Chapter 17
Olivia
I take in the stunning young woman in the black cocktail dress that opened the door. I wonder if Lucas, too, noticed the plunging V-neck of her dress. She’s beautiful. I have to give her that. Even if a bit showy.
The woman's large, round eyes take their time soaking us in. The vibrant blue color deepens as they spark with recognition. At first I think she must remember me from the office. But I haven't seen her high cheek bones and blonde silk hair before. And her eyes aren’t on me at all. They are focused solely on Lucas.
I watch the woman’s full pouty lips turn up ever so slightly in the corners. I glance at Lucas rubbing his hands nervously on his trousers. Things are beginning to make sense. Lucas obviously had a relationship with the doctor’s lovely, young daughter. That's what he's been trying to tell me.
“Look what the cat dragged in.” Leaning seductively against the side of the door, she holds the knob in one hand, the other arm rising up along the door’s edge, exposing her very large diamond engagement ring.
Lucas clears his throat, “Hi, Stacy.”
“You know each other?” I ask, angry with myself for asking such a stupid question. Obviously they know each other. I’d never seen so much nonverbal communication take place between two people.
“Yep.” Lucas answers, his voice cracking. “Stacy and I go way back.”
“Stacy, is it? Hi. I’m Olivia.”
I extend my hand eager to break the awkward tension, hoping I’ll be able to make the best of an uncomfortable situation.
“Oh, you mean you don’t know Mrs. Stillwell?” Lucas asks incredulously.
I try to keep emotion off my face. I remain as calm and composed as I possibly can with this new fact coming to light. I feel the room swoosh around me as I understand Lucas has been involved with Dr. Stillwell’s wife.
Pieces are coming together. He hates doctors. He didn’t want to come here. She must have hurt him.
“No. We haven’t met.” Stacy offers me a smile, all the while keeping Lucas in her sights.
I can’t say I’m jealous of the looks between them, but if I could scratch her eyes out without any consequence I definitely would.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you.” I answer hoping to keep my voice steady, wishing I could find a crack in the wall large enough to hide in.
Laughter rings into the foyer from somewhere beyond the grand entrance. I can’t help feeling like the laughter is somehow directed at me and the complexity of the situation. The universe is laughing at me.
I dismiss the notion, recognizing paranoia as it pokes its head out of my subconscious. Feeling sick to my stomach, I wish I'd taken Lucas up on one of his earlier suggestions instead of attending the party.
“Come in. Make yourself comfortable,” Stacy suggests. “The other guests are in the back. Lucas can show you the way.” She motions to a hall on her left side.
“Thank you.”
I take a step forward. We’re here. We’ve already been detected. It’s too late to turn back and retreat to the car. It’s a matter of saving face at this point and I won't let Stacy think she got the better of me. I have to salvage this evening somehow.
Lucas stays put. He doesn't move an inch. With my eyes, I beseeched him to step inside. Angry that he blindsided me, I remind myself he came to be with me, not to catch a glimpse of Stacy.
We’ll get into that later, but for now, we have to keep moving forward. I reach out for Lucas’s hand since he appears unable to move, hoping I could urge him forward.
From the corner of my eye I notice Stacy smiling. A frightening chill runs through my body as I realize the smile isn’t a gesture of kindness but a show of Stacy’s malicious intent.
“I’m sure your father will be happy to see you,” Stacy says, walking away.
The words hit me like a bomb in a crowded mall. The room spins as I swallow hard focusing my thoughts on what I just heard. “Your father!”
“Olivia,” Lucas says, sheepishly. “I can explain . . .”
“No. You can't." How was Lucas Wells Dr. Stillwell's son? "Besides, it’s a little late for explanations, don't you think?!?” I shout, in a loud whisper.
"I tried to warn you . . ."
“Warn me? You told me your father was dead.”
“I know. I’m sorry.”
“Sorry doesn’t cut it!” I run my hand through my hair. “I’m working for the man and you never bothered to mention he’s your father!”
Lucas opens his mouth to say something, but closes it before any sound comes out. His eyes look remorseful, but at the moment, I could care less about his remorse.