Unwrap Your Desire

OLIVIA

Lara screamed and hugged me as soon as I handed her the bag full of cash. I even added some extra thousand of dollars in it so that she could have something to use. Looking back when I was still new with my work at the bar, Lara was the only person who helped me adjust and even gave me tips and tricks on how I could survive the filthy job I was hired to do.

From simple advice, Lara helped me up to the extent that she let me live with her in her apartment because I had nowhere to go. Even though she had a son to feed, she never complained about helping me survive day-by-day. Even if life was truly difficult for her, she never made me feel that I was a burden, rather helped me to be the best version of myself. I would be forever grateful for our friendship, and so, no amount of money would stop me from giving back to her.

“Oh my gosh! Thank you so much, Liv. You’re my life savior!” she said as she hugged me tightly.

I chuckled and patted her shoulder. “Come on, I have no time for this drama, Lara!”

“It’s just that I thought I’d end up being chased by the loan sharks again because I won’t be able to pay them in time. You know how it goes, right? The chase and threats are terrifying,” she said as she released me to wipe some tears from the side of her eyes.

“Well, you no longer need to borrow money from them anymore. If you need anything, just let me know because I already have this . . .” I took the black credit card out of my sling bag and showed it to her.

Her eyes widened as she covered her mouth because of shock. I wiggled my eyebrows and kissed the credit card I was holding.

“What the heck? There’s no doubt that Chase Maxwell is ultra wealthy!” she exclaimed.

“I agree. With just a few sweet talks, he gave me a check and a credit card to use for my expenses. So, you no longer have to go after the loan sharks whenever you need money. Just name your price, I’m just one call away, Lara.”

She clasped her hands together. “Well deserved, Liv!”

We both screamed in glee. I didn’t know that it would bring such happiness if you shared your wealth with your friend. Gone are the days when me and Lara had to perform non-stop on stage just to earn a few cash. This time, abundancy would come upon us!

I helped Mikael, Lara’s son, answer his homework that afternoon. He was already six years old and was already in grade school. Lara raised her alone with a small amount of cash support she gets from Mikael’s father which goes to the nanny who takes care of her son while she’s away. Lara and Carl, Mikael’s father, didn’t end up together as apparently, that man was married to a wealthy businesswoman. His wife didn’t like Lara and Mikael so I figured out she’d do everything for the cash support to stop, which happened already. I promised myself that I would help them at all costs. Mikael would grow as a fine man who doesn’t need a cowardly father. He’s like a son to me too as he always calls me Mommy Liv.

“Hey, Liv. There’s a newly opened high end bar around the area. Would you like to go and check later?” Lara asked when I went out of Mikael’s room.

The moment she said the word ‘bar’, I instantly felt the dryness of my mouth. I nodded in excitement as I joined her in the kitchen to prepare food for dinner.

“Since we got some tons of money from my soon-to-be husband, I guess some hardcore drinks!” I exclaimed.

“Yeah, right! We’re going to get wasted tonight!” She laughed. “Oh, you should call Reese’ mom and Chase. You know, you’re living a new life now. It might be good if they know your whereabouts and who you are with.”

“Alright,” I said and picked up my phone on the countertop table.

I checked my inbox and saw that there was one unread text message from Chase. I opened it and read his reply from my previous message.

From: Chase Maxwell

Who’s that friend you’re referring to?

I pouted my lips. I realized that he doesn’t know a thing about Lara. I sent him a new text message, telling him that I am with Lara- a trusted friend of mine, and that we will go to a bar. I also sent Reese’ mom a text. After that, I tossed my phone to the couch.

Just right after Mikael fell asleep, Lara and I prepared to go to the bar. She let me borrow a fitted red silky spaghetti strap dress and a pair of stiletto while she wore a black tube above-the-knee dress. She curled my hair and then I put some makeup on my face. After preparing, Lara gave a few instructions to Mikael’s nanny and then my driver sent us to the bar.

The loud music and neon lights welcomed us as we entered the bar. Compared to the bar where I used to work, this place was a bit wholesome. People were dancing on the dancefloor, there was a DJ and some performers who danced on stage. The bar was spacious and was screaming of elegance. It has a second floor which was designed like a balcony and it seemed that all their VIPs were there.

Lara dragged me to the bar counter. She ordered some hard drinks as we sat on the high-steeled chairs.

“Whoo-hoo!” she screamed, banging her head along with the loud music.

I chuckled. “This bar seems nice. It’s the first time I went to another bar and hadn’t seen strippers!”

She nodded her head. “If anything goes wrong with Mike’s bar, I’ll apply here! I’ll be their most beautiful stripper!”

We laughed together and talked about a lot of things. I came to realize that it was the first time we hung out without any worries. Looking back, we only drink liquors whenever we’re stressed out about earning money and other life issues.

Insisting that this will last a long time as Lara stated to me, I was still reminded of the fact that nothing would ever last indefinitely. For the time being, we savored the moment as we both approached the end of the night.

There was only one thing on my mind the whole time: to let go of the past and accept the new version of myself. Being Reese’s substitute was my only hope to have a new life, and so I would do everything I could to make it work.

“Lara, pay attention to something I have to say. You can now call me Reese Jones instead of Olivia,” I couldn’t help but yell it at her as the music became so loud.

Lara, on the other hand, seemed to not pay attention to me. Her eyes were almost shut due to tipsiness, and with a shot of Bacardi on her side, I thought she already built her own world.

I snapped my fingers in front of her to get her attention. I knew that for a long time, Lara hadn’t been able to seize the chance to go into the bar, drink and get wasted as she had been to busy working as a stripper to make a living for her son, reasoned why she had taken advantage of this opportunity, especially since I’d be the one to pay everything and she’d no longer need to worry about money.

She just stared at me and smiled. She, truly, was drunk already. I couldn’t stop but thought about the new life waiting for me as Reese Jones. I’d be able to forget my tragic past, those torturing memories when I was kid, and would be able to enjoy this wealth with Lara and her son, Mikael.

“You have to promise me one thing, Lara.” I held her shoulders and directly pinned my eyes on her. “Promise me that you will work with me and that you will stick by my side no matter what happens. No matter what the outcome is, we’ll stick with each other, alright?” I let out a yell.

She gave a nod, kissed my cheek, and then sipped on her shot glass again. I cracked a grin at her amusing expression.

I drank a few more shots of Bacardi when I noticed that my phone kept ringing from my sling bag. I took it out to see who was the person calling me.Content (C) Nôv/elDra/ma.Org.

My eyes instantly widened when I checked on my phone screen. Chase had eight missed calls and five text messages to read through! I was in a state of panic, and as soon as I opened one of the messages, someone grabbed my arm.

“So, I think I have already found my type of woman, after all. How about a drink?” An old guy in his mid 40’s appeared out of nowhere. He licked his lower lips and looked at me like a disgusting pervert.

I pulled my arm away and scowled at him. “Ohh, and guess what? You’re not my cup of tea. And no need to buy me a drink because if I wanted to, I could buy this entire place,” I said.

That guy had already sickened me so I stood up, paid for our drinks, and escorted Lara out of the bar. I couldn’t risk triggering my anxiety on that bar, especially since I haven’t taken my meds yet.

I rushed out with Lara and my jaw dropped as soon as I noticed Chase’s car in front of the bar. He went out of it and I saw his pair of eyes glaring at me. His jaw clenched and I could sense how mad he was by closing the door of his car.

My mind started to think of some possible reasons why I was not able to pick up the phone.

“Hey, Lara. Wake up!” I tried to wake up my drunk bestfriend then I realized that she might say something stupid that could only reveal my identity.

I wanted to pull my hair out of frustration. This kind of situation could really trigger my anxiety so much that my stomach started to hurt.

“H-Hi, Chase! I’m sorry I wasn’t able to answer your call-”

“I was damn worried because you didn’t pick up your damn phone! I thought you left me again!” Chase almost yelled out of frustration. He marched toward us, face grim, indicating that I’d be facing real trouble.

My eyes widened. What did he say? My chest pounded so fast. I started feeling something like whirling different motions from my tummy. Was this what they called butterflies in the stomach?

“Aw, he’s so sweet, Olivia!” Lara whispered while I was holding her right arm resting around my shoulders.

“Hey! He might hear you!” I uttered and hushed her.

When Chase was already in front of us, the irritation on his face had become clearer to my sight. He looked at Lara, who was already wasted. He then called someone from his phone and I was shocked when another car parked in front of us and some men wearing black suits and ties came out from it.

“Where does she live?” Chase asked.

I contemplated where I’d give him Lara’s address or not. What if some people in Lara’s neighborhood gossip about her being driven home by unknown men? I didn’t want them to have an impression that Lara’s going out with different men as it would only bring trouble not just to her but to Mikael.

“No, you’re not going to send her home,” I said and took out my phone, then sent a text message to Mikael’s nanny, telling her that Lara would be home by tomorrow. “Please take her to my house, Chase. She can’t go home right now. She just had a fight with her husband. She will be staying with me for this night,” I said, purely telling lies once again. I nervously waited for his reply.

His brows were furrowed, lips were pressed together which formed a grim line, but then he sighed and nodded in the end. He motioned his men to take Lara to the other car. His men were about to take my friend but just right I was about to hand her to them, Lara started giggling and whispered something to me.

“Liv, he’s a damn hottie! You hit a big one!” She then chuckled.

I palmed my face and let Chase’ men take her. She was escorted to enter the other car and then they drove to my new home.

Now that Lara was gone, I’d have to face Chase’s irritation. I felt damn nervous right now. In my peripheral vision, I noticed that he was glaring at me like how he did back in Mike’s bar when I first met him. It was funny that it seemed that the exact same scene just happened. Him, marching toward me and yelling out his frustration about losing me. I cleared my throat and turned to him. His eyes narrowed as he looked at me.

How can you be mad and look handsome at the same time?” I uttered and his eyes smoldered more. I then covered my mouth as it was supposed to be just a mere thought that shouldn’t be voiced out at all. I guess the effect of the alcohol really kicked in big time.

“You’re a bit drunk,” he said but I protested and pointed my fingers at him.

“Nope, I’m not!” I hissed as I walked closer to him.

I stumbled on my feet and he caught me. My heart started to pound faster again as I looked into his eyes. Waves of emotion swayed in my mind. My legs were shaking, as if I was a baby trying to walk for the first time.

“I’m no longer mad since you said that I’m handsome.” He winked then carried me to escort into his car.

Why did he get so alluring all of the sudden? Where does it come from? I could smell his perfume which lingered in my nostrils. He opened the door for the shotgun seat and carefully settled me there. He then began putting the seat belt on me. After that, he looked at my face, gaze traveled from my eyes, to my nose, then to my lips.

He leaned forward, and was about to kiss me on my lips but I immediately stopped him.

“Chase, I’m about to puke!” I exclaimed.

He was fast enough to remove the seat belt on me and helped me get out of the car. I vomited on the ground, his hands were rubbing my back. After a couple of minutes, I found him wiping my mouth using his hanky. He then removed his coat and wrapped it around my shoulders.

We went back inside the car. I was a bit more relaxed during the drive as the window next to me was opened, making me breathe the fresh night air. However, after a couple of minutes, I felt my stomach rumble and that was my cue to poop.

“Oh my God, Chase! We need to stop. I need to go to the toilet!” I panicked as I held my tummy.

Chase looked my way. “What? Seriously, Reese? Can you hold it until we arrive at your house?” he asked.

I shook my head and groaned. Damn this stomach!

“Please, I’m about to poop in my pants!” I shouted at him.

He then started to panic. Bullet of sweats started forming on my forehead, and my breathing became ragged.

“Fuck, where should we go?” he asked.

Suddenly, I remember there’s a motel around the area. I began telling him the location and he drove fast so we could arrive there sooner.

“Reese, this place is like an old building, like the ones in some horror movies. Are you sure this is a motel?” he asked.

“Yes! Of course, now let’s go and check in please! My tummy will be the death of me,” I begged, still holding my stomach and slightly bent my body due to the pain I felt.

He sighed and escorted me inside. An old lady appeared out of nowhere which startled both of us. Chase then asked if there was any available room. It was a good thing that there was still one available. He paid for the room and the old lady handed him the door key.

The overall place was really old. It was like an old building in the 90’s. As we arrived in our room, I went straight to the toilet and did what I had to do. It took me a couple of minutes to get out of it.

I sighed with relief and caressed my stomach which had been calmed now. I looked around and saw Chase at the corner of the room.

“Hey, what are you doing there?” I looked at him with complete confusion.

He looked scared. His finger pointed to something on the floor. I followed where he was pointing and saw a cockroach.

“Chase Maxwell, my billionaire fiance, is scared of a cockroach!?” I sighed.

I removed my stiletto and killed the cockroach right away. I had to admit that this place was a bit old and needed some maintenance. The entire room was plain and not a good sight to see every morning, though the pillows, bedsheets were fine and clean.

Since I got used to this kind of place, I didn’t really care much about its appearance but Chase, who had a golden spoon in his mouth since he was a kid, really looked disgusted in this room.

“Let’s go back to the car,” he said.

I massaged the side of my head out of annoyance. He really looked like panicking at this moment.

“Hey, we paid for this room!” I exclaimed as I stopped him from leaving.

Even if he was rich enough to book this room just for me to be able to use the toilet, I found it sucks that we won’t be able to sleep in it. He paid five hundred bucks for it. I’d consider it as wasting money. Besides, I felt so sleepy and could no longer walk outside and join him for another hour of driving on the long road. My body was tired and I craved a comfy bed.

“Come on, Reese. Let’s go!” he commanded.

I started whining like a child and went to bed.

Now, I got his full attention. Even though I was a bit sleepy, the playful side of me just had a plan in mind. I thought that it was time for a payback.

I began undressing my dress and acted like I was feeling a sudden heat. Now, I was left with my black lace bra and my thong underwear. I saw how his eyes pinned on my body, scanning through my legs and traveled up to my chest.

“Reese, come on. It’s not time to–”

I let out a soft moan and bit my lower lip as I stared at him. He wasn’t able to continue the words he was about to say. I noticed his breathings became ragged, and how he swallowed hard.

“Oh, I’m not Reese for tonight. Think of me like a dirty slut you booked in this dirty hotel,” I uttered seductively then I smiled.

I opened my legs slowly to tease him a little bit. And the next thing he did was remove his shirt and jumped on the bed.

“I can’t wait to fuck my slut this evening then,” he said warily.

The next thing I knew, heat engulfed throughout my body as he began kissing me torridly.