I scrambled up in panic as I stare at the second guy. My eyes widen in surprise.
“Ryan!” I croak out, relief washing over me. He holds my arm and stare at the guy then at me.
“Emilia!… are you okay” I nod fearfully and turn to look at the drunk thug. Ryan walks close to him and grabbed his collar. He slam his fist on his face.
“What the fuck are you tryna do shithead” He say through clenched teeth. I hug myself and shivered fearfully.
“Shit man… I just wanted to say hi….” He slurred drunkily and held his face.
“Get the fuck outta here before I blow off your brains asshole” I watch blood ran down his nose before Ryan shoves him roughly. He cleaned off his bloodstained nose, glared at me before staggering away. Ryan turns back to me.
“Are you hurt?… did the bastard touch you” He asked in concern. I shake my head sideways, still shocked to speak, what would have happened if he hadn’t come to my rescue. Maybe I would have been robbed and worst still raped. I blink my eyes to shake off the thoughts. Ryan pulled off his jacket and drape them over my shoulders.
“Th.. thanks Ryan” I mutter as I felt warm immediately. He chuckled.
“Its nothing. come on… let me walk you home. He took my shoulder bag from me and held me by the arm. I nodded and smile. I brush back some strands of hair from my face as we started walking.
“What in the heck were you thinking to have been walking alone in this place… its dangerous you know” He says after a while. I chew my lips to steady my breath.
“My… cab broke down a street away, I decided to walk it home cos I was almost close… didn’t know it would turn out this way.” I shivered again and hold the jacket tighter against my body
“Oh… you went out… why so late?” I release the tight grip on my bag.
“I’m actually returning from work Ryan”
“Huh?….. You work now?” I stare back at him as we walked.
“Yeah I actually started today… turns out my first day went bad” I sigh tiredly. He chuckled lowly.
“I thought liam asked you not to work, it’s pretty dangerous for you now” I itch my hair as I remember liam, It was hard concentrating at work cos he kept popping into my mind. I can’t believe we quarreled today again.
“He did… but I refused to. I can’t just sit at home cos he tells me to” He sighs and we go quiet. I blink my eyes as I remember his angry face that morning. I bet he’s still gonna be pissed at me.
“You know… things have changed since you agreed to let him stay with you, if the cops suspect you, its gonna be bad for you and him too” Ryan says cutting through my stream of thoughts. I look up at him in surprise.
“What do you mean by that!” I gasp out in panic. He sighs lowly.
“I’m not in position to explain things to you… liam will…. By the way you’re home already” He stopped and smiled down at me. I blink my eye as I try to understand what he meant.
“O… okay Ryan, thanks again” He nods and he hands me my bag. I collect it and give him his jacket.
“You can keep that okay” He drapes it back on my shoulders again and I smile, I was too tired to protest.
“Goodnight” He says and i nod in reply. I suck in my breath and walked to the gates. I turn back and he was looking around steathily. I frown and walked inside the compound. Nana wasn’t out tonight. I walk up to my front porch and turned back again. He was still there watching me, probably waiting for me to go in. I smiled at him and gave him a small wave before walking in. I lock the door firmly behind me. The living room was dark. I groped my hand for the light switch and turned it on. I flinch when I saw him sitting on the couch and staring at me, a cigarette stick in his mouth. My heart skip a beat as I stare at him.
“Evening liam” I mutter but I got no reply. I blink my eyes as he watched me with unsmiling eyes. I chew my lip nervously and walk towards the hallway leading to my room. Oh no don’t tell me he’s giving me the silent treatment. I walk into my room and close the door, leaning against it
Why didn’t he reply my greetings. I sigh and get off the door. I plonk down on the bed as a million thoughts brainstormed my mind. What did Ryan mean by that. I’m not safe anymore!. i cringe in fear at the thought of the cops seeing me as a criminal. The door opens and liam steps in, he closed the door firmly behind him as his gaze pierced mine.
“Ryan called… what the fuck happened to you” I bit my lip and sigh.
“I’m good… it was just a drunk delinquent…”
“… that threatened you with a switch blade huh?” He interpolated. I itch my hair nervously.
“He didn’t really threaten…”
“Emilia…” He call through clenched teeth. I looked up at him as he walked towards me. He squat his front on me and
stared right at me. His gaze soften a bit when he sees my nervous face. He brushed my hair back and cup my cheeks.
“I know this whole stuff is new to you… and I get it. You have the right to make decisions for yourself, but things are different now, the cops have got their fucked up eyes on you, and that’s risky. One wrong move and you would blow my cover” I stared back at him, liking the warmth his palm provided, my breathing a bit faster.
“And for fuck sake Emilia I’m tired of our constant quarrels, I’m not a girl you know” I chuckle and bit my lower lip.
“I’m sorry liam, I promise there wouldn’t be any quarrels again
.. I’d quit work” He smiled back and used his thumb pad to carress my cheek.
“I’m glad to hear that” He mutter lowly and trail his gaze to my lip. I tear my gaze away from him. Nervous at the way he had stared at me intensely. He cupped my second cheek and leaned in. My breath hitched, but he pressed a kiss to my forehead instead. A brush crept up my cheek as he withdraw.
“Now…. you look like you’ve just come out of the zoo, go freshen up, while I bring you some coffee and crackers okay” I chuckled and nod
“Thanks…” I mutter lowly and he smile.
“Its nothing… small ass” He wink and I poke his ribs playfully. He got up and walked out of the room. I stare at the closed door for a moment. I suck in my breath and got up. I had a quick bath and changed into my PJ. I brushed my hair and packed it into a bun. He came in minutes later, a cup of coffee and crackers on a tray. He drops it in the bedside table and bowed.
“Here you go madmoiselle Emilia” I laughed and roll my eyes.
“I hope you don’t bite your tongue with those weird words” He chuckled and sit beside me. I place the tray on my laps and begin to eat.
“Did he hurt you?” He asks after a pause. I arch my brows and sigh when I realised he was referring to the thug.
“Nope… he didn’t really hurt me, he just scared the shit outta me” I grin, making him laugh. It was the first time he was laughing while so close to me and I couldn’t help but notice how cute it sounded. We go quiet and I continue eating. I feel him staring at me and I give him a sideways glance.
“Why are you giving me that funny look”. He chuckle lowly
“You know… my mom always told me to stare at something or someone beautiful before going to bed, its gonna make me sleep good” He smirks and i return my gaze to my coffee to hide my blush, suddenly losing appetite, unable to concentrate. I stand up.
“I’m just gonna drop this” I mutter and walk out of the room, as I hear him chuckle. A smile tug at my lips. i wash up the cup and stuff away the rest of the crackers. I rinsed my hands in the sink before returning to the room. He sat up on the bed, his legs crossed. I bit my lip, suddenly realising I would be sleeping on the same bed with him.
“I’m not gonna bite small ass” He says and smirk. I itch my hair and walk to the bed. I sit at the edge and drop my glasses on the bedside table. I could almost hear my heartbeat. Chill Emilia Its nothing. I lie on my side so that I had my back to him. He chukle lowly and I feel him lie next to me. He pulls the duvet to cover us a bit.
“Come on… I just wanna cuddle, stop acting so feisty small ass” He mutter. I suck in my breath before turning to face him. He grins at me and wrap his arm around me, resting his hand on the small of my back. My face was pressed close to his chest. I tensed up but relaxed after breathing in his scent. I could hear his heartbeat and it was steady, unlike mine. I pressed my palm lightly against his chest. I mutter a quick prayer and close my eyes tiredly.
|••••|
I woke up to an empty bed. I sit up, yawning lazily. I slid my feet into my footwear and walked into the bathroom. I washed my face and returned back to the room. I stare at the ruffled bed and a blush crept up my cheeks when I remembered we had slept together. I had been to tired to stay awake. I can’t deny the fact that it felt good to be pressed close to him. I never felt so safe. I walk out of the room and the aroma that hit my nose made my stomach grumble in protest. I walk into the kitchen to see liam hovered above a frying pan with an apron tied around his waist. He was bare chested and his hair was packed into a rough bun. He was putting on a short and he looked as though he has been here in like forever. My breath hitched when he turned and flashed me a smile..
“Hey sleepy head” He greets, my nerves tingle as I remember how we cuddled last night.
“Hey liam… morning… you didn’t have to do that, I could have fixed breakfast” I say and walk to the fridge. I open it and bring out a can of water.
“Really… I was too hungry to wait for your lazy bones to wake” I chuckle and uncap the bottle. I pour some into a cup.
“You should have woken me up then.. I’m the lady here you know.. I should do the cooking” i gulped down the water and returned it back into the fridge.
“Who said I can’t help out sometimes its nothing.. and its just scrambled eggs and toast okay” I shrug.
“Okay liam… thanks for helping…. I’d just go freshen up and umm… call my boss and tell him I quit” I suck in my breath. This is gonna be hard, not working, just sitting your ass at home all day. He nods, turns off the cooker and bring down the frying pan. I get off the stool and walk back into the room. I take out my phone and dailed his line. He picks up on the second ring.
“Reuben speaking” He mutters grumpily on the phone. I suck in my breath before replying.
“Hi sir…. its your secretary miss Roberts” He grunts.
“Why the fuck aren’t you at work now huh!.. I can’t deal with lazy secretaries you know” He says raising his voice. I itch my hair nervously. This is quite embarrassing.
“Umm.. no sir there wouldn’t be any need for that. I actually… want to resign” There was a pause on the other side.
“You wanna do what!” He yells and I move the phone away from my ear.
“What the fuck do you mean you wanna resign. You just started work yesterday!” He growls. I palm myself.
“Yeah I know sir… but something came up” I sigh and lean against my closet. He scoffs.
“You should have thought of that beforehand this is so fuckin crazy!… are you sure about this huh?” I take my palm off my face and sigh.
“Yeah I am… I’m so sorry for whatever inconveniences I may have caused.” I plea hoping he would understand. He sighs and I hear him slam his palm on his table… probably.
“You sure you don’t wanna think this through?” His voice dropped to a pleading one. I wish I could.
“I don’t wanna think about it anymore… its a final decision… I’m so sorry Sir” He blew out a breath sigh.
” Fine… goodbye” He ends the call abruptly. I puff out a breath and get off the closet. I walk in to the bathroom to have a quick shower. I dressed up in minutes and walk back into the kitchen. He had dished out mine already. I sigh and sat down on the stool.
“Thanks…” I mutter lowly.
“You spoke to him?” He asks as he drops a cup of tea in my front. I wrap my fingers around the cup and nod.
“How did it go?” i raise the cup too my lips and took a small sip.
“Bad… I hope he finds another replacement easily. I drop the cup back on the countertop and open my plate of eggs and toast. I took a small bite and nod slowly at the sweetness as he watched me with a smirk.
“You like it” I shake my head sideways.
“No I love it” I grin and continue eating. He chuckles and lean forward. I arch my brows.
“So… how about my offer?” He asks with a hint of laughter in his tone. I roll my eyes dramatically.
“Gawd how can I be your secretary, what I’m I gonna be doing huh?” He laughs and straighten up.
“Nothing much small ass… just get me my coffee, run little errands for me and boom, I pay you” He wink and smirked. I chuckled and chew on my food.
“Sounds tempting jeez!” I roll my eyes and sip some of my tea.
“So is that a yes?” He smoothen down his hair as he watched me intently. I weigh his words and sigh. Its pointless declining anyways, since I’m stuck here with him. I glare at him funnily.
“Fine” He grins.
” Gracias mi Amiga”He says and bow as I laugh.
*****
“So what are you gonna do about it” I ask him as he types away on his laptop.
“Nothing for now… just hope the cops would retreat for a while” I nod slowly and shrug.
The day had been pretty uneventful and I had slept most of the time. Liam seems to be the one always awake and the chef in now. I’m pleased we aren’t bickering again. I sigh and watch my phone for the thousandth time. Its 5pm already, why are sandy and Becky not here yet!.
“You bored?” He peers at me from the lid of his laptop. I chuckle and shake my head sideways.
“Nope… just a teeny weeny bit” I grin and he laughed.
He slam the laptop shut and dropped it on the table.
“Okay… how about I play a tune for you?” My eyes lit up in excitement. I grin and get off the stool.
“Sure… I’d go get the guitar” I smile widely and padded out of the room. I felt a bubble of excitement in me as I took out the guitar from my closet. This is gonna be fun… I’ve always loved to hear someone play for me. I walked back out the room and he was sitting on the couch already. I sit beside him and hand him the guitar. He took it out of the bag and ran his fingers on the string. I watch him intently and I saw a sad look etched on his face.
“You okay?” I ask in concern. He glance at me and smile.
“Yeah I am” He chuckled and position the guitar properly. I fold my legs on the couch as he began to play. He played it slowly at first, and I couldn’t help getting lost. I stare at him as he played, bedazzled by the way he played it perfectly, and beautifully. He hummed a song and I sway my head sideways as he sang and played. It was so enthralling, he played it flawlessly and perfectly. He kept playing for some few minutes as he flashed me a grin and a wink continuously. I could swear my cheeks were going permanently pinkish from my blushing. He stopped abruptly and watched me.
“Wow!… that was awesome!” I breathe out. He chuckles.
“Jeez how did you learn to play so well!… I can’t believe you would play it so perfectly well jeez!” He laughs and hand me the guitar.
“Come on… let’s see what you’ve got” I bit my lips and took it from him.
“I don’t play so well liam” I protest and pout.
“Whatever… come on small ass play me a tune” He turns slightly so he could face me. I blink my eyes and position the guitar properly as I thought of a tune to play. I sigh and close my eyes and began to strum it lightly. I play it for sometime as I hummed a tune. I faltered a few times but became steady after a while. I imagined I was in a concert with the crowd watching me screaming and trying to climb on stage to meet me. A smile tug at my lips as I close my eyes and play, humming a time and strumming it.
I stopped after sometime and open my eyes to see liam staring at me. I felt a shiver run down my spine at the intensity of his blue orbs.
“How was it” I ask nervously but he didn’t reply.
“Liam” I arch my brows. He suck in his breath and took the guitar away from me. He scooped closer to me and my heart beat turned wild again. He raise my chin with his finger and peered deep into my eyes.
“I don’t know what this feeling is small ass..” He mutter lowly and slowly caressed my chin
“But I don’t want it to end…” I slowly part my lips unable to speak. My breath hitched as he trail his gaze down to my lips.
“I never want it to end…. never” He mutter lowly and pressed his lips on mine. All my body heat up and I suck in my breath at the feeling. I place my palms on his cheeks as my heart fluttered.. and I find myself kissing back.