The Kidnapped Bride

Olivia lifted her eyes to look at his mother and slowly nodded her head. "Yes, Aunt. How are you, Mrs. Smith?"

"I'm absolutely fine. Seeing you after such a long period. You haven't made your presence in months.." 

The comment brought a smile to Olivia's face. What was she supposed to reply? That she wasn't able to digest the fact that Lucas was getting married to someone else? That she wanted to detach herself from him? Or to not get compared with Jennifer?

With a lot of effort to maintain the fake smile, she replied, "That..was about the workload. Moreover, my father expired a few months back. I was.. you know.. quite sad.." 

Hearing this from Olivia was quite a sad thing. Amara's face turned worried when she asked, "Oh...I'm so sorry..I Had no idea..neither this Lucas told me about that.." 

Lucas looked at Olivia with quite shocked and doubtful eyes, "How would I have told you, mom? I had no idea about the same? When did your father pass away? You should have informed me...I would have.." 

"No need.." she didn't need their emotions, sentiments, and passing them an assured smile, Olivia spoke, "He is in heaven now. I was too absorbed in my own sentiment which made me lock myself for some time but now I" I'm totally fine." 

Although Olivia didn't know whether to tell them was fine or not, she was just depressed a little bit.

Yes, her father expired and she had no intention to tell about the same to anyone. Why should she? Who is the this man to her?

That was her life and no one even took the initiative to ask, except a single man. The only person who was aware of her life condition... is someone with whom she isn't in love with.

With the same thing in her mind, Olivia was least interested in speaking about her family at all. They can simply express concern but other than that? Not like Lucas is the son-in-law of her family?! 

Amara still smiled and stepped closer to Olivia. Holding her shoulders with a firm grip, she looked straight into her eyes and spoke with a sweet tone to express her tenderness and her love towards her. 

"You are Lucas's close friend, his secretary. No worries, you still have me. I'm also like a mother figure to you, so need not worry about anything. You are always welcomed here." hearing this, Olivia smiled but her heart didn't warm up. 

"Thank you so much, aunt. I was here to accompany Lucas since he wishes to discuss some matters about the Johnsons.." Amara nodded her head.

But before that, she made all of them have dinner before they all proceeded to have a real conversation.

Olivia had the chance to have a delicious dinner with their Smith family. Even Grandfather Smith was glad to see her tagging along with Lucas.

His warm gesture towards her made Olivia comfortable. Moreover, the attention of the entire family towards her, made her feel as if she is a part of them.

'Why do I feel as if I'm their daughter-in-law, not Jennifer?' 

How much she craved for the same but not yet. The right time will make everything fall into place and when she will take over the Smith family herself and destroys them through her hands. 

At last, when the dinner was finished and everyone sat in the living room, Lucas brought the conversation on the main topic, "So, I had a talk with Mr. Shawn and his bastard son, Javier." 

With this, the aura of the was hall dropped. Olivia felt that not only Amara but her grandfather was annoyed after hearing her name. 

Yet all of them used their patience to let the talk be peaceful when Grandfather gave the nod to continue ahead

"Continue." Grandfather instructed when Lucas told ahead, "So, the main person said that he isn't willing to negotiate in any terms. He needs what he has demanded from us." 

"LUCAS!" The sound echoed in the hall which made everyone shocked and surprise. The uproar was aloud, and Olivia can sense her back hair's standing up on her own. 

"What have you negotiate if they aren't willing to let go of something?!?!? Are sure that you are a Smith?" grandfather was in total fury and no one can deny the thing.

More his eyes were burning with anger, passing constant glares and daggers in Lucas's direction.

Although Lucas can sense the same yet he kept his back straight. Since he wasn't one at fault, why should he feel guilty about the same?

"I know, but they are Johnsons. Why blame me? They aren't willing because it is not alike every day they get the chance to threaten us." 

"But you failed at your work." Failed? Lucas won't refer to that as the total failure but yes, he wasn't able to make them answer back this request which made him a total wastage in his grandfather' eyes 

"Lucas, we had a discussion about this. I'm not willing to let go of the ruby at any cost." This time, Amara interrupted in the middle and spoke with the utmost seriousness.

Olivia stayed silent throughout the conversation. Today, her work was to listen to what they are conversing about, not to tangle in between their issues.

"Alright. I did commit a mistake by not entirely convencing them but I'm pretty much sure they won't. All we have to do is look forward to what we can do in return for the mess." Lucas was not trying to hide his mistake because he wasn't ashamed of his tactics at all. 

On The second note, he knew that Johnsons will not agree on any after what because if they are Smith then the other party's Johnson..

At last, Grandfather signed and held his walker tightly. His eyes were in the direction of the table yet he didn't say anything else. 

"Let us then return their brother.... First." 

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