liam's p.o.v
i stared at her, speechless for a moment. god, she looked delicate, her flushed cheeks, red nose, and pale complexion painting a picture of exhaustion. yet even in her sick state, she was stunning. my breath caught in my throat as she stood there, barefoot, clutching the door slightly ajar like it was the only thing holding her upright.
"well... i came to see you," i managed to say, pulling the chocolates out of my pocket. "i figured you weren't just dodging work for the fun of it."
her eyes narrowed, suspicion mixing with confusion. "you came *here*? why?"
"you've been avoiding me," i said, bluntly but softly, careful not to sound accusatory. "i just needed to know why."
she shifted her weight and glanced down at the floor. her bare toes curled against the cold tiles. "i wasn't... avoiding you," she muttered, but the hesitation in her voice betrayed her.
"destiny," i said firmly, stepping closer, "you haven't been to work for two days, and your messages are... let's just say they lack any effort to explain what's really going on."
she sighed heavily, opening the door a little wider but still blocking the entrance with her body. "it's complicated, liam. i just needed space. that's all."
"space from what?" i asked, my voice quieter now, but the tension between us palpable. "from me?"
her lips parted slightly, and for a moment, it looked like she wanted to say something, but no words came. i stepped closer, now standing just inches away from her.
"you left that day without a word, destiny. you ran. i need to know why."
her eyes flicked up to meet mine, and for a moment, they held something, regret, confusion, or perhaps longing. i couldn't tell.
"liam... that kiss almost happened, and i—" she started, but then trailed off, her breath catching.
i softened my stance, sensing the fragility in her voice. "and you… what? did you regret it?"
she blinked up at me, clearly wrestling with something inside. i could see her walls crumbling and rebuilding in the span of mere seconds, like she wanted to tell me the truth but didn't know how.
"it's not that simple," she whispered.
i let out a small laugh, though it was more out of frustration than amusement. "it really is, destiny. either you wanted it or you didn't."
she bit her lower lip, something she always did when she was nervous and looked away again. "i did," she admitted quietly. "but i was scared. i didn't know what would happen if we crossed that line."
her words hit me with the force of a wrecking ball. relief surged through me, but it was quickly followed by frustration. "so you just ran?"
"yes," she said, her voice breaking slightly. "i panicked. it's not every day your boss tries to kiss you, liam."
i exhaled, dragging a hand through my hair in frustration. "it wasn't just a kiss, destiny. it was more than that, and you know it."
she blinked, startled by my words. "what do you mean?"
"i mean... it's not just physical," i confessed, feeling exposed and vulnerable in a way i hadn't in a long time. "there's something about you that makes everything else fade into the background. i didn't pull you close that day because i felt reckless or impulsive. i did it because... i can't stop thinking about you."
her eyes widened, and for a moment, silence filled the space between us.
"liam…" she whispered, her tone unsure.
"i know it's complicated, destiny," i continued, stepping even closer, now close enough to feel the warmth radiating off her. "but i need to know, are we going to run from this? or are we going to figure it out together?"
her breath hitched, and she looked torn, like she was standing at the edge of a cliff, unsure whether to jump.
"i don't know if i can handle it," she said, her voice barely audible.
"you don't have to handle it alone," i whispered back. "we'll take it slow. no pressure. no expectations. just... tell me you feel something for me, destiny. tell me i wasn't imagining it."
she opened her mouth to respond, but then a violent sneeze cut her off.
i blinked, and a small laugh escaped me before i could stop it. she looked so embarrassed, rubbing her nose furiously with the sleeve of her oversized shirt.
"well, that's romantic," she muttered, rolling her eyes at herself.
i couldn't help but chuckle. "maybe not romantic, but definitely adorable."
she gave me a half-hearted glare, but there was the faintest smile on her lips, and it was enough to melt some of the tension between us.
"you shouldn't even be here. you'll catch whatever this is," she grumbled, though her tone lacked real annoyance.
"too late," i said with a grin. "i'm already infected with destiny."
she groaned, burying her face in her hands. "that was terrible, liam."
"i know," i said, laughing. "but it made you smile, so i regret nothing."
she peeked at me through her fingers, and i saw the hint of vulnerability in her eyes again, only this time, she didn't run from it.
"do you want to come in?" she asked softly, stepping aside.
i didn't need another invitation. i followed her into the small apartment, the scent of lavender and eucalyptus wrapping around me like a warm blanket. it felt so distinctly her calm, comforting, and a little bit chaotic.
"tea?" she offered, shuffling toward the kitchen with slow, tired steps.
"i'll make it," i said, gently taking her hand and guiding her to the couch. "you sit. i've got this."
she blinked, surprised but too exhausted to argue. "there's some ginger tea in the cabinet," she murmured, sinking into the cushions with a sigh.
i found the tea easily enough, heating the water and preparing two mugs. as the kettle whistled, i glanced back at her. she was curled up on the couch, her head resting on the armrest, eyes closed but not quite asleep.
"here," i said softly, placing the mug in front of her.
she opened her eyes and gave me a small smile. "thanks."
i sat down beside her, leaving just enough space between us to respect her boundaries but not so much that it felt distant.
we sipped our tea in comfortable silence for a few moments, the weight of unspoken words lingering in the air.
"liam," she said suddenly, breaking the quiet. "i'm not sure what this is between us... but i don't want to run from it anymore."
my heart swelled at her words. "neither do i."
she gave me a shy smile, and for the first time in days, i felt at peace.
"just... promise me one thing," she whispered.
"anything."
"no more cheesy pickup lines," she said, a playful glint in her eyes.
i laughed, the sound light and genuine. "deal."
and just like that, the walls between us began to crumble, one small piece at a time. we weren't perfect, and there were still a million unanswered questions between us but for now, sitting here with her, it felt like the start of something real.
something worth holding onto.