Chapter Twenty One

“Why was she here, never let her in again, understood”, Mr. Liam spat out the words in anger. I could pick up the words even when I was outside.

As soon as their conversation ended, Mr. Liam walked out, he brushed past me without breaking his stride. I slowly walked back in, Miss Sofia was on phone, talking to someone. “Yes please, don't let anyone else meet her, thank you”, she said, and hang up the call.

“Is anything wrong miss Sofia”, I asked politely.

“ No…nothing”, she stammered as her gaze darted away, avoiding eye contact. She walked towards the table and started organizing the documents. “Help me with these, you need to arrange them according to the date and urgency”, she said as she handed some documents over to me.

**************

As the evening unfolded, It was time to leave the company. Not a word was spoken by Mr. Liam during the journey. A shadow of worry crossed his face, evident in his eyes. He didn't seem himself, I sensed something was wrong, but I chose not to intervene. I decided to respect his boundaries, letting him share his feelings in his own time, when he was ready.

We arrived at the mansion in silence, he exited the car and entered the mansion without saying a word. I followed right behind him.

“Did Riley come back from school”, he asked with a tone of urgency as soon as he reached Miss Rosa.

“Yes Sir, she is in her bedroom”, Miss Rosa replied.

He turned away and climbed the stairs towards his bedroom, I followed his footsteps with my gaze as he climbed the stairs. Miss Rosa stood still too, watching him climb the stairs. She moved closer to me, “Did he learn about Miss Camilla”, she asked, concern etched through her voice.

“ How did you know? “, a wondering tone crept into my voice as I asked.

“She is the only person that can make Sir angry like that”, she replied.

“What was it about her that made him hate her so much”, I asked, my inquiry was gentle, infused with a sense of puzzlement.

“It's a long story, I can only tell you one thing, if you don't want to get hurt, never let Miss Camilla close to you, avoid her at all costs, she is dangerous, she is not human, I sometimes wonder whether she is really Riley's mother, those two are so different”, miss Rosa said, her tone laced with emotion.

“What do you mean?”I asked, my tone laced with curiosity.

“You will eventually understand”, Miss Rosa said as she turned away and left.

I was left standing there, confused, my mind struggling to process what miss Rosa had just said. “ What happened here before”, I murmured to myself as I turned alway too, and left.

***********************

“Nora, I need to talk to you about something”, I said as I styled Nora's hair.

“Yes, what is it Emily?” she drew back and turned her gaze towards me.

“Do you remember the last time we were having lunch and the phone rang”.

“ Yes, and Miss Rosa's mood changed after the call”, Nora replied.

“I asked Miss Rosa about it and she said it was Miss Camilla”. I said.

“Who is Camilla”, Nora asked, maintaining her gaze.

“ Miss Rosa told me it's Riley's mother, and today while at the office, Liam's mood changed too as soon as his secretary mentioned to him about Camilla”

“What, why?”, Nora asked, clearly astonished.

“I don't know too”, I replied.

“I have never had anything about Riley's mother, are they still married with Mr. Liam”. Nora asked with a hint of curiosity in her voice.

“I don't know Nora, I have never asked Mr. Liam about his private life, nor has he ever mentioned anything to me”.

“How about you ask him”, she suggested.

“ No…no!, what if he doesn't want to share his private life, he could have told me if he wanted to”.

“But you didn't ask, how could he tell you, try to ask him once and see what he has to say”, Nora insisted.

“I went silent for a moment, reflecting on what Nora had said. “ I will ask him tomorrow”, I replied with a low and soft tone.

*******************

“Good morning Miss Rosa”, I greeted Miss Rosa as soon as she came into sight.

“ Good morning too Miss Emily, your so early today”.

I am a secretary now, I have to be early”, I replied, we both chuckled.

“Where is Mr. Liam”, I asked as I glanced around.

“He is in his office, he woke up so early today”, she replied.

“Has he had breakfast”.

“ Not yet, he hasn't come down, he seems to be very lost in thoughts”.

“It's okay, hand me over his breakfast, I will take it to him”, I said as I stretched out my hands to miss Rosa.

********************

I swung the door open, and my gaze fell on Mr.Liam, seated on his chair, he raised his head up upon hearing the sound of the door, our gazes met.

“Good morning Liam”, I said as I moved closer.

“ Good morning too Emily”, he replied softly.

“Here is your breakfast, Miss Rosa said you haven't had breakfast yet”.

“Thank you Emily”, he said as a faint smile crossed his face. I let out a faint smile too.

His eyes locked onto mine, there was a moment of complete silence. My eyes flashed away, avoiding the intensity of the moment, seeking refuge from the emotional weight.

He rose from his seat and walked towards me, he stepped closer until there was barely any distance between us. My heart started racing again, just like the last time he came this close.

He stared right into my eyes, to the point of making me feel uneasy, there was tension between us, one could easily tell by the way i breathed. “Will you marry me Emily”, Mr. Liam asked, without shifting his gaze.

“ Huh!”, I exclaimed, my eyes widened in shock. “What…”, I stammered, my voice trembling with surprise. My face turned pale with astonishment as I gasped for air.