Chapter Two
1093 Words
Ciara's pov
I woke up to the sharp vibration of my phone buzzing somewhere on the empty bed.
My head pounded and my mouth felt dry. I rolled on the silk duvets as the memories of last night came flashing in.
Warm skin, strong arms and the rough unbuttoning of my dress. The guy from the bar's breath against my neck….
“No. No. God. What have I done?"
I sat up quickly. Snatching my dress from the carpet and my heels from the opposite sides of the room.
I suddenly caught the sound of running water coming from the bathroom.
Whoever he was, he was still here.
My phone buzzed again.
Seventeen missed calls from Liam.
Nine missed calls from Dad.
Fuck.
It was bad enough that Liam was angry last night, now this.
I grabbed my things and slipped away, dressing on my way to the elevator.
And when the phone rang again I took the call, expecting the worst.
“WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN?” My dad's voice exploded through the speaker. “Liam said You didn’t sleep at home! Are you trying to embarrass me? Do you know who that boy’s father is?”
‘Your boss,’ I almost said out loud.
“I’m sorry,” I whispered as I rubbed my temples. “I lost track of time.”
“You better fix whatever mess you created. Liam was waiting for you all night.”
The call ended.
My stomach twisted as I painted the gruesome image that was going to unfold at home.
When I walked into the living room, I held on tightly to my bag.
Liam stood beside a couch, holding up a cigarette, his other hand in his pocket, jaw tight and blue eyes cold.
“Where were you?” he asked.
I gulped, standing far away from him.
"I'm sorry, Laura…
"I leave the house to clear my head and you disappear next minute, spend the night out and you want to act innocent, bringing in your w***e friend as witness” he scoffed then tossed the cigarette to the floor.
“You're careless, Ciara. Irresponsible and dumb. If someone finds out, they'll call you cheap” staring directly at me"and " I won't marry a cheap woman.”
I clenched my jaw “it won't happen again"
He turned around, away from me.
“Yeah, it will but it will be none of my business because this marriage isn't happening”
My heart stopped but I maintained self composure.
“I’ll do better. I promise.”
Liam opened his mouth to response.
But his phone rang.
He checked the caller ID and instantly straightened, casting me a glare before moving further away from me.
“Hey, how have you been, big bro?” I stayed still, watching Liam’s entire tone shift to respectful softness.
Something he had never done.
Liam hardly talked about his big brother, his stepbrother.
“Yes, yes, I heard… You're bringing gifts? You didn't have to. It's been forever since you came home…. Well I have so much…”
The caller hung up on him.
I realized if Liam was on the phone with his step brother then he was someone important to him, someone he respected.
Liam paced around, grabbing his coat and struggling to wear his watch.
“Can I come along?" I said and he shot me a glare "I'll help with whatever he brought. Bags, boxes, anyything…. Let me show you that I'm serious. That I can be useful”
Liam hesitated, obviously too confused to think straight.
She continued softly, “You respect him. Maybe…maybe if he sees us together, he’ll be more proud of you, realize that you have your life more planned out than him” I said
If it was one thing Liam couldn't resist, it was the silent urge to win in everything.
He stared at me for a few heavy seconds.
Then sighed.
“Fine. But don’t say anything stupid.”
Relief washed through me as I rushed upstairs to freshen up.
—
I also knew Liam managed his stepbrother's hospital but I had never met him.
Not once. Not even a picture.
The hospital looked extraordinary, there were elevators and large white waiting rooms.
It was astonishing to witness how much money one could have. How much money the Wilds have.
“Stop staring," Liam muttered beside me, “and don't embarrass me"
I lowered my eyes immediately.
“Sorry"
“Just behave yourself when you get inside, my brother hates chaos," he rolled his eyes.
We stepped into an elevator that led us up till the tenth floor before we entered a larger office through a glass door.
“Good morning brother."
Liam's tone sounded more respectful, as though entering this office made him small.
And then.
I froze.
Standing by the window in a fitted charcoal suit, the sun cutting along the line of his jaw….
Mateo.
I blinked thrice to correct my vision while my breath seemed to choke me as I clearly recalled the mistake from the bar standing before me as Liam's stepbrother..
No. No way.
Our eyes met and my heart stopped.
Then his lips twitched. Not a smile, something worse.
Recognition and a hint of amusement with a touch of interest.
Luckily Liam didn't notice the tension in the room, instead he walked up towards his brother and gave him a side hug.
“You finally made it" he said with the same deepened voice, his eyes remained on me, like he was scanning me.
“Heather" he said softly, “nice to see you again"
My pulse jumped.
I opened my mouth but nothing came out.
Liam laughed “you two know each other?"
“No!" I say immediately “I… I'm not Heather”
Mateo slipped his hands into his pockets and arched a brow.
“Mm must have thought she was my secretary" he said
“Pfft you wish" Liam scoffed, making me want to disappear more than ever. “Bro, where are the things you said you brought"
“Oh" Mateo said casually, “I left them with the receptionist, could you go fetch them?"
Suddenly, Liam frowned “Me? But the attendants..”
“I need you to sign for them" Mateo cut in calmly “urgently"
Liam adjusted his jacket, clearly annoyed but obedient.
“Fine" then he turned to me “don't go anywhere"
With that he walked through the door, leaving me and Mateo all alone.
Which was of course. Mateo's plan.
- Writer
