Chapter 6

"I was alone at home and scared. I called him again and again but no use. He didnt answer. I went to the main door and saw it was a little crack open. I walked to the main door and then went outside, first time alone.

There was no one outside too. Not even the aunty who would come to check on us. Not seeing anyone i walked out of the gate and it was a whole new world for me. I had never gone out. Jeffry won’t let me.

There were different vehicles, people, going everywhere. Shops, food points. There was sooooo much that attracted my attention. Without knowing anyway, I started walking in the streets. From one street into another. And I didnt know where I reached.

Until…

I heard someone calling me.

'What are you doing here baby'? He was a strange man.

'I am looking for my brother". I told him.

'Your brother. Ohh he is there at my shop. He was crying for you. Come baby. Let me take you to your brother'. He held my hand and i walked with him, not knowing my fate.

'I never saw my Jeffery. He promised me so many things. He got me food. Everything i asked, and toys too. And then he took me to a place saying it was late and he would take me to my Jeffery next day. It was late and i was tired so i fell asleep, on his shoulder. I didnt know it would wake me up to the worst mornings of my life'.

Liam fell silent. His eyes were disoriented, like he was lost somewhere. Lucas held him juice and let him lean in his embrace. He could only give him support. Emotional and physical.

"The morning was a beginning of an awful life. The said man was nowhere to be found. There were so many children. My age, younger and elder. I cried and cried for days. But i got no one to listen to me.

I have faint memories of doing all house chores. Being beaten up at any mistake. I would be locked up in a dark room. No food. Whiplashes. I dont even remember how i survived the hell.

One day, a couple came to adopt any child. And i though i was lucky to leave the place, less i knew, i was going to enter another hell, this time, legally.

For a few days they pampered me. They took me to places. They gave me food and all. They told i was 9 years at that time.

4 years, that’s how long i survived in the place they called an Orphanage.

They enrolled me in a school, and i was happy to make new friends, a new life. But everything comes with a price". Liam was sobbing hard in Lucas's chest and how Lucas wished to get each and every one of the people who hurt Liam and burnt them alive.

"Calm down boy. Calm down. It’s gone. They won’t come back to hurt you again. Relax. You want to go home"? Lucas was rubbing circles on his back.

"Please take me home. Please". Liam looked into his eyes with his own tear shedding ones. And Lucas was fast to wrap everything and drove them home. He bought take away lunch and asked Liam if he wanted to call Jeffery but he refused.

**********

"I was 11 I think". Liam started once they had their lunch and curled on the couch, Liam leaning on Lucas's chest, holding his hands.

"I was 11 I think when they first touched me. In a way I didnt like. I rejected their touches but instead of backing off, they got more aggressive, saying i need to pay them for everything they did for me. And i lost the count how many times i paid them with my body.

I wasn’t allowed to talk to anyone in the school, the only place, peaceful for me. How i wish i wouldn’t have to go back home.

And it continued. Every other night. They would abuse me to have fun. They would mock at me. Threat me. Won’t beat me but the pain was too much to bear.

When i was 14, i started working in a cafe. Part time job. An excuse to stay away from the house. In the beginning my foster parents opposed the idea, but then they saw me earning money. They let me work. And that was the first light of blessing.

But no. It was another trick the fate was playing with me.

One night, i was coming back from the cafe. Late night. Alone. And was just a block away when a group of drunkards attacked me. They took my money, mobile, and.... When they didnt find anything else. They raped me. 4 or 5 men.

They left me in blood and unconscious. My friend, who was coming after me, saw this and took me to his home. His parents were kind but they were afraid of being dragged in some rape victim case.

I spent a day to heal and then I came back to my house. When my parents came to know about the incident, they were furious. I had yet not healed from the previous ordeal and they .... They..."

"Ssshushhh. It’s okay boy. Its okay. Calm down". Lucas embraced him tightly. He was in tears himself. He was a fucking baby at that time. 15 years old.

"It’s okay baby, nothing to worry about. No need to speak. I will make sure those awful people who called themself as your parent will suffer hell. And from now, from today, you will no longer be a weak Liam. You will be strong. You will be guided. You will have anything and everything to live your life.

No one will dare touch you. I will make sure of it boy. I will". Lucas hugged him tight in his arms. He could hear Liam sobbing. But he knew that would be the last tears he would shed.

He didn’t panic, he didn’t stutter. He knew now Liam would be calm. His burden would be lifted off.

And that’s how it happened. As Lucas had predicted, Liam cried for a while and then the shine in his eyes was a proof that he wasn’t afraid of anything anymore.

*********

Liam fell asleep early in the evening. He was tired and emotionally drained. He was exhausted. Lucas made sure he was sleeping before he called Jeffery to come.

He was worried for Liam at first but then Lucas told him everything Liam had told him. By the end Jeffery was crying helplessly. His guilt was killing him again, only if he had not left Liam alone. But nothing could undo the past. They had to protect Liam now.

From the outside world and from themself too, and they know it would be impossible.

Now they had a whole plan. Lucas had arranged a car and a driver with his bodyguard. He also appointed few guard to scatter around in the University. He had talked to the Dean and being one of the Shareholders, it wasn’t difficult for him to convince them.

It just took him a cold smile, a bag full of cash and that’s it. Liam Michelle was enrolled under the guardianship of Lucas David, starting after one week…

For the coming week, Lucas took Liam for outings. He sent Liam to go without him or anyone with just few guards on his tail to guide him how to walk through crowds confidently.

For the first day Liam came back rather earlier, and he started crying in his arms. He was scared and too rigid to Lucas's liking. But then, with the guidance, he was able to panic less and less in the coming days. And Lucas was happy to see a confident Liam coming to the lounge, dressed up in neatly ironed Uniform for the first day of his Orientation.

"Are you ready baby"? Lucas placed his empty cup of coffee and stood up, followed by Jeffery and Parker.

"Yes Sir". By now Liam was used to the BABY call by Lucas but still he had to control a whole bunch of fluttering butterflies in his stomach.

"Come. Have breakfast. We will leave for University in half hour". He gestured him to start eating.

"You will come"? Liam said in excited tone.

"Just today, it’s your orientation day but always remember I am just a call away. Okay". Lucas ruffled his hair. "Don’t sulk now".

"Liam, baby. Here. Take this". Jeffery handed him some cash. He was just looking at him stupefied.

"Jeff, Lucas has already given me a lot. He has given me a card too. He gives me cash daily. And I don’t know where to use these". He said in a helpless tone making him jealous.

"Kiddo. It’s because he cares for you. It’s safe at home, even if you don’t keep them. But cash is good to keep in case you need in emergency. So keep some with you okay". Jeffery patted his shoulder.

"We can always go for opening a new account for you". Parker chirped in.

"Wow Parker. How come I didn’t think of the brilliant idea"? Jeffery said in a rather sarcastic tone and the table erupted into laughter.

"Because all you can think is to shove your dick in some hole". Parker retorted back making Liam choke on his juice but it didn’t stop him from laughing.

"Not any HOLE. Just one. And that’s..." Jeffery was cut short when Parker cupped his lips to restrain him from speaking.

"Aowh. Hehehheheh. My tummy. Hehehehehehe". Liam was giggling cutely holding his tummy and he was looking so utterly cute to Lucas that he had to ball his fists not to pinch his cheeks.

"Okay enough. Jeffery Parker, go to the office, I will join you guys after I drop him to the university. Liam I have sent you pictures and names of the guards scattered in the premises and your driver and personal security head to join you from today. Okay? In case anything happens, I am just a call away. No one would dare mess with you.

They all know who you are to me and they know really well who I am. Go and start a new life.

And oh Parker, call the bank, call the manager to meet me in the office with all required documents, most suitable to call him around 3. Pete, the driver will bring Liam direct to office. I have sent the car plate number too okay". He turned to Liam who nodded looking at the pictures Lucas had sent him.

"They all are scary". Liam said with a shudder.

"Because they are security guards baby Liam. Let’s go". Jeffery ruffled his perfectly gel sleeked hair and then styled them again clasping his hands as an apology.

**************

"Sir .... I am nervous". Liam tugged the sleeve of Lucas's shirt as they were waiting in the Dean's office for his schedules.

"There is no need to be worried Liam. Make friends. Enjoy your life and focus on studies. I believe Mr. Steph will help you if you need any help". His smile turned from sweet to commanding in seconds.

The Dean subtly nodded because Lucas had warned everyone not to disclose to Liam who he was.

"Ri... Right Liam. We are always here to guide you through. You can come direct to me if you need any help". He told Liam handing him his schedules and lectures.

"Sir, what we would do for the first week. They didn’t mention". Liam was looking the tables.

"It’s because first week is the orientation week. Your Mechanical classes will start next week. For the time being, you will be required to take a look around. You can always check the library, talk to the seniors to help you with your courses.

The first week is to familiarize you with the system and how we will move ahead. Yeah"? The Dean explained with a smile and that made Liam smile a bit.

"That means for the first week he will be free... By 12"? Lucas asked looking at his watch and the Dean nodded.

"Great. So you will be picked up at 12. Okay. Let’s go". Lucas nodded at the Dean while Liam bow down in respect and they left the office and finally the dean could breathe in relief.

He knew he had to make sure the boy, Liam was safe. Phew. He was scared of the cold looks by Lucas.

"Sir..." Liam giggled.

"Hmmmmm"? Lucas was amused to hear him giggle out of nowhere.

"You scared the Dean. Bad Sir". He complained yet giggling making Lucas chuckle too.

"Jokes apart baby. I have to make sure you are safe and secured when am not around.

Derek, come here". He called the head of security assigned for Liam.

"Baby he is Derek, your personal guard. Derek, protect him, keep him safe. One hair deshelved and you will lose your fingers. Got it. Give him space. Follow him but don’t meddle until he asks. He is your Boss now. Do you copy"? Lucas said in a stern cold tone.

"Roger Boss. Roger Boss Liam. Your safety is my life now". He bowed slightly.

Liam looked around and was embarrassed to see every one looking at the interaction. Some mocking, some glaring, some tease and some Awed.

"Sir. Everyone is looking at us". Liam whispered tugging his sleeves. Lucas looked around and his gaze was enough to shut every gossip.

"Don’t think about anyone. Pete will come to pick you exactly at 11.45. The same spot in the parking where I have parked today. It would be your spot from today. Come safe to me okay"? Lucas ruffled his hair before nodding Derek to call his men and guard him.

"I am nervous". Liam said in a low tone.

"Do you want me to stay"? Lucas sighed deeply. He wasn’t mad at him. He knew his insecurities.

"Yes sir. I want. But no I won’t ask. I know I shouldn't be dependent on you all the time right? I will pull through. I will come back to you soon". Liam held his hand and he could see Lucas smiling in proud.

"That’s my strong boy. I will wait for you. Bye baby". With that Lucas left in his car without turning back because he himself knew he would fall weak if he turned to look at Liam. He wasn’t confident to leave him alone but he had to do it.

----

Tabby