Michael Gray: Better Man pt 3
Hi all! This is a Michael Gray fic I originially posted on Wattpad, but I’ve decided to also share it now on Tumblr just in case anything would happen to my wattpad account, and to also share it with those who don’t use wattpad. I’ve been on this platform for years but have never made a post of my own so please bear with me. Enjoy!
Pairing: Michael Gray x Olivia Peterson
Two years ago:
Olivia was walking down the streets of Birmingham on her way to Michael's office. Today she just woke up extra determined to finally give Michael a piece of her mind.
Even though they shared an office together as Tommy's accountants, They haven't had any real alone time together in months. It was always either he went home later than her and she was already asleep, he'd wake up too early and not wait for her to go with him to the office, he got deadlines and couldn't take her out for a quick date, or that he was simply too tired and just wanted to sleep.
And it wasn't just the lack of time that she had problems with, it was also how Michael would address her - like someone he'd rather not be bothered with. He'd cut her off when she wants to talk to him, dismiss her advances when she wants to get close or intimate, and leave her alone in family dinners or celebrations.
She tried to understand him at first. Maybe because of how the family business was expanding, and he was getting too stressed out. But his actions also caused her to question her worth - am I not attractive anymore? Did his feelings change? Am I just too needy?
This had indeed taken a toll on her. Not just emotionally. The rest of the Shelby clan kept mum about it but they could see that she's gotten thinner, and her eyes just don't hold the same glow that they had before.
Tommy gave Michael some nights off in hopes that he'd go spend it with his girlfriend, Polly together with Esme took Olivia out for some girl time together to help her relax, and even John and Arthur would invite them both together out for some drinks so they could spend some time maybe not alone, but together. But to no avail, Michael would just spend those nights at the Garrison and not bother inviting her at all.
Last night before sleeping alone again, she thought that maybe he was just simply unaware of what his actions has been doing to their relationship. And so she decided that she'd talk to him about it, and they'd discuss everything, he'll apologize, and then they could start working on being better this time.
Walking into the Shelby home, she was welcomed by John and Esme, having a small breakfast on the dining table.
"Hello you two." She greeted. "Is Michael in our office?"
"You didn't see him this morning?" John asked.
"I might have had a deep sleep to even notice that he left early." She answered. Though come to think of it, she wasn't sure if he even went home at all.
"Well, you look like you did have a good morning, love. Yeah he's in there." Esme answered, taking a bite of her food.
Smiling to the couple, she excused herself to their office.
As usual he was deep into work. Not even looking up to see who entered his office.
"Michael?" She called him after setting her bag down on her own desk. "I was wondering if we could talk for a while."
"I have a lot of work to finish today, Olivia. Can't it wait for some other time?" He still wasn't looking up from what he was reading. This irked her.
"That's the thing. You don't have 'another time' when it comes to us."
He was scribbling something down when she said that, making him stop all of a sudden and finally look at her with an annoyed look on his face.
"Can't your whining wait? All I've been doing is so that we won't fuck this business up, and so that all of you can live your lavish lifestyle." He snapped at her.
Shaking off her hurt feelings, she answered. "Have you forgotten, Michael? That I work the same job as you?" She was trying not to raise her voice.
"Well clearly it's obvious who works harder than both of us." He muttered.
"What, you're saying I don't work hard enough?!" She exclaimed in a harsh whisper. She was also working her ass of on the business, get to finish deadlines, and make Tommy satisfied with her work.
"Now she can't even comprehend simple statements well." He muttered, looking down again to what he was reading.
"You know what, Michael? I'm starting to think that this has nothing to do with work anymore. You just don't want to spend any of your precious time with me. If you want to end this, just say so! I've had a lot of courtships, and marriage offers turned down because I love you. And I'm sorry to tell you this, but I learned from the best. Your mother taught me from a young age to walk away when I'm not valued and respected. But it's fucking ironic, that it's her own son I couldn't walk away from all this time!" She was shaking and on the brink of tears.
This got his attention.
Sighing, he looked up to face her.
"If you want to be a distraction to some other men, then be my guest." He answered her coldly.
Feeling the tears about to fall, she shook them off. "That's not how you talk to someone you love, Michael."
"You should listen to yourself then, Olivia. Get a grip."
"You're getting too big in the head." She answered.
This was too much for her. To be dismissed just like that! She gathered her purse from her desk and got out of the office.
Esme, having heard what transpired, got up from her seat and immediately went to her aid.
John looked sorry for her. "I'll talk some sense into him." He told her quietly.
She gave him a small nod, and asked to be alone for a while.
She was now at the backroom of the Garrison, having a drink when Tommy walked in.
She expected him to get mad at her for skipping work, but instead he sat beside her and offered a hug. One she fell into without hesitation. And she finally let the tears drop.
Later that night, she went home just a little bit tipsy. She decided that she was going to have one final talk with him tomorrow. One that hopefully not end up like this morning.
Tommy had told her that he let him go home early and take a day off the following day.
Seeing that he didn't come home to their shared apartment, he might have spent it in Polly's home to give her time to cool off. --- The next morning she woke up feeling a bit better. Her eyes were swollen still, but she got ready to face him and patch things up.
Walking to Polly's house, she ran into Finn on the street.
"Hey sweetheart, I was just on my way to the bakery. Would you want something to eat?" The boy asked her, beaming.
"Uh sure, Finn. Can you drop it off at Polly's?"
"Anything for you, Livy. I won't be long." He tipped his hat on her, acting like a gentleman which made her laugh, and went on his way.
Stepping in Polly's house, their help Mary welcomed her in, but she looked nervous and uneasy.
"Is everything alright, Mary? Is Polly home?"
"N-no miss Olivia. She's out of town until tomorrow." The help answered her. She couldn't put a finger on it but something didn't feel right.
"Well I'm heading up to Michael's room, okay? Finn will be dropping by later." She was already heading up the stairs when the woman called her out again.
"Miss Olivia, please I want to warn you first." She looked like she was about to cry.
"Okay? What is it, Mary?" She asked her, now walking back down to the woman.
"I- he- Mr. Gray. Every time his mother is out of town, h-he spends the night here." The woman was shaking. It looked like her job was on the line for opening her mouth.
"Yeah, I can see that... is that all, Mary?" She offered a small squeeze at the shaking woman's hand.
The help took a deep breath and looked her straight in the eye. "He doesn't spend it alone, Miss."
The color drained from Olivia's face.
"Nor is it with the same woman every time."
Though terrified that it might be true, she slowly went up the stairs again. This time, Mary was right behind her.
Taking one last look at the woman, she slowly opened the door to Michael's room.
And sure enough, Michael was sleeping in bed, draped in another woman's arms.
She took a quiet step back, and closed the door.
"I'm really sorry, Miss." The woman pleaded.
"Does Polly know?"
"He made me swear not to tell."
That's all she needed to know. She would have been completely destroyed if it turned out that her mother figure had also betrayed her.
The woman, Mary, was scared of Olivia's current state. She looks like she's out of it. She didn't cry, didn't go back up to lash out on Michael. She just looked like she was tired. Completely void of emotions.
The door opened and Finn went in with a big smile on his face. "Hey I got you your favorite!" He exclaimed. But one look at his childhood friend and he knew something was wrong.
"Finn, please take me home." She said weakly, looking down.
Not wanting to upset her further, he nodded and put his arm around her to guide her back home. ---
Thanking her friend, she asked him to not tell anyone just yet about what happened, and to meet her at the docks in three hours.
Closing the door behind her, she looked around the apartment. So many memories were made by them together there. The kisses, conversations they had, unspeakable blissful actions, and plans for their future were now all ghosts in the room. And it was haunting her.
Shaking her head. She whispered to herself. "The crying can wait. Get out now while you still have the strength to do so." Hearing her own voice so full of defeat was enough to fuel her.
And so she packed whatever she could fit, including her money in a small suitcase. In less than three hours, she was done and heading out for the door. No looking back inside. She might change her mind.
She was only two blocks away and was about to turn to a corner when she slowed down for a second to maybe just take a quick glance back.
Michael with his hat on, looking down, was heading to their apartment, completely oblivious that she had packed and ran off.
Sighing, she muttered "Goodbye Michael Gray" and turned to the corner.
There at the docks Finn was already waiting, talking with the men working there.
"Where are you going, Livy?" It didn't even sound like he was going to stop her. He knew well enough of how his friend and cousin's relationship has been going. He just wanted to know.
"Somewhere away from here, Finn. And that's all I can give you." She said in a strained voice.
Nodding in understanding, Finn embraced her in a long, final hug.
"I won't tell anyone about this. I can promise you that."
"Just let them know I was okay."
And board on the boat she went.
When it started to leave the port, she asked the sailor to take her to America, and gave the man extra to swear into secrecy.
A new life was awaiting.
