42. Olivia #3
I look like a fucking dream. But it’s so odd seeing a woman staring back at me again.
Me. Despite the short hair. It’s me. Olivia.
A girl I left behind a long time ago. I traded her in for Olivia Seven.
A new version of Olivia Viotto. The agent.
The hard worker. Burning herself out with so much work and training, she never had to confront her past or think about it.
Now, before me is the girl who sat in a tree house with her three best friends and watched the stars.
Who snuck out of her bedroom to be with those boys when she was lonely and beaten down.
Maybe one day I’ll get back to being her.
One day.
Simon tilts his head. “So what are you trying to achieve tonight? Do you want everyone to keep their eyes off you? Because if that’s the case, then we need to put you in a turtleneck and hide you away…”
“No,” I croak, shaking my head. I hold his gaze in the mirror. “I want every eye on me when I walk into the room. For tonight only.” Because that’s all I can afford. I can’t expose myself to everyone.
Simon’s eyes widen with realization. “Ohhh, are you hunting?” he chuckles. “Well, if you’re on the prowl, this outfit says meow.”
I burst out with a laugh, shaking my head. “Well then, I guess this is it.” Because he’s right. I am on the prowl tonight. I need to ensnare Malic in my clutches, make it to his room, and get my damn glasses back.
Yeah, I’m the best secret agent ever. Not.
How the hell did I get here?
Standing back in my changing room, I snap a picture of my outfit and send it to Jordy for reassurance. He’s my best friend; I know he won’t lie to me.
Jordy: **Eyes bulging GIF** Umm, who is the hotty? Big Date Livy Poo?
I snort to myself, staring at my outfit in the mirror again.
Oli: Just need to seduce my old one-night stand because I lost my capture glasses at a party and now I need them back…
I hesitate when I hit enter, but send it anyway.
Jordy: Lost…your glasses… Oh Jesus.
Jordy: Livy, is that safe? I mean…how does HE have them?
Jordy: Hold up. Nope…
Jordy: You know what? I’m asking way too many questions that I don’t want the answers to.
Jordy: You’ll be safe, though. Right? Condoms included? Might bring your knife…
Jordy: Wait…wait…it’s the psycho, isn’t it? Oh my God, the Viking??
Jordy: For the love of God, Oliviaaaaa. Please be safe.
Jordy: Are you ever going to shut me up?
Oli: Shut up, Jordy…
Oli: And I promise. I’ll be safe.
After we buy our outfits and leave the store, Simon drags me to the food court again and buys us pretzels with cheese. His treat.
Simon bites into his pretzel with a moan. “I crave these every day,” he mumbles. “I can’t come here without grabbing one.” He licks a glob of cheese from the side of his lip with a grin. “Soooo, are you excited for the fights? With that outfit?”
I smile, tentatively taking a bite and nodding. “Mmmm,” I hum, savoring the flavor of the pretzel on my tongue. I swallow hard. “And yeah, I’m ready for the fights. It’ll be fun.”
More like exhilarating. I’m nervous about doing this, yes. Extremely nervous. So many things could go wrong. Going undercover as Claire. Trying to hide who I really am. Plus Oliver. It’s the thrill of the hunt, too. My inner secret agent is ready to go and get my glasses back.
“Well, we’re going to have fun! Daniel even said he’ll meet me there…” He trails off, a piece of pretzel hovering. “That’s cool, right? Daniel being there?” I nod, and Simon deflates. “Oh, good! Well, we’ll have fun. He won’t ask questions if you don’t want him to.”
I offer him a soft smile. “Thanks, Simon. For understanding me.” He really is a good friend. He’s never questioned why I’m Oliver and now Claire. He simply goes with the flow and protects me when I need it. “Tell Daniel I’m Oliver’s cousin Claire?” I question.
“You got it. My lips are sealed,” he says with a grin that quickly morphs into confusion. Digging in his pocket, he grabs his phone and looks at the screen. “Hmmm.”
“Is something the matter?” I ask after swallowing another bite and chewing slowly as I trace the worry lines on his forehead.
Simon’s nose wrinkles. “Wade texted. He’s out of the hospital, but his mom won’t let him come back to the dorms.” Well, that explains why he hasn’t been back since getting out.
“He says he has to stay with her until she knows what was behind his attack. For his safety. Shit. What if they never catch this person?” Simon pales for a moment as his eyes glaze over.
Don’t worry, Si. I’ll get them. I’ll find out who is terrorizing people on campus and taking students like trophies.
“Any clues on who did it?” I ask because I haven’t been able to find anything out either. Not through any of my channels. It’s like the crime didn’t happen and no one is talking about it. Well, except us.
Simon shakes his head, chewing slower than before. “No. No clues on who did it. Scary stuff though. We have to stick together and be careful around here. It’s getting bad out there,” Simon whispers, shaking his head with fear sparking in his eyes.
“Do you think they’d ever shut down campus?” I slowly finish off my pretzel.
Simon shakes his head. “Nope. Don’t think that will ever happen. For reasons,” he says seriously, rubbing his fingers together.
Money. Of course. Makes sense. Why would Franco shut it down when he can keep leaching money from everyone? Besides, that would make everyone panic more.
“Me either…” My voice trails off as thoughts consume me. “They need to do something, though,” I murmur, and get lost in my thoughts as a comfortable silence descends on us.
Simon stares at his phone, grinning and typing a few things, giving me time to reflect on what the hell has happened today. My eyes wander through the crowd, people-watching. It’s amazing to take in everyone and mentally collect information.
My muscles stiffen when I catch sight of an unlikely person sitting ten feet away with a burger hovering close to his lips.
Stormy blue eyes.
They take me in from head to toe. Only stopping when his gaze connects with mine. My breath stalls in my chest when he blinks a few times and averts his eyes back to his table.
Fuck.
Wilder.
Sitting there in a tight T-shirt and jeans, eating a burger by himself. I swallow hard, discreetly looking around for Malic. Where Wilder is, Malic is usually lurking around.
My palms clam up as a familiar figure towers over their table.
Malic. My target for tonight. Fuck. I can’t tear my eyes away from them as they speak to each other in low voices.
Wilder shoves the rest of his burger into his mouth and stands before they leave together.
But not before he peeks over his shoulder and looks at me again before walking out the exit.
Deep breaths, Liv. There’s no way Wilder recognized you. Sure, he’s seen you close up when you sparred. And sure, he might think I’m Oliver. But I can be convincing. Right?
Whatever.
The next time Wilder sees me, I’ll have a fresh face of makeup, no contacts, and my newest outfit on. Who would be able to tell it was me?
Hopefully no one.