CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR

It was a new day, and Liam was sitting in his office, quite busy with a couple of things on his laptop when his secretary knocked and opened the door.

"There is someone here to see you sir but she doesn't have an appointment with you," she said, her head slightly past the door.

Liam looked at her and wondered who this female person could be.

"Let her in," he said and continued what he was doing.

Shortly after, Henna walked into the office, dressed in a red short fitted dress on a pair of black heels and her hair styled into a ponytail.

 The door opening and Henna walking in, caught Liam's attention as he looked up and saw her right before his table.

"What are you doing here?" Liam asked as he shut his laptop and furrowed his brows.

"Is that how to welcome a guest?" Henna said and took her seat, her legs crossed.

"I don't remember inviting you or having an appointment with you in my office today...How did you even get here?" Liam said and rested his back on the chair.

"Well I just needed to pull some strings and get the right information that I needed," Henna said and leaned forward.

"What do you want?" Liam asked, his eyes focused on Henna.

Henna met his gaze as they both shared a certain frustration unspoken between them.

"It seems we both find ourselves on the outside, looking in," Henna said with a glint in her eyes.

"What does that mean?" Liam asked.

"The course of our true love seems difficult and twisted, what do you say we join hands together and make things easier for each other" A wicked smile played on her lips.

Liam raised an eyebrow, a faint smirk on his lips.

"What are you saying? What true love?"

"I think you know what I am talking about... I see how you've always looked at my sister Sophia, you were even kind enough to travel her out of the country six years ago" she said and smiled cunningly.

Liam scoffed and let out a short laugh.

"You call that true love, that was only an act of service and kindness as a friend" Liam defended.

"Hmm indeed, I bet that is what you tell yourself to console and comfort your broken heart," Henna said, her eyes rested and fixated on Liam's.

"If you don't have anything more to say, I will suggest you take your leave," Liam said, faintly rolling his eyes and opening up his laptop.

"I know that you love Sophia and you always look out for her, but do you think she feels the same way you feel?" Henna asked inquisitively.

"How I love and care for Sophia is none of your business, and however she shows hers, isn't your concern either," Liam said.

"Of course, the same way it wasn't your place to know about her kidnap," Henna said, a slight smirk snuck out.

"What? Kidnap??" Liam asked as he stood from the seat immediately.

Henna stood as well as she was ready to leave.

"I am guessing it would be best to hear from the horse's mouth...the only way you can have Sophia is if only Bran is out of the picture, I want Bran and you want Sophia, think about it," Henna said as she blew kisses at him and walked out of the office.

Liam walked away from his table as he was equally worried and disappointed with Sophia.

*SOPHIA'S POV*

My sprained ankle was much better now and my head injury was healing well, there was no reason for me to relax and stay back at home as I needed to function for my company.

I was already at the office, as I had tagged along with Bran on his way to work.

Tessa and other staff welcomed me happily when they saw me at the company.

I was seated in my office now when Tessa knocked and came inside the office.

"Busy?" Tessa asked as she peeped into the office.

"Nah, lay them on me," I said as I eyed the documents she was holding onto.

"Alriiiiight" Tessa said and came into the office fully and placed the documents on my table.

I picked up the documents and surfed through them one after the other with my eyes, going up and down.

"We have finalized the concept for the launch, the date and the release date....all you have to do is just meet with some of the fashion expertise who would be sharing one or two things with us," Tessa said, hands folded to the front and her lips smacked.

"Thanks a bunch, Tessa, you're a lifesaver" A smile played on my lips as I went back to sorting through the documents.

"You are always welcome.... I know we are not supposed to mention anything about the kidnapping, but I am super glad that you're safe" Tessa whispered calmly and then laughed a bit afterwards.

"I am glad that you are always looking out for me Tessa," I said and smiled back at her.

Tessa was about to take her leave when I suddenly remembered the fashion influencer Liam wanted me to add to the list of people I would meet with.

"Tessa" I quickly called her back as I stretched my hand forward, as though that would stop her from taking an inch forward.

"Yes?" she turned and answered, her eyes blinking a couple of times.

"Uhhmm, can you try and see if I can fix one more fashion influencer with these ones on the list? Liam recommended one to me and I wouldn't want to turn him down" I urged Tessa.

"Well I think I will be able to work that out, just send me the necessary details and I will have it filled," Tessa said, a soft smile on her face as she turned and left.

"Thank you," I said in a low voice as she closed the door.

I was done with the necessary things at the office so I decided to close up from the office and head back home.

I had said my goodbyes to Tessa and the other staff and had gotten into the elevator to the ground floor. The elevator dinged and opened and on stepping out of it, I met with two well-fit men dressed in black suits, black shoes and a microphone attached to their ears.

I did not think they had anything to do with me so I just walked ahead.

"Mrs Garner, we will be escorting you home and anywhere else from today ma'am," one of the men said in a baritone voice.

I was startled by the instant hand gesture he made to stop me from moving forward and his baritone voice as I let out.

"What?" I asked, my face rested in a confused state.

"We are your security details from today ma'am," the other man said and gestured me to get into the car.

I remembered that Bran mentioned something about getting me two security details but I was still skeptical as I was kidnapped a few days ago.

I reached into my handbag and was about to bring out my phone and confirm with Bran when I suddenly saw Liam walking into the building and towards me.

"Liam?" I called out of surprise when he got closer, my phone still in my hand.

The two security details blocked Liam's way when they saw him approaching me.

"Please, it's fine," I said to them as they made way for Liam.

"Sophia.....is this how much you don't value our friendship?" Liam said the moment he stood before me, his eyes glistened with disappointment, mixed with fear of losing me.

"Liam, what do you mean? What are you saying?" I asked, still a bit confused.

"Why didn't you tell me about you being kidnapped?" he asked his hands in his pockets now.

It was then I realized why he sounded the way he did.

"I didn't—- I didn't tell you cause I—- I didn't want you to worry," I said, my hand covering part of my face and then dropped.

"You didn't want me to worry? Come on Sophia" he asked, his mouth agape.

"Can we go somewhere to talk about this? It is not ideal for us talking here, I wouldn't want false news" I said and was about to take his hand and leave the building but he withdrew.

"Is that really the reason you want us to leave here? Or is it because you just wouldn't want to be seen in public with me because of Bran?" he blatantly asked, his eyes fixated on mine.

"Where is all of this coming from Liam?" I asked out of surprise, completely baffled.

He looked at me for a while and realized he might have gone a bit far with what he said.

"I am sorry, I shouldn't have said that" he apologized as he rubbed the bridge of his nose with two fingers to calm down, he then looked at me.

"Let's find somewhere to talk," he said calmly.