I stepped out of my room after some moments to myself, making my way to the elevator for the fifth floor.
As I stepped out of the elevator and into the living room, I was immediately struck by the sight of Liam lounging on the couch with three other men. I tried to ignore them, making a beeline for the exit, but my attempt at avoidance was foiled when one of them spoke up.
"Who's she?" he asked.
I turned to face them, my brow furrowed in annoyance. Liam's gaze was fixed on me, his eyes distant and unreadable. The other men were looking in my direction, their faces a blur of interest and suspicion.
"Somebody," Liam replied.
The man who had spoken earlier snorted. "What do you mean? She doesn't dress like the rest. Why's that?"
My anger flared at their intrusive questions, but I bit back my retort. What's wrong with these people?, Why do they talk such nonsense?
One of the men chuckled. "Your special somebody?" he asked, his tone laced with innuendo.
Liam's gaze still remained on me. "My wife."
"Huh? Who's your wife? We don't have anything to do with each other." I yelled, diverting my gaze to the one who asked the question.
"He's lying. Don't believe him."
He only chuckled, his eyes roving over me like a predator sizing up its prey. "A feisty one, eh? I like her already."
Liam's expression turned glacial, his eyes narrowing. "Stay away. She's mine."
The man raised his hands in mock surrender, but his eyes never left mine. "Easy there. If there's a chance you don't want her anymore, I'll take her."
"Huh?" I spoke up. "There's no way I'd want to be with any of you. I have far more important things to do. So I'll be on my way now" I stormed out of the mansion, heading towards the garden, where I could already see Jackson.
"Jackson?, How did you get in?. I was coming to meet you" I rushed over, embracing him in a tight hug.
We pulled away. "I don't have much time, I'll be leaving soon. It's about what I told you yesterday. Did you forget?" He asked, his body language reflecting that of impatience.
"I didn't" I replied, my heart pounding in realization to what he meant.
"Good. You don't need to worry about anything, I'll come get you by midnight, so be ready" he gently held me by my shoulders, my gaze drifting to the grassy ground.
"What's wrong?" He asked, noticing my sudden expression.
I glanced up at him, my brows slightly furrowed. "I just feel like this isn't right. I don't know what's wrong with me, but I don't think I can't go on with this anymore. It's best we return back home" I said.
"What do you mean by that, Layla?" he asked, his voice breaking. "We made it this far and you want us to back out that easily" his voice raised slightly.
"No, it just that..."
"Just that what layla?" He frowned, taking in my expression. "wait, don't tell me you've fallen in love with him" he said.
I suddenly felt a surge of anger.
"Why would you say that?" I asked, releasing myself from his grip.
"Well it looks like it, cos why else wouldn't you feel the need to do this anymore?. Why do you insist on giving up?. You made us leave our homes to come here in order for us to take this step of vengeance." He paused "just so you could be with him?"
"What do you mean Jackson?. I know my actions don't make sense, but it's for the best of all of us." I cupped his cheeks in my hands. "Look, he's just too strong. Let's just go home or we'll die." I pleaded.
He took hold of my wrist, pulling my hands slowly from his cheeks.
"This isn't you Layla. Why would you feel such?" He takes my hands in his. "Listen to me Layla, have you forgotten what they did to us?, and how they took the lives of our parents?"
He continued, "it wouldn't make sense if we Suddenly back down. Let's go for this Layla. You have me, and I'll protect you. I'll give my life for you, so you need not worry, Okay?
I'll come pick you up by midnight, everyone would be there." He brings his hands to cup my cheek.
"Please be ready by then" his thumbs traces my lips, brushing them.
"Forget about Liam, come with us." His gaze fell on my lips, drawing closer to my face, his eyes shutting close as his lips met mine in a warm heartfelt kiss.
He pulled away, the glint in his eyes a mixture of satisfaction and gladness as a smile lits up his face.
"Arghh!!" The smile on his face Suddenly vanished, replaced by cry of pain.
He held onto his lungs, falling on the ground as he cried.
My eyes widened in shock, my eyes filled with tears. "Jackson!" I called out, rushing to kneel beside him.
This was the same as the last time. Could Liam have done this?.
I slowly stood up, turning around to face Liam. My heart sank. How did I not notice his presence?.
His eyes blazed with fury, his gaze piercing through me like a dagger. Fear crept in, its icy fingers wrapping around my spine.
I took a cautious step back, careful not to trip over Jackson, who was still writhing in pain on the ground.
"Stay back," I warned, but Liam kept advancing, his eyes never leaving mine.
"Stay away, Liam," I pleaded, but he ignored my words.
I had no choice but to run. I turned and sprinted into the depths of the garden, Liam hot on my heels.
I dashed between trees and shrubs, my breath coming in ragged gasps. Finally, I spotted a massive tree and made a beeline for it, hoping to lose Liam.
I reached the tree and hid behind its trunk, my back pressed against the rough bark as I struggled to catch my breath.
I peeked around the edge, my eyes scanning the surroundings for any sign of Liam. But he was nowhere to be seen. I let out a sigh of relief.
But then, I turned my head back to face the front, and my eyes widened in terror. Liam was standing right in front of me, his hand resting on the tree beside my head.
His face was inches from mine, his eyes blazing with anger and intensity. I was trapped.
"I...uhm..." I stammered, my heart racing with fear as Liam effortlessly lifted me onto his shoulders.
I struggled to break free, but his grip was like a vice. "Let me go!" I demanded, but my words fell on deaf ears.
In an instant, we were no longer in the garden where we had been standing. Liam had somehow transported us to a place I had never seen before - a bedroom with dim red lights that cast an eerie glow.
He roughly placed me in a chair, and before I could even protest, he had tied me to it with a strength that made me feel like I was glued in place.
"Liam, let me go!" I yelled, but he just knelt down in front of me, his expression cold and unyielding.
His hands rested on the arms of the chair as he leaned in closer, his face inches from mine.
"L-let...me g-go," I stuttered, trying to sound braver than I felt.
But Liam just stood up, his movements fluid and menacing. He walked behind me, his arms wrapping around my chest. His cheek touched mine, sending shivers down my spine.
"Why don't you listen?" he whispered, his voice gentle and soft, but laced with an undercurrent of steel.
"Let me go, free me!" I begged, but Liam just held me tighter, his grip unyielding.
I felt a sudden jolt as he removed his cheek from mine, his fingers deftly shifting the collar of my shirt to expose my skin.
"What are you doing?" I asked.
But before I could get an answer, he leaned in and sank his teeth into my skin, sucking hard as his arms wrapped around me tightly.
I let out a cry of pain and pleasure, the sensation almost too much to bear. "Argh...stop," I pleaded, but he just held me tighter.
Just as suddenly as it had begun, it was over. He pulled away, and walked to stand in front of me.
For a moment, we locked gazes. But then, without a word, he turned and walked out of the room, shutting the door behind him without even a glance back.
I was left alone, my heart racing, my skin still throbbing from his touch. The pain and pleasure still lingered. Why is he this way?.
I desperately needed to escape, but my struggles to free myself were in vain.
How's Jackson? How do I get out of here? What's wrong with Liam? Why did he tie me up?
Just as I was starting to lose hope, the door swung open, and Liam entered with a tray of food. He closed the door behind him and approached me with a calm, deliberate pace.
He sat down beside me on the floor, his legs folded, and a gentle smile on his face. He held out a bowl and spoon, his eyes locked on mine. "Open up," he coaxed, raising the spoon to my lips.
I turned my head away, defiance etched on my face. "I'm not hungry," I lied, trying to hide my true hunger pangs.
But Liam's gaze saw right through me. "I haven't forgiven you for what you did earlier, so open up," he said.
I rolled my eyes, and with a reluctant sigh, I opened my mouth, and Liam fed me the creamy, delicious food, spoon by spoon, until the bowl was empty. The taste was heavenly, and for a moment, I forgot about my predicament.
"Untie me," I demanded, my brows furrowed in frustration as I glared at Liam.
The rope snapped loose, and I rubbed my sore wrist, my eyes never leaving his face. "Ah, do you want to kill me? Why are you being this way?" I asked.
But Liam just smiled, a hurt glint in his eyes. He didn't respond, his gaze piercing through me like a cold blade.
I tried again, my voice softer this time. "Uhm...how's Jackson?" But he remained silent, his eyes never leaving mine as he stood up.
I mirrored his actions, my heart racing as I reached for the door handle, only to find it twisted shut.
"Open up, Liam, let me go," I pleaded, twisting the knob in desperation. But he just kept coming closer, his eyes fixed on me like a predator.
I backed away, my eyes darting around the room for an escape, but Liam was relentless.
He moved closer, his face a cold mask, his eyes blazing with an intensity that made my skin crawl. I stumbled backward, my legs hitting the bed, and I fell onto it, scrambling to get away from him.
But Liam was too quick. He climbed onto the bed, his eyes never leaving mine.
I held out a pillow, a weak barrier between us. "Stay back. Move away," I warned, my voice trembling.
But Liam didn't listen. He pulled me closer, his arms encircling my waist, and I found myself trapped on his lap, his eyes burning into mine.
He leaned in, his lips crashing on mine with a fierce intensity. His hands roamed my back, caressing and exploring every curve as he devoured me with his kiss. A soft moan escaped my lips, a helpless "Hm" of pleasure and protest.
I tried to push him away, my hands flat against his chest, but it was like trying to move a mountain. Liam didn't seem to notice, or maybe he just didn't care. He kept kissing me, his lips never leaving mine.
It was like he was consumed by a hunger for me, a hunger that couldn't be satiated. And I, helpless and trapped, could only surrender to his passion, my resistance melting away with each passing moment.
His hands went further under my shirt, closing every little distance between us as he pulled me even closer.
My hands moved from his chest to hug him by his neck, pulling him closer to me, my chest pressed against his. What was happening to me?, I don't know. I suddenly wanted him as much as he wanted me. Although I couldn't bring myself to kiss him back. My eyes were just closed as he did the whole thing.