Olivia's Point Of View ~

I push the last of the formal dresses aside of the clothes rack as I let out a frustrated sigh . . 

I still haven't found anything nice for me to wear to my cousin Carly's wedding, which is actually tomorrow. I'm so stupid for leaving it to the last minute again. But you never think it would take so long to find the perfect outfit for only one occasion. Michael has something to wear already . . he's always so organised. I hear the soft tone of my best friend's voice as I blankly stare at some more dresses, obviously displeased with them . . 

"What about this one, Liv? . . it's beautiful" Michael says. 

I turn around to see Michael holding a stunning red gown. Oh wow! It is indeed beautiful. Michael loves the colour red. So it's no wonder this certain one caught his eye. I walk towards him . . 

"Oh Michael. You're right . . it is so beautiful" I look at it again, running my fingertips along the soft fabric of this exquisite ensemble. 

I really love this one a lot. There's something quite special about it. I decide to try it on, running excitedly to the change rooms while Michael follows casually behind me. I turn around to face him before I pull the curtain in front of me. I see Michael standing outside with his hands in his pockets, giving me a quick smile. Looking at my reflection in the gold framed mirror that's hanging on the wall opposite me. I twirl around slowly a few times before coming to a stop, my bare feet standing still on the mahogany floor boards. This dress is beautiful. It is strapless and is low cut at the back. 

 I open the curtain and stand before him, my hands out on either side of my body . . 

" . . what do you think, Michael?" I ask him. 

He's just standing there and not saying anything with a blank look on his face.

Oh no . . 

Does it look bad on me? . . Does I look terrible in it? . . Ooh shit, is there something on my face?

 I wish he would just say something. If it looks bad on me, he can just tell me that. I click my fingers at him, giggling a little . . 

"Hello? . . Michael, you there? . . ." 

He quickly snaps out of his trance, releasing a somewhat nervous giggle. 

"Oh . . I'm sorry, Liv . . " 

He looks me up and down a few more times before he answers. 

" . .Liv, you look beautiful, babe" Michael says, throwing a wink in there. 

I playfully scrunch up my nose in a cute sense and giggle softly. Feeling myself blush from Michael's choice of words just now. He can be really sweet. Now I finally have something nice to wear to tomorrows wedding. I pay for the dress and Michael and I walk out of the store, hand in hand. But suddenly, I hear my name being called from an unknown direction. I stop in my tracks and look around. Wondering who had spotted me through all these weary shoppers around us. Hmm . . I don't see anyone. I feel Michael gently tugging on my hand . . 

"Liv, you okay . . ?" Michael asks me. 

" . .ah . . yeah . . " I answer, still darting my eyes around like some kinda crazy person. 

I mentally just shrug it off and continue walking along side Michael. It was probably just me hearing things. A few more steps and then . . there it is again. I hear my name being called out. I stop suddenly and look around again . . this time I see . . is that? . . is that who I think it is? 

. . Eric?

I stand there, looking shocked yet weirdly happy to see Eric walking towards me, with a smile on his face. 

"Hey Olivia . . " He says. 

"Hi Eric . . how are you?" I ask him, smiling. 

I hear Michael clear his throat, in an annoyed kind of way. I glance up at him, he doesn't look very happy right now. He squeezes my hand gently, bringing me closer to him a bit more. I know that Michael never liked Eric. The first time that Eric hurt me, that was it for Michael. It was only  the first few weeks of our relationship and he kissed his ex girlfriend . . and I saw him do it. I told Michael everything. I was crying my eyes out to him and now that I think about it, I don't think I have ever seen Michael so angry before. After that little incident, that was it for Michael. That was all it took. He has disliked Eric ever since. Michael has always told me that Eric is just plain bad news. 

"I'm good, thanks Liv . . " I see Eric's eyes dart towards Michael, nodding his head. 

" . . hi Mike . . how are you going, mate?" Michael just gives him an angry stare, putting his arm around me. 

I know what he's thinking. Why the hell am I being so nice to Eric? 

And after everything that he did to me in the one year alone that we were together. Eric hurt me emotionally, so badly. Again and again he hurt me. Lying to me and cheating on me. Michael knows it all because I told him everything. He was the one I always went to for a shoulder to cry on. I was angry about everything that Eric did, I was. But now, it all just seems to fade away. Alright, I think I should take Michael away before he hits the life out of Eric.  I get ready to say bye when a  girl walks up and stands next to Eric . . holding his hand. 

She looks familiar . . 

"Olivia . . this is Amanda"

Oh my gosh . . that's her. The same girl that was with Eric that night . . the girl that he was cheating on me with 3 months ago. I just give her a nod and force a smile. 

Michael's Point Of View ~

I'm so angry. I don't understand why Olivia was being so nice when she saw Eric back at the mall and why she was so happy to even see him. I can never forgive Eric for what he did to Olivia . . not just those 3 months ago, but for the past year. He was always messing up, just constantly talking up different women and kissing his ex girlfriend in front of Olivia and of course . . him cheating on Olivia with this Amanda girl. He hurt my girl so bad that day. I'm in love with Olivia. I wanna be with her. I wanna take care of her. Seeing her in that red gown today was amazing. She looked so stunning. Olivia puts her shopping bags on the bench in the kitchen. She fixes herself a glass of water, turning her back to me when she sees me walk in after her . . 

"Liv, baby. Can we talk about what just happened back at the mall?" I say in a irritated tone.

"What do you wanna talk about exactly?  . . " Olivia asks me. 

I walk over to her. Her back still facing me. 

"You know . . Eric" I say to her. 

She turns around to face me quickly. 

"What about him? . . " She asks me, her tone sudden and stern. 

"Why were you so nice to him? . . and after everything that happened? . . " I ask her. 

She shakes her head, walking past me into the lounge room. I follow her. Still waiting for her to give me an answer. 

"Please, Michael. I don't wanna hear it . . " Olivia says, her voice sad suddenly. 

"I can't believe that you were so happy and nice to see that idiot, Liv . . you always blamed him for your tears and yet you kept on giving into him . . " 

" . . and you still are to this day . . " My voice raised. 

She's standing in front of me, as she begins to cry. But my voice remaining raised. I am just so angry at Olivia. I love the girl so much that I hate seeing her continue to be nice to Eric after everything that he put her through their one year together. I know I should keep out of it and I did. But now, Olivia needs to know. She needs to hear the truth of how I really feel when it comes to Eric. 

"He messed up all the time, Liv. And you still gave him your heart . . all you're love . . you gave him fucking everything . . " I'm yelling at Olivia now. 

Olivia wipes a few tears away from her red cheeks . . 

"You are your worst enemy, Olivia . . " I say, my voice my quiet this time. 

She cuts me off . . 

"Michael, I am still in love with him . . " She says. 

She walks away past me. Leaving the kitchen . . leaving me speechless. 

to be continued.