Chapter Twenty-eight

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Alyssa

We pulled up in front of a nice looking bakery slash cafe. Sophia's corner. That's funny. That's Nathan's mom's name.

“This is Gran's place!” Oliver exclaimed from the back seat of the car.

Oh wow. How didn't I put the pieces together? We even passed by Sophia's house on our way here. Oliver was suddenly very excited and I understood why, I wanted to see Sophia as well, she's nice to be around and reminds me of my mother in some ways. Plus, I wanted to make sure she was okay after yesterday.

Oliver basically jumped out of the car before it came to a complete stop.

“Oliver!” I reprimanded him. “Don't you ever do that again.”

He looked down guiltily. “Sorry.”

“You wait till the car stops completely before you get out.” I said in a softer voice. “Understand?”

“Yes, I'm sorry.”

“Good, now come on let's go.” He held my hand as we walked in.

Sophia almost immediately saw us and came to welcome us. “Alyssa, it's so good to see you again.” She hugged me as tight as usual, thankfully my ribs don't hurt anymore.

“Nice to see you too, Sophia.” I returned, savoring the hug.

She pulled away and bent to Oliver's level. “Hi, sweetie, what's the matter?”

“I did something bad and it upset Ally.” He confessed with a pout.

“Awn. Well, did you apologize to her?” He nodded. “Then, I'm sure she'll forgive you, but make sure you don't do it again, okay.”

“Okay.”

Sophia stood and clapped her hands together. “So what are you two here for?”

“We actually came here to meet a friend of mine, she just got back to town.” I replied.

“Oh, I'll leave you to find her then.” She went back to eat we were doing, leaving us to scan the place for Ivy.

I saw her not long after. She wat sitting in a booth by the window. I approached her with an excited smile. “Hey, Ivy.”

She looked up from her phone and her broke out in a grin. “Lyssa, hi.”

“Lyssa? Who's Lyssa?” Oliver made himself know, scrunching his nose at the name.

Her attention diverted to him. She gave me a questioning glace but smiled at him warmly. “And who are you, cutie?”

Oliver ran his free hand through his and made a face that I imagined would look hotter on a man twenty years older. “Graham, Oliver Graham.” He stretched his hand out for a shake. The way he introduced himself reminded me of the cocky spies in old spy movies.

She took it with a giggle. “It's nice to meet you, Oliver Graham. I'm Ivory Gallo.”

“You're pretty.” He complimented.

“And you are very cute.” She returned.

Oliver cringed at the adjective. “I'm not cute, I'm hot.”

Ivy could hold in her laugh. Oliver slid into the booth first and I sat next to him. A waitress came over and took our orders, returning shortly after. There was an awkward silence because none of us knew where to start.

I decided to go first. “So what brings you back to town Ivy?”

“Well, my mom needed a new designer and I did need an excuse to come back. To be honest, missed this city.” She said. “I want to start a new fashion line, get my big break.”

“That's so nice. I wish you the best.” I said. Ivy has always wanted to be a fashion designer and I'm surprised she isn't one yet. She's always had great ideas even when we were thirteen.

“So...” She started, a teasing look in her eyes. “What's new with you? Any man in your life?”

“Actually,” I started, raising my left hand to show her my rings. “I'm married.”

“To my dad.” Oliver added.

“What?!”She practically yelled, causing people to turn their heads and glare at us. “Sorry.”

Despite the embarrassment, she pressed on. “When?”

“I have a feeling that when I tell you, you'll make even more noise thank you already have. How about we finish up and go somewhere we wouldn't bother people?” I suggested.

She agreed, finishing her muffin and drink. Oliver was already done with his and a few minutes later, so was I.

“So where are we going?” I asked as we walked out.

“My place is still a huge mess and I don't really know where else we could go.”

“Let's go to our house.” Oliver proposed, excitedly.

I think he just wants to go home, he's probably bored. I wasn't really sure that taking Ivy there was a good idea. Nathan doesn't know anything about her and I doubt he'll be okay with a stranger in his home.

“Um, why don't we just walk around for a while to find a place.” I recommended.

“I wanna go home.” Oliver whined. “I'm sleepy and my arm hurts a bit.”

I had no choice. “Let's go.”

“This is your car?” Ivy's mouth was agape when we reached it. “That's the latest Mercedes, it costs millions.” Millions? Why Nathan? “Girl, who did you marry? The president?”

“I'll tell you everything when we get home.” I promised.

I drove in silence. I knew Ivy had a lot of questions on her mind and I knew answering her would be very hard. She always knew when I was lying and I doubt that I'd be able to hide anything from her.

“We're here.” I announced, parking the car in my usual spot outside.

“Wait, this is your house? What the fuck!” I slapped a hand over her mouth and slid my gaze to Oliver who was thankfully asleep in the back. “I am so sorry, I completely forgot there was a child with.”

I accepted her apology and carefully carried Oliver out of the car. I led her inside and made sure she had taken a seat while I put Oliver on his bed, taking his shoes, jacket and scarf off.

I got us some snacks and went to join her in the living room. She had relaxed on the sofa, slouching slightly not like when she first came in. She was stiff as if afraid she was going to ruin the seats.

“Juice?” I offered and she only nodded in reply. “Y'know you can talk here, right? No one's going to complain or beat you up.”

I heard her sigh. “I know. It's just so surprising, you've changed a lot. You're married now and a mom. I guess I missed a lot.”

“We all have to change at some point. Even you did. You're not that crazy, outgoing, no-shit-taking girl anymore.” I pointed out.

“I am still plenty crazy and I still don't take shit.” She corrected. “But I guess your right. We all changed. So why don't you tell me about this man you married? Please tell me he's good looking.”

I couldn't help but laugh at her sudden enthusiasm to know about Nathan. “He is really good looking.” I confirmed.

“Do you have a picture?” Do I? Come to think of it, I didn't have a picture of Nathan on my phone. Did he have a picture of me on his?

I decided to check to internet and soon enough dozens of pictures of him came up. The most recent being the ones taken minutes before our press conference. We had a mini photo shoot and the pictures were given to the press for publishing. I never actually realized how good I looked in them.

Along with our pictures were some containing him and some other girls I didn't know and there were a lot of them. I didn't think Nathan has been with so many girls before. They were all so beautiful, perfect faces, full, sexy bodies, long legs, clothes that left nothing to imagination, tons of jewelry and make up. I was so different from them.

“Wait, is that Nathan Graham?!” She exclaimed. “Oh my gosh! They were talking about him on a gossip show but I was too distracted to listen. You're his wife?”

I nodded, shyly. I guess I never really realized how famous Nathan was. He seemed like an ordinary guy at home so it's easy to forget that he runs a multi billion dollar tech company.

“How? When? Tell me everything.” She demanded basically jumping on the sofa.

“We met a few months ago.” I began reciting the lie. “And we hit it off from there.”

Her eyebrows furrowed and the disbelief she felt was all over her face. “You're lying.” She accused. I started denying it but she didn't let me. “You might have changed over the past few years but you still can't fool me. I know when you're lying and you are.”

I blew out a breath. Well, there's no use lying to her anymore, I might as well tell her the truth. “You can't tell anyone what I'm about to tell you, promise?”

“I swear.”

Then I told her everything about the contract. I told her how it was supposed to be Hailey marrying Nathan, how he tossed her aside, how I met Oliver and everything else leading up to today. I, of course, did not mention how I was abused for years before, I just didn't want her to know.

“Holy shit!” Was all she was able to say afterwards. “Wow. I gotta say, your uncle is sick in the head.”

In more ways than one.

“This is crazy.” she commented. “What about Nathan? Does he treat you right? If he doesn't, so help me, I'll castrate him and feed his balls to him.”

There was the protective girl I knew and loved. She was always the one fighting for me in school whereas, I'd let people walk all over me. It's one off the reasons I was so attached to her.

“He treats me well, we get along okay and he's recognizing me as a part in Oliver's life so I'm okay.” I answered her question.

“What about Oliver? He isn't a spoiled brat, is he? Y'know with a rich father and all.”

I couldn't imagine Olly as a spoiled rich kid. He doesn't fit the bill. “No, Oliver is an angel, honestly. A bit sassy but not spoiled.”

“Okay, then. I really don't know what to say. Are you happy?”

I've never asked myself that question. Am I happy? I mean, I'm much better than when I was living with Christopher but am I truly happy?

“I don't know.” I said honestly.

“Do you have feelings for him?” She questioned and I nodded. “Does he have for you?” No. I shook my head. “Alyssa, tell me, do you love him? Are you in love with him?”

Am I in love with Nathan? “No, but I'm not far from it.”

She had a compassionate look on her face and pulled me into a strong hug. “And you say he doesn't like you?”

“We're friends but nothing more.”

“But you want more.”

“So much more.” Honestly, I felt like crying. It was sad that I had these kind of feelings for Nathan but all he thought of me as was a friend. I knew I was different from all the girls he's dates before. Is that why she didn't feel that way about me? What about Jodie, Oliver's mother? He was in love with her, do I need to be more like her?

“Lyssa, if Nathan doesn't realize how much of an amazing woman you are then he's a fool. You may not know but I'm sure he likes you, maybe he's to shy to tell you or he doesn't even know it yet.”

I doubt it. Nathan isn't someone you can consider as shy and he told me exactly what he felt on Primrose hill. I was going to be stuck loving him my entire life while I'll just be a friend in his eyes.

Unrequited love hurts.

She pulled away from the hug with a reassuring smile. “It'll be fine, Lyssa. Let's leave that for now and watch a movie, I know you guys have Netflix.”

I accepted the offer, pouring myself some juice. She picked a random movie and let me place my head on her shoulder. This reminded me of how I'd get upset when we were younger and she'd always be there for me. I was glad she was back. At least I had a friend that I could absolutely trust. She is the first person I've told about the contract or my feelings and I'm glad I did. It was nice getting those things off my chest.

I had my best friend, confidant and sister back. I couldn't be happier.

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