Chapter 39: Chapter 39

“Thomas, meet our new business partner, Mr. Brown. He is one of the well-known names in the textile industry.” James introduced a man to Thomas. Thankfully, it was now her turn to excuse herself.

After greeting Mr. Brown and receiving well wishes for their marriage, she disappeared from the scene letting the men discuss business.

She had met a thousand guests—or so it felt—all of them either a businessman, a celebrity, a politician, wives of wealthy men or whatnot. She was drained physically and mentally.

She went to the restroom where Sana had called her. She was waiting for her there since the hall was so crowded. She doubted if they could even talk in peace. And the photographers were flashing their cameras on her face every now and then. If that was the life of a person with wealth or a woman whose husband was a billionaire, she did not want that life. Ever.

“Phew!” She let out a long, exhausted breath as soon as she entered the restroom. Sana was busy re-touching her makeup. She noticed her as she leaned against the wall letting out a series of exhausted sighs.

“I know I should not feel this way, but I pity you at this moment.” She chuckled as she saw her best friend’s drained face. Olivia glared at her jokingly. She could not even be mad at her while she was looking so gorgeous.

“How I wish you were in my shoes. I would have been the one mocking.” She shook her head with remorse making Sana laugh out loud.

“This too shall pass, beautiful. By the way, you look out of this world. I wanted to squeal as soon as you walked in with the prince-charming. You both look perfect with one another. ” She commented with a look of a fan-girl on her face while she was also busy applying lipstick.

She had been a shipper since day one. She could not even hate the person who compelled her best friend to marry him. As far as she had observed, he was so caring with Olivia. She also noticed the look of pure adoration whenever he laid her eyes on her. She doubted the fact that they two hated each other just like what Olivia had always told her.

Olivia sighed but did not say anything. She had told her time and again what they both felt towards one another, but she did not seem to buy it apparently.

She smiled as she took a good look at her. She was wearing black knee-length dress that fit her perfect body like a second skin. The heels she was wearing matched her dress. Her hair was let loose in gorgeous curls. She was looking so great. She would surely have fallen for her long ago if she were not straight.

“Olive, I was so overwhelmed outside. That was why I wanted to meet you here. Aside from the earlier joke, I salute you for keeping up with all of this.” Sana engulfed Olivia in a tight hug. The respect she had for her had increased ten folds after she did what she did.

Who would go to such lengths for a loved one like she had gone for her mom? Nobody knew her better than Sana to know what her priorities were in life. She had been playing the match-maker countless times, but she refused to settle with anyone and did not have the intention to do so in near future.

The same girl had gotten into a temporary marriage contract for her mom’s sake. As much as she was against the idea, it spoke volume about how much of a precious gem she was.

“Whoa, what is with the sudden change in the air?” Olivia said as she separated from her. She knew where Sana was coming from, but she wanted to lighten up the atmosphere as she saw her getting emotional all of a sudden.

Sana chuckled smacking her arm, “I can’t even be emotional.” She narrowed her eyes at her but her expressions changed to a serious one, “Tell me! And are you really okay?” She asked making Olivia laugh.

“I am okay. Don’t worry.” She said caressing her back. It was great to have someone you could trust with such a big secret.

She felt a vibration from inside her pouch just then. She fished out her phone and looked to find a text from Thomas asking where she was. She put it back inside without replying.

“Let’s go.” She said as she was worried being absent for too long. They were just done with the dinner when she exited the hall. She was not aware of what else was going to take place. But she had to be there. The guests were there for the ‘couple’ after all.

They exited the restroom hand in hand. They were almost there when Sana stopped her. She looked at her with a questioning look.

“Don’t hate me for what I am going to say. Can you please give this a chance?” She asked fearing for her extreme reaction. It took Olivia some time to understand what she meant.

“Give what a chance?” She asked to be sure she understood her correctly. Sana cleared her throat.

“You and Thomas.” She said gulping. She knew she would not like her request, but she really wanted to see her happy. Something—something so convincing inside of her told her that Thomas could be proved to be a good match for her, but she was not ready to see that yet.

Just as expected, her expressions soured, “There is no us, Sana. I don’t know where you get such ideas from, but I can never feel anything for him. He is so different from me—his lifestyle, his thoughts, his values…and I am sure he would not want to do anything with me either. We are just in a contract. The moment we are done, I will leave this part behind never to look back. Understood?” She said in a gentle but firm tone making Sana feel like a pupil nodding her head at the teacher’s command. She shook her head at her with a smile as she turned around to enter the hall again.

As soon as she turned around, she found Thomas standing there and looking at her with the same blank expression he had while in the car. But it felt different kind of blank. It looked more serious for some reason.

“Grandpa is going to make an announcement. He wants both of us to be there.” He said with a grim expression and tone and left without another word. She was baffled at his behavior.

Sana also noticed it. Did he hear what they were talking about?

Why else would he act that way if he did not have feelings for Olivia? She thought to herself.

She refrained from saying anything else that would annoy Olivia and entered with her.

“Be by my side.” Olivia said with a pleading expression. Sana nodded and grabbed her hand. They both went to the stage where her mom and Aunt Mary were already present. Thomas was also standing there and did not even spare a look as she went to stand beside him.

Her heart was beating fast again. What was he going to announce? What if he found out about her past and wanted to insult her in front of everyone? Could she take the embarrassment?

The unwanted and pressing thoughts occupied her mind again as James went ahead and stood in the center. He took a glance at them and cleared his throat.

“I am thankful that you all joined me in this happy occasion. I want to make an announcement. This will be a gift to my grandson for giving me this joy. I want to officially make him my heir. Let’s all welcome the new heir and owner of the Walker Enterprises.” James said with a grin as he called him on the stage. Everyone clapped. Thomas was over the moon. This was the reason he went through so much trouble. The day had finally come.

He smiled widely as he went up on the stage and hugged his grandpa. He was opening his arms wide for him. He was as happy as Thomas was. He was not his enemy. He always wanted what was the best for him. Although he did not like who he had gotten married to, it was time he did what he had promised.

On the other hand, Olivia was relieved to know that it was not about her. She was glad that he still had not found out about her. But till when? For how long would he be in oblivion or anyone else who had come to join their ‘happy’ occasion?

She remembered what some women were gossiping about earlier saying how she was so ordinary compared to Thomas. She had heard them on her way to the restroom earlier.

She could not blame them. She was indeed ordinary compared to him. She wanted to laugh as she recalled Sana’s request.

There would never be ‘them’. It always was and always would be ‘him’ and ‘her’. They were two individuals who had nothing but to spend some time together pretending to be a couple. They would never be an actual couple.

She looked at him who seemed to be so happy. At least one of them were happy at that moment.

His eyes feel upon her, but he turned them away quickly. She was confused as to why he was being so weird, but she shrugged.

It was not the first time he was being that way.