Chương 22: A Public Display
I slowly awaken, squinting my eyes against the sudden burst of sunlight.
"Wake up, sleepy head," a voice familiar said. It sounded a lot like Mariam.
"No, leave me alone. Close the curtains, Mariam," I responded, raising the blanket above my head.
"Get up already," she said, pulling the blanket off me.
"Let me be, Mariam. Go away."
"Come on, if you don't stand up, I'll pour cold water on you," she threatened.
I sigh and sit up, yawning as I rub my eyes.
"There are clothes in the wardrobe, toothbrush and paste on your desk. Get ready and come out," she instructed.
"And don't even think about going back to bed," she adds, as if she knows my intentions.
I slowly stood up and made my way to the bathroom. It's smaller than the one at Liam's house, and the toilet is much smaller too.
I freshen up, stepping out in a pink fluffy towel I found in the wardrobe. I applied body lotion and wore the comfy black jeans, along with a big soft white sweater I took from the wardrobe, since the whether was freezing.
"You're done," I turned to see Mariam, standing in the doorway. "Good, let's go."
I gave myself one last glance in the mirror before following her. "You're acting like you're my mom," I teased as we walked along the corridor.
She led me out the gate and along a path with shrubs by each side. She seems to have mastered the place already.
We got to a big building. It looked glassy, and there was a board with something written on it, hung at the middle part of the building.
"Come on in," Mariam urged, pulling me to walk into the building. There were so many people sitted around at circle tables, with elegant white lacy table clothes spread on them, along with flowers vases placed at the center of each table.
"What would you girls like to have?" a man asked as we sat at a table, close to a large glass wall, Mariam sitting opposite me.
"Uhm, I'll have avocado toasts with scrambled eggs, along with classic hot chocolate," Mariam said.
"Noted. What about you, ma'am?" the man asked me.
"Uhm...I'll have what she's having," I told him, not familiar with what Mariam had ordered.
"Sure thing," he said and walked away.
Mariam chuckled. "Lol, Layla, you've been living with the prince and you don't even know the names of the food you ate."
"I wasn't there for the food, so why would I care about their names?" I replied.
"Still ignorant as always," she said, shaking her head. "If you weren't so ignorant, I'm sure you would have learned how to read and write by now. But no, you always say 'some other time'."
I huffed. "Well, I don't need it."
Mariam raised an eyebrow. "We'll see about that."
I smirked. "Hmph."
Just then, the man returned with our meals. "Alright, ladies, here's your food."
"Thanks," Mariam said.
"Uhm, thanks," I told him, feeling a bit awkward.
He nodded and smiled before walking away.
Mariam gestured to my plate. "Let's eat."
I stared at the dishes cautiously, even going so far as to sniff them.
I heard her laugh. "What're you doing?"
I looked up, feeling embarrassed. "Nothing, it's nothing."
I began eating, mirroring Mariam's actions.
"Ahh!!!," Someone screamed. It sounded like a female, and many of them. The screams continued, getting louder and louder.
"What's happening?" I asked Mariam, who looked just as confused as I was.
Girls in the same building as us started screaming.
"Why are they being so loud?" I shouted to the top of my lungs, covering my ears. I couldn't hear what Mariam was saying, but her lips moved.
My eyes landed on him, I was taken aback by his presence. He wore a black trenchcoat that perfectly complemented his black pants, giving him a sleek appearance.
His hair was styled to perfection, with a few strands falling effortlessly across his face. His hands were tucked into his trenchcoat pockets as he approached my table.
I instantly stood up, surprised by his sudden presence. The screams around us grew even louder.
"Uhm, L-Liam?" I stuttered, my voice barely above a whisper.
He stood right in front of me, a charming smile spreading across his lips as his eyes locked onto mine in an intense gaze. His eyes seemed to bore into mine, and I felt a shiver run down my spine.
"Uhm, what are you doing here, Liam?" I asked, feeling the weight of stares in my direction as the girls continued to scream.
"I've come to take you," Liam responded, his eyes never leaving mine.
"Take me?" I repeated, my brows furrowed in annoyance. "I thought you said you didn't want to take me anymore."
He started walking closer to me, his eyes fixed on mine.
"Uhm, Liam," I called out, trying to sound firm, but my voice trembled.
He didn't listen. I slowly moved back as he stepped closer, accidentally bumping into someone behind me. I turned to see it was a man. "Uhm, sorry," I said, feeling flustered.
The man didn't look offended. He simply smiled and turned to face the other side, positioning himself behind me. He didn't seem fazed by Liam's presence, but he did look wealthy, dressed in his expensive attire.
I turned to face Liam, who was now just a few steps away from me. My eyes widened, and I blinked continuously, unsure of what to do.
He drew nearer, his hands raising to grasp the man's shoulders behind me as he stepped closer to me. I felt trapped, my heart racing.
The screams around us grew even louder.
I was trapped between them as Liam continued to advance closer to me. Why wasn't the man behind me moving? Were they friends? Were they close?.
It felt like the man behind me was a wall that Liam was pinning me against. But I wasn't in contact with the man. Liam was the only one holding him, while I remained sandwiched between them.
We were just inches apart, his face inches from mine, as he kept advancing. Was this closeness not enough?.
His eyes started closing his eyes as he moved even closer, slightly bending his head. My eyes darted around his face, my hands on his chest, he smelled so nice.
I pushed him slightly, causing him to open his eyes. He smirked, his gaze moving from my lips to my eyes. I felt a sudden grab at my waist, it was Liam. He pulled me closer, closing the distance between us, and his lips met mine.
"Ahhhh!!!!" I heard the screams growing louder, and I saw flashes from different corners.
He pulled away, releasing my waist and pulling my wrist.
"I'm so happy for you," Mariam said, as I was being pulled away. I felt guards following us out as we made our way out of the building.
"Did you have to do that in front of everybody?" I asked, pulling my hand away from his hold when we reached his car. My brows were furrowed in anger.
"Claiming ownership," he said.
"O-ownership?" I stuttered.
"You belong to me. I've come to take you back. What happened in there was just to let them know you're taken," he said.
I felt my cheeks burning, and I couldn't hide my red face. I looked away.
"I'm not taken," I said, my head still facing the ground.
"Why are your cheeks so red?"
I looked up and noticed Liam's worried expression. Is he seriously asking me that right now?.
He reached out to touch my forehead with the back of his hand. "I'll take you to the hospital. Are you sick?"
I was taken aback. "I'm not sick," I said, my brows furrowed in annoyance as I folded my arms.
"I know," he said, his gaze piercing through me. I rolled my eyes and looked away, hearing him chuckle.
"What?" I asked, facing him again.
He started laughing, and I grew angry. Was he making fun of me?
"Hey, stop it already!" I reached out to punch him in the gut, but he held my hand, pulling me close to him instead.
He effortlessly lifted me up in his arms and opened the car door, getting in with me sitted on his laps, his arms around my waist.
"Uhm...I want to sit," I said, trying to squirm out of his hold.
"You're sitting, aren't you?" Liam responded, his grip around my waist tightening.
I felt the car begin to move as I was trapped in his embrace.
"On my own I mean," I said, and He released me.
I quickly moved to the other side of the car, close to the door. I noticed him watching me, and he suddenly placed his head on my lap, facing me.
"What are you doing?" I asked, feeling uncomfortable with his head on my lap.
"I'm tired, I want to sleep. Let me," he said, pulling my hand and kissing it. He placed it on his chest, covering it with his, his eyes never leaving mine.
"You can sleep at your house. I don't think you'd be comfortable. Sit up now," I said.
"I'm comfortable," he replied, his eyes closing.
My hand on his chest moved up and down with his breathing. I rested my head on the car window, enjoying the familiar sights as the driver continued driving.
Liam was still holding me, and we had already arrived at his mansion, but he was asleep.
"Uhm, Liam," I tapped his shoulder, but he didn't respond. His eyes slowly opened, and he met my gaze.
"We're here," I said.
He sniffled and sat up, his hands feeling suddenly warm and his face flushed.
"Are you okay?" I asked, concerned. He didn't look well.
"Hmm," he nodded, smiling.
"You can sleep in your room," I told him.
The car doors suddenly opened, and we got out from different sides.
Liam walked around to me and intertwined his fingers with mine. He felt hot all of a sudden and didn't look well. He was fine a moment ago, what happened now?
We walked in, the guards and maids bowing as we approached.
He led me to the elevator, and I noticed he looked really weak. We got in, and he rested against the wall, his head downcast, and his face slightly red.
When the doors opened, I walked out, but Liam remained in the elevator, looking unwell. The doors were closing, and I quickly held them open.
"What's wrong? Come out," I said, my brows furrowed in concern.
I pulled him out, as he didn't seem like he was going to come out on his own. He felt extremely hot.
"Liam, are you okay?" I asked, holding his cheeks In my hands, staring worriedly at him.
His eyes slightly opened, but he didn't respond. I decided to take him to his room, pulling him by the wrist through the corridors until we arrived at his door.
I pushed it open and led him to his large bed, removing his shoes, socks, and trench coat, leaving him in a black short-sleeved top and pants.
"You're sick, stay here. I'll be right back," I said, leaving his room to find someone, anyone - Diana, Hannah, or anyone else who could help.
I made my way to the living room. There were some ladies walking by, but I wanted to speak with the ones I knew Instead, Diana and Hannah.
I looked around, but I couldn't find any of them.
"Uhm excuse me." I called out to a lady.
"Yeah?" She turned to face me.
"Do you know where Hannah or Diana might be?"
"Uhm, not quite sure. I think they're busy. Is there anything you might need?"
Wasn't quite sure if I needed to tell her, but I think she might be of help. "Yeah, Liam is sick. He has a very high temperature, and he's feeling weak too."
Her eyes widened. "I'll call the doctor, you don't have to worry," she said, hurrying off.
"Uhm okay."
I heard clinking plates coming from the kitchen. It could probably be a maid working. I'll get something cold from the freezer for Liam, he really needs it, I thought.
I made my way to the kitchen, and my gaze landed on Liam, holding a white mug in his hand.
He met my gaze and pulled down the mug, a smile spreading across his lips.
"Aren't you supposed to be in bed, what are you doing here?"
"Why did you leave me?, I was bored, and I wanted tea," he said, sulking.
"I was gonna come back, you didn't have to get up." I walked over and pulled him by his wrist.
I pulled him to the refrigerator, opening it and pulling out a transparent white bag with ice blocks I found laying there.
"You're so hot. You need this," I said, pulling him further out of the kitchen, till we got to his room.
I let go of him, taking the mug he was holding and placing it on his desk.
"Lye back down." I told him.
"Don't go anywhere," he said, sitting in his bed.
"I won't, lye properly."
"Promise?"
"Hmm." I walked to him and gently pushed him to lye on the bed properly, covering him with his blanket.
"Sleep now, I'll be here with you," I said, placing the bag with ice cubes on his forehead.
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