CHAPTER 84: CHAPTER 84

Olivia’s POV

After my mum left, I stylishly removed myself from behind Maxwell, trying to make myself small while my heart hammered against my ribs. This was getting more complicated by the second.

Gabriel spoke up again, asking about the dinner Maxwell had mentioned earlier. "What time should we arrive tomorrow?"

Damien paused, looking confused. "There’s a dinner tomorrow? Max, when were you going to invite me?"

Maxwell waved dismissively. "It’s a celebration dinner for Alex and Vanessa’s engagement. I was going to tell you eventually."

"Speaking of celebrations," Gabriel said, glancing around, "where’s your girlfriend anyway?"

Maxwell shrugged casually. "Sabrina’s around here somewhere."

Damien snorted. "That’s weird. Usually she’s practically glued to your hip. What happened? She finally found someone better?"

All this while, Kira and I were staring at each other across the group, both of us trying desperately not to burst into laughter at the sheer absurdity of our situation. Here we were, literally standing in the middle of chaos, while pretending to be completely different people.

Then Gabriel spoke up again with a mischievous grin. "Speaking of that, when are you going to propose to Sabrina, Max? Since you seem to know one or two things about relationships and are apparently very good at chaperoning first dates, shouldn’t you be settled by now?"

Maxwell’s jaw tightened, and his expression darkened slightly. "Why do you care? Still sulking about how that date with Olivia went?"

My blood turned to ice. They were talking about ME. Right in front of me.

Gabriel shook his head. "Max is being dramatic guys. The date went fine."

"Who is this Olivia anyway, Gabriel?" Alex asked with interest. "Now I definitely want to meet her."

No, no, NO! This conversation needed to stop right now!

But Maxwell’s eyes lit up immediately, like he just discovered a brilliant idea. "Everyone needs to meet Olivia." He turned to Gabriel. "You should bring Olivia to dinner tomorrow too."

I felt my world tilt as I stilled completely, my eyes shooting up to meet Kira’s, who had also gone completely rigid. We stared at each other in pure horror.

This could not be happening. This absolutely could NOT be happening. How had Maxwell just managed to invite Oliver to come with Kyle, and still managed to invite Gabriel to come with Olivia?

Now I knew he was playing with me.

Gabriel actually looked pleased. "That sounds great! I’d love for you all to meet her. You’ll see that she’s absolutely perfect for me, unlike Maxwell’s ridiculous assertions about her being dramatic or unstable."

He started turning away to leave, but Maxwell’s voice stopped him cold.

"Not so fast, brother. Knowing you, Gabriel, you’ll probably come up with some convenient story tomorrow about Olivia not being able to make it or some sudden family emergency."

Gabriel’s eyebrows furrowed. "I wouldn’t do that."

"Really?" Maxwell challenged. "Just like how she suddenly couldn’t be your plus-one to Alex’s engagement party tonight?"

What the hell, Maxwell.

"Don’t forget we’re still starting out, Max." Gabriel protested. "She had a good enough reason for missing tonight."

Maxwell laughed, "Sure she did. So here’s what we’re going to do. You’re going to call Olivia right now. In front of all of us. Invite her to dinner tomorrow. If she’s really as perfect for you as you claim, and if she’s genuinely interested in this relationship, she’ll accept your invitation."

At this point, without further prove, I was sure Maxwell was mentally deranged.

Gabriel looked uncertain for a moment. "Max, that’s... that’s a bit much, don’t you think?"

"Not at all," Maxwell said smoothly. "Unless, of course, there’s something about this Olivia that you’re not telling us."

Alex and Damien were watching with interest, apparently also interesting in meeting the mysterious lady.

"Fine," Gabriel said, pulling out his phone. "I’ll call her right now. You’ll see that she’s wonderful and that this relationship is real."

PANIC. ABSOLUTE PANIC FLOODED ME.

My eyes darted frantically between Gabriel reaching for his phone and Kira, who looked like she was about to faint. If Gabriel called Olivia’s number right now, my phone would ring. Right here. In front of everyone.

Including Maxwell, who would immediately confirm his suspicions.

Without thinking, I quickly reached into my pocket, grabbed my phone, and in one swift motion, and I threw it as far as I could into the dense shrubs lining the garden.

The phone disappeared in between the flowers with a soft rustle.

Kira’s eyes went wide as saucers at my quick thinking, and I could see her fighting every instinct not to burst into hysterical laughter.

Gabriel had his phone out now, dialing. We all stood there in silence as the phone rang once... twice... three times...

Nothing.

"Huh," Gabriel said, frowning at his screen. "That’s weird. She always answers."

"Maybe she’s in the shower?" Alex suggested helpfully.

"Or maybe she’s avoiding you." Maxwell offered.

Gabriel’s jaw clenched. "She’s not avoiding me."

He tried again. This time we could all hear the automated voicemail message echoing from his speaker: "Hi, you’ve reached Olivia! I’m probably doing something way more interesting than talking on the phone, so leave a message and I’ll get back to you when I feel like it!"

Even I had to admit, past-me had recorded a pretty sassy voicemail message.

"See?" Maxwell said triumphantly . "She’s screening your calls."

"She is not..." Gabriel started, but Damien cut him off.

"Dude, just try texting her. Maybe she’s in a meeting or something."

Gabriel’s fingers flew over his phone screen, apparently typing out some romantic invitation to dinner. We all waited in suspense.

And waited.

And waited.

"Well?" Maxwell asked after what felt like an eternity but was probably only thirty seconds.

"She... she hasn’t responded yet," Gabriel admitted, his confidence finally starting to crack.

"How long does it usually take her to respond to your texts?" Alex asked, genuinely curious.

"Usually she responds immediately," Gabriel replied. "Like, within seconds."

Kira made a small choking sound that she quickly covered with a cough, and I could understand why. Gabriel, in his quest to make Vanessa jealous, just kept digging an even deeper pit for himself. The dude hadn’t even asked me out officially and he’s claiming we’re in a relationship?

"Maybe," Vanessa offered gently, "she’s just busy? It is a Saturday night."

Maxwell wasn’t buying it. "Or maybe she’s realized what a mistake she made going out with you and is now trying to figure out how to let you down easy."

"That’s not..." Gabriel’s voice was getting sharper. "Look, I’ll try calling one more time."

Oh God, oh God, oh God. Gabriel please just stop. This is becoming really pitiful and pathetic.

But just then, another person joined the group to congratulate Alex and Vanessa on their engagement.

I heaved a heavy sigh of relief, grateful for the interruption, but not before I looked up to see the intruder and got the greatest shock of my life.

David??