Chapter Two

LIANA'S POV

The owner?  That would be Mr Gold."

"I haven't heard of this Mr.  Gold. "

"That would be expected ma'am as the furniture was sold by a Miss Elena Hart. "

"Elena? " I grabbed the doorknob to keep myself from crumbling to the ground. That bitch! "Elena sold my furniture to someone else. "

"Yes. "

Okay,  let's not focus on that right now,  I have to find a way around this. 

"Can I speak to this Mr Gold? "

Mr Smythe's eyebrows went up,  his eyes narrowed. 

"For what reason? "

"Can you just let me speak to him? "

He stared at me in silence for a few minutes,  then he took out his phone.  He went a few distances away from me so I could not hear what he was saying.  He came back. 

"You're in luck,  Mr Gold is on his way. "

I sighed,  relieved.  "Thank you." I felt awkward leaving him standing outside.  "Would you like to come in for a cup of tea or coffee? "

He bit his lower lips,  in thought then shook his head. 

"No,  but thank you,  I would rather stand here so that Mr Gold can see me. "

I shrugged. 

"Okay,  suit yourself."

We stood for about ten minutes until a black sports car drove up to us.  The door opened and a young man wearing a black suit,  shiny shoes and black shades walked towards us. Mr. Smythe stood straighter and cleared his throat. 

"Welcome Sir. "

The man nodded, then took off his shades to look at me. 

"Hello. " I greeted weakly,  my lips forming a stiff smile.  "You must be Mr Gold,  I'm Liana... "

"Liana Claymore? " he suddenly completed, his voice excited and his eyes wide.  

"Huh? " I blurted out,  my eyes narrowed. 

"How do you know my name? "

He chuckled deeply. 

"I can't believe you don't recognize me.  It's me! "

His eyes shone with eagerness.  I stared at him silently,  the more I stared at him,  the more familiar he looked. 

"You do look familiar but I can't seem to remember..." I dug deeper into my memories,  an image began to form.  A lanky boy,  quiet and reserved.  Always smiled shyly whenever our eyes met. I gasped,  my hand over my mouth. 

"Richard?  Richard Stark? "

A hearty laugh escaped his lips,  his eyes shinning. 

"Yes,  it's me.  Richard.  You remembered. "

"Richard! " he looked so different from the guy I knew.  "It's so nice to see you again... Oh... " 

I was suddenly enveloped with warmth,  the smell of pine cologne filled my nose. 

"I'm so glad to see you,  after all these years ." His voice vibrated warmly down to my back. By the time he stepped back,  I could only blink at him. "I'm sorry,  did I startle you? "

I shook my head,  clearing my throat.  This was a shock to me,  he was like a totally rebranded guy.  I wonder how he changed. 

"No,  no.  Not at all.  I'm just...surprised,  where is that shy boy from high school? You've changed.  A lot. And why is your name Gold?  I never knew that. " I was literally bursting with questions. 

"Yeah,  Gold is the name of my uncle.  After he died,  he left me his estate so I took his last name and continued his legacy. "

"Oh,  I see. " Remembering what brought him here,  I cleared my throat. 

"So...I called you here about the furniture in my house. I know you already paid for them.  I want to know how much it will cost to buy them back from you.  I can pay any amount. " I didn't stay idle while married to Gabriel.  I was an event planner so I made my own money. 

He suddenly frowned.  I wondered if I had made him angry. 

"I'm not taking your money. " My face fell. "Oh, I'm sorry, I just wanted to... "

"Because the furniture is yours. "

"Sorry? " 

He smiled,  his face shinning. 

"There is no way on this earth that I'm taking your money... You can have the darn furniture for all I care.  I only bought it because I was doing a friend a favour. "

"A friend?" 

My heart quickened. This friend, was it Elena. I was dying to ask him but I decided to leave it for now. 

"Really?  I can keep it?  I can still pay you half if you like... "

"Liana. " he took my hand in his,  his hands felt warm and large. "This is nothing to me,  okay? You were the only person that paid attention to me back when everyone made fun of me.  I owe you more than this.  You can have anything you want. "

I shook my head, unable to believe what just happened. 

"Um...okay.  Thank you.  But..."

"No buts. "

"Can I make it up to you somehow?  I feel like I just stole from you. "

His eyes seemed to shine even more. 

"You know what,  you can actually make it up to me. "

I perked up. 

"Tell me,  as long as I can do it. "

"Go on a date with me. "

I took a step back,  his eyebrows twitched. 

"A date? I don't think so. Anything else?" I asked hopefully. 

He lowered his voice, shaking his head.  "Is that too much for you? It's nothing romantic, don't worry. We can hang out and tell each other how we have been."

"No,  it's not that. It's just..." I let out a sigh, trying to stop my voice from shaking.  "...I just got divorced...today... "

"It doesn't matter. "

"Huh? " I looked at him with my head tilted. 

"As long as you say yes,  everything will be fine.  I would have still asked you either way. I knew you were already married..." He shook his head, "...but I had no idea you just divorced. The bastard doesn't know what he just lost. "

"I wish he did. " I mumbled. 

Should I just say yes?  It's not like it's a romantic date.  It's just to catch up,  right?  I won't be cheating.  We are already divorced and he has another woman with him. 

I stared into his eyes.

"Fine.  I'll go on a date with you. "

His face split into a wide grin,  he took me in for another hug again. 

"Thank you,  I can't wait to hear everything you've been up to the past years. "

I smiled at him,  his excitement apparently was contagious. 

"I can't wait to catch up too. "

"Alright. " he sighed after staring at me with intense gray eyes. "I'll pick you up,  tomorrow.  Five o'clock. "

"Sure. " I waved at him weakly, watching as he drove off.  Only realizing that Mr Smythe was still standing awkwardly to the side. 

"Goodbye Mr Smythe. " I said primly, about to shut the door.

 But then mumbled something as he left. 

"I guess she's the Liana he spoke about. "