Real With You

Aria’s POV:

It was extremely hard trying to lie to yourself, but it was even harder to make a stranger feel you can’t do without him.

Right now, Liam was just another stranger in my life… someone I meet during one of my tough times, and we don’t bond, we don’t argue… We just go our separate ways.

“I have no idea what you are talking about.” I cleared my throat and tried to switch the topic. “You said I was fake, so why read my book?”

Liam picked up the book. “This is the only one I find interesting,” he stated, and it made no sense; I wrote that book years ago when I thought it was fun.

I had no plans of publishing; all I wanted was to write a story and to appreciate the hero who showed up in my life during my darkest moments.

It didn’t make much sense. “Okay. It seems you have no interest in paying up, so I will leave.”

He nodded, his gaze on the book. He was back to his reading while I was still present; this was my cue to leave.

I stood up and spotted his box of unpacked stuff. “Do you still need my help with unpacking?” I questioned, but he shook his head in denial.

“I won’t be here for long,” he replied, and I clenched my fist. Will he keep leaving? 

“Okay,” and then I held the doorknob to leave.

“Do you need a ride back home?” Liam questioned, and I nodded excitedly; at least he still cared about such basic things.

Oh wait, I wasn’t going back to my apartment, and all hell will break loose if Father sees Liam drop me off. “No… I won’t trouble you.”

Then I hurried out and scanned the place, which was just so quiet.

I wasn’t going to spot a cab, so I had to book one. After I was done booking an Uber, I kept walking down the street while counting the minutes.

I was counting every second because right now I needed to get my mind to stop thinking about Liam.

“Ahh,” I jolted when a car honked behind me. I swiftly turned to find a sports car, and the driver was no other than Liam.

I clenched my fist. Was he trying to give me high blood right now? For a moment, I thought I was going to get hit by a car.

He walked down the car, walked to the other side, and pulled the door open. “Get in, Burgundy.”

I scoffed, folded my arms below my bosom…I don’t take orders from him.

“Get in the car, Burgundy,” he said with a serious tone. It seemed he was running out of his patience, which was definitely none of my business because I didn’t ask him to drop me off.

But the cab will be here only in thirty minutes; that is too much time to wait.

I gave up, walked to the car, and got in before he closed the door. He got in and tightened his seat belt; I did the same before he drove out.

“I…I am not going to my apartment,” I said, and he nodded. “To my parents.”

“Okay,” he answered without a slight change in expression. The ride to my parents’ place was more than three hours, so did he really want to drive there?

Well, it was his choice.

“Why are you at your parents’?” He asked suddenly, and I bit my lip. How do I explain to him that my father was pissed about my choices in life and that’s why he asked me to move in?

“Because I love them,” I answered sarcastically, and he chuckled, then returned his attention to driving.

“How about you?” I questioned.

“I don’t live with my parents,” he answered jokingly, and I smacked my lips; he knows what I am talking about.

“I mean, you just returned to the country, and the first place you went to wasn’t to see your parents.”

“No reason,” he replied without even thinking for a swift moment.

“Your place is warm,” I complimented. It was small but warm… It was filled with books, unpacked boxes, and a mini kitchen.

Even his bedroom was great; the window view was trees, which assisted with the natural fresh air.

“To be honest, I never expected a man like you to choose such an accommodation,” I added. I expected him to live in a mansion…with stairs and probably five bedrooms.

A vast kitchen, balcony and all.

“Don’t we all live according to our incomes?” He stared at me, and I felt the urge to roll my eyes.

He wants me to believe his income could only afford such a place?

“I was present when you earned 100,000 for just a case,” I reminded him, and it was low pay because they were friends. I can’t imagine how much he earns in Italy.

He neither refuted nor agreed; he just kept driving without uttering a word.

The ride was silent for more than an hour; I just kept admiring the outside view when my phone rang. It was Father.

I felt a sudden rush of blood before staring at Liam, who was busy driving. “Hello, Father,” I said once the call got connected.

“Aren’t you done with your work?” He inquired, and I cleared my throat.

“I am done… I am on my way home.”

“Okay, take care,” he said, then hung up. Did he just call to inquire where I was?

Now I wonder how I will get to attend Julian’s party tonight. Why did I have to say yes?

“Liam,” I called, and he threw a glance my way. “So…hum, I will be attending Julian’s party tonight.”

He stared at me for a while before he scoffed, “Those aren’t your type of parties, baby girl.”

“What do you know about my type of parties?” He spoke as if he knew me so well.

“Calm, classic ball gowns…exquisite wine. Stop me when I am wrong…” He kept going on and on, and I hated the fact that he was right.

Those were the types of parties I always attended, but I loved the celebratory party they did for Salmon.

“I really loved the celebratory party,” I muttered.

“So I am sure I will love this as well.” 

“Have fun,” he added, brushed the topic under the bus, and now silence enveloped us again.

“Can I be honest with you?” I asked, rubbing my palms nervously, “If I tell you something from my heart, then you will have to tell me one as well.”

A smile curved on his lips. “Okay, Burgundy.”

I didn’t know if it was worth saying this, but I needed to because he has no idea how he hurts me with his nonchalance.

“You know… I might be a meticulous person to others, but…but whenever I am with you, I get to be just a girl.”

It was always about me being perfect; I just want to be respected and not be called names by everyone.

I don’t want to look disrespectful or un-kept. I don’t even pout or whine, but I find myself doing all that with Liam. I just want to be real when with him.

And now there was a weird silence. I stared out of the window and realized we were a few blocks from my parents' place.

“I will drop,” I said. It was awkward enough that he didn’t say anything after I told him such; I just wanted to get away now.

Liam parked the car. I pushed the door, but it was locked. “I will pick you up for the party,” he said, and my gaze got locked with his.

He leaned forward and cupped my face in his hands. “I am supposed to tell you something from my heart, huh?”

I nodded; that was the deal, and my toes curled… I was holding my breath because of how he stared at me, like I mattered a lot, and he touched me so gently.

“You are pretty, Aria Nicole.”

I felt my ears turn warm and smiled lightly; he wasn’t trying to flatter me… He really thought I was pretty.

“So will you please give me your number?”

I chuckled and nodded vigorously. Of course I will.