Chapter 7

Briar’s POV

“Is there something that I am missing, Briar?” Liam inquired calmly.

I cleared my throat loudly, “You aren’t missing anything, Liam. I just don’t think I want to relocate to somewhere like Atlanta. I would just rather be here. You can assign someone else to the project.”

Liam tapped his feet on the floor, moving his head slowly as if listening to some music. The silence was beginning to get on my nerves, I could feel my insides churning. The atmosphere in the room went from cheery to gloomy. I want to leave and just get a moment to myself, but I can’t, not yet.

“Briar, do you remember the day I found you creating a mood board?” he asked.

I remember the day like it was yesterday. That was a defining moment in my life that has led me to this point I am at. “I do.”

“You had made a mind-blowing mood board out of nothing. Just scraps that you found around the house. from the color palettes to the fabric sample, I almost couldn’t believe it. I was on the verge of reshuffling my staff and starting all over again because nothing was working. But your fresh ideas helped Ford interior stand out again. We wouldn’t be here without you. Why then would you want to throw away such a huge opportunity to get known to the world?”

“I can just work here and help out in any way I can.”

“Does that sound right to you?” he retorted still in a calm manner.

“I..I just would take anywhere else but Atlanta.”

“Is there something there that you are running away from? Because I do not think it is worth hiding away seeing how much you have been able to do for yourself.” Liam huffed, “But you know what? I cannot tell you how to live your life. I just hope you don’t end up with so many regrets in the years to come. You have three days to reconsider, let me know what your decision is afterwards.”

I got up gingerly with a slight nod. “Thank you.” I mouthed, excusing myself.

I couldn’t stay with the others to party, my mind was jumbled with heavy thoughts. Driving down the road that leads home, I chewed on my tongue. My heart ached as the thoughts settled in my head. It's been five whole years already, yet I am haunted by the memories it holds.

“Mummy!” Knox's ever lively voice called out to me as I got out of the car and entered the house. He jumped at me almost making me trip, but I have gotten used to his jumps and gathered enough strength from visiting the gym constantly to not be caught off guard anymore.

“How is my prince doing?” I cooed, plastering his small face with kisses. His beautiful laughter rang in my ears soothing the storm inside me.

“I am fine, mummy. See what I drew for my school project.” He put his drawing sheet in my face.

I held him closer and took the paper to see what he had on. Three adult figures were flanking his own little figure on both sides. “Oh, who are these?”

“our family. Me, you, daddy, and Aunt Gina.” He grinned, his face a reflection of the one that I have been struggling to forget.

“Do you mean Uncle Liam? I have told you to stop calling him daddy.” I corrected.

Gina, his nanny chuckled behind. “He has been so excited about it since he returned from school.”

I held up a tight smile, ruffling his hair. “Oh my goodness! I didn’t realize I had a Picasso in the making. This is so brilliant, baby.”

“Do you think Daddy would like it?” I cut him a side glare and he grinned sheepishly. “I mean, Uncle Liam. " Will he come by the house for dinner?” he asked with his innocent eyes searching mine for an answer.

Knox usually goes on the daddy spell whenever they have something to do in school that requires involvement from both parents. I wish I could caution the teacher to stop involving my son in the whole father, mother, and child family affair, but that would be silly of me. Rather than respond, I glanced over at Gina. She knows the drill.

“Come on now, baby. Let mum go and take a bath while we prepare dinner. She has had a long day, she needs to rest.” Gina said, taking him from my arms. “What should we prepare for dinner?”

“Pasta!” Knox yelled in delight, forgetting about the question he was asking.

“Thank you,” I whispered to her in gratitude.

Walking into my room, I tossed my jacket and bag onto the couch stumbling towards the bathroom. Just as I took off my shirt, the deep scar on my chest came to light. It is the physical reminder of the accident I had five years ago that could have taken my life. I had opened my eyes to find myself in a hospital room while being tied to several tubes to keep me alive.

The first thing I asked about was my child. The doctors admitted he was a fighter and had remained safe during the time I was unconscious. The doctor said I was lucky there was no direct abdominal trauma, if not I would have lost my precious child.

Liam was the one who had helped me out of the car before it went up in flames. That was how I met the one who turned my life around. With everything that had happened and my determination to never return to the life I was running away from, I didn’t hesitate to pick up another surname when I was asked my name.

Briar Smith felt perfect. When Liam inquired if I had any family, I told him I was an orphan who had fallen into the wrong hands of love and had fallen pregnant. Thankfully, he never asked me any more questions.

He housed, fed, and clothed me without blinking an eye. Six months after my arrival just as I was planning to get a job. He asked me to be a part of his company, Ford's interior design, which seemed to be on the verge of changing its route. Despite his own woes, he didn’t mind spending so much money to ensure my child and I lived well. I had always been interested in interior design, and I created mood boards for fun to keep myself busy.

My mum wouldn’t allow me to pursue the interest because she didn’t think it would make me attractive to the pool she wanted me to swim in. I am glad I didn’t listen to her and kept creating regardless.

Liam discovered my skill and took me under his wing as a junior designer. I also proved myself by working as hard as I could. He was certain I would go places. I can’t thank him enough for everything he has done for me and for believing I could be something more.

When I gave birth to Knox, he ensured I didn’t lack anything. He has been a constant figure in Knox's life, but I have been careful enough not to make the little one think Liam is his father. But he hardly listens to me and Liam doesn’t seem to have a problem with him being called dad.

On some occasions that require an older male figure, Liam is always available to take him. I will eventually address the father topic with Knox. I intend to let him know he has no father when he is old enough to understand the concept.

I had sworn I would never step foot into Atlanta until my dying days. But here is an opportunity of a lifetime. Liam is right. I have no reason to refuse this offer. Atlanta is a big city, chances are I would never encounter the people from my past. Moreover, I am dead to them just as they are dead to me. Why should I care or even think about those pathetic folks? I am no longer that timid girl from five years ago. I am a grown woman with fulfilled dreams now. This is a fresh start, a life of unimaginable exploration. A life that would help Knox experience the best of everything.

Taking in a deep breath, I let the thoughts sink in. Afterwards, I put my shirt back on and headed to the living room to talk to Knox. He seemed quite busy helping Gina arrange the veggies.

I leaned onto the kitchen island, beaming at him. “Hey, baby.”

“Hi, mummy.” He grinned.

“I have some news to share.” I said, gesturing for him to sit facing me. “What do you think about moving to another state? A nicer city than we are in now. We would have a bigger house, a new school that you will love so much.”

Knox furrowed his brow and I would have cowered away at the resemblance if I hadn’t strengthened my mind to get used to it by now. The resemblance is uncanny. “What about my friends?”

“You will make more friends in your new school, baby. Also, I can get you more toys and a truck if you want. We can travel to all those places you like to watch on TV. If we move, Mummy will have more money to do that if we move. And don’t forget the truck.” I said, biting down on my lip, hoping he was convinced.

I promised myself not to be like my mother who makes her decisions without consulting the child first. Even though he is young. I want him to know his opinion counts.

At the mention of the truck his eyes lit up in delight. “Really, mummy? You will get me the truck?”

“Yes, baby,” I replied and he stood on the kitchen island, wrapping his little arms around my neck. I laughed loudly, not minding the slight suffocation.

“Thank you, mummy.” He cooed.

“You are welcome, my love,” I mumbled in relief, patting his hair down.

Knox's excitement makes me feel more hopeful and determined. My baby deserves to see the world beyond his birthplace. What is the worst that can happen? There is no way I would bump into any of them. It's a one percent chance in a hundred. I chose to sit with the ninety-nine percent remaining possibility of that never happening.