Chapter 14 What An Irony!

Ileana’s hands were loosened by him. She finally took off the bracelet reluctantly. Heaving a sigh, she passed it to Liam, reminding him, “Remember to keep your words and orchestrate a good tuning.”

Taking it back from her like an eagle attacking the snake. He asked tauntingly, “How to do so? Are you going to teach me like your student?”

Ileana looked at him speechlessly, the man in front of her never left a chance.

“What… I have never accompanied any of my ex-wives back then.” He finally explained with indifference.

“Don’t have to do anything extraordinary. Just putting on a lovey-dovey act will work.”

She explained him in a low-voice and in simple terms.

Liam got another opportunity to mock her intentionally.

He sarcastically smirked and said, “Not only do you take pride in yourself but also want to boast around others. How shameless it could be! And you even ask me for my love for an act. When in actuality I don’t feel anything towards you.”

Ileana didn’t care about his opinions towards her. In her eyes, both of them were even be it in any aspect of their lives.

Without saying anything, she turned around and left towards her room. She settled herself down and started working on her left plans for the next day. Clearing her desk she swirled her head and glanced at the clock on the wall. It struck ten and she stood up, took out her pyjamas and got ready to have a shower.

Being punctual and disciplined counted in good habits. She was a working lady so it was necessary for her to follow the routine.

She got out of her room, walking towards the bathroom.

“Where are you going?”

Her steps halted in the track, she inclined her head in his direction. The man was pretending to be asleep, more like lazing around.

She was already annoyed by him earlier but pursed her lips and asked, “Yes, what’s wrong?”

“Did you forget my earlier warnings?” he questioned.

“Huh?! Pardon.”

“What are you doing?” he pressed his thin lips.

She said calmly while gesturing her hand in the direction of the bathroom.

“I guess we use the bathroom to take shower.”

“Who told you to use my bathroom for that?” he asked lazily.

Ileana’s eyes opened wide awake in utter disbelief or more like surprise. She had no more doubt that he was nuts.

She then calmed herself down and said, “Well, I don’t think my tiny room has a bathroom yet. Except this, where else could I go to take shower?”

“Use the next door bathroom, from now onwards!” he said carelessly.

She felt incredulous, almost losing her composure.

After pondering for some seconds, she retorted back.

“Ummm… Well I think it would be better, if I should move next door. It would save us the trouble. We won’t cross paths and you won’t get annoyed by my presence too.”

Liam was in the mood to roast her.

“Next door, you know it’s the guest room. Are you a guest here?” he said smirking.

“No, I’m not a guest,” She replied to his first phrase.

After taking a pause, she questioned with a self-deprecating smile.

“But… In your eyes, I’m not even a human, am I?”

Something was wrong in her voice, Liam felt his heart was pinched but he just shrugged it off.

He stood up and lazily said, “Glad to know! That you know yourself well.”

She shook her head and dejectedly dragged herself out of the room.

While standing under the shower, the water started flowing from her head to toe. Her tensed body felt relieved. We all know that a soothing mind always let’s you think more calmly.

Her mind drifted towards random questions and possibilities. She couldn’t fathom about the hatred he bore towards women. Yet he forced himself to have a woman in his room.

“Strange… isn’t it?” her mind questioned.

“Well, he’s a jerk, an unreasonable, annoying and ridiculous man!” she cursed him under her breath.

………………………………………………………..

In the blink of an eye, Friday came earlier than usual. It was the same day, Liam promised her to pay a visit to Tyler’s Mansion.

During the breakfast her mother-in-law informed Ileana.

“I have asked the butler to prepare the gifts. Just check if you need to bring anything.”

“No, Mom. Whatever you have prepared, that's fine and it’s more than enough.”

Ileana replied courteously. She felt guilty in her heart that her in-laws treated her so nicely.

“Alright… just let me know in advance if you both will come back, tonight.”

Pamela told her.

“Yes, Mom. Thank you!” Ileana replied with a smile.

Ileana glanced cursorily towards Liam. His expression was terrific with a darkened face. She felt the air in her chest chucked out forcefully.

She knew from the beginning that the Collins family was incredulously rich. But when saw the car’s trunk and gifts placed in them, she was still astounded.

Her mind envisioned what would be Tylers’ reactions. The greedy mother daughter duo would especially suffer. She smiled ear to ear to imagine the damage she could inflict on them.

The journey went overwhelmingly in silence. Halfway, upon nearing Tyler's residence, Ileana broke the ice in the car.

She reminded Liam, “I hope you can keep the words.”

She gambled with uncertainties because the man next to hers was hopeless. But his response stupefied her.

“Umm… I’ll try my best,” he said nonchalantly.

Soon they were outside Tyler's Residence. They could see, Ileana’s father, Graham Tyler, his wife Didem and their daughter Kylie were already waiting. With stewards rows on either side.

Ileana was amazed seeing the pompous show. It was like a majestic welcome because of Liam indeed.

“Oh, my lovely baby! I was eagerly waiting for your return! Welcome to the home!” Didem said all acting coyly and smugly.

Her exaggerated expression was infuriating. It was already nauseating let alone the idea of hugging her back. Ileana smiled but her heart felt disgusted.

“Oh! Mr. Collins, Welcome to Tyler's family!”

Graham reached out to Liam, to pull him into a hug. But Liam being Liam stood for a handshake instead. Ileana smiled at his behavior.

Didem joined Graham praising Liam for his appearance, generosity and success in the business world.

She even praised Ileana marrying an excellent man like him.

Ileana who was sidelined, deep down in her mind laughed self-deprecatingly. She even thought that the house was supposed to be her home, but these people have never ever cared about her…

“What an irony!” she murmured under her breath.