Chapter 26 We're moving
LIANA
Five years.
That's how long it has been since I landed in London with two suitecases and a baby I hadn't told anyone about.
Now.
I had a mansion, a company with my name on the door, and a five year old who had decided this morning that he was too grown to let me tie his shoes.
“Mama, I can do it myself.”
I glanced shortly at him. “You've been saying that for the last ten minutes Liam.”
“That's because I can.”
He couldn't, he knew I knew that.
But I let him anywywa, because he's the kind of child that liked to figure things out. He needed to try first, fail quietly then accept help without making it a big deal.
“Mama, I'm grown now.” He pouted, moving his shoes closer to me. “see, I got it.”
“I see,” I rolled my eyes.
He picked up his bag, and walked out of the room like he wasn't a five year old, or worse, like he hadn't spent the last ten minutes battling with his shoe lace.
Standing by the doorway as I watched him make his way downstairs, I thought although not for the first time, that this could was going to be something entirely different when he grew up.
He looked exactly like Ethan, but not in behavior, I'll never let him replicate any of Ethan habits.
This mansion had been mine for three years now.
Not Felicity’s, a gift, or a temporary arrangement arrangement. It was mine.
I'd bought it the same month WhitmoreTech crossed its first major revenue milestone, and Aiden had come with me to check the mansion.
“Good choice,” he complimented, as if I didn't know he lived in the same street.
Anyway, the mansion was perfect, and big, it was big enough that Liam had his own wing, which he treated like some castle.
Hired here were staff I trusted, and a garden that's well tender for.
This was the life I had built.
With help from Dr. Lane and Dr. Korran, while I just had to do my best in everything.
From two suitecases, a one way flight and a promise I made fo myself somewhere over the Atlantic.
WhitmoreTech was thriving, and over the last three years we've grown so big to become one of the biggest in London, we were also the most sought after.
There's a lot of other heights we've climbed to over the years that I'm not making mention of, and every single time, Aiden disappears and lets me take all the accolades.
WhitmoreTech’s third year anniversary was last Friday.
Chloe was clearly more excited about it, than I was. She made me pick a dress two weeks earlier. Although I didn't technically pick the dress.
She sent it to the mansion, with a note in the box that said, “Wear this, and don't argue with me.”
Of course I didn't argue with her, not when she suddenly grew this sophisticated fashion sense.
When I walked into the room that night, the entire atmosphere shifted slightly.
I noticed it.
Not that I was being stared lustfully at, the look most people in there were giving me was that of admiration.
The kind of look you give to someone who's earned the right to be in a room, not been giving a privilege.
I moved through, greeting familiar faces, and cheering to greater heights.
My gaze caught her, before she knew that I was in, because if she knew that I was there already, she wouldn't be sitting there alone, glaring at her phone screen.
I was still staring at her, when she raised her head and her gaze met mine.
“Oh my… Liana Whitmore!” she gushed.
I flashed her a smile. “In person, baby,”
“Look at you!” She exclaimed, walking towards me. “Looking all out together like a badass CEO.”
“I'm CEO” I shrugged, flaunting my hair.
“Of course, you look it” she grinned, raising her glass to me. “Cheers to more prosperous years ahead, just like the last five years.”
“Cheers” I raised my glass.
People were still going around, sharing greetings, when Chloe nudged at me. “So, you ready to give your speech now?”
I raised an eyebrow at her. “What speech?”
“It's an anniversary, and on Anniversaries, CEOs give speeches.” She said, glaring at me as though she was wondering how I didn't know that.”
“Oh..” I trailed off, “Dr. Korran would be giving the speech, I pleaded that he helps me.”
She glared daggers at me, then shook her head. “Just when I thought I'd be here cheering you from the crowd.”
“It's for personal reasons, Chloe,” I replied.
The press were covering the whole event, and it's definitely going to spread throughout, especially because we had about fifty percent of our patients from the U.S
I know you'd think that the perfect comeback I can give is to give the speech so that it'd trend and the D’Ardens would see it right?
The implications of that was way heavier for reasons I don't want to talk about.
“Hi Ladies,” Aiden greeted, joining USA while later.
“Hi,” Chloe winked at me. “By the way, that was a nice speech.”
“Thank you.” He replied, his gaze fixed on me. “Can I steal Liana for a minute?”
Chloe cleared her throat. “You can take her for the whole night if you want to.”
“Chloe,” I shot her a glare.
“Shall we?” He asked and I nodded. Placing my hands in his, we walked down the balcony together.
The first few minutes were quiet, very quiet that even the sounds from the main hall didn't change a thing.
We both kept drinking from our glasses, enjoying the quiet of the night.
“Three years.” He finally broke the silence.
“Three years,” I replied, my voice sounding barely above a whisper. “I never knew we would be this big in just three years.”
He chuckled, staring at his drink. “You're a force, my darling.”
I wanted to believe him, but there was still that part of me that wouldn't stop doubting herself.
Maybe it's time I talked about it, maybe it's really time I told him how I really felt.
“She was my best friend”
He didn't ask who.
“Clara,” I continued. “And she was sleeping with my husband the whole time,” I stopped and shook my head. “When I found out, he wasn't remorseful, instead he told me she was a better option. His mother packed my things, right after he slammed my face with a divorce.”
Aiden didn't say anything, he probably sensed that I still had more to say.
“My family told me to go back and sort out my marriage,” I chuckled. “My dad looked at me like I was an embarrassment, funny thing was that they knew I was pregnant.”
He raised his hand to my shoulder slowly, and allowed it to rest there in a comforting manner.
“Then I called Felicity, and she said I can come here.” I said. “That's why I left America.”
He didn't say anything afterwards, like he was trying to let the words digest.
“Do you want to show them that you've leveled up?” He asked.
Of course, that's what I wanted, or that's what I would have wanted. But now… I had Liam and he's all I want to live for.
“I don't know “ I mumbled.
He looked at me, and smirked. “we're moving our headquarters to America…”