Olivia Sparks

After news broke out about the military's successful operation in apprehending the rebels, life went on in Nisia as if nothing grave happened. Everything went back to normal as if lives and liberty weren't threatened by the very group who claimed to fight for their rights.

Smoke and honks from cars occupied the streets, and people from all walks of life marched on to their destination.

Inside the car, Olivia's eyes absorbed the passing view of the metro, bustling with life and energy.

She was on her way to the Lin Mansion after her Auntie Martha summoned her that morning. 

Whatever the reason was, Auntie Martha didn't divulge it, but the urgency in her tone was enough to peel Olivia off of her bed.

Suddenly, her phone rang, snapping her out of her state of daze.

"Are you on your way?" Auntie Martha greeted. "Hurry uuup, darling."

"I'll be there in twenty minutes, Auntie. What is the rush for?"

"Just… you'll know once you're here."

"What about Grandma? Is she okay?"

Olivia heard Auntie Martha gulp across the line. She had an inkling her aunt was drowning herself with her favorite spirit at that moment to calm her nerves.

"Grandma. Grandma. Uuuhh. I sent her to Ollie's house, just to be safe."

"What about you? Are you safe?"

"Of course, I am! I can protect myself, okay? But things won't get physical. I promise you."

Olivia took a sharp inhale in, her cheeks a hallowed for a split second. "I don't like that you're speaking in codes, Auntie."

"Trust me. I don't like to speak in codes too. Good bye, Livi darling."

Three lines creased on Olivia's forehead. This was the first time she heard panic laced Auntie Martha's voice.

Something told Olivia that she needed backup to face whatever or whoever was waiting for her at the Lin Estate.

…

Haunting footsteps echoed in the Lin Mansion. Each thud of the stiletto was an ominous warning that blood would spill that night.

Arriving in the grand room, a smirk tipped the corner of Olivia's lips. As expected, Rona Co sat on the couch with her legs crossed, as if it was her throne.

What irked Olivia most was how Rona Co sat like a Queen Bee as if the Lin Estate was her palace.

"Look who we have here," Rona spoke in a smug tone. "I was actually waiting for you."

Olivia shrugged. "Here I am."

Rina Co c.o.c.ked her head to the right, gesturing for Olivia to have a seat, which she outright refused.

"If you have something to tell me, let it be known or forever hold your peace." Olivia flashed Rona a smile. "Oh, wait." Olivia's hand flew to her mouth as she dramatically gasped. "I almost forgot your wedding was canceled. My bad."

Out from the corner, Auntie Martha snorted. She covered her mouth, but the liquor took over her spirit, so she was cackling in no time.

"Hey!" She pointed a finger at Olivia. "Be nice to her. Your wedding got canceled too."

"Oh shoot. Thanks for reminding me, Auntie."

Olivia and Auntie Martha started laughing like maniacs and paid no attention whatsoever to Rona Co who was fuming in her seat.

Olivia walked towards her aunt and exchanged hugs with her. "Why were you so upset earlier?" She skimmed her hands on either of her aunt's arms.

Grabbing a brandy by the neck, Auntie Martha hurled towards Rona Co. It flew past behind the lady, hitting the wall before it smashed into crystallized pieces.

It didn't take long before the smokey and woody aroma of liquor aged in an oak barrel permeated in the air, and it made Olivia's senses heighten.

Yes, her Auntie Martha was a little out of the ordinary, but she was never violent. So whatever Rona Co was here for, it sure was bad news for their clan.

Rushing to her aunt's side, Olivia hugged her. Auntie Martha's c.h.e.s.t heaved with every breath she took. She didn't know if her aunt could last until the end of their conversation with Rona Co.

Snapping her head towards Rona, Olivia wished she asked for more back-up. They were dealing with a witch anyway, and the best way to kill a witch was to burn her at a stake.

"That sorry excuse for a human being ruined our family and she just won't stop until she has everything." Auntie Martha's veins adorned her neck as she spouted words filled with hatred towards Rona Co.

"Auntie," Olivia snapped her aunt from her fit of rage, hugging her tighter. Snapping her attention to Rona, Olivia spoke, "Go ahead and be gone with it." 

Olivia might have spoken in a calm tone, yet deep inside, her blood was boiling. She grew up with Rona Co, and she knew that lopsided grin on the headmistress's face meant she had the upper hand in the situation… but not for long. 

Sliding an envelope on the table, Rona Co held her chin up. "Your father and I got married in private a day before we lost our child," she announced. 

"Color me surprised. As expected from a snake." Olivia's lips curled into a sarcastic smile. Still standing up, Olivia braced both of her hands on the backrest of the sofa in front of her. She tipped her head to the side as if she was reminded of something. "And what could be in the envelope? A prenup? Transfer of Deed?"

"Power of Attorney… for now," Rona trailed off. "Your father suffered a cardiac arrest this morning… unfortunately. And in the event that he dies, well, I'll receive the biggest pie in the box."

"Go ahead. You can keep it." Olivia jutted her bottom lip out. Not an ounce of care could be heard from her voice. Shaking her head, Olivia tutted. Olivia pushed herself off the sofa and exhaled loudly. "So you just want to show off that you got what you wanted. That's it?" 

"That's it." Rona Co bared her fangs and disbelief painted her face. How could Olivia put little regard on her family's legacy? Look at Martha! She was a mess after finding out that Rona Co now had controlling shares in Lin Prime Holdings.

"Thanks for keeping me in the loop, Stepmother." A wicked smile ghosted Olivia's face. She pushed herself off the couch and straightened her back. "How about we get some fresh air, pop a bottle of wine to celebrate, and welcome you in our family? Right, Auntie?"

"You won't even slap her or pull her hair, Livi?" Auntie Martha sobered up in no time. She didn't know when did her niece get a heart transplant. Why was the Olivia beside her compassionate on an enemy? It didn't feel right. 

"Auntie," Olivia mouthed. She shook her head in a no. "Go on. Tea is waiting for us outside," she urged her aunt who willingly followed her instructions. But just as they reached the sliding doors towards the garden, they heard Rona Co yawn behind them.

"Don't bother about it. Who knows what's inside your tea," Rona Co declined the kind gesture and stood up from her seat. Ironing her skirt with her hands, she eyed Olivia and Auntie Martha from head to toe. "I kind of expected that your reaction is boring, Olivia. What I wasn't ready for, was how it almost killed me."

"You know your way out," was what all Olivia said. She shifted her attention back to her aunt and spoke, "I told them to steep a hangover tea for you."

The two continued to walk away from the grand area and ignored Rona Co's stomping. Looking over her shoulder, Auntie Martha saw that Rona Co was finally out of her sight, so she angrily yanked her arm away from Olivia.

"I cannot believe it. You just let her walk away like that," Auntie Martha exasperated. It was the first time she saw disappointment cross her aunt's face and Olivia wanted to doc.u.ment it.

Scrunching her nose, she crossed her arms over her c.h.e.s.t, and posed, "Who said I did?"

"I do. I just saw her walk like a free man." Auntie Martha pressed her fingertips on either of her temples. "She stole from us. She. Ruined. Your. Family."

"I know that, you don't have to repeat it." Olivia dropped her arms, ignoring her aunt's glare filled with dismay. She pulled out a chair, gesturing to her aunt to sit on it. 

Auntie Martha didn't fight back and plopped down on it. Her head was spinning in circles anyway. Soon, a cart filled with pastries and sandwiches for their afternoon tea rolled in. 

Knowing her aunt's love for listening to classical music for tea time, Olivia did the honor of playing a recording on her phone.

Soft music notes danced as Beethoven's Symphony No. 9 played in the background. Auntie Martha closed her eyes and inhaled the melodic ensemble. She thought to herself how it was a good thing she had too much alcohol that morning.

But the longer the music played, the weird it got. She tipped her head to the right, wondering if she was just hearing things. "Darling? Can you hear that? Someone's screaming." Auntie Martha's eyes opened as round as saucers. She slowly craned her neck to Olivia, her hand flying to her agape mouth.

Auntie Martha broke out in a hysterical laugh, her c.h.e.s.t heaving with p.l.e.a.s.u.r.e as screams and growls in the background tickled her imagination.

When the screams died down, Olivia inhaled the fresh country scent in Lin Estate and turned the music off. "Lovely afternoon, Auntie. Nurse that hangover and we'll see each other soon." Olivia stood from her seat and exchanged air kisses with her aunt.

"Has Henry's tiger been fed?"

"It is. Apparently, the poor boy discovered a snake for a snack."