It was Gabriella.

Gabriella's triumphant voice boomed, "Olive, come to KissLand bar tonight. Dare you show up?"

Olive wouldn't let herself wallow. She hadn't forgotten her intention to repay Gabriella. The time was right.

"Okay, I'll be there on time."

At KissLand Bar, Gabriella and Pearl were already there. Gabriella raised her hands.

"Olive, what do you see on my finger?"

A large diamond ring adorned her index finger. Before Olive could speak, Pearl gasped, "Wow, Gabriella, did Derrick get that for you? He gave you a diamond necklace for your birthday, and now this! He really loves you."

Gabriella looked at Olive proudly, searching for envy. "Yes, this is from Derrick. In two days, we're having our engagement party. Then he'll propose."

"Gabriella, I envy you. Marrying into the Domino family is every girl's dream in this city."

Gabriella saw no envy. "You pretend to be calm. You must be envious! Derrick is mine, and he loves me. You can't take him away!"

Olive smiled lightly. "Don't worry, I won't steal your Derrick. At your engagement, I'll give you a special gift!"

Gabriella scoffed; Olive couldn't possibly give her anything special.

Olive's phone beeped. A message from Derrick.

"Come to KissLand bar, I have something to show you."

What a coincidence.

Olive glanced at Gabriella and Pearl. "I'm at KissLand now. Private room two."

Tucking her phone away, Olive said, "Gabriella, come outside. I have something to tell you."

"Why can't you say it here?" Gabriella grumbled, but curiosity won, and she followed.

Pearl was alone, bored. Gabriella had ordered fine wine; Pearl quickly downed two glasses. The wine was delicious but potent. Her face flushed, she became tipsy. The private room door opened, and Derrick entered majestically.