Kiss Me Not

Upon hearing Cedric's name, Olivia stopped walking. She did not turn around, but she could feel her heart pound so hard she hoped Gavin did not hear it.

She maintained her blank expression as she turned around to face him.

"Olivia… Cedric is alive," Gavin informed. He decided to personally tell Olivia about it, hoping it could lighten her burden as well, just like how it had calmed his father.

There was a moment of silence, and Olivia fought against her own emotions. That day when Oliver had died, she had vowed that she would not let anything nor anyone distract her from her goal of gaining power. She deserved punishment for her brother's death; after all, she was partly responsible for it. She did not deserve a chance to be happy with anyone because she took that chance away from her brother and his pregnant fiance.

Olivia closed her eyes. The guilt inside her heart was too much, engulfing her wholly. She opened her eyes, and she glared at Gavin while she said, "So what if Cedric is alive? Will that fact bring my brother, Oliver, back to life? Tell me, Gavin. Can you bring back my brother to our family?!"

Still pouring out her frustration, she continued coldly, "Do you even think I will be interested in learning updates about Cedric at this point? All I want from you and your family at this point is to never cross paths with me again. Is that too hard to understand?"

Gavin heaved a long sigh and added, "I know it won't bring back Oliver, but I was hoping that... since you and Cedric are… close… You would like to know the good news about him."

Still trying to persuade her, he continued, "You can hate and be angry with us, Olivia, if that will make you feel better. But I only hope that you will not destroy yourself by doing things against your will and principles. That man, Duncan, I'm sure he will try to take advantage of your current situation, and he will want to use you instead, especially now that your father is in the hospital. Olivia plea…"

"Stop it already, Gavin!" Olivia interrupted him. "Don't say any more words because you are just wasting your time. And who are you to say that to me by the way?! We are practically strangers and even now, I still regret that I trusted you, your family, and your men! What are you proposing now... huh? That I cooperate again with you guys and then what? Wait until my mom or my dad dies next?!" Olivia scorned.

"Mind your own business and stop poking your nose in other people's lives, especially people who can't stand your mere presence," Olivia added, using the index finger of her right hand to demonstrate. She knew her words were too harsh, but she hoped that it was convincing enough for Duncan, who was listening to their conversation.

She did not want Gavin to say any more words.  Knowing that he was unaware that Duncan was listening to their conversation, he could spill important information that would benefit Duncan. So she quickly turned around and walked away as fast as her legs could carry her, without making it look like she was running away.

When she knew that she was far enough, Olivia raised the mobile phone to her ear. As expected, Duncan was still connected.

"Did you enjoy your eavesdropping?" she mumbled with clenched teeth, trying to give him a casual tone. Only a mind reader could tell how angry she was right at the moment.

"You and Cedric have something going on. He is alive and I want to know more details about him!" Duncan retorted.

Olivia felt relieved hearing those words from Duncan because it only confirmed that Duncan hadn't gotten a hold of Cedric. He would be fine as long as he was not in Duncan's hand.

"What do you want me to do... huh? Play bias? Act like a spy on Gavin to know more about Cedric? Do you think the royal family will buy that after my harsh words on them? I am here to make them crumble and we both know that I'm the best candidate you got to make that happen, especially now that my father is unable to do it…" Olivia stated, annoyance seeping through her tone, yet sounding as firm as she could.

There was a moment of silence as Duncan thought of what Olivia said. She had a point. For now, he would want Olivia to focus on politics and government matters. He wanted the royal family to be stripped off their reign and power over the country, and Olivia had the same goal.

"I will inform you of the next step regarding the meeting. Wait for my call," Duncan said on a final note.

Olivia heard the end call button as soon as Duncan said that.

She emitted a deep sigh and looked at the room door where her mother was waiting for her to come back. She exhaled another sigh of relief, and then she walked towards the door. It looked like she would have a long fight ahead, but she had already come this far, and she was too determined to back down now.

A lot of things have already happened. She and Cedric can no longer go back to how they were before, so she must forget about him already and try not to get affected by things concerning him.

****

Meanwhile, Duncan stared at the screen of his television with narrowed eyes.

"Should I let you take control over the government, the ministers, and the Cabinet?" he whispered while staring at Olivia's face on the screen. Almost all the news at country B centered on her and how capable she was for the higher position. Then followed by the coronation of the New King that, not only the media but also the people were questioning his capabilities to rule.

"The King remains the country's ultimate authority and wields power over the executive, legislative, and judicial branches. Can we trust the new Prince, who our King introduced today, to hold that power? That is the question most of our people are asking. But no one will know unless we give our newly introduced Prince a chance to prove himself. We will hear his speech and plans for the country on his coronation day, so let us all be patient and wait for that day. More news is coming your way after the short break. Stay tuned..." One of the reporters stated as his ending remark on the report about Prince Gavin.

With a sly smile, Duncan rubbed his chin and whispered, "It would be so much fun to watch these two fight… Prince Gavin…Hmm... Can you prove yourself worthy of the throne, or are you willing to let a woman dethrone you?"

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