CHAPTER TWO
DALLAS
“Uhm hi Oliver. How are you doing? I hope you're enjoying the party?” I rushed my words.
“Who are you and what are you doing in my house?” He asked, his voice stern.
This is the first time I've ever heard his voice up close. He walked towards me with an intimidating aura surrounding him.
I laughed awkwardly.
“You're so funny. I'm here for the party of course.” I said, hoping he bought my lie.
He stared at me with disdain.
“You're wearing sneakers and you're dressed like a slut.”
“Uhm…you know how it is with heels. They were killing me. I had to take them off.” I said and winced slightly.
“You're lying.” He said after taking just one close look at me.
“I'm telling the truth.” I lied.
“Tell me why you are here or I'll call the cops.” He said, his voice leaving no traces of bluff.
I bit my lower lip. My eyes darted around looking for anything to cover up.
“Uhm… I was here for the party and…” I cleared my throat.
“And?” Oliver asked.
“I was looking for the bathroom when I accidentally entered this room and I was just amazed by the beauty…” I laughed awkwardly. My eyes landed on something that I could use as a cover.
“And that chess board over there, I just thought to come in, relax and play chess. I was getting tired from all the noise out there.” I said.
“So you came into my gallery to chill out and play chess all by yourself?” He asked.
I nodded. I gulped down nervously but forced a smile on.
He took a long look at me.
“Fine, let's play chess.” He said, walking to the chess board.
“You say what now?” I blinked
“You heard me. Come over here.” He said in a commanding tone.
I chewed on my lower lip and grudgingly walked towards him. We started playing a few minutes later, and boy! He was so good at chess.
.
.
.
Three hours later and we were still at the game. Neither of us is winning or losing. It was starting to piss me off because I have never lost at chess. Well, except when I was in third grade, I've never lost since then.
Even though I was so deep into the game, I was still very cautious Incase anyone saw me. I was a bit worried because Oliver didn't even seem to bother about the party going on in his house. He was more focused on winning against me than choosing a bride. Five people had come during the last three hours and tried to persuade him to go back to the ball. Thankfully, his mother wasn't one of them. Oliver's eyes never left the chess board as he shoved all of them away.
“Checkmate.” I yelped happily as I made a move on him.
“Wh..what? How did you…?” He said, his mouth slightly parted as he stared at the chess board to see where he went wrong.
Actually, I didn't exactly win, I cheated. The ball seems to be over as the music is no longer playing, and it doesn't look like he was going to let me go any time soon.
“This has been a delight, sir, but I'm afraid I gotta go now, bye.” I said and started to walk away fast, but he soon caught up with me.
“How about we play a rematch some other day? I'll check when my schedule is ready and get back to you. What's your name?” He asked.
“Uh–uhm, uh..” I struggled to find words as I bit my lower lip hard.
“Is something wrong?” He asked with an eyebrow raised.
“No, nothing.” I said.
“Then tell me your name.” He used the same commanding tone he used when he asked me to play chess with him a few hours ago.
“Because my name is nothing.”
He stared at me weirdly.
“Okay, I gotta go, bye.” I said as I broke into a run.
He chased after me as I ran down the stairs. The party was over and all the guests had already left so I was able to navigate my way easily. He was catching up to me real fast, I increased my speed until I was out of his reach.
“Catch that young woman.” He yelled at his men standing by the exit.
Thanks to my small stature I was able to slide under them and picked up my speed. Oliver and his men were running after me but he was still the closest to me.
“Can't you please just leave me alone? Why do you want to know my name? Okay, I forfeit, you won.” I yelled, almost breathless as I ran.
“You came into my house, invaded my privacy, and you're asking me why I'm chasing you?” He half yelled, his voice collected as if he was not running a god-knows-what meters to catch me.
“I told you I was at the party and I got bored.” I said in the same tone he used. I can raise my voice too
“Why don't you slow down and let's talk if what you're claiming is true?” He said.
I could see that I'm almost at the gates. If I could just run a bit faster then I'll be able to get away. I had parked my car in the bushes near the mansion three hours before the party started. I knew I couldn't steal the bracelet and wait for Lucien and his daughters to leave the party before I could go back home. And also I didn't have any money to call a cab.
“Close the gates.” Oliver yelled at the guards at the gates.
Wow! Okay, change of plans. My years of fencing and bouldering will now be put to good use. The two guards at the gates ran to catch me but I managed to slip through them and run to the gate. I climbed through it and made a perfect landing on the other side. One of my sneakers fell inside when I tried to climb the gates.
I made a small happy dance. Atlas would be so proud of me if he witnessed what I just did now. He would probably make me steal more so I can exercise more.
“Don't just stand there, open the darn gates.” I heard Oliver yell.
I bolted towards the bushes fast before the gates opened. I heard footsteps run by and I finally let go of a sigh of relief.
After catching my breath, I felt a sharp pain in my ankle. I must have sprained my ankle when I landed on the other side. I took a deep breath.
A pang of sadness stung me as I remembered that I wasn't able to retrieve my mother's bracelet. I couldn't stop the tears from falling out. The bracelet was my mother's most priced jewels and she loved it very much. I inherited it after her death and never let anyone touch it.
When Lucien started selling off all of our properties, I hid it under my pillow and slept with it every night. Until one day it was gone. Lucien told me he had sold it to some worthy owner. I cried so much that day and vowed to get it back.
My mother told me that my father gave it to her before he died. I've never met my father but I was sure he loved my mum so much when he was alive.
I always asked my mother if I could have the bracelet but she said she was only going to give it to me when I get married. Now she wouldn't even witness my wedding. The thought brought more tears to my eyes.
I cried for a few more minutes alone in my car. It was almost midnight at the time. I started the car and proceeded to go home. I made up my mind to re-strategize and come back to retrieve the bracelet.
I got home a few minutes later. Lucien's car was parked outside which means he is home. I made a silent prayer that he doesn't ask me for money, he always beats me up when I have no money to give him.
I walked into the house to see the twins in the living room. They didn't acknowledge my presence and I couldn't be more grateful. I walked to the kitchen to get some water when I heard snippets of Sylvie and her sister's conversation.
“I heard there was a slut that tried to seduce Oliver at the Kang's mansion today.” Sylvie said.
News really travels fast in this zip code. It hasn't even been up to 12 hours since the party ended. And they're calling me a slut, they're the ones shoving themselves in the face of a man who couldn't care less about them.
“I really want to see the whore’s face. I bet she isn't even beautiful. I wonder why she thinks she could impress Oliver.” Stephanie said.
“Me too sis. If only we could get access to the CCTV footage.” Sylvie said.
I tuned out the rest of their conversations. Panic shot in me. I didn't even remember the cameras.
Shit! Everyone is going to know I went to the Kang's residence to steal.