Chapter Fourteen

As we went on with our lunch, Liam continued to engage Mia and Riley in a conversation. The two girls were clearly entertained judging by the laughter and giggles they made. I watched how he effortlessly made the girls happy. Even if it was for a moment, I was glad to watch Mia happy. I was mesmerized at how Liam connected with my daughter even at their first introduction.

I was surprised by his kindness and genuine interest in getting to know Mia, they were qualities I hadn't expected from someone I had just met. I felt good for his presence at that moment even if it was a chance encounter. I couldn't help but Wonder if everyone in the city was as kind-hearted as Liam.

“Ladies, I hope you enjoyed”, Liam said as he wiped his mouth with a tissue.

“ Thank you so much for the lunch Mr. Liam”.

“You are welcome Miss Emily, I think we should leave now before we get late”, he said as he pushed back his chair from the table, his legs scraping against the floor as he rose from his seat.

“Let's go Mia”, Riley said as she held Mia's hand and the two ran off towards Liam.

As we rode in the car, Riley and Mia continued to chat comfortably, you could easily tell how much they had bonded. Liam just kept laughing at the conversation that the kids had, while I was just seated, admiring how happy Mia looked.

“Are you sure you two just met, because I am confused to where you're getting all your conversations from”, Liam asked as he turned his gaze and looked at Riley and Mia who were deep into conversation. His face lit up with a playful grin as he laughed jokingly.

“Daddy, where are we going?”, Riley asked.

“We are going to find Mia a school”, Liam replied.

“Daddy let's take Mia to my school, I want to be with Mia”.

“ Oh yeah”, Liam's brow furrowed in concentration and then his face cleared as a new thought occurred to him, “You have a point Riley, your school is really nice, Mia would like it, why didn't I think about that earlier. “ Miss Emily, how about we take Mia to Riley's school.

“Oh no…no…”, I stammered.

It's not that I didn't like the two girls studying together, but judging by everything, Liam seemed to be a wealthy man, so Riley's school would probably be expensive. There was no way I could afford it for Mia.

Liam scrunched up his face, asking “Huh?, why?Don't you like them being together?.

“No, that's not the case”, I said, my voice shaking and my tone heavy with sorrow.

“Ooh, I see, don't worry Miss Emily, it's quite far but the school has a bus, they can pick up and drop off Mia everyday”, Liam said.

“Please no”, I responded, my words tumbling out in a rush.

“Please Auntie”, Riley insisted, her expression was one of abject sadness.

“Please mummy, I don't have any friends, please let me be with Riley”, Mia begged too.

“I am sorry Mia”, my eyes dropped as I said, with a soft and calm tone, “I know how much you want to go to Riley's school, but it may be too expensive for us”.

Mia's face fell, revealing a deep sadness, her small shoulders slumping in disappointment. “I am sorry baby, maybe someday we will find a way but not now”.

“Hey, don't cry kiddo”, Liam said, noticing the tears welling up in Mia's eyes. “How about I help you out with your tuition? he asked, with a warm smile spreading across his face.

Mia's face widened in surprise, “Really uncle Liam”, she said as her gaze grew wider, her eyes taking on a look of astonishment.

“Liam you can't ... .that's too much “, I protested.

Liam pulled over the car and parked. “I want to do something for you, helping with Mia's tuition is nowhere compared to the fact that you saved my daughter. Perhaps Riley couldn't be here if it wasn't for you, please let me repay your kindness”.

“Liam….”

“Mia deserves the best education possible, and I would be happy to make that happen”, he continued, his tone low and serious.

I gazed at Liam, utterly astonished by how someone I just met could be willing to do so much for me and my daughter. My heart swell with emotion and my mind slipped into the past. Memories I thought I had forgotten resurfaced, I remembered the countless times I had tried to make Harrison love and care for Mia, but it was all in vain. Yet now a total stranger is willing to do everything for her, my eyes dropped, my lashes veiling the hurt that still lingered.

“I don't know what to say”, my voice cracked with emotion.

“ You don't have to say anything, Just let me help Mia”.

I knew Liam’s offer was out of generosity and kindness, but I didn't want to take advantage of that. I couldn't shake off the feeling of being dependent, not again. This time I wanted to be independent, I wanted to live differently, not depending on anyone.

“Okay, I will accept your offer but on a condition”.

“ Anything you say”, Liam replied, eagerly waiting for what I had to say.

“You will only pay Mia's tuition as a loan, I will certainly pay back every single penny once I get a job”.

Liam stared at me without saying a word and smiled, “Why are you smiling? I asked.

“ Nothing, I am actually just surprised, You are the first person I have ever met that doesn't want to be offered help for free. You are really different”, Liam replied, with a tone full of amusement. “Wait you don't have a job”.

“ I am currently looking for one”.

“What are your qualifications”, he continued.

I hesitated, unsure how to respond, “I didn't further my education”, my tone was infused with deep feeling, emotion resonated through my words.

Liam's eyes narrowed, like he couldn't believe what I had just said. We both went silent for a moment.

“So what kind of jobs are you looking for”, he broke the silence with a question.

“Any kind of job, as long as I will get paid”.

Our conversation was interrupted by an incoming call. “Yes please, okay I will be there, give me ten minutes”, Liam said to the other person on the call.

“Am sorry Miss Emily but I have to go”, he said as he put his phone in his pocket,

”It's okay”, I replied.

“Can you please give me your phone number, we shall discuss more over the phone”.

“I don't have a personal phone”, I replied, voice low and calm.

Liam didn't say a word, but his expression spoke volumes. “Okay, is it okay if I drop by at your place in case I need to reach you, because I know your address, I still have it saved”, his voice was laced with a joking laughter as he said.

“Okay”, a laugh escaped my lips as I replied.

“Okay, so Riley let's drop off Mia, You will meet her on Monday at school right”, he said as he returned his hands on the steering wheel.

“Yeeee, Mia we are going at the same school”, her voice bubbled with excitement as she said.