Chapter 49: Runaway Red

Slowly, my head averted back at the tone the voice just addressed me through.

Say no heart.

Please say no…it wasn’t…him.

It was Liam. He sat on the sofa just by a corner I didn’t notice in the sitting room. With his legs crossed, his black oxford shoes shook with a touch of manliness. The both of his arms pressed flatly at the upper part, of the white couch.

Like a deer caught in head lights, I moved to face him wholly. With my bag in my hand, I timidly observed him. The instant my eyes locked with his, a vivid recall of last night appeared in my head.

The bar.

My tantrums.

And, my words…

My words…Oh my gosh, my last words?!

I immediately averted my eyes, looking at the other side of the room.

“I…um...I was j-just going back, Liam. I don’t want to be a burden to you anymore.” I muttered.

Please don’t ask me any questions.

Please don’t remember my confession.

I silently prayed.

I felt so conscious of my every move. It was like my body was timorous with his eyes, roaming around me like some hunter. He stood up from where he was seated, making me vibrate on my spot.

My heart thudded rapidly in panic at what exactly he was up to, as he approached me.

“Did I complain?”

His words echoed round the sitting room. It seemed like there was an ounce of sexual tension in the air. For a moment, I wondered how it would be like if he just raised my hands above my head. He held the side of my chin and kissed me.

Perhaps, my insanity and hard-headedness would be thrown out the window.

Get out, thought.

Get out.

What was I beginning to imagine?

“My words were so off and edgy last night, Liam. I didn’t mean any of those.”

“Oh, did you?” he took another step forward.

“Taking them to heart would only mean you’re being delusional. My drunken words don’t mean a thing,”

“Or does it?” he smirked.

Okay, this was crazy. Falling for a billionaire I was rude to countless of times, wasn’t something I had fully prepared for.

Oh Eleanor, what’s happening to you?

Who’s knocking you out of your senses...

Definitely not this infuriating billionaire.

I turned to go at the sight of his gorgeous face. Was it that I didn’t notice these things about him in the past? How was it that I only saw an arrogant piece of shit and womanizer before?

Why was I seeing his amazing attributes just now?

My unsteady and rickety hands reached for the gigantic door. There was someone in a black suit outside to open it, but he stepped back as soon as I did open it myself.

“Wait, red.”

I froze on my spot, with my eyes bulging. Numerous thoughts splattered my mind. My back was turned to him thus, he couldn’t get a view of my face at all.

A gush of breeze blew from outside, blowing my wild raven hair loosely. I was immediately slammed out of my daze. It all made me feel like a movie character. And it got me thinking…

So, these scenes happened in real life??

Through the corner of my eye, I took a last glance at him.

“That won’t be necessary, Liam.”

“I’ll get going now.” I added him plainly. My wobble feet scurried out of there before I did anything stupid.

Just as I stepped outside, I breathed in relief with a large sigh. Mum said I have always been the one to go after what I wanted. If I was in that room for any longer, there would have been a hundred percent chance of embarrassing myself.

I waved for a taxi, to take me back home.

…

I had this empty feeling that did make me want to cry. But it seemed like these days, crying didn’t solve anything.

The situation at home was so bad.

Since I didn’t work with the company anymore, the mortgaged house was also taken forcefully. Big James ordered his men to throw us out.

But I wasn’t home.

So, they mum had to bear all the humiliation of being thrown out, with her items. Her meds were scattered all over the places, all dispersed on the ground.

Thinking of the hard work I had to do to purchase those meds filled me with instantaneous anger. And for the first time, in a long while, I didn’t know what to do.

It was like not foreseeing a move from an opponent, in the game of chess.

Like being caught in between the devil and the deep blue sea.

“It’s all bad, Eleanor.”

“It’s all so bad.” Mum had sobbed, with our belongings right at the door step of the entrance. I hugged her tightly, patting her head softly.

“Don’t worry mum, I’ll figure it out.”

“I always do.” I added in a whispery tone, even if I had no idea of where to begin from.

…

I had no choice than to check-in in a hotel. My short-lived job as a celebrity model earned me some funds at least. Though not enough to buy a house, but enough to rent a house.

I made mum watch the Tv, bath and eat. Next, I got her new meds which she took. Watching her trembling hands and the grey shards of hair, with her sickly face, made me feel guilty.

I should have been here for her.

She didn’t have to bear the humiliation of being kicked out alone.

Perhaps, I was too much of a coward who refused to face her emotions and ran away from them.

I watched mum as she slept minutes after. I put on some joggers instantly to go for some walk and exercise. I needed a way to prevent yesterday’s event from putting me in an emotional trauma.

As I did jog, my mind wandered around various things.

Maybe if I had a dad, things would have been a little better.

I sneezed from the wind.

Thus, I turned back only to sight about four suited men in black. I stopped in my tracks, so did they. The instant I begun walking, they followed me.

Oh no!

I didn’t want to be kidnapped?

Not now of all days?

Run, Eleanor.

I immediately commenced running so did the men. I ran so fast and rapidly, breathing in large paces and panicking.

Suddenly, I sleek black SUV pulled up in about 7 feet away from me. I stopped in time knowing I had been trapped.

Holy molly, what was I supposed to do now?

The tinted glass moved down slowly, only for me to sight the stunning face of Liam James. He wore a dark shade and looked like he just stepped out of fashion magazine.

“You?”

“Yeah me, that’s the same thing you said the on our second time of meeting, remember?”

“W-What are you doing sending your men after me? Are you stalking me?” I asked confusingly.

“Passing through this neighborhood, what about you, red? What are you up to in that outfit?” he said, referring to the old pair of college exercising piece I had on.

He didn’t have to make it obvious it looked bad; you know.

“I was just exercising,” I spilled out, with a smug smile.

“Get in.”

“What? Why?” I asked, arching my brow at him.

“Let me show you how exercising’s done in a billionaire’s world.” he said, glinting his set of white teeth.