Chapter 58

OLIVIA

"WHAT BROUGHT you here, Mia? How did you know that I was here?"

Mia's arms were still wrapped around me when I asked her that.

"Chase told me you were staying at your friend's house, so I tracked you down," she explained.

I exhaled deeply. I can't really hide myself from these billionaires around me. I gathered my thoughts, then invited her to come talk to me in the living room.

"Sorry Mia, we only have instant coffee here. This won't match what you have from your restaurant, but—" I was not able to finish my words because she cut me off by holding my hand tightly.

My brows furrowed. "What's the matter, Mia?"

"You've seen the TV ad, don't you? Because I've also seen it." She sighed and looked at me intently. "You see, that was Chase Maxwell's doing. His cousin had connections in the media network in this country, and he probably asked to air that ad for you to see…"

I bit my lower lip. Out of frustration, I then asked her to leave the apartment. Hearing Chase's name come out of her mouth totally annoyed me.

"Mia, if you came here just to shove it in my face that Chase and I had problems, then get out of here. I'm suffering enough and, to be honest, I don't have any courage to talk about him."

I was holding my tears in front of her as I could only show my vulnerable side to Lara.

Mia should not see me like this, not at all.

"Please, listen to me, Reese. He reached out to me. Chase asked and begged for my help. I felt that this is my way to repay you!" She squeezed my hand and her expression softened even more. "You've helped me gain confidence and you made me realize that my belief in men was wrong. With your help, Charles confessed to me. I owe you a lot, Reese, so please allow me to help you."

I gritted my teeth and clenched my fist.

Poor Mia, If she knew who she was talking to, that I wasn't the person she thought I was, that Chase was trying to reclaim... she would definitely feel bad about me.

Even my body was tired of playing that role in front of her.

"I don't need your help, Mia. I want to clear my head, and once I am ready, I will settle everything with Chase. We will eventually talk about what happened, but I don't think this is the right time for that. I appreciate you trying to help get this straightened out, but you can leave now."

"But, Reese—"

"Please, leave, Mia." I cut her off and pointed to the door, motioning for her to leave.

Her shoulders sagged as she let go of my hand. Her face turned gloomy.

"If you say so, Reese, I'm leaving now."

She was about to leave, but the door opened as Lara entered the apartment with groceries in both of her hands. She came to a halt when she noticed me and Mia in the living room.

"Uh-oh! Am I interrupting you guys?" she asked, raising her eyebrow at me.

I looked away, and I gave up when Lara started talking about the advertisement that Chase had made to be aired on TV.

"Reese, you saw it, right? I saw that TV ad. Every girl in the salon, even in the grocery store, talked about that advertisement. They were saying that it was such a romantic move for the guy. I couldn't help but giggle because I knew that it was meant for you! Come on, Reese! I think Chase truly wanted you back and felt sorry for his mistakes. Forgive him already!"

For some reason, I want to punch Lara in the face.

Mia then spoke to her, "Hi, nice to meet you. My name is Mia, Reese's classmate."

Both of them shook their hands.

"My name is Lara. Her best friend, and I had always been here if she had problems. I always covered her ass if she messed up. Nice to meet you too," she replied to Mia.

I was so annoyed that I rolled my eyes and went to the bathroom, then locked the door.

While I was inside the bathroom, I placed my ears near the door and tried to listen to their conversation.

I knew I was such an idiot for doing this right now, but I could not help leaving Mia in Lara's hands.

"The reason why I came here is because Chase reached out to me. Well, we are kind of close as we used to talk at some gatherings before. To cut the story short, he wanted me to tell Rees about his plans. The original plan was just for him to surprise Reese by going here, but he knew that she would be upset if he did that, knowing that his wife was so mad at him when she had her tailed by his men."

I was taken aback by hearing this from Mia. Was she saying that Chase was trying to be careful now and sought her help instead of having his men pick me up here?

He might have thought I turned soft-hearted if he had summoned Mia here compared to his men. But still, no matter what he tried to do, I could not face him right now.

I also felt responsible for my emotions. The truth was, I was scared that he would end up despising me if he knew that I was not his true love.

He ended up kneeling down to beg me to talk to Reese, saying that he didn't want to do it just because she was his wife, but because he knew he had gone too far in his actions. He said that when she had gone missing before and did not attend their wedding, he felt so miserable, but now that he had married her and seen her new personality, he ended up loving the new her.

My heart raced so fast upon hearing Mia's statement. I heard Lara scream at the top of her lungs.

"Oh my gosh! Have you heard that, Reese Jones?" she said, obviously trying to get my attention. "I know you are listening, Reese! Mia said that Chase loves the new… the new! Let me say it again, the new Reese Jones!"

Then I heard her clapping her hands while laughing in glee. It was such a terrible thing to say in front of Mia. She may find her weird.

But I couldn't help but smile for some reason. Does that mean that Chase appreciates me more than the true Reese Jones?

"So what's the plan, Mia? Because my best friend definitely loves to settle things out with Chase Maxwell! They are husband and wife, after all. To get them reunited is the only logical option because Reese can't live forever here in my small apartment!"

I shook my head and pulled my hair out.

Why was she deciding for me?

I bit my lower lip and fought the urge to accept that she was right. I could never stay in the rabbit hole I fell into forever. I dug enough already for me to be in this situation...

"So I talked about the situation to my boyfriend, Charles, and he felt that he was also responsible for their misunderstanding. He went and contacted Chase, then lent him one of his private islands. They worked together and prepared a private dinner for just the two of them…"

"What?" I murmured to myself.

I was still listening to them when the door swung open, which made me gasp.

"I got keys, remember?" Lara raised her hand, which was holding the bathroom key.

I closed my eyes and took a deep breath.

"You heard Mia. Chase worked with Charles. I believe he despised that guy so much, but he ended up working with that dude just to ask for your forgiveness. To win you back!"

I bit my lower lip, then I glanced at Mia staring at me with her eyes swollen with tears.

"Reese, make up your mind. You need to act now. I will bring you to the private plane that will take you there," Mia said out loud.

I was stunned. "Why would it be today?" Is the date indicating that it will be tomorrow?" I then suddenly realized that today was May fourteenth. "Oh no! I thought it was the fourteenth tomorrow. What time is it now?"

"It is already ten o'clock," Lara said, then he dragged me to her bedroom. "We don't have any time to think, Reese. Let's not waste Chase's plan. I will pack your things now!"

"Wait! Why?" I asked as I was so confused.

"Earth to Reese Jones-Maxwell! He planned for both of you to spend time on an island, and only God knows how many days you will be there together!"

"No way! I can't do this right now, Lara! I need more time to think! I thought it would be tomorrow!"

"Liv, listen to me. I guess Chase wants a baby! He wants to have a baby with you!"

"What the f-uck are you talking about? He doesn't want to!" I snorted.

"Yes, he does, after all of this fighting. Of course, he wants to have a baby with you!" She giggled and gave me a smirk.

My head was starting to throb with these conversations I had with Lara. She didn't make any sense!

"Listen to me, Liv. You heard Mia. He likes the new Reese. He likes you more than the old Reese Jones."

"That's not true. Maybe he is only in love with the idea of having Reese Jones around. He was just confused and that's about it. Besides, I'm only doing this because of the money. So quit it. It's not true!"

"Of course it's true!"

"No, it doesn't!"

"Trust me, once you bare his child, even if you told the truth, he would still end up accepting the real you."

My eyes widened when I saw Mia already behind Lara.

"How long have you been there?" I asked with my shaky voice.

"Long enough to hear your conversations..."

I gulped and exhaled deeply, then glanced at Lara, who was looking nervous as well. I tried to remain calm, but Mia then spoke once again.

"I only heard something about the truth that you want to be accepted. Whatever it is, Reese, that you don't want to share with me right now, that's fine! But I'm hoping that it will not affect our friendship."

"Of course not, Mia! But one day or another, once I'm ready, I'm going to tell you."

She then smiled at me and said, "Thank you, Reese, for trusting me. I believe so much in you, so if you're not comfortable sharing it with me right now, it's fine. Also, I'm sorry for what happened. I hope by doing this I can make it up to you. To save your marriage with Chase…"

I shook my head.

"You don't need to say sorry, Mia."I gave her a smile, walked up to her and embraced her. "Thank you. This is more than enough, I'm going to remember this forever."

We immediately packed my things, then Mia's father was actually waiting for us outside in his car. Lara and Mia helped me put my luggage in his car, then he drove us to their house near the beach. According to them, that was where the private plane was waiting for me.

When we arrived, I met the pilot, and then my luggage was put inside. My heart was pounding non stop. It had been almost a week since the last time I saw Chase.

I truly missed him so much...

Before we took off, I glanced at the mirror beside my seat. I then drew a heart in the window.

"Thank you, Mia and Lara. See you guys soon!" I yelled at them even though I knew they wouldn't hear me. Seeing their smiling faces was enough.

"Wait for me, Chase, I'll be there soon, my love…"