THIRTEEN: WAITING FOR THE CALL

LIAM


Aiden had told me that he had convinced the woman and had given her my number and that she was going to call me and I had been waiting since yesterday for her to call me, but she didn't. I had expected her to call me a few minutes after leaving the mansion but a few minutes had turned to hours and had gone to a day. I had kept staring at my phone since then, waiting for her call to come in, but to my disappointment, she had not called throughout yesterday and I was so frustrated and had slept off fuming. Never in my life have I ever waited for anyone to call me.

I woke in the morning and the first thing I checked was my phone. I picked it up from the nightstand and looked at it. I had missed some calls and had some messages. I quickly sat up in bed and tapped on the notification bar and was disappointed when I saw Trisha and Cynthia's calls and even a call from my almighty fiancee-to-be and one text message from my mum, asking me why I refused to answer Jade's calls, but no calls from her. I tossed the phone away, sighed, and got out of bed, cussing inaudibly. Why would Aiden say he had convinced the girl when he had not?

Even as I went to take a shower and the water rained down on me, running over my entire body, it couldn't wash away the pain in my chest. The feeling of being rejected, the feeling of not being taken seriously, the feeling of being taken for granted and I kept convincing myself that all I felt was anger. After taking a shower, I came out with my white towel wrapped around my waist. My phone started to ring and I jumped to the bed took it up and looked at the screen. Mr. Hugh's name flashed on it and I hissed and slid to the answer icon.

"What is it?" I asked once I put the phone to my ear.

"Grumpy much?" Mr. Hugh's voice asked from the other end. I didn't reply. "Gwen is here to see you."

"Who the hell is Gwen?"

"Gwen Oliver, your Saturday appointment. The one we met at the grocery store the day you arrived. You gave her a date and your address."

"I am not around right now."

"It's early in the morning and where could you possibly go on a Saturday morning?"

"Exactly, why would a woman visit a man so early in the morning?"

"How am I to dispose of her?"

"I don't know. Just do whatever you have to do. I'm hanging up." I ended the call and tossed the phone on the bed and headed to my closet. Tiny droplets dripped from my hair to my body, running down and tickling me. I didn't have anywhere to go but I just felt like getting dressed and asking my chauffeur to just drive me around town, maybe drive me to that woman's house. I stopped searching in my closet and turned back towards the room.

I could actually pay her a visit at home and know in person why she has refused to call my line. I picked up my phone again and dialed Mr. Hugh. He answered almost immediately.

"Liam, I succeeded in sending her away, don't..."

"Tell Aiden to call me now," I interrupted.

"Why are you being so rude this morning, kid?" Mr. Hugh asked.

I paused for a while. Mr. Hugh works for me but he never ceases to point out when I'm being rude and I always feel bad when he said that to me. I wasn't supposed to care but since this man was the father figure in my life, I gave him that respect. But I never say sorry. "Am I?" I asked.

"I will tell Aiden to call you," he said and hung up.

Mr. Hugh and Aiden were the only ones who had the temerity to hang up on me or shout at me or even slap me. Well, I had grown with them and had seen them as a family rather than my staff. I took the phone away from my ear and texted him that he can take the day off. I consider that an apology.


Aiden called almost immediately and I answered immediately, ready to lash out at him. "You said you have convinced her, why hasn't she called since yesterday? I don't have enough time!"

"Well, good morning to you too, Liam. That woman has her own life to live and I am sure she was given a brain to think. She has to consider if this would be good for her or not."

"Bullshit! She brought this upon herself and she should face what comes with it. I don't get it, Aiden, you are making it look like this is all my fault. I was going to debunk that first speculation made by the media."

"But you didn't. That shows that this is important to you too. So, bring down those shoulders and get what you want first. I am keeping track of her."

"I don't care what you are doing right now, I am going to pay her a visit, I am dressed up for that."

"No way. I won't let you ruin everything we have worked so hard for. She is not even at home right now so don't think of going to her house, because that would not be necessary."

"Why?"

"Liam, we don't want her family having the wrong impression about you."

"About me, how?"

"Don't just go. Okay, wait, I'm driving to you now. Liam. Stay right where you are and don't move."

"Are you ordering me?"

"If you have to go to her place, I will take you there."

"I am giving you fifteen minutes and if you don't come here, I'm leaving."

"Roger that, sir."

I hung up, kept my phone on the nightstand, and went back to the closet to sort out some clothes to wear. I know I am good looking but I wanted to look dashing so that that woman would droop when she sees me. How can she be so oblivious of my looks?