Chapter 27 A Sudden Call
Teresa had barely cleared the mall's threshold when her phone buzzed insistently. It was Liam. She paused, her thumb was hovering over the screen, she wasn’t sure if she should answer.
"Liam."
"Teresa, turn around."
Compelled by his words, she turned around, and saw Liam framed against the third-floor window, his presence was commanding yet inviting.
Their eyes met, and Teresa's breath hitched, whether from guilt or something more exhilarating, she couldn't tell.
"I'm on my way down," Liam's voice came through the phone, gentle and warm.
A flicker of worry crossed Teresa's face, but she nodded in agreement. "Okay."
Liam's smile was the last thing she saw before he hung up.
The October sun blazed overhead, its rays relentless.
While waiting for Liam, Teresa was so conflicted and confused about how to actually face him,.
"Teresa." He approached swiftly drew the attention of onlookers.
"Liam," she greeted, a hesitant smile touching her lips.
"Why are you here by yourself?" Liam's question was casual as he took her hand.
Teresa's eyes darted to their joined hands, she was so confused.
Hadn't they ended things?
"Liam, are we not...?"
"I know you're going abroad to study, and I think it’s a good idea. We can make it work. Breaking up doesn't make sense," Liam said, his gaze was tender. "Unless you don't love me anymore, unless you don't want this anymore."
Emotions welled up in Teresa, her eyes glistening. She shook her head, "No, it's not that."
At that moment, a silver Bugatti burst from the parking lot, the roar of its engine slicing through the air. The driver, Gabriel, his dark eyes smoldering, pushed the accelerator, and the car sped away, a metallic flash in the sunlight.
"Was that Gabriel?" Liam asked.
Teresa caught a glimpse of the car, a twinge of guilt passing over her.
Liam, however, was already redirecting her attention. "Let's grab something to eat. What do you crave?"
"Anything's fine," she said, her appetite not as defined as the myriad of choices owned by her family's Queen Group.
"What about Japanese?" he suggested.
A genuine smile found Teresa's lips. "Yeah, sounds perfect."
Together, they headed off, leaving the echo of the Bugatti and the complications it represented behind.
