"NO!" "FU*K!" they exclaimed simultaneously, glaring at each other in frustration.
The girl who bumped into Liam picked up her phone, frantically trying to restart it. "God, no, no, no... Please start..." she muttered. She then turned to Liam, scolding him for the mess. Liam, however, just stared at her, dazed.
He was lost, drowning in her deep blue eyes, which reminded him of someone he had lost a long time ago. Her eyes were mysterious and captivating, bringing back memories he had buried deep in his mind and heart.
Seeing Liam's vacant expression, the girl waved her hand in front of his face, calling, "Hello, mister!" But he didn't respond. Frustrated, she stomped her foot and walked away.
Rayan came over and looked at the fallen water bottle and the dazed Liam standing there. He shook Liam by the shoulder, finally bringing him back to reality.
"What happened to you, man? Why are you standing here like that?" Rayan asked.
Instead of answering, Liam kept looking around as if searching for someone. Then he turned to Rayan and asked, "Where is she?"
Rayan, confused, asked, "Who are you talking about? There was no one here except you when I came."
"Liam, what happened?"
"I bumped into someone on my way back and... she has the same eyes as her," Liam said.
"Like whom?" Rayan asked.
"Aisha."
"What?"
"I'm not sure if it was her or someone who just looked like her," Liam said.
"But how can that be possible? She died years ago. You need to move on from that incident, brother," Rayan said.
But seeing how Liam kept looking around, searching for the girl, Rayan realized his friend didn't hear a word he said. He couldn't blame him; he knew Liam had been blaming himself for the incident that happened 15 years ago. It was one of the reasons they had come here to study, far away from home.
"Okay," Rayan said, "if what you said is true, we'll meet her again. We're not going anywhere, and this island isn't so big that you won't run into someone a second time."
"Come on, let's go," Rayan said, putting his hand on Liam's shoulder and guiding him back to the tent.
"By the way, how is Lily?" Liam asked.
"Don't worry, she's fine now. After you left, we found a bottle of water under the pillows," Rayan said.
"Dude, where did you go to get water? It's been so long," Vickey said as they neared the tent.
"Nowhere, there was too much of a rush, so I got stuck," Rayan replied for Liam. Then, without giving them time to ask more questions, he said, "Are you guys done? Let's go. It's already late, and we have college tomorrow."
"Yes, let's go," Alex said, getting up. The others followed.
----
On the other side…
"Hey Lea, what happened? Why do you look so angry?" William asked.
"How else do you expect me to look? Some jerk out there bumped into me and spilled water all over my phone. Instead of apologizing, he just stared at me like he'd seen a ghost," Lea said, still trying to get her phone to work.
Seeing her frustrated expression, William said, "It's okay, chill. It's just a phone. We'll get a new one. Don't spoil your mood over such a small issue. We're here to unwind before your college starts tomorrow."
"Yeah," Lea said with a sigh, putting her phone in her bag. She walked towards a food truck with William.
Liam stepped forward wordlessly. He knelt, lifting the bundle out with surprising care. Up close, the box looked even more alien, its edges seamless, its surface etched with that old royal crest so finely it almost seemed to breathe under the soft terrace light.As Liam held it, a faint pulse of familiarity brushed the back of his mind — a flicker, like a forgotten dream he couldn’t quite catch. He frowned, fingers drifting over the delicate engravings.Sharon’s voice snapped him out of his thoughts, oblivious to the storm flickering behind his eyes. She brushed off her hands and nudged him with her elbow.“See? Told you it’s impossible to open. Believe me, I tried hammers, acid, enchantments and even bribed a shady locksmith once. Useless.”But before she could finish her triumphant rant, Liam moved. Almost without thought, he crossed to the stone table at the terrace’s centre. He laid the box down gently, then h
A gentle voice drifted in from behind them at that moment “Why, in the gods’ names, are you all laughing like a pack of drunk hyenas?”Liam’s head whipped around so fast he nearly toppled off the fountain’s ledge. Gracefully walking towards them on the lantern-lit path was Elena with an elegant brow arched. A stray curl fell over her forehead, making her look far too lovely for Liam’s sanity.As she drew closer, Liam sprang to his feet and offered his hand to her with exaggerated gallantry “It’s nothing darling, they are just pulling my leg” he said, shooting a glare at his so-called friends. As Elena slipped her hand into his, he added quickly, “Come, sit here with me—”But Elena halted him with a light touch to his chest “No, I can’t stay. I just got a call from Master Kai, I have to leave now, there’s some work to handle.”Liam’s face fell immediately,
The rest of the event unfolded exactly as it should have… elegant, filled with laughter and warm words.When the final toast was raised beneath a canopy of lanterns swaying gently in the twilight breeze, Elena and Liam slipped away from the endless line of well-wishers to join their closest friends by the secluded fountain courtyard.The air smelled of blooming night jasmines; gentle music drifted from the main garden. Edward and Elizabeth were laughing over some childhood story; Cassandra and Alistair bickered playfully over wine at a distance while Alisha leaned close to Ria, whispering something that made her giggle behind her hand.Liam sat with Elena tucked easily against his side on the wide stone ledge of the fountain. She toyed with his fingers idly, smiling at something Cassandra said about her brother’s dancing.But then Elena rose lightly, brushing a kiss to Liam’s temple. “Excuse me for a moment, I need to use the powe
The Queen Mother shook her head, fondness warming her features as she regarded the young woman before her.“You remind me of your mother and Elizabeth when they were of your age,” the older queen murmured, her voice pitched for Elena alone “But far braver than they ever dared to be. May the gods keep your courage strong, child.”“Thank you, Your Majesty” Elena’s smile softened, and she dipped her head once more in respect. Then, catching a familiar ripple of deep laughter over her shoulder, she turned slightly and there he was.Liam, freshly bathed and roguishly handsome in his formal attire, hair still damp at the temples, strode through the canopy’s entrance. His eyes, searching the garden, found Elena’s at once, and the mischief that flared there nearly made her cheeks betray her all over again.Alistair followed her gaze and let out a knowing huff of amusement “Ah… and here comes your
“Mine…” he growled softly, every kiss sealing that promise into her skin “Only mine…”Elena’s soft gasp turned into a half-laugh, half-whimper as his lips marked a slow, heated path down her neck. She clutched at his shoulders, eyes fluttering shut when he found that tender spot just above her collarbone, the place he knew made her forget the world existed.“Liam…” she breathed, though it came out more like a plea than a scolding.“Mmh?” he hummed against her skin, mouth curving into a wicked smile that she could feel rather than see.“Stop— wait—” she managed, but any protest dissolved when he nipped lightly at her pulse, then soothed it with his tongue. The sensation made her knees weaken and a soft, helpless sound escaped her throat.When he finally lifted his head, his eyes were dark, pupils blown wide with possessive heat. Her own reflection trem
Louis, who had lingered nearby with arms folded, watched the tender moment with a grin tugging at his lips. He let the silence settle like a blessing over the garden before clearing his throat deliberately.“Alright, sentimental uncle,” he drawled, mischief dancing in his tone, “you’ve stolen enough of my daughter’s peace for now. Go wash off the dust before you frighten the nobles, the ceremony is about to begin.”Liam lifted his gaze, scowling playfully at his brother “Yes, yes, Lord Father-Hen. Don’t glare, I’m going.”Louis just chuckled and clapped him on the shoulder once more, pushing him gently toward the main corridor that led his room in the manor.Reluctantly, Liam rose to his feet, casting one last glance at the sleeping baby and the proud mother beside her before turning away, boots silent now against the marble floors polished for the celebration.He tugged at the collar of h