A Cold Brat

CHAPTER 16: A COLD BRAT. 

RACHEL'S POV

The evening air is thick with the scent of alcohol and cigarettes as I step into the dimly lit bar. The place is alive with chatter, clinking glasses, and the occasional burst of laughter. I keep my head down, my heart pounding in my chest as I scan the room.

Marco had told me that I would find Liam here. I had done my research before coming, memorizing his face from the picture now set as my phone’s wallpaper. Even in the low lighting, I should be able to recognize him.

Taking a deep breath, I make my way through, weaving through groups of people. Maybe I shouldn't have come at this time but I might not have any other chances again to see him. Even tonight isn't guaranteed but I still want to try.

The scent of whiskey lingers in the air, and a few curious eyes glance my way. I look like the odd one out. I ignore them, keeping my focus sharp.

Just as I’m about to move further inside, a man steps into my path. He’s tall and broad-shouldered, and his breath reeks of liquor.

    "Hey there, sweetheart,” he drawls, his voice slightly slurred. “What’s a pretty thing like you doing all alone?”

Pretty thing?

I force a polite smile. “I’m just looking for someone.”

He smirks, leaning in closer. “Well, you found me.”

I take a step back, my fingers curling into fists at my sides. “I am sorry but I'm not interested.”

His smirk fades, and something dark flickers in his eyes. “Don’t be like that, sweetheart. Just one drink. You won't regret it, I promise.”

  “I said no. Excuse me.” My voice is firmer this time, but he doesn’t back off. Instead, he reaches for my wrist, his grip tightening. My stomach churns as panic starts to rise in my throat because no one seems to be paying us attention.

Before I can react, a voice cuts through the tension.

“She said she’s not interested. Are you too drunk for your ears to function?”

The man’s grip loosens slightly as he turns to face the speaker. I follow his gaze and immediately recognize the man standing a few feet away. That's him. Liam.

He’s tall, lean, and carries himself with an air of confidence that makes it clear he’s not someone to be messed with. His sharp eyes lock onto the man in front of me, his expression hard.

   “You don’t want to make a scene here,” Liam continues, his voice calm but laced with warning. “If you’re drunk, go home.”

The man scowls but ultimately releases my wrist, muttering something under his breath before staggering away.

I exhale slowly, rubbing my wrist where his fingers had pressed into my skin. Liam watches me for a moment before tilting his head.

“You alright?”

I nod, still catching my breath. “Yeah. Thanks.”

    "You should be careful, places like this are more like a Lion's den for anyone who isn't experienced in the lifestyle. I am assuming you're new."

   "Yeah, I am."

   "Alright, did you come alone or did you come with someone? If you didn't, I can keep you company for the ..."

I quickly chirp in, "No, not at all. I am actually here to see you."

He studies me briefly, "Really?"

   "Yeah,"

H then gestures towards a corner, "Alright then. Come with me and let’s talk.”

I follow him as he leads the way into another section where there is silence. There is a limit to the noise coming from the other end. We take our seats.

   "Seeing that my picture is your wallpaper, I guess you must be a huge fan of me." He comments and I am embarrassed.

My phone's screen had brightened earlier and now that has caused some kind of misunderstanding. How do I even explain...ugh!

I shake my head to let him know that it is nothing of the sort. He laughs heartily. Just like Marco said, Liam and Noah do have a strikingly different personality. While Noah is cold and distant, Liam is the opposite and seems jovial and that has made me feel welcomed. How exactly are they friends? 

    "I get it. I was just pulling your legs, Rachel."

Huh? He knows my name?

   "Yeah, I do," he answers as if he knows what I am thinking about. A man comes in with a bottle of wine and two glass cups. Liam opens the wine and pours the contents into the glasses.

   "I guess fruit wine will be appropriate for you,"

I am less concerned about that. 

   "Thanks but how did you..."

   "You are my best friend's wife. How in the world am I not going to recognize you?" he brings out his phone and shows me a picture of myself. It was taken on the wedding day and from the looks of it, it was taken unawares. 

   "He sent this to me so I saved it. You are my sister-in-law. Thank goodness you came because Noah did not want to introduce me to you. That cold brat." he hisses and I smile. I am relieved that this won't pose a problem.

   "Nice to meet you."

   "And you too. Let me guess, Noah has incredibly frustrated your life and you are here to know how else you can make it better."

I nod, "Yeah. That is why I am here. To be honest, I do not even know how to go about it...I know that we don't have anything between each other, but it will do us no harm if we can at least coexist in peace."

   "I understand you, and to be sincere, I actually expected this, so I am going to tell you just one simple thing, but before then, I can't help you much with anything else, like telling you more about him or his family history. You will just have to figure it out on your own. Now, for the simple thing, show him care. Show him enough care and love. It doesn't have to be love in a romantic way. Pay attention to him, if you do, you are likely to help him figure out things about himself that he doesn't. Do you know why I am telling you this?"

I shake my head, "This is because these are things that Noah didn't get to experience early on in life if you understand what I mean. He kind of believes that whenever people show these emotions, it simply means that they want to get something from him so he stays away from everyone in general. So, when you try being nice and all that, he won't receive it well for quite some time. That is when you have to be firm."

Oh, that is it? He has scars.

   "I see."

   "Yeah,"

  "If I may ask Liam, do you know why he married me? Like, I understand that I got into the marriage because of a request, but why did he accept? There has to be some reason because it would be crazy if he just decided to keep me like this for life. The contract doesn't state when exactly the marriage is going to come to an end so..."

   "You are smart and that is really good. And yeah, you are right. He has his reasons but I can't tell you. When the time comes, you will know why and I pray that you will be able to stand the storm."

Okay, that is really scary. 

We wrap up the conversation and exchange phone numbers. I leave the bar, feeling a bit secure about my stance now. 

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NOAH'S POV

I come out of the car, and I am about to slam the door shut when I receive a call from Liam. I answer it and make my way inside.

   "What's up?" I ask him as my eyes search around the living room. Maybe I will see her around, but it is empty.

   "Your wife just left my place." He informs me and I frown.

    "Why is she there?"

    "Hey, chill. She just paid a visit and I wanted to let you know. That is all. Have a good night."

   "I hope you didn't tell her anything."

   "I take confidentiality very seriously, bro. By the way, were you able to change the names on the document completely?"

   "Yeah. I am done with it." I answer as I take a look at the brown envelope that I am holding. I hear footsteps from behind, and I turn to see who it is, and it is no other than her.

   "Alright, we will talk when you come over."

   "Hmm." The call ends. 

   "Good evening," she greets me. I eye her from her head to her toe. I had instructed Beatrice to let her rest for the next week as the doctor said, but she decided to go around, exploring unnecessarily.

   "Where are you coming from?" I ask, ignoring the greeting.

She clears her throat and starts fidgeting. I don't think that she is making her reactions too obvious for someone who wants to tell a lie in the next few seconds.

   "I met with my sister. "

As expected.

   "Hmm," I turn around.

   "How was work?" she quickly asks and I roll my eyes. This has to be Liam's handwork - that goody-two-shoes brat!

   "Why did you ask? Did you intend for it to go bad?" 

   "Not at all, I was just..."

   "I am tired. I need to rest." I walk away, leaving her alone.