Chapter 49 My Boyfriend
Mia's POV
I slept beside Liam that night, and it was the most wonderful feeling I had ever known.
He wrapped his arms around me gently, like he was afraid I might disappear if he held me too tightly. I fit against him so easily, my head resting against his chest, listening to the steady rhythm of his heartbeat. For the first time in a long while, my mind felt quiet. I slept deeply, peacefully, like a child who knew she was safe.
When I woke up the next morning, the cottage was filled with the soft smell of breakfast.
I blinked, confused at first, before realizing Liam was not beside me.
I sat up slowly, still wrapped in the warmth of the bed, and that was when I saw him in the small kitchen. He was cooking, sleeves rolled up, moving with quiet confidence like this was something he had done a hundred times before. The morning light spilled over him, and I could not help but stare.
He looked handsome as always.
My chest tightened as I watched him, and for a moment, I wondered what I had ever done to deserve someone like him. Someone who cared enough to do things like this without being asked.
I quietly fixed the bed, not wanting to disturb him, but the moment I stood up, I felt him behind me.
"Good morning," he murmured softly into my ear.
Before I could even turn around or say a word, his arms curled around my waist, warm and familiar. Then his lips found mine. The kiss was deep and full of feeling, stealing my breath and making my knees weak. It was the kind of kiss that made my heart race and my thoughts scatter.
"I am almost done cooking," he said gently afterward, his forehead resting against mine. "For now, you can take a bath. Your school uniform is ready."
I followed his gaze and froze.
Hanging neatly in front of the cabinet was a brand new uniform. Beside it, on the floor, was a pair of polished black shoes, shining like they had never been worn before.
My eyes widened.
"Liam, you do not—" I started, but he smiled before I could finish.
"I asked one of our seamstresses to customize it for you," he said, suddenly looking a little shy. "I hope that is okay."
He looked almost nervous, like he was worried he had overstepped. And that alone made my heart ache.
"Mia," he continued softly, "please do not get angry. I am not ashamed of your old uniforms. Never. I just... I did not want those girls to keep insulting you over what you wear. It hurts me when they do."
How could I ever be angry at that? I swallowed hard, blinking back tears as I looked at him. No one had ever gone this far for me before. No one had ever protected me so quietly, so thoughtfully.
"How could I be angry with you?" I said softly, my voice trembling. "You did all of this for me. It is incredibly sweet, Liam. Thank you."
I smiled through the tears, and when he pulled me into his arms, I let myself rest there for a moment longer.
In that quiet morning, surrounded by warmth and care, I realized something important.
Liam did not just like me. He loved me in the small things. And that meant everything.
"You are an heir," I said softly after he helped me settle into my seat. "You have chefs who cook for you every day, and yet here you are, cooking for me. I should be the one doing this for you." I added.
"I am doing this for a special girl in my life," Liam replied, his voice gentle but confident. "My girlfriend."
The word alone made my cheeks burn. I lowered my gaze, suddenly shy, my heart fluttering in a way I was still not used to.
My mouth watered as I looked at the table in front of us. There were smoothies made from fresh fruits and vegetables, fluffy pancakes stacked neatly on a plate, and mashed potatoes with crispy bacon on the side. Everything looked warm, comforting, and made with care.
As we ate, I noticed that Liam barely touched his food. Instead, his eyes stayed on me, like he was afraid I might disappear if he looked away for even a second.
"Stop looking at me like that," I finally said, laughing softly, though I felt incredibly self conscious.
"I am sorry," he said, not even trying to deny it. "I just cannot help it. You are the most beautiful girl I have ever seen, Mia."
I shook my head quickly, heat rising to my face. "That is not true."
"Believe me," he said gently, his voice sincere. "Beauty is not just about what you see on the outside. It comes from within too. And you are beautiful, inside and out."
My blush deepened, and my heart felt so full it almost hurt.
"Thank you, Liam," I said quietly. "Not just for the compliment, but for making me feel special. And for letting me sleep peacefully. I slept like a child for the first time in a long time." I smiled, resting a hand over my stomach. "I feel recharged, and very full."
He smiled at me then, a soft, genuine smile that made my chest tighten.
"You are welcome," he said.
The ride to the Academy felt much shorter than it should have. Maybe it was because of the quiet comfort between us, or the way my heart felt lighter than it had in a long time. For once, I did not dread the day ahead. I felt calm. Safe. And happy, sitting beside him as the city slowly came back into view.
The day passed surprisingly fast. For once, I was not walking through the halls like a ghost. Liam's friends, mostly the varsity guys, had welcomed me into their circle. They joked with me, offered me gum between classes, helped me carry my books. It felt strange and comforting all at once.
But the cheerleaders?
They had not said a word to me since the kiss.
The one Liam gave me in the middle of the cafeteria on the day we made our relationship public. It had caused a ripple through the entire school. Mia and Liam, the quiet girl and the golden boy. The group chat was still flooded with pictures and commentary, memes, even slow motion videos with music added for drama.
The cheerleaders had not taken it well. They ignored me completely now. Some glared. Others smirked like they knew something I did not.
I did not care anymore. As long as I had my grades, and Liam, everything else could fall away.
Liam had become my steady ride to school, and my steady everything. Since we started dating, he never let a day go by without checking in, driving me to class, or walking me to my locker like it was the most natural thing in the world. With him, I never felt like I had to ask for attention. It was just there.
My heart was still fluttering when I slid into the passenger seat of Liam's car that morning.
"Are you ready for rehearsal later?" Liam asked as he started the engine, glancing over at me with that soft smile that always made my chest tighten.
"I think so," I said, brushing a loose strand of hair behind my ear. "A little nervous, though."
"Don't be," he replied, squeezing my hand briefly. "You're going to nail it, Mia. I've seen you practice, you've got this."
"See you later," Liam said after lunch, brushing a kiss across my lips. "They're auditioning Romeo first."
I blushed as I smiled up at him. "You'll get the part."
He leaned in a little closer. "And I'm sure you'll be my Juliet."
Then he winked and turned toward the theater, leaving my heart spinning like a carousel.