Chapter 36 Chapter 36
Liana's Pov
I woke up feeling abnormally light. The sort of lightness that descends upon one after a night of continuous, heavy sleep which, for me, had been a rare commodity these days. There was no ache in my chest today, no weight of last night's desperation pushing me into the ground. Only silence, remarkable silence.
I slipped out of bed and moved quietly into the kitchen, the aroma of just brewed coffee welcoming me halfway. Mum was already at the table, scanning something on her tablet and fiercely chewing on a slice of toast. The sun shone through the sheer curtains, highlighting the flecks of grey in her bun and illuminating the troubled serenity of her eyes.
"Good morning," I whispered, reaching for a mug.
"Morning, baby," she answered, peeping up at me with a little smile. "You slept well?"
I nodded, filling my coffee cup. "Shocking as it was, yes."
Unexpectedly. the doorbell rang.
Mum glanced up, eyebrows arched. "Expecting someone?"
I shook my head and crossed the room, opening the door to find a delivery man holding the most beautiful bouquet of ivory roses I’d ever seen. He gave me a polite smile and handed over the flowers, along with a cream colored envelope.
“For Miss Liana,” he said before handing in the book for me to sign and shortly after, he was walking off. I looked down at the flowers, a rush of excitement spreading in my chest. I took it inside, the delicate scent of the roses warming something soft in me.
Mum raised an eyebrow as I put the flowers down on the table. "Well, well... Secret admirer?"
“We will see.” I pulled open the envelope and unfolded the sheet of paper inside.
You have the most captivating smile and the brightest eyes I've ever seen. I hope this makes you smile, have a lovely day.
See you at seven.
There was no signature or name. But I knew.
"It's Stanley," I told her before she could ask.
Mum raised an eyebrow, laying down her tablet. "Stanley. The guy you turned down?"
I nodded, trying not to grin. "Yeah. Said he'd like to take me out tonight."
She didn't answer for a moment too long. "Liana… are you sure it's the right time to be going on dates?"
I exhaled, grabbing a sip of my coffee. "Mum, come on. Can we please not make this a big deal?"
"I'm just saying, sweetheart. Everything's still raw. The public is watching. Are you ready for that?"
I glared at her straight on. "I need this. Just a night. Just some normalcy. And I have a request.” I added before she could say anything. “Please can you go shopping with me?"
Her face softened. She knew better than anyone how I'd been hanging on by a thread and adhesive these weeks.
"Alright," she said, getting up. "Let's get you something pretty to wear."
……….
The store was in one of the quieter sections of the city, but we were by no means isolated. We went through dresses, shoes, and accessories for nearly an hour. I wanted something lovely but not over the top, something that would make me look good without making me look sorry for myself. Eventually, I saw a deep, sapphire-colored slip dress that instantly made me feel like myself again. Tough, gentle, and feminine all at once.
"That's the one," Mum said, her excitement matching mine.
I twirled a little bit in front of the mirror. "You think so?"
"I know so."
As we walked up to the front to pay for our check, I felt lighter. I felt hopeful, even. I felt like tonight might not be a disaster. That Stanley might be something good amidst all the bad.
But as we stepped out, everything happened so fast. Flashes. People screaming and shouting. Non-stop waves of microphones and cameras covering us. The paparazzi.
I froze for an instant before my survival instincts took over. Luckily we'd come with the driver. Most times, I drove myself but today I didn't feel like it. I grasped Mum's hand and pushed through the people, heads bent, avoiding the flash of lights and the venom in their voices.
"Liana! Liana, What do you intend to gain from all of this?"
“Is this a setup to extort Mr Smith?"
"How could you do this to someone you claim you once loved? Do you have a new man now?"
Their words sliced, slicing through me more deeply than any blade. My heart was thudding as I flung open the door of the car and shoved Mum inside before jumping in myself.
The driver sped off.
I sat there, trembling hands, mouth agape in shock.
"They're… they're blaming me," I gasped.
Mum's hand covered mine, warm. "Sweetheart…"
“No!" I shoved her back, eyes blazing. "He lied to me, stole from the company in my name, and even stole my intellectual properties. He stole years of my life, mum. And now I'm the villain?!"
"People don't get the whole story. The media manipulate, they always do."
"I did nothing wrong," I spat at her, my voice trembling. "He hurt me. He used me. And I'm the one they're dragging?"
Mum remained silent. What more could she say? She just held me firm and wiped off my tears.
Then my phone rang. It was Cam's school.
I picked it up immediately. "Hello?
"Miss Davids, this is Mr Evans. Camilla was involved in some sort of accident today. We'd like you to come down to school as soon as possible."
My breath was caught.
"What happened?"
"She was in a fight. She's okay physically, but… she's really upset. We'll explain it all when you arrive."
"We're on our way."
I put down the phone and looked at Mum.
"Cam's in trouble," I said to her, not quite keeping it together. "We have to go to the school. Right now."
“Turn the car around, head to the school now!” I barked at the driver as I trembled. Cam was in a fight? Cam is a calm child, how did that happen?
I lost myself in thoughts as the driver rerouted.
Just when I thought my life was finally coming back in shape, everything is beginning to spiral.
Dominic,the press, I would worry about them later but for now, I needed to get to my daughter.