I’m Someone Else

If the special forces had seen this, they probably would have roared with fury. To think someone would refuse the teachings of
the King of Marksmen himself... That was unthinkable! They would kill just to have a one-on-one lesson with him.
Thomas sighed. Times sure have changed. When I was in the military, everyone wanted me to teach them how to shoot, and I
would just ignore them. The tables have turned now. Unbeknownst to him, Olivia was filled with the urge to lean into his
embrace, especially when they were so close, and she could smell the scent of tobacco coming off him.
Each shot he made had hit the mark, and he gave Olivia the prize. “Anything else you want to play?”
“Ice skating!” she exclaimed.
They came to the ice rink and changed into some ice skates. It was only then Thomas realized Olivia had no idea how to skate
on ice.
“D-Don’t let me go, or I’m going to fall.” Her legs were trembling. Just standing on ice was the best she could do.
“Relax your legs and put your strength into your ankles,” the man instructed patiently. “I’ll hold you. You won’t fall.”
She slowly moved ahead, but the moment she did, she lost her balance. Fortunately, Thomas had kept his hold on her and
prevented her fall. “Oh, this is hard.” Olivia looked a little defeated.
“Give me your hand.” Thomas took her hand and slowly led her across the ice rink. He figured this was the best way for her to
find her bearing on the surface. “Ice skating isn’t that much different from cycling. You should always keep your eyes on the road
ahead. The more you worry about falling, the more you will,” he said.
Under his guidance, Olivia slowly got the hang of it, and her smile returned.
“Dammit, he’s holding her hand!” One of the bodyguards clenched his fists, glaring at Thomas with fury. How dare you touch her
hand, you peasant! He had noticed how close they were standing together at the shooting range, and now Thomas took it a step
further. He’s taking advantage of her!
The other bodyguard had a much clearer mind. “Well, he’s teaching her how to skate, after all.”
“Bullsh*t! He’s taking advantage of her! I’m going to teach him a lesson! That’ll teach him not to get close to Miss Olivia!”
“Um...”

“If you don’t want to do it, I will!”
“Hey, I’m not the kind of guy to let my friend work alone.”
“Good. We’re done for the day. We need to tell Mr. Pearson about this. If that sc*mbag still hounds Miss Olivia, I’ll kill him!”
Olivia played until midnight. It was Sunday the next day, so she figured she could sleep in. She didn’t have to worry about not
getting enough rest. They then left the amusement park and got into the car. “Thank you, Thomas.” She turned around and
blinked at him. This was the happiest birthday in her life. The bliss came late, but it was better than never.
Thomas smiled and drove away to Olivia’s place. He saw her off before he left.
Olivia held the big plushie and entered her house. When she saw Norman, she asked in surprise, “Dad? Why are you still here?”
He didn’t leave? But it must’ve been hours.
Norman looked at her. “You’re back.”
“Yes. You want to talk about something?” She knew her father had something to talk about.
“Come. Sit.”
She sat beside her father, waiting for him to speak.
“I’ve told Yukine about this; she’ll be your secretary starting Monday.”
Olivia froze for a moment. She already had a secretary, so having one more would make it two, and that was one too many for
her. Besides, she didn’t like Yukine that much. Yukine Pearson was, as her name implied, part of the Pearson Family, but she
was never nice to Olivia. Even when Olivia tried to talk to her, she wouldn’t respond. “There’s no need for that, Dad. I have my
own secretary. It’s—”
Norman waved her down and imperiously said, “This is my order. It’s just an announcement, not a discussion.”
Olivia looked upset upon hearing that. Still as bossy as ever. She might be the company’s president, but her father was the one
who made all the decisions behind the scenes. He was the chairman, after all. “If nothing else, I’ll be retiring for the night.” With
that, she headed toward her bedroom.
“Remember your promise. No dating anyone for ten years.”

“Yeah, yeah.” She went into her bedroom and slammed the door shut. The day her mother passed away, her father, for some
reason, made her swear off romance for ten years, and she couldn’t even get close to any men.
“We don’t have much time.” Norman left the house and heaved a long sigh. Of course, he was sad his daughter was chosen as
the sacrifice, but what choice did he have? Rules were rules. Compared to the family’s future, one person’s happiness meant
nothing.
Thomas woke up early the next morning and brewed the medicine. It might be a Sunday, but the treatment must go on, so he
took it to Olivia’s house, but the moment he came to her place, he frowned. Why didn’t she lock the door? Wait... Something’s
not right. The door’s not opened. It was lockpicked, and there are traces left too. Could it be...
He quickly darted into her house and rushed to her bedroom, but he walked as silently as possible.
Olivia was still sound asleep, but before her bed stood a masked man. “Heh. If she dies, you’ll all go to hell, Pearsons!” He
whipped out a bottle of green liquid, uncorked it, and slathered it over his dagger.
Scorpion venom. Thomas couldn’t believe this man would do that. The moment he stabbed Olivia with that dagger, the poison
would diffuse into her blood and kill her within sixty seconds.