"Fizzy, is that you?" Rory repeated after checking the caller-ID once more.
She still has his number stored in her phone. She wanted to delete it, and she almost did, but she knew it wouldn't make a difference if she deletes it. She can never forget his phone number.
And so she didn't delete his number.
She could not hear him but it appeared that he was in a crowded place. "Fitzwilliam!" she called for him. But there was no answer except for the other noises. And within a fraction of a moment, her mind went through a thousand possibilities.
Is he hurt? Is someone calling me to inform me that he's in an accident? Is he drunk dialing? Or… Is this Allison? What time is it?…
She started to panic.
"Cherry, where are you?"
The smooth voice from the other end slammed a brake on her thoughts that were running rampant.
"In the airport. Why?"
She answered as if she was still close to him. Only after answering did she wonder why she should be explaining her whereabouts to this guy.
"I know you're in the airport? Which gate?" Liam asked. His voice was too casual as she remembered it to be.
"Gate number-"
Rory stopped. She almost told him where she is, again! And why does he know that she is at the airport?
At that time, an announcement was made and she could hear the same announcement with a little delay in the call.
He is here! Why?
"I am not telling you. What do you want?" she asked, patting Ellie. The noise around her was disturbing her sleep.
"Ne-ver mind. I see you, grey hoodie." Liam ended the call.
Rory gulped looking at her dark grey sweatshirt. Surprised that he was right about her shirt, she looked around to see if he was near. She couldn't see him.
But there were billboards with his face on. That guy is the model for his business. And she understood that is another one of his good business decisions. It would be stupid to not make good use of his good looks.
A couple of minutes passed and Rory kept on checking around. She couldn't see him anywhere other than getting distracted by his 2D face plastered around. It was a weekday, and there wasn't much crowd around. So she would have seen him if he was here.
But he should be here. The announcement… Did I hear wrong?
Rory tried to relax, but she couldn't. She didn't know what to think of that odd phone call she received. Her heart started to pound wondering if he is here to cause a scene just like she caused a scene in his office.
Or is he here to get Ellie?
He shouldn't have figured out that she is planning to leave this country already, should he? Although he has the means to find out about it. And she cannot win against him if he decides to fight against her. Or can she?
Pah! He failed to acknowledge her as his daughter! With what face will he steal her from me? But still… how did he know what I am wearing?
Wait… he should be here… Where is he hiding?
She stood up and looked around.
Sh*t!
Rory ducked seeing the familiar suit-wearing man with a halo on his head, pointing his finger at her with a bright smile from the far end of the hall. That was... 3D.
F*ck this!
She pulled up her hoodie. She wasn't sure if it was her bright hair that betrayed her as always. Or it could be her stupidity. She shouldn't have looked for him and kept her head down.
She picked up her carry-on luggage bag, her diaper bag, and the carrycot and decided to move elsewhere. She didn't want to catch his punch in a public place.
She successfully crossed two rows. She decided to move further away behind a pillar where it was crowded so that he wouldn't catch her. She noticed empty seats just beside a pillar, and let out a sigh.
A perfect hiding spot!
He has a short attention span and he won't stay and search for her long in a crowded, public place. If she stays hidden for ten minutes, he'd leave. That's how good his concentration is.
Luck truly is on my side—is what she thought.
But…Lady luck was not having the same thought like her. She was favoring Liam. He caught up to Rory.
"Cherry! There are empty seats here. Where are you going?"
Liam's voice made the hair on her neck stand straight. But she composed herself.
"Away from you," she said without turning back.
"Let's sit here," he said, grabbing the diaper bag she was holding.
"Give it back," Rory turned and pulled her bag.
But she couldn't and she was dragged behind him like a dog who does not want to walk in the direction the walker wants to.
Since there were not many people there, their interaction garnered the attention of the security guard at the distance.
"Don't cause a scene, Cherry," Liam turned and said. "Let's sit and talk."
Rory rolled her eyes and dragging her carryon luggage, she followed him without resistance. She was glad the security is having an eye on them. Liam won't punch her here.
Well, maybe he never will punch her. He never got violent with her. But she had a gut feeling that he will get back at her in some other way.
She checked Ellie and she was still sleeping. Liam walked towards an empty seat. He didn't have anything with him except her bag.
What does he want to talk about? What is the urgency? Can't Allison deal with her issues herself? Should she send Liam? What a b*tch!
Rory carefully placed the carrycot on the seat. Liam took the seat next to the carrycot. Rory stood there and stared at Liam. He blinked his eyes looking at her as if he didn't understand what was going on.
Rory sighed, crossing her arms.
"Sit…" he patted the seat to his left.
Rory didn't move an inch. She didn't say a word either. She didn't have to sit farther away from her baby. The seat next to Rory was the edge seat, and she didn't want to leave the baby there. It was on the way to the restrooms and people walked grazing the seats. She cannot leave her baby there.
Is he here to hurt the baby to get back at me?
That thought popped in her mind suddenly and froze her blood flow. But she took a deep breath.
She didn't believe Liam is someone who would hurt a baby no matter whose that baby is.
But… it doesn't hurt to be careful, right?
On the off chance he is having a bad day, she didn't want to risk her baby's safety. She won't be able to bear her if her baby suffered even a little scratch.
Well, she really didn't believe that he will hurt the baby whether he believes she is his or not. It would be disingenuous of her to think of the possibility of him hurting a baby. He is one of the gentlest people she knows.
But the true reason…
She didn't feel comfortable letting her baby near the man who never acknowledged her as his daughter. She might be petty, but…Hearing him shouting that Ellie is not his… hurt her.
It still hurts a lot.
Yeah, she wanted Ellie to have a good relationship with father. But he never acknowledged her. Can she truly trust him? Can she lower her guard?
"What? How long are you going to stand? Sit…" Liam's blue eyes twinkled with his smile.
Rory clenched her jaws. She stared at him wondering if he is pretending to be stupid or if he is truly stupid to not understand her.
"Scoot away," she waved her hand.
Liam said nothing and then he let out a long sigh mumbling something under his breath. He then scooted to the side. Rory sat crossing her legs. Liam started searching for something inside his pocket.
"So, what do you want to talk about?" she asked, gathering her courage.