Chapter 9
SHANE
-You don’t have to thank me, because they are telling you the truth. -Mrs. Rosa stands up from the table-: Have you had lunch yet? I look at her wide-eyed, surprised by her question.
-Uh, yes. -I lie. She narrows her eyes.
-Don’t lie. I don’t like lies. -she scolds me like my mother does.
-I’m sorry. I have a very strict policy of not forming bonds with my clients.
-Oh, I understand. -she says, taking a lasagna out of the oven and filling the air with its aroma. My mouth waters at the delicious smell-: Do you have anything else to tell me regarding the kitchen remodel? -she asks.
-No. That would be all. I will send you the budget via email, and you can let me know if it looks good to you. If it does, I’ll set a date with the workers to start the renovations.
-Perfect, Miss Murphy. Then we are in touch. -oh, she was kicking me out of her house after rejecting her food. Feeling embarrassed, I gather my folder with the sketches and my handbag before getting up. Rosa sets two plates of food on the table before smiling at me and extending her hand-: It’s all sorted. You’ve finished your appointment with me, now you can eat. I won’t use your friendship to ask for a discount or anything like that.
-Oh, no, Mrs. Rosa. I didn’t mean it like that. I apologize if I offended you in any way. -damn, now I felt even more embarrassed.
-Don’t worry, relax. Come, sit down and eat. I wouldn’t want to waste this delicious lasagna I made with so much love. -she tells me with a kind smile. Reluctantly, I sit down and start to eat. The truth is that the lasagna is exquisite, and I feel my stomach thanking me for the food it desperately needed. We sit in silence for a moment, only hearing the sound of utensils clinking against plates. Suddenly, the front door sounds, and the voices of two men resonate in the house.
-Wow! It smells delicious, Mom! -a man’s deep voice breaks the silence.
-It’s just lasagna. -says another voice as they approach the kitchen, my eyes fixed on my half-eaten plate of lasagna. My heart races, and I feel nervous.
-No, it’s something more delicious and thick… chocolate.
-You’re getting old, my son. Your old nose is failing you. -They both laugh.
-Old man, let’s see if you respect your alpha a little more. -the jokes continue between them, and it seems like an eternity will pass when it’s only seconds-: I’ve had that smell stuck to my nose for days. By the way, don’t forget that today they are handing me the apartment; finally, the renovations are done.
-What did you say the building was called?
-West Wolf, it’s in Gold Coast. -Hearing that makes me jump out of my seat, eyes wide open as I stare at the table. An older man in a wheelchair comes into my view first and greets us.
-I’m home, darling. Who is this lovely young lady that is joining us today? -the man in the wheelchair asks, Rose smiles and goes to give him a kiss.
-Oh, sorry for not introducing you earlier. This is Shane, the designer in charge of remodeling my kitchen. Shane, I present to you my husband, Alec, and my son, Liam -Rosa tells me as the second man appears behind the older gentleman.
-Nice to meet you…, -I turn my face toward the voice I recognize and that has been the star of my wildest dreams-. Liam?
-Shane? -I whisper, frozen in place. This has to be a horrible twist of fate. Liam is the son of one of my clients! What’s worse, I slept with him! And what I think is even worse, he’s the owner of the attic I’m remodeling and that I’m supposed to hand over today!
-Darling, are you okay? You look pale. Come, have a little water. -I hear Mrs. Rosa’s voice beside me, but I don’t see her, nor do I realize when she puts the glass of water in my hands and makes me take a sip. My eyes are still fixed on Liam. Why did I have to go and sleep with the first man who drove my hormones crazy!?
-Do you know each other? -I hear Mr. Alec ask.
-We met on Friday afternoon -he replies, his intense gaze on me. It was clear he didn’t know I was the woman decorating his attic-: So you’re a designer, which company do you work for?
-I… -damn, my mind goes blank. I can’t tell him where I work; I’ll let his mother tell him because I’m sure she will. I feel uncomfortable, embarrassed, and trapped in a totally surreal situation.
Liam doesn’t know who I am beyond being the woman he slept with on Friday night. My mind races, trying to find a way to escape this situation. I try to maintain my composure, smiling weakly and nodding at Mrs. Rosa’s introduction. I try to hide my distress, but I can feel my heart pounding in my chest.
How am I going to deal with this? How am I going to hand the apartment over to Liam without him finding out about our connection? As the conversation between Liam, Alec, and Rosa continues, my mind clouds with confusing thoughts and internal contradictions. I can’t help but remember the wild passion we shared, but now everything feels so complicated and confusing. I feel Liam’s gaze on me, and my body reacts with a mix of desire and shame. How am I going to face this? How can I maintain professionalism while hiding our story?
-Miss Shanelle, are you okay? You look a bit distracted -Liam’s voice pulls me out of my thoughts, forcing me back to the present.
-Yes, I’m fine. Just a little tired from work; you know how renovations are. -I lie, trying to sound natural.
-Well, don’t worry. You should rest a bit more; you look a little tense. -his tone is kind, but I can’t shake the feeling of being nervous about the situation I’m in.
-Thank you, I’ll keep that in mind. But I have to go now; I have many matters to attend to. It’s been a pleasure meeting you all. -I get up from the table, feeling the need to get away from this house and Liam as soon as possible.
-It was a pleasure having you here, Shane. See you soon -Mrs. Rosa bids me farewell with a warm smile, but I can sense the tension in the air.
-Yes, see you soon. Thank you for the food, it was delicious. Take care. -I quickly say my goodbyes and leave the house, feeling relieved to escape that awkward situation.
As I step out of the house, I head to my car and get in, placing my things on the passenger seat and taking a couple of deep breaths to try to calm down. I rest my head on the steering wheel. But I can’t help feeling overwhelmed by everything that just happened. How am I going to handle this complicated situation with Liam? I can’t let our personal history affect my work, but at the same time, I can’t help feeling drawn to him. A gentle knock on my car window startles me. I lift my head to see Liam leaning in, oh no, damn it, no! I try to put a smile on my lips that I don’t feel. The man had the power to make me nervous, and just looking at him reminded me of how it felt to have his hands on my body. I roll down the window.
-Yes?
-Yes? -he straightens up and puts his hands in his pants pockets-. Is that what you’re going to say to me after you fled my room? I let out a small gasp and glance toward the house, worried someone might hear.
-I didn’t flee your room. I just left.
-Just like that?
-What was I supposed to do? Stay and be the clingy girl you would have to throw out? No, thanks. -I retort.