Every person has a happy place, a place where they are invincible. Not even the most powerful of beings can touch them. Olivia's place is the beach, preferably at night. When the breeze is light, and the only sounds are the roaring waves of the ocean. She strolls along the shoreline, her dress dances in the zephyr, bringing her a sense of liberation. The moon and stars provide the only source of light as the current grow more aggressive. Olivia escapes into the dry sand, where she relaxes while watching the majestic sea come alive. She lays a loving hand across her swollen belly, where her baby boy is growing.

Olivia's ears perk at the heavy steps trudging through the sand; the presence is both eerily familiar and unfamiliar in the same sense. As the man approaches further, she can tell he is masked, but that doesn't alarm her as she feels a bond with the stranger. It isn't until he speaks that she recognizes him. "Hello Olivia"

"I thought I'd never see you again" tears warm her eyes as she throws her limbs around his neck, hugging him tightly.

Stroking her black curls, the masked man says, "You'll never escape me" Suddenly, a chill runs up her spine, and goosebumps erupt down her arms. She no longer feels safe nor comfortable in his embrace. As her eyes lift to the masked man's face, she is almost afraid to speak, fearful that a quake in her voice would expose her trepidation.

"Who are you?"

"I won't live without you," and then his hands were around her delicate neck, squeezing the life out of her; as she fought to breathe, she noticed the oceanic music was getting further and further away. And all she could hear was his sinister laugh, mocking her.

She jolted out of her sleep, screaming and clutching her throat as cold sweat trickled down her forehead.

It was just a dream

Olivia turned to the clock on the nightstand; quarter til 7, it read. Through the curtains, she took sight of the bluish sky and slumped back into the pillow. This was the second time she's had that dream, and every night, it's the same beach, same dress, and same pair of murderous hands.

After several minutes of trying to analyze her nightmare, she got out of bed and began the day. Returning to the firm is the perfect distraction from her parents and all the other defective things in her personal life. Within the hour, Olivia was out the door, looking absolutely stunning; her hair was swept up into a sleek updo while donning a royal blue lantern sleeve dress and Prada bag to match. She didn't just look good; she felt good also.

The cafe was en-route on the way to the office, so she stopped to get tea and a bagel. Someday's Olivia could easily forget to eat, and most mornings, she skipped breakfast anyway, but now that she's pregnant, she is trying to correct that behavior.

Stepping out of the lift, Olivia was greeted by Sam. Sam is her personal accounting assistant.

"I brought you tea, but I see that you've already beaten me to it," lowering the cup and lifting the manila file. "We're at quarter-end, and Jackson isn't in the best mood these days-"

Strutting fast enough that Sam has to speed up his pace. "Did you stalk me outside the elevators to tell me that Dick is pissed, or are you gonna tell me what's really up" The pair had somewhat of a close relationship, so he didn't take it personally when she got snappy.

"He wants to see you in his office; he made me wait there so you wouldn't have a chance to dodge him, and the partners aren't too happy with your abrupt disappearance; at least that's the gossip in the bullpen," Sam informed ere cutting down a row of cubicles because at the end of the corridor stood an older gentleman with porcelain skin and salt and pepper hair, waiting with his arms folded against his chest. Looking not at all pleased.

Olivia quickly offered a pleasant smile. "Mr. Jackson, how's it going?"

He moved to the side so she could enter his office. Out of sight of prying eyes, Dick gathered Olivia into a crushing hug. "I'm relieved you're back; how're your folks doing; losing a relative so sudden is tough. I'm glad you took time to be with your family."

As much as he tried to hide it, Dick Jackson was a gentle giant, and Olivia happened to be his favorite. Olivia was barely out of college when he began mentoring her, and eventually, she came to work for the firm, and they've been like father and daughter ever since.

"Thank you, and I really do appreciate your leniency with me and my bad timing."

"Don't worry about that or the promotion; it's still yours. The partners are on board, but you'll still have to do some damage control and butt-kissing. I've had to do a lot of that these weeks, alone." He and Olivia share a laugh.

"I'm on board for whatever and immensely grateful that you stuck up for me. I don't think I needed the big corner office anyway" It was evident that he was trying to disguise that one detail. She isn't a fool; missing a partner's meeting is going to have some rather big consequences.

"Glad you understand; now go before it looks like I'm playing favorites."

Olivia nodded with gratitude. "Thanks once again."

By the evening, Olivia is exhausted, unsure if it's because she's been working nonstop or the baby is draining her energy. According to the baby calendar app she downloaded last week, she's 8 weeks, and the fetus is the size of a raspberry.

XXXXX

"Livia, you really shouldn't be working this late in your condition."

Startled by her mother's sudden appearance in the doorframe, Olivia quit typing and looked at her under the rim of her glasses. "And what condition is that?"

"Livia, you're pregnant, and you need to start acting like it and remembering to eat."

"I know what I am, but that doesn't mean I want the entire office to know" Olivia walked around her mother and closed the door before retaking her seat.

Like always, Olivia got tied up in numbers and reports and forgot all about lunch and dinner, so her mother offered to rectify the situation and bring dinner to her office.

Maya admired the decor and office design. "I like your office, baby. I've always known you had taste" Recognizing this is the first time she's been here.

"Thank you, mama, for the salad and the compliment." Olivia shook the salad, mixing in the vinaigrette. And then casually lifted a fork full of chicken salad into her mouth.

"I'm glad you called me because now we can discuss the realtor meeting tomorrow."

She nodded but continued eating her salad, opening the floor up to her mother. Olivia already had an idea of how it would go, except she didn't have anything better to do. Besides, listen, so she did.

"I really do think your father and I have everything under control-"

"That's just it; I don't want you and dad to handle everything, mom. We've talked about this. The house isn't just some piece of junk; I care about it." Suddenly her appetite was gone. She's trying hard not to show her contempt. "Please don't push me to get rid of it faster and cheaper than I want to, I have a process, and it's my decision how and when."

As her mother stands up, she brushes away the nonexistent wrinkle in her skirt. Her daughter's tone obviously consternates Maya; however, she pretends it doesn't bother her. Even though they both know it does.

"How much longer are you going to be here tonight."

Olivia lifted her Movado wristwatch and determined it was a good time to call it a night. The sun had to have set hours ago, she believes. "Is daddy downstairs in the car?"

"The hotel, I took a cab here?"

"Okay, well, let me put some things away, and I'll be ready."

Olivia didn't want to tell her mother; she held out hope that William would come home or call and let her know that he's alright. The whole situation was confusing and difficult to process. Every person close to her told her that William isn't worth it and that she needs to move on. If only they knew how hard it really was for her. This is the man she devoted eight years of her life to. The possibility of losing him was foreign to her. Although it's a reality, she might have to accept sooner rather than later.

At the next stoplight, Maya finally spoke after minutes of silence. "Did you remember to have your mail redirected to the p.o box? Because Marcy will mention it in tomorrow's meeting, it'll also assure me that you are on board. And Livia, I'm willing to let you do this at your own pace." she says, well-meaning.

It had just dawned on her that she hadn't checked the mailbox or home phone for any messages for signs of William. In fact, Olivia had felt abandoned and betrayed; there wasn't a night when she didn't think about it and the possibility that he just decided his life would be easier without her. And some nights, she contemplated her future as well.

When the pair finally made it back to the hotel, Olivia quickly said goodnight to her parents and went to her room. Inside she battled herself on whether she should get the hard part over and go there. But there was a looming sense of disappointment.

The entire atmosphere of the house had changed. It didn't feel like home anymore; just a cold shell of something that used to be vibrant and lively. The realization hit her like a ton of bricks; the mailbox was empty except for bills and magazines. And there were no missed calls or voicemails. He was gone; for good.

Tears were filling her eyes as she helplessly stood in the living room, pleading for her love to come back. "I hate you, I hate you, I hate you," Olivia repeated over and over like a mantra until she couldn't speak through her sobs.

It's strange how close love and fear live to each other

XXXXX

"Olivia, get up, sweetheart, or we'll be late." Maya snatched open the curtains, burning Olivia's eyes with the harsh rays.

She shielded her face with a pillow and groaned, "Mom, I'm up. You don't have to be so obnoxious."

"Get up, girl, and get decent; your father and I want to talk to you before we go meet the lady."

"Okay, okay, I'm coming," Olivia replied with some effort. Mentally she wasn't at 100, but either way, her parents wouldn't care. So she puts on her mask for the day.

Eli wasn't expressing the most pleasant of looks, but she sat down anyway, and her mother began leading the conversation.

"We were insensitive before, and we want to correct that. Eli and I've been talking, and we want you to do what's right for you. Staying in this hotel isn't ideal, so if you want to keep the beach house, we won't protest or force you to sell it." her mother finished with a smile; however, Olivia just shrugged and replied…

"I don't want it anymore; It's not a house that I want myself or my child to live in."

Her father smiled almost imperceptibly after hearing that. He doesn't know what changed her mind, but he will not ruin a good thing. Before Maya could object, he grabbed her hand, squeezing it in a way that told her, "leave it be."

"So now that's out of the way, daddy, when are you and mama returning home. I'm not in any immediate danger, and I'm not going to be stupid this time, so you should really go home."

Angered at the outburst, Eli stands abruptly. "Come on, Maya, Olivia needs space, apparently."

Olivia summoned some resolve. "Yes, I do, actually. I need to figure out my life, and I can't do that if you're both hovering, making sure I'm not the fuck up you apparently think I am." she took two considerable steps away from her father.

"No, don't say anything. Maya lets go, she's an adult, and she knows what she's doing," he says bitterly.

Olivia has never spoken that way to either of them, but she couldn't stop the truth from pouring out, no matter how angry it made them. Although her mother appeared more hurt than anything.


"Ma'am, can I get you anything?" The stewardess asked as she stopped her cart in the aisle.

Eli had fallen asleep sometime after boarding the plane. Maya never could sleep on planes, and besides, her brain was too occupied to rest.

"Actually, could you help me get my bag down."

"Of course, ma'am" the woman was quick and handed her the small duffle that was above her in the overhead bin.

Maya gratefully took the bag, thanking the woman.

She peered at her husband, who appeared to be still asleep. And then she went in the bag, pulling out a white envelope. It came from Maine. From the moment she saw the letter, she knew Olivia wouldn't be able to properly move forward with her life if she'd read it. So she did what any mother would do; she took the letter and didn't mention it; not even to her husband.

Dear Olivia

I'm sorry. It's been almost a month since I've been in confinement. I'm not sure what's going to happen to me, but I love you, Olivia, I always have. I hope this letter finds you well and that you're alright. The day I was arrested, I tried to get to you to see for myself you were alright. I don't blame you if you're mad, but please don't ignore me. I've never needed you as much as I need you now. I don't know when I will be able to write again. Just don't give up on me. I know I messed up a lot this time, but I promise next time will be different. I'll never hit you again. Please stay with me.

-with love, William

Maya folded the letter and began ripping the page. After she was done, she carefully scooped up the pieces and put them in her purse. There isn't any reason Olivia has to know about the letter at all.

Eli stirred a bit "what was that, sweetheart?" He asked

"Nothing, nothing at all," she replied pensively.


Author note

I think this is an important chapter and Olivia is slowly learning something from her experience. She's still young, so don't be mad if it feels like I'm moving slow on her progress; I want this to feel as realistic as it is because many women go through this.

Q: Was mama pope doing the right thing, or should she have trusted Olivia's judgment?"

Love and light- Skye-Anne