Chapter 21 How Much Was Overheard
“I’m good.” She chuckled, then asked, “Are you upset with me?”
He hadn’t spoken to her all evening.
“No.”
“Then why aren’t you talking?”
“I don’t know what to say.” He caught sight of her slightly swollen lips and quickly averted his gaze.
She smiled softly.
“Anywhere you’d like to go?” he asked.
“Anywhere is fine,” she replied.
“Isn’t your mother in S-Country? Would you like to visit her?” he added and studied her reaction intently.
She froze. “How did you know my mother is here?”
“You’re my wife. Naturally, I know.”
Hearing the word wife filled her with pure joy; an intoxicating warmth spread through her body.
She gently stroked her burning cheeks and shyly turned toward the window.
“It’s fine if it’s not convenient. I’ll arrange it in advance next time.” He sensed her slight tension.
“It’s fine. Mother enjoys company. We can visit anytime.”
Upon receiving her affirmation, he leaned back in his seat, smiled softly, and closed his eyes to rest.
Yet her thoughts were in disarray.
It was evening as the group arrived in Country S.
“Mr. Hayes, here is your room key.” Anna distributed room keys to everyone in the hotel lobby. “Director Ethan, you’ll be sharing with Ryan.”
Finally, she returned to Emma, saying, “You’ll be sharing with me, Emma.”
“Alright.” Emma stole a glance at Liam and exhaled in relief.
While the others headed upstairs, Liam stayed in the lobby, making calls to handle business matters.
Stepping into her room, Emma was taken aback ‒ it was a super-luxury suite.
What extravagance!
Exhausted, she tossed her luggage aside and collapsed onto the sofa, drifting into a drowsy state.
“Mrs. Hayes, your luggage is now organized. Please contact me if you need anything,” Anna said with a smile.
“Thanks, but I’ll manage it. You go ahead,” Emma said, hurriedly standing up.
Just then, the doorbell rang.
Anna quickly went to open it.
Emma flopped back onto the sofa, closing her eyes.
Is this the secretary that Liam hired specifically for me? she wondered silently.
The noise outside faded, replaced only by the sound of leather shoes and rolling suitcase wheels.
“Tired?” A man’s voice drifted in.
Emma snapped her eyes open and turned her head ‒ it was Liam!
She sat up straight, clutching the pillow.
Oh no!
Liam ignored her, simply organising the luggage and hanging clothes in the wardrobe with effortless ease.
“Rest for a while. We’ll go out for dinner in two hours,” he said softly.
He sat down on the sofa beside her, opened his laptop, and put on his Bluetooth headphones.
She felt uneasy, hesitating to return to the bedroom.
The memory of his blush-inducing words from yesterday morning held her back.
“I’m not tired.” She picked up her phone and texted her mother.
Emma: \[I’ll bring my husband to your place for dinner tomorrow, Mom.\]
Eleanor: \[Arrived in S Country?\]
Emma: \[Yes!\]
Eleanor initiated a video call.
Emma panicked and hung up immediately.
Liam glanced up at her.
Emma bit her lip, forced a calm demeanour, and explained, “It was Mom calling.”
His expression shifted slightly as he adjusted his headset with his long fingers.
“Postpone the meeting by ten minutes,” he told the other side coolly.
He removed his headphones and set his laptop aside.
“You were in a meeting just now?” she asked, surprised.
Was he this quiet during meetings?
“Yes.” He rose and walked toward her, carrying an invisible weight.
He sat beside her, his warm breath instantly enveloping her.
The sofa armrest was directly behind her; she had nowhere to retreat.
What is he going to do?
Eleanor initiated a video call again.
Emma swallowed, her lashes fluttering as she hesitated to answer. She noticed his unwavering gaze fixed on her.
Goodness!
Her hand trembled slightly as she swiped to accept the call.
All three appeared on the screen.
“Liam! It really is you!” Eleanor sat in the living room, sipping coffee and scrutinising the couple on the screen.
“Mom,” Liam called.
“When Mrs. Cox mentioned yesterday that you married Emma, it finally clicked! No wonder I found your photo so familiar! When did this start?” Eleanor fired off questions relentlessly.
“Mom, we’ll explain everything in detail another time,” Emma interjected.
Liam smiled faintly.
“When will you come tomorrow? The GPS says it’s only a 30-minute drive,” Eleanor continued.
“Mom, we’ll call ahead then,” Liam replied, turning to look at Emma.
“Yes, Mom, we just got off the plane,” Emma hurriedly reminded her.
Eleanor quickly responded, “Then let’s talk tomorrow! You two rest first!”
Beep…
Emma hastily put away her phone and exhaled deeply.
“Go ahead to your meeting. I’ll rest in the bedroom,” she said, gesturing toward it.
“Alright,” he replied.
She shoved a pillow between his legs to hide the bulge, then hurried away.
Liam stared at the pillow between his legs. He smiled faintly.
⸻
“Click.” The door shut, and the faint sound of the lock turning echoed.
Emma paced inside as her phone rang ‒ it was her close friend Claire Dawson, who had settled in Country S, calling.
Picking up, she moved toward the balcony.
“Are you back, Emma? Did you bring your husband? That domineering CEO?” Claire’s voice was full of teasing.
“Yep, was just about to reach out!” Emma said, leaning against the railing.
“What’s wrong? Are newlyweds already facing problems?” Claire asked.
Emma fell silent for a long moment.
“Is it about intimacy?” Claire pressed.
“You know me too well!” Emma exclaimed.
“Goodness, what else could newlyweds be dealing with? Have you two even tried a second time yet?” Claire asked.
“But it hurt me a lot. How could I dare try again?” Emma said, blushing. “I couldn’t walk properly for three whole days.”
“Take it easy. It won’t hurt the second time,” Claire soothed her.
Emma paced the balcony while talking, then abruptly stopped.
“Hey! Are you there, Emma? Huh?” Claire chimed on the other line.
Liam was standing just inside the living room balcony doors, watching her.
So awkward!
Emma slowly lowered the phone from her ear. Her stiff body froze in place.
When has he been standing there?
How much has he heard?