Olivia

I sighed as I opened my eyes; sleeping on a boat was way more comfy than I expected! Also, this bed is a dream come true! I smiled as the sun hit my face through the balcony door, and then begin to grin at the fact that I was literally spending my nineteenth birthday in freaking Milan!

I didn't know what the future held for me, but I think it's about time I started to take advantage of this stress free life I have been given access to. This is the first time in my life that I didn't have to worry about my family, or money, or school, and honestly it was kind of cool.

I sat up in bed, grabbing my phone from under my pillow. It was a FaceTime from my mom. I hopped out of bed immediately and shut the balcony door as well as the blinds. If she knew I was on a boat in the middle of nowhere, I'm sure that'll be a serious red flag.

I stripped out of the robe I was wearing, and threw on a long, gray T-shirt that I brought with me just in case. Once I was in costume, I sat in the corner at the table, so she couldn't see anything in the room. After all, I was supposed to be building houses for the needy, not living in the lap of luxury.

I finally answered the phone, and not only was my mom on camera, but also my sister and brother. "HAPPY BIRTHDAY!" They all yelled in unison.

"Hi guys!" I laughed, shaking my head at the pair of them.

"Oh, my sweet Olivia!" My mom gushed. "I can't believe it's your birthday and I can't spend it with you!" She cried, and I rolled my eyes at her drama.

"Mom. It's okay. Really!" I sighed. "I'm in a whole other country! There's nothing that can top that!" I told her, not being totally dishonest.

"I know but I wish I could bake you a cake, and hold your hand." She continued, this time it was Dina who rolled her eyes.

"Wow! It's broad daylight over there!" Ben said in shock, and I looked around and nodded.

"Yeah it's actually super early," I said simply, tying my hair up in a ponytail.

"We waited until midnight to call you!" Ben said, and I laughed at his missing tooth in the front of his mouth.

"Well, sorry I can't stay on the phone," I started. "I have important house stuff." I mumbled, and my mom whined.

"Aw! Okay baby! I love you." My mom said.

"Bye guys!" I grinned, hanging up immediately.

I sighed heavily with relief. I can't even believe I pulled this off! I have no idea what I would have done if I was still in America! She would for sure know that we weren't in different time zones. My whole cover would be blown.

I threw myself on the bed, just grateful to get away with me scheme another day. I stripped out of my T-shirt, then put my robe back on. Now it's time to enjoy my birthday and this yacht. I screamed in excitement, but into a pillow so I didn't wake anyone, then hopped up in excitement. Today is going to be the best birthday ever!

~*~

I lounged on the pool chair, ready to dive into the water. It looked so cool and blue. I honestly can't even remember the last time I went swimming; some things in life we really take for granted I think.

I guess I could get a little tan, since I am supposed to be in Africa. Maybe staying in the sun won't hurt. When I opened my eyes, Nova was beside me in her own bikini, making herself comfortable on the chair beside me.

"I think I'll swim too," she smiled, settling down with a copy of 'Lolita'. I smiled at her choice of book, then closed my eyes again.

"Lolita," I sighed. "Light of my life, fire of my loins. My sin, my soul." I loved that book, and I think I almost forgot that.

Nova gasped, her mouth dropping as she looked over at me. "You read?!" She asked, and I shrugged.

"I read." I said longingly. "A long time ago." I looked out into the distance, remembering when I was younger and I used to read anything I could get my hands on. I would read books in two days tops, and be ready to dive into the next one. I would stay up, sometimes until 2 or 3AM to finish them if I was really into it.

I lived in books; I lived for books. It seemed there was a whole world out there to get my hands on. Then I grew up, and I grew tired, and then suddenly there wasn't enough time anymore for books. Or a world that seemed so unlikely compared to reality.

Deciding not to be sad on my birthday, I stood up finally, then dived into the water, letting it wash over my body. I held my breath and closed my eyes, allowing myself to sink lower and lower. I didn't want to think, I wanted to swim. I held my breath and lingered under the water until I couldn't take it anymore; until the only thing I could think of was getting air.

After about an hour of swimming, Nova convinced me to take a break, and we decided to go and sit with the rest of them. "That was so fun!" Nova screamed. "I need to go wake up my husband, he's been asleep long enough." She pouted, grabbing a towel and running back inside. I honestly loved her, she was like a giant child.

I wrapped a towel around myself, and resisted the urge to sit alone somewhere. Sometime I get so lost in my head that I forget that I'm supposed to be the wife of a rich man: a happy wife.

"Having fun?" Nolan asked, watching me as I sat down next to him.

"Yeah." I mumbled quietly, nodding my head slightly. His Dad and brother were engaged in a conversation that I came in too late to be apart of, and I looked out at all the ocean around us. Who knew pretending was so draining! I don't know how actors do it.

I stood up and made my way back into the dining area, deciding to eat more fruit. I grabbed a couple grapes and threw them in my mouth before grabbing a plate. "Hey," Nolan said softly, causing me to look at him. "Are... you okay?" He asked, his face showing genuine concern.

"What?" I asked him through a slightly packed mouth.

"I don't know. Your aura just completely changed out there." He pointed to the pool, and I sighed softly, packing my plate.

"I'm fine Noel." I told him, shaking my head. "I'll be fine."

"Did something happen?" He asked.

"No!" I practically yelled at him. "It's just stupid girl stuff that's all." I said, waving my hand dismissively.

"Okay." He said, but he didn't seem as convinced as I had hope.

"What're we doing today anyways?" I asked him, trying to change the subject.

"Probably just having a dinner for my mom's birthday," he said, shrugging slightly.

I gave him a wide eyed gaze, and sat my plate down. "Today is your mother's birthday?" I asked him, trying not to freak out about the coincidence.

"Yeah," he laughed. "Why are you saying it like that?"

"Today is my birthday." I laughed. I don't know what reaction I was expecting, but when he stared at me like a deer in the headlights, I cocked my head in confusion. "What?" I asked him.

"You can't tell anyone that." He sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose.

"What? Why?" I asked him, shocked at his demand.

"Because, Olivia," he whispered, pulling me to the side. "I didn't mention that to anyone! Do you know what a shitty husband that would make me to forget my wife's birthday?" He asked. "On my mother's birthday?!" He looked so desperate as usual, so I just rolled my eyes in response.

"Fine," I said simply. "but you owe me."

"I'm already paying you, what more do you want?" He asked me, and before I could stop myself my eyes drifted down to his shorts.

I blinked quickly, and turned my head, hoping that he didn't notice where my gaze went. I literally didn't mean that at all! I mean, yes he is attractive, but no I don't want what's in his pants! I mean, no I never did have an interest in high school boys and he is in fact not that, but I don't need to complicate things more than they already are.

"Nothing." I breathed. "I guess the money is enough." I quickly scurried around him, wishing he would stop being so close all the time.

"Olivia," he called, and I stopped in my tracks. "Just... happy birthday." He shrugged. "I'm sorry."

"It's okay." I said simply, wanting to go change out of these wet clothes. "We're only playing a part, right?"