Chapter 228
At the table, Tessa’s cheerful chatter filled the air, akin to a warble in the spring, as she engaged Liam in light and easy conversation. With just a glance, Diana could see their laughter and joy.
When was the last time she saw Liam laugh so freely, so genuinely? It must have been when he was with Teresa. Since Diana began working by his side, those carefree smiles were a rare sight, his laughter now not out of courtesy but akin to a comfortable meal with the girl next door.
Diana felt a tightness in her chest as she watched them. Taking advantage of the toasting, she downed glass after glass, losing track of how much she drank as if she didn't know her limits.
Somewhere deep down, she harbored a hope that Liam would notice her distress and come to her rescue.
But he didn't. Liam seemed oblivious to her plight as a group of men over fifty took turns filling her glass relentlessly.
Diana lost count of her drinks. Halfway through, she excused herself to the restroom to throw up, only to return and continue drinking until her stomach churned with nothing but alcohol, a burning sensation engulfing her throat.
As the clock neared ten in the evening, the dinner finally came to an end. Staggering slightly, Diana followed Liam as they saw off the guests.
"Liam, I'll text you, and you better reply!" Tessa called out playfully, sticking her head out of the car window, her face beaming with innocence.
Standing by the car door, hand casually in his pocket, Liam watched Tessa leave and nodded with a smile, "Definitely."
Diana, feeling miserable inside, now faced the physical rebellion of her stomach. Unable to hold back, she covered her mouth with a hand, dashed to the nearby bushes, and succumbed to the uncontrollable waves of nausea.
Liam caught sight of her and, after a casual wave to Tessa, turned and strode in her direction.
He found Diana hunched over near some bushes, sick to her stomach. Liam's brow furrowed with concern as he instructed the driver to fetch a bottle of water from the car. When Diana finished, he unscrewed the cap and handed her the bottle.
"Thanks," she said, taking the bottle and rinsing her mouth.
"You okay?" he asked, offering his handkerchief after she spat out the water.
Diana managed a weak smile and shook her head, declining the offer. "I'm fine," she replied, wiping her mouth with the back of her hand.
In the dim light, Liam's eyes deepened with worry, but he didn't press the issue. Instead, he put away his handkerchief and reached out to steady her wobbly form. "Let's go, I'll take you home."
"No need, I can grab a cab," Diana said, shrugging off his hand.
Liam, at thirty, was no fool and knew enough about relationships to read her unusual resistance. Nonetheless, he feigned ignorance, grasped her hand again, and, with a firm tone, said, "Don't be stubborn. I'm taking you home."
He pulled her toward the car, and though a part of her wanted to resist, the desperate voice inside her screamed for his help. Powerless to her longing, she found herself following Liam into the car.
Once they were inside and the car started, Diana regained a sliver of clarity. Feeling miserable, she turned to look out the window, quickly closing her eyes as they filled with tears to prevent them from spilling over.
Liam sat beside her, glancing her way and seeing her rest with her eyes closed. In silence, he reached over and turned off the cabin light.
The car fell into silence, filled with the clinging scent of alcohol, which failed to numb Diana's senses.
Fearing that Liam would see her cry, she turned her face more toward the window, not realizing that he had also leaned back and closed his eyes.
The ride continued in silence, and after about thirty minutes, they pulled up outside of Diana's apartment.
Ever since Diana had been reassigned to work as Liam's executive assistant at Evans Group, she had been swamped with work. To make things easier, she'd moved to an apartment close to the office building where she lived alone.
As the car stopped, Diana opened her eyes. Before getting out, she couldn't help but steal a glance at Liam sitting beside her.
Liam leaned back in his seat, eyes closed, seemingly asleep, and didn't stir even as the car came to a halt.
Diana shifted her gaze back, forcing a bitter smile, and without a word, she opened the door and stepped out.
As the door closed behind her, Liam's eyes slowly opened. He watched through the dim car window as her silhouette moved toward the apartment building.
The truth was, he knew Diana hadn't been asleep. Her uneven breaths gave her away, but he pretended, feigning ignorance.
"Go home," Liam instructed the driver.
"Sure."
...
