Chapter 71: Vulnerability

Liam and Lia sat on the bench gazing at the sky filled with stars.

" They are beautiful", Lia said with her eyes fixed on them but Liam looked at her and smiled,

" Yes, it's beautiful", he said referring to her and not the stars. She noticed his gaze on her and turned to him, their eyes locked but she was the first to look away.

"Why are you staring at me like that?", she asked trying not to show her shyness.

Liam sighed, " isn't the human world so funny?",

" hm, I find it funny but at the same time I admire the humans, they are very creative and risk-takers".

Liam chuckled, " I know right", he said and was quiet for some minutes, "Did you miss home?".

Lia sighed, " hm. I miss home, I wish I could go back but I can't",

" What a twist. I have a home I can reach, a home I'd love to call home but...I couldn't",

" why?".

He sighed.

" I would have bet that man is not my father if I didn't know him better, it all changed after my mum died, I lost my Dad also".

Lia could see the look of pain in his eyes clearly and her heart tightened, feeling for him.

" I know the pain of losing someone dear, but I can't relate to the pain cause it hurts differently",

He smiled bitterly and said. "Come to think of it, you're the only one who's ever been able to tell me the truth, even when it's not what I want to hear".

"Angels don't tell lies", she said.

" Would love to know more about you, more the angel world, the grim reapers world also, I'd like to prove to the world that you exist",

" Really? But it's that safe?",

" Sure, I'm not exposing any identity", he said assuring her,

" Okay then, I'll work with you",

" for real?",

" yes", she replied grinning ear to ear as she had full trust in him.

' I can't wait to spend more time with you', she said in her mind as she chuckled. Liam laughed seeing the look of excitement on her face.

" I wonder how you seem to always lighten my mood every time, is it because you are an angel that I seem to worry less about my problems, laugh more, and smile more, what if you are not an angel, would it still be like this?", he said with the hope of this moment lasting. He knows nothing lasts forever, but he's not ready to think otherwise.

Lia could see right through the statement and was taken aback by this display of vulnerability. She knew the tycoon's reputation for ruthlessness, and yet, in this moment, he seemed almost human.

"It was like this because I'm me", she said quietly. " not because of who I am or where I'm from, but because I've always been me whenever I'm with you",

Liam nodded, a hint of a smile on his lips. "I know," he said. "And I appreciate that more than you know. Those crazy sides of yours, never show it to any other man."

Her heart beat faster and she nodded smiling back at him. They sat in silence for a moment, the air between them charged with something that felt almost like intimacy.

Even after Lia retired to bed that night, She couldn't shake the memory of that brief moment of connection, when Liam had let down his guard and allowed her to glimpse the man behind the mask of power. She loved and appreciated that a lot, loving the man he's becoming more and looking forward to spending more time with him.

***************

After Lora finally filled her belly, it was then she could take notice of her environment and the amazing things on Earth. She was fascinated by the passing vehicles, curious, and eager to see and learn more.

" what are those?", she asked pointing at the vehicles, " Oh my God, the humans are so beautiful", she said as she watched them moving around. Mesmerized by the buildings, and invented materials around, they were all new and strange to her, she wished she could have a human friend that'd take her around to see more and tell her about them.

In a corner, Rafal was less concerned about her, he was weak after using some strength on those humans so he sat in a corner, cultivating his powers while his Isabella stood right behind him, waiting patiently for him to order her around.

Lora turned to show her the bicycle she saw,

" Hey Bella, come and take a look at this, oh my God! what's that?", she called out in excitement but received no response. She turned to whom she was referring to and saw her standing next to Rafal.

" Still standing there? for how long would you have to stand?", she asked frowning but again she got no response, " Ain't you tired of standing? Are your legs not hurting?".

No matter what she said, or how long she nagged, none of them responded to her, ignoring her like she was invisible. She was still nagging when a light shone on them. They all turned to the car that was parked right in front of them. Rafal felt insulted and he stood up slowly, looking at the car with the dark aura that surrounded him. He watched as the car door opened and a man who looked so influential stepped out of it along with another man in a suit. The way the other man stood behind him, Rafal could immediately tell that the man who looked older was someone important to have had two guards standing behind him with their hands folded behind him but that doesn't make him feel intimidated in any way.

" Who are you?",

" Someone that has come to help you", the man replied and took off his glasses.

" Who are you to help us?", Lora asked looking confused,

" I have come to help you utilize your talent and skills to gain wealth and fame", he replied boldly but received a weird look from them like he was crazy.