Chapter 77

Ollie’s POV

The limo driver gives me a friendly smile as I sit down beside him, but he doesn’t otherwise acknowledge me for the duration of the drive. The partition behind us is all the way up, so we can’t see or hear what is going on in the back area of the limo.

I try to remind myself that I wouldn’t want to be back there anyway. The brothers are probably fawning all over their baby sister Sylvia. It would be disgusting to watch.

Besides, I need the alone time to truly prepare myself for what I have to do here, acting as Sylvia’s servant.

Though Sylvia and I are both coming in as freshmen at the university, it’s clear that I am only allowed to do so on the basis that I serve as Sylvia’s personal servant. As such, for this event, I am going to have to cater to her every whim while neglecting my own.

I’m hopeful that while she is distracted, I can make some connections with some classmates and teachers. Though I don’t intend to stay at the university more than a semester, I want to still try to place myself in their good graces.

Perhaps, with the right connections, even if I have to act as Sylvia’s servant most of the time, I can still get a decent education and ready myself for my move. If I could get a few recommendations, that would really set me for the future. Things for Omegas are difficult. I need all the help I can get to move ahead.

When we arrive, I thank the driver, who simply nods at me, before hurrying to open the door to the back of the limo. Then, after I open my own door and step to the side on the sidewalk, I wait for the others.

The brothers step out with Sylvia, and she gives each a long hug, as if they aren’t going to see each other for a long time and not just a few hours. None of them acknowledge me at all.

“If you need anything at all, call us,” Wes says. “We will be here.”

Sylvia smiles at him sweetly. “I’ll have Ollie with me. I’m sure she will make sure I’m okay.”

I don’t visibly frown but I feel the trepidation rise within me. I know I’m not going to be in for a good time today. Sylvia is certain to push me, and when I inevitably can’t keep up, she’s certain to tell the brothers about it.

After their goodbyes, the brothers return into the limo, and Sylvia steps over toward me. She waves as the limo drives away, even though we can’t see through the tinted back windows. When the limo is out of sight, she turns to me and smiles.

“There’s no way you are ready for this,” she says with a vicious joy in her voice.

An hour later, we are supposed to be sitting at a table with some of our classmates, sharing breakfast and making friends. Sylvia is getting to do this, laughing with the others at the table while enjoying her waffle with whipped cream and berries.

Meanwhile, I have not sat down since we were first shown our table, before Sylvia’s requests began.

Now, every time I come back after fulfilling one request, she has another ready for me.

“My water glass is empty, Ollie.”

“My coffee is cold, Ollie.”

“I really need more strawberries, Ollie. Speak with the kitchen for me?”

“More butter.”

“More napkins.”

“Another cup of coffee.”

“The flowers in this centerpiece are making me sneeze,” she says, her latest request. “No, don’t take it away if you can’t replace it with something. We want to see flowers. Just check to see if they have any fake ones first. If not, maybe a different bouquet would suit my nose better.”

All morning, I thought of upturning her messy waffles right over her head. Now, I’ve never been closer.

The flowers make her sneeze? She hasn’t sneezed even once?

But what can I do? My orders are clear. I have to obey any and all commands she gives me, no matter what they are, else I’m sure she’ll tell the brothers I was sabotaging her event. I’m already under house arrest. I really don’t want to see how worse things can get for me.

It’s still jarring, the way the brothers can be with their fated mate, and then the way they can be with just Ollie. Even though I am the one wearing a disguise, they are the ones acting like two different people.

After acknowledging this new request, I turn from the table and start walking back to the hostess. She knows me by name already, maybe not the best sign. Yet, as I’m walking to her station at the front of the room, I’m surprised when a group of girls cuts me off.

I brace myself for insults or teasing. So far everyone but Sylvia has ignored me, but I know I am out of my depth here. An Omega has never been accepted on campus before. There are going to be people who dislike me.

Yet, as these girls look at me, they seem more curious than malicious. Foolish as it may be, this fills me with hope.

I would really like to have friends here.

“We wanted to meet the special Omega,” the girl in the lead of the group says. “I’m Melanie.”

“I’m Ollie,” I say, trying to be polite.

“We know who you are,” the girl on Melanie’s left says. After a sharp look from Melanie, she softens her tone. “Of course.”

“It’s truly special for one of your station to be allowed to attend university,” Melanie says. “It shows just how generous our young Alphas are.”

The other girls agree.

“Honestly… Ollie, right?” she asks.

I nod.

She continues, “Honestly, Ollie, we were hoping that you might want to hang out with us sometime.”

I have no delusions here. To this group, I would likely be some kind of mascot. The lowly Omega that they took in. But, perhaps when they spend some time with me, they might see that I am actually a genuine and fun person. They might want to be my friend.

“We’re going to meet in the annex after brunch for a mixer,” Melanie says. “We’d love if you’d come with us.”

I glance back to the table where Sylvia is sitting. She seems to be ignoring me right now, but I know that won’t last long.

I have no idea if I can get away long enough to even attend this mixer. Maybe I should ask if Sylvia can come too, but I don’t really want to include her. If she even agreed, she would just make everything about her, and I’d be sidelined after being personally invited.

“I’ll do what I can,” I say.

Melanie and the others smile. “Great! We so want to be friends.”

After the breakfast, there’s to be a mock lecture in one of the lecture halls, to show students how lessons would be and to introduce the professors.

Sylvia finds a seat with her new friends, but then shoos me away.

“Don’t sit with us,” she tells me. “Find a spot in the back.”

Seeing this as an opportunity, I sneak out the back door and then hurry to find the annex.

I want to meet the professors, but I can’t pass up the opportunity to make real friends.

Excitement rising at the prospect, I throw open the door of the annex building.

Only to find another ballroom filled with people.

All boys this time.

One hundred faces turn to look at me. Several of them grin.

One even says, “Is this the entertainment we were promised?”