I expected something to happen, but this was just extreme. Did he really intend on throwing me into the streets on our first day of reuniting after five years?
"The new owner said to give you this." Mr Peterson said as he fished a piece of paper from his pocket. I swallowed the lump of rage and frustration that had clumped around my throat before taking the piece of paper from him.
"Thank you for the information." Mr Peterson smiled lightly before heading towards my next door neighbour to break the news to them.
I entered my room and took a steadying breath before unfolding the piece of paper. On it was written a phone number I could only imagine belonged to Liam. He must have told Mr Peterson to hand it to me. And that explained why the old man was confident that I would be fine. He probably suspected that something was going on between myself and Liam.
Under the number was a clear instruction to call him, and that was exactly what I did.
"What do you want from me?!" I yelled out bitterly. There was a mild silence for some minutes, then he finally spoke.
"Pick whatever you consider important and head downstairs. I have a car waiting for you."
"You're sick" I fired at him. "I'm not getting into any random vehicle just because you said to."
"Would you rather I come pick you up?" He asked. Liam seemed to misunderstand my words, I wasn't going anywhere even if he came here by himself. He might own this place now, but there was no way I can be kicked out immediately. With the little time I had, there was nothing stopping me from getting another apartment.
"Don't bother..." Came a subtle warning from the other side. As if reading my mind, Liam laid out a very specified threat. "I'll continue to buy every apartment you move into. Now listen to me and get to the car downstairs."
I was appalled by his audacity. But before I could bite back, he ended the call. In rage, I screamed out like a wounded banshee. My entire body was saddled with rage at the realisation that I could not escape Liam.
Like the darkness, he loomed over me watching my every move. He knew my every step, and could predict my thoughts with his cold eyes. He wasn't here, yet I could feel his presence towering over mine, and still exacting his dominance. I was a helpless prey caught in a trap, and Liam was the hunter.
I flung my phone across the room, sending it into the screen of my eight inches flat screen TV. That decision I soon came to regret. I wondered where he intended to take me, a hotel? Or maybe his house?
The thoughts of us living together once more flooded my mind, and in that moment I lost touch with reality.
My lips tightened at the memories of the nights we had together. How his tongue explored the warmth of my mouth, the warmth of his muscles against my delicate skin, and the heat of our burning passion colliding against each other. That ecstatic feeling of his touch, and fantasies that came with his every movement.
Desire amassed up inside of me, and I felt myself losing the hate I had fought so much to gather. I was broken out of my reverie the moment I heard honking from downstairs, presumably from the waiting driver.
I wanted to yell at him to keep quiet, but instead I found myself hurrying up to pick up my important items. I was grateful for the drivers impatience. I had been so lost in the brief moments I shared with Liam, that I had almost forgotten the toxicity of the relationship we shared seven years ago.
How I never felt safe around my husband. How he always threatened to have my life ruined at the slightest provocation. And at a point had even struck me. Now I was angry once more, and my blood was boiling from hate and desire.
I hurried downstairs the moment I was done with my parking. And at the foot of the stairs stood a lady I recognized almost immediately. She was the one from the picture. Liam must have sent it so I would be able to identify the people he sent to pick me up. Should I consider this as him caring for me, or was he just trying to make sure he didn't lose his target.
I chose to believe the latter, Liam definitely didn't care about me.
"Amelie Lodge?" She asked in a soft gentle tone, almost soothing.
I nodded to reply, before gesturing for a handshake.
"I'm Anna, nice to meet you."
"Nice to meet you too." I replied with a forced smile. In my mind I wondered how many times she had slept with Liam. She definitely had the looks to pull a man, and knowing my ex husband, he must have been tempted to taste her once or twice.
"Mr Hardwood sent us to pick you up. Is that all you're coming with?" She asked as she reached for my bag. I handed it over to her before answering.
"Yes." She took the bag with a smile, but I stopped her to make more enquiry. "Where exactly are we going to?"
"Mr Liam's mansion of course, did he not inform you of this?"
I avoided her curious eyes and stared down at my heels while answering. "He did, just wanted to make sure I wasn't getting kidnapped." I lied.
There was no further conversations until we got to the car. She dropped my bag into the trunk before opening the door for me to enter. After which she took charge of the wheel and ignited the engine.
The interior of the car had a faint smell of marigold, encompassed by a stronger scent which I identified to be jasmine. It was as though I was seated in a sea of flowers. My spirit felt calm as the delicious smell wafted through my nostrils. The cold air of the air conditioner doubled the beautiful experience, almost making me forget that I was currently moving in with the antithesis of my freedom.
"Where's Mr Hardwood right now?" I asked after several minutes of enjoying myself.
"He's currently occupied at work right now. But he should be home before dinner. Would you like me to inform him of anything?"
"Not really." I replied sharply. Even his schedule hasn't changed. It was; wake up before dawn, prepare and leave. And then come back after dinner, make love to his wife and go to bed. That was basically his routine throughout our past marriage. There was no shred of emotion from him, sometimes I wondered how I agreed to marry him in the first place. Was he always this cold to me? I couldn't remember. But I did know that at some point, we genuinely loved each other.
"We're here." Anna announced as the car got to a halt.
It was huge, just as I had expected. And the exterior was even more breathtaking. The deep blue colour of the marble floor complimented the dim white lights from the chandelier that hung above us. On my right was a flat screen TV far beyond the size limits in my head. And just few metres to my left was the kitchen.
"I'll guide you to your room. Call me if you need anything." Anna informed as she led me to my room.
I was already feeling comfortable with everything. But I know it wouldn't last. But it was better to enjoy while it lasted though.
Aside from the king-size bed in the middle of the room, the entire place was scanty. It was obvious this house was newly bought, and since then not much has been done to get it in the desired form. Liam was probably too busy to care about room decorations.
The moment Anna left me by myself, I fell down to the comfort of the mattress and fell asleep. My day has been nothing short of exhausting, and I needed the rest.