Chapter 19

NINETEEN

O live settled into the plush velvet seat at Aria, the latest hotspot in Manhattan's culinary scene. The restaurant hummed with energy, its sleek decor and dim lighting creating an atmosphere of sophisticated intimacy. She smoothed down her pink mini-dress.

Her sister Sapphire sat across from her, looking every inch the successful lawyer in a tailored black jumpsuit. Athena completed their trio, her fashionable ensemble no doubt a product of her own boutique.

"Ladies," Olive raised her margarita glass, the salt-rimmed edge glinting in the candlelight. "Here's to girls' night and gossiping about boys like we're back in high school."

They clinked glasses, laughter bubbling up between them. The tart, citrusy drink slid down Olive's throat, a pleasant warmth blooming in her chest.

"Speaking of boys," Sapphire's eyes sparkled with mischief. "How's things with Mr. Tall, Dark, and Techy? And please, spare no details. Your vlog updates are giving me life, but I need the behind-the-scenes scoop."

Olive felt a flush creep up her neck, and it wasn't just from the alcohol. "Things are... good. Really good, actually."

"Aww, you sound so cute," Athena giggled. "All in love."

"He's just... God, he's incredible. Smart, funny, and have you seen those arms? I swear, they should be illegal."

"Oh, we've seen," Sapphire chimed in, a sly grin on her face. "That shirtless pic you ‘accidentally' posted yesterday? Pure fire. I think you broke the internet for a hot minute there."

"That was an accident!" Olive protested, her cheeks burning. "He was helping me move some furniture and I didn't realize he was in the background when I snapped a pic of my new bookshelf."

"Mm-hmm, sure," Athena teased. "And I'm sure it was also an accident that you left it up for a full hour before taking it down."

Olive buried her face in her hands, but she couldn't hide her grin. "You two are terrible. But... okay, maybe it wasn't entirely accidental. Can you blame me, though? The man is walking perfection."

"Absolutely not," Sapphire agreed, taking a sip of her drink. "You two look amazing together. Like, romance-novel-cover-models amazing. I'm half expecting you to show up one day in a flowing white dress, wind-swept hair, with Chaos carrying you off into the sunset."

"On a white stallion, of course," Athena added with a laugh.

"Please," Olive scoffed. "If anyone's doing the carrying, it's me. You should see the way he melts when I..."

She trailed off, her eyes widening as she caught sight of a familiar figure approaching their table. Tia Amato, in all her designer-clad glory, was sauntering toward them, flanked by three equally polished women.

"Well, well. If it isn't the little vlogger, completely out of her depth," Tia drawled, her voice dripping with disdain.

Olive's good mood evaporated, replaced by a simmering irritation. She straightened in her seat, meeting Tia's gaze head- on. "Tia," she acknowledged coolly. "What a... surprise to see you here. I didn't think this place served sour grapes and bitter envy. Or is that just your signature perfume?"

Tia's eyes narrowed dangerously. "Cute. I see my brother's little plaything has developed a sharper tongue. How... quaint. Tell me, Olive, do you really think you're anything more than a passing amusement for Chaos?"

The words stung, but Olive refused to show it. Instead, she leaned back in her chair, a sardonic smile playing on her lips. "Oh honey, if that's what you think is happening, you clearly don't know your brother very well. But then again, your obsession with his love life is a little... odd. Are you sure there isn't something you want to tell us? Some deep-seated issues we should know about?"

Tia's face flushed, her carefully manicured nails digging into her palms. "How dare you! I'm just looking out for my brother. He deserves better than some two-bit vlogger playing at being important. You're nothing but a gold-digger with a cute face and a big mouth."

The restaurant had gone eerily quiet, other patrons watching the drama unfold with poorly concealed interest. Olive felt a surge of anger but kept her voice level.

"Mm-hmm," she hummed, taking a leisurely sip of her margarita. "You know, if you're into that whole forbidden love thing, I can recommend some great books. They might help you work through some of those... feelings. I hear My Brother's Keeper is quite the page-turner."

"You little-" Tia sputtered, her hands clenching into fists. One of her friends, a tall stunning blonde, placed a restraining hand on her arm.

Sapphire cleared her throat, her lawyer voice in full effect. "Tia, dear, you might want to leave before you really make Olive angry. We wouldn't want that pretty face of yours getting messed up, would we? I hear plastic surgery is quite expensive these days."

Tia scoffed, tossing her long dark hair over her shoulder. "Please. I'm a lioness. I'm stronger than all of you pathetic humans put together."

Athena and Sapphire exchanged a look before bursting into laughter. "Oh, sweetie," Athena managed between chuckles. "Olive here is a black belt in three different martial arts and was a championship kickboxer. But please, go ahead and test that theory. I'm sure the other patrons would love dinner and a show."

Tia's bravado faltered for a moment before she rallied. "Whatever. Enjoy your little dinner. It won't change the fact that Chaos is just killing time with you, Olive. He's going to marry Vanessa." She pulled the stunning blonde to stand next to her. The blonde who didn't have to say anything to look down at Olive. "Vanessa is perfect. Exactly the woman for Chaos. She's going to be his wife. My brother would never seriously consider someone like you for a mate. You're just... practice."

With that parting shot, Tia flounced away, her entourage in tow. The three women at the table watched them go, a heavy silence settling over them.

Sapphire was the first to break it. "What a raging bitch. I swear, if we weren't in public..."

"Seriously," Athena agreed, refilling their glasses. "Don't listen to her, Olive. She's just jealous that Chaos is actually happy for once. Was that Vanessa? I've never even seen that woman."

Olive nodded, forcing a smile. "Oh, I know. It's fine. Really. Tia's just... Tia. I have to say, I've never seen someone dislike me so much."

"Does she even know where our family stands financially?" Sapphire asked. "Because for her to call you a gold-digger was beyond ridiculous."

"I don't think she really cares if we are wealthy or not. She's decided I'm not good enough for Chaos."

"Too fucking bad," Athena grumbled. "It's not her choice to make."

"Fuck her," Sapphire said, raising her glass. "To my independently wealthy, smart, talented, and beautiful sister and the hunky lion making her heart do cartwheels."

Olive laughed and they all cheered.

But as they toasted again, returning to their earlier lighthearted conversation, Olive couldn't shake the nagging doubt Tia's words had planted.

Was Chaos really just passing time with her? And why hadn't he mentioned Vanessa?

She pushed the thoughts aside, determined not to let Tia ruin their night. But even as she laughed and joked with her sister and cousin, a small part of her wondered if there was any truth to what Tia had said. The seed of doubt had been planted, and Olive couldn't help but worry about what might grow from it.

"Hey," Sapphire said softly, reaching across the table to squeeze Olive's hand. "You okay? You went quiet there for a second."

Olive blinked, realizing she'd zoned out. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just... thinking."

"About what Tia said?" Athena guessed, her expression softening. "Olive, come on. You can't let that harpy get in your head. Chaos is crazy about you. Anyone with eyes can see that."

"Absolutely," Sapphire chimed in. "The way he looks at you. That's not a man who's just ‘killing time.' That's a man who's head over heels."

Olive managed a small smile. "You're right. I know you're right. It's just... sometimes it feels too good to be true, you know? Like I'm waiting for the other shoe to drop."

"Well, stop waiting," Athena said firmly. "You deserve this happiness, Olive. Don't let anyone, especially not Tia freaking Amato, tell you otherwise."

"Now," Sapphire raised her glass. "I believe we were discussing Chaos's illegal arms before we were so rudely interrupted. Please, continue. In excruciating detail."

Olive laughed, the tension easing from her. As she launched into a story about Chaos's latest romantic gesture, she felt the warmth of love and support from her sister and cousin wash over her.

Whatever doubts Tia had tried to plant, Olive knew one thing for certain - she had people in her corner, and that was worth more than any society girl's approval.