Liam's past

As I lay in bed, I wondered if my plan was wrong. But I countered my own doubts, determined to help Liam and thwart Rose's plans.

Veronica followed me on Instagram some minutes earlier. I saw her a picture of her and Liam which she posted. They were still so young there. Those two were smiling happily as Liam carried her. I wondered how they got to this; arguing and fighting.

* Flashback *

I received a call from Stacey, inviting me to meet him at Delicious Restaurant for lunch. I arrived with my chauffeur, not in the mood to drive. I was feeling moody, hoping a outing would lift my spirits. As I entered, I waved at Stacey, who had arrived earlier.

"Amiyah, you look gorgeous" He complimented my appearance, but I brushed it off, not interested in his flirtatious remarks.

"Why is this place so empty?" I looked around.

"It's not empty, dear. It's booked for us" he replied with a smile.

"Really?" I smiled back.

Chef Robyn greeted us, explaining that the restaurant offered a variety of international cuisine. I opted for Japanese, and Stacey watched with amusement as I savored each bite. The food was heavenly, and I couldn't help but express my delight. Stacey teased me, calling me a foodie, but I didn't mind.

"Mmm mmm" I eat, danced. I was so happy.

"Is it good?" He couldn't help but laugh. I know he's probably saying "Amiyah, this foodie" in his mind but I didn't care now.

"The taste is... Heaven. C'est un règal. Chef Robyn, you are the best! I love it! The taste is fresh and the cheese melts into your mouth. I love it. It's so heavenly. You are a five-star chef" I gave him a thumbs up. He deserved that.

"How was it? You feel your heart will melt all of a sudden, right?" He tried to flirt like always, my eyes automatically pulled out.

As we ate, I asked about our mutual friends "You know it never works with me. How is Cheyenne, Gwen, Roxanne and Shirley?"

"They're good. Gwen will be back in few days. Cheyenne and Shirley won't come back again. They feel safe there"

"Why don't they want to come back? It's cool here" I really wanted them around me.

"Cheyenne's family will never consent to their relationship and they feel staying far from them is a way of safeguarding their relationship and protecting their love" Stacey filled me in on their lives. I was happy to hear that they were doing well.

"I completely understand them. I talked to Cheyenne's father once on the phone. He was very strict"

"Yeah, he is. You remember how they became the homecoming king and queen then. We were so jealous of them. They were the ideal couple"

"Yes, Cheyenne is lucky to have a loyal partner" I laughed, loudly reminiscing those moments, but remembering how I was betrayed by my ex-boyfriend I stopped laughing, abruptly.

"It's not easy to find true love that is ready to stand by you"

"I told you this your bestie here can be that true love for you" he tapped his chest.

"Hahaha, you're very funny. I almost fell for that" I laughed and tried to change the topic.

"I have to get back to school on Monday. I was absent for almost a month now. I would've missed tons of lessons"

"I know you will catch up. You're the Amiyah. Your brain is like a computer that is never shut down"

"You think so"

"I know so"

"Are you really okay? Really?"

"Yes, I am" I continued eating but he kept staring at me.

"Hey, I'm okay so stop looking"

"You're not okay, huh?"

"I am okay"

"What's wrong?" He helped me tuck my hair at the back of my head.

I couldn't shake off the feeling of being overwhelmed and suffocated by my current situation. I confided in Stacey, tears streaming down my face. He listened attentively, offering words of encouragement.

"I'm looking for a place to stay. Do you know of some good places?"

"Oh, yes, I do. I have some contacts, should I send?" I was so glad I could be of help to him too.

"No. Let's go together sometime soon. I don't want the contacts so I'll use house hunting as an excuse to see you again"

"Okay... Cool" I smiled.

After lunch, Stacey suggested we visit Accurate Style Boutique, a nearby clothing store. I agreed, and we browsed the racks together.

Bev is Henry's sister. She is a crazy opportunist. When she realised how rich Veronica's family was, she tried her best to milk her dry. She forced Veronica to go to Amazing style boutique, which was the most expensive boutique that had imported clothes in the country with her. She took Veronica's card and bought many expensive clothes and had Veronica hired an helper to help them with the shopping bags.

"This is gorgeous. How much is this?" She asked the

"It's £200"

"I'm getting it. Thank you" she laughed, mischievously.

Veronica was so pissed but she suppressed it with a smile.

"We're done, right. Let's leave"

"What done? I'm just starting. Why are you so greedy? You think you can marry my brother being a miser. I won't take that. Hey, you are looking down on us because we aren't as rich as you, right?! You this spoilt rich brat! You think I can't afford all these things without you!" She yelled, embarrassing Veronica. Everyone stared at them.

That's when I saw Veronica, and Bev, Henry's sister, causing a scene. Bev was verbally abusing Veronica, and Liam intervened, defending his sister. I watched from a distance, intrigued by the drama unfolding before me.

"Yes, you can't afford them" Liam spoke and came in from the crowd like the hero he is. I was there also watching them from the first floor. Stacey wanted to continue looking at clothes but I pleaded for little time to watch alone.

This Liam surely knows how to make a successful entrance.

By the way, who was this girl Liam was supporting with all his might?

"What?! Repeat what you said!" The girl was surprised someone could talk back at her.

"My words are too precious to be repeated. Listen and listen good this girl is my sister and by pushing her around you're looking forward to a big fight. She isn't someone to be pushed around anyhow. It's a privilege for you that someone like her is dating your brother so treat her like the gem that she is!" He spoke, took her card back and dragged his sister out of the crowd outside.

As Liam and Veronica left the store, I couldn't help but wonder what had transpired between them. I followed them discreetly, listening in on their conversation. It seemed they had a complicated past, and Liam was determined to protect his sister from Bev's manipulation.

"Liam, what just happened?" She removed his hand from her's. Veronica was still trying to understand what just happened.

"What do you mean? I saved you" he smiled at her.

"Liam, you should stop popping here and meddling there. You completely ignored me after that event thirteen years ago. What changed now?"

That event thirteen years ago? What happened thirteen years ago? I didn't know about that, I listened more attentively, pretending I was on phone with someone.

"I won't stop popping here and meddling there until you stop walking on eggshells in front of these people. Don't you have a mouth? Can't you question their ill treatment?"

"Mind what you say. These people are going to be my family. The one that stands by me from now on"

"The one that stands by you not the one that extorts you?"

"Liam! Being my elder brother doesn't make you the one who makes decisions for me"

"Oh, yes, I'll gladly make decisions for you until you're finally matured enough. Are they threatening you?"

"What? That's ridiculous. Even if they are it's my business I'll be very happy if you stay out if it. It's my business from now on" she flicked her hair roughly and left in her car.

"Ver..." Liam tried to call her but he stopped. That was good. This wasn't the right time. I watched him drive off.

I went back inside after Liam left.

I returned to Stacey, who was patient and understanding "Hey, have you picked something?

"Ye... What's going on? Why are you dressed like this" he looked at my costume, wearily. The hat and sunglass.

"Oh," I removed them, not answering his question. Anything that concerns Liam concerns me to Stacey. I was the link so if I tried to explain I'll have to tell him my past too.

"Let's check this out" I said.

"Do you like this?" He asked pointing to a zebra-print one-shoulder chiffon dress worn by the mannequin.

"I'll take it" I fake smiled. I was still wondering what went wrong with Liam and his sister. Why do they look so distant? If they are so distant, who takes Liam's side and helps him when he's in trouble.

"Hey!" Stacey flicked his hands to make me notice him. He was talking for a while but I wasn't listening. All I wanted now is to have little time alone.

"You really shouldn't do this to me? What is on your mind? I've been talking to you..."

"Sorry. I'll take this too, please" I pointed to a short satin dress with lace details. It was red, that's why I picked it. More like the femme fatale style.

"Pick for yourself too"

"I've done that when you wondered off. Let's go. I'll drop you off" We finalized our purchases.

"Don't worry. I came with my driver. He's right outside"

"I bought clothes of £6,390 for you so make sure you make time for me soon"

"Next week Saturday, it is then. Bye"

"Wait, I'll be the one to carry the shopping bags you come with me and let me hand you over to your chaffeur" he was dramatic again.

"Okay" was all I said. He kept the bags inside my car.

"Thank you" I said.

"You're always welcome. I'll go first" he cracked the door, set out food, and stood.

"Are you sure you'll be okay without me?" He asked and I nodded. We parted ways, agreeing to meet again soon.

As I left the store, I couldn't shake off the feeling that Liam and I were connected in some way, and I was eager to uncover the truth about our past.