Stranger in my Ass-Chapter 222

Olivia’s POV

After hanging up with Kira, I felt something shift in me.

I was getting out.

Finally getting out of this mess. Away from Maxwell and his twisted games, away from the constant heartache, away from the confusion that left me spinning every single day.

Alas, all I’d needed was a single push. A push from someone who was in the same situation as me.

I threw myself into the search for Mitchell with renewed energy, walking the streets with her picture, asking every person I encountered if they’d seen her.

"Have you seen this cat?" I asked an elderly kind woman.

She squinted at the photo. "No, dear. Sorry."

"Thank you anyway."

I moved to the next person, then the next, feeling oddly energized despite the repetitive rejections. Maybe it was because I knew this was temporary. That soon, I’d be free.

Free of Maxwell Wellington and everything that came with him.

My mind drifted back to last night, and I felt anger flare hot in my chest.

After the dancers had finished their performance - after I’d suffered through an hour of watching them gyrate while pretending to work on legal documents - Maxwell had finally dismissed me.

"Take the files to your room," he’d said, "I need privacy with the ladies."

I hadn’t needed a soothsayer to tell me what he’d planned to do with them.

He’d said it himself, hadn’t he? That he sometimes sought female companionship for pleasure. And since I didn’t want them, he had readily taken them for himself.

The memory made my chest tight with jealousy.

Why was he acting like last weekend hadn’t happened? Like he hadn’t confessed some things to me. Hadn’t stood vulnerable in front of me. Why wasn’t he pursuing Olivia?

Had he really given up? Was he actually letting Gabriel have me?

What was his deal?

"Oh God," I muttered to myself, "This is driving me crazy."

I needed to talk to someone with a sane mind. Someone who wasn’t playing mind games or manipulating situations for their own amusement.

Gabriel.

I pulled out my phone and dialed his number, my heart rate settling just from the act of reaching out to someone stable.

"Hello, babe," Gabriel’s warm voice came through the line. "Is everything alright?"

His concerned tone nearly brought tears to my eyes.

Why wasn’t Maxwell like this? Why couldn’t he be a normal person who showed concern.

Here was Gabriel - someone I was fake dating just to make Maxwell jealous - and he was already a better boyfriend than Maxwell would ever be to anyone. Even if it was all pretend.

"I’m fine," I managed, my voice only slightly wobbly. "How’s work at the hospital?"

Gabriel sighed, and I could hear the exhaustion in it. "It’s fine, but exhausting. I’ve been pulling double shifts all week. Actually, I just requested a month’s leave to rest and recharge."

A sudden thought occurred to me, blooming like a flower in spring.

"That’s great!" I said, perhaps too enthusiastically. "Actually, I’m taking a break from work too. I was thinking... maybe we could go on a vacation? Both of us. Just to rest and have fun?"

There was a pause.

"A vacation?" Gabriel repeated slowly. "Olivia, that sounds wonderful, but... are you sure? We’re fake dating, remember? Vacations could complicate things."

"It won’t," I assured him quickly. "We’ll have separate bedrooms, and you can even bring a partner if you want. We could also split the bill. Besides, Maxwell won’t be there, so we won’t have to maintain any pretense. It’ll just be two friends taking a well-deserved break."

Another pause, longer this time.

"When were you thinking?" Gabriel asked finally.

"Tomorrow?"

Gabriel actually laughed. "Tomorrow? Olivia, are you running from something?"

"No!" I said quickly. "No, I just... I really need a break. Like, really really need one. And if you have the time off anyway, why not?"

"Fair point." I could hear the smile in his voice. "Alright, I’m in. Where should we go?"

"You pick," I said immediately. "I haven’t traveled much. You’d know better than me what places are good for relaxation."

"Let me make the arrangements then," Gabriel said, sounding excited now. "I’ll keep it a surprise until we meet at the airport tomorrow. Just send me your passport details and I’ll handle everything."

"Gabriel, you’re amazing. Thank you so much for agreeing to this."

"Hey," his voice softened. "That’s what friends are for. And honestly? I need this vacation too. Been drowning in work lately. This is perfect timing."

"I’ll text you the details," I said, trying to keep my voice light and casual.

"Sounds good. Get some rest, Olivia. You sound exhausted."

We bade each other goodbye before hanging up.

I stared at my phone, feeling lighter than I had in days.

This was it. My escape plan.

Tomorrow, while Maxwell was expecting Oliver to show up for work, I’d be at the airport with Gabriel, flying off to some peaceful destination where Maxwell and his mind games couldn’t reach me.

Perfect.

I continued my search for Mitchell with actual joy in my heart, showing her picture to shopkeepers, posting flyers on community boards, asking anyone who would listen.

But I had one more stop to make before heading back, I turned around to check if my driver was watching me.

He wasn’t.

I quickly ducked into a small pharmacy on the corner. The middle-aged woman behind the counter looked up as I approached.

"I need something for severe insomnia," I said in Oliver’s voice. "Something strong."

She pushed her glasses up her nose. "How strong?"

"Strong enough to knock someone out for hours."

She raised an eyebrow but didn’t ask questions. She pulled out a bottle of pills and a small package of liquid sleep aids.

"The pills take about thirty minutes to kick in. The liquid works faster - ten to fifteen minutes. But be careful with the dosage. Too much can be dangerous."

"I’ll be careful," I assured her, paying in cash.

I left the pharmacy with my purchases tucked safely in my bag, my heart pounding with nervous anticipation.

Tomorrow. I will escape tomorrow. After Maxwell leaves for the office, I’ll drug the guards and slip out.

By the time I headed back to the mansion that evening, I was in the best mood I’d been in all week, despite the nervous energy coursing through me.

The driver pulled up to the massive gates, and as they swung open, I found myself taking it all in - really looking at Maxwell’s estate for what I knew would be one of the last times.

The mansion stood proud and beautiful against the darkening sky. Security lights were beginning to flicker on, casting golden glows across the pathways.

When the car stopped, I got out slowly, just... admiring it.

In just my small stay here, I’d had so many adventures. So many near heart attacks. So many moments of confusion and frustration and - if I was being honest - wonder.

I was going to miss it when I escaped.

A paradise turned prison.

The thought made me melancholy, but I pushed it aside. I was doing the right thing. I had to get out before Maxwell completely destroyed what was left of my sanity.

Even if I was sorry I couldn’t find Mitchell. Even if I felt like I was abandoning my mission.

I needed to leave. For my own survival.

I entered the mansion and started climbing the grand staircase to my room, already planning what I’d pack. I’d need to be strategic - pack light, nothing too obvious, leave most of Oliver’s clothes behind...

"Mr. Oliver?"

I turned to find one of the staff approaching me on the landing.

"Yes?"

"Mr. Wellington asked to see you in his study. He’s back early today."

My heart did a little flip. Of course he was.

"Thank you," I said, keeping my voice steady.

This was it. Time to collect my salary and then make plans.

I walked down the hallway to Maxwell’s study, my palms slightly sweaty. I knocked once, and entered without waiting for a response.

Maxwell was seated at his massive desk, looking every inch the powerful hot bachelor. He glanced up as I entered, his expression unreadable.

"Sit," he said simply, gesturing to the chair across from him.

I sat, trying to keep my posture relaxed and masculine.

Without preamble, he pushed a piece of paper across the desk toward me.

My salary cheque.

I picked it up, and my eyes widened.

He had kept true to his word.

The amount was... generous didn’t even begin to cover it. It was massive. More than I’d made in six months at my previous job. Enough to last me comfortably for many, many months while I figured out my next steps.

"Thank you for your generosity, Mr. Wellington," I said, carefully folding the cheque and tucking it into my pocket. "I really appreciate it."

I stood to leave, already planning my exit strategy. Pack tonight, slip out early tomorrow morning before anyone noticed...

"Oliver."

I froze, my hand on the door handle. 𝚏𝕣𝕖𝚎𝚠𝚎𝚋𝚗𝐨𝐯𝕖𝕝.𝕔𝐨𝕞

"Yes, sir?"

"Mitchell’s search will have to be suspended for now."

I turned slowly, confusion flickering through me. "Why?"

Maxwell leaned back in his chair, his fingers steepled under his chin. "We’re going on a trip to Tokyo tomorrow. Business meetings that require my assistant’s presence. We’ll be gone for a week."