FIVE YEARS LATER
Olivia's POV
"Grandma! Grandma! Grandma! Yehey!" My son celebrated and he's so adorable.
I pinch his cheeks in cuteness before kissing him because I couldn't stand him. He hugged me, and I did the same while inside the car travelling to my mom's new house. Her relationship with the rich man took them five years to decide to get married.
My mother was still young enough to get married. She's only forty-two. She had me when she was seventeen, a young love that bloomed. But my father died due to illness and she found love after so many years. That's why I'm happy for her.
"I can't wait to meet my grandfather!" He was overjoyed.
I chuckled, "Me too, Gavin."
My life went well after I left my hometown. Beverly Hills didn't change at all after five years, but the pain it caused is no longer here. I can finally breathe in relief and walk on the street with a smile. However, I can't deny that Gavin looks exactly like his father. Growing up, he became more himself, and even though I can only remember his face, my son has his features.
"We arrive at the Harris mansion," my driver announced.
He stopped in front of the staircase with a red carpet. After that, the butler approached us and opened the door. I went out, and then my son followed me. He holds my hand, feeling anxious at the new faces he's seeing. My son and I went up the stairs to approach the main door, and from the moment we got closer, it opened.
The grand staircase was revealed to us, making me think my mom's soon-to-be husband is rich. We headed inside and before we could wander, my mother greeted me happily. He showered my son with kisses before turning to me with joy, and then he hugged me warmly. We haven't seen each other personally for five years, aside from video calls.
"My adorable grandson grew up faster. Can't you stay a baby forever?" She asked.
Gavin shook his head and replied, "No, Grandma. I want to get older faster."
"He sounds like my son when he was a child," Mr. Harris came to us and stood next to my mother. He's good-looking at his age, and it's no wonder my mother fell in love with him.
"Your son sounds like an old man trapped inside the body of a child," he added.
I smiled, "He is. Anyway, Congratulations on your upcoming wedding, Mr. Harris. Your engagement party is so extravagant that it almost pops my eyes out."
He laughed softly, "Thank you. Also, stop calling me by my last name from now on because soon we'll become family. Call me Dad, Olivia."
"I will," I replied.
The mansion was packed with people, and my wealth suddenly seemed meager in comparison to this man's wealth. There's a massive fountain outside with an angel statue, a staircase before the main door, and a grand staircase with a red carpet inside. Everyone looked rich in my eyes, and I didn't feel uncomfortable.
"I'm glad you came on, Olivia. I thought you were not going to come since you didn't reply to my email, so I'm moving on to how you surprised me today."
I chuckled, "How am I going to miss your engagement party? You sacrificed so many things for me, so it's time for me to return the favor."
"Aww, you really are my daughter."
"She is. As long as I don't want to ruin your day, my love. My son is here to congratulate us and I think it's also a great time for them to meet," Mr. Harris suggested.
"Yes, it is." My mother faced me and said, "Let's go, he's inside. You finally can have a brother!"
I take my son's hand and follow my mother to the living room where it was packed with guests. They went closer to him, and I could only see his back, but every step I made, something was stopping me. I halted inches away from them because his back seemed familiar.
"Gabriel, I'd like you to meet my daughter. Olivia Thompson," Mom introduced me to him.
The young man turned around and as soon as our eyes met, my world stopped spinning. I froze in my place, and my throat went dry. He was the man that night. He was looking at me as if we were thinking the same thing, his eyes eventually landed on my son. I pulled him behind me and forced a smile to prevent him from suspecting.
I extended my arm and said, "Hi, nice meeting you, Gabriel."
He accepted my hand and answered, "Nice meeting you, too, Olivia. I've been looking for you…"
I was stunned, taking my hand away from him. My sweat starts forming on my forehead and I can feel it turning into cold sweat. How? How did he even still recognize me? It's been five years. This can't be.
"Did you two know each other?" Mr. Harris asked.
I smiled nervously, "No, sir. Perhaps your son mistakenly thought I'm someone he knows."
"Right," Gabriel replied. His eyes darted to my son and commented, "How old is he?"
"Why do you want to know?"
He knelt and said, "Your son reminds me of myself. He looks like me."
"You're right. He also has the same mannerisms when you are the same age as him. He talks like an old man," Mr. Harris laughed.
I am uncomfortable with his presence. The way he looked at me like he was seeking an answer behind my eyes made me anxious. I turned to my mother and said, "I need to go to the bathroom, Mom. Can you watch Gavin for me?"
Mom nodded, "Of course. The bathroom is on the second floor, left hallway."
I gave her my son and apologized quickly. I can't stand him. What happened that night sank in immediately as if it had just happened yesterday. I ran upstairs, searching for the bathroom, and when I found it, someone grabbed me and dragged me into a room.
Gabriel pinned me to the wall and stated, "He's my child."
"What are you talking about?" I pretend.
"You know what I'm talking about. Gavin is my child. I know he is, and you hid him from me for five years, but you're here now. That's why I'm not letting you leave me the way you left me at the hotel room after that night, Olivia."
"You're delusional!"
He smirked, "Did you forget my promise? I will find you if you try to leave without leaving a trace, but fate leads you right into my hands. But this time, there's no escaping, Olivia. I'll make sure of that."