"Do you still feel nauseous? Here. Eat this." the man uttered beside Laura.
Laura's eyes opened and she removed the hand covering her face to look at the person sitting beside her. It was Liam! He didn't leave? She was unable to reply once more as she stared at him with wide eyes. Why? "Here. It'll help." he urged her as he showed her a few candies in his hand. "They're ginger candies. They'll help you feel better."
Laura stared at the candies on his palm. "You.... left to buy those?" she asked.
"Yeah. Sorry I took too long to come back. I didn't know the way around here." he replied.
Laura was too stunned she couldn't find the words to express how she feels. She was too overwhelmed that she just pounced on Liam's chest and started crying. "I'm sorry..... I was an embarrassment to you...."
Liam was startled but patted her back with an awkward smile. "You're not. What are you talking about." he coaxed her. "It's a normal occurence. Vomiting after an extreme ride happens a lot more often than you think. And I'm a doctor. I've seen worse." he explained.
Laura started calming down a bit. Yes. Why does she mind so much that Liam witness her in her most pathetic and embarrassing moment? Why does it matter whatever Liam think of her? Is she starting to like him?
Laura pulled herself together and then wiped her tears as she let go of Liam. "Are you always this nice to women?" she asked.
Liam looked away. "I don't know. But I'm generally nice to everyone."
Laura nodded her head. It makes sense. Maybe this is why Luke likes Liam very much. He's patient and broadminded. He tolerated her when she's drunk, and accompanied her when she's unwell. Suddenly, Laura froze as she realized something- that there weren't a time in their years of relationship that she ever showed any of her flaws to Ivan. She was keen on maintaining her perpect image in front of her former fiance. The perfect rich girl who was always classy and graceful. One who never nags or raises her voice in public. One who never gets tantrum. One who never makes stupid mistakes specially in front of other people. She avoided drinking and carried herself well. She never complained about Ivan's lack of time for her or his absence during special occassions. Suddenly, she felt very stupid.
Laura shook her head. She's been thinking of her ex again while she was with someone else. It's too inappropriate. "I thought Charmaine was being too careless when I found out she was very close to male friends. But I think I understand her now. Can you be my new best friend? You're just awesome."
Liam was taken aback. It's his first time being interested with a woman. Is he being friendzoned so soon? He thought for a while before letting out a chuckle. He nodded nd then looked into her eyes. "Sure. I can be your best friend, your best boyfriend, just don't make me your best man before I'm ready."
Laura didn't get the joke very well but laughed just the same when she saw him chuckle. He's most handsome when he's laughing and she couldn't help but be mesmerized by his charm. Isn't she crazy? One second she was being too emotional, the next second, she's just laughing at her silliness.
"I thought Luke was kidding when he told me he got this very sad Auntie that he wanted me to help him cheer up. But it looks like he was right. Look how much you cried." Liam jested.
Laura touched her cheeks as they heat up. "Really? He said that?" But why did he say that? Was she too obviously sad even though she was keeping it in? She didn't cry even once in front of her family. She thought she has hidden it well enough. "I'm not sad though. What else did he say?"
Liam looked away. "Luke's diseased mother was one of my patients. I mean...she wasn't under my direct care but she was a patient in my hospital. One day, while Luke was visiting his mom, he passed by the kids ward where small children with cancer lie on their bed with sad faces. Coincidentally, Luke saw me coming in the room that day to play with the children. When they saw me, their faces lit up and a smile spread across their faces. From that day on, Luke started thinking good of me. I guess he thinks of me as someone who can brighten up anybody's day. He started visiting me and the kids more often." Liam told her before turning to Laura once more. "So maybe that's the reason he called me and asked me to accompany you today. He wanted me to cheer you up."
Laura frowned. "Has Luke ever asked you to be his new dad? Because he seemed to have liked you too much."
Liam stopped to think and then shook his head. "No. why would he? He likes his father very much. I remember him showing me a photo of a couple one day. The girl was Charmaine and Luke said the guy was his dad. Said he's looking forward to meeting him. He was only three so I thought he was just mistaken. I mean, I've known Charmaine for six years now. The relationship between the sisters and that man is just unbelievably messy."
Laura gasped. Liam knew so much? How close was he to her sister in law? And he said they've known each other for six years? Was it before, or after Charmaine moved to the US? "You know that the person she married is my brother, right? So don't call him 'that man'. He has a name. He's Leo." she told him. "And can you tell me how you first met my sister in law?"
Liam froze for a while before looking away. "I can't. It's a top secret. I'm sorry." he replied with an awkward smile.
Laura was displeased. Why can't he tell her? What was it about? She was about to ask another question when Liam suddenly turned to her again. this time with a foxy smile. "I can only tell you about it only after you fall in love with me. so fall in love with me already!"
Laura was stunned. So he was just kidding? "No. I don't want to know about it anymore!" she exclaimed.
Liam sighed. It worked. He really can't tell her about those things right now. Somehow, he was afraid of how Laura might see him after she finds out. Would she think he's fake? He hoped not.