Blinding Mirror

by Shelley Halima

  “From my calculations of when you started work for our company and seeing the stage of pregnancy you appear to be now, I’d say you were pregnant beforehand. Not unless Gino was seeing you on the sly. But that can’t be the case because I remember Betty complaining about how you just came in off the street asking for a job. So, who’s the father?”

  “If you must know my child’s father was killed in an accident.” She convinced Gino that it would be the best story to tell everyone, including her unborn child one day. She said she couldn’t bear it if anyone knew her child was the result of a rape.

  “An accident? Another one? Tragedy sure has touched your life. I heard your parents were killed in a plane crash. And you have no other relatives?”

  Olivia struggled to maintain her crumbling composure.

  “No, I don’t.” She didn’t like what he seemed to be implying.

  “I guess Gino only has your word on that. It has to be pretty convenient not having relatives around. No one to dispute you are who you claim.”

  Anton’s eyes, filled with unspoken accusations, bore into her. Olivia became frightened. Something told her Anton knew all about her and he was going to ruin everything. She moved past him and left the room and went to the study. She closed the door behind her and lay against it. She cursed herself for not remaining calm. She spotted a decanter on the credenza that was half-filled with an amber colored liquid. She went and poured herself a glass and downed the liquor in one gulp. At that moment she gave no thought about the effect drinking could have on her unborn child nor of her distaste for hard liquor. She needed something to calm her frazzled nerves. A moment later there was a tap at the door. She quickly wiped away her lipstick from around the rim of the glass with the bottom of her blouse and went and stood in front of the desk.

  “Yes?”

  The door opened and just as she feared it was Anton. Looking at him she wondered how she went from desiring him to loathing him in a matter of minutes. He walked over and positioned himself in front of her. His hands were in his pockets and from the curve in his mouth she couldn’t tell if it was a smile or a sneer. She averted her eyes from his concentrated stare.

  “What’s your real name?”

  “Olivia Valente.”

  “Cute. What’s your real maiden name?”

  “Olivia Machado.”

  “Were your parents named Machado?”

  “What kind of silly question is that?”

  “Were they?”

  “Y-yes.”

  “Then why wasn’t there anyone with that name on the passenger list of the plane that crashed?”

  Olivia leaned back against the desk for support.

  “You look peaked, Olivia. Is it the pregnancy or knowing you’ve been caught in a whale of a lie? I’m willing to wager it’s the latter. I’m not my brother. He’s an absolute genius in his profession but he’s always been a fool in his personal life. I did what I’m sure never even crossed his mind–I had you checked out. I know you’re not who you say you are but I haven’t found out the exact truth yet. The social security number you have listed on file at the office belongs to a woman from Seattle. You are a slick one, breezing into Valente Construction, finagling a position, getting close to my brother and convincing him to marry you in such a short time. All while being knocked up with another man’s child no less.”

  He leaned into her until there was only an inch or two between their faces.

  “You are deceitful and wicked, my little flower. Unlike Gino, I don’t trust you at all.”

  He reached out and stroked her arm.

  “You’re trembling. As well you should. I have your fate in the palm of my hand and it’s at my will whether I cradle it or crush it.”

  “Are y-you g-going to t-tell Gino?”

  Anton looked at her long and hard before answering.

  “That’s up to you.”

  He put his mouth on hers, giving her a passionate kiss. Olivia didn’t want to feel what his kiss was stirring inside her. But somewhere beneath her fear of him was still a yearning. To her displeasure he moved his mouth away from hers and walked to the door. He paused with his hand on the door. He glanced over his shoulder at her.

  “I think you and I will get along just fine. We have a lot in common. Me calling you wicked and deceitful, I may as well have been talking about myself. I have to go back to Philadelphia to wrap up some things. When I get back we’re going to get to know each other very well.”

  “Does what you have to wrap up include a woman?”

  “That is none of your concern.”

  He opened the door and started to walk out. He turned around.

  “I could taste liquor on your mouth. You really shouldn’t drink while you’re pregnant.” With that he finally left.

  Olivia went to the door to watch him leave. He jaunted down the hallway to the foyer. When he got to the front door she hoped he would know she was looking at him and would turn around and give her one more glance. But he didn’t.

  Chapter 30

  Gino was standing behind Olivia with his arms around her stomach as they listened to toasts being given by various guests. Mr. Johnston, a middle-aged man from accounting had the floor.

  “I want to wish you both years of wedded bliss or as many years are left in Gino.”

  Light laughter dispersed through the room.

  “Hey, watch it!” Gino joked.

  Mr. Johnston held up his glass to them.

  “To Mr. and Mrs. Valente.”

  Olivia had a smile plastered on her face but she’d grown weary of all the well wishes. She was tired and wanted desperately to go to bed. Suddenly many in the room made a collective gasp. Having made her way through the crowd was Betty St. Griffin. She held a champagne glass up and tilted in the direction of Olivia and Gino.

  “I, of course didn’t receive my invitation. However, I just had to stop by and give my congratulations to Olivia.”

  She looked at Olivia with pure hatred and contempt.

  “When you first arrived at Valente Construction, I didn’t trust you. Not even a smidgen. I thought you had an agenda that had nothing to do with filing papers and answering phones. But I had no idea exactly the kind of person you were until after the day that changed my life forever.” She looked around the room. “Some of you here tonight are under the mistaken assumption that I had some drug problem. I swear on the life of my mother that is not true. Other than aspirin I’ve never taken a drug in my life. What happened to me that day was someone slipped me something. Those drugs found in my purse were absolutely not mine. So after I had time to think I realized I was set up. The question became by whom? Who had access to my purse? Mr. Valente is not even in the equation. So that left the girls in the office. I know I’m not one of Desiree and Valerie’s favorite people but could they do something so diabolical? No. So that only left one person. And it’s to her that I raise my glass. Congratulations Olivia! You not only got me out of the way but you latched on to my Gi--, to Mr. Valente.”

  Gino signaled two men to take Betty outside. They went up to her and one removed the glass from her hand before they began to lead her away.

  “I’m going to pray for you, Mr. Valente! I’m going to pray that you wake up and realize the monster you’ve married! She’s not to be trusted!”

  Olivia could feel all the eyes upon her. She closed her eyes and fell backward in Gino’s arms in a feigned faint.

  Olivia lay in bed and listened as Gino spoke with the housekeeper, Mrs. Petrova.

  “Do you think we should call a doctor?”

  “No, sir. I think she fine,” she responded in her clipped English. “It probably shock of situation with lady. Just keep her lie down and get rest. I bring up some tea.”

  “Thank you.”

  “Gino?” Olivia called out in a faint voice.

  He went to the bed and sat beside her.

  “I’m here, darling. How are you? Still lightheaded?”

  “A little. Is Be
tty gone?”

  “Yes, she’s gone. I’ve told the staff that she is not allowed on the premises.”

  Olivia felt an instant wave of relief. Gino obviously didn’t believe what Betty had to say.

  “Why would she say such horrible things about me? I wouldn’t even know where to get drugs much less slip them to someone and plant them.”

  “I know, I know. She’s probably still distraught over losing her job and the humiliation of what she did. I never wanted to bring this up but I’ve been told by a few that she had feelings for me. I never noticed until it was pointed out a few times. Then once I did notice I did my best to ignore it. I think it was at the core of what she did tonight. I still find the whole drug thing very odd. It was so out of character for her.”

  “She didn’t have many people who liked her at work and I’m sure she rubbed those in her personal life the wrong way as well. Perhaps someone did slip her drugs and it didn’t take effect until she got to the office.”

  “Who knows? I’ve sent the guests home so you don’t have to worry about interacting with them.”

  “I wanted to make a wonderful impression on your friends and now they must think I’m some psycho.”

  “Don’t worry about it. If they want to remain my friends they won’t bring this up again and they’ll accept you.”

  “You are too good to me, Gino. I don’t deserve you.”

  Chapter 31

  Over the next few months Olivia was on edge. Not only from the impending birth of her child but from not hearing from Anton. She found out he was working on yet another project in Philadelphia but she had no doubt he was making time for the floozy the girls were telling her about. She tried her best to take her mind off him by keeping occupied. Gino had given her access to some of his credit cards so she spent a lot of time shopping. She hated that she had the means to buy whatever outfit she desired but was limited to maternity clothes. However, she spared no expense when it came to buying items for the nursery.

  When she found out Gino was looking for another secretary she insisted on coming in to interview and choose her replacement. She didn’t want another woman getting close to her husband by spending late nights working with him the way she did. Any woman the least bit attractive had her resume trashed. She found the perfect applicant in Jane Wiesenthal. She was a fifty-six year old mother of three and grandmother of five who had no plans to retire anytime soon. She confided in Olivia that she believed the reason she was let go from her other job was because of her age. It was her age along with her plain appearance that won her a position as Gino’s new secretary.

  Gino didn’t want to leave town, especially with Olivia so close to giving birth. But he had to fly to New York for a crucial business meeting. As luck would have it, it was during his business trip that Olivia went into labor. She was being driven to a luncheon hosted by the wife of one of the board members when she felt contractions in her back. They were so strong she couldn’t talk. She signaled the driver by hitting the back of the seat. When he looked back and saw the expression on her face he immediately rerouted the car and headed to the hospital.

  Gino was called and he rushed back as soon as he could. He arrived in time to be there for most of Olivia’s labor. It was hard for him to see his wife in such pain. But he knew his discomfort was nothing compared to what she was going through. Before he left, Olivia settled on a name for the child. They had chosen one for if it was boy and one for it was a girl. Finally the moment arrived and the baby made its way into the world.

  “Gino, what is it?”

  “It’s a girl. Honey, she’s not even cleaned up yet and I can tell she’s a beauty.”

  “Really?”

  “Really.”

  Finally the nurse handed the bundled baby over to Olivia. She was relieved upon seeing her. The baby looked white. So far there was no hint of her ancestry. Olivia hoped the baby’s complexion would continue to reflect its paternal lineage.

  “Hey you,” Olivia cooed. “You put your mother through a lot yet it was all worth it. Your father was right; you are a beauty. Just wait until you see your nursery. You’re going to love it.”

  She looked at Gino. “I love her already. Look at how pale she is. Did you see her blue eyes?”

  “Yes, but I’m not sure if they’ll stay that color. My mother said my eyes were blue when I was first born.”

  “I hope they stay blue. Wouldn’t it be something if she ended up with blonde hair, too?”

  Gino gave her a half-smile. He didn’t understand his wife’s fascination with the baby’s coloring. He was just happy she appeared to be healthy.

  “You are going to break hearts one day,” she said to her daughter. “Yes, you are. I can see it already. We will be fighting off a swarm of boys coming to the house to see Lourdes Pilar Valente.

  Chapter 32

  Olivia was checking in with Elizabeth, the nanny, to make sure Lourdes was taking her nap when Mrs. Petrova came to let her know she had a call.

  “Who is it?”

  “Mr. Valente.”

  She went to the nearest phone.

  “Hello, dear. Please don’t say you’re calling to tell me you’re working late again.”

  “Okay, I won’t. I’m calling to hear your voice. It’s been a while.”

  Olivia’s pulse began to race. It was Anton.

  “Can you hold on for a moment, please?” Without waiting for an answer she put the phone down and turned to Elizabeth.

  “Elizabeth, hang this up for me when I get the other phone.”

  “Yes, Mrs. Valente.”

  When she got to her bedroom, she closed the door and picked up the phone.

  “You can hang up now, Elizabeth.”

  Olivia waited until she heard the click sound.

  “When Mrs. Petrova said it was Mr. Valente, I wasn’t expecting it to be you.”

  “I don’t think she knew it was me. My brother and I sound a lot alike.”

  “Your niece is almost two months old and you still haven’t seen her.”

  “My niece?”

  “Yes, your niece,” she responded with mild irritation. “Gino has made her his legal daughter.”

  “Isn’t that interesting? Did you receive my gift for her?”

  “I did. Thank you.”

  “I heard I missed the spectacle Betty caused when I was there last. I guess I should’ve stayed a while longer and been entertained by the show.”

  “She made a fool of herself.”

  “So did you do it?”

  “Do what?”

  “Don’t be obtuse. Did you do what she accused you of?”

  “No! As I told Gino, someone at her house could’ve done it and it didn’t take effect until she got to work. A lot of people disliked her therefore anyone could’ve spiked her coffee. She just pointed the finger at me because she wants Gino for herself and I have him.”

  “How do you know it was her coffee that was spiked?”

  “I, um, I just guessed.”

  “That’s an awfully good guess. It could have been anything like her breakfast, a glass of juice…”

  Olivia became nervous. She didn’t want Anton to have any more ammunition against her than he already did.

  “Never mind that. I’m sure Gino has given you a vehicle. Jump in it and meet me at my place in thirty minutes. Get a pen and I’ll give you directions.”

  “Excuse me?”

  “You heard me. I want you here in half an hour.”

  “I don’t know how to drive.”

  She heard him let out an exasperated breath.

  “I’m going to leave for the Beverly Wilshire. Have your driver drop you off there. Tell him you’re meeting someone for lunch and you’ll call when you’re ready to be picked up. Now I’ll give you an hour.”

  He hung up the phone. She held the receiver for a moment. Just as when they first met, he managed to annoy and excite her at the same time. She hung up the phone and went over to the intercom.


  “Mrs. Petrova?”

  “Yes, Ma’am?”

  “Have Mr. Calhoun bring the car around. I’ll be ready to leave in twenty to thirty minutes.”

  “Yes, Ma’am.”

  Chapter 33

  When she arrived at the Beverly Wilshire, she spotted Anton in the lobby. He saw her and began walking toward the elevators and she followed him. Once they got to the room, he closed the door behind her and pushed her against it. He took her purse and threw it to the floor. His hands roamed over her body.

  “Not an ounce of fat from the baby. I do miss the fullness it gave your breasts though.”

  Abruptly, he removed his hands and went over to the bed. He picked up a piece of paper and handed it out to her.

  “Beginning next week this person is going to come by your house to give you driving lessons.”

  ”Why do I need driving lessons?”

  “Look, I know you’re content with being chauffeured everywhere but it’s going to be a lot more convenient for you to be able to drive yourself around. Gino’s employees are very loyal to him and it would be only a matter of time before they let him know you were being dropped off at my house. Since he and I aren’t close it would raise red flags if it looked like you and I were. Understand?”

  She nodded and looked about the room, not sure of what to do next. Without him coming out and saying it, he was letting her know they were going to embark on a relationship.

  “Come here,” he commanded.

  She put the paper on the nightstand and stood between his legs.

  “Down.”

  Olivia knelt before him. He unbuckled his belt and unzipped his slacks. He wriggled his hardened penis from his underwear.

  “How do you and my brother screw?”

  She was taken aback by the question and the coarseness of it.

  “Do you suck his cock?”

  “No!”

  “Does he ever go up your ass?”

  “Absolutely not!”

  “Then that’s how we’ll do it.”

  “Do what?”