Patricia's POV
He chased after me, and I quickened my steps as I sprinted all the way to my new office to frown.
I tried to lock the door shut when I got there but he was quick and stopped me, forcing himself in. I ignored him and tried to walk away from me but he grabbed my wrist and pushed me to the door.
He towered over me, his eyes searching mine for anything that would give me away. When he saw nothing even though he lifted my chin up with a finger, in the hottest way ever, he frowned in disappointment.
"What's wrong now, Trisha?" His voice was laced with worry, but I couldn't help being so stubborn.
"I don't know what you're talking about. Leave me alone and step out so I can go." I squeezed my face further, looking for an out but he didn't budge at all.
I lied. I didn't want to be anywhere but pinned by him the exact way we were. His cologne wafted in and out of my nose, intoxicating me. If I wasn't so strong, I would step on my toes and kiss him silly. But I knew I couldn't.
It was already bad that it had already happened twice and I then realized that he did have to let me go. If he didn't, I had no idea how I would survive our interaction.
My face was so flushed and my fingers were all clammy, I just wanted him to let me go. Instead, he came even closer, our mouths just inches apart.
He should better not kiss me because if he does, I'll kiss him back. He should step away, or I'll kiss him first even with all my resistance.
"Aren't you happy about your grand opening? Is something bothering you? You can tell me anything." His warm breath practically kissed my face. Ugh. I would shove my tongue down this man's throat if this persists.
"It's nothing," I said breathlessly as I tried to push him away gently.
"Now move your face away from me." I said almost weakly and I hoped he didn't catch on and figure out how badly he was beginning to affect me.
"Why? You can't handle my handsome face? Don't tell me you're falling already, even though I wouldn't be surprised." A gorgeous smirk plastered on his face and I wanted to smack it away. He was annoyingly self aware, but I refused to give him the satisfaction.
"Oh please." I said, rolling my eyes and acting like falling for him would practically be a nightmare.
"It's not that, just shift away so I can breathe." My ragging breathing became so obvious. Good thing he ignored it. If not, how would I have survived if he continued?
"At least now you're all chatty, come on, tell me. What's wrong?" He asked, the smirk on his face now replaced with a small frown and deep worry.
One look at him and I bit my lips, contemplating if I should tell him or not.
Swallowing my pride, I did eventually tell him
"I feel stupid," I started off, hanging in my face in shame. He had shifted away from me already and I could finally concentrate on my sadness. He lowered himself on my desk and pulled me to stand and talk in front of me
He had a puzzled look on his face that was so innocent that it did a thing that made my heart leap for joy.
"I just feel like I did all of this to prove a point to Henry. Now that I've finally done it, I don't even feel proud of myself. I know I've been abusing the deal we made but now, I think I'm ready to actually work with you. I'll just hand this gallery over to someone else to run until I feel better about the shitty thing I did."
I lowered my head in resignation. For the first time in my life, I didn't feel so great about anything.
"Really? You feel shitty because you simply opened a gallery ? And what's the big deal if you opened it to prove a point? Why are you acting like this?"
He looked disappointed, and it hurt me.
"I'm sorry, okay? I just–"
I wanted to break down, but he simply pulled me to his chest and did the craziest thing. He ran his hands through my hair in a comforting rhythm, as if patting me and saying that everything will be fine.
Even though he sat and I was standing, he could still do that. It was annoyingly comforting and for the first few seconds, I didn't know what to make of it. Even when I was married to Henry, he never touched my hair except when we fucked. Well, I was never this weak in front of him.
I don't know. It just felt..good. It was so soothing that I wanted to remain in this position forever, to be taken care of like this and not have to lift a finger, to be…
Patricia! Get it together!
Just before I could pull myself away from him, a staff of mine knocked, saying some important people were looking for me.
We awkwardly got off each other and in suddenly wobbling feet, I took perfect strides out the door, and he followed behind me.
After meeting up with my guests and hanging out for hours, I was completely tired and bored out of my mind. I just wanted to see myself inside my bathtub, washing away my sadness.
"I've called someone to drive your car back home and lock up here. I'm taking you home now, you look tired."
Liam whispered suddenly after a couple of minutes and everyone had practically left. Before I knew what was happening, he got me to stand up, enveloped my hands in his and our shoes clicked as they hit the floor, out of the gallery.
I couldn't even complain. For once, I just wanted to be treated nicely and taken care of.
Just before we could get to his car, a crazy reporter approached us aggressively, trying to ask me further questions. I was really in no mood but he kept bothering me, so Liam stepped in. He angrily snatched the camera from the reporter and as it dropped on the ground with a thud, he smashed it with the sole of his shoes, shocking both me and the reporter.
"What have you…" The reporter yelled, as alarmed as ever. I saw the way his eyes opened up in disbelief and shock. Deep down, I liked it. I recognized him because he was also someone I was going to destroy.
"You had no right. We simply let you. I dare you to report me. Now, get out of my way, she's clearly not in the mood." Liam said darkly and the reporter understood and left.
Liam was always such a man for me in public. Even though I couldn't understand why, I was grateful for it.
He took me to my side of the car and after I was well seated, he walked around the car and we drove off.