14

Eve's POV




     I woke up very early the next day; I'm already fond of it. Haven had my bathe, I put on a casual gown, it was at the same time looking kinda official. I viewed myself through the mirror and smiled as I admire my beauty. Yes I know I'm beautiful, it's probably not obvious because of the struggles I have been through.




    




    "Oh, God! I'm really doing this" I said to myself and smiled a little bit.




    I could sense that Liam was awake too because I could hear a slow and solemn music playing out from his room and I could also hear Mark speaking to someone on phone.




    




    I went down the stairs to the kitchen to prepare the breakfast like I'm supposed to do so. Anyways, It didn't take me so much time. While I was still setting the table; Liam walked downstairs. Looks like he is indeed ready for work too. He was dressed in a suit and looked really corporate.




    "Good Morning Liam" I said to him.




    He nodded his head; examining what I was doing...




    "Morning " He finally replied me.




    "I... Uhm just thought that we could have something in our belly before going to work" I told him, avoiding not to stutter.




    He simpered and said; "Are you sure you are not better off a cook?" 




    I smiled but he scorned and added; "That's not supposed to be a compliment" then he pulled out a chair to sit on.




    




    Just then Mark and Mr. Maya came to the dining room at the same time and we all exchanged casual pleasantries.




    "Since Helen is not here; I mean you don't have to call on her but just so you know, I can take care of the meal" I told them.




    "You cooked this?" Mark asked taking a seat next to his brother.




   "Yeah, I did" I answered him.




    "What's the difference, you know what Eve, if you prefer to be in charge of the cooking? It's fine... It's not necessary you work in a company" Liam said.




    "Liam, I thought we are over this" Mr. Maya said, as he sat next to his young wife.




    "Yes, we are. I'm... I am only giving your little wife my brilliant suggestion" Liam said.




    I tried to ignore him and dished out everyone's meal...




    




    "Eve, do not repeat this for your good. I usually skip breakfast and stop by the company's cafe to get what to eat but if need be, I'll convince Helen to stay here again, so that she can prepare the breakfast" Mr. Maya said.




    "Why did she leave in the first instance?" Mark asked.




    "Errm... I don't know. Her opinion though" He uttered and began to eat.




    "The meal is not bad at all. Keep it up Eve" Mark complimented me.




    "Thank you Mark " I smiled at him.




    Liam gave his brother an awful look but the guy didn't even notice him... He was busy enjoying the meal while Liam ate slowly as if I'm forcing him to.




    




    We ate silently like one big family; Okay deep down we are not.




    "I am done here" Liam was the first to drop his cutleries, drank a glass of water then he stood up.




    "Uhn.."




    He carried his small fancy briefcase.




    "Whao Liam... Your outfit. It's really been a while since I saw you put on suits... I mean just look at you; you are looking like a president, a billionaire " Mark commented.




    "He took after his father" Mr. Maya said as he took a tissue and wiped his lips.. then he stood up too.




    "No Dad, never you say that. I didn't take after you one bit" Liam remarked and his brother giggled.




    




    "And uhm looks like someone is not ready for work at all" I knew right away that he was referring to me.




    "I'm ready" I blurted... stood up instantly and dropped my spoon. I haven't even eaten much from the plate... I guess I just have to let go.




    "I swear, I'm all set" I said again and he smiled in his usual mischievous way.




    "I'll see you all off" Mark said (he was still putting on his night wears). He followed us out of the house. Robert was just there, I wondered if he stands here all day.




    "Good morning " I said to Robert.




    "Good morning" He bow his head perfunctory.. (Greeting everyone at once)




    He smiled when he saw me holding my new phone; little did he know what has befallen me in this house of commotion.




    




    "Your..your meal is in the kitchen" I whispered to Robert but I know they all heard me...




   I don't know why Liam wouldn't stop giving me this stern look... I haven't even done anything wrong and I'm trying to be perfect for him.. If at all he can't accept me as his stepmom, what about his friend?




    "Can you drive?" Liam asked me.




    "Not at all" I responded.




    "Not at all" He mimicked.




    "I guess you would trek or board the public bus" Liam said...




    "Uhnn" I muttered as if I didn't hear him what he just said.




    "Liam.." Even his brother, Mark was shocked.




    "You would do no such thing to her Liam" Mr. Maya said.




    "Oh, you think so? Perhaps, you should drive her in your car" Liam said; already walking to his car and I followed him closely.




    "That can't be possible and you know it! It's not the same path"




    "Dad Just call the Driver or what happened to him?" Mark asked.




    "He drives recklessly, so I fired him, and ever since then, I've been driving myself. I actually wanted to employ another driver but most of them out there are all poke nosers " His father told him.




   "I don't get it Dad, did you fire him because he was reckless or does he poke noses?"




    "Both" He replied; "Liam" Mr. Maya obstructed him from opening the car door.




    "What is it Daddy?" He questioned.




    "I can't leave yet. Come on Liam, since you and Eve are going to the same place, why can't you..." Liam cut in sharply.




    "Can you not see what she is putting on? Look at her. Gosh, I made a very big mistake by telling her to work with me" Liam said..




    "I'm sorry" I muttered and he scorn.




    




    "No, see Liam you don't have to be mean just because you dislike her. You know something about hatred, when you don't like someone you'll find every little thing the person does irritating and annoying.." Mark said.




    




    "Uuggh... There you go again... Admonishing like the only good man in this world" Liam stated and hissed.




"Fine.. Now listen Eve, I'm irritated by every petty thing you do, so let there be reasonable space between us" He ordered.




    




    "Okay" I responded.




    




    Mr. Maya stopped blocking his door then Liam opened the door and entered but because I was still following him closely so that I won't leave me behind... I wanted to enter through that same door... And what? Sit on him?




    




    "Are you gonna sit on me?" Liam almost shouted.




    "I'm sorry" I apologized and rushed to the other door.




    "Dad, did you just see what I was just talking about?" He shouted...Mr. Maya didn't say anything.




    "Sorry" I apologized again and opened the other door to sit next to him.




    "Go to the back seat" He ordered and jammed both sides door.




    What more can I do? I sat at the back quietly




    "Bye. Drive safe" Mark waved at him.




   "Bye, Be bored at home" Liam replied.




    




    I waved at Robert who was gazing at me. He must have seen it all... That I'm not happy, that I am only enduring the pain and this is probably how I will continue to endure till the very end.




    I didn't say anything in the car while he drove, I kept looking at my new phone. (Mr. Maya already saved his number and I saved Helen's number yesterday; Good I scribbled her contact number in a book before she left).