7. Meeting His Family

Liam pulled into the customary court at exactly eight pm. He was thankful for surviving the suffocating silence which has fallen on them on their way here. He couldn't stop glancing at her time after time to see if she had changed her mind but she was cold and so distant that Liam couldn't help wondering if it was because he refused to give her the money.

Liam stepped out of the car and made way to go help Maya with her door but she had beat him to it. He watched her get out of the car and only then could he notice the dress on her, a black mini skirt with a lilac flowery top.  

If only he had not gotten jealous over some guy, he would have probably gotten her a dress along the way. Now, he hopes this will be alright just to get the marriage certificate, they can have a proper wedding later.

Liam turned to guide Maya down the stairs into court. He watched her freeze as soon as his hands connected with her back. He quickly averted his hands and walked side by side beside her. He wanted to get this done already so he could go back to his normal life free from his grandfather.

Liam turned to take in the empty courtroom. He swore under his breath as his eyes searched around looking for a particular someone. Liam couldn't believe she had stood him up even after begging her to wait a little bit longer for him.

“ Looking for me, Williams Powell” A voice called out to him. Liam turned and he was enveloped in the arms of an elderly woman. 

“ You scared me, Mrs. Pennington, ” Liam exclaimed out of shock. He turned to take in the old woman before him, she has aged more since he last saw her. Her hair was pulled to the back by a small blue scarf, her face was bare save for a few wrinkles which were normal considering that she was over fifty years old.

“ Nonsense. I told you time without number to call me Elizabeth, Williams” Liam rolled his eyes at her as his face softened. 

“ You will always be Mrs. Pennington to me,” Liam told her, causing the woman to giggle, giving a playful pat on the shoulder before walking over to her desk.

“ So, Williams, what can I do for you?” Mrs. Pennington asked him again to be sure she heard quite alright. Her eyes took in the beautiful woman beside him. Was what she heard really true? Was Williams finally getting married? Mrs. Pennington wondered in her mind.

“ I want to get married. Here is my wife but we are in a rush, can you fix us a certificate? Liam rushed to explain, keeping his face expressionless. He wouldn't want her to see through their ruse. Mrs. Pennington was as observant as she has ever been since he had known her.

“ Really? She looks like a lamb in the slaughterhouse” Mrs. Pennington remarked, pointing to Maya who was oblivious to their banter but her thoughts were focused In her mind.

Liam laughed nervously as he pulled Maya closed to him and kissed her lovingly on the forehead“ She's always like that. Zone out pretty much of the time except in the bedroom, right honey? ” Liam asked her, winking at her. Maya blushed red as she furrowed her eyebrows from shyness.

Liam pecked her again on the lips before turning to look at Mrs. Pennington. He hopes they look convincing enough as he really needed the certificate“ How do you see us? Do you think she loves me as much as I love her? You know, I can give her my life” Liam turned to whisper the last part to Mrs. Pennington but Maya heard him.

Maya raised her eyebrows at him, shocked. Even though she knew he was lying, she couldn't help blushing from his sweet words. She has always fantasized that she will be getting married to the love of her life but instead she was about to sign off the marriage certificate to a man she hated but was attracted to.

Mrs. Pennington stood up and wrapped her frail hands around Maya in happiness. She sniffles back tears as she turns to run her hands lovingly through Liam's face “ I'm so happy for you William. I'm sure your mom would have loved this” 

Liam swallowed the lumps in his throat before offering her a sad smile. He had always adored his parents and was devastated when they died that he still goes to bed at night in tears but there was no need to tell that to his mother's long-time friend, Mrs. Pennington.

“ Thank you for making this happen, young lady. We have given up on ever making him get married ” Mrs. Pennington told Maya before going back to her seat to prepare their marriage certificate.

Maya could only nod at her. If only she knew the truth that they really weren't getting married because they were in love but because she needed his help.

“ Here's your certificate,” Mrs. Pennington said to them. “ You need to append each of your signatures there and that will be all" She continues as she watches them do as she has directed. She filled the paper and handed them their copy with a broad smile on her lips.

“ Congratulations, Williams. Hope I will be invited to the wedding?” Mrs. Pennington said to Liam who nodded at her before turning to walk out of the door clutching the certificate as his life depended on it. Finally, his company was now his! Liam thought to himself with a satisfied smile across his lips.

“ Welcome to the family, Mrs. Powell” 

Maya turned to stare at the elder woman in shock. She couldn't believe how something so big and life-changing could happen in such a little time. This morning, she was referred to as Miss Maya Banks and now she is Mrs. Maya Powell.  She forced herself to smile at the woman before following Liam to the car.

“ Can I get the money now, I really need to get going ” Maya told Liam as soon as they got to the car. She watched Liam's hands freeze on the doorknob, shocked as to what could make him so angry.

Liam turned to glare at her with annoyance. He couldn't believe how even after getting married to him, she was still thinking of that stupid man. Was he her first love? Did they plan to get married? Was that why she framed him on the paper that she was with his child because she wanted to get his money.

“ I have told you to postpone whatever is it still tomorrow. You are married to me now, and you'll need to meet my family. Let's go” Liam told her in between seething teeth as he was trying to calm his temper.

“ But  I_______”

“ Here's the cheque, you can keep it with you. You've earned it. Now, let's go” Liam's angry voice bellowed across the entire parking lot. Maya cringed in fear, as she scrambles into the car afraid of getting him angry.

The entire ride to Liam's house was completely silent. Maya couldn't help wondering where he was taking her. She checked her phone from time to time to make sure that she didn't miss any call from the hospital. 

The gesture wasn't lost on Liam as he turned to growl at her in annoyance. His hands tightening on the steering wheel as he tries to control his anger“ Just to remind you, you are married now. I wouldn't want any scandal to follow you around, okay?”

Maya turned to gasp at him, surprised at what could have made him say that. She wasn't interested in any scandal but she didn't tell him that. She blamed Zara for everything and to think that she didn't even call her once to apologize.

Liam was expecting some sort of response from Maya but when he saw that none was forthcoming. He swiveled the car around and pulled to a stop causing the tire to screech. Maya couldn't help being scared, she turned to stare at Liam shocked at his actions.

“ I don't like talking to statues, '' Liam scowled at her. She wasn't behaving excitedly that he was married to her. A lot of women would have killed for this kind of opportunity but here she was behaving like she couldn't wait to get back to her boyfriend.

" Let's get one thing straight, Mr. Powell. I'm only married to you because I needed your help and not because of any other thing. At another time, I wouldn't even dare cause you disgust me!" Maya snapped at him, Liam couldn't say anything for a long time, he could only watch her with a shocked face.

Maya turned to stare out of the window, she smiled proudly at herself. If only she knew sooner that shouting will keep him off her neck, she would have probably done that but she was only being quiet because of the money. Now that she has it, she wouldn't let him put her underneath again.

Liam sat gazing at Maya who had turned her back on him. He was shocked to see that she had reprimanded him. No one has ever shouted at him except his mother which was why he was a bit surprised. She had reminded him of his mother even in a short time.

Liam shrugged before putting the car back in motion. He turned time after time to see if Maya was looking at him but each time, her eyes were still glued to the window.

Liam pulled the car into his driveway, he watched her stare frantically around the vast landscape of his house. The light from the chandelier outside illuminated her face, only then did Liam glimpse the sheen of tears in her eyes. Was she crying? But why? Liam argued within himself. He didn't know why seeing her in tears was calling for his protective instinct.

Liam angrily stepped out of the door, he went over to drag a teary Maya down from the car before turning to hand over the car keys to his driver. He guides Maya to the elevator that will take him to his apartment where he was sure his grandfather was waiting to give him that talk that he deserves.

Liam showed Maya through the sitting room while he went to stand at the foot of the stairs calling his grandfather" Grandfather. Come,  I have a pleasant surprise for you" Liam called excitedly to his grandfather oblivion to the turmoil in Maya's mind.

Liam's grandfather descended the stairs with a confused expression on his face while wondering what the surprise was all about. He saw a lady seated at the far end of the sitting room with her hands folded across her lap. She shouldn't have looked familiar to him but he recognizes her as the girl from the magazine. 

He swept his eyes through her as his eyes got the wedding band on her hands. Mr. Powell turned with a confused look to his grandson" Williams, is that who I think she is?"

Liam smiled. His mission to surprise his grandfather was successful, he bet his grandfather wasn't expecting this'' Yes grandpa. Meet Miss Maya Powell, my wife. We got married today at the registry"

" Before you protest, listen to me"  Liam held up a finger at his grandfather when he saw that he was about to speak" We got married in a hurry cause the media were on our neck and I wanted to protect her reputation but we could still have a church wedding if you want" 

Liam's grandfather relaxed. He was scared that his grandson would pick up anyone from the street to make his wife because of his company but it turns out he was being paranoid for nothing. Moreover, the young lady does look decent enough. Mr. Powell thought in his mind as he took a step to where Maya was seated.

" Nice to meet you, Mrs. Powell, '' Liam's grandfather said to Maya before enveloping her in an embrace. Maya gasped from the warm welcome. She was feeling guilty by lying to the man but there was nothing she could do since her mother's life depended on this.

" Dinner is ready sir," Liam's grandfather turned to usher Maya to the dining, after hearing that from their chef. 

Halfway through the meal, Maya's phone rang continuously in her back causing Liam to glare at her but he couldn't do anything since his grandfather was watching them with curiosity on his face.

Maya excused herself from them to go pick up her call. Her heartbeat escalated as soon as she saw the caller's ID" Hello, Doctor" Maya called breathlessly into the phone. She was scared why would the doctor be calling her by this time? Hope her mother is alright.

" What? I'm on my way. Please do everything to save her" Maya called into the phone in between sob. She ran out of the house without saying anything to the Powells. She flagged down the first cab and got into it, while it drove her to the hospital.