.
Felix opened the car door and I stepped in. The soft hum of the engine filled the silence as Felix drove through the boulevard. I sat curled up in the passenger seat, staring out of the window at nothing in particular. My arms were wrapped tightly around me, as if I was protecting myself.
As the assault replayed in my head, I wrapped my arms more tightly and shook my head vigorously as if that would clear the ugly memory away. When I could take it in no more, I broke into a sob.
Felix, seeing that I was shaken, parked the car. After crying for a few minutes, he hands me a soft linen handkerchief which I use to wipe my snotty face. When I'm satisfied with my tears, I look out the window to avoid his pitiful gaze. I appreciate his concern but I don't need pity right now. Especially seeing as all these things are Liam's fault in a way. And he's Liam's friend.
"Amelia," he said softly. "It's okay, you're safe now." He paused, not wanting to push too hard.
"I don't know what I'm even doing here. Is the money really worth my peace of mind?" I asked, not directing the question at him in particular.
"Look, it's not your fault. It's on him. I'm sure Liam would deal with the issue."
That's something to laugh about.
"You're talking like you don't know your friend. He would never do that, considering the way he spoke to me. I'm sure it would be swept under the rug." I shrugged.
Felix sighed, his face still filled with concern.
"If you need help with anything at all, pls don't hesitate to reach out to me."
I nodded even though I knew that I could never bring myself to ask him for anything. He doesn't deserve a person like Hela or a friend like Liam for that matter. I just wish he can find out somehow and get himself out of that toxic cycle.
The rest of the journey is more enjoyable after I've gathered myself. We have a hearty discussion over the afternoon radio playing. Finally, we stopped opposite my house. I am grateful to Felix for making me feel so much relaxed. As I got down from the car, he insisted on walking to my door, to which I refused. But he just followed me anyway.
"Thanks for the bail out. It means a lot that someone cares." I said calmly.
"It's the least I could do for you. Do take care of yourself. If you feel that you can't go to work tomorrow, just explain to Liam. He'll understand." He said with a smile.
"I don't think he would, honestly. I don't want any trouble with him, I've had enough from him." I replied.
"What does that mean?"
I just ignored him.
As Felix and I walked up the steps to my door, the afternoon heat felt hotter than usual. My body was exhausted, like I had been carrying a weight all day that I couldn't shake. My mind was a haze, replaying everything that happened, even though I desperately wanted to shut it all out. Felix had been kind—he didn't push me to talk more than I could, and his quiet support was a lifeline I didn't know I needed.
As we reached the door, I noticed a figure standing just off to the side. For a moment, my heart skipped a beat, and I instinctively tightened my grip on my keys, still jittery from what happened. But then, I realized who it was.
Mr Patrick.
"Amelia," he called softly, stepping forward from the shadows, his eyes wide with concern. The familiar warmth of his voice wrapped around me like a blanket, and for a moment, I felt a pang of relief. But the look on his face... something was off. His eyes darted from me to Felix, and I could see confusion, maybe even a hint of something deeper—jealousy? Concern?
"Mr Patrick?" I asked, my voice shaky from the exhaustion, surprise woven into the single phrase. "What are you doing here?"
He looked at me, but his gaze flickered back to Felix. I could see the question forming on his lips even before he said it.
"I mean, it has been a while." I corrected my initial statement.
"I... I was worried about you," Patrick started, his voice soft but tense. "I wanted to check on you. But... Why is he here?" His tone hardened, almost imperceptibly, but I could hear it.
I blinked, confused for a moment before it clicked. Felix. Of course. Mr Patrick still associated Felix with Liam, with the day Liam bullied me. Felix hadn't been the one doing anything that day, but he had been there. I could feel Mr Patrick's unease settling between us like a thick fog.
Felix shifted uncomfortably beside me, his eyes downcast, clearly sensing the tension but saying nothing. He had been nothing but supportive today but Mr Patrick didn't know that. All Mr Patrick could see was the connection Felix had to Liam. And to him, that was a problem.
"I'll leave you to rest." Felix said and walked away.
"Thank you so much for today." I said as I watched him leave….
"Wow, a lot must have happened since we last spoke. I've been coming to check on you for a few days now. But I never meet you at home. Sometimes just your siblings. What's going on Amelia?"
I sighed. "Can we take a walk?"
"Sure."
We turned and headed in the opposite direction from where Felix drove.
"So... I guess you've gotten a job now?" He asked as we strolled through the pavement.
"Yeah, I just got a job." I muttered.
"Where? They must have had so much influence then?" He said with a smile.
I nodded. "I actually work with Liam now."
He stopped in his tracks, wide eyed as if I had just dropped a bombshell on him.
"What?" His voice was sharp which made me flinch a little. "You're working for Liam?"
"Yeah, I have no choice." I whispered, my eyes darting away from his.
"And in which universe is that a good idea?" He shook his head, barely containing his frustration. "Amelia, come on. Anyone but him. Can you handle it?"
I looked away from him again, unable to meet his judgment. I can't tell him about what happened today, with the way he's taking the news.
"I can handle it, trust me please?" I said.
He stared at me for a long moment, his expression hard and disbelieving. He shrugged in surrender. "If you say so. I don't like the idea of this. But if at any point, you need my help, don't hesitate to let me know."
"I will," I muttered, feeling a pang of guilt. I'm feeling too embarrassed to even tell him what happened today because he'll make a fuss of it. I'll sort myself out somehow, I'll survive.
*************
LIAM
Later that evening…
I pick up my car keys and head out to Greg's place. I need to take care of the issue on time. Seeing the way Amelia looked at me I'm sure she's feeling resentful towards me but I couldn't care less.
On getting to Greg's mansion, I meet him in the living room, wasted on the couch. Probably a hangover from the party.
The party had been over for two hours but the air still smelt stale and was thick with booze. This guy is never tired of parties. I thought I love parties but this guy's a beast when it comes to them.
He looked up at me with a lazy grin on his face. He looked so disheveled and cans were scattered all over the floor.
"Hey Liam," he slurred, sitting up. "Didn't think you'd swing by again so soon. You came to pick up where we left off? Grab a drink? Should I call some ladies and-"
Before he could finish, I punched him hard in the face. His head snapped to the side, the smile wiped off his face as the force of the blow sent him sprawling on the couch.
"What the hell man?" He croaked, clutching his chin wide eyed and completely off guard. "What's your problem?"
Without hesitation, I pulled him by the collar of his shirt. I tried to breathe out several times to blow the stench of the alcohol away. When I could take the smell no longer, I flung him to the couch again.
"You think I'm here to party huh?" My voice was low, though my body trembled with anger.
His eyes darted around the room, still feeling confused. "What? I don't understand"
I landed another punch to his guts making him wheeze and collapse back. "What did I do man?!"
"Who gave you the right to touch Amelia like that?"
His face went blank with realization. "Amelia?" He blinked, his jaw still throbbing red. "But you said she didn't matter..."
Another punch.
"Ow!" Blood was trickling from his nose now. "You said she wasn't important."
I grabbed him by the collar again.
"Yes, I said that. But that doesn't mean you get to force yourself on any woman. Not especially when she works for me." I tightened my grip round his neck.
His eyes widened with suffocation and before he could say another word, I flung him back to the couch and landed a blow on his ribs again. He groaned in pain, clutching to his side.
"I'm sorry Liam." He wheezed, trying to catch his breath. "I thought it was no big deal man..."
I grabbed him by the shirt again. "You thought?" I fumed. "Don't you ever touch a woman like that again. Go get yourself a call girl if you need to. And certainly not one who has something to do with me. Clear?"
He nodded frantically, trying to squirm out of my grip. "I'm sorry, okay?"
I let out a bitter laugh, my voice cold as ice.
"Sorry?" I hit him again, this time harder. "Sorry won't fix this, but you know what will?" I yanked his collar again. "You do anything like this again and I will personally make sure your family business is ruined. I'll see to it that your entire life falls apart."
He whimpered, his face pale and full of blood, the full weight of my words sinking in.
"Please, I won't. I swear."
I tightened my grip on his shirt one last time before forcefully letting him go. He clutched his sides in pain.
I straightened myself, disgusted by his whole presence. I looked at him with so much disdain. "You ever try this again, I'll bury you. Got it?"
He nodded rapidly, understanding the weight of my threat.
Without another word, I turned around and walked out, slamming the door behind me.