7: Liam

ALEXANDER

Interesting would be an understatement description of how today has been so far. After the incident in the elevator, I was worried Christian might not be ready to work in such a big establishment, but I was wrong. After our talk, he calmed down and managed to get through the day.

The other thing going through my mind is, he should see a therapist. Though I made it a requirement for him, I still have to consult Elizabeth since she knows better considering their history. After we arrived at home, Christian retreated to his quarters and I went right ahead to the house.

From the door, I could hear Maria and Elizabeth chatting animatedly. The aroma drifting from the kitchen had me drooling. After civilities, I excused myself and headed for a shower before having dinner. As expected, the food was delicious. I requested Elizabeth to take a walk with me in the garden. “I hope everything is okay with Christian, Mr. Alexander,” she said hesitantly after a pensive silence.

“Everything is good, I want us to have a small talk about him.”

“Did he do something? I hope he didn't lose his job on the first day.” She murmured, rubbing her palms on the apron nervously.

“ Not all, he is a brilliant young man and I have no complaints about his job so far.  What I wanted to discuss are his panic attacks.” I selected my words carefully because I didn't want to offend or alarm her.

“Did he have another one?” From her tone, it was obvious she was used to it.

“Is there something you would like to share with me, Elizabeth?” I asked instead, and she looked at me unsure of what to say.  "I want to help if you let me. “

“I was afraid if you knew about his panic attacks, you might change your mind about hiring him.”

“I am not that heartless.”  I countered, offended she thought that lowly of me.

“I am sorry,”

“ Christian will be working closely with me. My job requires a lot of traveling across countries for months straight, depending on my agenda. As my personal assistant, he will take all those trips with me. I need to understand his triggers for such times. “

“He was a victim of bullying in school due to his size…” she had this sad faraway look in her eyes, as she spoke and my heart arched for her.

“ But since his father…. the attacks have become more frequent…”

“Ever considered getting help?” I asked and she nodded.

“ We didn't have money for such expenses, but since I am working now, I will save and send him to the best one, there is.”

“As an employee in my company, he is entitled to medical insurance. I wanted to schedule him an appointment with a good doctor I know, but I needed your opinion on the matter first.” I stopped walking and faced her fully to gauge her reaction.

“We would rather not burden you any further, are you sure?” she asked hopefully

“Yes, I will schedule his appointment earliest if you have no objections. “

“You are an angel sent to us from above, Mr. Alexander. I don't know how to ever repay you.”  She expressed raising her hands to the sky all grateful.

“ I have an early morning tomorrow, we should head back. " We turned and headed back to the house in silence. 

“Goodnight Elizabeth.”

“And you as well, Mr. Alexander”

I was brushing my teeth ready for bed when my phone rang. I grabbed it and my cousin's name was flashing on the screen.  

“Lex…" he sobbed, alarming me instantly.

“ What's wrong, kiddo?”

“ Are you home?” He asked instead,

“ Yeah,” I answered in a rush. “Are you okay?”

“ I am coming over.” He hung up without answering my question and left me disconcerted. He showed up almost thirty minutes later, with his chauffeur in tow.

“ Hey,” I called when he was just a few feet away, Liam rushed into my arms and wrapped his hands on my waist. I draped mine around his shoulders and rubbed his back soothingly. “ Are you okay?” I asked concerned, for it's not every day that Liam pops up in my house this late shaking. He shook his head slowly and stepped back to have a good look at his face.

“ I hate growing up,” He whined, stepping past me and into the house straight to my bedroom. I followed closely and stared at him waiting for more explanation, and he knew it.  "I got accepted in JKUAT,” he announced after a long silence as he discarded his clothes and dug through my closet for sweatpants and T.shirt. I would have told him congratulations on getting into his dream university, but there was something in his expression which stopped me.

“ Aren't you supposed to be happy?” I asked.

“ I would if my dumb boyfriend hadn't left me alone in a goddamned restaurant.” He hissed and jumped right in bed, pulling the duvet over him, leaving me staring at his covered figure.

“ Did he hurt you?” I asked, trying to peel off the duvet so that I could see his face. Liam straightened and leaned on the headboard and let out a deep breath.

“No, but he got Ergeton.”

“ And he wants you to join him,” I surmised

“Yes,” Liam whispered in defeat.

“ Dump his ass. “

“ I love him, Lex. “

“ So?” I scoffed!

“ You won't understand.”  The problem was: I understood more than he thought. I do have first-hand experience with a shitty partner, but I won't point it out because it's not about me.

“ He wants you to change your choice of university for him. That's not okay.”

“ Can we please drop it?” He asked in agitation.

“ No,” I snapped, "This is a huge decision I wouldn't wish for you to do things you might regret later.”

“ He said if roles were reversed he would do it for me, but that is a choice he doesn't have because JK UAT has already filled all football slots.”

I grabbed Liam's shoulders and looked into his undecided golden brown orbs. “ Maybe he does love you, now, but will he always do? Think about that before you rush into anything.” I retracted my hands, slid in the duvet, and laid on the pillow facing the ceiling. Liam is innocent, the kind which would get taken advantage of real fast. He has been sheltered all his life and interacted with less, and I fear this Spencer guy has picked up the fact that Liam is gullible. “Did you agree?” I asked after a while,

“Why do you think he got mad?” Liam retorted shifting closer to me, his motive clear. My reaction was that of a scoff, “Don't.” I warned when he attempted to curl up closer. 

“Perhaps I should sing," he teased, scaring me into doing his bidding because Liam's singing is torture I am not willing to put myself through.

“Come here," I grumbled, yanking him closer to share my pillow. He laughed lightly as I plopped next to him and we both stared at the ceiling. We talked for hours, like we always do when we get together.

Liam's eyes dropped without a warning and his soft snores filled the room, luring me into a deep content sleep I very much needed.