Give Me Your Number

Aria’s POV:

“Trust me, you will enjoy the night. It’s just a celebratory party for our friend Salmon,” Julian added.

Oh, they were throwing a party because he won the case, but what will I be doing there? I don’t even know anyone.

He wrote the address, his contact number, and his account number before handing the paper to me. “If you choose to show up, then here is the address; call me once you are there.”

“But if not, then just wire the money to my account.” He stood up, straightened his suit, and joined Liam to go out of the court. Before Liam left, he stared at me with furrowed brows.

“Aria,” I heard Caleb call. Everyone was exiting the hall, and he must have spotted me on his way out.

I stood up and noticed Liam was still staring at me. I walked to Caleb, who looked exhausted. “Why are you here, Aria?” he asked.

“To watch a case,” I answered, and his gaze was focused on someone behind me. I turned to find Liam still standing there, having a conversation with Julian.

“Did you come because of him?”

“You still haven’t told me why you had his shirt. Why did he show up at your parents’ place?” Caleb questioned in a low tone, and I appreciated the fact that he wasn’t trying to create a scene, but I owed him no explanation.

“Have a good day, Caleb.” I turned to walk away; he grabbed my arm and pulled me back to him. I scanned around and realized everyone was minding their business.

“What do you think you are doing?” I asked with raised brows; he had an apologetic look before letting me go.

“We just divorced yesterday, and it won’t make sense that you are trying to move on so fast; at least give us a try first.”

A try? I thought he understood clearly that I was done with him; there was no more us.

“Aria,” I heard someone call and turned to find Julian now standing beside us. “See you tonight,” he said with a grin before he winked at Caleb and left.

“Come with me.” Caleb grabbed my hand as I followed him out of the hall; we got to a quiet place, and I pulled my hand from him.

“Don’t ever drag me out like that,” I scolded, and he cupped my cheeks with his hands.

“I understand you are trying to hurt me, but don’t get close to Liam Styles and his friends.”

“You must think so highly of yourself, and I get close to whoever I want.”

Then I took a step back, and Caleb smacked his lips. “Do you really want to be friends with criminals?”

“He is a lawyer just like you, so why call him a criminal?” I raised an anxious brow, and his brow furrowed.

“Are you pretending to be foolish right now, Aria? No seriously, do you need a third party to let you know he and his friends are criminals?”

I folded my arm below my bossom and looked anywhere else but at him. I don’t care if they were criminals or not… They weren’t my friends and definitely not my business.

“That man just released a murderer into society.”

“Not my business,” I shrugged my shoulder, still not looking at him.

“Be careful, Aria; Liam is not all gentle as he looks. He is a lawyer who creates another believable story that matches every available piece of evidence and presents it to the court; he is a manipulative man.”

I bit my lower lip and finally moved my gaze to Caleb. “That just proves he is creative; maybe he should become a writer as well. Anyways, I have better things to do.”

I walked past him, wore my shades and hat, and quickly found my way to my car.

My steps halted when I noticed Liam leaning on his car, which was just next to mine. Why wasn’t he leaving?

I fished out my car keys and walked to my car, pulling the car door to get in when Liam pushed the door, causing it to close.

“Why did you make a bet with Julian?” he asked, and this man was really unpredictable; out of all the conversations I expected us to have at this moment, this was what he found fit to say.

“Because I wanted to.”

“Don’t worry about it; I will settle it. Don’t show up at the address he sent to you,” he said in an authoritative tone, not even allowing room for arguments as he turned his back to get to his car.

“Why will you settle for me? I made the bet and not you,” I stated. He turned to face me.

“I said I would settle it; don’t show up.”

“I don’t take orders from you,” I said with a stern look. He kissed his teeth and leaned on his car.

“Listen to me, Burgundy…”

“Don’t call me that,” I warned with clenched fists; it sounded like an insult to me… especially when he behaves like he doesn’t remember that night.

A smile crept onto his lips, and he dipped his hand in his pocket and retracted his phone. “Give me your number.”

I scoffed at his words. I should give him my number? He must be dreaming, “I won’t.”

“Give me your number.”

“I won’t,” I repeated while standing my ground.

“So you won’t give me your number?”

“No, I won’t.”

“Say that one more time.” He had a threatening look, but it had nothing on me. I said I wasn’t giving him my number, so I won’t.

“I am not giving you my number,” I said without stuttering. He chuckled and kept his phone.

“Aren’t you scared I might just give you a fake one? I mean, I am just a fake girl.”

Liam laughed and walked to me as I leaned back, then he pulled my car door open.

“Don’t show up for the party,” he added.

“I will,” I scolded and got in before he closed the door. At first I wasn’t going to show up, but now I was definitely showing up.

Who does he think he is, ordering me around