Begin Again
Begin Again
Begin Again
Chapter 4 Plan B
Words Count: 991 | Released on:19/06/2021
Eden had a suspiciously long nap during the thirty-minute drive from Willow Hills to her
apartment in Forrest Creek, an artsy neighbourhood in the east of Rock Castle, jerking awake
when the car skidded as they hit a pothole on the road.
She yawned and stretched as she looked outside her window, feeling oddly embarrassed for
passing out on her Uber driver. The last thing she remembered was him asking her if the air
conditioning in the car was okay.
She couldn't decide if she was brave or just plain stupid for falling asleep in the back of a
stranger's car, especially when she was dressed in nothing but a man's shirt and her coat.
She shifted in her seat and crossed her legs demurely, praying she hadn't inadvertently opened
them while she slept. Going commando wasn't as liberating as she thought it would be. She felt
vulnerable and well, naked.
Now that she had time to put some distance between her and last night's terrible decisions, she
had to figure out the mystery surrounding her missing underwear. It wasn't in her trench as she'd
expected, and it was most definitely not in Liam's room when she left.
Did he hide it from her on purpose, was he a weirdo who stole women's underwear and kept
them as memorabilia to eternalise all his conquests?
The longer she thought about it, the more convinced Eden was that the massive walk-in closet
she'd noticed to the left of Liam's room, next to the frosted glass door she'd assumed led to his
ensuite, was filled with thousands of women's panties in all shapes, colours and sizes.
Just how many had he collected over the years? And of all the perverts at Crush what had
possessed her to choose him?
"Gosh!" She moaned in her hands, her brown hair cascading in waves around her face.
"Are you okay?" Jude asked, his eyes boring holes into her through the rearview mirror.
Eden shook her head. She wasn't okay. She would never be after last night.
"We're almost there," Jude checked the ETA on his phone and threw her a reassuring smile,
completely misunderstanding the reason for her misery.
She wasn't eager to get home, not with the Spanish Inquisition awaiting her. It was unavoidable,
judging from the way the group chat was blowing up, but she would delay it as long as she
could.
"Drop me off at the corner over there, please," she told the driver, pointing at a busy intersection
up ahead.
He turned in his seat, his face laced with concern. "Are you sure?"
Yes, she was. She needed carbs. Lots of them. And maybe Plan B. She could never go wrong
with Plan B.
"Don't forget to rate me five stars!" Jude called after her as she slipped out of the Toyota Quest.
Did he deserve five stars though, Eden wondered as she crossed the road and made her way to
the bakery on the corner of 5th Street and Main Avenue.
It was just af
ter 8:00 AM, but the neighbourhood was already a flurry of activity with people going about
their Saturday morning errands and market vendors pushing their carts, getting ready to make a
killing at the flea market at the rooftop of the Civic Theatre.
As the Arts District, this side of Rock Castle was not in short supply of galleries, trendy coffee
shops and rooftop gardens. Anything your artsy, indie heart desired, from poetry recitals to
exhibitions and private culinary experiences, you'd find it all here.
Eden shuffled forward in the queue, already anticipating the way the chocolate croissants would
melt in her mouth.
She couldn't remember who'd suggested it, but since they all had a passion for the arts and
various Honours Degrees to back it up, moving to Forrest Creek made sense at the time. They all
had dreams of making it big in their respective careers. But three years on, they were still waiting
to catch their big breaks.
She still hadn't struck gold as a children's book illustrator.
Lydia's acting dreams hadn't soared yet, but her vlogs had thrust her in the limelight. So that was
something.
The only columns Sienna ever wrote were for Forrest Creek Times, a glorified newsletter,
disguised as a free community newspaper.
As a pastry chef, Cassandra was still trying to come up with a dessert recipe that will turn the
culinary world on its head.
But despite the slight delay in all their dreams, they were all happy here. Leaving her parents'
overpriced penthouse at the heart of Rock Castle and moving in with her friends was the best
decision Eden had ever made. If she still lived under their roof, she'd have to face more than a
Spanish Inquisition. Her parents were still getting over their bitter disappointment over her failed
engagement; a one night stand would send them to their early graves.
At last, she made it to the counter but sighed with disappointment when she saw everything,
except bran muffins, was sold out. She didn't want bran muffins, but she was depressed. And it's
a rule to gorge yourself till you pass out when you're depressed.
She bought twelve and ate two as she walked three blocks in the opposite direction, away from
her flat, to the obscure pharmacy on Diagonal alley.
The girl behind the counter was nice. She didn't ask too many questions and didn't give her a
judgy look as she discreetly handed her an inconspicuous looking box. Even though they were
alone, Drew-that's what the name tag on her coat said-gave her instructions on how to take the
pill, in hushed tones, as if the aging, peeling walls had ears.
"You have to take it as a single dose, within twenty-four hours for best results," she said
earnestly, her moss green eyes wide with panic for her.
"Thanks," Eden mumbled as she flashed her cheque card and Drew rung her up.
Chapter 5 Supernatural
Words Count: 1627 | Released on:19/06/2021
Eden circled back to her apartment and unlocked the fourth-floor unit she shared with her
friends. She took off her shoes and snuck inside quietly, careful not to bang the door in case she
woke everyone up.
But when she turned around and found three pairs of eyes, shining with anticipation, her plan of
making a quiet entrance went up in smoke.
"Hi guys," Eden grimaced, her face as red as the angry birds T-shirt Sienna wore over her grey
pyjama pants.
"It smells like a walk of shame in here," Lydia sniffed the air dramatically, and the other two
broke into peals of laughter.
"Tsk tsk," Sienna clucked her tongue disapprovingly. "So much for saving yourself for
marriage!"
"We've revoked your sainthood," Cassandra chimed in as she took the muffin box from her,
scowling when she peeked inside. She hated any store-bought goodies because she knew she
could do a way better job. But today her disappointment, as she loudly made it known, was not
with the muffins.
"Really, with all the bazillions in his bank accounts, he sent you off with only ten muffins? What
happened to diamonds being a girl's best friend? Who is this guy?" She threw her hands up
dramatically, shoved the box in Sienna's hands and vanished beyond the entryway.
"You, Missy, have some explaining to do!" Lydia grabbed Eden's hand and dragged her to the
living room where Cassandra sat on the grey L-shaped couch poring over a newly published
cookbook by a has-been reality TV star, her knees tucked to her chin.
Sienna remained in the kitchen and made everyone coffee to have with the muffins. She was the
Mom of the group and indulged everyone. Cassandra took on the Dad role and kept everyone in
line. Lydia, the rebellious child, kept them all on their toes with all her mischief. And Eden's
sainthood, which she had now lost overnight, had made her the wise sage. Everyone came to her
with all their problems, never mind that she was the least experienced and the most naive of the
four.
"You are not allowed to start without me!" Sienna yelled from the kitchen, her voice competing
with the kettle whistling on the gas cooker.
"Tell us already," Lydia was practically jumping from her position on the paint-splash patterned
rug.
"There's nothing to tell," Eden shrugged as she crashed in the teal wingback chair they
affectionately called the throne. They picked it up for a steal at the flea market when they first
moved in, and they've fought over it since. Not because it was so comfortable, but because of the
sun sneaking through the lace-curtained windows behind it. Their flat was morbidly cold, so any
bit of warmth was a luxury around here. After the night she had, Eden thought she deserved to sit
on the throne the whole day.
"I'm here, the tale of the virgin saint ravished by a roguish prince can begin!" Sienna squealed as
she rushed in with a tray of steaming yellow mugs and a matching plate, overflowing with
muffins and two-days old hot cross buns.
"There was no ravishing!" Eden said crossly and took her mug.
"Sure, says the stench of sex clinging all over you," Lydia nodded innocently.
Eden quickly sniffed herself, sending her friends into another round of giggles.
"Stop it, you guys!" She pouted and drank her coffee. Even with all the gallons of milk, it was
still bitter. Sienna didn't make good coffee, and they all knew this, but they continually trusted
her with this very sacred job.
"Just one question," Cassandra gasped for air, struggling to breathe and laugh all at once. "Are
his pubes just as red?"
"Oh my god, you went there!" Sienna rolled on the couch, tears streaming down her face.
"No comment!" Eden clenched her teeth, her arms crossed over her chest, she glared straight
ahead. She would never tell her friends this, and she figured they knew the answer anyway, but
yes, his hairs were fiery down there too, but a much darker shade and oh how she had loved
touching him.
A familiar ache tingled between her thighs as she remembered how full she'd felt when Liam
was buried deep inside her. She bit her lower lip, stifling a whimper.
"Eden! Snap out of it, OMG, you are practically drooling." Lydia screamed, "what were you
thinking about?"
"Nothing." She lied quickly, her cheeks as hot as the moistness at her centre. She didn't
understand how she could be so wet just thinking about Liam.
"So? How was your first time?" Sienna asked, all the amusement gone from her eyes. "Was he as
good as his past lays claim he is?"
Eden thought for a moment; she had no previous experience to compare with. But for her fi
rst time, other than the soreness and tenderness she felt every time she moved, she had no
complaints. She wouldn't mind seconds and thirds and maybe tenths and hundreds. Liam knew
how to please her, how to touch her and how to make her scream. Just her rotten luck he's taken.
"So, how was it?" Cassandra asked, and Eden blinked, stunned by the expectation in the six eyes
glued to her.
"Well," she pushed up her glasses and bit her lower lip shyly. "It was supernatural."
"Oh my god!" Her friends screamed in unison, jumping and wiggling all over the place.
"Are you seeing him again?" Sienna asked, her eyes hopeful.
Eden shook her head and burst into tears.
"Oh dear, was is that good you have to cry?" Cassandra asked as they all reached for her and
held her.
"He's getting married, you guys!" She bawled, snot and tears dripping down her face. "He's
getting married, and I want him so bad! I want him to make me feel good again!"
"What do you mean he's getting married?" Lydia's eyes were wide with shock. "He has a three-
month rule."
"He found someone who made him want to break his three-month rule," Eden wailed some more
as she took a Kleenex box from Sienna and blew her nose. For someone so tiny, she always
stunned everyone with the loud, unnatural sounds she makes when she blows her nose.
"That can't be," Cassandra said. "There's no way Rock Castle's numero uno billionaire playboy
will ever get married."
"He is," Eden insisted and went on to explain how she found out about his impending wedding.
"So that's why they were there? To celebrate his bachelor party?"
Eden nodded.
"And he still took you home with him?" Sienna fumed. "Unbelievable! What a dick!"
"Well, I asked him," Eden admitted. It would be so easy to let him take all the blame, but she
couldn't bring herself to do that. She had to own her part.
"Why would you do that when you knew he's getting married?" Cassandra asked in a patient
tone, stepping into her Dad role with ease.
"I wanted to be a little reckless!" Eden yelled, shocking everyone with her misplaced rage. "I was
a good girl for twenty-four years, followed all the rules, saved myself for the right guy and what
the hell do I have to show for it? A broken engagement one month before what was supposed to
be the happiest day of my life."
"Eden, I'm so sorry," Cassandra said softly.
"If everyone played fair and stuck to the rules, I'll still be in Greece right now, enjoying my
honeymoon with my new husband," Eden said. "I know it was wrong, and I shouldn't have, and
now I'm as nasty as Olive for sleeping with someone else's man. But I got tired of playing fair,
and I was hurting. And you know what, for at least seven hours I was happy in Liam's arms.
God, I was so happy, and now all I feel is the same hollowness I've felt for the past six weeks."
"Oh, dear!" Sienna said. "You sound like you have it bad for this guy."
Her words blew Eden's mind, and she couldn't understand how Sienna had even come to that
conclusion.
"No. Liam was my rebound guy. I'm still in love with Simon."
"Is that why you're still wearing that?" Lydia glared at the Princess cut diamond ring dazzling on
her finger.
"You have to take it off," Cassandra repeated what she's been saying these past few weeks.
And like she's done of late, Eden refused to listen to their well-meaning advice. She knew
keeping the ring was tacky as fuck, and she should have returned it. But it was the only tangible
thing she had to remind her the past four years were real, that their love was real, and she meant
something to Simon once upon a time.
If he'd let her keep Snow, the Maltese poodle they jointly adopted from the animal shelter they
volunteered at, she would have given him his ring back.
"I'm going to bed," she said as she finished her coffee and placed the mug on the bamboo coffee
table, a hand me down from Sienna's folks.
"Are you seeing your parents today, should we wake you up later?" Lydia called after her, and
Eden shrugged them off. Her parents, in not so many words, had made it very clear the end of
her engagement was solely her fault. She wasn't in the mood for another self-esteem bashing,
accusatory session disguised as a good-intentioned lunch.
In her room, she drew the curtains and buried herself under the heavy, brightly coloured duvet
and the millions of scatter cushions on her queen-sized poster bed, and cried herself to sleep.
The last sane thought she had before dreams about Liam filled her troubled mind was if she'd
ever get to feel thousand-thread count sheets again.
Chapter 7 Summoned
Words Count: 1093 | Released on:19/06/2021
As Liam cruised through the quiet, jacaranda tree-lined streets of Glen Eagles, an affluent suburb
north of Rock Castle, it wasn't the meeting with his father that occupied his thoughts. He was
still fuming over Eden, bewildered that she had the nerve to leave him.
It would have been comical if it wasn't so mortifying.
He stopped outside the massive, black iron-wrought gate in front of a sprawling mansion on the
cul de sac, rolled down his window and jabbed at the intercom irritably.
He tapped his fingers on the steering wheel impatiently to the beat of the fast-paced dance tune
shaking the metal walls of his Ferrari as he waited for one of several housekeepers and butlers to
buzz him in. The Lamborghini he drove last night was at the garage. He vaguely remembered
Steven, his driver, mention something about it needing maintenance before he left.
Within seconds the gate squeaked inward, and Liam eased into a circular driveway surrounded
by manicured lawns and immaculate gardens. His childhood home was as vibrant now in the
winter months as it was at the height of summer. The army of landscapers that came in twice a
week made sure of it. With her love of plants, it was the one thing his mom, insisted on. Too bad
she didn't have a green thumb; otherwise she'd do everything herself.
Richard stood tall and proud in his butler's uniform as he waited at the front door to welcome
him home.
"Master Anderson," the head butler beamed as he gave Liam a bear hug and grasped his hand in
a firm handshake. Richard was always an affectionate man but had become more sentimental as
the grey hairs on his head multiplied.
"Good to see you again, Rich!" He went along with the effusive greeting even though they just
saw each other last week when he reported for the mandatory family dinner he and his two
younger sisters had to attend weekly without exception.
"You kept your old man waiting, he's not happy with you," the butler chuckled as he dragged
him inside the house.
Liam's stomach grumbled when he caught a whiff of something delicious–probably roast
chicken, that's what they had on Saturdays– as he made his way through the house, past the
gourmet kitchen leading into the formal dining room and lounge. Other than Dave's hangover
cure, he hadn't eaten anything since last night.
He poked his head inside his mother's studio, directly opposite the guest bathroom.
Lois Anderson sat in front of the easel, staring at the colossal spouting fountain beyond her
window. Her greying black hair floated on her back in a long French braid, contrasting with the
pale pink satin blouse she wore over white cotton pants. Dainty-looking ballet pumps matching
her shirt adorned her feet. From her slumped shoulders and the blank canvass, Liam figured
inspiration was not in abundance today.
"There she is!" He said with a hint of a smile in his voice. "The most beautiful woman in the
world!"
His mom turned, a bright grin split her face when she saw him lingering in the doorway. But her
pale green eyes remained moist with tears. She brushed them away quickly and danced into his
outstretched arms.
"There he is, the most handsome son
in the world!"
Liam kissed her cheek; her luxurious yet familiar fragrance tickled his nose. It's one of the
earliest smells he remembered from his childhood, warm and comforting. If he had to describe
love in one word, it would be his mother's scent.
"Still struggling to paint?" He asked when they eased apart.
Lois nodded but didn't say anything, a sad look in her eyes as she linked their arms, and they
made their way to the study at the end of the hallway.
"Maybe you just need a break," Liam suggested. But she was on a break, and it was going on six
months now.
"Maybe I should quit, take up another hobby."
"Hey, creativity can't be rushed," he consoled her as he squeezed her shoulder.
Clarke Liam Anderson Senior sat behind a large, mahogany executive desk in the centre of the
room, his bushy eyebrows furrowed in a tight frown as he peered at the document in his hand.
The bright sunlight streaming through the enormous French windows behind him, bathing him in
its soft glow, gave him an almost ethereal quality. But in all fairness, the man had earned himself
a god-like status amongst his peers with his achievements.
Watching his father was like seeing himself in another forty years or so. With their red hair, pale
colouring and blue eyes, they were mirror images. Their towering, athletic frames was another
thing they shared.
But that's where all the likeness ended.
Clarke was well known and adored for his generosity, compassion and visionary leadership.
Liam, on the other hand, gave truth to all the cliches about redheads and their fiery tempers. It
didn't take much to set him off, which would explain why Eden's stunt had pissed him off so
much.
At twenty-eight he's had lots of success in his career. Still, his constant scandals playing out in
the tabloids overshadowed all his achievements, and he suspected this was the real reason for
Senior speeding up his succession plan.
"Where are your glasses, why aren't you using them?" Liam asked as his mother gently pushed
him forward.
Clarke glared at him for a second before he dutifully pulled up the glasses dangling on a black
string around his neck.
Liam sat on the brown Chesterfield armchair to the left of the grand fireplace. His mother
propped herself on the three-seater facing the fire. She picked up a Business Insider magazine
and leafed through it absently.
She seemed listless, almost as if she had a lot on her mind, and Liam wondered if it was more
than just her inability to paint.
He reached for her hand and squeezed it, his eyes roaming over the array of family photographs
lined up on the mantel, showing off decades of memories, mostly of the three Anderson children
during various milestones and proudest moments in their lives. First and last days of school,
matric dances, graduations. Important defining moments. But there were several missing from
the neatly arranged timeline, and they all had to do with him—the most recent being his seventh
tournament win.
Liam rested his arms over his taut stomach as he eased back in his chair and enjoyed the fire; he
didn't realise he was cold until he felt the warmth in here.
Chapter 8 Destiny
Words Count: 1734 | Released on:19/06/2021
With several bookshelves and thousands of books lining the wood-panelled walls and the dark
furnishings reminiscent of a centuries-old gentleman's club, his father's study was probably the
most intense room in the house. But, it was also one of Liam's favourite places.
He remembered all the rare times he, Willow and Holly had spent in here, crowded on the floor
while they read or played with their toys, happy to have their father home and wanting to be as
close to him as possible because they never knew when they'll see him again. Clarke was always
out of town, out of the country, chasing one big fish of a client after another. He missed so many
important days. Probably why most had ended up as snapshots lined up on the fireplace.
Liam and his sisters never resented him, though. When Clarke was present, he was the best
father in the world, and when he wasn't, he spoiled them rotten with insane gifts flown from all
over the world to make up for his absence.
"Thank you for gracing me with your presence, Son," Clarke's wry drawl pulled Liam out of his
thoughts.
His father turned off his MacBook and left his place behind the desk.
"Hi sweetheart," he murmured as he sat beside Lois and kissed her cheek. "Are you okay?"
Lois smiled, blushing prettily like a schoolgirl on her first date as they held hands.
Liam watched them wistfully and sighed. They always made him feel like a third wheel. Most of
his friends' parents were divorced, he knew how lucky he was to have parents who were still in
love today, as they were when they tied the knot over thirty years ago. Their commitment to each
other was inspiring, and he prayed he finds something just as enduring and meaningful.
Mrs Horowitz, the housekeeper, knocked once on the ajar door and came in with a smile and a
tray loaded with their afternoon refreshments.
Liam happily poured himself a cup of coffee and grabbed a handful of macarons.
His mother excused herself when she remembered she had to check on the catering for Monday
night's dinner with the board members. If Clarke had his way, it would be Liam's first official
engagement as CEO.
"The board meeting on Monday," Clarke began when they were alone again, and for over an
hour Liam listened to him drone on about the importance of having good relationships with the
board. Strong, healthy relationships would strengthen his position within the company.
"I don't need to remind you about your cousins," Clarke carried on. "They will do anything to
undermine your position, and the minute they sense any weakness they'll attack. You cannot
keep your guard down!"
Liam disagreed. Sure, Julian and Matthew were both highly ambitious and wouldn't shy away
from senior positions in the company. But they had accomplished a lot in their own right.
He'd never admit this to his father, but he thought the brothers deserved a shot as CEO. They've
poured their blood, sweat and tears into Anderson Logistics, Matthew in his capacity as a junior
Creative Director and Julian as an Accountant. If he has to take over, Liam planned to make his
cousins his allies. He could never understand how Clarke had sidelined his younger brother to a
point where Sullivan, Julian and Matthew's father, had to give up all involvement with the
company.
"Are you even paying attention?" Clarke demanded. "That Julian is a lying snake–"
"Dad, please," Liam shook his head. He didn't want to get into it with him. That 'lying snake' and
his brother were not only his cousins but his best friends too. They took him to Crush last night
to cheer him up. They were always there for all his tournament wins and losses. They pushed
him into getting his competition license and even paid for his all racing courses when Clarke
froze all his bank accounts in hopes he'd give up and join the family business. Without their
support, Liam knew he would never have even earned himself a spot on Rock Union's
motorsport team.
"I get it," Liam added as he downed his now cold coffee. He couldn't even finish half a macaron
because it was too damn sweet.
"I don't think you do," Clark breathed in hard, a sign he was losing his patience with him fast.
To appease him, Liam nodded and leaned back in his chair, crossing his feet. His old man's
speech wasn't anything he hadn't heard before; after all, this was all Clarke has ever talked about
since Liam was old enough to read and understand the Business Insider. This time was different,
though. He wasn't nine years old anymore. When he stepped into Anderson Logistics
headquarters on Monday, he'll be the youngest CEO and board member in the history of the
company.
As much as Liam hated it, and wished he could do something about it, as the eldest child and the
only son, taking over the family's mega-billions operation
became his destiny the moment he was born.
All three Clarke Liam Andersons before him spearheaded the family's logistics business through
some of the most challenging economic meltdowns. They ushered in thousands of innovations to
make Anderson Logistics the formidable giant that it is today and solidify their place in the
industry. The time for Liam to step up and lead the group had finally come.
But it wasn't so much the leading he had an issue with. It was the cost that came with it, the price
he'd have to pay. Surrendering his freedom and giving up on his dream. It's a loss he was
struggling to come to grips with, a loss that sent him to Crush last night in a hopeless attempt to
hold on to life as he knew it.
"But we agreed you'll give me time," Liam reminded him when it became clear they had
exhausted all points of discussion. "I love what I do, and I'm not ready to give it up."
From the time his uncle, Sullivan, bought him his first life-size toy car, he must have been about
five or six, Liam knew he wanted to spend the rest of his life behind the wheel, racing for the
best team in the world. It was something he'd pursued relentlessly over the years, despite his
father opposing him at every turn. It was a long hard road, especially without Clarke's support,
but he'd made a name for himself in the world of motorsports and had recently won the Iconic 9
Hour Race at Rock Union's Grand Prix circuit.
"Do you think I was ready when I took over from my father?" His father whipped up his head
fast, his eyes blazing with fury. "Do you think I wanted to? Trust me, I wanted nothing more
than to live out my happy days with your Mom and you kids, but there were eight hundred
people who needed me, who depended on me for their livelihood. Like it or not, Liam, you have
a responsibility!”
"I didn't ask for it!" Liam refused to back down, and their Saturday afternoon meeting that
should have been a quick amicable twenty-minute chat, spun out of control as they ranted and
raged at each other.
Clarke did most of the shouting. And Liam reached for the whisky on the mantelpiece and did a
lot of the drinking.
Clarke was tired of Liam's philandering ways and life of debauchery; he was continually
disappointed with all the scandals he had to read about him weekly.
"For once, can you make me proud and earn yourself a cover of Business Insider? Is it so
difficult?"
"For once, can you be proud of my achievements, I just had my seventh tournament win. I was
on the cover of Motor Mag, doesn't that count for something?"
Of course, it didn't. Clarke thought it's time he gave up his 'hobby' and earned a living like
everyone else.
"A 9 to 5 job will kill me! I'm not meant for it!"
A corner office, with its amazing 360 views, wasn't for him. He would die, maybe not physically,
but it would break his spirit if he has to spend the rest of his life behind a desk.
Nothing came close to the raw adrenaline rush he felt every time he put on his suit, snapped on
his helmet and took his place behind the wheel. Or the exhilarating feeling he got when he
pushed his Porsche 911 GT to its limit and still come out of it in one piece. Not even sex, not the
tons of money in his bank accounts, not even holding up a tournament cup while thousands of
people cheered him on. It was an unparalleled feeling he couldn't bear to lose.
"Well that 9 to 5 job you hate so much has paid for your elite education! It's time you put that
MBA to good use!"
Liam dug in his heels, refusing to be backed into something he wasn't ready to take on.
If his father had a more compelling reason for his sudden retirement, he would have no issue
stepping in.
But Clarke wanted to focus more on the family he'd neglected for over twenty years, and maybe
travel the world like he always wanted.
Liam was happy for him; he only wished it wasn't at the expense of his dreams.
"This is happening. All the paperwork has been processed, the board has agreed. Your first
appointment is at 6:00 AM. Mrs Gibson will call you with the details!" Clarke's words were
final, nothing Liam said would change his mind.
Defeated, Liam stood up, grabbed his car keys and wallet on the coffee table and stalked to the
door.
"I will never forgive you for this!" He vowed over his shoulder as he rapidly made his way out of
the study.
Liam was so enraged he knew if he's around other people he'd end up hurting someone. He
jumped in his car and sped to the race circuit south of Rock Union's business district where he
spent a good few hours on the track, lap after lap, burning fuel faster than his rage.
The call that changed Liam's life forever came much later when all the anger had eased from his
body, and he was ready to try and see things from his father's perspective.
Chapter 12 Obsession
Words Count: 1025 | Released on:19/06/2021
Crush was hopping when Liam finally made it there almost an hour later.
There were people everywhere, grinding and stepping on each other. Liam was glad his cousins
had a VIP booth. He couldn't handle all the rowdiness tonight.
"You made it!" Julian hiccupped over the loud music; his speech already slurred as he stood and
hugged him, almost toppling him over.
"Easy buddy." Liam pushed him back on the sectional couch and turned to Matthew. "How much
did he drink?"
"All those," his cousin pointed at a line of empty shot glasses lined up on the bright yellow cube.
"What happened?" Liam asked as a scantily dressed waitress appeared at his side. He ordered the
most expensive bottle of bourbon. After the hellish day, no, few weeks he's had he deserved
every drop.
"He got dumped," Matthew said. "She left him for a wealthier, older man."
"Ouch!" Liam touched his heart dramatically and rolled his eyes heavenward.
"How's the old man?"
Liam filled him in on his hospital visit with his father as he scanned the crowd.
There she is, he thought excitedly, his heart soaring to life as he caught sight of a petite brunette
swaying her hips on the dance floor.
"I think that's her," Liam pointed at the brown-haired girl in the crowd. But when she turned to
her friends, he saw it's not Eden. Disappointed, he slumped back in his chair and sighed, "scratch
that, it's not."
"You can't tell me you're still looking for her?" Julian surged to life beside him and sat up.
Yes, he was still searching for Eden. He'll never stop looking for her. He wanted his shirt back,
and he needed to return her panties. While he's at it, maybe get some answers too. He’d asked his
security detail to look for her discreetly and bring her to him. But so far their search had been
fruitless and made especially hard because other than her first name and her description, they had
nothing else to go by.
As much as his life had changed drastically over the past few weeks, one thing hadn't changed:
his fascination with Eden. It was starting to border on obsession the longer he searched for her
and didn't find her.
"You need to move on–" Matthew said, pausing when the waitress returned with the bourbon and
a tray of snacks.
“Is there anything else you need?” She asked as she picked up the empty glasses. Her question
was directed at Liam but her gaze never left Matthew’s face. His cousin waved her off with his
killer smile and a flick of his wrist.
Alone again, Liam poured a shot and gulped it down swiftly, enjoying the smooth way it rushed
down his throat and warmed his chest.
"As I was saying," Matthew continued as Liam poured all of them another round of shots. "That
woman can very well become your white whale if you keep this up. Let her go. Move on."
"I'll move on once I get all my answers," he promised and raised his glass. That's all he wanted,
answers. Wa
s he not good enough for her? Why did she run off without even putting on her underwear? The
idea that he didn't meet her expectations in bed terrified him. No woman had ever complained
before. He may be many things, but a selfish lover was not one of them. Granted, they were all
meaningless hookups, but he wanted the experience for both parties to be memorable with very
few regrets.
He had plenty of regrets after Eden.
"What is about her that's got you so hooked?"
Julian's question startled him, but he took a moment to think it over anyway.
If he was ‘hooked’ like his cousin suggested, it would explain why he couldn't move on from
her, and his obsessive need to find her, but–
No way, Liam shook his head, horrified by the direction his thoughts were taking. Eden was a
five at best in looks and wealth and maybe intellect. He could do so much better. He’d done so
much better in the past.
"I am not 'hooked' on her," he insisted, hating that the notion had even come up. "She's not even
my type!"
"'T'is true!" Julian belched on his shoulder, spraying a cloud of alcohol fumes on his face as he
wrapped his arms around him. "But what is your type?"
"Yeah, you don't have a type," Matthew agreed and tipped his glass at Liam mockingly. "You
screw anything that moves, and you leave them as soon as you can!"
"That's not true!"
"How else do you think you earned your infamous moniker?"
"Don't remind me," Liam grumbled. The tabloids dubbed him the 'Three Months Prince' after
they noticed a pattern with his love life. His relationships never seemed to last longer than three
months. What the gossip rags failed to mention though was that it wasn't always his fault. Life
happened, he'd get busy with tournaments and training and things would eventually fizzle out.
"Well at least you earned yourself a spot in the Business Insider with your exec shakeup,"
Matthew smirked. "The old man can't complain about your scandals anymore."
Liam shrugged and gulped down his drink. His decision to disband the executive committee was
so radical it earned him the coveted Business Insider cover and legendary status overnight. He
thought his father would be chuffed. But when Senior read the article, he lost his head. Clarke
only wanted him to take over the company and not change the status quo completely.
Liam’s gaze drifted back to the dance floor, clashing with the girl he mistook for Eden earlier.
She smiled and batted her eyes in his direction. He ignored her. He had no intention of wasting
his evening flirting with anyone, especially when he knew it wasn't going to go anywhere.
Matthew yawned and stretched and decided to call it a night before they even finished half the
bottle. He had a meeting with a potential client, a small scale eCommerce outfit needing their
shipping expertise.
Liam helped him get Julian into his car and carried on his way.