26 Mission One - Alone Time

"He texted! He finally texted!" a squealing Olivia said as she bounced around on her bed. She was giddy after receiving her first text from Eli. It was just a simple text early in the morning but he wanted her to have a good day. Why he was texting her so early in the morning she would never know but it was one of the most wonderful text she had ever laid eyes on.

It was only the first day of summer vacation and she couldn't stop herself from daydreaming about what they would be texting each other as she worked. Though this happiness was taking over most of her brain power, she made sure to always keep her plans to talk to Laila privately in the back of her mind.

She didn't want to risk writing anything down, so kept mental note of all the details she could find. Blue prints of the grand hall, timing of the presentation, the dance performance and fireworks display.

Olivia wanted to get the finer details set in place before she tackled her biggest challenge, the Masama twins. Though the were texting and talking to each other regularly, something felt off about their interactions. If it wasn't for Autumn's words, she probably would have missed all the signs that pointed to something being wrong.

The first was Laila never stopped smiling, no matter what happened or what was said to her she would always have a peaceful smile on her face. It was starting to get a little unsettling as most people would show some sign of micro facial expression but not Laila she was a high end vault for her emotions.

While Loreley had more of a temperamental personality. Always voicing her opinions whether it was nasty or sincere she was like an open book. Though her words and facial features showed one thing her eyes always were void of any emotion, making her open book persona a complete fraud.

Olivia felt a chill run down her back and couldn't help but rub her arms. What could they be hiding and what kind of life did they have to live in order to turn out this way? Olivia shook her head, now was not the time to try and play psychiatrist when she didn't really know much about the twins in the first place.

So her first mission was to try and figure out how to spend more time with the twins and regularly text Eli. She was Olivia Steel! She knew how to multi-task.

Over the course of a couple of weeks she found it ridiculously difficult to just find time to hang out with the twins. Though they still came to her house every Thursday for dinner, their mother was never too far away from ear shot, she couldn't even talk to them in her room as their mother always found a way to barge in.

Mission 1, inviting the twins out to shop, see a movie or going to the library to work on their summer homework. Epic fail. The twins seemed to reject all of her invitations and if she managed to get a yes, there mother was close by! Autumn was right, Agni Masama was not what she portrayed herself to be. She still considered her a super woman but the more she tried to spend time alone with the twins the more controlling Agni seemed to be.

Before long the text message Olivia was waiting for had finally arrived. Eli was going to arriving at her house at 5:30 p.m. on July 12. Even though she knew it was a Thursday and she was supposed to have dinner with the Masamas, she had already asked permission to be excused.

So when July 12th finally came, she couldn't help but doll herself up. She put extra care in her clothes, though Eli did ask her to wear something casual and easy to move in, she still went with a grey, knee length, pleated skirt and an aqua short sleeve, asymmetric hem, flouncing blouse. She curled her hair and tied it up in a pony tail with a large, teal satin bow.

Olivia was giving herself a look over in the mirror when the alarm on her phone went off. It was alerting her that it was already 5:20 p.m., so she gave herself one final look, quickly grabbed the nicely wrapped gift off her bed and raced down the steps towards the front door.

Security was already alerted to Eli's arrival and was give the order to allow his car on to the property. Once Olivia made it down the stairs she ran into the Masamas in the foyer. She slowed down her pace and received the family with respected. She bowed to Agni, then the twins "Good evening ladies. How are you tonight?" she asked as she slowly raised her head.

Olivia was a little taken a back as she seen disdain flash across Agni's face, though it was only there for a second she was still able to catch it. "Oh my goodness... Livy... don't you look beautiful tonight! Did you dress up just for us?" Agni asked with her usual bright smile while Olivia felt uncomfortable, what did this women just call her?!

"No mother. Don't you remember that Olivia said she was going to celebrate her friend's birthday and won't be joining us for dinner tonight." Loreley informed her mother.

There! There it was again! The look of disdain and angry mixed into Agni's face but this time it was directed at her own children. Agni quickly composed herself and Olivia looked down at the small gift in her hands in order to hide her face. She didn't want Agni to know she had seen her true feelings and went for a guilty facade instead.

"Oh Livy that's too bad. We always look forward to our Thursday meals but you do have a life outside from us... maybe we can have dinner another time?" Agni said with a pitiful face. Olivia dared to take a quick peek at Agni's face from under her long eyelashes but another voice came out towards them.

"Agni that's nonsense! You're here to accompany me not just Olivia!" a pouted lipped Avery said while he walked into the foyer. Agni gave a playful laugh and blushed slightly. "You're right Avery but I do love having Olivia as company you know."

"Well why don't you and the twins have dinner with me tonight and if you want steal Olivia for a dinner date whenever your free, I won't feel too hurt about it." Avery suggested with a slight shrug of his shoulders.

"That sounds like a wonderful idea my love!" Agni said brightly as she clapped her hands together in utter delight. All of a sudden Agni took a step back and looked a little shock. She started to stammer "Oh.. I mean... ha ha ha... " Agni quickly pulled out her phone from her purse "Oh you know what I think something just came up and we need to leave. Come on girls lets go!"

A tomato faced Agni grabbed the twins arms and tried to run out the front door. Avery rushed towards Agni and embraced her from behind. Agni let go of her children and hugged Avery's arms. "Say it again..." Avery whispered and Agni shook her head furiously. Avery was a little more stern this time "Agni say it again." Agni gave a uneven sigh and slowly said "My... love..."

Avery turned Agni around and kissed her on the spot. There was a small knock on the front door and it caused Avery and Agni to separate. A hazy eyed Avery looked at Olivia and asked her "Do you think Eli would mind if you brought guests along to his birthday celebration?"