The Unloved Billionaires And I

“Why didn’t you wake me?” I confronted Liam with narrowed eyes, “Or at least pick the phone call? Your sister is on her way here now,” I flung off the covers in irritation.

“I’m sorry. You were so peaceful at sleep I didn’t want to wake you,” He dropped the tray he brought in and came to kneel before me. “I thought you would be mad if I took your calls, so…” His handsome face sulked.

I took a deep breath. He was so sweet and here I am being a harridan. I looked at him deeply. I can’t believe this is happening. My ex-husband took my calls. He didn’t need my permission to take them. According to him, he needed to make sure I won’t disperse his asset.

I cupped Liam’s cheek, leaned in and kissed him. “I’m sorry. I’m just not used to all this,” I eyed the breakfast. “Is that for me?”

“Of course. I assumed you would be hungry when you woke up. You were very cold last night. I had to tuck in without dinner. I’m sorry.”

“No, I’m sorry for being a nuisance.”

“You are not a nuisance, Silva.” He took my hand and brought to his lips to lay a quick kiss. “I want to take care of you. Allow me, please.”

A tear slid down. “I’m scared, Liam. I’ve been through a lot in the hands of men I don’t even know if I want to anymore.”

“I know. Just go one step at a time with me, okay?”

I nodded. “It’s okay. I will try.”

“Good,” His hands came about me and pulled me into a delicate hug. I held unto him so tightly, savoring his sweet musky scent. So many male.

“Now, you will eat,” He quipped, pulled aside, and brought the tray forward to lay on my lap.

He faltered in his movement as he looked towards the door. “I think someone is at the door.”

“Irene.”

“Oh, let me get it.”

“Thanks.”

I started eating, rolling my eyes when I heard her loud voice in the hallway. I knew she would get down here as fast as the wind. It didn’t take that long that she called and she was already here.

The door flung open. “So here you are having breakfast while I was deprived of mine because of you, huh?” I pouted my face.

“I’m sorry,”

“Look, Irene, you can’t just walk in here like that_”

“Or, what will you do?” She turned on Liam, displaying her fiery fangs. The two of them could match in a false battle.

“Hey, I’m right here, you two. I’m fine, Irene. I’m sorry for last night, I swear.”

“Then tell this asshole to apologize.” She folded her arm in an intimidating fashion and cocked her brow.

“What? Are you out of your mind?”Her brother asked her.

“Then I will make sure you don’t see her again,” She threatened. “Oh, you didn’t know? I’m her fucken best friend.” She chuckled devilishly. “And she listens to whatever I tell her, including when I will tell her what a piece of shit you are… Should I continue or…”

“Fine!” He rolled his eyes, childish anger passing his face. I was enjoying myself. “I’m sorry.” He muttered, flicking his nails nonchalantly.

“I’m sorry, did you hear him?” She leaned near him while facing me.

“I said I’m sorry! Damn it!” He cursed, close to tears. “I love her, if not I won’t care a shit about you.”

“There you have it!” She flung her arms around the unexpecting Liam who blanched as she kissed his temple and tore off him, sashaying to me. “Oh, baby. I think you found the one!”

“Oh, stop, Irene. You are embarrassing me.” I was red by now.

“Though I came here angry, I am willing to forgive him. So, tell me everything.” She hugged me, then, recalling he was present, faced him. “Oh, I thought men don’t listen to girls gossip?”

Liam sighed, rolled his eyes, and stormed off. I could feel his pain.

“Tell me everything, you bad girl! So you were still talking with him! No wonder you were turning down all my hookups”

“I swear, I wasn’t. Everything just happened fast. First I was there at the party and the next thing he was sweeping me away to a cool spot and then… it all happened.”

“Awwn, it’s so sweet. I want this to be your happy ending, my friend. I want this smile on your face to be permanent. And from the little experience I have, I saw the desperation in his eyes when I said I was going to make you not date him. I think he loves you.”

“You do?” I know but I wanted to be certain.

“Of course, girlfriend. I know love from lust!” I chuckled and swapped her, and we are my breakfast which she was extra exuberant when I told her he was the one that served it.

When we left later that day together, I was literally floating. This time for real.

I went to bed talking to Liam that night who told me he would stop over at my place of work the next day_which was Monday, and take me to lunch.

That afternoon, I was expectant. However, my expectation turned foul when he didn’t show up, and wasn’t picking up his calls. I grew weary. What if he realized I wasn’t worth it? It may be that he changed his mind. With every movement, I twisted around, anticipating him.

By evening, it was obvious he wasn’t coming. I swallowed my nerves and tried calling him again. It went to voicemail. I wanted to cry, scream and shout. I was delighted I didn’t have much to do today at work, if not, my boss would have noticed my shift from delight to gloom.

When I closed that day and left the building, like an idiot I stood in front of the company, hoping perhaps he would arrive to pick me up. But he didn’t. Neither did he in the next one week. I was dejected, depressed, and lost every hope I managed to regain that night we shared together.

I was worried like mad. Liam will never do this to me. I went to his house but they said he hasn’t been home for the last one week. I was frustrated. What if something bad happened to him. Even Irene called him but he didn’t pick.

“It’s going to be fine, baby. Let’s keep our fingers crossed.” Irene pulled me to her the next Monday night as I cried under the influence of choco ice cream and pizza which has become my latest addiction.

“I am so scared, Irene. Did I do something wrong that day?”

“No, you didn’t! By the way, you guys have known each for a long time now, he couldn’t possibly run away because of you. That brother of mine can be a coward most times.” I glared at her. She chuckled.

“Yeah! That’s why I’m more worried. What if he had an accident or was arrested? I don’t know…”

“Come here, poor you…” She hugged me to herself while my body shook with sobs.

The next week, my eyes were trained on the computer trying to solve a problem posted by my boss when my phone chimed. I was so busy and didn’t want to be distracted so I ignored it. My boss has been complaining about my distraction lately and I wouldn’t want him to lose his mind and sack me.

This is the only job I have and I have to keep it or I don’t know what would happen to me when I don’t have anything doing but sit at home thinking of Liam.

“Ms. Rivera can you be kind enough to take that call, or… TOSS IT TO THE TRASH!” Came the voice of my horrible cubic neighbor. Very infuriating.

I reached out and silenced my phone.

Afterward, I sent back the report to my boss and relaxed back to check the call. It was from Irene. I knew all along. I called her back.

“What’s up? I thought you are supposed to be working or whatever it is you do,” I reclined on the chair.

“Bitch, listen. Liam came by the house to see _”

“What! When! How?” I was shooting upright from my chair, generating enough noise to earn the attention of everyone who stoned me with evil glares in quiet, save for one person.

“Ms. Riv_”

“I”m sorry! Just shut your trap!” I snarled at him and made for the bathroom, taking pride in the look of dismay that masked his ugly looks. “I’m sorry, it was that annoying neighbor of mine.” I told Irene.

“Oh, it’s okay. He said he was going to see a friend. He came to the house because he thought you will be home due to its public holidays, but then I told him only your company thinks they are bigger than the government.”

“Okay. I will go to hi_”

“Er… Come home after work, Sil… No more going to men, they come to you. Okay?”

I scratched my head. I know… It’s just that I missed him.

“Sil…”

“Yeah.. Sure.”

“Good. Don’t worry he will.” She cut the call.

I pray he does. I have missed him so much I don’t care about going to him. He has always been there but I didn’t acknowledge him. But now that we are together, it seems as though every air I breathe is him. If he wants to break up with me after one night, I will very much want him to look me in the eye and do it.

That night, when our doorbell went off and I stood abruptly to go to it, Irene pushed me back and instead, went to get it. I heard him ask, “Is she home?” and she said, “yeah.”

My heart was beating. Is he breaking up with me?

Then he came into view and I knew I may never be able to make it out of this one if he breaks up with me. I love him so much and I have to tell him. “I love you,”

“What!” They both said.

“I love you, Liam,” I stood from the chair, smoothening my sweaty palm in my dress. “I think I always have. I don’t care what you think about me. I don’t care if you are here to break up with me. I just need you to know that if you break my heart, I might fall off the bridge… Cuz I’m tired of feeling this way over and over again without any good results.” I broke down and he rushed to me. “I’m sorry, Irene. I know I’m not supposed to say this but I can’t hold it in anymore. I’m not that strong as y’all think.”

Irene snorted. “You are the strongest woman I know, Silv, _ and I know you deserve every act of kindness. And to be frank, I wish I can be as strong as you. Face love, accept heartbreaks … But I can’t. I am a coward.”

“No!” I countered.

“I am, but it’s okay. At least my friend is not. And you Liam, if you break her heart, I swear I will hunt you and kill you, don’t mess with me. I don’t care if you are my brother.” With that, she picked up her purse on the chair, smiled at us, and turned around. “See you later.”© 2024 Nôv/el/Dram/a.Org.

We stood watching her go until the door shut behind her. That was when I became conscious of the arm around me. I made to leave but he tightened it. “Off to somewhere?”

“Liam…”

“Shhhh…” He kissed me lightly. “I missed you very much.”

“What happened?”

He brought out a box. “I went away to think so much about this…” He waved the box about, the thudding of my heart became audible.

“Liam?” My eyes watered.

“I want us to spend our remaining lives together, Silva is that too much to ask for?”

I shook my head as tears poured, “no, it’s not.”

“Then, say yes.”

“Yes!” I cried out.

He stood from kneeling and hugged me. We were still like that when the door opened and Irene walked in, her face cringing when she saw us.

“Sorry to interrupt the moment, just that I saw this letter under the door and it was addressed to you, Silva.”

“Aubrey” I yelled out calling for her to come down, I went back to the kitchen and packed his food into the lunch box, I went to her and extended the box for her to take, “please take this to your father,” she took it from my hand and dragged me by her other hand, “why don’t we take it to him.”

“I don’t think it a good idea, you go alone,” I pulled my hand away from her, she held me back, “come on, are you not tired of staying inside?” true at least this way, I can find out what is going on.