The Arrangement

17

Cameron and Liam were laughing about something in Liam's office when a single knock sounded against the door. Cameron was sprawled comfortably in one of the chairs opposite Liam's desk, lazily sucking on a candy, while Liam leaned back in his chair with an amused expression on his face.

The door opened a moment later and George stepped inside, carrying a garment bag.

"Mr. Owen."

He walked toward the desk and carefully placed the suit in front of Liam. "Is there anything else you'd like me to prepare?"

Liam glanced at the garment bag before shaking his head. "No."

George nodded. "Alright. Enjoy your date, sir." Before Liam could say anything, George turned and walked out.

Cameron slowly removed the unfinished candy from his mouth and tossed it into the nearby trash can. He walked over to Liam and gave him a firm pat on the back before picking up the suit.

"Come on," he said with a grin. "It's time to get you ready for your date."

Liam stood and took the garment bag from him. "More like business to take care of."

A few hours later, Liam's driver pulled up in front of the house. Harold must have been waiting for him because the moment the car came to a stop, he walked over and knocked lightly on Liam's side of the window and he rolled it down.

"Good evening, sir," Harold greeted.

"Good evening."

Harold leaned slightly toward the window. "Was work at the office too stressful?"

Liam gave him a clipped nod. "It was fine."

"Miss Joy is already prepared to leave. I'll go get her."

Liam paused. He could wait in the car, but considering the reason for tonight's dinner, it probably wouldn't hurt to make a little effort. Appearances mattered, after all.

"No. I'll get her myself."

He opened the car door and stepped out, buttoning the jacket of his all-black suit. Harold stepped back and looked him over.

"Does the suit look good?" Liam asked.

Harold blinked. "Sir?"

"I just got it from a new luxury store. I've never visited the place before. I sent George to get it."

Harold scratched the top of his lip, clearly trying to figure out what answer would satisfy him.

"It does look good on you, sir," he finally said carefully. "But it looks exactly like all your other black suits." Liam stared at him. Harold continued, realizing he had already gone too far to stop. "You look the same as you do in all your other black suits, so I don't really see anything special about this one."

Liam looked at him strangely. "I was at fault for asking you."

Harold smiled.

Liam tutted and started toward the house. "Where is Joy?"

"She was in the living room before I came outside."

Liam nodded and stepped inside.

He immediately heard voices and laughter coming from somewhere in the house. He followed the sound and reached another room that looked almost like a smaller version of the main living room.

Joy was sitting on one of the sofas with Patty and two other maids gathered around her. They were clearly fawning over her, and Liam couldn't exactly blame them. She did look beautiful.

He couldn't quite see the dress properly from where he stood because Joy was sitting and the staff were blocking most of his view. Patty reached out and gently touched Joy's face, apparently saying something that made the women laugh.

One of the maids suddenly noticed him, her eyes widened, and she immediately straightened.

"Welcome, sir."

The other maid quickly followed her example. "Good evening, sir."

"Good evening to you too."

Patty turned around and smiled when she saw him. She walked over, looking completely at ease.

"Welcome. Did you eat well, sir? And did you eat healthy while you were away for the past two days?"

Liam stared at her. Was she seriously asking him that in front of Joy? Was she trying to embarrass him? Joy didn't need to know that he had a habit of eating junk food whenever he was too busy to care about what went into his stomach.

"I'm fine," he answered shortly.

He looked at his wrist watch. "What are you all still doing here? It's way past your closing time."

He walked toward Joy, and the moment he reached her, he put on his most convincing smile. He looked down at her with an almost painfully affectionate expression, as though seeing her after two days apart had been the highlight of his entire week.

Joy smiled back, then she wrapped her arms around his waist.

"I missed you." She said softly.

Liam saw the two maids trying to hide their giggles behind their hands. He slowly pulled away from Joy and turned his attention back to them.

"I'm still waiting for an answer. Why are you all still here?"

Patty stepped forward. "We just wanted to keep Miss Joy company so she wouldn't feel lonely while waiting for you."

"Oh." Joy looked toward them and smiled. "Thank you. That was thoughtful of you."

Liam frowned.

"Why would you be lonely if Sophia came over?"

"Sophia got a call and had to leave," Joy explained.

Liam nodded before turning his attention back to her. He held out his hand and Joy placed hers in it without hesitation, and he gently pulled her to her feet.

This time, he finally got a proper look at her.

Liam took her hand and slowly twirled her around, his eyes following her as the dress came fully into view.

The fitted burgundy gown hugged her body elegantly before falling all the way to the floor, a slit began at her mid-thigh,revealing her leg whenever she moved. The straps of the dress were thin, leaving her shoulders bare, and the plunging neckline revealed just enough cleavage to make the dress undeniably sexy without taking away from its elegance.

Her hair was in a neat bun, with small ringlets falling around her face. Long diamond earrings brushed lightly against her neck, while silver heels and a crystal clutch completed the look.

Liam's eyes lingered on her for a moment longer than necessary. He made a mental note to give the stylist a bonus.

"You look beautiful."

Joy giggled shyly, her cheeks turning slightly pink. "Thank you. I love everything."

Liam nodded and slid his hand into hers as they started making their way outside. They exchanged small talk as they walked, both of them aware that they were supposed to look like a couple who had been waiting all day to see each other.

"I'm sorry," Liam said after a moment. "I had to work and attend several meetings. That's why I wasn't able to come home."

Joy looked up at him and she moved a little closer.

"I missed you badly," she said softly. "I didn't know what I was supposed to do with myself."

Liam glanced down at her, unsure whether she meant it or was simply playing her part. Either way, she was surprisingly convincing. When they reached the car, he opened the door for her.

"Careful."

Joy gathered the bottom of her dress and stepped inside. Liam waited until she was comfortably seated before closing the door.

He turned toward the staff who had followed them outside.

"It's way past your closing time. You should all go home."

They nodded immediately.

"Goodnight, sir."

Liam walked around to the other side of the car and got in. The moment he settled into the seat beside Joy, she swallowed.

She refused to think too much about the reason her heart had suddenly started pounding. Maybe it was because she was sitting beside him after barely seeing him for two days. Maybe it was because tonight felt different somehow.

She wondered what they would talk about on the way to the restaurant. She could ask him about his work. She didn't know much about what Liam actually did beyond the fact that he owned a huge company and seemed to spend most of his life in meetings.

Beside her, Liam groaned and rested his head against the headrest.

"I'm supposed to be resting," he muttered. "Not joking around like teenagers and wasting my time."

Joy turned toward him.

"Your work must be really stressful," she said softly. "If you can't even come home sometimes."

Liam didn't answer immediately. For a while, there was only the quiet sound of the car moving. Eventually, he sighed.

"I'm tired, Joy. I've barely gotten any rest, and I'd appreciate it if we could ride in silence until we get to the restaurant."

Joy pressed her lips together. She wasn't sure what to say to that. So she simply turned toward the window and watched the scenery pass by as the car pulled out of the driveway.

There went her attempt at making a conversation.