After a while, Sam and Grant talked while Clark and I walked to the restroom but stopped by the entrance. We were in the hall with each person passing by until there wear no more."Lily, what's going on?" Clark suddenly asks, his arms crossed over his chest, staring at me.I looked away and pursed my lips. "Nothing is wrong," I said. "Why do you ask?""I asked because you were so in love with Liam, and suddenly you are dating someone who isn't Liam. What happened during Thanksgiving?""Nothing." I was baffled and then sighed. "Liam and I had our difference and decided to drift apart.""What about the engagement? I specifically remembered that you and Liam are-""Fake.""What?" Clark's voice was stern."The fiancé with Liam was all a fake, an act to get me out of my prior engagement with Kareem. Odin planned it out and with Liam's proposal that our relationship is nothing but an act."Clark pinched the bridge of his nose where his nice frame was pushed up. "So, all this time, you and L
It's hard to let go of someone you love when that person has to be my lab partner today.Bio sucks, all my AP classes suck, but I needed the credit. AP Biology is the worst, and my partner had food poisoning. So, Mrs. Granger had me pair up with the one person I wanted to avoid at all costs, and he felt the same.Liam was alone too, and his partner was Chase Abbott, who was absent too with an unknown excuse.So, sarcastically today is my lucky day.I'm so fucked.Luckily, though, today's lab is the last day dissecting a frog. This class has been nothing but a butchering class instead because all we ever did through this year was dissecting from cats, pigs, and rats - which I almost threw up every time the insides were shown. I had to excuse myself to puke out in the restroom and return as if I had a weak stomach. In truth, I have a living being making me feel like this.It's almost a week before the cruise, and I'm having second thoughts. Ever since Grant learned about everything invo
Sydney sighed. "Well, the cat is out of the bag. Thanks, Lily."I bit my lips. "I-I'm sorry.""Liam, I'm a guy. But I'm gay, but I also like girls, so I'm bisexual. Why do you think I tried to get close to you, Lily."My face flushed as I remembered his encounters and how much he flirted with me when I first joined the club. I thought he was being nice.Liam stayed silent until he managed to speak. "But your name is Sydney, and your boobs are real...right?""My parents named me Sydney because I was conceived in Sydney, Australia. Although it sounds like a girl, they gave me the name. And as for my boobs, transplant." Sydney cupped her breast. "Took me years to pay off the operation. Just waiting for the next."Liam gagged and cleared his throat, not wanting to be discriminating and disgusted, until he covered his mouth. "Give me a second." Then dash to the nearest restroom.""Sydney, I'm sorry." I looked down. "I didn't mean to yell out your secret. I just-""Don't get so worked up ab
"How do you like your steak?"I snapped my eyes up at Dad and frowned once he smiled."Finally, got your attention," he said. "I was beginning to think you have become deaf. What is the matter, Lily-pad? Ever since we arrived at the mall, you've been dozing off in La La Land, which I want to watch again because of Ryan Gosling."I inwardly rolled my eyes.Yesterday, Dad decided for us to have a mother-daughter bond. It was a good idea. I can buy things for the cruise, but instead, we stop at The Children's Place to shop for baby stuff before the arrival of my child in six months or less, and dad wants to be prepared.Papa has already made one of the rooms we use for storage into a nursery room for the baby. He started working on it two days ago, constructing it, removing all unnecessary things and will begin the painting soon.I only agreed to go because of shopping for the cruise, but we are here looking at newborn onesies."Oh my god, this one is cute," Dad held up a blue onesie wit
The wait is here. I stared in awe at the massive cruise ship, and I'll spend my time there for one week. I let my arms wide open and smelled the ocean breeze. Although it's not refreshing, I didn't care. After I told Grant everything about the fake marriage with Liam, I didn't tell him who set up this outfit. Grant was understanding but also worried that I'd be hurt, and I had to spend one week with my fake fiancé in front of my grandparents. I reassured him nothing wrong would happen. Liam and I had an agreement. So, right after school was done for winter break, Liam and I would have to fly to Miami to get on our cruise. As I said my goodbyes to my parents, Dad bawling his eyes out once again, Papa had to comfort him. Then he set his sights on Liam once he arrived with Effie and Logan in the car and shot baleful glares at him as a warning. Arriving at the LAX airport, I said my goodbyes to Effie, giving her a tight hug and a light one to Logan. Liam did the same, kissing my best f
"Lily, my dear, it's so good to see you again," Seema gently pulled me into her embrace and squeezed me as we took our seats at the table."Good to see you too, Nana," I said with much force, greeting my grandparents, whom I hadn't seen since they stayed in town to get to know their long-lost granddaughter."Liam, you are looking handsome every day," Seema giggled and flirted at the same time, and during that time, I clicked my tongue.Handsome, my ass.He's more than handsome. Liam looks like one of those hot-built models in my Dad's magazines that he would leave lying around.Liam, to me, is a perfection of a god.But what ticked me off is how this jerk forgot what I asked yesterday, allowing me to starve myself and let me eat all my secret stash. I overdosed on chocolate. I couldn't even get angry at him with a food coma on sweets I had. I threw up the following day.I received a text from Seema to have breakfast with them at the dining hall, and thinking of eating made me a bit si
The restaurant is known as The Syren, one of the most famous and expensive restaurants on the cruise. The reviews on Yelp told me how good their foods are and that there is an orchestra and a dance floor to enjoy classical music. Not only that, but the inside is as if you entered the Victorian era. They have high ratings. I was curious about what the restaurant looked like.I put on a white dress, large to hide the bump from people with sharp eyes to see in the restaurant, black flats, and a beige cardigan in case the dress wasn't enough coverage, the baby bump is recognized, and I could use the cardigan to hide it as well.Liam was dressed up nicely, wearing a dark blue dress shirt that seemed almost too tight on him and jeans to go with the look. I caught the eyes of plenty of girls around swooning over him, and it pisses me off that I look like his younger sister, thinking she's a princess.We met up with my grandparents as the waiter led us to the table, and as soon we approached,
I woke up with the urge to pee. I stir on the bed, feeling a weight around my stomach, preventing me from leaving. Looking over my shoulder, I found Liam spooning my body on the bed behind me. I didn't realize how we got into this position, but I remembered how I ended up sleeping on the same bed as him. I searched around the room as it was already nighttime. I looked at my phone and saw the time; it was past three.How long did we sleep like this?Not that I'm complaining. Sleeping with Liam on the same bed made me giggle like a puppy love middle schooler.Then I saw the missed calls and unread texts from Effie, Clark, and my parents, all wondering how the first day on the cruise was. I will reply to them tomorrow. As of right now, I can not.As smoothly and slowly as not to try to wake Liam, I carefully removed his arm and went to the bathroom. Once I returned, my eyes adjusted to the dark room, and a hint of moonlight shone on the bed. Liam had his back turn; I went the other way
I open the door after the first ring and pull up a curve smile wide enough to greet Grandma Birdie standing at the doorstep. "Oh, my little Lily," Grandma Birdie squeezed my face and kissed the side of my face. "After giving birth, you became more beautiful than ever." "Oh, stop it, Grandma," I blush. "Congratulations on graduating high school. Here for you and Effie," she hands me a gift bag. "It's something you both desperately need." "What is it?" "Open it later," she winks and walks towards the family room as she yells. "Wayne, Nicky, oh, and my baby boy Ramsey. Come to Gram Gram." I watch her get Ramsey from Dad and shower him with love. I pull up a grin before Effie comes to my side. "Oh, Birdie is here." "Yeah." Looking down at the bag. "So, what did she get you?" Effie asks, looking over my shoulder. "Us," I correct her. "Me too? Well, can I see?" "I was planning on opening it when my grandma or anybody isn't around," I say. "I got an uneasy feeling the gift won't b
Liam and I couldn't wait.He drove fast with the family's CRV and took us to his house. We were frantic that his brothers, Effie, or the others would notice, but we didn't care. I'm worried about leaving Ramsey with his grandparents, especially Seema. Rahul reassured me that she would not harm my child. If she does, I would have to bitch slap her. Liam abruptly stops on the side, never caring to park in the driveway. He got out first, as I already unhook the seatbelt. He opened my door and pulled me out as he closed the door. Liam locks the car while he holds my hand, unlocking the front door, he checks around the house to see if anybody is home as if we are about to make a heist, and when it is all clear, we run upstairs into his room.Liam shut the door and locked it. While he did that, I was already removing my clothes, and as soon as I pulled my shirt. Liam cups the fabric of my bra on my breast and kisses my neck.I moan from his touch—the urge and hunger I wanted so badly from
"Thank you for coming, Lily. After that fiasco at the supermarket, you wouldn't want to see me again.""I didn't have a choice since you said my great-grandfather is here to see me."She seems close the door as I'm inside her home. I had Liam drive me here before he went with the guys and picked me up later. Seema texted me last night and told me her dad, my great-grandfather, is flying here to L. A and wanted to see me.I don't know why since I'm not close to him, but my mother would have wanted me to meet him. At first, I didn't want to because of Seema, but knowing and meeting."You didn't bring you...son," she says as if Ramsey is a parasite. I clench my hands, and so help me want to slap her. I refrain and posture myself."He is with his father, bonding," I tell her with a sour face. "I will ask Liam to bring him here to meet his great-great-grandfather. But he will contract some disease if he sees you."Seema gasps shockingly. "How dare you talk like that? I would have slapped y
I hum a lullaby while I rock Ramsey to sleep. The boys are outside while the girls are inside binge-watching Grey's Anatomy.Soft knocks on the door as Effie enters the nursery, shuts the door and tiptoes her way to the couch across from me."Zara asleep?"She nods. "After her bottle, she fell asleep. Playing with her uncle wore her out.""I never notice how big she is getting." I chuckle, looking down at my sleeping Prince. "The first time I saw her, she was tiny.""Zara is a big eater."We both laugh but stop when Ramsey stirs in his sleep. I rise from the rocking chair and place my son in his crib. I did not want to leave his side. Leaving him and being apart from my son makes a part of my soul crumble. Is this what being a mom feels like? Is this how my mother felt when she left me?"Grandpa told me everything," Effie says. "To think that the man who destroyed Liam's adolescence is your father. Your real father."A sense of pity filled in Effie's words as she mentioned, 'My fathe
"Are you going to be okay, Lily-pad?"I only smile. "I'll be fine, Dad. Liam, Effie, and the gang are coming for a sleepover.""It's weird that boys will be joining a slumber party.""Don't worry," I assure him. "Some of us are studying for finals while the rest will hang out with the babies."Dad pouts while Papa passes by with luggage.I turn Dad's body around and push him out the door towards the truck. "You don't want to wait another day because I'm going home alone.""But-""No buts, you and Papa bought the tickets ahead of time, and you finally get to watch Mariah Carey in Vegas.""But, babykins-" Dad's pouting level up."Papa, a little help here."Papa Wayne closed the trunk and carried Dad like a princess putting him inside the car, putting on the seatbelt, and shutting the door."Thanks, Papa," I beam and kissed the big man.He pats my head and smiles. "You guys behave. No partying and no alcohol. Especially alcohol. Who knows what you guys will be doing drunk.""Yes, Daddy."
Odin nod to Mr. Nobile and then walks inside the interrogation room. The guard standing outside the room closes the door. I count four more police guards standing in each corner of the room.We sat down and sat there. None of us said a word to each other. Devin, looking like a homeless guy, just kept staring at us. He scoffs, sniffles, then coughs a laugh once he lands his eyes on Odin."It's been a long time, Odin," Devin says with a malicious grin.Odin slams his hand on the table and rises, pointing the finger at Devin. "I should have killed you when I had the chance."I try to calm him down by putting him back on his chair. For an old man, he's strong."But you didn't, did you?" Devin taunts Odin. "You couldn't kill your brother, can you?"My eyes shot wide open, looking at Devin to Odin. "Brother?""You are no brother of mine.""Of course," Devin lean back against his chair, still grinning. "We grew up in the same neighborhood. Well, you had a family, and I didn't. I stayed in th
After two days of being discharged from the hospital, I was instructed to stay home for a few more days. I can't go to school yet because I just recovered from being shot and had been cut open to give birth to my baby boy, except I can attend graduation. I had homework delivered to my house from either Liam, Effie, or Clark. Sometimes Logan and the brothers. Even Jordan, personally.They just wanted to make sure Ramsey and I were okay. Liam especially. He debated whether to stay home and take care of me. But rumors of the birth of my son spread at school. They already knew I was pregnant, and Liam was the father. The students are just all talking.My parents went out, so it's just me in the house with my baby. I stand before my mirror and lift my shirt to reveal the surgical line cut open to bring my son out. It's healing slowly, and it doesn't hurt. I trace my finger over the line, just staring at myself. I was on the brink of death after experiencing such a horrible event with Devin
"So, what happened to Devin?" I ask Liam, who is on his lap, fast-moving his fingers on the keyboard. Studying in a hospital room can be peaceful, but it sucks I could get out just yet.I forgot about asking about Devin but at the same time. I didn't care. However, I wonder what happened to him once he made a hit-and-run scheme. This topic has been bothering me since Liam came to visit.Liam looks up. "The coast guard captured him before he crossed to Mexico."That's a relief."So, he's in prison.""Odin and his lawyers gave the court all the evidence on Devin. Charged with kidnapping, charged with rape with a minor, charged with human trafficking, charged with the possession of drugs, charged with attempted murder, and the list goes on and on. He has a long list of charges that will make him stay in prison till the day he dies." He then looks at me then furrows his brows. "Why are you asking about him?"I look down at the study guide for math with a problem that is half-solved. "Liam
It felt like I had died and been brought back to life for a long time. God didn't want me to leave this world just yet. After my conscience met my mother for the first time, I felt a dream. Some supernatural shit like when a hero failed to save the world, they would meet someone who never wants them to give up and gives a second chance.It seemed like forever, but I finally opened my eyes. It was a blur until I focused on the bright light above me. Was this the light that brought me back?I hear soft snores beside me, and my hand cupped into something warm and familiar. Slightly turn my head and lift the corner of my lips into a somewhat weak grin.With his head on the side of the bed, Liam uses his arm as a pillow while the other holds my hand. He is sleeping soundly; I don't want to wake him. My whole body is stiff and in pain. I look up and see a female nurse enter the room. We made eye contact, and quickly shaking my head, I eyed my sleeping prince.She understood my gesture and m