A Greedy Request

Amelie

The look on Liam's face at the moment was comedic, but I couldn't find the strength to laugh. Although I was being the bravest I could at the moment, I was still scared of what he might do. Knowing Liam, he would probably never act out of line in front of a stranger, but at the same time I am unable to stop myself from trembling as I spoke.

He calmed down a bit and took his gaze off me for a while. He spent a full minute sizing up the stranger, and probably comparing himself to the person I called my boyfriend.

"I always knew you were bad with your choices, but seriously him?! I get you're trying to spite me, but honestly you could do a lot better." Liam spat out shamelessly without any care in the world.

"Don't you dare talk about my boyfriend that way!" I snapped at him. "You might be good looking and wealthy, but he has something you don't."

"And what is that Amelie?! What could he possibly have to offer you that I don't?"

"Respect!"

"Respect?"

"Yes, respect!" I affirmed and he scoffed. In a quick moment, he walked over to Peter; my new boyfriend, and grabbed him by the collar. It was rare to see Liam lose himself like he did right now, but that didn't prevent me from throwing myself between the two men.

"What on earth is wrong with you Liam?" I asked after wrenching Peter out of Liam's grip.

His eyes flicked from my position to Peter's until it finally rested on my face. Liam was probably trying to decide if he should throw Peter out first, or have this conversation with me.

"You bring another man into my house, and you ask me what the problem is?" He threw back at me.

"What's it to you?! Don't tell me you're jealous of some random stranger."

"Jealous? No. Cautious? Yes! You don't have an idea how many enemies I have, someone could be trying to kill me right now." Although his point was good, I still wanted to be stubborn. There was no way I was going to lose this argument.

Truth was that Peter was actually an actor. I had told Colin about my drama with some Liam, although I didn't actually tell Colin his name. I had explained to my best friend how I wanted to make Mr X jealous, and he had immediately suggested Peter.

Although his looks were a far cry compared to Liam's perfect facials, his act was definitely convincing. This plan would definitely have worked if Liam hadn't lost his damn mind.

"Peter has nothing to do with your enemies." I argued.

"You don't know that, heck you don't even know him. No real boyfriend would just stand aside and watch his girlfriend argue with a better looking man."

"You're so full of yourself Liam Hardwood! Have some humility for once!"

"Is there anything you need Mr Hardwood?" A third voice joined in on our discussion. It was Anna. I hadn't seen her in a while, but I felt happy she had intervened. I was losing myself every passing second, and had Liam continued to make everything about him for one more damn second, I might have punched him across the face.

Peter quietly excused himself from the mix after Anna's distraction, and I was honestly happy he left. This was supposed to be me humiliating Liam with another man, but it had horribly backfired. Why couldn't I win for once?!

"Is anything the matter Anna?"

The sudden calmness in Liam's voice was definitely suspicious. But then again I already suspected that something was going on between these two before, it wasn't completely surprising.

"Nothing really sir. I heard shouting and dec—"

"Your work ends at the office Anna. My personal life should be of no interest to you." The switch up was even more surprising. How did someone manage to switch personalities so damn swiftly?

"You're free to stay, Anna. It's been boring lately." I just wanted to oppose Liam with every single opportunity I got, and also distract myself of his presence.

"You're determined to cross me at any point aren't you Amelie? Do you feel fulfilled knowing that you'll always lose every fight you initiate?"

"I wasn't talking to you." I reported with cold sarcasm. He smirked at my words before crossing the distance between him and Anna. In the same instant,he pulled her into his arms, tilted her over to a perfect angle before bringing his lips down on hers.

For a whole minute I was petrified with shock, and then I regained myself and threw my eyes off them. I shouldn't be mad over something that was obvious right? So why then did I feel the urge to walk right over there and yank her out of his arm. Insert myself into those strong arms of his, and steal his lips for myself.

To hide my jealousy, I picked up the TV remote and switched it on. Soon after they parted lips, Anna raced out of the house as though she was being pursued by a serial killer, and Liam walked straight to the sofa and sat down like nothing happened.

Then suddenly he spoke. "Come and sit down here." He said while pointing at the empty space beside him. I eyed him hatefully before returning my attention to the TV screen.

"Are you annoyed by the fact that I kissed another lady? We aren't married nor are we in a relationship, remember?"

Those were my words, yet being reminded that they belonged to me hurt as hell. He was definitely right, there was no need to be annoyed by just a single kiss. He had been kissing a whole lot of girls before now, so why should I care?

"Staring at the TV won't do you any good."

"What do you want?!" I flared up, but quickly calmed myself down almost immediately. Now that we were alone, I didn't want to act out of line so casually.

"Your attention." Liam replied carelessly. "Don't beat yourself too much, I didn't kiss Anna." He revealed.

Hearing those words made my anger melt almost instantly, but I wasn't about to sell myself out so quickly. "Am I supposed to care? What you do with her is none of my business."

I could tell Liam could see right through my facade, because in that very moment he burst out laughing. It was a mocking laughter, yet it didn't anger me in any way.

"Casmir is in town." He provided in a cold tone. The way he switched personalities scared me. "And that's why I've been so cautious lately. You know how dangerous my family can be."

He didn't need to remind me, I knew the Hardwoods better than anybody. They were a family driven with their love for wealth and power, and have even managed to rope Liam into that circle. I knew Casmir, he was a year younger than us in high school and had actually tried to rape me once while I was together with Liam.

That incident had caused a major fight in the family, and I was hated for trying to break apart a family. I was hated for trying to fight for my own right! Of course I took the matter to court, but Liam's family shut it down almost immediately. We were powerless at that time, and Liam had little influence at that moment.

Those were the good times, I remember. He wasn't always the jerk I know now, what changed?

"And? What does Casmir being in town have to do with me? He doesn't know I'm in London, does he?" I inquired.

"Not yet, but he will soon, I know." Liam answered with confidence. "So I need to make sure you're always around where I can see you."

"What does that mean?" I asked with a curious stare.

"It means I'm firing you from Storm, and hiring you into Woods Industries." He revealed with a straight face. I opened my mouth to speak, but he stopped me. "Before you object to anything I just said, try to understand that this is for your own good. If Casmir finds out about you, he's going to put two and two together, and you're going to become a target."

"It seems to me like you're only trying to protect me so you won't lose your ticket to victory."

"That is also part of the plan." Liam admitted with no signs of remorse. "It's a win win, you're safe, and I get to win against Casmir."

"You're forgetting the fact that you got me in trouble in the first place. It's not a win for me, you're merely doing something that you should." I returned and it was definitely true. If he hadn't come to London, I wouldn't be a target for his psychopath of a brother. It was Liam's duty to protect me.

"I understand your point, but this isn't the time to be stubborn Amelie, I'm serious about this. Casmir is dangerous, and I don't want you getting hurt."

'It's not what you're thinking!' I yelled to myself mentally. He is merely protecting his win con, he does not care! I cautioned myself before I catch feelings once more. Although I hated the idea of being beside him , I needed the security. I wasn't ready to lose my life just yet.

"Fine, I'll come work for you only for one reason."

Liam's brows arched up in curiosity, and he stared at me sternly as though he had seen a ghost.

"What is it Amelie?"

With every ounce of boldness in me, I finally spoke. "I want to get paid as much as you're."