A Tragic Wreck (Beautiful Mess 2)

“Olivia, dear. Oh, it is such a pleasure to finally meet you.” She pulled Olivia into a tight embrace, squeezing her affectionately. “I’ve heard so much about you!”

Olivia was surprised at the warm greeting. “Mrs. Burnham,” she said pulling out of the hug. “It’s wonderful to meet you.”

“Please. Call me Colleen, dear,” she replied before turning to her son and giving him a searching look. Alexander shook his head, as if saying ‘not now’. Olivia watched the exchange, not knowing what to make of it.

“Olivia, you remember my sister, Carol,” Alexander said as Carol pushed out of her chair, standing up to greet her.

Olivia hardly recognized Alexander’s sister in the elegant long black gown and diamond jewelry that she wore. “Yes. Detective Wilder, it’s wonderful to see you again,” she said as they shook hands.

“Please, it’s Carol.”

“Okay.” Olivia smiled nervously.

“Olivia,” Carol said. “This is my husband, David.”

Olivia surveyed Carol’s husband, seeing the cop in him. His strong, muscular body filled out his tuxedo quite nicely.

“Nice to meet you, David.”

“Likewise, Olivia.” They shook hands.

“And you remember Tyler,” Alexander said, motioning toward his brother.

Olivia remembered seeing Alexander’s brother very briefly that night outside of Johnny D’s, but she was never really introduced to him. Now, as she stared at him, a dumbfounded look crossed her face. He looked like an exact replica of Alexander, even if he was several years younger. Same green eyes. Same dark hair. He was slightly less muscular and a little shorter, but the facial features were alarmingly similar. There was no mistaking that they were brothers.

“Great to see you again, Olivia,” Tyler said, wrapping his arms around her. This family likes to hug, she thought.

“You as well, Tyler. Please call me Libby.” She noticed the two brothers exchange a look.

“Alex, darling!” a voice shouted through the large banquet room.

Alexander rolled his eyes. “What is she doing here?” he said under his breath.

“Come now, dear,” Colleen said. “She’s an old family friend. Her parents have always been very involved with this charity. We had to extend them an invitation so play nice.”

“Money grabber,” Tyler said under his breath.

Alexander laughed, straightening up when he saw Adele approach.

“There you are, Alex. I’ve been looking all over for you!” Adele wrapped her arms around him, his face remaining flat.

“Adele, you remember Miss Olivia Adler, don’t you?” He smirked as he motioned toward Olivia.

“How could I forget? The woman you left poor Chelsea on the altar for,” she sneered, looking at Olivia with disgust. “Anyway, can I steal you for a minute, love?”

Olivia shuddered at the term of endearment that Adele used for him. That was hers, and hers alone.

He glanced at Olivia, her stony eyes trained on Adele. “Olivia, love,” he said, emphasizing the term of endearment. “Will you be okay for a minute?”

She smiled. “Of course, Alexander, love.”

He laughed as he led Adele away from his family, spinning around to face her when they were alone, his eyes wide with fury. “What is it, Adele? What could possibly be so important that you had to drag me away from my girlfriend and my family?”

“Whoa! Easy there, bad boy,” Adele said, crossing her arms. “I just wanted to see who you would choose. Obviously, you value my companionship more than that trash you brought with you tonight.”

Alexander exhaled. If she knew how wealthy Olivia really was, she would definitely be singing a different tune. She would probably try to be best friends with Olivia, just to be around someone with a large bank account.

“Adele, Olivia is not trash. She’s very special to me.” He glared at her, watching her lips turn up into a mischievous grin.

“So sorry to hear about you and Chelsea,” she said, placing her hand on his bicep. “It’s such a pity, isn’t it? She would have been good for you. I half expected that you’d finally smarten up after her, though, and realize that you need to date someone with social standing and not just that girl you keep attaching yourself to.”

“Enough, Adele!” Alexander said forcefully, stepping away from her. “Now, if that’s all, I’ll be rejoining my family, and that family includes Olivia.” He turned to leave.

“Wait, Alex. Come sit with me,” she pleaded with him, all bitchiness gone from her tone. “My father would love to see you. He always had a soft spot for you. I know I disappointed him with the way I turned out.”

“Adele, stop,” he said softly. “Don’t say things like that. He loves you. Maybe a little too much.”

“I don’t care about that, Alex,” she replied, her voice sweet. “I just wish you would love me. All those years we spent hooking up with each other. Can you really say it all meant nothing?” She looked up at him, her eyes pleading.

“Adele, I never said that. It’s just…” He trailed off.

“What? It’s just that I wasn’t Olivia? Well, I’ll tell you what, Mr. Burnham…” she hissed, her voice full of venom.

Alexander’s eyes flung wide open.

“Oh, that’s right. I remember what you like.” She winked. “That bitch sitting with your family is not her, either.” She stormed off.

Alexander exhaled loudly. “If only you knew, Adele,” he said to no one as he turned to head back to his family and his Olivia.

Throughout their five-course meal, the family engaged in relative small talk, asking Olivia about herself. Alexander had warned them ahead of time to steer away from questions about her family. They followed his demands.

“So, Olivia, Alexander says you’re a musician.” Colleen turned to face her, dabbing her mouth with a napkin after finishing the delicious grand marnier soufflé that they served for dessert.

“Yes, I guess you could say that. I’ve been playing piano as long as I can remember.”

Alexander and his sister shared a meaningful look.

“And I used to sing in a band in college. I just recently started performing again. We usually play at MacFadden’s in the Financial District on Friday nights.”

“I’ve been there,” Tyler said to everyone at the table. “They’re really good. You guys should check them out.”