Chereads / Beneath the Billionaire’s Mask / Chapter 2 - “Friend”

Chapter 2 - “Friend”

Olivia arrived at her friend's apartment building at approximately five o'clock in the evening.

Aiden had no idea that Olivia Miller had friends. The only person he knew who was close to a friend was Zoey. Olivia kept this friend a secret. She was unknown to him.

When they arrived at the building, her demeanor grew even more icy, and it was only natural for hatred to surface on her face. As she got out of the vehicle, she noticed a sophisticated woman who appeared to have just stepped out of a magazine and emerged from the massive building. She wore simple black push-in sleepers, a white blouse, a light woolen blue jersey, and denim pants. She was most likely in her early thirties. Her dark hair fell beyond her shoulders, and she was slim.

"Olivia!" She shrieked, but Olivia gave her a tight-lipped smirk in return.

"Call me that again, and you will regret ever calling me." The threat made April Williams' smile fade.

"It's good to see you too!" April remarked cynically. Aiden felt the tension rising between them. Despite their friendship, their silent stares communicated more than their words could.

"Aiden, do I need to remind you why I pay you?" Olivia abruptly stopped Aiden in his tracks with a chilly comment. With a cold glare in her eyes, she walked into the building as if she owned it, leaving the two behind.

After Aiden carried Olivia's bags inside the building, he saw April waiting outside. Aiden wondered why April remained outside, while Olivia stood anxiously outside her apartment door. She stopped him when she noticed him walking past her toward the car. "I'm sorry about that." With an apology, April met Aiden's scowl. "Is she always like this?" She seemed concerned when asked, but he would be foolish to believe her.

"I don't discuss my boss with strangers." He said this before getting into his car and driving off.

April gasped as she saw the tire marks. "How rude!" With a sneer, she strode inside the building. She ascended the stairs to her flat and paused at the top when she noticed Olivia impatiently tapping her foot.

"Took you long enough," Olivia mumbled as she moved her bags to the doorway's edge.

"I don't see you losing any cent by standing there." With a swift reply, April opened the door and stepped inside, leaving Olivia in the rear.

Olivia entered and set her bags down. She moved out into the open and looked around her. Even though April's apartment was at least ten times smaller than her home, it felt like a home in contrast to her million-dollar estate. This place was more to Olivia's liking than the owner's. The apartment was coated with soft blue but was still simple and homey. Either blue paint covered everything, or it was the original color.

"Let me show you to your room." April leaned against the door leading to the bedroom and made a sly offer while crossing her arms.

"I know how to find my way." With those words, Olivia pushed her way past April and knocked her down with the bags.

Pulling on her hair, April hissed and ran her tongue over her teeth. She had to exercise extreme self-control not to kill Olivia.

Olivia entered her bedroom and took a quick look around. Everything remained exactly as it had been when she last visited, with no changes. A soft blue color painted the entire room, except for the white wall wardrobe and bedcover.

With a sigh, she put her clothes away in the wardrobe and showered in the shared bathroom. After showering, she changed back in her bedroom.

As Olivia left her room, she thought she would see April in the sitting room, but instead, she saw her lying on the couch, talking on her phone to her lover.

"But I miss you!" April let out a childlike cry.

"I'm excited to see you, and I miss you too! You and I may be together again after Olivia returns from her business trip in one more week." He stated.

With a nasty expression, April stayed silent for some time.

"Hello, April, How are you doing? Baby, what's wrong?" With concern, he inquired.

"It is Nana, David!" April started crying.

"How about Nana? Has she started making fun of you again? David let out a sigh.

"She is sick, David!" At last, she was able to say.

As someone who disliked sentimental people, Olivia felt like yanking out her hair after witnessing April's tears.

"Do you need money? You know that you can rely on me," David stated.

Satisfied that her brother had treated April Williams like the gold digger that she was, Olivia grinned.

Regaining her composure, April sat up swiftly.

"No!" She yelled. "I don't need money." While clearing her throat, she spoke.

"Then what's the matter?" David questioned, sounding confused.

April let out a sigh and got off the couch. "My boss." She waited for a moment, muttering. "If I can get someone to stand for me at work, I am free to go. Otherwise, he is going to fire me." She let out a sigh.

"Oh, dude! I ought to have realized he would act in this manner." David whispered to himself. "Listen, don't worry about him; I'll handle him, okay?"

"No!" She was about to scream. "Please say no. I have someone to fill in for me; I must ensure they are on board. "You will only complicate matters further." With that, she settled into the couch.

"All right, honey, as you say. I have to leave now because something just came up. Okay, I will give you a call later.

"All right, honey." Before she could begin, the line went dead. "I love you." Sadly, she whispered.

Olivia entered the sitting room with a sneer, her high heels clicking against the carpet. "What a show!" With her eyes the size of saucers, April whipped her head in her direction as she spoke.

"How long have you been standing there?" She inquired, but Olivia dismissed her question and scrutinized her with piercing, icy eyes.

"April, you can manipulate my brother as much as you like, but I won't allow you to tarnish his reputation by allowing him to fight your battles," Olivia firmly declared. "I know women like you who prey on rich men and leave them broke."

"I love your brother!" April uttered harsh words.

"Like hell you do!" April leaped when Olivia lost her temper. "It is what it is, April Williams; you are nothing but a golddigger, and I will not let you ruin my brother's life!"

April closed her eyes and let tears run down her cheeks, and silence fell. "I cooked dinner." She uttered those words while observing Olivia's elegant black and gold ensemble and handbag.

Olivia wore a black pencil skirt that reached her knees, a black jacket featuring a V-neck, matching black shoes, and closed black heels. Her hair fell to her right side, and she wore an identical gold jewelry set.

"Poison is not my thing." Olivia walked out of the apartment after saying something icily and pushing April.

"This conversation is not over," April yelled furiously as Olivia forcefully closed the door.