Chapter 52 Liam Carter

Chapter 52 Liam Carter
  Maya
  “I’m ending my contract with the agency due to personal and professional reasons… I’m also suing them… Yes, the wedding is called off…”
  I frowned as I replayed Liam’s press conference again.
  Something wasn’t adding up.
  He was calling off the wedding just as abruptly as it had been announced. And Liam loved acting—he wouldn’t pull out of his agency without a valid reason.
  And sue them?
  That was wild.
  What really happened?
  Despite the barrage of questions from the press, he answered none of them. Instead, he seemed in a hurry to leave.
  It was confusing.
  But then again, it wasn’t my life. It was his. And I wasn’t—wouldn’t be—in the picture anymore.
  I had enough on my plate.
  With a sigh, I shut off my phone and rolled onto my back, staring at the dark ceiling. I’d left the window shutters open so the cool air drifted in while I lay in bed.
  I sighed again, turning onto my side and staring into nothing as sleep slowly overtook me.
  I had a long day tomorrow.
  I could use the rest.
  My phone ringing jolted me awake.
  I dragged a hand down my face and reached for it, swiping to answer.
  “Hello?”
  “Don’t tell me you’re still in your fucking bed!”
  My eyes flew open. Sleep vanished instantly.
  I pulled the phone away and checked the time.
  8:15.
  Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.
  I jumped out of bed and rushed toward the bathroom.
  “I’m so—” I grabbed my toothbrush, squeezing paste onto it. “I’m so sorry. I—shit—”
  For my boss to call me meant it was bad. Really bad.
  I was supposed to be there by 7:30.
  I was forty-five minutes late. I missed my fucking alarm.
  Did I even set one to begin with?
  “Actually, don’t bother coming in anymore. You’re fired.”
  “I’m sorry, I—”
  The beep of my phone was what told me he’d hung up.
  I stared at my reflection, resting my forehead against the mirror.
  I’d worked there for two weeks. I’d been punctual. And just this once, I overslept—and I got fired.
  And I needed that job.
  Another job.
  Fuck.
  I freshened up quickly, got dressed, and headed to the coffee shop, hoping I could convince Silas to reconsider.
  I was stopped at the entrance.
  I forced a smile at the security guard, whom I’d only ever exchanged greetings with.
  “Why am I being stopped?” I asked.
  He looked apologetic. “Silas said not to let you in anymore.”
  My stomach dropped.
  “What if I just want to buy coffee?” I asked quietly.
  He lowered his gaze.
  I couldn’t blame him. He was just following orders. I didn’t want him losing his job because of me.
  I’d already lost mine.
  I stepped back.
  At the very least, I should be paid for the two weeks I worked.
  And I knew Silas was keeping me out because he didn’t want to pay me.
  And seventy dollars meant a lot right now.
  I pulled out my phone and called him. No answer.
  “Hey, Silas!” I shouted toward the shop. “I know you can hear me! Can you step out for a minute?”
  Heads turned in my direction but I didn’t care. I needed my money.
  After a moment, bald-headed, pot-bellied Silas walked out, leaning against the doorway with his arms crossed.
  “I told you you’re fired,” he snapped.
  “That’s fine,” I said, raising my hands slightly. “I just want to be paid for the two weeks I worked. That’s seventy dollars.”
  I extended my hand.
  “Can you hand it over so I can leave?”
  He frowned. “Pay you? You haven’t worked a full month.”
  “Then let me work the full month,” I replied calmly. “Or pay me for the two weeks I already worked.”
  “I’m not paying you shit.”
  I pinched the bridge of my nose. Jesus, I had no energy for this.
  “I don’t have the energy to make a scene. Let’s be adults. I really need that money.”
  He chuckled dryly while the security guard looked mildly irritated. By him.
  “Make sure she leaves the premises,” Silas told him before turning back to me. “I don’t owe you anything. You didn’t show up. You got fired. That’s on you.”
  “I served customers every morning before you even arrived,” I shot back. “And because I missed one alarm, I’m fired? You didn’t even ask what happened!”
  “You’re not my responsibility, Sherlyn,” he said flatly.
  I rolled my eyes. Sherlyn. Seriously?
   “That’s not my name. You really are a horrible person.”
  Just as I’d known my voice had risen and people were watching now.
  A flash of blonde hair inside the shop caught my attention—but I was too pissed to give it any attention.
  Silas scoffed. “I don’t care about your name.”
  He shifted slightly, glancing around at the growing audience.
  “Fine. Come by this weekend. I’ll pay you. It’s just seventy dollars anyway.”
  He huffed and went back inside.
  I adjusted my bag.
  I could wait till the weekend, it was just two days.
  I could wait.
  I pressed my lips together, ignoring the murmurs from a few women nearby, and turned to leave.
  Then I froze.
  The air left my lungs.
  My heartbeat slowly picked up pace, slamming against my ribcage. My hair tingled as goosebumps broke across my skin.
  Because standing there—
  Staring directly at me—
  Was Liam Carter.
  Liam fucking Carter.