Chapter 32

Sharing the truth about my mother with Liam yesterday felt good. I hold that part of me hidden deeply, expecting people will judge me. But he didn’t do that. He sees me, only me. Encouraged by the renewed faith in people and with a few minutes to spare between meetings I decide to go down to the floor where I worked and to see if there is anybody remotely friendly is still here. Bustling hive that is second floor is home to a few departments. Dynamic activity arising from the sheer number of people occupying this space is in direct contrast with Liam's calm and peaceful oasis on the top of the building. Here, on the second-floor men and women in business suits sat, worked, held meetings. Energy was different.

Albeit, the fourth floor is significantly smaller than all others, mostly consisting of Liam’s office with a private bathroom. A space where his assistant was seated. The small office I’m occupying now, and a small kitchen where we make coffee and one more public bathroom. Before there were two meeting rooms up there but he remodeled it.

The floor has a semi open space concept consisting of a row of box shaped working spaces accommodating six desks. All those boxes neatly tracing the longer side of the rectangle shape of the building. One long corridor extends the entire length of the building, connecting everything. I say semi open because none of the so-called offices had any doors. They are open on the interior side. Other side of the corridor consists of rows of meeting rooms and various facilities. Everything is styled in dark grays complimenting the exposed concrete of the building and light wood accents.

It wasn't easy to enter that space as an alien intruder into their community. But my imagined social norms dictate that I'm the one who needs to establish “first contact”. Luckily, I manage to find some friendly faces. A lot has changed and at the same time, a lot has remained the same.

Few people say hello and ask how I’ve been or what's new. I chat a bit with them, trying not to take too much of their time. I’m sad that only two of my former colleagues, the ones I shared the box with, are still there. Kendra and Rob. Neither of which I was close to. And Kendra is unusually friendly today, introducing me to the new gang. The only thing missing is Adele's croaking voice resonating down the corridor. Adele and her ministrations; always scheming behind everybody's back, always trying to show herself in the best light. Often that light is being other people's work.

She certainly had one gift, the ability to tell a story with little to no knowledge about the subject and appear almost as an expert. I admired her for that skill and hated it at the same time. Maybe hate is too strong of a word. Jealousy. Yes, that's the right description. I wanted that confidence and the eloquent presence.

We agree to have a drink one of these days.

Exiting the stairs, I notice that the door to Liam's office is opened and that Sarah, his assistant, is not at her desk. Nothing strange until I hear a female voice from the office. A familiar voice but not belonging to the assistant. That high seductive pitch could belong to only one person. The one I was just remembering. Adele is here.

They can't see me. And I don't see them. But I can hear them.

“I just wanted to talk to you in person, because I can't believe that you would jeopardize everything you built for years. And for what? Some girl that you're currently dipping your dick in.”

“Watch your language Adele,” Liam reprimands her. “I'm not jeopardizing anything.”

“Your business partners would disagree. Duncan tells me you're crossing the line.” She's not yelling at him because she knows better. But there is a hidden threat there.

“You don't have to educate me about the rules, I made them. And I don't remember you being a part of the circle to whom those rules apply. Stop meddling where you're not invited. Stop coming here and go on with your life.”

Elevator ping announces somebody coming. Liam's assistant exits in scurries right towards his office. Not noticing me.

“I'm sorry, Mr. Carver. I was called to HR and I didn't let her in.” The frustration was evident.

“No problem, Sarah. I'll deal with this. Close the door.”

Pretending like I just climbed up the stairs I walk to my office. I give a little smile to Sarah who automatically does the same. What the hell is going on? What can he lose because of the relationship with me? First, Duncan now, Adele. Why are they so bothered with our relationship?

As far Adele is concerned, I know where she is coming from. And the fact that he dipped that dick in her and now in me makes me nauseous. Nothing can be done about it. I repress that thought to the back of my mind. Pretending like it didn't happen. Just as I get settled at my work desk, Adele barges in.

Seeing her in person reminds me how beautiful she is. Tall and slim, with large dark eyes and the waterfall of brown hair flowing down her shoulders. Her lips are full and bright red, her signature look. Cheekbones, high, refined. She wears a sleek beige business dress perfectly emphasizing the sun kissed skin. Adele looked like a model and she was aware of it. She closes the door and stands spitefully in front of me.

“So… you’re fucking him!”

“And you're not,” the answer surprised her. She is not used to me talking back to her.

“That is correct. And do you know why?” She asks and continues not expecting my answer. “Because I don’t need to… I fuck him on my own terms and not because I want money from him.”

I remain composed, OMG it is only Wednesday and I’ve already been attacked twice this week. Even though she hit right at a weak point. Assistant bursts in the office looking inside insightfully from one to the other. “Sarah. Get lost.” Adele dismisses her, hardly even turning to look back. Young woman scrunches her face in pure disdain, turns away leaving the door open.

“Adele, please leave.”

She takes a few slow, threatening steps in my direction. “You are so pathetic. Do you think he is in love with you? Liam doesn't hold on to his casual fuck buddies. As soon as you started fucking him, he was done with you.”

Liam struts in the office, standing up straight, his face an iron mask. “What the fuck are you doing Adele?” He almost growls at her, speaking each world like a threat, barely containing his rage.

Although not meant for me, the harshness in his voice makes me twitch. “You shouldn't be here.” He grabs her by the elbow and pulls her out of the office. “I want you to leave and never come back. I’ve told you several times. We are done.”

She yanks her hand away and heads towards the elevator. His gaze blazed and jaw was clenched as he remained static watching her leave.

I have caused so much trouble for this man just by existing. And what was Adel talking about when she mentioned he was jeopardizing his business. Almost unbearable sadness comes over me. I'm not worth it.

“Gorgeous?” He comes back walking straight around the table. He holds me by the elbows and turns me face to face.

” Look at me.”

I don’t. “Just let me go, I'm too much trouble for you. And let's be honest. I don't have much to offer.”

“Look at me and let me speak.” He is so gentle, no trace of rage which consumed him a minute ago.

“Please don't. I don't need your pity…”

Groaning, Liam pulls me close to him, crushing his lips on mine. He pins me against himself by gripping the back of my head. I try to push back against his shoulders, but that accomplishes nothing. Liam continues to kiss me like a hungry man would devour a delicious meal. Melting away my resistance. He smells so good. So familiar. Feeling of his body next to mine, so right.

My heart is pounding like it is going to burst through my chest. God, I want him each time more and more. Turning us around I find myself pinned between him and the desk. Finally, he breaks our kiss leaving me lightheaded.

“If I lift you on this table, I will fuck you're here and now.”

And us fucking is the exact thing bringing us trouble. I smirk at him. He smiles from ear to ear, melting my insights in the process.

“Do you have any notion of how crazy I am for you?” He mutters.