One Big Mistake

ands of the clock seemed to be inching along at a snail's pace, each tick echoing in the silence of space. She bit down on her lo

k face - twenty times or more by her count. A sense of anticipation bubbled withi

th eager anticipation. When she finally received an affirmative reply from her grandmother

she was due to leave on vacation with Emily, Olivia's passport had finally arrived. She'd been steal

day in the office before this much-needed break. She meticulously wrapped up all pendin

ve work behind. Rising from her chair with newfound energy coursing through her veins, Olivia gathered up all her belongings and punch

vehicle was parked near her house on multiple occasions. An uneasy feeling began to churn in her sto

As she navigated towards the grocery store, she kept stealing glances at the rear-view mirror, half-expecting to see t

isles. However, an unsettling sensation clung to her - an inexplicable feeling of being watched. She couldn't q

nce from her school days, Kelvin. He was older by a few years, and

melted chocolate. A lingering fondness for Olivia had always dwelled within

ehead, his piercing blue eyes twinkled when he laughed, and his narrow chin gave him a

vin asked playfully, his smile spreading acro

smile. "Just picking up some essentials," she responded, her voice subtly laced with tension. "It's b

beach house this weekend. I'd be thrilled if you could join us." His pleading puppy-dog eyes were hard to ignore. Suddenly finding her

e maneuvering her shopping cart around him as they blocked the aisle. "Emily can join, too!" he replied ea

inning like a Cheshire cat. She quickly typed it in, a

Considering his family's wealth and influence in the town, it wasn't surprising. However, Olivia was no stranger to wealth; her academic prowess from mid

ff. She looked around, but the white van was not there. Feeling better, she walked into the house. To her surprise, Emil

n Emily, her grin faltered. Emily's usually vibrant face was now a pallor of its former self. Her gaze

lness that didn't quite reach her eyes. "Welcome back, d

mily and whispered, "Did something happen?" Emily shrugged nonchalantly, forcing a small smile onto h

ly, "Guess who I bumped into at the store? Kelvin." With that announcement made, Olivia pecked Grandmother on the cheek and ascended the stair

invited us to their beach house this weekend for a party," Olivia revealed before disappear

she emerged from the shower wrapped in a towel with water droplets cascading do

Emily, unable to back down easily, gave Olivia her best pleading look. "Plea

top, Olivia told Emily she would be right back. She descended the staircase and began sifting through the mail until her fingers closed around h

nversation over the phone in fluent Italian. Olivia had always known that Emily was Ital

wich while Emily stepped out for privacy. When Emily returned from the bathroom looking fluste

d through Olivia's drawers for something comfor

. I'm an adult; I don't need that much supervision, damn." Emily said with sadness in her voice and walked into the bathroom. Olivia sighed. She walked towards the bathroom door

lly, he is still up," Olivia said the last part quietly. Olivia took her phone from her bed and opened her text; h

s typing; a few seconds later, it came through. Kelvin: I'm up. What's up? Olivia sighed, and Emily still gave her poppy eyes. Olivia: So what's the Address? Kelvin sent a dancing and a party emoji; Emily got up from the bed and started da

oked at Emily, "Well, that is perfect. It meant we don't have to drive."Olivia signed aga

smile stretched from ear to ear, giggling with joy because of the party. Olivia shook her head and asked, "Go t

igital clock on her bedside table blinked at 6:50 A.M. As she fluttered her eyes open, Emily's grinning face greeted her from atop the be

rom slumber. Rubbing the sleep out of her eyes, Olivia recognized Emily's voice and m

exclaimed and sprang out of bed like a jack-in-the-box. She rushed into the shower before slipping

kfast for them but had retreated to her room instead. The faint sound

grandmother and planted a kiss on her cheek. "Morning, grams," she greeted cheerful

ed about you overworking yourself." Grandma waved away Olivia's concerns nonc

t this job, I promise to take care of all the medical expenses for

picking Emily and me up soon. We're hea

us glint in her eyes. "Grams!" Olivia laughed, "I

uld leave the room, though, Grandma asked about Emily. "How is she doing?" "I'm working on it," Olivia

ily stuffing clothes into an oversized bag as if they were going away for weeks

t then, the doorbell rang, announcing Kelvin's arrival. Opening the door downstairs revealed Kelvin standing

ushed down the stairs, shouting playfully at Kelvin, "I'm here." She was holding Olivia's blac

The sight of Kelvin's monster truck parked outside stopped them in their tra

tomatically with a mechanical hum, causing the two women to gasp in unison. "Oh!" Ol

model but well-maintained, its paint gleaming under the morning sun. The interior was spacious

ly sprang forward like a gazelle and claimed it for herself. Left wit

sly in the sunlight. He turned around to face them both before starti

e back seat and responded affirmatively. "Yes." Her

ng at her free-spirited nature. "Yes." With both affirmations received, Kelvin shi