SWEETHEART ORDEALS

ChapterFive

TWO WEEKS LATER, Tara Brien strode into her office that morning, juggling a stack of files and her usual cup of coffee. Tara had hardly set the files on her desk when something caught her eye—something out of the ordinary—a tiny, neatly folded note lying on top of her paperwork. Curious, she picked it up and unfolded it. The writing on it was unmistakably Liam's.

"Meet me at 2 PM at The Regent's Lounge. Address enclosed. Important."

She stared at the note, her heart executing an unexpected somersault. To her mind, the Regent's Lounge represented all sorts of excesses above all, discretion; it was one of the swankiest restaurants in town. Whatever could Liam want to see her for there? It must be business. All through the day, she kept gnawing her mind on it as she tried to concentrate on what lay ahead.

It was finally 2 PM, and Tara had just come out from The Regent's Lounge; her heart swirled with every feeling from anticipation to nervousness. Right at the entrance, this restaurant was very grand, with polished marble floors and elegant chandeliers. This wasn't going to be any kind of restaurant but part of a five-star hotel and one of the poshest in the city.

She took a deep breath, pushed open the door, and announced her name at reception. The beaming hostess waded across in her friendly smile to take her through the fine dining area set with fine chinaware on tables and glasses that glittered in the soft candlelight. She came to a stop at a private booth tucked away in the farthest corner to afford an intimate setting, far from prying eyes.

Liam had already taken a seat, and, of course, he looked immaculate with his tailored suit. He stood up as she approached, with sparkling eyes at the view.

"Tara, you made it," he said, warm in tone, inviting. "Please, have a seat.".

Tara took a deep breath before she slid into the booth across from him. "I didn't expect this," she said, eyes roving the sumptuous surroundings. "I thought we were coming to meet about something to do with work."

Liam smiled, though his eyes were gravity serious. "Sorry for the ambush. Wanted to have a word with you somewhere we wouldn't be interrupted. This… isn't about work."

Tara felt her heart race but tried to stay calm. "If it's not work, then what is it?

Liam edged a bit forward; his eyes locked into hers in such a manner that she was caught by the intensity of the look. "Tara, there's something I've wanted to share with you for such a long time, but well, I just didn't know how or whether I should. Having gone through all we have together, working and experiencing things beyond simple professionalism, I realized I couldn't keep it inside anymore.".

Tara's heart quickened as she wrestled to make sense of what he said. "Liam, what do you mean?

His face relaxed, and he swallowed with a lump. "Tara, I love you. I know this might sound very sudden, and I know it's complicated, but I just can't keep ignoring my feelings. Being with you, even at the most basic of times, makes me happier than anything else in my life. You brought light into my world in a way that no one ever did.".

Tara's eyes widened in shock. "Mr Liam, you are engaged to Quincy. How can you say this?"

"I know," he said again, this time showing frustration at the situation, then his voice again took on a frustrated tone. "Tara, just call me Liam. I know that isn't fair to either of you." The engagement, it was all arranged more for families and business rather than anything else. Quincy is really wonderful, but she isn't. .. you, Tara.".

Tara shook her head, trying to process the words. "Mr. Liam, I mean Liam, that is crazy. You are talking about canceling a commitment—an engagement that may impact your company, your family. Do you really want that? Because of me?"

Liam pitched forward, across the table, and gently took her hand in his. "Tara, with you, I feel something that I never did with anyone else. With you, I feel alive alive, like I can just be myself and forget all the expectations and pressures that come because of my last name. I am ready to take on anything that comes of this for what I want, and I want to be with you.".

Tara jerked her hand free, scrambling for words. "But what about Quincy? What about all that's riding on this marriage? You can't walk away from that."

Liam exhaled noisily and settled back in his chair. "I know this isn't going to be easy, but I just can't do this marriage knowing my heart belongs to another. That wouldn't be right for Quincy either. She deserves a person's whole heart, and I'm not able to do that."

Tara's mind was such a jumble of confusion, fear, and undeniable attraction to Liam. "Liam, I…I don't know what to say. It is just so sudden, and I don't want to be the reason you throw everything away. Maybe you should think about this more—what exactly you are willing to give up.".

His eyes softened as they met hers, his lips curving into a small smile. "Tara, I have thought about this so much more than you can imagine. The thing I am sure of is that I will not let you go without fighting. I want you to know how I feel, and I need you to give it some thought, too. We aren't going to have to decide on anything tonight. But I needed you to know.".

Tara sat there, deep into Liam's eyes, feeling the weight of his words and heaviness over their situation. Deep inside, she felt no matter which way she was to choose, their lives would never be the same again.

She paused a long while before finally speaking, her voice barely above a whisper, "Mr. Liam, I need time. This is a lot to take in.".

It was not until this that Liam would nod, his eyes wide, finally in understanding. "Take all the time you need, Tara. I'm not going anywhere. I just needed you to know the truth.".

The conversation afterwards turned to lighter topics, but that electric tension between them was still there. Finishing the food and preparing to leave, Tara felt her world completely turned upside down. She did not know what lay ahead, but one thing was very certain—nothing would ever be the same again.