Stephan called Elena that morning, at around 7 am and offered that they go out on a dinner together."I can arrange for a flight to the US now," he said, confidently, "and by evening, we're seated at dinner.""C'mon, Steph," she said, trying to laugh, "that's not possible. I'm married now.""And?""My man does all those things." Liam hadn't taken her out since they got married. But he would, only if he wasn't preoccupied with going after her best friend."You know I heard that conversation that night?" Steph said. "And you can no longer lie to me that you're happy in that marriage."Elena's matrimonial defenses emerged. "It's a matter of time. The family's going through some hurdles now. He'll come around.""I don't think he'll completely come around. People don't lose their inborn character just like that. I studied psychology and I know the human temperament too well."There it went again, Elena thought with renewed fear, the suggestion that Liam would never throw away his old life.
Liam set the rum glass down on the counter with a slam."Another," he grunted to the barman.The barman gave him a studying look, probably wondering again what Liam with his flashy Jeep outside was doing in such a lowly bar. He poured him more rum.Liam was on his sixth shot and as he tried to lift the seventh glass to his mouth, the images in his vision collided violently with each other. The glass slipped from his hand to the ground, shattering with a loud sound. The people sitting and standing by stared at him. It wasn't often that a man who had the look of a billionaire would come to such a bar and break tumblers. They began to whisper amongst themselves. Someone took out their phone to record the scene.The barman muttered something under his breath and trudged over to clean the mess up. Liam just sat there, staring at his fingers. They were reddish at the tips.He was aware of the attention around. He knew the barman was saying something to him, but Liam couldn't get himself to
"You can stop here, please," Elena said to Luke. "I can walk in on from here."He smirked. "You don't want your family asking me personal questions, I get?"Elena laughed even though nothing was hilarious about it. She just didn't want to be seen in a fancy car anymore. Chelsea would surely pick up a like of argument from it later on. "Of course you'll talk to us like that," she'd say, "after all, you came in a million dollars car.""Thank you," Elena said and climbed out. A glance at her wristwatch showed it was 7:30 am. She figured she did arrive early enough.She gave Luke a little nod as he reversed and drove away. She stood still for a while, collecting her breath and mind. After months of not seeing her stepsisters, what did they have in store for her? Would they attack her physical looks first? Elena didn't think there was anything wrong with her own looks. Rosa had said she was thinner, but that was a lie.Anyway, whatever they came up with, Elena believed she could handle it
"Thank you," Elena said, taking the mug from her. The scent of the coffee was very calming. She sipped and shut her eyes a bit to take in the feeling. The bittersweet taste left a satisfying residue on her tongue. "Thanks," she said again. "I needed that.""Father mentioned that you had got married to Liam Hemsworth, CEO, EliteCorp," Jennifer said after they'd settled down. Her face held no expression and her voice sounded bland. Was she admiring? Or being spiteful?"Yes, I did. It's kinda bad none of you were close enough to attend." Elena chose her words carefully. Even the slightest wrong use of a general idiom could spell trouble.Jennifer shrugged. "It was what it was. But I'm glad it was a success. You have a good eye, I must say."Compliments from people like Jennifer are nothing but gems. "Thank you, dear," Elena said. It was a good thing their father hadn't told them anything related to the real circumstance behind that marriage.There ensued an awkward silence as Elena hunte
Liam stared at the chubby young woman as she approached him. She had the expression of one who was ready for a fight. "Wait a minute," she said to him. "Who do you think you are in the first place to order us like that? Who? Please tell me." Liam watched her spread hands, and for a split second imagined what it'd be like to tear through her with a ferocious kick to her bowels. That would really be an epic way to shut her up and exert who was in charge here. He saw Chris moving towards her. Beside him was a female bodyguard, who Liam had just met and shook hands with. "Now, ma'am," the female guard said, "you'd have to keep your voice down and get into the car with us." Liam saw Elena still perched in the middle of all this, her face knotted in worry. Liam still couldn't believe Elena would do such a thing as fund embezzlement. Even if she would, how? Well, the investigation would tell. "You don't tell me when to shut up or keep talking!" the plump lady shouted, slapping off the
The cars were mostly limousines and Hummers, jet black, and dashing in their brilliant reflection of the sun. The tinted windows also reflected the sun's harsh rays, making it impossible to see the faces of the people inside.Liam lost count of the cars that rolled into the large compound. None of them went into the garage, but lined up neatly on the large expanse of the yard. His father had really gathered these people! After about a minute of rest, the doors began to open, one after the other. The first set of people to alight were the bodyguards. They were quite intimidating. Liam was slightly amused as the guards' eyes scanned the surroundings for any threat.It was clear that his uncles were accustomed to being protected, and took their security very seriously. Even in Liam's house the guards thought there could be some danger. Marvelling.The guards lined themselves each beside the car, and as though on a cue, they opened the doors at the same time.From the cars, they emerged,
"Bugs, ma?" Elena asked, laughing uneasily. But Mrs Rebecca was not laughing. "I could not possibly have bugs." "There's only one way to find out, right?" This time, she smiled, but it was a dead smile. "Come, I'll do the honors myself." Elena glanced at Jennifer, desperately seeking support, whatever way it would come. Elena wanted Jennifer to take one look at her and notice that she indeed had a bug crawling under the neck of her blouse. Then to help her. Distract the process, whatever. But Jennifer was far too distant to understand. Rosa would have attempted. "Why do you hesitate?" Rebecca asked, her voice having an edge of impatience and suspicion. Elena turned back to her. "It's just that, it's so strange." She then laughed and spread her arms to be searched. What would be would be. What would be, for sanity sake, would freaking be. The older woman smiled now, and stepped forward to meet Elena. The hall was thrown into silence. Elena had the feeling that the people in the ha
Liam didn't speak immediately. He sized Mr Paul up. The man was breathing through his mouth now, glowering up at Liam, his lips twitching in anger. "You should know your place, Mr Paul," Liam finally said. "Because you were allowed into our family doesn't mean you can say whatever and do whatever you want, especially towards my wife." "I am a part of this family now," Paul snarled. "I have just as much rights as you fucking do. Even more, because I am older! Have you no respect, Liam? Insulting me in front of these strangers!" He turned desperately to Liam's father. "You're seeing this, right?" "Liam," his father said, slowly, "get out of this place now." Liam didn't look at his father; his gaze was on Mr Paul. Before he married Mrs Rebecca, Mr Paul had been nothing but a struggling photographer, thin and scrawny. And then Mrs Rebecca had found him, brushed him up and somehow convinced Liam's grandfather that he could be a "profitable" son in-law. "Liam, I spoke to you," his fath