Chapter 230 Please, Stay with Me
“Not happening.” His grip remained firm, his tone unyielding. “If you’re that worried, we can send someone to check on her. If not, I’ll call Liam right now and have him go.”
Without another word, Gabriel grabbed his phone and scrolled for Liam’s number.
“Is it really okay to send Liam?” Teresa fretted.
“What’s the harm? He can clear the air with her while he's there,” Gabriel dialed Liam's number, speaking even as he made the call.
Teresa bit her lip, pondering. ‘He’s right, it probably was for the best. A heart-to-heart could do them good, much like it had for her and Gabriel.’
“Hello?” Liam’s voice came through, the speakerphone making it audible.
“Liam, is Diana with you?” Gabriel asked, feigning ignorance.
On the other end of the line, Liam had just returned to his apartment and was in the elevator. Mention of Diana had him frown instantly, “No, what's up?”
“She left a concerning voicemail for Teresa, and now no one can reach her. We're worried,” Gabriel explained, deliberately vague about the specifics.
“Got it,” Liam responded readily, the concern in his tone genuine. Ending the call, he immediately dialed Diana.
Just like Gabriel had said, there was no answer.
Liam immediately called the driver, instructing him to wait in the parking garage. As the elevator reached his floor, Liam pressed the button for the sublevel garage and descended swiftly.
Diana slumped on the sofa in her apartment, knocked out by the alcohol. Despite the bright lights, the tear stains at the corner of her eyes were apparent.
Ding-dong, ding-dong, ding-dong.
She had no idea how long she had been asleep when a series of urgent doorbell rings woke her up, agonizingly forcing her eyes open.
She had had way too much to drink. Her head felt like it was going to explode, and the world around her was nothing but a blur.
Ding-dong, ding-dong.
Bang, bang, bang!
"Diana, open the door!"
From the couch, she could scarcely make sense of the pounding on the door, intermixed with a voice she knew all too well.
It was Liam.
With that realization, she clumsily got up to open the door.
Stumbling over, once she pulled open the door and looked up to confirm it was indeed Liam standing there, she lost all control and launched herself into his arms.
Taken aback by Diana suddenly clinging onto him, Liam furrowed his brows slightly.
"Liam, I knew you wouldn't be so cruel. You care about me, don't you? I'm sorry... You do care, I'm sorry..." Sobbing like a child, Diana clung to him helplessly.
Liam listened to her muffled cries by his ear and, without hesitating, scooped her up and carried her into the apartment. With a flick of his foot, he shut the door, still holding her as he strode toward the bedroom.
"Liam, I know I'm not good enough yet, not living up to your standards, but I'll work hard..." Nestled in Liam's arms, Diana squinted, murmuring hazily, "Please don't fall for someone else. Stay with me, okay? Please, stay with me..."
Liam carried her into the bedroom and placed her on the bed without a single glance downward. He pulled the covers over her and made sure she was comfortably tucked in.
"Don't go!" Feeling Liam turn to leave, Diana clutched at his arm with a desperate attachment.
Liam looked at her, sighed with a mixture of frustration and tenderness, then sat down at the edge of the bed, comforting her with, "All right, I'll stay. Go to sleep."
"Really, you won't leave, not ever...?" Diana asked in a drowsy whisper.
"Just sleep," Liam gently patted her hand. He didn't nod or shake his head, only leaving her with those two words.
"Liam, I love you, I really, truly love you. Please don't leave me... don't go..." The effects of alcohol compound Diana's exhaustion. Clinging to Liam's hand, she murmured, her words trailing off as she slipped back into sleep.
Watching her drift off, Liam gingerly unwrapped her fingers from his hand. Rising quietly, he turned off the light and made his way to the living room, settling into the couch with a sigh.
Diana had clearly had too much to drink. Now that he was there, he couldn't just leave. What if something happened to her in the middle of the night? He wouldn't know how to explain it to Teresa.
As he sat there, he took a deep breath, wiped his face with his hand, and then texted Gabriel.
Back in the hospital's private ward, Teresa hadn't been able to sleep, waiting for news from Liam. It was only after seeing Liam's message to Gabriel that she finally relaxed, which assured her that Diana was fine and she just passed out from drinking.
"You can sleep now," Gabriel said, turning off his phone and placing it on the nightstand with an indulgent smile.
But Teresa was restless, her mind turning. "Do you think Liam could fall for Diana?" she asked.
"No." Gabriel's answer was immediate and confident.
"Why not?" Teresa was clearly frustrated.
With a chuckle, Gabriel leaned in to kiss her forehead. "Just a man's intuition."
He and Liam had grown up together. He knew him well.
Teresa playfully chided him, "Man's intuition, my foot. That's never accurate."
Gabriel only laughed, gently pinching her nose. "Since when did you pick up phrases like that?"
"I don't care. No man is allowed to hurt Diana," Teresa declared firmly.
