*Vivienne*“Stay here,” I told Eric the moment we arrived at the spa. “You can go out or something, you don't really have to hang around.”Eric merely unbuckled his seatbelt and said, “After you, ma'am.”I sighed, already feeling exasperated this early morning. I caught his eyes in the rearview mirror and arched a brow at him. “Did you not hear anything that I just said?” I questioned him.He nodded curtly. “I did, ma'am,” he answered with a firm voice. “And my job is to protect you and that's what I'm going to do.”Feeling like I was already fighting a losing battle, I just rolled my eyes and got out of the car, all the while muttering something about stubborn bodyguards under my breath. But the moment I entered the building, I was brought up short by the sight of Tara, Penny and Nick huddled around the front desk talking in hushed tones. I wasn't bothered in any way by the sight since the spa won't open for another hour and I was already used to seeing them congregated and gossipi
*Liam*My mind has been all over the place for the past three days that I could barely manage to focus on anything. I sighed continuously for over an hour as I tried to focus on some paperwork from the foundation. Next, I tried reading a few lines from my current script but couldn't assimilate anything. Finally giving up, I decided to drop by one of our orphanages, maybe a smile from one of those little angels would help get me back on track. I notified Ryder and got there before him. One hour into my visit, I was already grinning from ear to ear as I reconnected with my little friends. However, that feeling was fleeting and every now and then, I remembered what day it was today. I sneaked a quick glance at my watch just as Ryder whispered into my ears, “We have to get going, Liam. It will only be a matter of time before this place is flooded with the paparazzi and reporters.” I have this unspoken rule about not letting any paparazzi take any photo of me while I was on any visit
*Vivienne*You know that moment when you start doubting your earlier decision and are now suddenly skeptical about why you had to do it?That was the moment that I am currently in and it sure wasn't easy. My heart was hammering in my chest and I was sure I was much closer to hyperventilating than I have ever been. “Ma'am?” Eric's voice jolted me back to the present and my eyes snapped up to his face in the rearview mirror. “Are you okay?” he asked. I swallowed long and hard. “Of course, I am,” I answered him. My sudden nerves had nothing to do with the fact that I was attending a Pryce event but everything to do with the fact that I was probably mistaken and jumped into this mess with any forethought. Was it too late to head back to the house?But if I do, I would still have so many unanswered questions which would only prolong this situation with Liam. I have successfully avoided him for the past three days, but I don't know how long I will be able to continue pulling that stun
*Vivienne*My eyes slowly shifted to her fingers and zoomed in on the giant diamond ring that I hadn't noticed before — this woman must be obsessed with everything diamond. I gradually arched my brows as I brought my eyes back to her heavily made up face. “Did you follow me here?”In my defense, there was surely no way we would have entered this place with just a few minutes' intervals. She paused and languidly recapped her lipstick. “You flatter yourself too much, Vanessa,” she said. I rolled my eyes. “Vivienne,” I corrected her even though I somehow knew she called me that on purpose. She waved me off with a tiny twist of her wrist. “Whatever,” she snorted and threw a glance around us. “This is the ladies restroom if I'm not mistaken. It's quite impertinent of you to assume I followed you in here like some sort of a stalker.”I tilted my head to the side. “You live here, don't you?” I asked. “You could have easily used your private bathroom instead.”Her eyes clashed with mine i
*Vivienne*“Liam?” the feminine voice called and my head swiveled towards it's direction. My eyes landed on a group of women standing a few meters away but what really caught my eye was the waspy-looking woman with wavy brownish-blond bob hair that came down to her neck. She was dressed in a flowing, soft cream dress that showed off her lithe, ballerina-like frame while an expensive looking necklace adorned her neck. She looked distinctly familiar like I was directly staring at someone I knew personally. But, it was only when I eventually looked into her green eyes that it hit me.“That's your mom, right?” I asked even though I didn't expect any answer. He doesn't have to confirm it when it is glaringly obvious. It was like I was staring at an older feminine version of Liam. The air that they both gave off is one that unmistakably spoke volumes of their sense of authority and refinement. I shifted my glance to the other women as they openly gaped at Liam. “Liam, you came!” anothe
*Vivienne*“Or else what?” she retorted, her eyes blazing with challenge. “You will kill me off like you killed your past girlfriends? Or worse still, like you killed dad?”Wait… what?Dumbfounded, my slightly wide eyes traveled back to Liam just in time to see his face shift, a shadow crossing his features. It was like a light had flickered out. The vibrant energy that usually surrounded him dimmed, leaving only a fragile silence where warmth had been. He stiffened as his jaw clenched tightly. “The fuck did you just say to me?” he asked, a chilling calm in his voice that sent cold chills racing down my spine. And I know Valerie felt his anger too because her bare shoulders tensed, a nervous energy radiating from her. She swallowed hard and lifted her chin in fake bravado. “You heard me,” she muttered. “And I said what I—”“Valerie, that's enough,” Their mother, Mrs. Pryce finally interfered, her sharp tone brooking no argument. Valerie's head shot towards her mother. “But, mother—
*Liam*Feeling an indescribable anger trickling into my veins, I turned away from her and stalked out. Ryder, who was already positioned at a corner sighted me and immediately glided over to my side. “We are leaving already?” he asked, easily stepping up to me and marching my strides. “Yes,” I answered curtly. Ryder darted a look over his shoulder. “And Ms. Reynolds? Are you just going to leave her here?” I faltered in my steps for a moment, the worry etched in his voice nagging at me. And the feeling was valid. “Have Eric come inside to secretly watch over her until she's done here. Then, have him take her home too,” I ordered him as we exited the main front door. “Of course,” he replied and immediately fished out his phone. I stopped and pointed at him. “Also ask some of the Shadows to guard them until they arrive safely at the estate,” I added and when he nodded in reply, I ducked into my car. As I settled into the plush seat, I yanked at my tie and loosened it from my neck
*Liam*Few hours later I am standing on the threshold leading to my house, hands deep in my pocket as I stare at the door. My breath came in shallow bursts, each exhale a whisper of doubt and uncertainty. I shifted my weight from one foot to the other, glancing at the ground as if it held answers. The evening sky dimmed, shadows creeping up the walls of the house, and I rubbed the back of my neck, feeling the tension coil tighter. A faint light flickered through the window, illuminating the silhouette of a figure inside, but it felt like a world away. I reached for the doorknob, fingers trembling slightly, then hesitated, my heart thudding like a distant drum.Fuck! Why the hell am I hesitating?It's my house for crying out loud. I knew it had something to do with our fight earlier today but if I was being honest with myself, I would then say I was ashamed of having to face her again after going off on her like that. Suddenly, the door was yanked open and Mr. Gibbons just stood th