Black Pearl in Raging Fire

11. Birthday's gifts

"B-Boss?"

Jonas looked at Adriel in surprise, wondering how much his boss had heard. Adriel never liked discussing his outbursts. Jonas was a little nervous.

"Was that a call from Riza?" Adriel looked at him coldly.

"Yes."

"It seems serious, work can't possibly be interrupted, right?"

"No, Boss. All went well."

Jonas was relieved that Adriel didn't seem to hear his conversation on the phone. But he was nervous again when Adriel looked at him suspiciously.

"He ..."

Adriel hadn't finished yet, but there was another voice behind him, "Geez, why are you blocking the way? Hurry out. Since everyone is gathered, I'll ask the kitchen to prepare dinner."

Samantha and Liam walked through the door as Adriel stepped aside disgruntled.

"Grandma, why bother calling the kitchen? Let me order take away from a fancy restaurant."

Due to this interruption, Jonas was saved from Adriel's pressure. He quickly took out a phone. "I'll order food from Century Restaurant."

Century restaurant is a place that only the upper class can reach. This restaurant was built to serve customers who sign up for a special annual membership that costs exorbitantly. Each member can choose a private space as his own and will not be used by others without his consent. Meals and personal amenities in this rich man's restaurant are guaranteed.

Samantha had no idea about how luxurious the place was and turned it down. "No need. Because of this event, the kitchen has bought a lot of groceries. You haven't been here for a long time, don't you miss Laila's cooking?"

Laila is one of the staff at the orphanage and is used to handling the food menu for all the residents of the orphanage.

Adriel quickly agreed.

They will eat big. The success of today's event was thanks to all the hard work from the orphanage and event organizers. After cleaning up the rest of the event in the main building which had taken hours, everyone was called in for dinner.

Seeing how harmonious the situation was between Samantha and the two couples, it seemed they managed to confess without a hitch.

On their way to the dining room, Louis handes Liam a bag. "You forgot these gifts in the garden."

Liam saw the bag containing the two gifts Louis gave him before Adriel's arrival and felt guilty. "I'm sorry. I accidentally forgot it."

"It's fine. Keep it close by so you don't forget it again." He smiled.

Adriel who saw this, grabbed the bag from Liam and stood between them. "You really are capable. I'm here, and you still dare to seduce my wife?"

Then the gifts was given to Jonas. "Save this sweet 'gifts'."

Jonas took the gifts without asking much.

Louis kept smiling. "Mr. Kingston, I was just handing him a present. I wasn't seducing him. Your mind is running wild."

"Even if you tease him, he will still be mine. Don't waste your time on nothing." Adriel pulled Liam to sit on a chair.

Liam glanced slightly at Louis, although it wasn't obvious, he apologized through his eyes.

The smile on Louis' face stiffened. At this time Fran and Amanda came to join. They saw the show just now.

Fran nudged him. "What's wrong? Why do I hear you're flirting with other people's wives?"

Amanda crossed her arms and said irritably, "He's a blind! How can he think everyone is gay just like him?"

Fran, "Hey. I think this big boss is quite unique. He's like a bear protectively guarding his food. What's wrong with that?"

"Whatever."

Amanda rolled her eyes. She had not had a good impression of Adriel ever since she had first seen him moments ago. Moreover, she also doesn't really like Liam because of Liam's indifferent attitude towards others, as if he is bothered with other people and doesn't need anyone.

Really high headed.

Unlike the two, Louis thought of Adriel's sarcasm and felt suspicious. Can that man guess that he likes Liam?

His expression quickly changed, "Let's sit over there."

The large dining table contained six chairs, besides Samantha, Adriel and Liam, Louis and two other donors sat down. Jonas self-consciously eat at another table.

"Before we start eating, I would like to thank the organizers for the successful event held at this orphanage today. I'm just an old head of the orphanage, if my banquet isn't satisfactory, you can tell me." Samantha gave a warm welcome. "And to the regular donors for continuing to entrust this orphanage with your help, I also thank you on behalf of all the staff and children at the orphanage. Thank you for your support so far."

Adriel rubbed Samantha's shoulder.

Samantha placed her hand on top of Adriel's, "Then I won't delay any longer. Everyone must be hungry. Come on, let's start eating."

Everyone smiled and nodded in agreement, then they started eating.

Half an hour later, all the organizers decided to go home after hauling all the goods. Jena approached Liam while glancing at Adriel who was talking to Samantha.

"Boss, you're not coming home with us, are you? Then we'll be leaving first," she said.

"I'm going home with you." Liam answered.

Isabel interrupted, "Why do you have to come home with us? Your handsome husband is coming to pick you up, you don't want to come home with him?"

Liam was too confused to answer. Going home with Adriel? To be honest he was very reluctant.

Jenna agreed. "That's right, Boss. Go home with your husband. You've been working hard lately. You must be tired."

Since Jena saw her boss's husband today, and how he treated Liam, she doesn't think that their marriage is bad. She enjoyed having other people treat Liam well. Moreover, Liam is very quiet and indifferent. Other people often misunderstand his character, but that person can take good care of him.

"I'm going home with you guys. Today's party supplies, I have to help you clean up." Liam said.

"Geez! Just a piece of equipment, can't the three of us manage?" Isabel pouted. "You've recruited a new male employee, if you work, what use is he?"

Yuno, the new barista at Liam's cafe, choked.

Before Liam could answer again, Jena hastily pulled Yuno and Isabel up, saying, "Boss, leave everything to us! You relax."

And the three of them quickly left his sight.

At this time, Fran suddenly approached. "Was it Jena and Isabel?"

Liam nodded.

"They're all grown up and as beautiful as that," he grinned. "How old are they again?"

Before Liam could answer, Louis and Amanda came closer too. Amanda tapped Fran's head after hearing his words. "Mr. Playboy, do you want to prey on kids too?"

Frank rubbed his head. "Fvck off! Do you think I'm that old?!"

Amanda, "In case you forgot, you're almost 30!"

Fran, "There is no age limit for falling in love, ok!"

"Find a girlfriend your age!"

"I'm not going to take advice from a single girl freak!"

"You!"

Louis shook his head. "Liam, about the party I told you before, what do you think?"

Previously Louis said that Fran proposed inviting everyone to celebrate his wedding. Liam replied lazily, "I can't promise that."

Hearing this Fran and Amanda stopped and turned to him.

"Why? Don't you want to celebrate?" said Fran.

Amanda looked at him sarcastically. "You married secretly and didn't want to celebrate even with us. You want to make other people speculate wildly?"

About that wild speculation, Liam knows what it means. In their circle of friends, there has been a rumor that he was sold by his family to rebuild his company.

So in the eyes of outsiders, he was just a toy bought by a rich boss as collateral. Liam couldn't refute these rumors and came out for clarification. From wherever you looked, everything looked like he had indeed been 'sold'.

He said coldly, "If no one makes smoke, would anyone else smell it?"

Amanda was offended. Liam's words imply that this rumor must be being spread by someone who hates him.

"Why are you looking at me as if I did it?"

"Your mind is running wild." Liam said nonchalantly.

Louis intervened between them. "Liam, Amanda didn't mean that. Don't mind the wild gossip out there, we trust you. And if you don't want to have a party then there's no need. It's fine."

"Mn." Liam nodded.

Fran, who had been silent, embraced Amanda. "Come on, Manda, don't tell me that gossip really comes out of your mouth, huh? Isn't your mouth so sharp!"

"Why am I so cunning?" Amanda swatted away Fran's arm in disgust. "Don't touch me! Have you forgotten what happened to the person who touched me last time?"

Of course Fran knew, they were in the same office and were childhood friends. He knew Amanda was not only verbally abusive, but her hands and feet were well trained to beat people up.

Fran didn't hate Amanda, but ever since she asked him to be close to Louis and follow him everywhere, Fran just got annoyed. Her crazy love for Louis is absolutely terrible, she will remove anyone as a barrier between her and Louis.

And because Louis is nice to Liam, after finding out Liam is gay, she doesn't like Liam.

Unfortunately she doesn't know that Louis is also gay.

No, she probably knew, but she tried to close her eyes.

"Ow, sorrey, honey." Fran raised his hands in surrender. Amanda looked at him in disgust.

"Then we'll head home first." Louis tapped Liam on the shoulder, not giving the two of them a chance to provoke Liam again. "You're going home with your partner, right?"

Liam nodded. But he felt it was too short, he said, "Be careful on the road."

Louis and the others leave.

From a place not far from them, Adriel witnessed the whole scene. He had long since finished talking to Samantha and purposely stood where he was to observe how Liam's friends were. It seems their relationship is not very good.

Adriel didn't care, even if they antagonize and leave Liam, he won't.

He called Jonas. "Give me the car key."

Jonas gave it without hesitation.

"You go home by taxi," said Adriel.

Of course Jonas had expected this and he immediately complied, but Adriel called out to him again before he left.

Adriel, "After this, you go see if there is a good place with good privacy. The place has to be luxurious and make people who come there feel comfortable."

Jonas, "What about Century Restaurant?"

"Find another one!"

"Are you going to make reservations tonight?"

"Not now."

Jonas immediately thought of something in his head. "Do you need to set up a romantic setting with a table covered in candles and some pretty music playing?"

Thinking about it for a while, a smile appeared on Adriel's lips. Jonas immediately knew what his boss was thinking

Adriel waved his hand. "Quickly go. Anyway find the best place."

Jonas promised his life. "OK, Boss."

After Jonas left, Adriel said goodbye to Samantha and the others, bringing Liam to his side in harmony. Samantha even prayed for them to always get along and asked them to come to the orphanage often. Lastly, Samantha gave him two boxes of oranges from the orchard.

All the way to the car, Liam stared blankly at the two boxes in the trolley.

Is it okay to take this much? These oranges are usually sold in markets by orphanages to earn money, right?

"Grandma gave it to you because she didn't have a wedding present ready. You have to take it." Adriel said.

Liam was surprised.

The car door was opened, only then did Liam realized that one person was missing.

"You can put that in the trunk." Adriel said from the wheel, at that time the trunk opened automatically.

Knowing that Jonas wasn't there and it was just the two of them, Liam's mood was a bit gloomy. He headed for the trunk and smelled the scent of roses before his eyes were blinded by the large bouquet of roses in the trunk.

Liam, "..."

"Happy birthday. It shouldn't matter that I said it too late, right?" Adriel was suddenly at his side, whispering and grinning.

Liam immediately pulled himself away. Seeing the flower, he was not impressed, he was only surprised at the start and his expression turned indifferent. The orange boxes was placed in the remaining space. Then he closed the trunk expressionlessly.

The smirk on Adriel's lips disappeared. "Don't you like the roses? What flowers do you like?"

Liam turned the question around. "Do I look like a woman who likes flowers?"

Adriel burst out laughing. "You're right. But I have another gift for you. Come in. You will like this time."

The rear passenger door was opened by Adriel. Before Liam could see inside, some paper bags fall. He could read the writing on the bags and knew they were from an expensive brand. And the bags filled the back of the car.

It made sense that Adriel would let Jonas go.

If the three of them got in the car, one person would not get a seat.

"Why are you silent? See, do you like them this time," said Adriel.

"I don't like them." Liam said without even thinking. What a waste of money.

"Then what do you like?"

"Nothing."

"Impossible." Adriel pulled Liam's arm close to him. "Take another look. There's so much stuff in there. You're bound to like one."

Liam tried to pull his hand away, only to realize that Adriel's grip was very strong. He looked at Adriel's serious face and sighed.

"Let go," he said.

Adriel didn't move.

"How can I see it if you don't let go of my hand?" Liam's voice is still indifferent.

Adriel's lips curled again and he was in good enough mood to let go.

Liam swept a glance at all of their gaudy assorted paper bags and still didn't like it. Ever since he was little, he didn't really care about brand name clothes or anything like that. As long as something he's wearing is comfortable enough, he'll buy it.

"What happens if I don't like either one?"

"It's all yours, you are free to do anything to them," said Adriel.

Liam randomly picked up a paper bag and he knew it's a watch. "I'll take this."

Just as Liam was about to get into the car, Adriel grabbed the paper bag. Under Liam's impatient gaze, Adriel opened a black box with a brand engraved in gold pen on it. The luxurious silver color paired with the blue and beautiful diamond stones of an expensive watch immediately crossed his eyes. He timed it properly, his expression serious. Then took Liam's hand to help him put it on.

The feeling of being touched by a large warm hand suddenly tingled Liam's skin a bit, like an electric current was accompanying it.

"Perfectly suits you." Adrian rubbed his hand.

This time Liam pulled his hand away effortlessly. He got into the car without saying anything.

Adriel who had seen the tips of Liam's ears turning red, chuckled. "So cute."

... to be continued ...