Chapter 108 You might just die like Nicole
Octavia’s POV
Two days ago.
“Mom, you came?" I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw the woman with six bodyguards. She was pretty and fierce, looking more like a twenty-year-old than the fifty-something-year-old woman she was.
"I know you weren't expecting me, but I had to do it for my son," she smiled a little. Her presence attracted a lot of attention, but I knew Vanni would garner even more attention, especially since most of my peers loved to flaunt their men.
"You mean Vanni isn't coming?" I was very disappointed.
"I'm sorry, but let's talk after the event. I don't want to keep you waiting." I agreed with her and joined my mates for the ceremony, constantly watching out for Vanni and hoping he would show up to disappoint his mother, but that didn't happen.
Foolish of me to have thought all these years that his mother hated me. Turns out she loved me enough to show up.
"Vanni has been so busy these days, but I will go and help him," I said to her, trying to hide my disappointment as we headed back to my apartment, but she broke the news.
"Remember the fallen star who was known as the home wrecker?" Her question made me suspicious, but I nodded. "Recently, she debunked the rumors."
Mom smiled, but it didn't reach her eyes. "She's stealing Gio too. Don't let the death of Gael be in vain. He didn't save Gio for that gold-digger. I would rather accept you than her," she said, excitement filling my heart.
Gael was the man I loved since high school, but he waited until I turned eighteen before we started dating. A few weeks later, he took my virginity and got me pregnant.
A month later, I broke the news about the pregnancy to him, but that was when the feud took place.
Giovanni Dawson arrived because of his father's illness, unbeknownst that it was a trap. When things turned bloody and he almost got hit by a bullet after suffering that fatal accident, Gael, my boyfriend, saved his life.
He was quickly rushed to the hospital but didn't make it. Before then, I heard him speaking to Vanni, telling him to marry me. I was happy because Vanni was even more attractive than Gael, but even on his deathbed because of the bullet he took in Vanni's place, Vanni refused.
However, he promised to take care of me, and I vowed to make him mine, citing various reasons, including the fact that I couldn’t bear his cousin’s child alone. He assured me of his support and lived up to his promise.
Whenever I mentioned that we were married, he never denied it. Despite clarifying that he would never love or marry me, we entered into a contractual agreement to provide me with the comfort I desired, as a precaution in case he reneged on his word.
When he agreed to my terms, I thought I had ensnared him, but I was mistaken. Vanni would spend weekends with me, but he always stayed in a separate room, regardless of my efforts and explanations.
I eventually gave up, as he never showed interest in any other woman. However, recently, he started missing our weekends without prior notice, claiming he was busy.
After hearing the rumors about the woman who entered his life, I soon discovered she was Molly Thompson, the home wrecker. When mom informed me that Vanni wouldn't be able to attend my graduation because Molly had taken up all his time, I was in disbelief until the ceremony ended without his presence.
Although my relationship with mom had been strained in the past, I was grateful that she was supportive now.
"Maybe it's not what we think. Let me call him," I suggested, but she took the phone from me and advised, "Don't be naive. Use your charm and show him your worth over that woman."
It was already part of my plan as Vanni had promised me a job. "I'll make sure she regrets crossing me," I vowed through clenched teeth, but mom placed a comforting hand on my shoulder and cautioned,
"You need to be strategic. Don't let him see your hatred towards Molly, or you might end up like Nicole."
The mention of Nicole, a beloved family friend, sent a chill down my spine. "Did he kill Nicole because of Molly?" I asked, shocked by the revelation. Mom, still mourning Nicole, nodded solemnly, dressed in all-black formal attire.
"I'm deeply sorry," I offered, understanding her somber choice of attire.
"I miss her every day," she confessed, shedding light on the tragic connection between Molly and Nicole.
I was left reeling from the revelation, realizing the gravity of the situation and the need for caution in dealing with Vanni and Molly.
“But I don't need your pity. Just make sure to destroy their relationship. Like set Molly up or do something to make him see what a gold-digger she is," she said seriously as I forced a smile.
"That Molly deserves to die. For five years, I enjoyed Vanni's sole attention, though I didn't want a little brat in my way. He surprised me with the way he catered for Roger alone, but who could blame me? I was just eighteen when I gave birth to him.
A month later, it was my nineteenth birthday, and Vanni organized a party for me. At twenty-three, I was looking my best, and I didn't want a child yet.
Little did I know that Molly had used the little brat to win Vanni's heart, making me regret my decisions.
Here I was, trying to keep my promise to mom, and yet, nothing seemed to work.
Perhaps I should have shown care to my son, but I didn't believe it was too late. Roger was just nearing five, and I thought with time, he would warm up to me. But from the way he confessed hating me and ran to his room, I didn't know where to start from.
Vanni was slipping through my fingers, and I couldn't allow it. However, since Molly went after Roger, I decided to take advantage of the situation.
"Vanni, do you think I should go talk to Roger? I mean, I haven't been the best mother, but he should understand, right?" I asked.
He smiled at me. "Never mind. Molly will take care of him." His gaze was fixed on the stairs where Molly and Roger had run off to, as if he wanted to join them.
"Do you mind showing me around?" I inquired.
"Not today," he declined and went upstairs to meet them. I sat on the sofa and while I waited, I instructed the maid to take my stuff to Vanni's room, but she seemed hesitant.
"I'm sorry, Ma’am, but that order would have to come from the don," she explained.
"Well, that's what he said before going upstairs. Don't worry. I will take responsibility for everything," I assured her. The maid smiled and began moving my things to the room I assumed was Vanni's.
Sitting at the dining table where they were about to eat before, I pretended like I knew nothing until I started hearing voices of disagreements upstairs. I figured I would need some popcorn to enjoy the show.