1 The Hospital
Olivia Carter was once again in the hospital. She was 26 and suffered from chronic Anemia, but didn't suffer enough for the government to think she needed to be on disability. She had fainted at the bus stop, and due to some panicked individual, was sent to the hospital.
Great. Now she was definitely going to be fired. She had had such a hard time finding this job. She was working at a dispatch center for a cab company. She had used all her sick days and vacation and was told the next time she didn't show up on time for her shift, she didn't need to show up at all.
The nurse Rachel had already become friends with her, just by how often she was seen. She had gotten Rachel hooked on web novels, because she often passed the time at the hospital reading them. She still remembered when she first showed Rachel where to find the stories.
Rachel was 46 years old and had been a nurse right out of college. She had always been a busy woman, and loved to read in her spare time. So when she first saw Olivia scrolling on her phone like every other young person these days, she automatically assumed it was social media. She sneakily looked at her phone in her hands, because wanted to get her Username so she could add her. But instead of fun pictures she just saw text.
Curious she asked, "What's that?"
"This?" She pointed at her phone. "Just some stories on an app."
"What kind of stories?"
"Everything you can think of," Olivia replied starry eyed. She told her what app to download, and showed her how to look at the genre's and from there they started reading the same books. Sometimes Olivia would show stories to Rachel, and sometimes like today, Rachel would show Olivia stories.
Rachel burst into Olivia's room full of life and she showed her her phone. "O! You have got to read this one!!"
"What is it?" Olivia's interest peaked.
"This is a good one!" Rachel said, deepening her voice just a bit out of excitement, but trying to keep it down. "Plus one of the characters is named after you!"
Olivia raised an eyebrow. She didn't really see her name in a lot of books. "What's it called?"
"Graciella's Dark Days." Rachel said. "It's really good. The MC in this on is almost Cinderella-ish, but she reminds me of you a bit. She is so kind and sweet, like you. She has been sick since childhood too."
"I'll look at it," Olivia said. She didn't like character's being compared to herself.
"Hmm," Rachel continued, "I just wish they would have switched the characters' names. Olivia is the Villainess in the story."
Olivia laughed. "Now I definitely have to read it."
After Rachel had handed Olivia some pills and took her blood pressure, Olivia could finally settle down and start reading her friends recommendation.
…
…
Graciella's Dark Days
The story began with the birth of the heroine, Graciella. She was born the only child to the loving Marquis Praxis family. The birth was difficult, and thus, both Graciella and her mother suffered from chronic illness. This hindered Graciella's growth development. Doctors came and went, for six years. Graciella's mother recovered, but Graciella still suffered from a weak constitution, and remained ill.
When Graciella had turned 7 the Marquis wanted to adopt a child to keep his beloved daughter company, and be a playmate. It was then that he remembered last year there had been a carriage accident from a branch family. He was pretty sure they had a daughter about the same age as Graciella.
He had found Olivia in an orphanage, helping to take care of some of the younger children. Olivia was now 8 years old. Perfect she was just one year older than Graciella and she could be a good big sister to his daughter. He adopted her and she became Olivia Praxis. When he brought her home, he was pleased with Olivia's attitude. She seemed to be very kind to his daughter and grateful to have been taken in by him and his wife. The Marquis and his wife felt sorry for Olivia, and so they spoiled her.
They all treated Olivia very well. Graciella was happy to have Olivia in her life. Olivia was someone she could talk to and be herself with. Graciella grew stronger, with the company of Olivia at first. Then little things started happening, Olivia worried that she would be sent back if Graciella got better. Olivia started to mess with Graciella's food, so that Graciella could stay sick. Then Olivia started causing trouble with the maids. Making it look like Graciella had done it.
Olivia would cry and ask why Graciella was suddenly being this way. Why was she suddenly acting out and accusing her. Olivia's innocent act was classic. Olivia had gotten engaged to one of the Marquis Praxis, friends son Oscar Caliban. Oscar was also the King's nephew, and the crown prince, Adarian Caliban's cousin.
Oscar believed Olivia's little acts. He did feel bad for Graciella though. He knew she was likely only acting out because she was so sick all the time when she was younger, so she didn't get to experience everything Olivia had.
Olivia acted weak in front of Oscar though, consistently maintaining his positive view of her.
…
…
Olivia Carter put the novel down. She really didn't like Olivia in the book. Shouldn't she just be grateful for what this kind family has done for her? She was now living like a princess! Of all characters in the book that had to share her name it was this one. She didn't like acting the victim. She had a deep seeded hatred for people who did bad things and then cried about it acting all innocent just to gain sympathy. It was pathetic, and it was just plain evil.
But that's what a villain in a novel is supposed to be like. She didn't think she was too much like Graciella either. She just didn't see herself being that forgiving to someone who was obviously out to hurt her.
She really liked Oscar though. The engagement to Olivia wasn't his choice. It was decided by their parents.
She fell asleep thinking about the story she had read. Sometimes the evil villains plans hit a little close to home.
…
…
Olivia just got released from the hospital. She had called her boss the day before in her hospital bed, and he sent her a final check. She was no longer employed…
Again.
She decided she would look for a job starting tomorrow. She had just gotten back to her shabby apartment, and she really just wanted a break. Just a day off to relax, and then devote all her attention to a novel. Escape the world for just a bit.
She would worry about real life tomorrow. She opened the app and started to read once again.
…
…
A few years had passed and the girls were now 16 and 17 years old. Olivia Praxis framed Graciella all the time, and lately she was getting caught doing so. The maids were paying more attention to the misdeeds their eldest miss was doing. Every time the dressmaker was there, Olivia would order only the finest dresses made from the finest materials. Olivia had a much more voluptuous body than Graciella, and she flaunted it. Graciella's body was criticized. She wasn't bad though. She had gotten healthier through the years, and she did have curves. They were just not as pronounced as her sister's. So while Olivia dressed in only the finest, Graciella was always an understated beauty, letting her real beauty shine through instead of having her clothing and finery speak for her. Olivia still went to all social events as though she was a single lady still looking for a husband. It wasn't as though she would find anyone better than Oscar. But she had the excuse of looking for a husband to suit her cousin. Oscar was not pleased with the way Olivia dressed, and he had even begun to wonder where that pure sweet girl he once knew had gone.
Adarian Caliban, Oscar's cousin, had gotten married when Graciella turned 16. He had also lost his father, becoming the king overnight.
Two years later, Olivia still had not managed to get Oliver to set a date for their marriage. She was now 19. If she did not get married by twenty she would be considered an old maid, engaged or not. Though she did pester him about the date, it seemed that Oscar had finally seen through her act, and was not interested anymore.
Olivia still managed to interfere when Graciella had a suitor paying attention to her. If Olivia could not get married then neither could Graciella. Until one ball, Graciella when Graciella was 17 she danced with the king, Adarian Caliban. His wife the queen had died last year, they said it was an assassination. She died with her guard Sir Lowenheim.
