Chapter 165: What to do...

Rachel's POV

Both Marina and I just stared at ourselves in utter silence after I was done explaining to her everything that had happened to me today.

At first, she didn't believe it, but after a few minutes, it began to dawn on her, and now, for the first time in a long time, she was speechless.

It sure felt like a huge burden had been lifted up my shoulders after I told her, but I wasn't still completely free. I had no idea what to do next.

" What do you think I should do?" I asked Marina breaking the silence.

I had been contemplating over the two options Olivia gave me for a while now.

She would let me live if I just left Ethan.

That was good, but I couldn't bring myself to agree with it.

Who made her the god over my life to decide when and whether I live or die?

But then the second option scared me.

I would have called all her threats a bluff if not for the fact that she sounded so damn serious about killing Lana.

It all made sense why she would want to do something like that, she was crazy. Crazily obsessed with Ethan that she would do anything, literally anything just to get him to notice her.

" You know, I always hated novels or movies like this; I always thought the answer was just so simple, and they were making it hard for their selves," I said with a sad chuckle.

" Rachel I can't tell you what to do since it's your life that's in danger here. You have to do what would be best for you". She began letting out a deep sigh as she stared at me with worry and fear. " But I... " Her voice almost broke. " I suggest you tell Ethan".

I let out a huff, my head hanging low.

She picked the second option.

My first option would have been the first option, and that was to leave Ethan and move on with my life, and that would have been the advice I would have given anyone in my situation... But I just couldn't.

I was way too deep in love with him to even think of leaving him, all for a psychopathic maniac? What if she hurts him? And also what was the guarantee that she wouldn't just kill me after I was gone? Just to make sure the competition is completely nullified.

And then there was the second option.

Tell Ethan everything and just hope for the best.

"What if he doesn't believe me? Huh? What if his sister, Hannah, sides with Olivia, and both of them convince him that I was lying? What would happen to me then?" I asked in tears.

Marina shut her eyes blowing out air slowly before opening them back. " Ethan isn't like that. He wants to find Lana's killer to clear your name; he would be open to suggestions".

I scoffed shaking my head. " So what you're saying is that I should throw my life away because of a guy and allow myself to get killed? "

" Least you forget, you are in love with this guy, deeply. And I wasn't telling you to do anything, I was merely suggesting that you shouldn't coward away your feelings just because of a threat..."

A threat? A threat?!

I scoffed again, staring at Marina in disbelief. " Olivia admitted to committing murder. She admitted to framing me for it just to get rid of me. She admitted to hiring that godforsaken sorry-ass bitch of a warder to beat the shit out of me... "My voice began to rise higher and higher. "... And you're saying it's just a threat?! "

I shook my head, biting my trembling lips as I blinked several times to stop my tears which wanted to start again.

" Olivia would kill me if I didn't leave Ethan in 48 hours, she really would. Maybe it's because you're not the one she's ' threatening ' that's why you would say something like that "

Marina bit her lips. " Rachel, that isn't fair ".

I could hear the hurt from her voice and I immediately stopped talking. " I didn't mean it that way it's just... I don't know what to do, " I cried in frustration, dragging my hair and falling back down on the chair.

" I don't want to die, but I don't want to leave Ethan either, you're right. I love him way too much to leave him ".

Marina stood up from her chair and began walking towards me. " I know you didn't mean it. If I said I can understand exactly how you're feeling right now, it's a bloody lie. " She sat down beside me rubbing her hands around my back. " It's okay... "

I instantly sent her a glare as soon as her words hit my ears.

" Alright, it's not okay ". She raised up her hands in surrender. " But it's going to be. " She then added. " You are not going to die, and that bitch is not getting away with this. "

" Like I said before, I'm not telling you what to do, but telling Ethan about all of these would help us a lot. At least he could hire a bodyguard to be watching you every second ".

I blinked looking down. It did sound like a good idea, but...

" What about the spy that reports to Olivia? She says if she finds out... "

" She has to see you and touch you to be able to kill you right? " Marina interrupted. " And I know psychos like that, she would want to kill you herself after you disobeyed her "

I blinked again, this time looking up at Marina

" How is that information helping me?" I asked giving her an incredulous look.

She rolled her eyes. " What I meant to say is that you know who to look out for, and that's the best thing. " Marina added.

"Ethan would protect you, and I will too, okay? Nothing is going to happen to you."

I scoffed feeling lighter.

" You say that now but you sure as hell didn't see how easy it was for her to gas me earlier today. "

" Maybe it's because she acts in so many action movies and horror as well." Marina nodded, going along with me.

She was literally the best friend I had ever gotten.

" What did I do to deserve you? " I asked, all of a sudden, staring at her.

Marina's lips widened as she let out a smile, " You came to this world... As the Nielson's only daughter". She yelled the last part so loudly that I had to cover my ears.

"This isn't a time to joke Marina..." I giggled shaking my head at her.

My life was in danger yet I was still laughing and smiling. What type of a victim was I?

"I'm not joking," Marina said seriously. "I was going to come over later today and inform you, but since you're here I'll just say it. "

She cleared her throat, which I found highly unnecessary. She was just trying to create a suspenseful moment, which she achieved.

"Come on say it already. If it's to tell me that you and Mark are officially official now, I think I noticed."

Talking of Mark... My mind went back to when I first came into the house and he saw me crying.

What if he told Ethan already?

If he did, then it would at least make it easier for me to just say the truth. Ethan won't think I'm lying if Mark also believes me right?

Why would Ethan even choose not to believe me even? He claimed to love me that should count for something right?

"It's not that." She playfully hit me on the shoulder.

I muttered a small 'oh' before looking back at Marina. "Then what is it then?"

"After your successful meeting with your parents yesterday, Mark spoke to them on my behalf; well, I think Ethan chipped in a little as well and..." She released a sigh and then smiled widely, though the smile was kind of crooked " My parents want to see me."