Chapter 28 Liam Washes Underwear
Around 3 a.m., she woke up to change her sanitary products.
Groggily, she got out of bed, unaware of whether anyone was beside her.
In the bathroom.
Noticing her pants were soiled, she took them off, tugged at her pajamas to cover up, then stepped out of the bathroom.
Before she could react, she met a pair of deep, piercing eyes.
His gaze lingered on her slender legs, and the desire behind his glasses was evident.
She could only see his chest rising and falling slightly, a sign of restraint. The veins in his hand, which gripped the documents, stood out, and she faintly heard the paper crumple.
She instinctively pulled her nightgown down a little.
“Aren’t you going to sleep?”
“You go first.” His voice was low and hoarse.
He shifted his gaze to the computer screen. “Go ahead.”
Emma was startled.
He’s in a multinational conference call!
She hurried back to her room and burrowed under the covers.
The next morning, Emma woke up early while Liam slept soundly after hosting an international conference the night before.
She quickly grabbed clothes from the wardrobe before he woke up.
Stepping into the bathroom, she froze. The soiled underwear and pajama bottoms from last night had been washed and hung to dry.
The bathroom exhaust fan was still running, and the clothes were nearly dry.
Did he wash my underwear?
As she thought this, color crept onto her cheeks.
After changing, she tiptoed out and slipped back under the covers.
Picking up her phone, she saw Ryan’s message from last night:
Ryan: \[Help! Emma, just placate him. Otherwise, I won’t get any rest tonight.\]
Placate him…
How? He’s so stubborn!
Forget it!
Setting her phone down, she rolled over, caught by his handsome profile.
Even asleep, his brows and eyes remained sharp; his steady breathing carried last night’s scent of Brussels sprouts and a faint hint of mint toothpaste.
The smell of Brussels sprouts always made her queasy, yet on him, it seemed unexpectedly pleasant.
She leaned closer and gently wiggled her nose to inhale.
Not bad.
“Liam,” she whispered.
No response.
How can I coax him?
Kiss? No! I can’t…
Flowers! Yes. That works.
Her eyes lit up. She giggled as she gently poked his nose.
…
Only Emma and Ethan were attending today’s fashion show.
“Ryan and the others had a cross-border meeting last night. They didn’t sleep until after three.” Ethan looked half-asleep, yawning. “I didn’t get much sleep either.”
“I see.” Emma knew she was the root cause of this.
“Want to hear something interesting?”
“…”
“Last night, during Ryan’s meeting, I heard a woman’s voice coming from Mr. Hayes’ room. You should’ve heard it, absolutely dripping with seduction.” He whispered, leaning in.
“Heh…” She forced a smile.
“It was amazing! She was urging him to sleep. The meeting ended in minutes.” He continued, “He’s probably exhausted from last night…”
What? Have rumours spread that far?
“Ryan didn’t come either. Does he also have a hidden woman? Or…?” Emma shot him a sharp glance, looking down at his lower body.
“Hey, stop joking around. Ryan said the boss was in a good mood and gave them the day off.”
A good mood?
She flushed, recalling her legs had been exposed last night.
“What do you want to eat after this? My treat! We can go wherever we like.” Ethan said, moving closer to her.
“No need. I’m meeting a classmate later. Another time,” she said, declining his offer.
“Alright.”
After saying goodbye to Ethan, Emma turned toward the back entrance of the venue.
Lily happened to pass behind her.
“Emma.” A clear, magnetic voice sounded behind her.
Emma slowed her pace and turned to look.
Leaning against a tall pillar was a tall, slender man. He wore white athletic gear under a black wool coat, which gave him a gentle, steady demeanor.
“David Johnson!” A delighted smile instantly spread across her face as she stepped forward. “What are you doing here?”
David was a renowned haute couture designer, highly celebrated and never short of female admirers. His mother had been Emma’s teacher, and they had gotten along well in school.
He gently ruffled her hair, a smile playing on his lips. “Still the same beautiful girl.”
“Weren’t you supposed to wait at home? Why did you come out?” Emma looked up at him. “How did you get so tall?”
“Claire told me you were here, so I came over.”
“Did you drive here?” Emma asked.
“I did. Come on. Let’s get in the car first.” He placed his hand on her shoulder and led her toward the white car ahead.
“Mind your manners, David,” Emma said. She pushed his hand away, half-jokingly, half-seriously.
“You’ve grown up. Now you can’t even handle me touching you?” He gave her head a light pat.
Emma rubbed her head, not daring to respond, and quickly sent a message in the group chat: \[Don’t tell David I got married.\]
Claire replied: \[Got it.\]
Kennedy: \[Why? Wouldn’t that be nice?\]
Emma: \[It’s not time to go public yet.\]
…
Lily captured this moment and sent Liam several photos of the two: them walking side by side, his touching her head, his opening the car door for her to get in the passenger seat, and one of the license plate.
Lily: \[Is Emma dating someone? Liam?\]
Liam pondered the photos in his hotel room; his brow furrowed deeply.
He ignored Lily, opened WhatsApp, and saw a message sent by Emma minutes earlier: \[Don’t wait for me at lunch. Going to a friend’s place. I’ll be back in the evening.\]
He rubbed his temples, calling her.
Emma, who was in the car, jumped.
The word “Honey” on the screen was too conspicuous. Afraid David might see it, she quickly picked it up.
“Honey.” Liam’s voice echoed from the other line.
“…” Emma nervously swallowed.
“Honey,” he called out again.
She stole a glance at David in the driver’s seat and stammered. “What… what is it?”
“I miss you.” His voice was so hoarse it made her ears burn.
A blush spread rapidly across her cheeks as she covered half her face. “Are you drunk?”
“No. I’m waiting for you at home.”
“Okay.” She exhaled in relief.
An inexplicable tightness in her chest made her feel like she was on a roller coaster.
“Love you,” he said.
“…”
She hung up.
What’s wrong with him?