Billionaire's Passionate love

Olivia's POV

"You scared the hell out of me, Dylan!" I yelled at my friend. My breathing was harsh with fear. When I turned around to see the hand on my shoulder, I realized it was just Dylan, who always loved these idiotic pranks.

But why was he here? It had been two years since I last heard from him.

"You should have seen your face! You looked like you'd seen a ghost," he teased, breaking into laughter.

"Don't laugh, Dylan," I said, throwing my bag at him. "You know about my nightmares. I just thought... I thought it was him." My voice went dull.

Dylan's laughter stopped instantly. He gripped my shoulders. "Do you still have them? The nightmares?"

"I don't know," I shrugged. "I take sleeping pills every night, so I don't stay awake long enough to find out."

He ran his fingers through his hair, looking irritated. "I'll never forgive that bastard for what he did," he cursed under his breath.

"Anyway, what are you doing here?" I tried to change the topic. I didn't want to dig into the dark past or see him get angry on my behalf.

"Are we going to talk at the door? Won't you invite me in?"

I shook my head and pushed the key into the hole. Dylan placed his hand over mine, helping me turn the lock before inviting himself into my small home.

"You really should leave this shabby room," he commented, eyeing my one-bedroom apartment.

"Keep your unwanted advice to yourself," I snapped, throwing a sofa pillow at his face. I slumped onto the couch, and he sat beside me.

"Don't tell me you sleep on this dirty sofa," he said with disgust. I rolled my eyes. Dylan was rich; this life didn't make sense to him. I used to feel the same way, but I had learned to adjust. I had started to love this sofa because it was the only place I felt safe enough to sleep.

"Now tell me, why has your majesty decided to show his grace at my door?" I asked sarcastically.

Dylan sighed and moved to a chair, pulling it close so he could look me in the eye. His leg brushed my knee, and he immediately apologized, his expression turning grave.

"I want something from you that only you can give. I know it won't be easy, but you have to do this for me."

"Stop confusing me and get to the point," I yelled. "I have a job to get to in the morning."

He leaned in. "I want you to marry someone."

"Excuse me?" I stared at him in disbelief. "Tell me that's a sick joke. You know I can't marry anyone." I stood up, giving him a pointed look.

"Please listen, Livi," he pulled me back down. "I've come here with so much hope. Only you can marry my friend and change his life. And it will change yours, too. It will give you back the life you deserve. This garbage apartment isn't your real place."

I shook my head. "How can you ask me to marry a stranger after everything that happened?"

"He isn't a stranger," Dylan sighed. "The person is Ethan."

My breath hitched. My heart, which had felt dead for years, suddenly jolted to life. Flashes of piercing blue eyes filled my vision-the eyes that used to watch me with so much love. I could almost feel his soft lips against mine. He still had this effect on me, even after all this time.

"You know Ethan better than anyone. Marry him. Change his life," Dylan pleaded.

"No," I turned away. "I can't marry him and destroy his life."

"Destroy it?" Dylan chuckled sarcastically. "Livi, his life is already destroyed. He's not the Ethan you knew seven years ago. He's changed. Please, save our friend."

"I can't. I'm broken."

"He's broken too! He's just a shell of a man," Dylan turned me to face him. "He's planning to marry a random girl just for a business deal. He's a heartless king now. He's not that happy, bubbly boy who loved you more than anything. Haven't you seen the news?"

I shook my head. He cursed and pulled out his phone, tapping furiously. "Look at these articles."

My heart skipped a beat. The screen was full of photos of Ethan stumbling out of clubs, drunk, with different women in his arms. My eyes filled with tears. He looked so hurt, so lost beneath the "ruthless" exterior.

"See? He's changed," Dylan said, wiping a tear from my cheek. "Only you and your love can fix him."

"I don't love him," I protested weakly.

He laughed, not believing me. "Your tears say otherwise. Your high school story isn't a secret, Livi."

"It was a teenage crush," I dismissed, but he just shook his head.

"Don't lie. I know you still love him. You called his name two years ago. You cry for him in your sleep."

I looked away, knowing he was right. I had been waiting for Ethan for seven years, even after the incident that ruined my life.

"Marry your Ethan," he lifted my chin. "You won't regret it. You're both just existing right now. Give each other the love you deserve."

"I don't know... it's so sudden."

"If it's not you, it'll be someone who will use him, and he'll destroy them in return. Marry him for his peace of mind."

I dropped my head into my hands. My world was spinning. By morning, I was supposed to be at the cafe, not deciding to marry my first love.

"Think of high school, Livi. Your decision can change everything."

Slowly, I nodded. My life was already in pieces; if I could help him, maybe my life would have meaning again. And deep down, I still loved him. I wanted to be near him, even if he threw me away once he learned the truth about my past.

"Don't worry," Dylan smiled. "He has a dark past, too. He'll understand you."