Taming Demi's Mom (ONGOING)

Chapter 35

{LIAM}

I SLOWLY opened Demi and Victoria's sleeping room. I had no intention of waking them, and it was only 4 a.m. in the morning. I hoped they wouldn't notice my entry.

I peeked inside the room, illuminated by the soft glow of a mushroom lamp, providing enough light to see the entire space. I noticed that both of them were sound asleep, so I proceeded to enter the room quietly. Carefully, I closed the door behind me, making sure not to make any noise.

I went straight to the large closet, and after opening it, I knelt down to unlock the safety drawer at its bottom. I retrieved the key from my pajama pocket and inserted it into the keyhole.

Upon opening it, a small violet box greeted my sight. There was a sticky note on top of it saying 'Happy anniversary, my beautiful wife'. I carefully took it and closed the closet again. Standing up, I carried the box and headed to the side of Victoria's bed, where I sat down slowly. I gently placed the box on the table next to the bed.

I looked at Victoria's radiant face. That box would be my gift to her on this day of our marriage anniversary. Since we've been apart, I celebrate our wedding anniversary by writing lengthy letters, expressing everything I want to tell her, including every little things I did and my big accomplishments throughout the year. I place these letters in the box, hoping that one day I will be able to give it to her so she can read everything. Perhaps, this is the right time.

I gently brushed aside a few strands of Victoria's hair covering her face. Leaning in, I planted a soft kiss on her left cheek and then smiled.

"Happy anniversary, my wife. I'm thankful that fate has brought you back to my side. I won't waste this chance that the heavens above have given me," I whispered affectionately to her.

I didn't stay in their room any longer, mindful not to wake them. I didn't want to disrupt their peaceful sleep. I gave Demi a quick kiss on her forehead before I exited the room and chose not to return to sleep, opting instead for a shower.

I needed to cool off and freshen up, knowing that this day would be long and exhausting. I spent some time under the shower, contemplating what to do later when I face our State's Attorney. He had summoned me yesterday, but I wasn't in the mood to deal with him then, so I decided to go to his office today.

I know this is bad timing. Instead of spending the whole day celebrating with Victoria, I won't be able to. I really wanted to go on a date with her, but I really can't. I can't postpone this for the second time again if I don't want to face complicated consequences that could ruin my happy family. I already have a hunch why Mr. Bentham wanted to talk to me.

I STARED at the large two-closed doors of his office. I recognized this door as a gateway to hell. The devil inside is the last person I would want to talk to. But right now, I had no choice but to follow his orders.

After a while, I grabbed the doorknob and quickly opened it. Mr. Bentham was sitting on his swivel chair. His head was tightly held, and there was a woman, a sexy and daring woman, massaging his head. His eyes were tightly closed, and he appeared incredibly relaxed.

I felt like vomiting at what I saw. This cunning man had never changed. How could a man like him become the State Attorney of New Orleans? Maybe because he's good at putting on a good show outside his office in front of many people. How long does he plan to stay in his position? I am supposed to take over his position, but it seems like he intentionally doesn't want to step down immediately.

"Close the door, Prosecutor Davis! How many times do I have to tell you to have some manners?" he yelled at me. His voice echoed through the four corners of his office.

He opened his eyes after speaking. He gestured for the woman to leave the office, and she quickly exited through the door with her heels making a loud thud. Mr. Bentham forcefully massaged his forehead.

"Please sit down," he calmly offered me, pointing to the chair in front of his study table.

I didn't comply with what he offered. Instead, I just stared at him coldly while standing far in front of him. After being together for so long, we already know each other's foul smell and attitudes. No need for such courtesy.

"Just be direct to the point. What do you want from me?" I asked him in a cold tone.

He suddenly burst into laughter, accompanying it with loud and quick applause.

"That's my boy!" he exclaimed while looking at me and pretending to shoot me.

"I want you to withdraw the prosecution against Mr. Antonio's son. He will give us millions if you succeed in proving in court that he is innocent," he straightforwardly told me.

Mr. Antonio's son was accused of r**e with homicide, and his victim was an 18-year-old college girl who was studying tourism and happened to be his schoolmate. All evidence pointed to him, and his crime was inhumane. So why would this old man think that I would set this criminal free just for money?

Yesterday, when I saw that college boy looking relaxed as if he knew he wouldn't be in jail, it made me want to punch him in the face until he could no longer be recognized by his own parents."

I gave him a smirk, and immediately, his gaze turned serious. He stood up from his swivel chair and walked towards me. He gently tapped both sides of my shoulders and looked at me from head to toe.

"I knew full well that no one can buy you for such an evil act. But perhaps, the prospect of repayment might lead you to do such a thing. After this, let's call it quits, Mr. Liam Davis. I know you'll choose the right path for the peace of your family," he said meaningfully, meeting my intense gaze.

Then he passed by me, leaving his office ahead of me. I gritted my teeth. I glanced in the direction he went. How dare he use that past against me?

A heavy weight settled in my senses. The faces of the victim's parents played in my mind. Yesterday, they visited me in my office, pleading for justice for their daughter's death. They see me as a righteous man, trusting that I would do the right thing.

But now, I had no other choice but to turn away from my promise to them. Her death would be in vain because of my fault. I didn't deserve the favorable opinions people held of me. I felt unworthy of wearing this suit. I questioned my suitability for this profession.

I PAUSED in front of the gate of my mansion. I gripped the steering wheel of my car tightly. I took a deep breath. I loosened my necktie with my one hand to give myself some breathing room.

After a moment, I looked up at the second floor of the mansion. I felt like I didn't deserve to have this family. Demi immediately came to my mind. She was also a girl, damn it! How could I face her, knowing that I had made the r****t of a college girl innocent? What if the same happened to my daughter, and the prosecutor acted as I did?

After a long while, I decided to finally enter the gate. I personally opened the gate and drove my car into the garage. I was about to close the gate again after I step out from my car, but Terrence had already did it.

He then walked towards me. "Sir Liam, something is waiting for you in the garden," he said with a smile.

"Why, what's going on?" I asked him, my voice sounding tired and hopeless.

"You'll find out, Sir, when you get there," Terrence replied with meaningful smile.

I just nodded. Despite wanting to go straight to my room and sleep, I walked towards the garden. I was somewhat curious about what was happening there.

As I arrived, a small table filled with dishes and three chairs around it greeted my view. Victoria and Demi occupied two of the chairs. Demi was already eating foods from her plate.

Upon seeing me, Victoria immediately stood up and greeted me, "Happy 4th anniversary, Liam," with a wide smile forming on her lips, then hugged me.

I should be extremely happy right now, but I couldn't bring myself to hug her back. Maybe because I've been haunted by my guilty feelings. After she let go, she gestured for me to sit in the remaining vacant chair.

"Hi, Dad!" Demi also greeted me, waving her little hand, which brought a sense of ease despite the burden on my conscience.

"Demi couldn't wait, so she started eating already. I cooked this for our anniversary celebration. I hope you like it," Victoria said to me.

I managed a tight smile. She looked at me with a furrowed brow.

"Aren't you in the mood? Did something happen?" she asked, concerned.

I shook my head, holding her hand and giving it a gentle squeeze to assure her that everything is going fine with me.

"I'm just tired. Thank you for this," I told her, and we started eating.