It’s been two days since Isabelle woke up in the hospital. Her series of complaints like hating the smell of antiseptic, caused the doctor to discharge her after a thorough examination. The doctor’s opinion about Isabelle being a gentle type changed. She was like the mini version of the insatiable Liam, always searching for one thing or the other to nag about, just because she wanted to leave the hospital immediately.
“I thought I was the only one being hard on the doctor but you went the extra mile to frustrate him,” Liam said teasingly, the moment he parked his car in the garage and helped Isabelle out of the car. “Your stubbornness is thick”
“I have no idea of what you’re talking about” Isabelle replied, feigning innocence as she hastened towards the penthouse to avoid any more questions. She was fed up with his constant teasing ever since they left the hospital. His cool laughter echoed through her ears as she opened the door to the house.
“Home sweet home” she muttered with a blissful smile on her lips, inhaling the familiar scent. “I’m glad to be back”
“I know you’re happy but the house is technically covered in dirt” Liam chipped in as he joined her at the entrance with a huge bag hanging on his shoulder. He suddenly thought of something as a mischievous glint flashed through his eyes. “I think we should contact the agency for a new maid”
“No way!… To hell with maids. ” Isabelle yelled out with a curse. “I’ve had enough of the dramas. I’ll clean the house myself. Why don’t you make dinner since you’re skilled at it?”
When Isabelle didn’t get a response, she turned towards Liam’s direction and saw his brows twitching. He tried hard to hold his laughter caused by Isabelle’s expression when she cursed. It was priceless. “I’m sorry” he muttered, then let the laughter have its freedom.
“Suit yourself” Isabelle scoffed and walked away, ignoring his constant calling of her name.
She picked up a remote from the table. When she pressed the green button on it, everything in the house came alive. The electricity, the running water, and the remaining features are controlled by the button in the house.
“My love, you should go and have some rest” Liam’s cool baritone voice came from behind. “I’ll do the cleaning and make dinner”
“What???” Isabelle was flabbergasted. “You can do that?.. I mean the cleaning”
“Of course, yes” Liam replied with certainty. “I almost grew up alone, so I learned many of these things to keep myself busy”
“Oh!.. that’s… weird” Isabelle was unsure of what to say as she stared at him with a bizarre expression on her face which was instantly replaced with a smile. “Well, since you want me to rest, then I will… Call me if you need anything”
“Wait.. where are you going?” Liam asked
“To the bedroom or where else am I supposed to go?” Isabelle replied with a raised eyebrow as Liam pulled her hands gently towards the sofa in the living room. “I want you to sit here and watch me do the chores since you doubt my credibility so much”
“No, I’m not doubting you, I’m just..”
“Shh… It’s fine” Liam interjected. “You can rest here. Don’t speak until I’m done”
“Wait, what??”
“Shhh…..”
Liam and Isabelle spent the rest of the day cleaning the house and having dinner. The house was filled with endlessly bickering and laughter as they sank into the happiness that clouded their heart. How were they supposed to know that their happiness was about to come to an abrupt end?
****
Liam stood gazing at the company he had spent years of his life trying to build. It’s been three days since he stepped on the soil. The cheerful greetings from the workers all came in, in unison as he walked into the building down to his private elevator.
“Good morning, sir” Sarah greeted with a vibrant smile which showed how much she had missed her grumpy boss. “It’s nice to have you back”
“Good to see you too, Sarah” Liam replied with a smile on his face which was a rare occurrence that stunned Sarah. She could tell that something good had happened to her boss.
“Is it his fiancee?” She asked herself as she followed him into the office, praying for her relationship to be as good as a boss’s, for him to come into the company, not with his cold demeanor but with a smile that could be tagged as priceless.
“Fill me in with the recent updates,” Liam said to Sarah as he made himself comfortable on his high leather chair. “I’m listening”
“Sarah….”
“I’m sorry, sir. What did you say?” Sarah woke from her dazed state, her face reddened with embarrassment. “I’m sorry”
“The recent updates, Sarah. I need them now” Liam said, surprisingly not annoyed by the mistake he made. A great sin that things were about to change for good.
“Erm.. the board members have been informed about the conference meeting you asked me to prepare. So, they are ready for it anytime you call” Sarah explained with a serious expression on her face so as not to take her boss’s pardon for granted.
“And?” Liam awaited further information.
“We’ve started launching some of the new projects to prepare the mind of the public towards the ultimate project you constructed” Sarah added, with a smile that gave a positive vibe.
She suddenly recalled something. “Mr. Callahan, who is responsible for presenting the new project to the investors?.. is it David?”
“No, it’s not David” Liam shook his head in denial. “He does not know of it, so I will be the one to present it”
“Really?” Sarah’s eyes lit up with excitement. “Then, it’s going to be outstanding. I can’t wait”
“You flatter me, Sarah” Liam uttered with a smile. “Tell Adrian to also attend the meeting. We can’t underestimate our opponents this time”
“Alright, sir” Sarah replied enthusiastically as she turned to leave, but was called back.
“Sarah, did you invite the press?..” Liam questioned, an unsettling feeling rising in the pit of his stomach. His instincts were warning him about an impending danger but he just couldn’t place it. “Maybe, I’m just being paranoid,” he thought to himself.
“It’s fine, Sarah. You can leave” he waved his hand dismissively. “The meeting should be in an hour”