Chapter-3

                                                          Liam

"Goodluck Ms Sayles," I said and gave her a small smile. 

"Thank you, sir," Sofia replied, smiling politely back. I pushed open the door for her and she walked out. Sitting down on my desk, I glanced at the resume lying on my table.

Sofia Anabelle Sayles... Really?

Either I was hallucinating or this was a coincidence to a totally different level. Sofia Sayles, of course! The girl from the club! When she walked in I wasn't that sure about it though because that girl and this girl were quite different.

She was drunk and stupid and totally weird, while this girl was smart, professional and very impressive. But there was absolutely one thing in common that made me sure without even looking at her resume...

Those eyes... I could never forget them. Those beautiful dark eyes that could drive you out of senses with just one look. I smiled as I stared at the picture attached to her resume. This really was a coincidence!

The weirdest thing that happens though is that she didn't even recognise me! Even after everything that happened that night.

How can she not recognize me? 

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                                            Two Days Ago...

"Where the hell are you?" I demanded and it was really a work because of the blaring music in the background. 

"Bro, I am a little struck out here, I will be there in about half an hour" Sean replied. "Sorry!"

"Can you ever be on time?" I grumbled. "Half an hour or I will be gone!"

"Deal!" Sean said. I cut the call and stared around the ditzy club's surrounding. Vixen was Sean's first venture and I must say, the guy did outshine himself. Oh, by the way, Sean was for Sean Green, my best friend.

It was one of the biggest night clubs in New York and very upscale. People were dancing on the floor like zombies, some drunk some still sober. Now, in a club like this, you will always find ample opportunities to get hooked up. Places like these were literally the hub to find beautiful women or men, whoever you are interested in. I have been through that a few times myself.

But today was not one of those times. Not because there were no interested or interesting girls out there but today was my mom's birthday, a day when all I wanted was to be alone yet here I was sitting, my ears booming with the noise and alcohol fuzzing my mind.

I hate Sean!

"Would you like a refill sir?" The bartender asked. I shook my head and reminded myself of my limits.

I glanced around and my eyes stopped on someone two places ahead of me. The girl was staring back at me, her dark eyes assessing me curiously.

Do I know her? I don't think so. Or maybe I do. I was terrible at remembering people. 

Tentatively, I smiled back at her. Instead of smiling back, she scowled and then looked away.

What the hell?

I stared at her and then I noticed that there was a guy, sitting just next to her.

From my place, I can see he that was jabbering on and on but the girl was not listening. Instead, she was staring ahead at the ice sculpture adorning the bar, half-filled the glass in her hand.

Poor guy! Or maybe not. The guy just doesn't fit with her. I know that was judgmental but it is what it is. Two minutes later, the girl again turned her dark smoky eyes at me and this time her lips curled up in a half-smile. I stared at her exquisite lips.

Wow! She was stunning. 

Before I could smile back, the guy tapped on her shoulder. She rolled her eyes and giving me an apologetic shrug, turned to him. I chuckled. Two things were absolutely clear:

One, she was idiotically drunk. Two, she doesn't like the guy.

Fair enough, I thought inwardly. Even from a distance, she looked really beautiful and stunning. The tall, lanky guy wearing that stupid grin just don't go with her. Maybe someone set them up? A blind date? But why was she so drunk? Maybe she is just bored.

And why was I so interested? 

God knows how long I was preoccupied with my thoughts but when I glanced back, there was a large crowd gathered around her. I frowned and tried to get a clear look. What happened? 

"What the fuck!" The guy yelled. I noticed his right hand was stroking his right cheek.

"Go to hell, you asshole!" The girl said her voice flat but firm and loud enough for me to hear through the music. 

"What did he do?" I asked the guy behind the bar and he smirked at me. 

"He tried to kiss her," He replied, vigorously shaking something in the shaker and enjoying the show at the same time. 

"And?" I prompted. 

"And she slapped him!" He answered, laughing loudly. "Man his face was crimson! It was a real blow," I frowned and stood up.

"You bitch," The guy growled, bringing up his hand to hit her. For some weird reason, I felt an uncontrollable urge to check what's going on. In two strides, I was standing beside him.

"Get it over now," I said calmly. The girl dragged her gaze to me and I think I heard a gasp.

Yeah yeah...Its a pretty face, baby...

"Who the hell are you?" The lanky guy demanded. I looked at the guy and then turned my glance at the girl. She appeared to be relieved but other than that her face was quite impassive.

"That's not the point," I answered, giving him a steely glance. "Are you alright?"

"Fine," She nodded and I glared at the guy.

"Get the fuck off here," He barked. "This is between me and her,"

"Not anymore," I hissed. "Now apologize and get your bloody ass outta here before I make you regret ever coming here in the first place. And if you want to keep coming here, I suggest you learn to treat a woman first,"

"Do you know who I am?" He hissed.

Like I care about that...

"Do you know who I am?" I muttered coldly and shot him an even look. 

My voice must have been threatening enough because it made him take me seriously. He glared at me, then at her and then again at me and then disappeared into the crowd.

That was easy. 

"Good riddance," The girl muttered under her breath.

"Are you all right?" I asked again turning to face her and she noddede wryly. 

Up close, she was even more beautiful and really sensual. She was wearing a strapless black dress that ended a little above her knees and killer heels. They stressed me a little because she was continuously wobbling like jelly. Her dark glossy hairs were tied in a high ponytail that gave her a cute yet sexy look.

"Yes, thank you!" She muttered. "I owe you. Let me buy you a drink?"

"It's alright," I said, a little surprised by her offer. "I'll pass,"

"Oh come on," She rolled her eyes. "What would you like?'

"Bourbon. Neat," I answered in the end because I had a feeling she wasn't going to let go until I have had atleast one drink.

"You heard him," She said to the bartender. "I will have the same,"

"I am Liam, by the way," I introduced, grabbing the glass from her.

"Sofia," She answered, slurrily. Man, she was really drunk. 

"Don't mind," I said, drowning the glass. "But, what was all that about?"

"A blind date," She muttered, rolling her eyes. "I will kill Kristen but then she has no idea about guys or dating so maybe I won't,"

I shot her a quizically look because I had no idea who Kristen was in the first place and I also felt like she was talking more to herself than to me. 

"I don't think you should drink anymore," I remarked, eyeing her glass. 

"Don't worry," She laughed. "I won't puke on you," I shook my head. Of all the things that was the last I was concerned about.

I eyed her carefully. On the hindsight, she looked like a rich spoilt daddy's girl but then who was I to judge? She was fun though and mysterious...no denying that. I realised that the longer she sit here the more she will drink. I needed to get her away from this stupid bar.

"Would you like to dance, Sofia,?" I offered her my hand even though I hated dancing especially on such a crowded floor. But tonight, I was feeeling quite like a Superman or something. Like it was my sole responsibility to protect this drunk girl. It was really absurd because all I wanted tonight was to be alone but here I was. Sofia eyed me speculatively and then glanced at the dance floor.

"Okay," She nodded. "Let's dance!," She stood up with a jolt and then instantly sat down again. What happened? I stared at her, bemused and she giggled. 

"Whoa!," She exclaimed, looking sheepish. "Head rush," 

Jesus...

"Come," I placed my hand on her naked back, her skin soft as feather. She squirmed as my warm hands touched her cold skin and I wondered how it would be like to kiss her.

Shut up!

"Do you have a girlfriend?" She blurted practically out of nowhere as we strolled towards the cramped dance floor.

That was fast...

"Umm, no,"  I replied, feeling a little amused. 

"Oo that's a shame" She muttered, shaking her head and I eyed her from the corner of my eyes. This girl was completely drowned. 

"Do you have a boyfriend?" I asked out of sheer curiosity.

"Nope," She replied, rolling her eyes. "I wouldn't be dealing with that jerk then,"

"Right!" I muttered.  Idiot!

"But I do have an imaginary boyfriend," She added and I raised my brow. Imaginary boyfriend? 

"Who's that?" I asked again amused. 

"Ian Somerhalder," She giggled. "I love him!"

Oh. Of course...

"Vampire, huh. Tough competition," I  laughed. "Now let's dance!"

I took hold of her back, in case she falls and began to move. She laughed freely, throwing her head back and entangling her arms around my neck.

She's good...

I didn't even realize  for how long we were dancing and when Sofia had completely leaned onto me, hugging me tightly and neither did I realized that I was hugging her tighter. She smelt intoxicating, a weird mix of alcohol and sensuality. I was so turned on that I knew a few more minutes and I will lose control. This was so so unlike me. And maybe that was why it felt refreshing. 

Asshole! Get her home!

"Er, Sofia?" I muttered. There was no reply, not even a small grunt. I shifted and stared at her. Her eyes were closed shut and she was breathing heavily. She has passed out! Shit! Now how do I take her home? And then I remembered the black clutch in her hand. She left that on the bar. Maybe I could find her address or at least somebody's number there. 

Holding her tightly, I made my way to the bar pushing madly and at the same trying to hold onto her. I was afraid that someone might have taken her purse by now but when I reached where we were sitting a few moments ago I was eternally thankful  to see that the clutch was still there. I found her driving licence in there but there were no keys. Maybe she came with the asshole. Who cares, at least I got her address. I can safely drop her home now. 

Without any effort, I picked her up and walked towards the exit.

"Hey! Where are you going?" Sean asked just as I was leaving. "And who's she?"

"I got to drop her home. I will tell you everything later," I replied.

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How come she doesn't remember me? How?

"Hey," A familiar voice said. I looked up to see Sean standing by the door.

Now introducing Sean was an uphill task because honestly, I don't understand him even after being friends for sixteen years. He was just totally weird according to me and we were just opposites which was probably why we were best friends, I guess. Opposites attract each other.

He was that kind of guy who believes in 'The one' kind of notion when it comes to relationships and also the idea that true love was the remedy to every problem. Unlike me who never ever had a serious relationship in the twenty-seven years of my life let alone falling in love.

Love was not my cup of tea. Never.

But the fact was that no matter how much he irritates me, I loved him like my own brother especially since I lost the later. 

No...don't go there, Liam...

When my mother passed away we were just six and though he didn't have much idea about what was going on except that his aunt Amy (that's what he called my mother) won't be making cupcakes for him every Sunday anymore he stuck to me until the time I finally cried and decided to accept the truth. My mother was gone and I was all alone and there was nothing more painful that I have experienced than that. 

Sean's mother was to be credited too since she cared for me just like her own son when I was having a hard time accepting my stepmother or Mrs Smith as I call her whom dad married three years later. She's a very nice woman but I still can't accept her even after so many years. I can't give my mom's place to anybody else. I just can't.

"When did you come?" I demanded.

"When you were daydreaming," He replied, grinning like a fool as he sat down in front of me. 

"Haha, what a joke," I grumbled.

"Sarcasm doesn't suit you, Liam Mckinnon. You don't have that flair, " He said. I rolled my eyes at him.

"How was golf?," I inquired, eager to change the topic. 

"Ray still has it in him," He said flatly which meant he lost to my father. Again. 

I laughed. Ray is what he calls my father. The two get together like, what example can I give? Tigger and Pooh?

"I know, it's hard to beat dad," I smirked, trying to extract as much glee from that as I could. Sean scowled at me. 

"We have planned a barbecue this Sunday," He announced, looking excited. "How cool is that. Barbecue and chilled beer...yum!" 

"I am not going to help, let me tell you that before you even think of asking me," I warned and he rolled his eyes at me. 

"When do you help anyway, old ass?" He said, "Why do you work out like that if you can't even help prepare something as simple as a barbecue?"

"How the hell are they related? But that's not the point. I don't want to help. I have work to do," I answered, turning my eyes back to my laptop screen. 

"Yeah yeah," Sean grumbled. "Which reminds me, how did the interview go? Did you select anyone?"

"Not yet," I replied. "Sean, you do remember Sofia, right?"

"Sofia?" He frowned. 

"The girl I dropped home that day, from the club?" I offered. Sean frowned and then nodded, his eyes wideneing.

"Oh yeah, now I remember. What about her?" He inquired and for a moment I wondered whether to tell him about Sofia or not. I don't want him starting with his love shit again. 

"She came to interview today," I said plainly and with as little enthusiam as I could. 

"Really? That's one heck of a coincidence," He exclaimed. "Did you like her?"

What? 

"What?" I demanded and Sean rolled his eyes again. I really hated that habit of his.

"As a candidate. Why what did you think?" He smirked at me and I grimaced at his expression. 

"Yes, she was good. I think I am going to shortlist her and one other," I answered and he nodded, looking excited already. 

"Wow, that's awesome. So what did she say?" He asked eagerly. 

"Nothing. She doesn't remember me," i answered simply and inwardly I didn't like the idea that even after such an interesting night how can she not remember me? Was that even possible? 

"Well, that's weird," Sean said frowning. "Did you tell her?"

"Of course not, tell her what? That you were the drunken girl I dropped home?" I said. "Don't be stupid,"

"Yeah, you're right," Sean muttered, folding his arms as if her not remembering me was the end of the world.  "So how was she like?"

Huh? 

"What is that supposed to mean?" I demanded and he shrugged trying to be nonchalant although I knew there was something definitely going on in his stupid head.

"I meant to say that how was sober Sofia like?" He said after a beat. 

"Oh, she was a totally different personality today. Very professional and well mannered and quite intellectual too," I answered and he nodded. 

"Oh, that's nice. Would you hire her? He asked again, seeming unnecessarily curious. I rolled my eyes at him. 

"I don't know that yet," I replied. "Maybe,"

"Okay, well good luck with that," He said. "I got to leave now, catch you later?"

"Yeah," I replied. "Later,"

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"How was the interview?" Dad interrogated. We were having dinner at my place since Mrs Smith was taking care of her ill sister.

"Good," I replied, staring at my Ipad as I went through the predictions for stock market and how feasible it was to make big investments at the moment. 

"Did you shortlisted anyone yet?" He inquired and I nodded. 

"Yeah, two of the candidates were quite impressive," I answered. Unlike me, my Dad was a fairly jolly person. So whenever we were together there was this awkwardness between us because of being completely opposites. There was really nothing much to talk about. And which was why he also got better along with Sean. 

"That's great," He said.

"I was wondering if you would like to interview both of them as well and then finalise," I asked and he shot me a disgusted look. 

"Oh no no, you keep me away from all that. You are the one who needs a secretary, therefore, you are the one to decide. Leila's case was different but now Mckinnons is yours. I am a free man now and anyway I am busy throughout the week," He said breezily and I frowned at him. 

"Busy? Doing what?"I inquired and he shrugged. 

"Well, tomorrow I am playing golf with Mr Homer, then Sean and I are going bowling the next day followed by fishing and for the final show, we are having an awesome barbecue on Sunday. You see how busy I am?" I rolled my eyes at him. He was having the time of his life, no doubt. And I was glad about that. 

"You do realize you are fifty-five now, don't you?" I teased.

"Age is just a number son," He retorted back, laughing. I smiled at him.

"You say that to Mrs Smith when she returns," I replied and he instantly scowled at me. Mrs Smith was a disciplinarian. So whenever she was gone it was Christmas for dad.

"Why don't you join us for fishing, Liam?" He proposed.

"No, dad. I have to work. There's an important meeting that day," I answered, taking a sip of my wine.

"Work is all you do son," Dad chastised. "You need a break. Don't forget you are just twenty-seven,"

"Dad!" I protested. I didn't want to start again with the same old topic. 

"Liam, I don't interfere with anything you do. Your relationships, your achievements, your failures everything is your own choice and I realise that. You have made me so proud son but you should understand that you are just a normal human being and that you can't achieve everything you wanted to in one go. So stop giving yourself a hard time and for once just let someone else take the reins of your life," He said, staring squarely at me and I looked away.

"What do you mean?" I muttered, even though I very well knew the answer.

"Son, you have been on your own since your mom left. You need someone who would care for you, take care of your needs and someone who will love you just like your mother used to. If you won't let us in then at least find someone of your choice. You can't spend your whole life alone," Dad said.

"I can take care of myself. I don't need anyone," I grumbled.

"But why..." He begin but I cut him off. 

"Because I don't want to go through everything that I did or you did when mom passed away.  Did you forget how painful it was? Loving someone brings nothing but pain. I just can't dad and I am not having this conversation again. Ever," I said firmly.

"But Liam!" Dad protested but I placed my palm out. 

"Dad. No," I said, walking away.

I grabbed the dishes and disposed them off in the dishwasher. Dad was happy in his life but I know that a small part of him still yearns for mom. That's what happens when you believe in shit like love and there's no way I was going to go through that.

Ever.....

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