Chapter 6

OLIVIA

Mrs. Jones escorted me in my room after that emotional moment we had in the living room. She said that I must relax a bit and dip in the bathtub before we eat dinner. She also mentioned that she would cook all my favorite food. I couldn't deny that she was kind and a wonderful mother. I realized that Reese was so blessed to have a mother like her who would support and love her so unconditionally.

Every day of my life, I've yearned for that kind of love, and I never imagined that I'd get the opportunity to experience it myself, even though I knew it wasn't actually meant for me, but rather for someone else.

That's why I had to make sure that I would be able to act more convincingly from now on. My goal was to avoid making Mrs. Jones suspicious of me as I knew that it would break her heart if she found out that I'm a different soul. While her daughter was nowhere to be found, I wanted to make sure that I would be able to portray Reese Jones's identity perfectly and to fill in some gaps she had left here.

When Mrs. Jones left me in my room, I peeped outside and locked the door. Now that I was free from their sights, it's time for me to take action.

I grabbed my phone and dialed Lara's phone number.

"Hey, red baby doll . . ." I said a few seconds after she answered a call.

We decided to come up with a code whenever we talk on the phone and this 'red baby doll' was something I chose. I would say the code whenever I call her so that Lara would be aware that it was me who's calling her.

"Olivia, how are you?"

I could hear the blast of the music in the background. It was difficult for me to hear her voice as she seemed to be in the bar right now.

"Hey, can you go to the dressing room for a second? I can barely hear you!" I said and crossed my arms on my chest as I waited for the background noise from the other line to stop.

Minute passed and then the silence filled the other line.

"Alright, can you hear me now?" she asked.

"Yes, that's better!" I sighed with relief. "Hey, Lara. I badly need your help."

"Sure, Mrs. Maxwell, the wife of the billionaire. How can I be of help?" she said as she tried to tease me.

I rolled my eyes and smirked. "Reese Jones is someone I'd like to learn more about and I need your help to investigate and obtain more information regarding that woman. I require a lot of great deal of information about her that can help me impersonate her, Lara. I badly need your help and I need this task to be done as soon as possible."

"Ooh, sounds fun! Of course, I will help you! Looks like you're determined to ace your plan now!" she giggled.

"Well, I'm already here. Might as well give my best for me to hit a jackpot," I hissed.

"I'm glad you grabbed the chance, Liv." Then I heard her long sigh. "I hope something like that will happen to me too. The loan sharks came to my house yesterday and they really stressed me out. I don't know what to do anymore," she added.

"How much do you need, Lara?" I asked her worriedly.

We've been friends for a long time. I knew that she'd been borrowing money from loan sharks and despite how horrible these people are. Lara had no other choice but to come back with them whenever she needed money because she had no one to run to and I had no money to offer as well.

But now . . . I think I could do something to help her.

"O-Olivia," she stuttered as her voice suddenly cracked. "N-No, you don't have—"

"Just tell me, Lara. How much do you need? I want to help, alright?"

I heard her sob but then a few seconds passed and she screamed in glee. What a nice actress!

"Oh, my goodness, Liv! You're such an angel!" she exclaimed dramatically.

I shook my head. "Stop it. You know I am not close to becoming one. We're such daredevils!"

We both chuckled. I had to admit that it felt good to talk to my best friend. My day had been so suffocating and Lara was the only person with whom I could talk to with all my guard down and without feeling judged.

"So, how's your life now that you became a wife of a billionaire?" she asked, her voice was giddy.

"Well, let me tell you the bad news. Chase's parents stopped us from getting married today."

"What the heck? Is that for real?" she sounded shocked.

"Yeah, I was kind of pissed about it but I don't want to worry about that right now. I still have to work on my disguise so they won't be suspicious of me." I sighed. "But Chase told me he will do everything so we can get married soon though," I told her as I layed down on the bed.

"Hmm, in-laws issues . . ." she laughed. "Don't worry, babe. I got your back. I'll investigate that woman, Reese Jones, and will send all the information to your email. Just go along with your disguise. No one's going to be suspicious of you since you're too identical with Reese."

"Thanks, Lara. You know I can't do this without you. I promise to make a shit ton of money and your help won't be put into waste as I will include you with my success!" I said happily.

"Sounds great, Liv! I'm thinking about my dream vacation with my boyfriend in Hawaii. I think you can treat us to an all-expense paid trip!"

"What? You should travel with me first. No boyfriends allowed!" I hissed. "Anyway, how much money do you need?"

"Uhm, about fifty thousand dollars, Liv . . ." she replied.

What? She needed that much money?!

"I promise to pay you, Liv. My kid also needed the money for his tuition fees. His father no longer gives his child support and I am already tired of chasing that poor ass guy. I really can't depend on him so I must face this hardship alone for my child."

I sighed in disbelief. "Alright then. I got your back, Lara. You have nothing to worry about," I assured her.

"Since you're already the soon-to-be wife or should I say the fiance of the super famous Chase Maxwell, I presume you can ask him for money, right? Or perhaps that woman, Reese Jones, has some bank accounts or credit cards that you can use!" she suggested.

I rolled my eyes. Now, I wanted to question myself about who's the real devil between me or Lara.

Two birds of the same feather really flock together . . .

"Are you hearing yourself, Lara? Damn it! You really are the devil!" I snorted.

"Yeah, I know! I'm a great devil for money. Anyway, I need to do some work here at the bar. I'll call you later!" she said. "Don't forget the money! Let me know once you have it so we can meet at our secret place. Bye, Liv!"

I threw my phone on the bed after that call. Now, I just need to create a plan on how I can get some money to help Lara . . . I recalled the night I first met Chase. He told me that he could give me even the riches of Solomon when I asked him to pay me three hundred thousand dollars. Would it appear embarrassing for me if I asked him about that money?

I found myself contemplating whether to do it or not as I stared at the ceiling but I guess I had no other choice since I already promised Lara that I'd help her. That's what best friends are for. She didn't leave me at my lowest so I will do my best to be someone she could depend on this time.

I went downstairs and asked for a family driver to drive me at Chase's office as I didn't know where he actually works. It was a good thing that our butler assisted me and called one of the drivers to help me.

After almost an hour, we arrived at a very huge building. My mouth was opened as I looked up to the company where Chase is working. His family is damn rich!

The driver opened the car door for me and I went out to look around. I saw a group of men in black suits and ties marching toward me. My heart raced as I didn't know any of them. I clutched my chest when they stopped in front of me.

"Welcome back, Ms. Jones. We heard from your butler that you're coming over to meet Mr. Maxwell," their leader told me, which made my jaw drop on the floor.

Was it common for the rich people to be welcomed this way whenever they visit someone else's office? I almost had a heart attack!

I was about to thank them but a bunch of photographers suddenly appeared out of nowhere. I heard their cameras clicking and flashing that almost blinded my eyes.

Why are they doing this, anyway? Is Reese a celebrity too? My goodness!

"Ms. Reese, can you please give us your statement? Why didn't you show up at your wedding?"

"Ms. Reese, is it true that your parents only want you to marry Mr. Chase Maxwell because your family business is already on the verge of bankruptcy?"

"Ms. Reese, do you still plan to join this year's national swimming competition?"

"Ms. Reese, is it true that you're only an adopted child?"

I saw TV reporters, media men and possibly paparazzi blocking my way and asking me a lot of questions. I was completely shocked as this was the first time I encountered such a mishap . . . I swallowed the lump in my throat and tried to cover my face using my arm.

Then I recalled a moment when an unknown guy from the bar told me that I looked like one of known athletes that was engaged to a famous billionaire. In fact, I'd always hear it whenever I had customers whose ages were in their mid 20's. I just chose to ignore it as I found it nonsense . . . now it all made sense to me. I couldn't help but wonder if Mike knew this all along knowing he was a well-known bachelor who owned one of the big night clubs in town.

I only came back to my senses when the bodyguards started to push these media men away and covered me so I could walk forward. I had a hard time walking as the crowd was all over the entrance of the building.

After all the push and pulls, I was finally able to enter the building. I was about to walk with my head up but I stumbled into something that caused me to fall on the floor.

My lips formed a thin line as I heard some giggles from the employees. What is so funny? They are supposed to help me stand up!

I clenched my hand and tried to stand up but the moment I looked up, I felt as if my heart was hammered when I saw Chase's father staring at me.

Judging the way he looked at me, I saw the intense disgust through his eyes.