Rich parties were so boring!

Olivia had lost count of how many times she had said that in her head. She was so bored and tired of standing in the midst of the women around her, pretending to be interested in listening to them talk about just how better than everyone else they thought they were.

That was all they were good at, gossiping.

She looked around and then pursed her lip. She needed a distraction, a reason to leave them completely. She wasn't really fond of badmouthing people and valuing the worth of every woman that walked in through the front door, calculating how much they spent on their dresses or jewelries and comparing them to hers.

She was well aware of how every woman wanted to be friends with her since after the wedding. They always went out of their way to make her a part of everything especially this particular group of women she was standing with.

They were supposedly the most elite and classy African women, married to the most influential and rich men all around the continent and for some reason, talking about everyone else was the only thing that brought these women from different countries and cultures together.

"You should come Olivia."
She snapped out of it as soon as the lady beside her called her attention.

Olivia stared at her for a few seconds, her cheeks reddening visibly when she noticed how all the other women were looking at her, giving her all their attention.

"Sorry?" She raised a brow, hoping she hadn't come off as lost as she actually was. She was never even listening all that time and with the way they were looking at her, it was pretty obvious they knew.

Her legs were killing her from having to stand for so long in those heels and she wasn't really interested in the subject of their discussion .

"Sorry, I got distracted." She muttered.

"I was asking if you'd like to join us at my husband's resort this evening?."
Olivia had her eyes focused on the Kenyan woman, making sure she was looking her right in the eyes.

Susan Otieno, wife of Peter Otieno, CEO of Otieno hotels and resort, the biggest hotel and resort in Kenya, everyone's favorite place.

She remembered Susan was the first lady outside Nigeria that had reached out to her after the engagement. She had gone out of her way to become friends with her and it had even involved Olivia adding another seven thousand dollar Chanel purse to her collection as an engagement present, courtesy of the Otienos.

"I think it's a good place to just talk about stuff, stuff like Otieno's future business plans with Silver enterprise." The smirk on her face grew wider.

Ah yes, the opportunity talk, of course that was what she wanted, it was all they all wanted. In the big world, no one really made friends for companionship or because they were bored and wanted to hang out, or make friends genuinely. Friends were made for benefits like this, 'scratch my back and I scratch yours', that was the reasoning of the elite world, that was why they wanted to be friends with her so badly and Olivia knew she'd be damned to even think about the possibility that they cared about her.

Everyone somehow always needed some sort of a direct link to the Silvers and somehow, they thought she was the easiest plug. It was always business with these rich folks.

Olivia exhaled softly, trying not to be so obvious or offended.

"Uh-" she shifted uncomfortably under the gaze of the six women around her before she glanced down at her purse. "I don't think I can make it tonight. I'm not sure my husband would-" she paused for a while to think about the sense the rest of her sentence was going to make while the women narrowed their gaze on her, she forced a smile on her face,

"It's a long trip back to Nigeria. I need all the rest I can get tonight. Maybe some other time?"

Susan pouted.

"Of course friend," she placed a hand on Olivia's arm, rubbing it gently. "We totally understand, you don't have to explain anything to us. Don't worry, we'd send you pictures and all that."

Olivia faked an even larger smile as Susan slowly let go of her arm and turned to finish up her conversation with the other women.

She rolled her eyes, it was all getting really exhausting. At that point, she needed to leave, an excuse to leave. She could never be them, she could never be a part of them, she came in terms with that and was okay with it. She took a quick scan around the large room, taking in the sight of a few familiar and even unfamiliar faces in the hall. Everyone seemed to be engaged in something, they were either talking, drinking or just dancing, everyone besides her.

The soft music from the live band filled the room and the lights got a bit dimmer.

Where was Andrew by the way?

She took another quick look around, this time squinting her eyes so she didn't miss him. Finding Andrew was the perfect excuse she needed, it was going to be get her ticket away from them, from all of them.

Finding Andrew was a dead end, a cause that was cut short the moment she sighted him, the light skinned man with little close to no hair at all on his shinny scalp, standing right in front of the bar at the other side of the room. Kenneth Izunna, A literary genius.

Olivia could not stop the excitement that swept into her heart as her face found its color again, letting a smile spread through her lips. It was him, THE author Kenneth Izunna, the man she had spent the most of her childhood being a dedicated fan to. She loved all his works, she had read all his books more than three times at least and had dedicated the most of her youth starting fan groups in his honor, she was his biggest fan.

Growing up, she had always dreamt of that day, the day she was finally going to meet him, the man that filled all of her childhood with happy memories but Kenneth Izunna wasn't an easy man to reach. It was hard, hard to even get a hold of him on the phone so finding him there, and alone, in that hall filled with so many people was almost like a dream come true to her, an opportunity she wasn't sure she was ever going to have until she died even after she became a Silver.

She had so many questions. At that point, she could tell her excitement was lightening up the room from where she stood. That was her chance, it could be her only chance to finally get that autograph she always dreamed of and she knew it.

Olivia puffed her cheeks with air and let it out, making sure to fan her face with her hands just to give herself all the mental strength she needed to walk to that table. She was nervous, and anxious too.

"Deep breaths Ollie, you've got this."

She reminded herself.

"Here goes nothing after all."

Olivia started to find her way to him, clenching her purse firmly too.

"Mr Kenneth?"
She called his name softly even before she got to the table, she came to a stop behind him. She watched the chubby man down the remaining champaign in his flute and stare at the empty glass for about three seconds before he turned to face her.

"Ahh," he exhaled "Nigerian or Gambian?" He kept his gaze on her, his big brown eyes, staring into hers.

"Ehn?" Olivia had the most clueless look on her face. She had no idea what he was asking or why he had to ask her that first.

He eyed her helplessly before he leaned closer to her and placed his hand beside his mouth like he was trying to whisper something, Olivia narrowed her gaze on him.

Weird.

"Come closer, it's a secret." He waved at her to lean closer to him. Olivia hesitated, she had no idea what he was doing but she slowly found herself yielding. Olivia double bent towards him slowly like she really wanted to know his secret.

"I'm trying to avoid any Gambian that might recognize me today. I've not exactly been on their good books of late. They might actually skin me alive before i get the chance to do it myself."

Olivia was left to decipher his puzzle as she felt him move away from her, bringing himself to sit straight again. She was confused, three times more than she originally was and he could see it. What did he even mean by that?

The man started to chuckle, raising his hands slightly.

"It's a joke." He started to laugh. "I was only joking with you."

It was a joke? Was that supposed to be real comedy?

She chuckled nervously, keeping it as short as she could. This man was her hero, a legend to her, there was nothing he could possibly do that would make her feel any differently. He wasn't really good with the jokes, but he happened to have a good humor.

"I don't think we've really met, I'm Olivia." She stretched her hand towards him for a handshake "Olivia Silver. I'm a huge fan."

"Aren't you?" He let his hand take hers and shook her gently. Olivia could not believe it.

"Oh my goodness," she didn't let go of his hand. "I can't believe it's really you, I've been reading your books since I was like six."

"Olivia Silver." He repeated, his hand shaking her continuously too. "Why do I feel like I know that name?" He squinted and then sighed. "Oh I see, of course I do. You're that lady, the wife of Andrew Silver of Silver group." he sat straight so he could have a better look at Olivia
"You are such a beautiful young lady."

Olivia chuckled. Her first complement from him, it made her heart waver.

It wasn't exactly how she liked to be described, as the wife to one of the Silver brothers, but no one could help it. It was like that was all her life's achievement.

"It's a pleasure to finally meet you Sir, I've been dying to for a long time now." She said, taking in her words before she said them, a sincere smile spreading across her face.

"I've always wanted ask a few questions about your book 'again in paradise", and also ask for your guidance with reviewing this book I'm writing ." She continued. He was quiet for a few seconds like he was trying to study get, then he smiled, nodding slowly.

"Oh you're a writer?"

Olivia's smile dropped a bit.

"Writing is kind of my safe place, a getaway for me. It has helped me a lot with expressing how I really feel without having to say it and it had always been my dream to at least get you to see one of my works Mr Kenneth."

"it's okay, you're a friend now, so just call me Kenneth."

"Oh my goodness," if not for her pretty brown complexion, Olivia child have sworn the lighter layer under her cheek skin was pink. She chuckled, placing a hand over her mouth like she was trying to stop herself from screaming out of excitement. she lowered them immediately a thought came across her mind " I always prepared a speech for a day like this just in case it ever came but now, I don't even know what to say."

"Would you like an autograph?"

Olivia looked at him for a while. Her smile widened, pushing her tiny dimples to the end of her slim face.

"Of course." She chuckled "Of course." She repeated opening her purse in a hurry to look for a pen or something else he could sign on.

Oh no.

How could she not have any in her purse?
She looked up slowly, heat slowly crawling to her cheeks. He smiled.

"I'm really sorry, this is so embarrassing-"

"No, it's okay." He told her

"I had no idea I was going to need-"

"You know what," he reached for the tiny pocket on his jacket and got out a card

"I like your spirit Olivia, and I hope you'd get to live your dream one day." He took out a pen and scribbled his signature behind it.

"You can call me anytime and we can talk about that book you need me to see."

He stretched it towards her.

Olivia hesitated for a while. She couldn't believe it. She slowly reached for it.

"Oh my." She said looking into the card "Thank you so much."

She raised her gaze to him.

"I wish you the best of luck ," he stretched his hand for a shake. "and a belated congratulations on your wedding."

Olivia slowly placed her tiny hands in his

"You're such a humble young lady, Your husband must be one lucky man."

Olivia smiled.

"Her husband is."

Olivia shook at the sound of Andrew's hoarse voice as she felt his large cold hands wrap itself around her waist,

"Andrew," she called his name despite how her breath had hitched. She quickly pulled her hand away from Kenneth's, as soon as she noticed he was starring at them.

"Hey baby." He pulled her closer to him quickly and placed a soft kiss on her cheek. Olivia was so speechless, she didn't know what to say. "I've been looking for you everywhere."

"I was just-"

Olivia started when Andrew slowly turned to Kenneth.

"And you are?" He asked him, frowning hard
Kenneth smiled and stretched his hand for a shake

"You must be Andrew Silver."

Andrew looked at him closely, not blinking for a second before he turned to his hands. Of course he wasn't going to shake him.

"Andrew this is Kenneth Izunna." Olivia cut in quickly, turning to face him. "He's a-"

"We should get back to the apartment now." Andrew cut her off, retracing his eyes to face her. He placed his finger on her chin, rubbing it with his thumb gently. "It's getting really late and you need all the rest you can get before our plane tomorrow."

Olivia exhaled.
Of course she wasn't going to say anything. Andrew turned to Kenneth

"Thank you for keeping my wife company for a short while." He told him

"It was nothing. I should be the one thanking her for her company. Such a lovely woman, you must be proud."

 
He turned to Olivia

"It was a pleasure meeting you Olivia."

Olivia nodded once. She looked away as soon as Andrew wrapped his hand around hers and turned with her.

He gently pulled her out of the room.