Or was he just hiding from the truth.
Alex leaned back in his chair, eyes fixed on Liam.
"Come on, Liam, we're your friends. We've seen you at your worst and best. You can't fool us," Alex said.
Remy nodded in agreement.
"You're still in love with Sofia. Admit it," Remy said, his tone gentle.
Liam's mask began to slip, his eyes betraying his emotions.
James leaned forward, his voice soft.
"Liam, we're not judging. We just want you happy. But you need to face your feelings, though the past was very bad experience."
The room fell silent, Liam's inner turmoil palpable, his face turning cold.
Liam's phone suddenly buzzed, shattering the tension.
He glanced at the screen, his expression unreadable.
"Excuse me," Liam said, rising from his seat.
Liam returned after answering the phone call, his face as black as a charcoal pot.
Nathan saw the look on his face and caught his breath.
"What's going on? Who called?" Nathan asked.
Liam's voice was cold.
"My parents. They want me to go on a blind date tomorrow."
His friends looked at each other and burst out laughing very hard.
Liam's face turned even colder, staring at his stupid friends laughing at him.
James tried to catch his breath.
"Too funny! Blind date tomorrow is so unexpected. But since you have moved on, you will go tomorrow and bring home our new sister-in-law," James said, chuckling.
Liam's glare intensified, his eyes narrowing.
"Shut up, James," Liam growled, his voice icy.
Remy wiped tears from his eyes.
"Blind date? Tomorrow?" Remy choked out, chuckling.
Alex grinned.
"Liam, the ultimate inloverboy, going on a blind date?" Alex teased.
Nathan composed himself.
"Dude, your parents are serious, huh?" Nathan asked.
Liam's face turned even colder.
"They want me to settle down," Liam said, his tone dripping with disdain.
James's grin widened.
"Well, since you've 'moved on' from Sofia," James said, air-quoting, "tomorrow's blind date is perfect timing."
Liam's eyes flashed with warning.
"You think this is funny?" Liam asked, his voice low.
Remy held up his hands.
"Sorry, Liam. We're just surprised." Remy said.
Alex leaned in.
"But seriously, Liam. You should go. It might be good for you," Alex suggested.
Liam's expression remained unconvinced.
Remy chuckled.
"Settling down? You? That's rich!" Remy said.
James guffawed.
"Imagine Liam with a picket fence and 2.5 kids!" James exclaimed.
Alex grinned.
"Liam, the family man. We need to see this!" Alex said.
Liam's scowl deepened.
"You're enjoying this, aren't you?" Liam asked.
Nathan smirked.
"You have to admit, it's pretty funny," Nathan said.
Liam shook his head.
"You'll pay for this. Just wait," Liam warned.
Remy raised his hands.
"Hey, we're just keeping it real!" Remy said.
James chuckled.
"Besides, maybe this blind date will be good for you," James suggested.
Liam raised an eyebrow.
"Oh? How?" Liam asked.
Alex leaned in.
"You need someone to distract you from Sofia," Alex said.
The room fell silent.
Liam's expression turned icy.
"Don't bring her up," Liam warned.
....
In the estate, Sofia left her room after waiting for Liam for a long time. "It seems you're not going to come back tonight," Sofia thought in her heart.
After tossing and turning on the bed but couldn't fall asleep, she stood up, picked out some casual clothes, and walked towards the stairs.
The dimly lit hallway seemed to stretch endlessly, echoing her footsteps. Sofia felt a mix of emotions: sadness, frustration, and longing.
Downstairs, the grand foyer was quiet, except for the soft hum of the chandelier.
Sofia's gaze drifted to the front door, wondering where Liam might be. Was he still with his lover? Or had he moved on to someone else?
She pushed the thought away, not ready to confront the possibility.
She decided to take a walk on the street, needing the cool night air to clear her mind. Sofia slipped out of the estate, into the darkness.
The streets were quiet, except for the occasional passing car. Streetlights cast long shadows, making her feel alone but not lost.
As she walked, Sofia's thoughts drifted back to Liam. Their old conflict, their fights, the whispered his promises.
"Why did you have to leave me, Liam?" she whispered to the night.
Suddenly, Sofia heard footsteps behind her.
At first, she thought it was just her imagination, but the sound grew louder.
She quickened her pace, her heart beating faster.
Sofia's heart skipped a beat.
She quickened her pace, but the group of bad guys had already surrounded her. Sofia's heart racing, she tried to stay calm.
There were five of them, tall and menacing, forming a circle around her.
"Lost in thought, little one?" one of them sneered.
Sofia's eyes darted between them, searching for an escape.
"Leave me alone," she warned, trying to sound brave.
The leader, a burly man with a scar above his eyebrow, chuckled.
"Oh, we're just getting started," he said, taking a step closer.
Sofia's instincts kicked in. She prepared to defend herself.
She tried to escape, but they didn't give her a chance. The group closed in, their eyes leering.
"You're a rare beauty," one of them sneered, licking his lips. "Tastier than any other woman."
The leader took a step closer, his voice dripping with malice.
"I'll have a taste of you first," he said, his hand reaching out.
Sofia's fear turned to panic. She tried to defend herself, but they were too strong.
Sofia kicked the leader in the groin with all her might. He doubled over, groaning.
"Run!" Sofia screamed to herself.
She sprinted down the street, her feet pounding the pavement. The group recovered quickly, their angry shouts and footsteps closing in.
"No, you don't!" one of them yelled.
A hand grabbed Sofia's arm, spinning her around. The leader's face twisted in rage.
"You think you can hurt me?" he snarled.
He slapped her hard across the face. Sofia's head jerked back, pain exploding in her cheek.
"You're going to pay for that," he growled.
Sofia's vision blurred, but she refused to give up. She struggled and kicked.
Sofia continued to struggle, but the leader's grip tightened. His friends closed in, forming a circle around her.
"You're going to regret crossing us," one of them sneered.
Sofia's eyes scanned the area, desperate for an escape. But they were too strong, too many.
Just as all hope seemed lost, Sofia's instincts took over. She stamped on the leader's foot, breaking free.
She punched one attacker in the gut, kicked another in the shin. Adrenaline fueled her fight.
The leader snarled, grabbing Sofia's hair. She elbowed him in the face.
A trickle of blood ran down his cheek. Enraged, he raised his fist.
Sofia braced for impact, but her determination fueled her strength. She blocked the leader's punch and landed a solid kick to his stomach.
As the group retreated, Sofia seized the moment to escape. Her heart racing, she sprinted down the street.
Emotions swirled inside her:
Fear: Would they catch her again?
Adrenaline: She had fought back!
Determination: She wouldn't be a victim.
But the stakes were higher now. The group's anger and humiliation would make them more ruthless.
As Sofia turned a corner, she heard footsteps closing in.
they catch her again.
She continues to fight them, one of the men kicks her in the stomach from behind. Sofia kneels on the ground, holding her stomach in pain.
The group heartlessly drags her to a nearby dark passage. Sofia continues to struggle, but the pain in her stomach is too severe.
"No, please," she begs, her voice barely audible.
The leader's face twists in a cruel grin. "You're ours now."