Claudia
It was around 7pm and I was home. I stopped at a store just to get a bottle of wine, so Liam and I could celebrate. I was doing my part by making it up to him for the night I stood him up. I was so excited, I beamed at the thought of us being together tonight.
I grab the bottle of wine, locking my car as I walk onto my door step. My house was quite big and no- Liam didn't live here. Sure, he was here most of the time- and I hoped he was today too. Once I insert my keys, I slightly kick the door open and the first thing I noticed is how the lights are switched off. "Babe, I'm home," I used the heel of my foot to kick the door closed, dropping my keys off the counter.
The bottle of wine is in my hand, and I switch the lights on. I come into the view of an empty house, Liam was nowhere to be found. I walk pass the living room, heading to the to the kitchen so I could drop the bottle on the counter. The lights are off in the kitchen which causes me to squint my eyes. "Liam?"
I grab a bread knife, preparing myself for anything. I knew how to defend myself. I wrap my hand around the knife tightly and begin walking. I notice the TV was left on so I don't bother to switch it off. Slowly, I walk up the stairs and begin to scan some of the rooms and bathrooms. Once I'm up, I see a trail of rose petals.
Wait.
I follow the trail and end up standing in front of the bathroom. I look up to see his light brown hair. "You idiot! You scared me!" I exclaim, dropping the knife as I inch closer to him. "I wanted to surprise you," he whispers in my ear. "Yeah well, it sure worked," I say with an eye roll.
"Baby, tonight's going to be a very special night," He says, whilst walking me back down the stairs. He wraps his arm around my waist from the back.
"Oh yeah?" he hums. "This is like so dangerous, I could fall down the stairs," I say even though I'm completely secured in his hold. "Never, you have me by your side,"
"Cringe," I scrunch my face up and he playfully pulls my nose. "No fair," I say and my voice comes out childish and small, because of his hold on my nose. I cross my arms over my chest.
He bursts out laughing when we make it to the last step. "Fuck, you're adorable," I purse my lips at this and he shifts his position. He stands in front of me, his hand never leaving my waist as he pulls me closer to him. "I love you,"
I had to stop my brows from furrowing by the way he said it. It was so intense, it sounded so desperate and heavy. A side of him I never saw before. "Love you too," I smile.
"And you won't guess all that happened today," I say exhausted.
"I literally only started my shift and I was called to the ER. I couldn't even make it there because there was a student nurse, who was asking for me. Begging me to save this boy, Matteo's life all on my own because Doctor Conac wasn't there and she was the closest doctor we had. She still has the audacity to question my work as a nurse. She's always underestimated us nurses. It's sickening-" I pause, taking in the silence and lack of attention from Liam. "Are you even listening to me?"
No answer.
"Liam," I look at him.
"Yeah, yeah, I am,"
"Then what did I just say?" I ask hopping off the kitchen counter. Again, he doesn't answer. "What was I saying, Liam?"
"Can I just have some space?" He says and this makes me jerk my head back. "Space?" And he finally looks at me. He sighs, "I didn't mean it like that, baby," I roll my eyes.
"You never do,"
"I don't want to argue, C," This time, I look at him. "I don't want to either,"
"Can we just- have a good night without us fighting one another?"
"That's all I want,"
The evening goes on with us ordering food, and a little chatting.
"What are we getting for dessert?" I ask him, ready to order since our food had been already ordered. "Well, I know what I'm getting but I don't know about you,"
"Oh really? And what's that?"
"You,"
□□□
"You wanted to tell me something?" I raise my brow, chewing the pasta we had ordered. "I got a new job, " I look at him.
"New job?" I arch my brow.
"Yeah,"
"You never even told me you were looking for another one,"
"They chose me," he says and I roll my eyes.
Typical, Liam.
"Hey, don't roll your eyes that way," His tone is serious but his smirk tells me something different. I remain quiet, not wanting the conversation to turn into something that it's not.
"It's real estate,"
"Oh and you tell me, they chose you?" I squint my eyes. "Of course," I shake my head, taking in another bite of the pasta. "I could've sworn I told you about it sooner,"
"Baby, I had and have a lot on my mind okay? My day was crazy, but thank the heavens for Mr Rivera be-"
"Rivera?"
"Yeah, Luciano Rivera? The man who I'm going to be nursing this year," I state. "Do you know him?"
"Never heard of him," Liam shrugs. "I don't like him," The words come out his mouth so suddenly, I freeze. "You just said you don't know him. How can you-"
"I just don't, okay? And I don't like your stupid job, that requires months of you dedicating yourself to someone else,"
"First of all, my job is not stupid. I bought this whole house because of it. I got into a better place because of it. I was nothing before it and you know that. And- Luciano, whether you like him or not, that's your problem, "
"You let go of the formality so soon,"
"I can't believe this," I scoff. "Just when I thought tonight was going to be spectacular, you ruin it. Again,"
"Clau-"
"I don't want to hear it, Liam," I glare at him. I get up from my chair, grabbing my clutch. "Claudia, listen--"
"Oh and when I get back, I expect you to be gone,"
"What-"
"Gone, Liam,"
□□□
With my emotions everywhere, I still have it in me to drive.
I was tired of the fighting.
It was sad how it turned into this.
But I couldn't give a damn about that now, I needed air. I needed to breathe. I wanted to get home and not be cautious about everything I say just to avoid an argument.
But I just loved him.
I pull over at Mal's house, and get out of my car. I knock on the door, hoping she was not asleep just yet.
To my luck, the door opens. But my eyes land on a different woman. Her shiny hair is a pitch black, her brown skin glows in the light. She was about my my height, meaning she wasn't too tall. "Baby, who's at the do-"
And then my eyes land on Malika. Her hair was down, she wore nothing but a oversized shirt. "Claud?"
"I'm so sorry, I did not mean to interrupt anything. I'll leave,"
"No, you don't have to leave," The one who's name I had no clue of, said. "Come in," My eyes land on Mal, who seems overly embarrassed. "No," I quickly say. "I'll leave you two alone,"
"No, no, no," She then pulls me in and I can't help the smile that appears on my face. "I'm Raya," She smiles brightly. "Cl-"
"Claudia, I know," She then pulls me in a hug and I chuckle. "I'll be right back," She then runs off.
The only people that were left now were Mal and I. "I'm so sorry," Is the first thing Mal says. "Why are apologizing? I ship this,"
"Really?" She says not believing me. "Are u kidding? I'm happy for you,"
She smiles. "Thanks Claud,"
"So why are you here?"
"Liam," I sigh.
"Oh boy,"