My Sweet Punishment by Amelia Brooks (best book club books of all time .TXT) 📕

     Several other people came up to us to say hello. From what I understand, they are all distant relatives of Olivia or her father’s business partners. It is mostly the girl who speaks. When they found out that I am just a college friend of Olivia’s who has no rich parents, thus no money or weight, I quickly lose their interest.

      I can't say that I feel completely at ease, but I relaxed a little. Especially during all this time, Mike didn’t show up. That’s good. ‘Cause I have the strong feeling that I really need to stay away from him. Call it my sixth sense. I don’t know.

     A bit later, we met Olivia’s father. He was standing in the company of his wife (Olivia’s stepmother) and talking merrily with an elderly couple. But when the man saw his daughter, he hurried to meet her right away.

     “Olivia, my sweetheart. Did you really honor me with your presence? This evening seems to be getting even better by the minute,” the man smiled, coming up to us.

    Olivia's father, Mr. Anderson, looks quite respectable and good, despite his age. He’s got nice, soft features. And although all his hair has been touched with gray long ago, not all thirty-year-old men can boast of such a full head of hair. The only thing that spoils the impression is a rather large belly, which could not be hidden even behind the widest jacket.

      “Hi, dad. Do you think I would miss your special day? Who do you think I am?”

     “The spoiled little girl, who doesn’t want to think about her future. If you don’t care about yourself, think about your old, sick father. You’ll drive a nail into my coffin soon, and before won't even let me hold my grandchildren.” The man sighed theatrically.

     “Dad, stop. We won’t sort things out here at the party full of my relatives. By the way,” the girl looked at me, changing the subject, “this is my best friend, Mia. I’ve told you a lot about her.”

     “Oh, so that’s how that lovely girl looks like, thanks to whom you finally got your long-suffering degree. I’ve heard a lot about you. It’s a pleasure to finally meet you, Mia,” the man shook my hand gently.

     “Me too, Mr. Anderson. But you definitely exaggerate my merits. Olivia passed all the exams on her own,” I stood up for the friend because she really did.

     I spent a month helping the girl prepare for her final exams, but I didn't do anything for her. That month Olivia even refused to go to clubs and meet with guys. And that means a lot. Hah, I remembered my studies. Though I helped my friend graduate from university, soon, I will be kicked out of it myself.

      “Hmm,” the man chuckled and looked at me strangely, “if that's true, I'm glad to hear it.”

      The man's phone suddenly rang, and he excused himself to answer the call.

      “Why is he always like this?” Olivia knitted her brows.

      “He’s worried about you. In his own… strange way.” I tried to support the girl.

    “Don't make me laugh, Mia. He’s only worried about himself and his business. And how to find richer investors. And if one of them suddenly becomes my husband, he will simply be over the moon. And not because of my happiness.”

      I just shrugged. The girl might be right. But I would do anything for my father this minute to have him again by our side. But, sadly, this is not possible.

       My dad died seven years ago. He was a sailor, and during a terrible storm in the Atlantic Ocean, the ship sank. No one managed to survive.

       When that news was told to us, at first, I refused to believe what was happening at all. I thought it was all a nightmare that does not want to end.

       My mother was crying constantly and eventually became depressed. A week later, she found out that she was bearing a child. James. It's been seven years since the tragedy, but my mother hasn't started dating anyone. She says her heart sank in the ocean with my father. But I hope that she’ll still meet a decent man in the near future. She deserves to be happy.

      I was distracted from thinking about my father by Olivia’s voice:

    “It’s been already half of the party, and I still haven’t met Henry,” she stomped her feet. “I feel like he’s somewhere here. Mia, will you be okay alone here for a second? He could be in the house. I’ll check it quickly and come back.”

     “You’re incorrigible, Olivia," I smiled at the girl. If she has set herself a goal, I have no doubt that she will achieve it. Poor Henry Collins. “Go, I’ll wait. But don’t forget about me.”

     “Of course. Don’t miss me. I’ll be right back,” she said and walked quickly toward the house. I wouldn’t be surprised if she literally grabbed him. Imagining that, I laughed.

       But my smile quickly faded away when I saw who’s coming toward me. Mike.   

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