Chapter 10 Part 9

FLASHBACK

"Why?" Mrs. Claire asked when Olivia stated her intention to move out of the Antony-Claire residence and quit her job as Gianna's nanny.

"Gianna can do everything on her own now, Granny. She's very independent. So I feel like I'm not really working here, just collecting a paycheck," Olivia answered honestly.

"It's not like that, Olivia. Gianna still needs you," Mrs. Claire pleaded. "It's okay if you want to go to college. I'm even willing to pay for your education, but don't leave this house, Oliv.

"What kind of classes do you want to take? Regular? Evening classes? Or perhaps online courses? Where do you want to study? What major are you interested in? I'll fund it all."

Olivia couldn't answer because she hadn't looked for the college she wanted to attend yet.

"If you feel the need to be active, you can work in an office, a hotel, or even a restaurant. You just have to choose where you want to work, and I will hire you there.

"But don't truly leave this place, Oliv. Because Gianna will look for you," Mrs. Claire continued persuading, her tone still gentle.

"But if that's the case, it's like I'm just staying here for free, Granny," Olivia said, feeling embarrassed.

Mrs. Claire looked angry. "Who's freeloading?" she said irritably. "Have you forgotten that you're now Altezza and Adaline's child, my nephew's and niece-in-law's? You're their cousin. And that makes you my niece. We're still family even without blood ties.

"And Gianna, she already sees you as her sister. Are you really going to leave her just like that?" Olivia didn't say anything. She could only bow her head in silence.

"Regardless of Gianna, I want you to stay here too. This house is empty because my children don't live here anymore. I need the presence of a young person to liven up the atmosphere," the middle-aged woman continued.

"And Gianna would feel incredibly lonely because you've been the only person she can rely on all this time. Are you willing to hurt her?" Those words left Olivia feeling completely helpless.

FLASHBACK OFF

Olivia couldn't deny the facts Mrs. Claire pointed out. She felt the same loneliness after moving into that luxurious house. The house, which was multiple times larger than the orphanage she and her foster siblings used to live in, now had fewer occupants than a tenth of the orphanage's children.

Not wanting to make Granny Claire and Gianna sad, Olivia eventually decided to stay there with one condition: she didn't want to occupy a room in the main building and preferred to live in the house specially built for the employees at the back. That became her current residence. Reluctantly, Mrs. Claire allowed it.

A week later, Olivia was offered a job at an Italian restaurant run by Zello and Luca, Granny Claire's nephews. While working, Olivia also enrolled in college. She chose evening classes so she could attend college on weekends and work on regular weekdays.

One day, while Olivia was working at the restaurant, she overheard Lorraine, Meizar's personal assistant, Granny Claire's youngest son, talking about needing someone to clean the penthouse twice a week. Confidently, Olivia volunteered for the job. Lorraine readily agreed, considering Olivia a trusted member of the Quirino family.

Her coworkers were puzzled by Olivia's tireless work ethic. They even asked if Olivia ever got tired. Olivia answered honestly. She wasn't tired because, if she truly wanted to be wealthy, she had to work hard.

Olivia knew some of her coworkers viewed her as a materialistic girl obsessed with becoming rich. She didn't pay attention to their judgments or clarify her position. Because, in fact, she dreamed of success and wealth.

If someone asked her why she wanted to be rich, she would counter with a question: "Why do you want to live in poverty?" Not everything in the world could be bought with money, but with money, one could acquire what they desired, including respect and admiration. And that's what Olivia wanted.

She was tired of being the target of people's ridicule just because she was an orphan and poor. Olivia didn't want to hear those insults anymore. She couldn't change the fact that she didn't have a family, but she could transform the reality of being 'the poor one' into 'the rich one'. And, of course, she would proudly showcase it to everyone after she worked hard to achieve it.

Olivia could have easily flaunted her status as the adopted child of Altezza Quirino and Adaline Quirino. Yes, she was now officially a part of their family, entitled to the same privileges as her siblings, and she was even offered the same facilities-which she declined due to her discomfort in accepting them. But what was the point?

Why should she use someone else's name merely for the sake of false respect and admiration? Olivia wanted to be valued for who she was, for her hard work and accomplishments.

Back to the present, Olivia had to complete the task Lorraine had given her. At half past five, Olivia was ready with her bag slung over her shoulder. As usual, she would go to the traditional market first to buy the groceries listed in the shopping list sent by Lorraine via messages. And later, if she couldn't find the items on the list at the market, she would go to the supermarket not far from the penthouse.

Olivia walked out of the employee living area, greeting the people who had already started their work. She continued out of the gate and approached the taxi driver she had booked earlier.

"Market?" the middle-aged man asked. Olivia nodded and got into the car, which drove at a moderate speed. Throughout the journey, they chatted like a father and daughter. Until they reached the market.

Simon-the taxi driver's name-always waited for Olivia at the front of the market and would later take her back to the penthouse.

Nearly two hours later, Olivia arrived at the penthouse building area. As usual, Simon dropped her off at the security guard post in front of the building portal. With the groceries in both hands, Olivia walked in, greeting the security personnel who opened the portal for her.

She continued walking dozens of meters towards the building terrace, greeting the security guards again before approaching the thick glass door that served as the entrance to the penthouse apartment area.

Olivia greeted everyone she knew-cleaning staff, beauty salon employees, boutique workers, restaurant staff, and even the receptionists. How did she know so many people? Because she deliberately wanted to get to know them.

Her foster mother used to say that we should maintain good relationships and be polite to everyone, as we never know who might help us in the future. Cutting off ties is akin to cutting off blessings, while strengthening connections leads to expanding one's network. That's what her foster mother used to tell her.