~~~~~~~~~~~Oliver~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Although I hadn't​ told Max to take me home but being an asshole, he took me straight to home without having any second thoughts.

I live alone in an apartment at around 20 minutes drive from office. Mom always insists on taking a home near our mansion but I don't want to live anywhere near my parents home. I don't want to be the part of the big ocean where rich hungry sharks keep circling around in a hope to get a piece of me to make their pool bigger than mine.

Dad was never happy with my decision to handle my fashion house separately when he himself owns the fashion empire. But I didn't want to live under his shadow all my life. I wanted people to know me and respect me for who I am not who's son I am. Mom was more furious when she got to know about my decision. She was more concerned of her public image being damaged if I could have not been able to succeed. I was almost going to give up when dad intervened​ and convinced mom. She still tried to influence my clients with her own contacts. She never had any confidence in me. I still remember what she did when I was around ten and I had to make a science project. The topic was solar system. I was so excited. I worked so hard all night on that project. Of course dad helped me a lot. And then the next day mom said she will send my project later in a van as I might damage it on the way. I trusted her. But I was shocked to see my project work when it arrived at school. It was beautiful and flawless. The best project work in class. Only difference was that it was not mine. I did not make it. Mom had sent another model made by some pro artist only to show off how talented her son was. Only I knew how ashamed she was of her son's work that she chose to replace it.

Getting me married to Julianne is also one of her plans to add another feather in her hat. She never asked or even consulted me before stating her decision. Julianne and I were classmates in highschool. She was the most popular girl in class. Beautiful and intelligent. I was an average student but still she preferred me over her other friends, probably because our dads were business partners then. She was always nice to me. We were good friends. But I never considered her more than just friends. After highschool we lost contact. Although in the beginning she tried staying in contact with me, but with life running at such fast pace and we having chosen such different career paths it became difficult for us to maintain contact. Our parents though still remain friends even after partnership was broken after dad left the hotel business completely to focus on his fashion business.

"Oliver do you want me to take you somewhere else?" My trail of thoughts were broken by Max's question.

"Eh Hun, no", I replied still not fully recovered from my thoughts.

"Ooookay, soooooo, are you going to spend the night in the car itself, because I think we have been parked here in the basement since last ten minutes", he said sarcastically.

"Of course not. I am going. I want you to be here tomorrow at sharp 9 in the morning." I said moving out of the vehicle. I closed the door and headed for the lift.

Being a private person that I am, I chose the apartment on the top floor of the building as I don't want any strangers to come anywhere near my house. Plus I wanted a private terrace. I entered the house with thoughts of Sam and Julianne, doing a comparison in my mind of how different my life will be with either of them. Am I being stupid leaving everything on fate? Should I let my heart takeover my mind? I want to choose from heart. My heart aches for Sam. I love her. I don't know when I fell asleep thinking all this.

...................................................................

I was startled from my deep sleep by my phone's ringtone. I picked my phone hoping to see Sam's name, but it was Julianne. I felt disappointed. God how would I live without her my whole life when I can't live without hearing her voice.

I picked up the call half heartedly, "Hello Julianne!".

"Hi Oliver. Sorry for calling up so early sweetheart. Actually I wanted to tell you that there has been a change in the plan. I am visiting tomorrow instead of next week as my seminar has been preponed on this Wednesday. I hope you don't mind dear."

"Er... Actually Julianne...", I was still digesting the fact that I have to face the life's truth a little early than I had thought earlier.

But before I could finish she interrupted me, "Oh god Oliver, are you having any second thoughts. My goodness. I am feeling so embarrassed now. Shit." Wait what did she just say?

"Oh no Julianne, it's nothing like that. It's just that I am a little busy this week." I still feel that she was unreasonable though.

"Oh, thank God Ollie dear. I was terrified. I am sure you can spare some time for your future wife. Oops! I probably should wait till it's official." She said giggling throughout. "Bye sweetie take care." And she hung the phone.

What the hell. What was all this about? She is already calling herself my future wife, let alone giving me all those sugar coated overly romantic love dovie names. My goodness. And she didn't even ask if I was ok with her coming early. Am I making the right decision. I mean I am already sort of not liking her.

I felt an urge to call Sam. I dialed her number immediately. My heart was racing with every ring. God why does she always take so much time in picking up the call. She picked it up at almost the last ring.

"Hello Sir!"

"Miss Ryan, I am sending a cab at your place to pick you up. I need you to be at Le Royale, by 10."

"Er.. but sir you had a meeting today in Paris??", She asked with a little hesitation.

"Yes, it's cancelled."

"Ok sir, don't worry I'll be there by 10. No need to send a cab."

"God Samantha, why do you always have to do that. I am not going to kidnap you, if you are thinking so. I am sending the cab. No more further questions." She makes me mad sometimes with her stubbornness.

I got up to get ready. I took out a casual white t shirt and a blue jeans, as we were meeting outside. I hope she likes me in casuals.

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