Rory was waiting to hear Liam's laughter. But he didn't laugh. His eyes looked at her unwaveringly as if he is boring a hole into her brain. She stared back at him although it was hard for her.
"You want me to tell her that we are still married?" he asked. A furrow line formed between his eyes as if he heard something absurd.
"No!" Rory bit her lips. She was surprised this thought didn't come to her mind at all. "I am going to tell her the truth."
He raised his brows, surprised. He opened his mouth wanting to say something, but he pressed them again.
"We…" she let out a short breath. "Our marriage… It is over, right?" She asked. "…this soon…"
As she asked him that, her chest hurt so badly. She hoped that he will tell her that he was wrong to ask for a divorce. She hoped that what happened the past year was all a nightmare. She hoped that he'll say that they are still together and he played a prank on her.
But he said nothing for a long time.
He looked sad, for some reason. Or she was just projecting her feelings on him and thinks that he is feeling the same as her.
" Yeah, so?" he spoke, breaking the silence that became heavy. His tone was flat and very unusual for her to listen to.
Rory stared at him. Her chest was so tight that she couldn't even breathe. Her heart which was already broken broke further into shills.
He confirmed it.
She looked at him. He is not hers anymore. But a sudden urge filled her heart. She wanted to stand closer to him.
One last time…
Her heels made a clicking noise as she walked closer to him. He followed her with his eyes unwaveringly and stayed leaning on the table.
Placing her hand on the table, standing just a foot away from him, she looked at him. His soothing scent lingered around him. Every breath he exhaled spread warmth on her face.
"I want you to be there with me when I tell her."
He stared at her for a whole minute, managing his time between staring at her eyes and her lips as if he wanted her.
"No."
He said as his eyes settled on her eyes.
"What?" Rory asked. She didn't expect his answer to be this blunt and curt. It stunned her although she expected this ever since she saw Allison here.
He's 6'5'' tall and she is 5'9''. He is leaning on the table and she's wearing heels. Their eyes were on the same level. And in his eyes, she frantically searched for familiarity and a little concern.
"I am not going with you," he said leaning at her face.
She took a step back unknowingly and looked at his polished oxfords. Her chest felt congested as if someone landed an anchor in there.
He let out a scoff and stood straight.
"Okay," she said and bit her lips.
Her allergy is getting worse. Her eyes have started to water. She blinked to keep the tears in and looked at him again.
"I'll…"
"Are you crying?" he reached out his hand to hold her chin, but she slapped his hand away. It was a quick reflex. Like how one would slap a mosquito hovering in front of their face without much thinking.
"Tch," he clicked his tongue and kept his hand inside his pocket.
"It's…" Rory cleared her throat. She was ashamed to have reacted this strongly to him. He might misunderstand that she cares about his touches.
"Allergies," she said to clear her pride.
"Hmm," he curled his lips. "Did you take your medications yet?" he asked, his voice a lot softer than his initial cold voice.
"I will, once I…" her eyes ended up at the photo frame on the table.
Maybe his gentle voice gave her a sense of familiarity she wanted from him, her hand reached for the sleek golden frame that was facing the chair. She didn't know he is the kind of person who would keep picture frames on his work desk. It kindled her curiosity.
Is he having a picture of Allison?
Just as her hand reached the frame, Liam flipped the photo frame on the table. When Rory was persistent in getting the frame, he pressed his hand over the frame.
His lips curved seeing her insistence on getting the frame.
"Did you get drunk and played in the rain? Is that how you got the sniffles?" he asked, leaning to her ears. His breath fell in her hair, displacing a lock of her hair, but she was not even considering the intimate position they are standing.
"No!" Rory said still trying to grab the frame. She tried to pull the frame from under his hand with both her hands.
"Am I a child?" she grunted as she pulled the frame with force.
"Har har," he said, his lips curled to a mocking smirk, amused by how serious she looked. "Of course, not. You are ve-ry mature."
Rory backed off after she found out that she cannot get the frame. She curled her lips and with a grunt, took a step back. She was fairly disappointed.
"So very mature," he pressed his lips trying to stifle his laughter.
"Well, won't you know how mature I am?" she said, triggered by his mockery and her disappointment. "You couldn't keep your hands off me wh…"
She stopped, realizing that she is speaking unnecessary things. She cleared her throat and bowed her head not wanting to see his expression. He seemed to be looking at her chest. Her hand ended up at her neck out of habit, but she remembered she is not wearing that necklace.
Her face burned and she rubbed her neck. Taking in a deep breath, she looked at him. His eyes met with hers.
"Will you go with me, Fizzy?" she asked.
It's the last try.
It was funny even to her that she could trample on her pride herself like this. If it was anyone…anyone other than Liam standing in front of her, she wouldn't be asking twice for a favor.
But will he…
"No," he said, averting his eyes. There wasn't even a little hesitation in his tone this time.
He walked around the table and sat on his chair distancing himself from her.
It was then she saw how changed he is. He looks more mature and decisive. And he is very eager to cut her off. The boy she knew, has become a man! He does not want her anymore and he has no place for her in his world.
His business world, his private world... I am not needed.
Both of them started their respective business around the same time, but this guy is sitting in a corner office with a net worth of ten million and has gold-framed pictures on his desk, while she is…
Well, there is no point in getting jealous, is there? He got the investment from his uncle and his online business took off. He is an adept businessman.
But still… Where is my Fizzy?
I miss him.