CHAPTER 5 – A FUNNY TENSION

CHAPTER 5 – A FUNNY TENSION

Up to this moment, even with the beautiful blonde woman standing right in front of him, Liam still found it hard to believe that someone like Chatrine Madison would boldly come to a small town just to work at a suburban gallery. Early in the morning, she was already dressed in a perfectly neat and stylish outfit, as if she were about to lead an important meeting in the center of the business world.

The perfume she wore smelled elegant and fresh. Liam tried to focus on the woman in front of him, who was far too clever and sharp. He had to remind himself again and again not to let his thoughts wander.

“What time are we leaving?” Chatrine looked completely ready, professional, quick, and full of energy.

“The gallery opens at nine. It’s only half past six.”

“Oh, you people start the day so lazily,” she said bluntly, a habit from her disciplined lifestyle.

“Can we start earlier?” Chatrine clearly did not want to wait.

“No,” Liam refused immediately. “I’m in charge here.”

Chatrine’s eyes widened slightly. “Time is too valuable to waste.”

“I don’t care. I’m the boss here. Follow my rules if you’re serious about working.”

Chatrine took a deep breath, trying to stay calm.

“Fine. What should I do while waiting for my boss to get ready?”

“Do whatever you usually do,” Liam replied indifferently.

“I usually arrange breakfast schedules for Aron Loghan, plan his diet menu, prepare his clothes and accessories, and manage his overall appearance,” Chatrine explained. “Now I can do the same for you.”

“No need. I can handle myself,” Liam rejected firmly, almost sounding disgusted.

“At least listen to my advice. Your fashion needs improvement. You’re too plain. You could look more professional and attract clients.”

“I work in a wood workshop. I don’t need any of that,” Liam snapped. “I’m not a grown baby who needs help with clothes.”

“Even a man like Aron Loghan never argues when I shop and choose his underwear.”

This time Liam almost glared.

Before he could respond, his mother stepped out onto the front porch. Isabel came out while brushing flour from her hands.

The morning sunlight was still soft. Liam stood by his pickup truck, holding an oily rag, while Chatrine stood in front of him with perfect posture.

Isabel’s eyes widened, her lips slightly parted. She clearly did not expect to see a young, blonde, stunningly beautiful woman standing in her yard.

“Liam… who is she?” Isabel asked, her voice a mix of surprise and curiosity.

Chatrine reacted instantly. As if trained for moments like this, she stepped forward and politely took Isabel’s hand.

“Let me introduce myself. My name is Chatrine Grace Madison,” she said confidently, her voice gentle yet authoritative. “Starting today, I will be working at Liam’s art gallery, specifically in managing strategic marketing and gallery development.”

Her tone sounded as if she were giving a formal pitch to investors.

Isabel looked even more confused. She blinked several times, glanced at Liam, then back at Chatrine.

“Marketing… what? Development… what?” she asked, completely unfamiliar with the terms.

Chatrine maintained her professional smile. “Simply put, I will help manage promotions, build branding, and develop long-term strategies so the gallery can compete in the international art market.”

Isabel stared blankly. All her life, a gallery had simply meant a place filled with wooden chairs, dining tables, and pottery.

“Liam, what kind of job is that?” she finally asked her son.

Liam sighed inwardly. He knew his mother would not understand, so he answered casually.

“Mom, she’s just doing a study internship. For her college assignment in art,” he said while pretending to wipe his hands.

“Oh…” Isabel nodded immediately, her face lighting up. She turned to Chatrine. “So you’re still in college? A student?”

Chatrine froze for a brief second. She wanted to protest, but Isabel’s sincere smile stopped her.

“Yes… something like that.”

Isabel smiled widely. “You’re so beautiful. Like a model.”

“Oh, thank you, ma’am,” Chatrine replied politely.

Isabel leaned in slightly, curious. “So… where are you staying?”

“At Eva’s house,” Chatrine answered without hesitation.

Isabel’s eyes grew even wider. “You know Eva too?” she said excitedly. “Eva is like a daughter to me.”

“Yes, we’re close friends,” Chatrine replied calmly.

On the other side, Liam felt uncomfortable. To him, the phrase “close friends” sounded too sweet, considering Chatrine’s past intentions involving Eva’s husband. He was still annoyed about that, but his thoughts were interrupted by his mother.

“Have you had breakfast? Liam hasn’t either. Come eat with us,” Isabel said warmly, touching Chatrine’s arm.

Liam stepped forward quickly, almost panicking. “Mom, that’s not necessary.”

But Chatrine simply smiled and nodded. “Thank you. I’d love to.”

“Just call me Isabel.”

“Thank you, Aunt Isabel,” Chatrine replied with a soft smile.

Liam was certain that smile was not entirely sincere. He did not like seeing that manipulative woman getting close to his mother.

Chatrine followed Isabel inside, while Liam remained standing beside his truck, feeling annoyed and tired. Yet he could not deny that Chatrine had managed to win his mother’s attention in less than five minutes.

Inside the house, the warm aroma of toasted bread and black coffee filled the air. The simple dining room, with its carved wooden table, felt cozy despite its lack of luxury. The chairs creaked slightly, and the floral tablecloth looked clean but faded.

Chatrine scanned the room with a professional gaze, as if evaluating a boutique interior. She even glanced at the green striped curtains.

Liam stepped in behind her just as she murmured, “If these were replaced with plain white linen, the natural light would be much better.”

Liam almost choked when he heard that. She had not even been inside for five minutes and was already suggesting changes.

“You’re free to leave if you’re uncomfortable,” Liam whispered sharply.

But Chatrine seemed unaware that her comment might offend.

“I’m just worried the dust and mold might trigger your allergies,” Liam added with irritation.

Fortunately, Isabel did not notice the tension between them. She remained cheerful.

“Please, sit down, Chatrine. You don’t mind me calling you that, do you?”

“Not at all, Aunt Isabel,” Chatrine replied kindly, sitting with perfect posture, knees together, hands resting gracefully on her lap. She looked like a model in a premium coffee advertisement.

Liam dropped into his chair in the opposite manner, looking tired and avoiding eye contact.

Isabel placed a plate of warm bread on the table. “This is my homemade wheat bread. It’s delicious with butter.”

“Wow,” Chatrine leaned closer and inhaled the aroma. “It smells amazing. Even world-class bread couldn’t compare, Isabel.”

Isabel laughed softly, clearly flattered. “Oh, I’m just a housewife. No one has ever praised it like that.”

“Then let me be the first,” Chatrine replied with a warm smile, or at least one that looked convincing.

Liam watched with a stiff expression. In his mind, he scoffed. This was not just breakfast. It felt like a high-level political operation.

Isabel poured coffee. “Here, drink. You do drink coffee, right?”

“Yes, thank you.” Chatrine accepted the cup gracefully, even stirring it with a gentle rhythm.

Meanwhile, Liam grabbed his cup and drank quickly, then winced at the heat.

Chatrine held back a small laugh and whispered, “Do you want me to cool it for you first?”

Liam only stared at her sharply, silently telling her to stop smiling like that at his table.

Isabel looked at both of them. “You two are funny. So different, yet somehow matching.”

“No, Mom,” Liam cut in quickly, almost choking on his coffee. “We are definitely not a match.”

Isabel smiled playfully. “I was only joking, Liam. Don’t be so tense.”