Chapter 50

OLIVIA

I WOKE up in a terrible nightmare.

I saw myself when I was still a child living in the orphanage. My breath gasping for air, I then found myself lying in bed, my eyes staring at the white ceiling. Glancing at the light fixtures gave me an idea that I was in the university clinic.

I looked around and yelled Mia's name.

"Are you there, Mia?" I yelled in a hoarse voice. I cleared my throat and all I felt was its dryness.

I then saw Charles beside me, sitting in a chair beside me, who seemed to have fallen asleep right there.

He then opened his eyes and said, "You're awake now, sleeping beauty! Why didn't you wake me up? You love the view from there, don't you?" he asked while giving me a wide grin.

My forehead creased. What was he doing here?

"Where's Mia?" I asked firmly, and then checked if my phone was with me.

I began panicking when I couldn't find it in my pocket. I then looked at Charles who was only watching me.

"Did someone get my phone? Where is it?"

"Mia's got your phone. I guess she was trying to call your parents," he replied, and then shrugged his shoulders.

I gasped and panicked, knowing Mia's got my phone. I immediately grabbed my bag, but then I got relieved for a few seconds when I saw that my personal phone was in my bag and was hidden in one of its secret pockets. It was a good thing that I separated my work and personal phones. In such a reckless act, I could not afford to reveal my true identity.

"You look like someone who's hiding something pretty big," Charles said, which made my eyes widen. I glanced at him, and he jerked his head as he looked at me, his expression was obviously intrigued.

"What? I am not hiding anything. Why are you saying strange things?" I replied, but my voice came off as defensive.

He then smiled, and he leaned more towards my face.

"I know that you're hiding something, Reese Jones-Maxwell. I can read facial reactions and body language. Whatever it is that you are trying to hide, I know for sure that, in the end, it will soon come out," he said and smirked.

I rolled my eyes at him and scratched the back of my neck.

"Be careful of your allegations against me, Charles. I swear you would not want to start a war with me," I said firmly, and that made him chuckle a bit.

"Hey, I'm just messing up with you. I'm simply playing and I don't want to start any war, especially since you're a Maxwell."

I smirked at him and replied, "Well, I am glad to hear that."

The door swung open, and I saw Mia and Chase going into the room, which made my jaw drop a little. Charles's chuckle and smile were gone, and he went silent as he saw them walking towards my bed.

"Goodness, Reese! I am glad you are already awake!" Mia exclaimed and hugged me.

"Mia, thanks for helping me…" I said and offered her a thin smile. Then I looked at Chase, whose attention was drawn to Charles.

He stared at him confusedly, but the dark expression on his face was also visible.

"Chase, my love. You're here. I am sorry, I know you are supposed to be at work," I said, trying to get his attention.

Charles stood up from his seat. "Nice to meet you, Chase Maxwell."

He extended his hand and offered a handshake, but Chase only gave him a nod and went straight to me.

"Are you alright?" Chase asked worriedly.

I gave him a sweet smile and caressed his face. "Don't worry about me. I feel better now."

"We are going to give you some privacy," Mia said, and motioned for Charles to go out as well. She waved her hand goodbye and walked out of the room with the latter.

I then turned my gaze back to Chase.

"Look, baby, I got a call from Mia. She said that you were terribly sick earlier. Are you sure that you want to go through all of this? You're getting tired, you don't have to push yourself," he said while brushing my hair using his fingertips.

I tried to hold out my tears when he engulfed me in a warm embrace.

"Baby, I know how hard it is to study and learn about business. I was like that before, but please reconsider. Maybe it's not your time, and I don't want to see you struggling like this. It completely affects your health," he added, while whispering it into my ears while hugging me tightly.

I embraced him back. "I'm fine, Chase. It probably has something to do with the hot weather, but I need to do this in order for me to prove my worth, especially with your father. I made a promise to him."

It reminded me of my sole goal: to prove to Mr. Ernest Maxwell that I was worthy of his son and to establish myself into something bigger.I don't want to live like a shadow for Chase. I don't want to be a plain housewife. I need something that I could call my own.

"Your parents are so worried. They want us to visit them at the weekend or anytime we're not busy," he said.

I offered him a smile, then I nodded.

"Sure, Chase. We can do that. I miss my parents too…"

He kissed my forehead, then went to my lips and kissed me tenderly. He told me he loves me, but for some reason, it saddened me to hear Reese's name next to his I love you's.

Am I falling in love with Chase Maxwell?

That question sent a sting in my chest. I could not help but question myself. I only came back to my senses when we both heard a knock on the door and the doctor came in.

"How are you, Reese? Do you still have trouble breathing?" the doctor asked, glancing at me and Chase. "My name is Eudora. I'm a doctor at this university. Nice meeting the both of you."

"Doc, how's my wife's condition? What exactly triggered her to faint earlier?" Chase asked, as he had already gone to the doctor.

"Her classmate informed me that she had some issues breathing earlier and she passed out after seeing her blood. As I tried to evaluate the situation, I thought it would be best to see a professional." Then the doctor looked at me. "Have you taken any medications before regarding any anxiety disorder? Antidepressant?"

I caught my breath and swallowed so hard. For a brief moment, I was scared to admit it and avoided her gaze.

I did not want Chase to hear that he had a mentally ill wife.

"It's fine if you're uncomfortable answering it…" I gave her one fast glance and saw her attention directed at Chase. "But one thing you need to do, Mr. Maxwell, is to have your wife see a professional psychiatrist," she said.

Chase looked so confused. His gaze landed on me, and I saw a glimpse of worry in his eyes. It doubled the fear inside my chest. I lowered my head and bit my lower lip.

"So, can I take her right now so we can go to the hospital to see a psychiatrist?" Chase asked the doctor, and I heard her agree with it.

She then gave me a prescription. When I tried to get the prescription, Chase immediately grabbed it from the doctor.

"Let me handle it for her. I'll have this taken care of," he said, then smiled at me.

"Those medications are only for today's situation, but in the long run she needs to seek medical advice from a psychiatrist. She can be excused for her next class. I will send a letter to her professor."

I was then finally discharged from the clinic. I felt embarrassed. I was not hoping for Chase to find out that his wife has a mental condition.

Chase did not speak or ask me about my condition, but I knew that even though he was acting like he was okay, I could see in his eyes that he was upset and worried. I was tearing up inside me and I don't know why.

"Everything will be alright, baby, I'll take you to the nearby hospital. I personally knew the owner of that hospital. They're the best in terms of such conditions, and I know they could check on you and help. But for now, I want you to relax and don't think about your studies," he said while assisting me outside of the clinic.

As we walked to the hallway, we walked past the classroom for my supposed third subject for today. I held the hem of Chase's business suit, which made him stop walking.

"That's my third class." I pointed to the classroom. "Can I speak to my professor for a minute?"

"Sure, let me come with you."

I nodded, and then we went straight to the classroom. I knocked twice and carefully opened the door. The professor was reading a book in class, but was interrupted when he noticed our presence.

"Hi, Mr. Lively. My name's Reese Jones-Maxwell." I walked towards him and felt Chase follow me from behind. "I was supposed to join this class today, but something happened that made me need to go to a nearby hospital. I want to formally excuse myself. The university doctor informed me that she will send you a letter about my situation."

"Oh, no. I hope you're feeling okay," he said, then his gaze went to my husband.

As if that was Chase's cue, he then extended his hand to my professor and introduced himself.

"My name is Chase Maxwell, Reese's husband. I am pleased to meet you, Mr. Lively."

I heard gasps from my classmates, mostly from the girls. I turned to them and saw that they were astounded, stunned and excited to see my husband in the flesh. Mia was seated in the last row. She giggled and waved her hand at me.

"Gosh! Reese is so lucky to be married to Mr. Maxwell!"

"Chase Maxwell is so stunning in person!"

"I am curious how the hell Reese made him marry her! Chase is so damn hot!"

Those were the murmurs I've heard from some of the women, which made me roll my eyes inwardly. I held Chase's arm, letting them see it so they could back off.

"My wife might need to take a break for a couple of days. I hope that will be fine with you, Mr. Lively."

"Of course, Mr. Maxwell. There's nothing to be worried about, and I will look forward to seeing Mrs. Maxwell return to good health."

"Thanks, Mr. Lively." I offered him a thin smile.

We then left after that. We used an elevator to go to the ground floor. I noticed that the car was already parked in front of the building. Chase opened the door of his car and assisted me in going in. As soon as the car stepped outside of the university, my heartbeat went normal.

"I guess you are right. It could be hell, but I wouldn't be able to learn if I stayed in my comfort zone," I explained, which surprised him.

"I thought you only wanted the "riches of Babylon" and didn't want to work so hard to get them. I could give it to you every single day especially since you're now my wife, I think that's pretty obvious, right?"

His statements made me question myself again, whether or not this feeling that I have right now is already love towards this billionaire.

Chase Maxwell was head over heels in love with Reese Jones...

Why was I trying so hard to improve myself? Was I just doing this because I wanted him to love me as Olivia and not as Reese Jones? Am I competing with Reese right now? His money was the only thing that mattered, right?

Lara was truly right from the start... I might be in big trouble, if I ended up falling in love with him.