Chapter 4
The villa was a graduation gift Jennifer had casually given Matthew, as if it were nothing. When we arrived, the staff had already prepared a full spread of food. The entire place was set up for a massive party.
Matthew slung an arm around my shoulders, asking, "So, Olivia? What do you think? I designed the whole setup based on what you like. Are you happy?"
His friends immediately started cheering and whistling.
"Whoa, so the childhood sweethearts thing is real after all!"
"Wait, Matthew, you're telling me all this wasn't for us? You did it all to impress Olivia?"
I rolled my eyes, feeling a familiar wave of exasperation. "Cut it out, guys. Matthew has a girlfriend," I protested.
As if on cue, a housekeeper led a young woman into the room.
"Matt," she said softly.
She had long, flowing hair and a perfectly made-up face. She was, in a word, stunning. Everyone's attention immediately snapped to her.
She was Chloe Morgan, the first girl Matthew ever went public with after graduation. She was also his first love.
I was pretty sure they had broken up when he moved abroad.
I subtly slipped out from under his arm, sidestepped into the crowd, and grabbed a cupcake. If there was going to be drama, I was going to have snacks.
It was clear Matthew's jet-setting lifestyle had addled his brain because he was just staring at Chloe with a completely blank expression. It took one of his friends nudging him for the recognition to finally dawn.
Matthew, ever the cool customer, just gave her a casual nod. "Hey. Since you're here, might as well join the party."
Chloe didn't move. She just stood there, her eyes welling up with a look of theatrical hurt. When he realized she wasn't budging, he reached for her hand.
But she was faster. She threw her arms around his neck and kissed him.
The entire villa went silent for three long seconds.
Matthew didn't pull away. In fact, his left hand instinctively found its way to her waist. He was still the same old playboy.
One second they were total strangers, and the next, he was kissing her.
The crowd's confusion quickly morphed into whooping and cheering. Someone popped a bottle of champagne, spraying it everywhere. I scrambled to get out of the way. My school uniform was white, and champagne stains were a nightmare to get out.
After about five minutes, the little soap opera concluded. Chloe, who had entered with a timid demeanor, was now acting like she owned the place. At least, thanks to her, I could finally move away from Matthew.
"Chloe, you haven't changed a bit! I knew it was you right away."
"I heard you have, like, a million followers on Instagram now. Don't forget us little people when you're a megastar!"
"Looks like your career isn't the only thing taking off. Is love in the air?"
"So, Matthew, what's the deal? You're graduating soon, right? Time to put a ring on it? Can't keep a girl like Chloe waiting."
They all applauded, watching as Matthew and Chloe stood there, wrapped in each other's arms.
Matthew wore a lazy smirk, looking utterly nonchalant. He neither confirmed nor denied their accusations. He simply kept working the grill, flipping the skewers with one hand while effortlessly brushing off their teasing with the other.
"Olivia, your favorite chicken wings," he said, holding out a skewer to me. "Anything else you want, just let me know."
I shook my head, nudged the skewer toward the person next to me, and went back to my cupcake. Why couldn't this guy take a hint? How many times did I have to say it? I wasn't into him.