A dangerous meeting

Chapter 5: A Dangerous Meeting

Alex

I paced the dimly lit corridor, nerves prickling beneath my skin as I debated whether to go. Liam’s words echoed in my mind, the invitation laced with something darker. Meet me later. Despite the fear twisting in my stomach, a flicker of curiosity drew me in. I needed answers, even if it meant risking a scandal.

I glanced at my watch. If I didn’t go now, I might lose the chance. With a deep breath, I slipped out of the ballroom, casting a quick look over my shoulder to make sure no one was watching. The halls were silent, and I made my way to the secluded terrace where Liam had said he’d be waiting.

He was already there, standing by the railing with his back to me, shoulders tense, as if lost in thought. The night breeze tousled his hair, and for a moment, he looked almost vulnerable—a side of him I hadn’t seen before.

I cleared my throat, and he turned, his face lighting up briefly before settling into a more guarded expression.

“You came,” he murmured, though his tone was cautious.

“I almost didn’t,” I replied, crossing my arms as I approached him.

The memory of that night flooded my mind, making my cheeks flush. Why did he leave so abruptly after what we’d shared? The question burned on my tongue, but I tried to keep my voice steady. “Why all this secrecy, Liam? Pretending to be someone else? And… why did you leave that night? After everything?”

He hesitated, a flash of something unreadable crossing his features. He sighed, running a hand through his hair, struggling for the right words. “It’s complicated, Alex,” he said, his voice low. “Sometimes, I need a break—from all the expectations, the constant scrutiny. Do you know what it’s like? To always be seen as nothing more than a title?”

I raised an eyebrow, not buying completely and trying not to let my irritation show. “So you thought pretending to be a random guy was the solution?”

“It wasn’t a game,” he insisted, taking a step closer. “I didn’t expect to run into you tonight. And besides, you weren’t exactly honest, either, were you? ‘Taylor,’” he added, with a slight smirk

Heat crept into my cheeks. “That’s different. I had my reasons.”

“So did I.” His gaze softened, and a tense silence stretched between us

I shook my head, focusing. “Look, I’m not here to argue. I need to know why you asked me to meet you tonight, why you couldn’t just leave it alone.”

He held my gaze, and something in his eyes shifted, a shadow passing over them. “I had to see you, Alex. I wanted you to know the truth.”

“The truth?” I scoffed, bitterly. “Which part of it, exactly?”

He took a step closer until I could see the faint stubble on his jaw. “The truth that I didn’t want you to know me as the prince. Just Liam. Just… me.”

My chest tightened, torn between anger and something more dangerous, something I didn’t want to acknowledge. “And I was supposed to be okay with that?” I demanded, my voice low but fierce. “You lied to me, Liam. You made me feel like a fool.”

He swallowed, looking almost regretful. “You’re right,” he admitted, his voice rough.

“And… about that night…” He faltered, a slight blush rising to his cheeks. “I left because I knew if I stayed, it would only make things harder for both of us. Being with you—being me with you—felt so real, so… unrestrained. We're enemies after all.” His words faltered, as though he were struggling to contain something more.

Heat crept back into my cheeks as I remembered, my body still tingling from the wildness, the untamed passion of that night. “You didn’t even leave a note, Liam,” I managed, my voice laced with a blend of hurt and anger. “You made me feel like… like it didn’t matter.”

His gaze softened. “You mattered, Alex. More than you know. But I thought if I left, you’d be safe. That night was…” He searched my face, his expression vulnerable. “You’re the one person who doesn’t see me as a prince. Just… as a man. I wanted to keep it that way.”

My defenses wavered, but I fought to keep them intact. “I didn’t ask for this, Liam. For any of it.”

He reached out, his hand hovering near my arm but not quite touching. “Neither did I.”

Despite my frustration, a warmth blossomed from his presence. But I couldn’t ignore the risks, the looming consequences.

Before I could say more, he spoke, his tone suddenly firm. “This… whatever it is… it can’t happen, Alex. We have to stop this now.” He pulled back, his gaze troubled. “The danger it would put you in—the scandal, the scrutiny—it’s not something you should have to deal with.”

I blinked, caught off guard. “You’re worried about me? Since when do you care so much about what others think?”

“It’s not that,” he replied, his voice thick with tension. “I can handle it. But you—you don’t deserve to be caught up in this world, in the expectations I can’t escape. I won’t do that to you.”

“You think you get to decide that for me?” I snapped, stepping closer. “I’m not some fragile doll that needs protecting, Liam. I can make my own choices.”

His face softened, but his resolve didn’t waver. “I know you can, Alex. But I also know what this will mean for you, the pressure, the scandal. And I’m not willing to let you suffer for my sake.”

The air between us grew charged, heavy with words unsaid, emotions unvoiced. I opened my mouth to argue, but a sudden noise shattered the quiet, a muffled gasp coming from the shadows behind us. We both froze, and dread sank in, chilling me to the bone.

My eyes darted toward the figure half-hidden by the terrace entrance, shrouded in darkness. My heart pounded in my chest, panic creeping in.

Liam’s expression hardened, and he reached for my arm, his grip firm. “Stay calm,” he whispered, his voice steady and composed.

“Calm?” I whispered back, barely able to keep my voice steady. “Someone’s here, Liam! They heard us!”

His gaze didn’t waver, a determined glint in his eyes. “Then we’ll handle it,” he murmured. “I won’t let anything happen to you.”

The figure shifted, stepping forward as if considering their next move. My heart raced, every nerve on edge, but Liam’s grip on my arm didn’t falter.

“Who is it? Do you recognize them?” I whispered, trying to keep the fear from showing on my face.

But his face remained unreadable as he watched the intruder, his jaw set, his protective hold on my arm an unspoken promise.