Chapter 9 Meeting the witch

After a long afternoon of preparing food, I sat on my bed and stared down at my fingers. I was feeling so many emotions all at once. I was mainly nervous to prepare food for Oliver's mother.

I wonder what she is like? I hope she is nothing like Oliver...

What are you even doing right now? My reflection in the mirror asked from across the room. His mother wasn't coming to meet me or anything special like that. I was basically Oliver's maid...Nothing special about me at all. I frowned and immediately didn't like the reaction I was giving to that thought. I jumped when I heard a knock at my door.

I opened the door and sucked in a breath. Oliver looked...

Ravishing...

He ran a hand through his wavy locks and cocked his eyebrow, My mother will be here soon.

I nodded and brushed my fingers nervously against the only simple dress I owned .I looked down thinking Oliver would leave and I could get back to worrying in peace. I felt his finger touch the bottom of my chin. I lifted my head and could only imagine the confused look that was plastered on my face.

His eyes were soft but I still couldn't read the emotion behind them. It seemed as if we had stood there forever in deep silence when the door bell rang. He dropped his hand and cleared his throat. My face grew red with embarrassment and I quickly took a step back.

I think that's your mother...I said.

He nodded and started to walk away. I went to shut my door when he stopped suddenly, Addie?

I lifted my head up and opened the door a bit further.

He turned around slowly and opened his mouth and shut it again. I cocked my head and looked t him curiously.

What is it Oliver?

He looked at me once again and opened his mouth. This time he spoke, I would like for you to eat dinner with my mother and I.

My mouth dropped open.

He shook his head and laughed. you must think I am crazy.

I stepped out of my door way and grabbed onto his sleeve. No it's not that. It's just I don't understand why you are being so kind to me? I'm no good to you once I have paid off my debt.

He looked down at me and grabbed onto my hand that was clutching his sleeve.

Addie, I-

We both jumped apart when the door bell rang again. He straightened his tie and gave me a firm look. Eat with me. That's an order.

I narrowed my eyes and walked past him in a hurry.

The door rang for probably the fifth time. This time the ringer didn't sound as fifth time. This time the ringer didn't sound as patient. I hurriedly rushed down the stairs. I reached the door knob and stopped ,my heart was thudding against my chest so hard it hurt. I looked up at the top of the stair case and saw Oliver watching me with much amusement in his eyes. He nodded and I took that as an invitation to open the door.

I opened the door widely and smiled .I almost gasped in surprise at the woman standing impatiently in front of me. This woman who assumed would be old and wrinkly like most woman her age, had beautiful tight skin and long elegant hair. I noticed how there was almost no grey in her hair .I heard a cough behind her and took my eyes off of the old woman. My eyes widened slightly because I couldn't believe how beautiful the girl was behind her.

The girl appeared to be in her early twenties. she was twirling her long blonde hair around a flawlessly manicured finger .I had to look away when I accidentally made eye contact with angry blue eyes.

Well.. are you going to invite us in or what ?The angry blonde girl spit out.

I cleared my throat and started to speak when I was interrupted by none other than Oliver himself. He placed a hand on my shoulder and gestured for his mysterious guests to come in. I flinched when angry blond girl gave the hand on my shoulder an icy glare. His mother, (I mean I think that woman is his mother) and the angry girl walked in quickly leaving a cold air behind them. I shivered and glanced up at Oliver nervously, I don't think they like me very much...

He laughed and brought his lips to my ear, who gives a shit? I like you....

My eyes widened, and he chuckled moving me along towards the dining hall. I bit back a smile and went willingly, feeling a tad bit better about the situation. The two guests were already seated and looking even more impatient then ever.

Geez...what kind of people does he hang around? Not that he can help who is mother is I guess, but the other one seemed like a real witch.

Oliver pulled out my chair and helped me sit down .I didn't understand why he was acting so kindly towards me especially after what I said to him. Oliver's mother and the witch both had looks of horror and surprise.

Wait ....What did I just miss?

His mother cleared her throat and took a sip of her water, Oliver, why on earth is the help sitting down at the dinning table?

My eyes widened and I stood up quickly only to bang my knees loudly on the bottom of the table .I cursed silently and winced at now throbbing knees.

My goodness!! His mother grabbed her chest and looked as if she were going to faint at any moment. The witch snickered under breath and smirked at me, causing me to have a mini anxiety attack.

What was with these two?

I hurriedly lept away from the table and stood a good distance away from their piercing stares of judgement. I-I'm very sorry I J-just-

She is my guest, just as you are mother. I would advise you to be respectful of my guest. She is rather nervous and you are not making it any better for her.

All of our mouths dropped open .Wait , what?

I held up a hand quickly but dropped it before anyone could see me trying to reach for him, Oliver, It's really okay I-

He gave me a look that shut me up quickly. I clamped my mouth shut and looked down at my hands, unsure of what to do next.

Take a seat Addie. I looked up quickly and made my way over to the seat Oliver had pulled out for me for the second time that night. I sat down and nervously played with my fingers under the table.

Oliver took a seat beside me and grabbed onto a hand that was resting on my lap. I felt myself growing red but I told myself to behave. He squeezed my hand softly. I looked over at him but he kept his gaze locked on the woman in front of him. His mother looked between the two of us and then back to Oliver. I swear if she decided to stick her head under the table I would freak.

Finally she spoke, Well, if she isn't the help then who is she?

I perked up at that and looked at him again trying to keep a blank look on my face. He made a quick glance in my direction and quickly adverted his gaze back to his mother. She is a friend who is staying with me for the time being.

Friend ,huh? Friends with benefits is more like it.

I bit my lip to keep from laughing. He noticed the twitch in my lips and kicked my foot. My eyes widened and I regained composure in a second. I glanced up and saw the witch intently watching us. I could see what she was thinking clear as day. Oh , she knew something was up. You could see it written all over her made up face.

She leaned in a little, and rested her chin on her perfectly manicured hands. I quickly looked away from her and cleared my throat, Um, I'm Addison. I'm sorry about earlier i really should've introduced myself more properly at the door.

She shrugged and sighed loudly, Well, yes. You should've been a better hostess, but don't apologize. I wouldn't expect anything less from someone like you.

Me?

She gestured towards my clothing and then I knew all too well what she meant by someone like me. I knew I wasn't wearing designer but it wasn't that bad of a dress...

I clenched my jaw and looked down at my simple sun dress. Literally the only nice thing I owned. This women was really getting on my nerves. I felt Oliver tighten his grip on my hand. I looked down and noticed that he was squeezing his free hand into a fist. I softly took my other hand off of the table and rubbed the top of his hand gently. He looked at me and opened his mouth but then shut it when I slightly shook my head. He frowned and bit the inside of his mouth.

After a moment of awkward silence, Oliver started to introduce the other woman to me when she cut him off, The name is Layla, Layla cage. I'm a very close friend to Oliver.

She winked at Oliver and smirked at me. He didn't seem to notice and leaned back into his chair. He looked very bored actually. She frowned at his reaction and flipped her hair and started complaining about how hungry she was. I really needed a breather ,and this would be the perfect opportunity to get away for two seconds.

I slipped my hand from Oliver's grasp and stood up quietly, I will get the food.

Oliver sat up and went to grab onto my hand but I moved out of his reach before he could give away any sort of affection for me to his guests. I didn't want to embarrass him even more. I shook my head at him and quickly went into the kitchen and brought out the dishes I had spent all afternoon preparing.

Layla stared down at the food I had place in front of her and gave it a disgusting look. His mother didn't say anything at all. Oliver quickly took his plate from my hands and gave me a small smile. I felt flushes and looked away. Oliver took a bite and his eyes widened. He looked up at me and gave me an approving look.

I felt so pleased that he was enjoying it. I grinned down at him and then looked over to his guests.

They weren't eating.

I frowned and gave Oliver a questioning look. Why the hell were they not eating when they were just complaining about being hungry two seconds ago?

Oliver clenched his jaw and set his silverware down, What the hell is wrong now? Why aren't you 2 eating?

His mother looked up and gave him a disgusted look. Layla looked at his mother and made the same face in an instant. Geez...

She made this I would assume? She cocked her head in my direction. I bit my lip . Great...

Oliver nodded, Yes. What does that have to do with anything?

His mother asked , I will not eat something made from some rat you picked up off the street.

I felt my eyes sting and I quickly wiped at the few pesky tears that were beginning to fall. This was honestly too much for me to handle. Oliver was watching me, and his jaw tightened when he saw my reaction.

I gasped out loud when Oliver slammed his hand down onto the table. He looked pissed.

Oh ,shit...

I brought my hand to my mouth to keep from crying out. His mother looked even more shocked than me. Layla looked... scared?

Oliver...It was barley a whisper that came out of my mouth.

Get the hell out of my home. Oliver was clenching the table cloth and he looked like he was really trying not to flip the whole table.

His mother gasped, What did you say to me?

I said, get . the . hell . out. He stated each word slowly through clenched teeth.

His mother stood up quickly and grabbed her hand bag, come on layla. Clearly Oliver has sunken too low for us at the moment.

Layla pouted and stood up, Whatever....

His mother stormed out and Layla followed closely behind, but before leaving she quickly leftt a lingering kiss on Oliver's cheek , call me!

I felt a pang in my chest and I looked away from my taunting stare.

Oliver's jaw only tightened more.

when the door slammed shut I let out a long rush of air that I had been holding in my lungs.

Oliver still hadn't moved from his tense stance. I slowly walked over to his side and touched his back softly. His jaw softened and he turned around quickly pulling me into his arms.

I tense up from the shock. He tightened his arms protectively around me and I instantly melted into his grip .He made me feel so accepted and safe.

I'm so sorry ,Addie.

I shivered when he whispered into my ear. He sounded so sincere it hurt. I felt so angry at his mother for making him apologize for something he didn't even do. I looked up him and gave him a small smile , What are you sorry for?

He only shook his head and gave me a soft smile. His hand came up and tucked a loose strand behind my ear. I looked to his hand and reached up and squeezed it softly. I closed my eyes and let myself feel the lingering affection for just a moment.

Addie...

His soft voice made my eyes flicker open and I looked into his dark eyes. He leaned in and his lips brushed the corner of mine. I ran my hands slowly across his broad chest and enjoyed the feeling of his skin under my hands.

Meow.

Wait....meow?

We pulled apart and looked down in between our feet. A fur ball looked up and gave us the most mischievous look. I looked back up to Oliver but he was already looking at me. He had the goofiest look on his face. I cracked a smile a cocked an eyebrow at him.

We both burst out into laughter and I could barley get out, Guess someone else wants some attention.

Oliver had a smile on his lips as he bent down and picked up the needy cat.

Oliver winked at me and said, Looks like I'll be completing with this little guy to win your affection.

My eyes widened and began laughing at my reaction. I blushed furiously and marched out of the room before he could see the smile forming on my face.