Black Pearl in Raging Fire

13. Bad mood?

When Liam woke up, there were a lot of calls and a few messages from his father. He got up and read the message.

[ Your mother is in the hospital. Can you come? ]

Liam was surprised. He immediately replied that he would come, then went to wash up. When he came down, Shari had not even arrived. He looked at Adriel's bedroom door, hesitated for a moment before finally knocking.

Two knocks, the door opened. Adriel had probably just woken up, his face sleepy as he leaned his body against the door. "What is it?"

"I have to go to the hospital." Liam answered.

Adriel was silent for a moment, then touched Liam's face. "Are you sick?"

"No. This is my mom."

"Oh, your mother ..."

"Can I go now?" Liam asked again, his tone a bit urgent.

Adriel's gaze fell on Liam's slightly messy hair, and his clothes were also untidy. He must have been in a rush after receiving the news.

Adriel smoothed his hair and straightened his collar, grinning, "Are you begging me?"

"... Yes."

Adriel kissed his cheek in satisfaction. "Wait for me."

What does it mean? Does Adriel want to come with him?

Without waiting for Liam's answer, Adriel went into the bathroom. Soon there was the sound of running water. Liam was still standing outside the door, Adriel who left immediately didn't close the door at all and Liam peeked inside.

This was completely not because he wanted to know, but his head didn't stop him. When he looked inside, there wasn't much there. There was only a standard bed with white sheets, a wooden cupboard and a dressing table. There were no wall hangings or other objects. Like a normal guest room.

Considering how his own room was, this difference was like heaven and earth. His room was lavishly decorated, every piece of expensive furniture with good quality materials and a high sense of comfort.

Liam frowned.

How could it be?

Isn't he just a toy that when Adriel gets bored, he gets thrown away? Were all his past lovers treated like this?

Thinking about it Liam's heart a little sour.

He quickly left and waited in the living room. Less than ten minutes, Adriel appeared. Liam glanced at him. When not working, Adriel's hair is down and not styled. It gives off a youthful and energetic impression. He didn't look like a thirty-year-old man.

"I'll have Jonas prepare a gift." Adriel took out his phone, wanting to call someone.

"You don't need to bother." Liam stood.

"It's not up to you." Adriel said in a careless tone. "I came to see my mother-in-law, I can't let her think badly of me."

Liam was too lazy to argue. "We can stop by the flower shop."

"... Um, ok."

An hour later the car they were traveling in arrived at the hospital parking lot. Liam suddenly called Adriel.

"You ... you don't need to talk to my mom. You can show your face for a second and say hello, then you can go first." Liam made a suggestion.

Adriel raised his eyebrows. "Why? Are you afraid that I will stimulate your mother?"

The answer was yes.

But hearing his displeased tone, Liam didn't confess. "I'm sure there's nothing you can talk to my mom about."

Adriel snorted. "You are quite capable of managing me now. Whether or not I will talk to your mother is not up to you."

The man was angry.

Liam followed him opening the door and they headed into the hospital building together. Nothing was said between them. Adriel walked in front and Liam behind.

After a while, Adriel turned around. "Are you my bodyguard?"

Liam, "..."

His hand was pulled tight. Adriel positioned himself beside him. Still holding his hand.

Several people looked at them, Liam tried to pull his hand free, only for Adriel to grip it even tighter. Finally he gave up.

Adriel's phone rang. He handed the flower in his hand to Liam's free hand before reaching for his phone.

It was a call from Riza.

"What's up?"

"Hey, hey, you forgot? You told me to come this morning and we'd go to see the plot of land on Baiguan Street."

Adriel had completely forgotten, he glanced at Liam as he replied, "You didn't need to come."

"What do you mean I don't need to come? I'm already in front of your fvcking house now!"

"Is there anyone inside?"

"... No!"

"Then you know I'm not home. You go." Adriel answered carelessly.

"The fvck are you saying? I made a promise and you—"

Adriel hang up the call without even looking. He pocketed his phone again and took the flower from Liam's hand.

Even though it was a two way conversation, Liam could still hear Riza's voice as he screamed loudly.

"If you are busy, you can leave after greeting my mom." Liam said.

Adriel snorted. "Did I ask your opinion? Just be quiet and I will accompany you until you are done."

Every time he visited the hospital, Liam always stayed a little longer. It was because he wanted to accompany his mother and take care of her needs while his father was away.

Looks like he won't be able to stay long this time.

They arrived at the room his father had mentioned. Liam knocked on the door before he pushed it open, just then his father saw them and his expression went from happy to slightly complicated.

"Dad, how's mom?" he asked.

Collin quickly relaxed his expression. "She's all right. Just a relapse of her old illness. Mr. Kingston, you come too. Come on in."

Adriel smiled. "Father, you can call me Adriel."

Collin's face immediately stiffened.

The door was wide open, Liam entered first followed by Adriel behind him. When Mrs. Halsey heard someone coming, she looked up and looked complicated at Adriel, who was carrying a bouquet of flowers. She hated the person who snatched her son. She hated her body for troubling her husband and son, and gave Adriel the opportunity to take advantage of it.

She knew Adriel had helped their family to revive the nearly bankrupt company, but she still didn't like him.

Mrs. Halsey has clear standards for her future daughter-in-law. She wanted a girl from an educated and elegant family, who would produce good and intelligent offspring.

Never had she imagined that her son would marry a man so much older than him.

"Mother, Liam said that you like lilies and I picked one for you." Adriel's voice was soft but firm.

Mrs. Halsey gave Liam a strange look. When she saw Liam nod, she turned her head.

She said in a low and cold voice, "Thank you for coming."

Adriel smiled formally and let Liam arrange the flowers by the window.

He didn't speak anymore and just let Liam take care of his mother. Here he was just a stranger and he knew that Liam's parents didn't like him. Of course, that was because he used despicable means to get their beloved son to become gay.

Collin didn't know what to say either. To be honest he still held a bit of grudge against Adriel. Even though he didn't say it, it was almost clear on his face.

Adriel was not offended. He sat on the couch comfortably. Playing with his phone.

Then his phone rang.

It was Riza calling him again.

"I'll take this," he said to everyone in the room and walked out.

Until the door closes, Mrs. Halsey didn't hide her expression anymore. "Why did you bring him here?"

Liam replied, "He wants to see you too."

"He wants to see me or taunt me to death? He knows I never agreed to your marriage and he dares to show his face?" Mrs. Halsey raised her voice and coughed.

"Mom, don't be angry." Liam handed the water to his mother.

"But he forced you to marry him. He is insane! Then what if he likes men, does he have to drag other people to have thoughts like him?"

"Mom, he didn't force me. I was the one who agreed."

"You ..."

Mrs. Halsey couldn't believe that her son was defending Adriel, she looked away and cried so that the three of them didn't notice the sound of the door opening.

Adriel's hand holding the knob stopped. Through the crack in the open door he heard everything. His expression was calm and indifferent, then closed the door again and left.

Collin faintly heard the sound of the door, but saw no one. He mediated between his wife and son. "Don't fight anymore, everything has already happened. What's there to argue about? You ... don't cry, remember your own body, don't be depressed."

Then he looked at Liam. "How are you? Did he bully you?"

Liam handed his mother a tissue, but was refused. He said, "I'm fine. You don't have to worry about me. How about company?"

Collin sighed and the tension on his face loosened. "This is actually getting better. The cooperation between the companies has not experienced any problems. Investors are starting to trust our performance again. Adriel has really helped us quite well, the work plan he made has been so profitable for many parties."

And yes, Collin felt that his company is much better off with Adriel's help now.

But his words were like pouring gasoline on a fire. Mrs. Halsey snorted. "Even you say nice things about him? He has brainwashed you."

"What are you saying, huh? I don't say nice things. That's exactly what happened." Collin was helpless. "Never mind, this is our reunion after Liam got married, why fight?"

"That's right, Mom. Don't get angry."

Mrs. Halsey pouted.

Liam didn't chat for long because his mother was feeling tired and sleeping after taking the medicine. He immediately went out and found Adriel anywhere.

Did he leave?

Even though Liam didn't care whether Adriel left or not, he still went to the parking lot and saw Adriel's car was still there. He immediately contacted him. Not waiting long, the call was received but Adriel didn't say anything.

"I am done."

Very quiet on Adriel's side, there was the sound of a subtle wind blowing through the speakers.

As Adriel still didn't answer, Liam asked, "Where were you?"

"Guess." Adriel finally replied, "If you can find me, I will reward you."

"Do not play around."

"Who's playing? I'm serious. Guess where I am and then pick me up here."

If Adriel was in front of him, he would be sneering with a smirk right now. Liam clicked his tongue.

"I'll go home myself." Liam said coldly.

"You dare?"

Liam sighed.

"You made me wait here alone and you dare to leave without me? You sure are capable of ignoring me in front of your family and leave me alone, right?" Adriel growled.

Who asked you to come along?

Liam rolled his eyes. "Fine, tell me where you are and I'll be there."

"I'll give you a hint." Adriel chuckled.

This man was completely unreasonable.

Suppressing his emotions, Liam closed his eyes. He thought that if he didn't comply, Adriel would definitely not let him go. And if he continues to resist, it can stimulate him. He was afraid that Adriel would explode in anger at the hospital. Who can bear it?

"What's the hint?" Liam compromised.

Adriel's mood immediately brightened and he hummed. "I was looking at you."

Liam's head looked up and looked around him.

"Don't look. You won't find me easily."

Liam clenched his fists. "You ..."

"Can't you guess? Are you giving up?" Adriel was silent for a moment and continued, "If you beg me and give in, maybe I can tolerate you. Come on, beg me sweetly."

The rope of patience in Liam's head almost snapped, he gritted his teeth in response. "I give up. Where are you?"

"Do you call that begging? Why can't it sound sincere? You have to beg seriously!" Adriel sneered.

Liam took a breath, trying not to get mad and said more slowly, "Okay, I give up. Tell me where you are and I'll come to your place to pick you up. I-I ... I'll give you a reward."

"..."

"... Please."

Liam's ears redden. But after a while there was no sound at Adriel's side. Liam pulled out his phone and saw the call was still connected.

Liam was about to speak again, when someone grabbed his hand and his body was lifted into the air. Liam felt dizzy all of a sudden and found that his head was upside down. His stomach was on someone's shoulder.

Liam, "!!!"

Liam's reactions were slow and he had been 'carried away' by others like a sack of rice. Blood quickly gathered in his head. Liam immediately rebelled.

"What ... let go! Put me down!" He was angry.

The car door swung open. Liam was slammed into the soft car seat and his eyes adjust immediately.

In front of him, Adriel's face was very close and looked at him with a bright smile.

"Where's my reward?"

Liam dazed, angrily replied, "What a bullshit! Get out of the way!"

He couldn't get rid of Adriel's body at all. The man had the strength of iron to keep him in place. Liam looked at him intently.

"My reward?" Adriel raised his hand.

What reward? Liam just said it offhand and he didn't prepare anything. If he had known Adriel wasn't letting this go, he wouldn't have said it in the first place.

Adriel's gaze was still demanding. Liam clicked his tongue and thought of a way to escape this.

"You know I'm in a bad mood and hope your reward calms me down." Adriel smiled that didn't reach his eyes.

Bad mood?

Who made him angry at the hospital anyway? Did he meet an old enemy?

"Hey," Adriel urged him.

Liam glanced at him, feeling tired all of a sudden, and clenched his fists.

"I didn't prepare a reward, but ..."

Adriel saw Liam bring his face closer and he felt cold lips touch his. He was unprepared and his eyes widened.

Liam actually ... kissed him?

His eyes blinked. The kiss went as fast as it came, only the dragonfly kissed the water.

Liam looked away. His cheeks were flushed up to his ears.

In the end Adriel wasn't dazed for long before his lips curled into a smirk, his tone mocking as he said, "Just like that? Like a cat coyly stealing a fish!"

He rubbed his lips slightly, smiling crookedly.

"Well, not bad. Try harder in the future."

He patted Liam's head who was grinding his teeth in embarrassment and anger.

... to be continued ...