055. vicious beast

( the fifty fifth chapter )

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The sun was barely up, but the air was already thick with the kind of humidity that made everything feel sticky. Inside the Heyward household, Olivine moved through the kitchen with a quiet focus, brewing herself a cup of coffee. The day ahead seemed like another blur of errands, but there was one thing she'd been looking forward to—the time she'd get to spend with her brother, Pope.

They had always shared a unique bond. Not just because they were siblings, but because they understood each other in ways that no one else did. While their parents were caught up in their own world of high-society events, Olivine and Pope had always stuck together, an unspoken pact of solidarity.

She found him sitting at the kitchen table, scribbling down something in his notebook. Pope had a mind that could turn any problem into a puzzle he could solve, but sometimes it felt like he was trying to solve the mysteries of the universe in his head.

"Hey," Olivine greeted, leaning against the doorframe and taking a sip of her coffee.

Pope looked up, his glasses slipping slightly down his nose. He smiled, the familiar warmth in his eyes. "Hey, Liv. How's the world of the rich and famous treating you today?"

She chuckled. "You know, same old, same old. Still trying to pretend I fit in."

Pope raised an eyebrow, amused. "You fit in better than you think. You're one of the few people in this town who doesn't let it get to their head."

Olivine smirked, sitting down across from him. "That's because I know better. I've seen behind the curtain."

Pope nodded, his expression turning serious for a moment. "You know you can always come to me, right? Whenever things feel like they're getting too much."

Olivine smiled softly, touched by his words. "I know, Pope. You're my rock. Always have been."

He reached across the table, giving her hand a reassuring squeeze. "And you're mine."

They sat in comfortable silence for a moment, sharing the kind of quiet that only siblings could. In that moment, Olivine felt a warmth spread through her chest. No matter how much the world outside changed, Pope would always be a constant.

"Alright, I should get going," she said eventually, standing up from the table. "Gotta head to work."

Pope frowned slightly, always a little concerned when she had to work at the country club. "Be careful. You know how some of those people can be."

Olivine shrugged, trying to brush it off. "It's just work, Pope. I'll be fine. Just another day of serving the elite."

He narrowed his eyes, clearly unconvinced. "Still, if anyone gives you trouble, don't hesitate to let me know. I can handle them."

She smiled at his protectiveness. "Thanks, but I can handle myself."

He gave her a small, skeptical look, but then his attention was drawn to the window. "Looks like John B's here. I'll see you later?"

Olivine glanced out the window and saw the familiar beat-up Twinkie pull into the driveway. She waved her brother off, knowing the day ahead would be a whirlwind of adventures for the Pogues.

"Yeah, I'm sure I'll see you later. Have fun with whatever trouble you guys are getting into."

Pope gave her a small smile as he grabbed his backpack and headed out the door. "Stay safe, Liv."

She nodded, then watched as John B and Pope hopped into the Twinkie and sped off, the sounds of their laughter drifting through the air. For a moment, she felt a pang of longing. She'd always admired their freedom, their carefree way of life.

But as she turned away and headed up the stairs to change for work, she knew where she belonged—for now, anyway.

She quickly changed into her black skirt, slipping on a pair of yoga shorts underneath for comfort. The country club polo followed, and she took a moment to fluff out her hair, the humidity already starting to take its toll. Her natural kinky curls began to form, and she sprayed a curl-defining product in it, combing through with her fingers.

She caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror—a version of herself that was both confident and grounded, yet always one step removed from the world around her.

After taking one last look at herself, she grabbed her keys, her bag, and headed out the door, making her way to the car.

As she drove toward the country club, Olivine thought about the conversations she had been having with Rafe. The tension between them, the distance that had grown. It felt like they were both trying to navigate their own personal struggles without truly being able to connect. She wasn't sure where things were going, but she knew that she had to focus on herself for now. She had her own life to live—one that didn't revolve around him.

With a deep breath, she arrived at the country club, ready to face another day.

Olivine had barely settled into her shift at the country club when the usual rhythm of her routine kicked in. Checking tables, refilling glasses, and making sure the guests were satisfied with their overpriced meals—it was all second nature by now. The air buzzed with chatter, laughter, and the clinking of glasses as the elite mingled under the gilded chandeliers.

She glanced up toward the balcony and immediately spotted them: Rafe, Topper, and Kelce. They were leaning casually against the railing, dressed in their usual preppy attire. Their laughter carried over the room, loud and boisterous, a trademark of their entitlement.

Her attention lingered for only a moment before she forced herself to look away. She had work to do, and getting caught up in Rafe's orbit wasn't on her agenda today.

But then, from the corner of her eye, she saw him leaning over the bar, flashing his infamous smirk at a hesitant waitress. She couldn't hear their conversation, but the way the waitress finally nodded and reached for a bottle told her everything. Rafe had just charmed—or pressured—his way into getting served alcohol.

As he turned back to thank the waitress, his eyes drifted across the room, scanning lazily—until they landed on her. Olivine could almost feel the shift in his demeanor from across the room. His smirk softened into something else entirely, and for a moment, it seemed like the world around him faded into the background.

She pretended not to notice, focusing instead on clearing plates from a nearby table and making her way toward the back of the counter. She was adjusting a tray of glasses when she felt it—a firm yet familiar grip on her waist, the warmth of his hands radiating through the thin fabric of her uniform.

Before she could turn around, she felt the soft press of lips against the top of her head. Her movements stilled, and she knew exactly who it was.

"Hey," Rafe's voice was low, almost reverent, as though he'd been waiting for this moment all day.

She turned around slowly, her tray of glasses forgotten as she looked up at him. His gaze was intense, his blue eyes filled with something that made her heart stutter. Desire, affection—whatever it was, it was unmistakable.

"Rafe," she said softly, her lips curling into a small smile despite herself.

He didn't say anything at first, just looked at her like she was the only thing in the room worth noticing. His hands stayed on her hips, grounding her in place as though he feared she might slip away.

"You look... beautiful," he finally said, his voice thick with sincerity.

Olivine raised an eyebrow, her smile turning playful. "In my work uniform? Really setting the bar high, Cameron."

He chuckled, leaning down slightly so that their foreheads were almost touching. "Doesn't matter what you're wearing. You always look like this—" He gestured vaguely, as though words failed him.

She rolled her eyes but couldn't stop the warmth that spread through her chest. "What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be out there with your friends, doing whatever it is you guys do?"

Rafe shook his head, his grip on her hips tightening slightly. "Needed to see you," he admitted, his voice dropping even lower. "Didn't expect to find you working, though."

"Where else would I be?" she asked, tilting her head slightly.

"With me," he said simply, the intensity of his gaze making her breath catch.

Before she could respond, one of her coworkers cleared their throat nearby, startling them both. Olivine quickly stepped back, adjusting her tray and casting an apologetic glance toward the counter.

"I should get back to work," she said softly, her voice tinged with regret.

Rafe nodded but didn't let go immediately. His hands lingered on her hips for a moment longer, as though reluctant to let her go.

"Alright," he said finally, stepping back. "But I'm not done talking to you."

Olivine smirked, brushing a strand of hair out of her face. "You never are, Rafe."

As she walked away, she could feel his eyes on her, burning into her back like a brand. And despite the chaos of the country club around them, for just a moment, it felt like they were the only two people in the room.

Rafe sat back down on the balcony with his drink, his friends' laughter and chatter filling the humid air. He half-listened as Kelce launched into another argument about basketball stats, but his mind was elsewhere. His thoughts kept drifting to Olivine, her fiery nature, and how much she consumed his thoughts lately.

Just as Kelce leaned forward to emphasize his point, a loud voice boomed from the club's entrance. "Cameron! Country Club!"

All three turned their heads, immediately recognizing the source of the chaos. Barry.

"Ah, shit," Rafe muttered, slamming his drink onto the table and standing up. Topper followed, both moving toward the commotion as patrons began to whisper and shift uncomfortably in their seats.

Barry was pacing near the doorway, his eyes wild and bloodshot, gesturing angrily at anyone who dared to look at him. The security guard hesitated, unsure whether to approach.

"What the hell are you doing here, Barry?" Rafe called, his voice sharp.

Barry's head snapped in Rafe's direction. A smirk spread across his face, but it didn't reach his eyes. "Well, look who it is. Big man Cameron, always playing boss. I'm here for what's mine."

Rafe stepped closer, trying to keep his tone calm. "You need to leave. This isn't the place for this."

But Barry didn't listen. Instead, he surged forward and shoved Rafe hard, his fingers digging into Rafe's healing burn mark. Rafe grimaced, stumbling back and falling to the ground.

"Yo, back the hell off!" Topper shouted, stepping between Barry and Rafe. He shoved Barry with both hands, but Barry barely budged.

Barry's smirk twisted into a sneer as he got in Topper's face. "What's up, Country Club? Think you're tough?" Without warning, he spat directly in Topper's face.

Topper recoiled in disgust, wiping his face with his sleeve. Kelce stepped in, grabbing Topper's arm before he could retaliate.

Rafe pushed himself to his feet, glaring at Barry. "What is this about? I've paid you—overpaid you—for everything. What the hell are you doing here?"

Barry laughed bitterly. "Oh, this ain't about you, Cameron. This is about your little punk-ass sister."

"What the hell are you talking about?" Rafe asked, his voice low and dangerous.

Barry took a step closer, jabbing a finger into Rafe's chest. "I want my fucking money that your little sister stole from me. She's gonna pay me back, or I'm coming for all of you."

Rafe stiffened, his mind racing. "Sarah? Sarah wouldn't—"

"She's too soft to pull something like this," Topper interjected, still wiping his face. "You should be after the Pogues. They're the thieves, not her."

Barry scoffed and flicked Topper's forehead. "Shut your white ass up, Country Club. This ain't about the Pogues."

He turned his attention back to Rafe, his voice a low growl. "You better figure it out, Cameron, because if I don't get my money, it's gonna get ugly. Real quick."

At that moment, a voice rang out from the entrance. "What the fuck is going on here?"

Everyone turned to see Olivine striding out, her curls bouncing and her eyes blazing with anger. She took one look at Rafe, then at Barry, and immediately stepped between them, pushing Rafe behind her.

"Get back," she said firmly, not taking her eyes off Barry.

"Olivine—" Rafe began, trying to move around her, but she reached back and gently pushed him further behind her.

Barry smirked at the sight of her. "Well, look who decided to join the party. Your brother better sleep with one eye open, Heyward. I've got a trigger on that smart little head of his."

Olivine didn't flinch, meeting his gaze with cold determination. "Leave. Now."

Barry chuckled, taking a step back. "I'll see you around, princess." He gave Rafe one last pointed look before turning and swaggering out the door.

Olivine took a deep breath, her adrenaline still high from the confrontation with Barry. She turned to Rafe, only to find his face dark with anger, his jaw clenched tight.

"What the hell were you thinking?" Rafe snapped, stepping closer. "You shouldn't have gotten involved like that. He could've hurt you!"

Her eyes widened in disbelief. "Are you seriously yelling at me right now? I stepped in because he was about to lose it on you! Or Topper!"

"That's not the point, Olivine!" Rafe shot back, his voice rising. "You think you can just jump into situations like that without thinking about the consequences? About how it affects me?"

She took a step back, her own temper flaring. "Excuse me? Me stepping in affects you? What about what Barry just said? What the hell did he mean, Rafe? What did my brother do?"

Rafe's expression faltered. His eyes flicked to Topper, who stood a few feet behind Olivine, awkwardly rubbing the back of his neck. Then his gaze returned to hers, the tension thick between them.

"Barry said something about Pope," Rafe admitted reluctantly, his tone softer now. "He thinks Pope took something from him. Look, it's bullshit, okay? I'll handle it."

Olivine stared at him, her frustration bubbling over. "You'll handle it? That's all you're going to say? This isn't just about you, Rafe! My family is involved now."

"I know," he said firmly, stepping closer again. "And that's exactly why you need to stay out of it. Let me fix this."

Her eyes narrowed. "Rafe—"

"No." He cut her off, his voice resolute. "You don't need to worry about Barry. Just finish your shift, gossip with your coworkers, or whatever it is you do here. Topper and I have it handled."

Before she could argue, he leaned down and kissed her hard, his lips capturing hers with an intensity that left her breathless. The world seemed to tilt for a moment, her protests melting away as he poured his frustration and something deeper into the kiss.

When he pulled back, his lips grazed her cheek as he pressed another kiss there, this one softer but still firm. Then he straightened, his hand brushing hers briefly before he turned on his heel and walked away.

"Rafe—" she started again, but the roar of his motorcycle drowned out her words.

He threw a glance over his shoulder as he climbed on, his eyes locking with hers one last time. "I've got this, Olivine."

The engine revved, the sound vibrating through the air as he sped off, leaving her standing there, a mix of anger, confusion, and something else entirely swirling in her chest.

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Olivine hadn't even dismounted her bike fully when she heard the faint hum of conversation and the clinking of mugs from the open windows of the Chateau. With purposeful steps, she made her way inside, her anger simmering just below the surface. She pushed open the door to find a scene that instantly dissolved her fury.

JJ was seated on the worn-out couch, his face red and puffy, his shoulders trembling as Pope sat beside him, a hand on his back. Kiara and John B were nearby, their expressions a mix of concern and helplessness, while Sarah bustled around the tiny kitchen, setting mugs of tea on the counter.

The entire group turned to look at her as she walked in. Olivine froze for a moment, her emotions shifting entirely when she saw the vulnerable state JJ was in. Without hesitation, she strode over to him, dropping her bag to the floor.

JJ looked up at her, his blue eyes watery and glassy. Before he could say a word, Olivine wrapped her arms around him tightly, pulling him into an embrace. He clutched her like a lifeline, burying his face in her shoulder as his entire body shook.

"You're okay," she whispered soothingly, her voice soft and steady as she rubbed gentle circles on his back. "You're gonna be okay. I'm here, JJ. It's okay."

Slowly, the trembling subsided. JJ pulled back slightly, giving her a weak, grateful smile. He mouthed a quiet, "Thank you," and took the mug of tea that Sarah offered him.

Sarah gave Olivine a small, sheepish smile. "I tried to make tea, but, um...most of it was expired."

Kiara chuckled softly, lightening the tension. Olivine managed an awkward smile in return but didn't respond. Her gaze flicked to Pope, who had been conspicuously avoiding eye contact since she walked in.

Her anger reignited.

Without a word, she grabbed Pope by the arm and hauled him into the kitchen, ignoring his protests. She turned on him, her voice sharp but quiet enough not to alert JJ.

"What the hell did you do?" she demanded, her eyes blazing. "Barry showed up at my work today, screaming about wanting his money back and saying you were involved somehow. Explain. Now."

Pope shifted uncomfortably, guilt written all over his face. "I'll explain later, O. Right now, JJ—"

"JJ will be fine," she interrupted, her tone firm. "What won't be fine is you messing with Barry's business and dragging our family into it."

Pope's mouth opened and closed like a fish, but no words came out.

From the living room, JJ leaned over to John B, whispering, "Two bucks says she smacks the back of his head."

John B shot him a look. "Dude, they're arguing because of you."

JJ shrugged. "Still betting."

Sarah leaned closer to JJ, smirking. "Twelve bucks says Pope provokes her first."

JJ's eyebrows shot up, and he extended his hand. "Deal."

Kiara rolled her eyes. "Children," she muttered.

Back in the kitchen, Olivine was relentless. "Do you have any idea how dangerous Barry is? You shouldn't have gone anywhere near him, Pope! Stick to what you know—school and keeping your head down. Not meddling in a drug dealer's business!"

Pope finally snapped. "I didn't mean for this to happen! We were trying to help JJ, okay?"

Olivine didn't respond verbally. Instead, her hand darted out, smacking the back of Pope's head.

In the living room, JJ turned to Sarah with a smug grin, holding out his hand. "Pay up."

Sarah sighed dramatically but dug into the pocket of her skirt, pulling out twelve dollars and slapping it into JJ's waiting hand.

"You're the worst," she muttered, but JJ just grinned, holding the cash aloft triumphantly.

Kiara threw her hands up in exasperation. "Unbelievable. All of you."

Meanwhile, Olivine pinched the bridge of her nose, sighing. "You're lucky Barry didn't do worse, Pope. You need to be smarter. For JJ's sake and your own."

Pope nodded sheepishly, rubbing the back of his head. "Yeah...I'll fix it."

"You better," Olivine replied, her tone softening slightly. "Now go check on JJ."

As Pope shuffled back into the living room, Olivine leaned against the counter, letting out a long breath. The Pogues watched her cautiously, like children caught in the act.

"Everyone better be staying out of trouble from now on," she warned, her eyes scanning the group.

A chorus of murmured "yes, ma'ams" followed, but JJ couldn't help his cheeky grin. "Thanks for the support, O."

She rolled her eyes, but the corners of her mouth twitched upward. "You owe me a better explanation later," she said, jabbing a finger at him.

JJ winked. "Promise."

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Olivine finally arrived home after the chaotic day, feeling emotionally drained. The moment she stepped inside, her phone buzzed with a message from Rafe.

Rafe: Hey, can I come over? Is your dad home?

She quickly texted back, her fingers tapping the screen with practiced ease.

martinolive: Yeah, dad's home, but my mom went to visit her sister in Texas.

Rafe: Aight, I'm there in five.

Olivine let out a long sigh, dropping her phone onto the bedside table. She couldn't help but smile at Rafe's eagerness to see her, but her exhaustion weighed heavily on her. She quickly stripped off her work clothes and prepared for a quick shower.

As she stepped into the bathroom, the water poured down, its warmth helping to ease the tension in her muscles. After a few minutes, she turned off the faucet, drying off and quickly getting dressed in cotton shorts that stopped just above her thighs, paired with a simple tank top. Her hair was tucked into a bonnet, and she left her makeup-free face bare, knowing Rafe wouldn't care about her appearance.

When she stepped back into her room, she was met with the sight of Rafe, sitting on her bed. He had already removed his shoes and was carefully placing them under her bed, clearly trying to be respectful of her space. The window was wide open, the breeze lightly swaying the curtains. He looked up at her, his smirk pulling at his lips.

"Damn," he muttered, eyes lingering on her in the outfit she wore. "Can't believe you didn't even ask how my day went, baby."

She let out a dramatic sigh, planting her face into the pillow. "Uh-huh."

Rafe laughed, clearly amused by her nonchalant attitude. He moved closer to her and immediately started rubbing her back, his hands warm and comforting.

"Well," he continued, his voice teasing. "I was at the club with Top and Kelc, saw my beautiful girl, cleared up some stuff, then picked up something for my little sister and dad. Got us some takeaway from the wreck—don't worry, I got your order."

Olivine didn't respond at first, only holding up her middle finger in his direction, still with her face pressed into the pillow.

Rafe chuckled and smacked her hand away playfully. "Behave yourself," he teased, but she just rolled her eyes.

With a dramatic huff, Olivine shifted her position, moving onto her back. Rafe, never one to waste an opportunity, immediately climbed over her and settled beside her, his chin resting gently above her chest. His blue eyes locked onto hers, and they both just stared for a moment, the weight of the day settling around them.

Olivine absentmindedly ran her fingers through Rafe's gelled hair, playing with it softly as the tension between them seemed to melt away. His face was pressed against her chest now, his cheek resting gently against the soft fabric of her tank top.

"Are you okay?" he asked quietly, his voice low and filled with concern.

Olivine nodded, her fingers still playing with his hair. "Yeah, just a little overstimulated. It's been a long day."

Rafe nodded in understanding, pressing a soft kiss on the inside of her wrist. He stayed there for a moment, the world outside their little bubble fading away.

For a few minutes, the room was filled only with the quiet sound of their breathing, the weight of the world outside melting into the comfort of their shared silence. Olivine, feeling safe in Rafe's arms, let herself relax completely, grateful for the brief moment of peace.

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KIKI SPEAKS ;
not edited !!

we getting RIGHT ON TRACK TO THE END OF ACT ONEEEEE & S1

word count : 4.0k

ENJOY !!
xoxo kiki 💋💋