Hearts and High Stakes

. After the incident at the restaurant, Olivia Miller was desperate to take action

as though they were dirt beneath their footwear. All they saw in a woman was a fresh set of sheets to cover their mattress

ride. The next time she saw him, she wanted to smash t

her hand. Throughout the entire dinner, April had been threatening her. The fact that her phone was ringing

ood restaurant and ordered burgers and chips. She needed to cal

re she went to April's flat. She contemplated whether to step inside and

d the terrace, taking in everything. Even if the rooftop didn't look the nicest, it was still a rooftop because of its dirty s

edge to breathe the fresh air and tranqui

, then, feeling her well-combed hair, shook her palm i

ancient bench. Eventually, she gave up trying to remove the dust and sat down.

ved as many colored lights glowed in the darkness like falling stars. S

n't even recall the last time she had gone outside to gaze at the stars and make wishes. At lea

, but at fifteen, she relocated to London. The transfe

ftop where the boxes were located. She turned around and saw a

and moved slowly but st

rstood each other, but they did not exchange words. Returning to her seat, Olivia picked up her clutch and

me of one of those cruel, wealthy women you used to see on TV; t

a nodded briefly and pointed to the door. "Foll

is among those evildoers who kidnapped children and sold them

a sigh, he stood up and chased after her. He was surprised to find her

nued walking, and he silently followe

tted him to eat. She turned to him, and when he did not move, she flashed him a piercing gaze that made him ru

fteen years old. He was a short, skinny boy wearing jeans and a

ikely have been breaking hearts at school. The child had sho

heard her words, the boy turned to face her, blushing as he realized she was watching him eat like a pig. "You are welcome to spend the night here but

nod before retur

lence. When April's drowsy eyes fluttered open, she r

y concealing the contempt that went along with the remark. We need to ta

about." Olivia gritted he

; we're exhausted. "You owe that much, and you know what needs to be done." She

owerless to resist April's demands, having witnessed so muc

ng, but I am not going to do what you asked of

personal assistant tomorrow morning." With a sing-song voice, A

what happens to you!"

dain. "It's a pity that you share his sentiments." April persisted in exploiting Olivia's vulnerabilities, subjecting her to all the information she didn't want to hear. "You know, Olivia, for once, I thought you knew me better and were at

l Williams." Olivia calmly w

and could do nothing about it. Still

fter that passionate exchange, she turned off the lamp and tucked herself unde

loset and opened it, looking for something warm to grab. She opened her pu

fluffy white sleepers. She exited the apartment after steal

, tucked the money into the hoodie pocket, and held the hoodie up to his head. She straightened the little b

o the apartment. She pulled out her laptop and s