Chapter 8

The loud banging on her door startled Elena awake, and she jumped up in bed, her heart pounding with fear and shock. When her youngest step-sister, Jessica, barged into the room and shook her vigorously, Elena's eyes widened in confusion. "What's going on? Why did you wake me up like this?" she asked, her voice trembling.

Jessica's eyes were wide with excitement as she blurted out, "There's a guest waiting for you outside! A really important guest!"

Elena's eyebrows furrowed in suspicion as she followed Jessica's lead and got out of bed. She cautiously walked to the window and peeped through the curtains. Her breath caught in her throat when she saw a convoy of sleek black Ferrari cars parked in front of her house. The sight sent shivers down her spine, and she could feel her heart racing even faster.

As if on cue, her phone rang, and she rushed to the nightstand to pick it up. She hurried to the nightstand and picked it up, seeing Liam's name on the caller ID. Her hands trembled as she answered the call.

Liam's voice came through the phone, authoritative and demanding. "Elena, you have five minutes to get dressed and meet me downstairs immediately."

Elena's eyes widened in horror at the abrupt and intimidating command. She felt her stomach churn with anxiety, knowing that she had no choice but to comply. Her mind raced, trying to figure out what Liam wanted, especially after the heated confrontation they had the previous day.

Trying to buy some time, Elena stammered, "Uh, Liam, what is this about? Why do I need to meet you now?"

"You dumbass! I told you that I do not tolerate lateness yet you made me drive all the way to your house to take you to the airport. Don't keep me waiting, I'm not your chauffeur!" Liam fired back harshly, leaving no room for argument.

Elena's heart skipped a bit as she suddenly remembered Liam's business trip to Thailand. She checked the time and it was a few minutes past 9 am.

"Fuck!" She cursed under her breath as she quickly ended the call and took a deep breath to steady her nerves. She knew she had no choice but to face Liam, whatever the consequences may be.

Immediately after the call with Liam ended, Elena's heart raced with anxiety. She knew she had little time to prepare, so she quickly rushed into the bathroom and took a quick bath, trying to compose herself amid the whirlwind of emotions.

Scrambling around her room, she picked out a matching navy blue suit and trousers, hoping to make a strong impression. She picked up her purse and her international passport from her bedside drawer. 

Hastily dressing up, she grabbed her bag and made her way downstairs. Liam's bodyguards were waiting at the door, ready to whisk her away to wherever he desired. They opened the door for her, and Elena quickly climbed into the car, settling down beside Liam.

Her breath hitched in her throat as Liam's piercing eyes scanned her outfit. She felt the bore of his scrutiny, unsure of what he was thinking. The silence between them was suffocating, leaving her feeling vulnerable and on edge.

Without a word to Elena, Liam issued his command to the driver. "Drive us to the airport." His voice was cold as ice and his face held a blank expression.

The driver nodded in response, and the convoy of black Ferrari cars began to move. As the car started moving, a sinking feeling washed over Elena as she suddenly realized that she hadn't packed any clothes for the unexpected trip. She couldn't believe she had forgotten such an essential detail. 

Panic settled in, and she quickly turned to Liam, trying to find a solution. "Liam, we need to stop the car. I forgot to pack some clothes," Elena said, her voice tinged with fear.

Liam glanced at her momentarily, his gaze cold and indifferent, before returning his attention to the screen of his phone. The uneasy silence that followed only added to Elena's anxiety.

He finally responded, his voice cool and detached. "I dislike people who are tacky and thoughtless. You should have been prepared for this trip," he said dismissively.

Elena was taken aback by his harsh words. She had never encountered such arrogance and callousness before, and it left her feeling flustered and frustrated. Before she could say anything, Liam cut her off again, refusing to entertain her request.

"Get a new set of clothes when we arrive in Thailand," he said with an air of superiority as if her discomfort was of no concern to him.

Irritation and anger simmered within Elena as she felt belittled and controlled by Liam's domineering attitude. She heaved a sigh of frustration, unable to comprehend why her father had put her in this situation with such an arrogant man, but she knew arguing with him would be futile. She was at his mercy and had no choice but to comply with his wishes.

In an attempt to find some semblance of sanity in the situation, Elena decided to reach out to her best friend, Rosa. She took out her phone and quickly composed a text, letting Rosa know about the urgent and unexpected travel.

With the text sent, Elena leaned back in her seat, feeling a mixture of irritation and resignation. Liam's cocky and arrogant display of wealth grated on her nerves, but she knew she had to keep her emotions in check for now.

As the convoy of cars pulled up at the airport, the bodyguards quickly sprang into action, opening the doors for Elena and Liam. Stepping out of the car, they made their way toward the entrance of the airport. Elena couldn't help but notice the side glances and stares from people around them. The presence of the convoy and the attention it attracted were enough to draw curious looks from passersby.

However, it wasn't just the convoy that drew attention. Elena couldn't deny that the ladies at the airport couldn't help but be taken in by Liam's striking features and commanding presence. He was dressed impeccably, exuding an air of confidence that seemed to captivate those around him. His attire was a sharp and elegant black suit, tailored to perfection, with a crisp white shirt underneath and a dark tie. His dark, intense eyes and well-groomed appearance seemed to make him stand out in a crowd.

Elena glanced over her shoulder and noticed the women practically drooling over Liam, who seemed to be reveling in the attention. The sight irritated her, knowing that he enjoyed the admiration and used it to his advantage without a care.

As they made their way through the airport, Liam seemed unfazed by the attention, almost as if he expected it. His steps were purposeful and composed as if he were used to being in the spotlight. Elena couldn't help but scoff at his arrogant display, her irritation growing.

At the checking-in point, their passports were promptly confirmed, and they were directed to their private plane. The luxury of their travel arrangements didn't escape Elena's notice. 

It was clear that Liam was accustomed to the finer things in life, and she felt like an outsider, thrust into a world of extravagance she wasn't prepared for. Elena's frustration grew, as she felt like a mere accessory to Liam's grand display of wealth and allure. 

As Liam and Elena settled into the luxurious interior of the private plane, Elena couldn't help but gasp in awe. The luxuriousness of the private plane was a stark contrast to the usual business-class cabins she was accustomed to. The plush seats, elegant décor, and spacious layout made her feel a bit lightheaded and overwhelmed.

As they settled into their seats, Elena couldn't help but notice the flirtatious smiles the air hostesses directed at Liam. It disgusted her to see how they fawned over him, seemingly charmed by his wealth and charm.

Elena tried to ignore the attention Liam was receiving. It irked her to see how he seemed to revel in the attention, and she rolled her eyes in disgust. She felt like an outsider in this world of luxury and privilege, an unwilling participant in Liam's grand display of wealth.

As the plane prepared for takeoff, the chief air hostess, an elegant woman in her early forties, approached Liam and Elena with a warm smile. She seemed friendly and familiar with Liam as if they had known each other for years.

"Are you both comfortable?" the chief air hostess asked, her voice gentle and inviting.

Elena managed a smile and nodded, not wanting to show her discomfort. The chief air hostess seemed to pay special attention to Liam, engaging him in conversation as though they were old friends. Elena watched them curiously, wondering about their connection.

The air hostess then turned to Liam, her gaze curious. "And who is this lovely lady?" she inquired.

Elena's heart skipped a beat, unsure of how Liam would respond. She had no intention of revealing their true relationship, considering the situation was forced upon her. 

But to her astonishment, Liam replied without hesitation, "This is my wife, Elena."