The Billionaire's Match

Chapter 2

Olive’s POV

I couldn’t believe it. I stared at my luggage in front of me, waiting for Ria to pick me up. They kicked me out. They finally got rid of me. The moment is fresh in my head.

I felt like a child who stole candy and was caught when I stood before my parents as they reprimanded me.

‘I always knew you were good for nothing. You couldn’t even handle a small job, and you want to work at our company, impossible.’ My dad shouted at me in anger.

‘But it….’ Shut up you ungrateful child. You will not disrespect your father and me by speaking out of turn.’ This time, it was my mum.

‘You know what, I can’t do this anymore. I have tried my best but you can never amount to anything in life.’ My dad said to me for the thousandth time.

‘Pack up every single belonging you have in this house and leave. We cannot keep harboring a failure. You would end up bringing shame to this family if we don’t get rid of you now.’

The look on my dad’s face told me he was serious. Where would I go? I don’t have a job, or a car, or a house, how will I survive? I sobbed.

‘Please…’ I started in between sobs. ‘Let me explain, pleaseee….I beg you’

My dad had started leaving when my mum spoke. ‘Honey, let her explain. Let’s hear what nonsense she has to spew.’

He stopped in his tracks and looked directly at me. ‘Go on. Explain. Spill your nonsense excuses and lies.’ He taunted me.

I spotted Flora hovering, smirking evilly at me. Then the thought hit me. They wouldn’t believe me. They wouldn’t believe that their sweetheart princess, Flora, set me up by meddling with my work and disclosing classified office information that led to a big company loss, then pinning it all on me. I was defeated long before the battle started.

I bowed my head in surrender and my dad huffed in response.

‘That’s what I thought. Be gone by evening. I don’t want too as much as smell you on any of my properties ever again. Am I clear?’ I nodded and packed up my stuff.

This is my fate. I am destined to be unfortunate. I didn’t pay attention to the stares I was getting from people passing by. What more insults could they think in their minds that would be greater than what I have received all my life?

The cool breeze tousled my ginger red hair around and some strands stuck to my tear-streaked face. Ria always loved my hair. Since the day I saved her from a fall in kindergarten, she saw my ginger red hair and called me her fox because she believed I was similar to a cartoon with a female fox with bold ginger red fur.

When my cool breeze was suddenly cut off, I looked up to see the reason, and a black sportscar was parked there. The ignition went off and a guy in a suit and sunshades stepped out. This felt like a Deja vu moment, just that this guy was in a black suit and he drove a sportscar.

‘What is a pretty lady like you doing here all alone?’ He seemed like a cocky guy looking for a pickup, so I put my guard up and responded with as much confidence as I could muster.

‘And you are?’

‘Ohhh, feisty! Me like.’ I rolled my eyes at his comment.

‘I’m Ethan Reed.’ He took off his shades and stretched out his hand.

‘I’m Olive Rivera.’ I supplied, returning the gesture. To my surprise, he took my hands to his lips and kissed my knuckles lightly.

‘Pleasure to meet your acquaintance.’ He curtseyed like guys in the 80’s and I giggled.

‘May I?’ He nodded to the bench I was sitting on. ‘Sure.’

‘Let’s go back to square one if you please.’

‘Huh?’ My face scrunched up in confusion.

‘What is a pretty lady like you doing here all alone?’ He repeated his question from earlier with as much cockiness as earlier. I rolled my eyes and the answer to his question crossed my mind again, bringing an end to my short-lived happiness. He notices this and immediately comforts me.

‘Hey hey, don’t look all gloomy. A frown isn’t suitable for your beautiful face.’ He sounded sincere and it made me feel somewhat better.

‘I lost my job, and my parents kicked me out.’ I explained my dilemma in a sentence.

‘Sheesh! Such a cruel thing to do to someone in such a situation.’

‘Not when they put you in that situation.’ I mumbled under my breath.

‘What was that?’

‘Nothing.’ He was sensitive enough not to pry, that I was grateful for.

‘Permit me to ask, what job post did you hold?’ Very unnecessary but I answered anyway.

‘Well. Up until I was fired, I worked in HR. Before that, I held the positions of accounts secretary and personal assistant.’ He looked somewhat impressed.

‘Hmm, impressive. I wish I had a job opening. I’m sorry.’

‘It’s okay, you don’t have to apologize. It’s not like I was expecting anything.’ I shook my head in self-pity, while Ethan rolled his eyes at me.

‘Let me finish woman. I have a friend who just fired his assistant. He would be hiring currently. So……’

‘Sounds perfect. I don’t know how to thank you. I….

‘Blah blah blah. You shouldn’t thank me just yet. You still have to ace the interview.’

‘I’ll put in my best.’

‘Good. That’s what I like to hear. I should get going. Do you need a lift or…….

‘No. I’m waiting for my friend to get me.’ He nodded and brought out something.

‘Fine then. Here is my friend’s business card. Look up the company online, and apply for the job post. Here is my card. Let me know if you ever need a shoulder to cry on.’ He winked and turned to leave.

‘I genuinely appreciate what you did for me today. I don’t know how ever I can thank you.’ I honestly could not think of a way.

‘Glad I could be of service.’ He winked and walked towards his car.

Reed and partners, I read out Ethan’s business card……it sounded familiar. It sounds like….. ‘Oh my gosh!’ just as I shouted, Ria’s car pulled up behind Ethans’ and she came down.

She immediately

mirrored my expression of surprise upon seeing who I was with and shouted.

‘Ethan?’

‘Maria?’