"Shut up you slut or you'll join him in hell as well." Olivia pulled Mia's hair.

     "Ryan trusted you, I trusted you, Andrew trusted you, and this is what you do?" Mia said, weeping.

    Olivia backed away from her. "Oh come on!! I only used Andrew, nobody cares about that faggot. You see Mia, I used Andrew to get to know you, who you truly were. Since the day you stepped into mi-tech, I followed you. I found out the truth about you before anyone else did. I knew you were Sophie, I only got closer to Andrew to know your every move. Guy was dumb enough to believe that I'll want a relationship with a homo. He was stupid and clueless, just like you. When I didn't see the use of him anymore, I got rid of him like a trash." She laughed... "It was like the stars had shone its bright light on me--you came along, unexpectedly, and I said to myself, maybe it's time to execute my plans." Olivia said without any trace of remorse. "It all happened at the perfect time don't you think?"

     "You... You killed an innocent man." Mia cried.

    "Stop whining okay? You'll get over it. What's done is done."

         "Why? Why are you doing this? I did nothing to you. I treated you as a friend, you're Ryan's secretary. How could you... How could you do this?"

    "Good question. Ryan owes me, he owes me a lot and I'm not talking about money. He made my life a living hell now I want to take everything he treasures the most." Olivia smirked. "That's you," she eyes Mia's belly. "And that bastard you're carrying."
   
   Mia tried to move away but the shackles don't help. "Why? What did he do?" Mia asked Olivia. Her face was wet from crying and her legs were swollen and discolored, pain anywhere she turned.

       "You should have never come back into his life Sophie, this is all your fault. If you stayed away from Ryan maybe this wouldn't have happened." She went closer to Mia, squatting down in front of her. "But you had to show up again! How could you cheat death so easily?"

      "Olivia, I'm begging you. Let me go, don't keep me here. Please, think of my baby. I'm begging you Olivia let me go. Whatever Ryan's done, I'm begging you, please forgive him." Mia wept terribly.

     Olivia stood up. "He ruined my life. How can I possibly forgive the person who ruined my life, tell me?!" She grabbed Mia's face, forcing Mia to look at her. "Look at me, take a good look at me!! Do you remember me, do you?!" She gave Mia a stinging slap. "Nobody remembers me!" She walked away from Mia. "I planned everything. Do you remember your little stairs accident at Mi-tech?"

    Mia frowned at her.

      "That was me, I pushed you down the stairs. It was all me." Olivia laughed.

    Mia gasped... It was Olivia? And she played the hero, because she was the one who alerted everyone that Mia had fallen. No one would ever believe that Olivia had staged the incident, pretending to be the hero who found Mia.

   "Well played right? I even faked a few tears, believe me, I deserve an Oscar." Olivia giggled. "You all are so daff. It was so damn easy to fool you all. Didn't it ever cross your mind that it's mostly Ryan and I who use the stairs? Employees rarely use the stairs. I've mastered all the camera points and I was sure to be careful to be only seen by the ones I want. I evaded some security cameras because I needed alibi so that the cameras will only show when I was going to meet you the second time." Olivia decided to narrated. "You see, after your fall, I went back to make sure the cameras I evaded saw me go to you at the appointment time to prevent suspicion."

      "Olivia..." Mia shook her head. This was all real?

    "Genius right? I know!" She squealed like a child.

      Mia bowed her head. She couldn't take hearing another despicable thing from the monster in front of her.

      "I'm not done with you Mia, I'll break you and then I'll make sure you beg for death to come. This time, he won't say no, I swear to you." She glared at Mia.

      "All these time you pretended? I even made you one of my bridesmaid, Olivia how could you?" Mia sniffled. It was just so painful that she'd trusted a woman like Olivia.

     "Is that supposed to make me change my mind?" Olivia rolled her eyes. "Time for the tape to go back on." She said, trying to replace the tape over Mia's mouth. Mia struggled but Olivia was able to get it over her mouth. "So are you hungry?" Olivia shook her head. "Oops, forgot you can't talk. Anyways, I'm making food for myself and my daughter, don't make any noise. I don't want my baby girl thinking I've been a very very bad person." Olivia smiled. "Toodles!" She finally said before climbing up the stairs.

     Mia tried screaming Olivia's name but nothing other than muffling sounds came out. She was back to crying as soon as Olivia locked her in.

      She was sure Ryan was looking for her and by the looks of things, she wasn't leaving anytime soon. The thought made her cry for herself and her baby. Poor Andrew.
✴✴✴✴✴

      "Mommy." The little girl walked into the kitchen. She had long flowing golden brown hair, dressed in a pink dress.

      Olivia turned to look at her daughter. "Sweetheart." Olivia picked her daughter in her arms, twirling her around. "I missed you my baby." Olivia said, raining kisses on Kenny's face.

      "I missed you too." Kenny giggled. "What's cooking mommy?"

      "Salads." Olivia grinned.

   "I don't like veggies." Kenny shook her head.

      "Veggies are good for you my darling. How about pancakes? Do you want pancakes?"

     "Yes please." Kenny smiled. There was a rattling noise coming from the basement. "Mommy, what's that?"

    "Uh... I'll check what's going on." Olivia managed to smile, dropping Kenny on her feet.

       "What if it is the bogeyman?" Kenny ran behind Olivia, hugging her legs.

      Olivia chuckled... "I'll beat up the bogeyman. You know what, why don't you go to your room and wait for mommy. Let mommy check what's making the noise down the basement."

     Kenny nodded... "Okay."

     "Don't leave your room unless you want the bogeyman to eat you." Olivia joked.

      "Mommy don't scare me." Kenny ran out of the kitchen.

       "Don't run on the stairs!" Olivia smiled, watching her daughter run away. "Careful Kenny." Olivia said to Kenny. As soon as she was sure her daughter was out of sight, Olivia went into the basement.

      Olivia glared at Mia who was shaking, soaking wet in her sweat.

       "You're scaring my daughter!" Olivia snapped at her. "If you keep making those silly noises, I might as well end your misery." She walked up to Mia, forcefully pulling away the tape.

     "Somebody help me!! Help me! Please help me!!" Mia screamed at the top of her voice.

       "Can you shut up already, I'm sick of hearing your voice!"

      "Help me!! Somebody please!!! Help me!!!!" Mia didn't stop.

      Olivia punched her in the face, shutting her up. "Shut up!"

      Mia was back to square zero. Her endless crying. "Olivia please. Have mercy on me and let me go. Please don't do this." Mia pleaded in tears.

    "Oh stop your drama! One more noise and I'll disfigure your face." Olivia said before turning away.

     "You won't get away with this Olivia!" Mia yelled at her.

      "And who's going to stop me?" She turned back to Mia. "You? Your dear Ryan? You're all alone at my mercy, no one's coming for you."

     "Why? Why me? I didn't do anything to you." Mia shook her head.

     "Really?" She snorted. "Sophie Karavagh, the arrogant bitch who thought she was better than anyone because she was able to tame the high school bad boy, Ryan Webster. She thought herself as high and mighty because Ryan was all over her, she thought she was something! She thought she was special, that Ryan had seen something unique in her. I was part of the few Ryan used for fun." Olivia paced around the room.

     "Back then, I used to be so in love with the great Ryan Webster. He was every person's eye candy, so hot, so sexy, had features of a Greek God. I mean, who didn't want him. Even though I was dating someone, I always fantasized about what it would be like to have Ryan to myself, to kiss him, to fuck him." Olivia smiled at Mia. "When the opportunity presented itself, I took it. He showered me with what I thought was love, he manipulated me into falling in love with him. I was so naive to see that he was only using me to get at my boyfriend. I was warned by my friends but I was blinded by Ryan's promises. Everything happened so fast, he dumped me. I pleaded, I begged, I cried but do you know what he told me?" Olivia scoffed.

     "He said I was just one of other girls, he only wanted fun. Hump and dump." She chuckled bitterly. "He used me only to get at his rival! He deceived me, he took my love for granted. I became the topic everyday, tagged a loser, became an outcast, lost my friends, my dignity. I hid behind shadows to be unnoticed. I was tagged 'ooh, Josie the easy game'. He humiliated me! He kept telling everyone nasty things about me. I lost my self-respect." Olivia narrated, fisting her hand.

     Mia sniffled... She knew Ryan wasn't the best person in the past, Olivia had every right to be mad. But, this was years ago. Why now?

      "This is a misunderstanding from past issues. We could work things out, forget this ever happened. Olivia, you can't do this because of a grudge against Ryan. I know Ryan might have a bad past and I will never support what he did to you, but this isn't going to solve anything. I understand you're mad, I understand you're seeking for revenge but... Seven years already went by." Mia tried to tell her.

      "You think it was easy for me?! You think I spent the last years of my life happy? I was never happy! I was in and out of a mental hospital because everyone thought I was crazy! It took time for me to prove myself to my family that everything was back to normal. I suffered a psychological breakdown because of what Ryan did to me, because of the bullies! I had to avenge the peaceful life that was snatched from me, all because of Ryan Webster. I changed my identity all because of him!"

     "Olivia..." Tears kept pouring down her cheeks.

    "Take a good look at me," she went closer to Mia. "No one remembers me! I had surgeries done to enhance my beauty and looks, and then I tried again. I tried luring Ryan, that's the only reason I became his goddamn secretary. Fucking Ryan was so uptight! He didn't even spare a glance at me even when I flaunted at his face." She grabbed Mia's face. "Yes you're pretty but I'm prettier than you, hotter than you, yet he still chose you over me. What is it that he sees in you that he can't find in anyone else?" Olivia hissed... "I have been with him for almost three years... and you? You just waltzed into his life few months ago." She said with irritation. "Look at me Sophie, look at me and tell me, who am I?" Olivia violently gripped Mia's face by her jaw. "Say it, who am I?"

    Mia closed her eyes, weeping loudly.

     "Say it! Or do you still want more clues?" Olivia glared at Mia. "Tell me!!" She yelled at Mia's face.

      Mia cried out... "Please stop it. Stop it, Olivia... You're hurting me."

     "Tell me!!!" She screamed.

    "Olivia no, please... I don't know." Mia cried louder.

      "Tell me!!!!" Olivia yelled harder.

   "I don't know!!" Mia screamed back. "I-I don't know okay?" Her voice was now barely audible.

   "You don't really know?" She scoffed, taking Mia by the neck. "I. Am. Josie. Josie Adams." Olivia stood up, unhanding Mia. Out of anger, she slapped Mia with the back of her hand.

    The force was so much that it sent Mia's head to the wall, blacking her out instantly. Mia slipped to the floor with blood oozing from her head.

    Olivia sighed... "Bitch." She arranged her hair, walking out of the basement.

    Olivia washed her face and hands, drying her them with a towel. After that, she stood at the foot of the staircase with a big smile.

     "Baby! The bogeyman is gone now, you can come out honey!" She yelled.
...................................................................

    Ryan was miserable, he couldn't eat, he couldn't sleep, he looked unkempt. It's been three days, still nothing.

     "Are you going to Mi-tech?" Alex asked him. He's been around taking care of Ryan as he was worried Ryan would do something foolish.

     "I am, I need to take care of a few things." Ryan nodded.

      "Do you want me to accompany you?" Alex asked.

     "I can handle myself, I'll be fine." He said, walking out the door.

     Ryan arrived at Mi-tech, he was surprised not to see Olivia but another substitute.

     "Hey you, where's Olivia?" He asked, not responding to the woman's greetings.

      "Her daughter fell sick sir. She had to leave." The woman responded sharply.

      "And you are?" He raised his brow.

      "Mrs Duncan sir. I'll be your substitute secretary."

    Ryan walked into his office. He sat down, with a heavy sigh.

     "Do you want me to get your coffee sir?" Mrs Duncan asked.

       "I'm fine. Bring in all the files I need to sign. I don't want meetings or presentations, got it?" Ryan said to her.

      "Yes sir." She nodded, leaving the office.

      Ryan picked up his phone to call Olivia but it went straight to voicemail. He needed to apologize for his outburst.

    "Baby where are you? I hope you're safe." He sadly said to himself before opening a file.
✴✴✴✴

      She was tired, she couldn't take it anymore. Her whole body was on fire, she couldn't stop crying. Her face was swollen, she wondered how she could still be alive. Maybe Olivia was right, maybe she cheated death. But she had to be strong for her baby, her baby was the only thing keeping her sane and hopefully. She was starving and Olivia hardly brought anything for her to eat or drink. The basement was hell itself. Crying wouldn't get her out. Just as she was thinking of her fate, the door opened and Olivia walked down the basement.

    Mia struggled to move back.

   "I see you're still alive." Olivia stared at the pale Mia who was hardly breathing. "My daughter is at school now, so you can make all the noise you want." Olivia smiled.

     "I don't understand... Why are you keeping me here?" Mia asked. She was very weak to speak.

     "I know it's stupid of me and I should just get it over and done with, but I just need more time." Olivia told her.

      "Olivia I'm pregnant. I can't breathe in here, I'm suffocating." Mia managed to speak. "You have a child don't you? You're a mother, please understand me." Mia begged her.

      "Do not bring my daughter into this." Olivia frowned at her.

     "Olivia please I'm begging you, let me go. I lost a child once, I can't... I can't lose another one." Mia breaks down in tears. "It doesn't have to be like this Olivia."

   Olivia scoffed... "I lost a child too. So it's only even you lose yours."

     "Olivia... No. This... This isn't right. I don't want to lose my baby, I'm begging you. Please don't do this." She begged tearfully.

    "I had a miscarriage, two years ago. The doctors told me that I had hurt my womb and there was no way of getting pregnant. I was stabbed seven years ago by some bullies who almost raped me." Olivia shook her head. "It was all Ryan's fault. People bullied me because Ryan made a fool out of me." She said bitterly.

       "I'm sorry." Mia said sadly.

     "Sorry won't make everything okay." Olivia eyed her.

      "It wasn't my baby's fault, it wasn't my fault. Olivia let me go... Please. Please don't let me lose another child, Olivia!"

      "You never lost any child! I'm the one who lost a child!" Olivia yelled at her.

      "I understand the pain you feel. When I found out I lost my baby girl, I didn't want to live anymore. Believe me, I know how you feel." Mia said to her.

     Olivia laughed hysterically. "You didn't lose your daughter you fool, you gave her away!! What kind of a mother does that to her child?"

     "Olivia..."

     Olivia smiled... "But you know what, I'll forever be grateful to you because you gave me the best gift in the whole world. You gave me a baby girl, your daughter." Olivia smiled. Mia's eyes opened wider. "Yes Sophie, I have your daughter. Only that she's mine now, mine alone. Kenny's mine." She smirked evilly.