Chapter 19 : Incurred Debts
" You look pretty... " Liam replied subconsciously
" ... Okay... You look pretty okay " Liam said quickly, trying to cover up the fact that he was gawking at her.
The air around them suddenly became awkward as a weird silence surrounded them.
" Ahem! " Mr Williams coughed drawing both Lucia and Liam's attention to him
" I believe both of you should be on your way now, shouldn't you? " Mr Williams asked with a teasing smile on his face
" Has the car been made ready? " Liam asked, frowning hard so that Mr Williams would stop teasing him with that smile
" Since the time you'd been gawking at her " Mr Williams teased further, earning him a stare from Lucia
" Do we have the freedom to tease him? " Lucia asked causing an eruption of laughter from Kyle who had been sitting quietly
" You do not " Liam growled glaring at Kyle, who continued laughing
" You both should be on your way now " Mr Williams said
" We should " Liam agreed, stretching forth his hand for Lucia to take it
" Oh... " Lucia chuckled nervously and took his hand
" Let's go " She smiled, making Liam stare at her a little
" Have fun you both " Kyle chirped
" Wait... Why didn't you go? " Lucia asked confused
" Well to be honest, I'd be a much better choice than you but it'll be sad to see two guys going to a ball together, no dancing for either " Kyle replied, tilting his head to the side in thought of more reasons why he cannot go with Liam
" It'll also be a good bonding for the both of you " Kyle continued
" We'll be on our way now " Lucia smiled and Liam led her out through the front door.
Inside the car the ride was quite silent as neither said a word to each other, Liam busied himself with the report sheet for the week that had just gone by, while Lucia stared outside the window. She stole a glance at Liam and was surprised to see him still working.
" I don't get why work ends at 8 if you still continue with it in your free time, even during your lunch " Lucia complained
" Well unlike you who won't get any calls once you leave the reception desk, I'm a company's CEO... If the company falls, I fall " Liam replied sparing Lucia a glance before returning it to the sheet on his tablet
" I understand that I'm not a company's owner so I may not know much about that level of responsibility but I'm human and I know that if you continue to live like this, you'll be a loner, no friends, no close family... Your family won't be able to see you without an appointment " Lucia scoffed
" You forgot to add how wealthy I'd be " Liam said blankly
" Wealth wouldn't do much to save a falling relationship " Lucia sighed
" Only weaklings need relationships such as love, friendship, acquaintances and more like that " Liam replied
Lucia scoffed and asked " Is that why your house looks like it has no attendants aside Mr Williams? "
" Do not bother yourself with my life, mind your business " Liam replied in a stern voice
" Well unfortunately for both of us I'm in your life already so I'm sorry, I can't just help but bother " Lucia replied almost yelling
" I believe this car was peaceful before you started talking " Liam said in a low voice
" So in other words you're telling me to shut up... Fine if I say a word to you here or anywhere concerning you working overtime, call me a fool for the rest of the month " Lucia yelled and turned to the window
" I didn't mean it like that Lucia, you're overreacting " Liam turned to her, but she said nothing.
The rest of the ride was silent, as neither of them said anything to each other.
" We are there " The driver said to Liam
" OK " Was his reply, he turned to Lucia who was still staring outside the window.
" Let's go " Liam said politely, but Lucia opened the door close to her and stepped out of the car.
Liam took a deep breath before stepping out and walking over to the direction she was in.
" I don't think I have to tell you to behave yourself " Liam said sternly and stretched out his hand for her to take it.
Lucia scoffed, took his hand and said " Why should you? You're paying me after all "
Liam ignored her words and led her into the ballroom instead.
" What's the occasion? Is a returned prince trying to find a bride? " Lucia asked on the realization that she knew nothing of why the ball was being held
" Not all balls are held to find wives, it's a celebration " Liam replied
" For what? " Lucia asked
" DS sports just successfully launched a new game " Liam replied hoping it would be her last question.
" So when you launch a new game, you'll also hold a ball? " Lucia asked, showing interest
" Not compulsory but necessary though " Liam replied leaving Lucia confused, she was about to ask a question when someone walked up to them.
" Henderson " A masculine voice called out
Liam turned to the direction the voice came from, and so did Lucia.
" Lawson " Liam called out, a shadow of a smile touched his face, as he shook hands with the man.
" Am I being ignored here? " Lara Lawson, Diego Lawson's wife asked
" Lara... It's been a while " Liam said, embracing her
" Who is the beauty you've got beside you? Your new secretary? " Diego asked with a smile on his face.
" Oh my bad... Diego, Lara meet Lucia, my fiancee, Lucia meet Diego and his wife Lara '' Liam said, gesturing as he talked.
" Hi... Nice to meet you both " Lucia smiled warmly at them
" Did I just hear Liam say fiancee? " Diego grinned.
Diego was a hot, tall, dark skinned man with a deep seductive voice, and his wife Lara was a tall light skinned beautiful lady with dirty blonde hair.
" Pleasure to meet you Lucia " Lara smiled
" Pleasure's mine " Lucia smiled back
" Okay so you both ladies get together, Liam and I need to meet with some people, you guys should get some drinks " Diego said to the ladies and dragged Liam along.
" Guys? " Lucia and Lara chorused
" Please don't mind Diego, I know you might have wanted to dance with Liam... " Lara was saying before Lucia cut in
" No, I'm actually cool with it " Lucia flashed her a smile.
" Drinks? " Lara asked
" That'd be lovely " Lucia replied and then walked over to where the drinks were.
It took Liam up to 30 minutes to discuss work related stuff with Diego and other business associates before he went back to find Lucia.
He saw Lara talking with some other friends and he walked up to her.
" Lara... Do you know where Lucia is? " Liam asked, interrupting Lara's conversation with her friends.
" Oh... She's on the terrace, she wanted somewhere to sit " Lara replied
" Thank you " Liam said gratefully and headed for the terrace, he found Lucia sitting alone.
" Why are you here? " Liam asked as he got close to her.
The sound of classical music resonated through the walls of the terrace.
" You know, I learnt how to dance in the span of two hours, and now I'm not dancing " Lucia said ignoring his question, she immediately got up from where she was sitting.
" Hey Henderson, let's dance " Lucia said, walking clumsily towards Liam, she hung her hand on his neck, and forced his on her waist.
" One two three... One two three... One two three... One two three " Lucia hummed as they moved to the rhythm of The song.
" You know sometimes, you're kind, sometimes you're harsh... " Lucia said drunken
Liam noticed how red her cheeks were and how flushed her face was, he asked " Are you drunk? "
" Why would I be drunk? I hold my liquor well " Lucia replied
" Sometimes you're hard on me, sometimes you're soft... " She continued
" Do you know what else I wonder if it's soft about you? " Lucia asked
She waited for Liam to reply, but he didn't so she continued
" Your lips... " She said and gently covered his lips with hers
" It's soft " She grinned
" Miss Camden, you've just incurred some debts " Liam whispered into her ears in a husky voice.
" How many times will I pay if a lot happens in one day? " Lucia asked
" Once " Liam replied
" Then I better make the most of my debt " She grinned and crashed her lips onto his once more.