Chapter 2 - Love Drug

Lara's POV

"W-What do you mean?" I asked him nervously, but he looked away and spoke again.

"Okay! I remember now. Thank you for that information. I'll send the email later."

I frowned because of what he said. That's when I realized that he was wearing wireless earphones and was talking to someone on his phone. I breathed a sigh of relief because of this.

After a while, he finished talking, looked at me again, and frowned.

"Why are you standing there? Come here," he commanded.

I sighed. I smiled and walked towards him, swaying my hips.

"I'm home, honey! I'm sorry, I thought you were busy, so I waited for you to finish talking on the phone," I said to him.

I sat on his lap and touched his cheek. Claire told me that she's a sweet woman to her husband, even though he doesn't show any affection for her.

My heart almost stopped beating when Liam looked at me with his sharp eyes. He didn't even touch my waist while I was sitting on his lap. He just stared at me as if he were disgusted.

"I've told you many times that I don't want you to sit on my lap, haven't I?" Liam protested my action.

He grabbed my arms and forcefully lifted me away from him. He pulled a swivel chair and made me sit there. I raised my eyebrow and flipped my hair.

"You're always doing that," I said, annoyed at what he did.

He didn't answer me. He turned back to his laptop and started typing.

"I want you to get ready because in the first week of next month, we're going to a party. My brother Calvin will be there, and he said he'll introduce us to the company's future business partners. I have no idea why I have to bring you, but he said so."

I felt nervous, Claire didn't mention that party, and what I should do.

"Is there something wrong?" Liam asked me when he noticed that I was silent.

I gave him a smile and shook my head.

"No! Nothing," I replied, then stood up gently. "I'll go back to my room," I said to him.

I looked back at him before I left the room, but he didn't look at me. His eyes were cold and didn't show any emotion.

I left the room with a blank mind and confused by his actions.

'He's handsome, but arrogant. He doesn't even give his wife time. If I get married? I'll make sure that my husband won't be like him.'

***

A few weeks later, everything went well. As time went on, I felt like I was forgetting who I was or who Lara was. I was slowly starting to feel like I was becoming Claire.

Light started to fill the surroundings, and morning arrived. I slowly opened my eyes when the rays of light hit me. I slowly got up, looked around, and felt empty. I'm still here. Another day of pretentiousness. Being an impostor is not easy.

After I got ready, I left the room and went to the garden. As I was walking, I didn't expect to see Liam. He was walking as if he were thinking about something. He looked around while his lips had a little smile.

I don't know why, but when I saw those smiles, I felt my heart lighten. I was amazed by his attractive appearance and silently admired everything about him.

I quickly shook my head.

'What am I thinking? Am I going crazy? He has a wife!' I said to myself.

But I couldn't deny the rapid beating of my heart whenever I saw Liam.

As I watched him walk, I saw Liam holding a rose, which made my lips curve upwards. But after a while, he closed his eyes tightly when the rose thorn pricked his finger. My eyes widened when I saw it. I ran towards him without having a second thought.

"Are you okay?" I asked him, then grabbed his finger.

I squeezed his finger to make his wound bleed. It's a good thing I have a handkerchief in my pocket. I grabbed it and tied his finger.

"Why weren't you careful?" I said as I bandaged his finger.

"Why are you trembling?" he asked me, causing me to stop what I was doing.

I raised my head, and our eyes met. I swallowed hard when I saw that he was looking directly at me. I felt like I would melt under those stares.

I quickly avoided his gaze and blinked my eyes rapidly. I don't know why, but I felt a warm feeling in my heart. I let go of his hand and stepped back a little. His eyes didn't leave mine as he looked at me with confusion.

"You weren't like this before, were you?" he asked several questions that made me more confused.

I turned my back on him and was about to walk away, but my eyes widened when he grabbed my arm and forced me to face him.

When I turned around, his face was inches from mine. I could feel his warm breath on my face. His eyes were like a burning fire searching for an answer.

"Claire, I noticed the little changes in your behavior. Did something happen?" he asked again, as if he wanted to expose me.

I looked straight into his eyes and formed a smirk on my lips. I put my index finger on his chest and made a circular motion as if teasing him.

"Everyone can change if they want. How about you? When are you going to change for me, Liam?" I asked him, making his facial expression change and become annoyed.

He let go of my arms and pushed me away from him. Claire was right, Liam doesn't like to be teased and has a short temper.

Because of what I did, I had the chance to get away from that situation. For now, I need to be extra careful, so he doesn't suspect me.

***

I breathed a sigh of relief when I got back to my room. I felt like I couldn't go out anymore because my world was getting smaller and smaller.

Moments later, my thoughts were interrupted when I saw my phone light up. My eyes widened when I saw my mother's doctor calling me, so I immediately answered.

"H-Hello, doctor?"

"Ms. Lara, I just wanted to let you know that your mother's several operations were successful. She's doing well, and she'll wake up anytime sooner," the doctor explained in a rush.

Tears started to stream down my cheeks when I heard that good news. Finally, my sacrifices were not wasted.

"Thank you, I will visit soon," I replied to him, then hung up the phone.

I wiped my tears vigorously because people inside the mansion shouldn't see my weakness. But at least, I'm happy with the news I found out.

But days passed, and I didn't visit the hospital. I don't know how to leave this mansion because I'm afraid that Liam will find out the truth.

***

I was facing the mirror, applying red lipstick to my lips. It's been a month since I stayed in this house, and it feels like a prison to me.

Tonight is the Watson's Gathering and Liam said he's going to introduce me to everyone there. I'm going to pretend again, and in front of many people.

"Ma'am, excuse me. Sir Liam is waiting for you," a maid called to me from outside the door.

I took one last look in front of the mirror. I barely recognize myself with the amount of makeup I'm putting on.

"I'm done," I announced and then got up slowly.

I left my room and went to the mansion's parking lot. There, Liam was waiting for me while sitting inside the car that would take us to the party.

We were quiet the whole way, as if we weren't a married couple, until after a few minutes, we arrived at the hotel.

When we got there, I felt dizzy from the number of people around. Everything is luxurious and glamorous. All the wealthy and powerful people are at this party.

I unconsciously grabbed Liam's arm as if I was a scared cat. He noticed it and ignored it.

"I'm glad you came, Sir Watson," said a man who approached us.

He gave Liam a glass of wine and handed me one. I smiled at him and slightly raised my glass. He also gave me a little smile. Liam accepted the glass with wine, but he didn't even give a smile. The man in front of us seemed embarrassed as he cleared his throat. After a while, his gaze turned to me, and he smiled.

"I guessed this is your wife?" the man said.

At that moment, I felt Liam's grip on my hand tighten and he glared at the man.

"You're blocking our way," Liam threw those words at one of the richest men in our country.

I just stared at what he did and started walking when Liam pulled me. The man was left standing there.

"I thought you wanted to introduce me to people?" I asked him.

"Yes. But not to him," he replied.

Moments later, we heard his phone ring. Liam's brow furrowed when he saw his brother's name.

I sip a small amount of wine before I put it on the round table where we were.

"Where are you?" he asked irritated to the man on the other line.

"Sorry, something came up and I can't go," the man replied before hanging up the phone.

"Hello? Hello?!" Liam yelled angrily. "F*ck that guy! Is this a set-up?" Liam yelled when he realized that his brother had set him up.

Out of anger, he gulped down a glass of wine that the man had given him earlier.

I crossed my arms and looked at him.

"So, what's your plan?" I asked.

He set the glass down on the table and loosened his tie.

"We're going home," he answered.

But after a few minutes, I noticed something strange about his actions. Even though I didn't mention it, I also felt my body slowly heating up.

Liam was sweating profusely, and he had been pulling at his tie for a while now.

"Liam, are you okay?" I asked him.

"I-I'm fine," he said while looking around.

We'd been calling the driver for a while now, but he still wasn't there. I noticed the redness on Liam's face, and I started to suspect something.

I took the glass he was holding earlier and secretly smelled it. My eyes widened when I realized what was put in Liam's drink, then I looked at my glass, which now had only a little bit left.

'I-I know this smell. It has an aphrodisiac substance... A-A love drug?'