CHAPTER FOUR - FATE’S LITTLE TRAP
1759 Words
The ride back was quiet.
Jason sat stiffly in the passenger seat, his fingers fidgeting on his lap. The streetlights outside flashed against his face like slow, rhythmic lightning — gold, shadow, gold again.
Liam drove in silence, his jaw set, his mind spinning between Elisa’s words and Jason’s expression before he left the party.
When they reached Liam’s house, the silence broke.
“Get down,” Liam said calmly.
Jason blinked. “I—I can just take a cab—”
“Jason.” Liam’s tone was firm but not angry. “You’re not leaving like that. Come in.”
Jason hesitated, then followed him through the tall black gates and into the house. The lights came on automatically, revealing sleek marble floors, high glass windows, and an expensive quiet that made the air feel heavy.
Jason froze at the doorway. “You live here alone?”
“Yeah,” Liam replied, tossing his car keys on the table. “Well, except for one maid who practically hides when I’m around.”
Jason gave a small, awkward chuckle. “This place is insane. My entire apartment can't even fit in your living room.”
Liam smirked faintly. “Then don’t trip. The furniture costs more than your rent.”
Jason laughed, shaking his head. “You’re unbelievable.”
“Sit.” Liam motioned to the couch.
Jason sat, shoulders tense, eyes darting around like he didn’t belong. Liam grabbed two glasses from the counter and poured them each a drink.
“So,” Liam said finally, sitting across from him. “You going to tell me what that was all about? You looked like you saw a ghost back there.”
Jason stared at his drink. “I didn’t expect her to be there.”
“Elisa?”
He nodded.
Liam leaned back. “She said you took something from her. Something she couldn’t forgive.”
Jason’s voice came out small. “Her boyfriend.”
Liam froze for half a beat, studying him. Jason didn’t look proud, or defensive. Just… scared.
Jason swallowed hard. “I didn’t mean for it to happen. We were friends. It just— happened. I thought I could handle it quietly, but then Elisa found out. I was ashamed of myself.”
He rubbed his palms together, avoiding Liam’s gaze. “That’s why I didn’t want to tell you. You’d probably think I’m disgusting too.”
For a moment, there was silence. Only the quiet ticking of the wall clock filled the air. Then—
Liam laughed.
Jason blinked in confusion. “You’re laughing?”
“Wait, you're gay?”
“Was Liam, it's all in the past now”
Liam grinned, shaking his head. “Jason, you were about to pass out from fear, and all because you thought I’d care who you fall for?”
Jason stared at him, still unsure. “You don’t?”
“Why would I?” Liam shrugged. “You’re still you. You’re the only person around here who doesn’t treat me like a title. That’s rare. I’d be an i***t to ruin that.”
Jason looked down, relief washing over his face. “You’re the first person who’s ever said that to me without flinching.”
Liam’s tone softened. “Then you’ve been talking to the wrong people.”
They both smiled faintly — the tension finally easing.
Jason leaned back on the couch. “Guess I owe you for tonight.”
“You owe me nothing,” Liam said, pouring him another drink. “You just needed to talk.”
Jason exhaled. “You’re full of surprises, you know that? Everyone says you’re arrogant and cold. But this version—”
“—stays between us,” Liam cut in, a playful smirk returning.
Jason laughed. “Got it.”
For the first time that night, the air didn’t feel so heavy. They talked for a while — about random things, about how strange California felt compared to Spain, about Liam’s father’s expectations, about Jason’s constant battle with acceptance.
It wasn’t deep conversation, but it was real.
Hours passed before Jason yawned. Liam noticed.
“You can crash in the guest room,” Liam said, standing.
Jason’s eyes widened. “Oh, no, I couldn’t—”
“You’re drunk,” Liam interrupted. “And I don’t need a body found on my street in the morning. Go.”
Jason smiled, shaking his head as he stood. “You act like you don’t care, but you do.”
Liam didn’t answer — just gave him that quiet, unreadable look. “Goodnight, Jason.”
As Jason disappeared down the hallway, Liam lingered by the window, staring out at the city lights.
He didn’t know why he felt lighter — maybe because for once, someone didn’t expect the prince to be perfect.
He smiled faintly. “You’re not bad company, Jason,” he murmured to himself.
From the guest room, Jason’s voice floated softly: “I heard that!”
Liam chuckled under his breath.
For the first time in a long while, the house didn’t feel so empty.
The morning sky was thick and gray, heavy with unshed rain. Liam drove through the quiet streets of Claremont, one hand lazily gripping the steering wheel while the other held his phone to his ear. Cree’s voice came through the speakers, steady but cautious, as always.
“Your father wants to confirm your attendance at the governors’ dinner next week, Your Highness.”
Liam groaned.
“Tell him I’m studying. Or sick. Or whatever will keep him from breathing down my neck.”
Cree hesitated.
“He won’t like that answer.”
“He doesn’t like any of my answers,” Liam muttered, his jaw tightening. “That’s nothing new.”
He was barely paying attention to the road when a figure darted across the sidewalk. The tires screeched as water splashed up in a wide arc — right onto a young woman standing by the curb.
Liam cursed under his breath and slammed on the brakes.
The girl gasped, her clothes drenched, her hair clinging to her face. Her eyes flared with disbelief and anger as she turned sharply toward the car.
“Are you blind?!” she shouted.
Liam stepped out, his gray hoodie pulled over his head. “That depends,” he said coolly, “are you always this dramatic, or just when it rains?”
The girl’s lips parted in shock.
“Excuse me?”
He sighed, noticing the mud streaked down her white dress. “Alright, fine. My bad.” His voice softened just slightly. “Let me make it up to you.”
“Oh, so money fixes everything?” she fired back.
Liam smirked. “Not everything. But it’s a start.”
She was trembling slightly from the cold, and he could see her defiance slipping just a bit. He took off his jacket and offered it. She hesitated before grabbing it from him with an annoyed glare.
“You don’t even know how to apologize properly,” she murmured.
“I said my bad. That’s close enough.”
Her eyes darted to his car — sleek, black, and far too expensive for an ordinary student. “Of course,” she muttered. “You’re one of them.”
“One of who?”
“The spoiled ones,” she said flatly. “The kind that never looks back after splashing someone.”
Liam couldn’t help the small laugh that escaped him. “You’re something else.”
“And you’re arrogant.”
He tilted his head. “You don’t even know me.”
“I don’t have to.”
Her sharp tone amused him more than it should have. “Come on,” he said finally, nodding toward a nearby boutique. “I’ll buy you a new dress. Before you catch a cold.”
She blinked, surprised by the offer. “I’m not going anywhere with you.”
“Suit yourself,” Liam said, turning away. “But don’t say I didn’t offer when you start sneezing.”
She hesitated — only for a moment — before groaning. “Fine. But only because I don’t want to freeze.”
⸻
Inside the boutique, the soft hum of jazz filled the air. Kyra stood awkwardly as the attendant showed her a few dresses. Liam leaned against the counter, watching her with mild amusement.
“You’re staring,” she said, not looking at him.
“I’m checking if I’ll regret this purchase.”
“You already should,” she shot back.
He smiled faintly. “You’re fiery. I’ll give you that.”
When she stepped out in a new blue dress, Liam’s smirk faltered for a second. It suited her — simple yet striking. She caught the flicker in his gaze and frowned.
“Stop looking at me like that.”
“Like what?”
“Like you’re used to girls melting when you do.”
He chuckled. “Maybe they usually do.”
“Well, I’m not one of them,” she said firmly.
That only made him grin wider.
⸻
Outside, the rain had stopped. They walked toward his car, the awkward silence stretching between them.
“So… what’s your name?” Liam asked.
“Kyra,” she said simply.
“Kyra,” he repeated, tasting the name. “Nice.”
“Don’t get used to it.”
“Oh, I plan to.”
She gave him a suspicious look. “Why are you being nice?”
“Because I ruined your morning. And because you called me arrogant — which, for the record, I’m not.”
“You absolutely are,” she said with a small smile she tried to hide.
⸻
When they reached the car, she paused. “You’re heading toward the college, aren’t you?”
He raised a brow. “You too?”
She hesitated before nodding. “Yeah.”
“Hop in. I’ll drop you.”
“No, thanks. People will talk.”
“People always talk,” he said, unlocking the door. “Might as well give them something worth talking about.”
After a long sigh, she climbed in. The car was quiet again — the kind of silence filled with unsaid things.
When they arrived, Kyra quickly got out before anyone saw her. She turned to him briefly. “Thanks for the ride… and the dress.”
“Anytime,” Liam said, watching as she walked toward the gate — her hair damp, her steps quick, but her presence lingering long after she was gone.
- Writer
