Chapter 23

Chapter 23
The next morning, when Stella woke up, Liam was gone. She sat up in bed and yawned, blinking in surprise when she saw the sun peeking from the gaps in the curtain. 

She’d actually slept till morning. Without waking up again after that first nightmare. 

It had been years since that happened.

Was it the cabin or the man?

She shook her head to clear her thoughts, and she jumped to her feet. She was already late for work.

She rushed to the bathroom for a quick shower, then changed into the dress she’d worn the day before. 

Just as she opened the bedroom door and stepped out, a familiar voice called out.

“Hello,” John greeted casually, standing by a shelf, flipping through a book. 

Stella was startled. When did he get here? 

“Good morning,” she greeted, recovering. 

“I brought you some clothes,” He grinned and stepped closer, holding up a shopping bag. “I hope you like my choices.”

She accepted the bag with a small smile. “Thanks… again.”

At that moment, Liam stepped out of the adjacent room, freshly dressed. “Every time, you both go out without me, something wild happens,” John muttered, shaking his head. “You both need me. I’m like a good luck—”

Liam shot him a look and closed his mouth, but just briefly.

“Good morning,” Stella greeted politely. “And… thanks for last night.”

Before Liam could reply, John leaned in with a grin, wiggling his eyebrows. “Did something else happen?”

“Any time,” Liam cut in smoothly, ignoring him. “We can leave when you’re ready. John brought sandwiches too.”

Stella nodded and went to change into the brand-new clothes.

The path they drove on first led back to the resort, then on to the main highway down the mountain. In the car, Stella sat in the back, nibbling on a sandwich while the mountain scenery rolled past.

Ring.

John’s phone rang. He picked up and listened for a few seconds before speaking.

“Okay. Got it.”

He ended the call and turned to the back.

That was the mechanic. They confirmed someone tampered with the brakes. Someone tampered with the brakes.

Stella tensed.

Liam’s voice darkened. “Have you found the person?”

“Yes and no?”

“No?”

John sighed. “It was one of the gardeners at the resort, but he resigned yesterday and has already left the premises.”

“We need to find him before the end of today,” Liam said. “Put the team on it.”

“Got it.”

When they arrived at Kings Corporation, John left with the driver to continue the investigation, while Liam and Stella entered the building. 

They stood in front of the executive elevator. When its doors slid open on the ground floor, the person inside spoke in a too-loud voice.

“Liam!”

Peter Carson stood inside, unmoving, a surprised look on his face.

“Hello, Uncle,” Liam said smoothly. “You seem surprised to see me.”

“Of course not. You’re just… later than usual.”

“Hmm. I had a little accident last night, but it’s all good now,” Liam smiled without warmth. “Sorry for making you concerned.”

“Well,”  Peter chuckled, “you should take good care of yourself.”

“Of course. I’m working on something important right now,” he said with a smile that wasn’t a smile. His voice was light, like he was having a regular conversation with his uncle.

“I heard you want to close down the resort.”

“News travels fast.” Liam tilted his head. “But it’ll depend on what the safety report says.”

“I’m sure you’ll have a proper explanation for the board.” Peter looked at the watch on his wrist. “Well, I won’t keep you. I need to get to a meeting.”

He nodded politely at Stella and walked off.

Not long after lunch, Stella’s office phone rang.

“Miss Moore,” the receptionist said. “There is a Mr. Claude downstairs. He claims to be a friend of Mr. Liam and wants to see him. But he doesn’t have an appointment.”

“I’ll get back to you.”

She switched lines and called Liam’s office.

“Hello,” he answered.

“The receptionist said a friend of yours is here to see you. A Mr. Claude.”

There was a pause.

“Send him up. He can come in as soon as he arrives.”

“Yes, sir.”

Stella relayed the message downstairs.

A few minutes later, there was a knock on her office door.

A man in a leather jacket, jeans, and boots stepped inside with a wide smile. His dark hair had a streak of grey in it, and his brown eyes carried a mischievous light.

“Hi, I’m Claude.” He held out his hand for a handshake.

Stella stood to shake it. “Stella Moore. Mr. Liam’s secretary.”

“Nice to meet you, Miss Stella Moore.” he shook her hand with a strong grip. “Mind grabbing me a cup of coffee? Four spoons of sugar, no milk.”

Then, throwing her a wink, he turned a strolled into Liam’s office.

Stella hurriedly made her way to the breakroom, muttering under her breath. Four spoons of sugar? The coffee mugs aren’t that big.

When she returned, she knocked. A muffled “Come in,” answered.

Inside, Liam and Claude were seated on the long couch on the other side of the office.

She placed the cup on the table and slipped out without a word.

Claude turned to Liam, smirking. “She’s gorgeous. Do you know if she has a boyfriend?”

Liam didn’t answer. He picked up the coffee from the table and downed it in one gulp. Not minding the heat. His lips thinned as he tasted the sugar.

“Hey,” Claude shouted. “That’s my coffee.”

“Well,” Liam replied smoothly, “it was made by my secretary, not yours.”

Claude clutched his chest. “Ouch.” 

Then his head whipped towards Liam. “Something is strange here.”

“You can leave now.” Liam stood up, pointing to the door.

Claude stayed seated. “You’re hiding something, aren’t you?”

“What could I be hiding?” Liam said calmly.

Claude’s phone rang.

Claude’s phone buzzed. He glanced at the screen and stood. “Saved by the bell. I’ll let you off this time.”

That evening, back in his apartment, Liam poured himself a glass of wine and sat in front of his wide windows. He could see the top of the Kings Corporation building standing tall in the distance.

His phone started buzzing consistently. He unlocked it and saw that the group chat he shared with his friends from uni. ‘Roommates.’

Claude: You guys won’t believe what happened to me today.

The chat stayed silent for a while. Everyone ignored Claude. He had always been dramatic.

Mark: Clickbait.

Claude: I think @Liam has a crush.

Luke:  Whatttt??? @John, what is happening in America?

John: No comment.

Milo: Aren’t we all friends? Don’t cover up for Liam just because he’s your boss

John: If you pay me, I might consider it.

Luke: How much?

John: Twenty mill a month.

Milo: @Liam, come and speak your truth.

Liam decided to ignore the messages and locked the phone. A few seconds later, he unlocked it again and sent a message to Stella.

Liam: The company would compensate you for emotional damage.

He stared at the screen, waiting.

No reply.

A call came in.

It was a group call from the ‘Roommates’ group chat. 

He hesitated for a moment before picking it.

Luke: “What took you so long?”

Liam was silent.

Milo: “Do you think they are together? Like on a date?”

Claude: “I doubt it. Liam has never been in a relationship. He doesn’t have the skills.”

Luke: “Liam, come and defend your honor.”

Liam took a deep breath before finally speaking. “Are you guys that jobless?”

Claude: “You ignored our messages.”

Liam: “I was busy.”

Milo: “You really are hiding something. That’s it, I’m coming down.”

Luke: “Me too.”

Claude: “Yay.” 

Liam: “I wouldn’t appreciate you all turning my office into a circus.”

Milo: “John, you’ll help us, right?”

John: “My network is terrible. I can’t hear a word.”

Liam sighed and ended the call. If he kept listening to them, he might anger himself to death.

His phone pinged again. This time it was a message from Stella.

“That won’t be necessary. I was just doing my job.”