CHAPTER 9
“Robby, are you looking for Laura?” Olivia popped up, whispering as she glanced at Robert.
“Yeah.”
“Alrighty then, I’ll leave you two be,” she said, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. But as she turned to go, Robert noticed the bruise on her wrist. A pang of guilt hit him. He reached out, his eyes showing worry. “Did I do that? Is it sore?”
Olivia blushed a little, nodding. “It is, but being with you, it’s… it’s wonderful.”
Her shy, flirty look got to Robert. On impulse, he steered her into a nearby storage room.Copyright Nôv/el/Dra/ma.Org.
“Oh, we shouldn’t,” Olivia said, weakly pushing him away.
“Why not? You said you’re happy with me, right? And if we’re quiet, no one will catch on. Let’s have a little fun,” he reasoned, his frustration from Laura’s rejection now taking its toll on Olivia.
Robert mused, ‘It’s just a girl, after all. Plenty of girls would be willing to please me if I wanted. I don’t care whether it’s Olivia or Laura.
The mu**d sounds of their flirtation slipped out from the storage room, and Laura stood outside, silently recording everything with her phone, a lollipop dangling from her mouth.
After a bit, the room fell quiet. Robert handed Olivia the jewelry meant for Laura.
Olivia put on a show of modesty. “This was for Laura! I can’t take it.”
“Consider it yours now,” Robert said, playfully nudging her nose. He could give his gifts to whoever he pleased.
“Robby, you’re so sweet to me,” Olivia gushed.
They shared a few more kisses and hugs before stepping out. And there was Laura, leaning against the wall in a striking red dress, her hair flowing loose, a fleeting smile gracing her lips.
Instantly, Robert dropped Olivia’s hand, his heart pounding, He put on a polite smile. “Lau, what brings you here?”
Laura kept her cool, her gaze flicking to Olivia. “Just taking five after hitting the books too hard. What’s up with you [WO?”
Robert, unsure how much she’d heard, stammered, “Oh, Olivia needed help finding something. Why didn’t you call when you got here?”
“I just arrived,” Laura replied, keeping their secret under wraps. She smiled, all innocence. “You two carry on. I won’t cramp your style.”
As she sauntered off, her red dress swayed with the light, leaving a trail of her sweet scent. In that moment, Laura seemed transformed-bold, captivating, and stunningly beautiful.
Robert couldn’t help but compare her to Olivia. Laura was no longer the simple roadside flower; she was a rare,
high-mountain bloom with an icy elegance that drew him in.
He thought about the pleasure of being with Laura, his desire for her eclipsing his interest in Olivia.
Seeing Laura’s calm demeanor, Robert assumed she hadn’t heard anything. As she walked away, he hurried after her, calling out, “Lau, let me help you study! Just ask if you need anything.”
Left behind, Olivia watched Robert’s fawning over Laura, her eyes narrowing with a mix of jealousy and cold anger. She decided it was time to take matters into her own hands, her thoughts turning dark.