Chapter 26

ANOTHER SHORT TIME

Diane’s P.O.V.

I ended up averting my eyes because I did not know what to say. I was lost for words. With the excessive sound of my heartbeats, it felt like my chest was about to explode.

Why is he like that? Oh my God! I am still alive right now, but why does it feel like I could no longer breathe anymore? Does it mean that Liam was not in a relationship too?

God knows that he was more than qualified to woo and pursue me, but what about his brother? With Leandro’s temper, everything between Liam and I was truly impossible.

“Tonight, I will go to Lucy’s Club and watch you.” Liam almost whispered.

He made me look at him again with that statement. He stole me a glance for a quick moment, but with that, I knew for sure that I saw a strange spark in his eyes even though I was not able to answer his last question about courting me.

Wait, is he even serious?

“Oh! D-Don’t bother, Liam. I was only kidding when I told you to go there. Also, you are not suitable to go to those places,” I told him perplexedly.

At this time, I was not sure if I would feel awkward or pleased. Mixed emotions were overflowing inside me. For the first time, I even became conscious regarding my pole dancing ability.

I suddenly thought that I might end up ruining the stage, or I would not be able to balance myself on top of the pole with Liam watching me. For the first time in my two years of being the star dancer, I got scared of performing.

“I insist. But why wouldn’t I fit into that kind of place, Diane? Wasn’t I also there last night?” He reminded me.

“Ah, right! By the way, why are you there if you don’t mind me asking?” I asked nosily.

Are you following Leandro? I would like to add, but I stopped myself from prying too much.

“Hmm, the club was just the opposite of Delgz Service and Repair, where I had an appointment. But the parking space was already full there, so I parked at the club yesterday. The document I was waiting for came out at around nine-thirty in the evening. But you know what? I was lucky because I only parked at Lucy’s Club, yet I met a charming woman in an instant. And not only that, I was able to be with her throughout the night. I guessed I have to believe in fate now.”

He looked at me and smiled. It caused a strange heat not only around my face but also in my entire body.

That smile with his stunning dimple truly made my day, with him just doing nothing. It was as if I wanted to see it more frequently. It brought me good vibrations and too much positivity I could get lost with until I already forgot what Liam stole from me this morning.

Responding through a candid smile, it felt like I was swaying on cloud nine. I kept smiling until I totally forgot all my thoughts. Although there would be no certainty that the two of us would meet again, I did not know, but I was still delighted. Contentment was whirling inside my chest.

Blissful to meet Liam, I knew that he would forever be a part of my life even if we would never meet again. If our accidental meeting last night had led him to believe in fate, then I always believed in fate whatever life threw at me.

“So, is this your house?” he asked after he parked in front of the brown railing-styled gate.

With a floating mind, I thought that I wasn’t living here. But I realized that we were actually in front of our gate after my second glance. I was here, but my mind already went somewhere far. “Oh! Sorry, Liam. Yeah, this is already our house!”

Our brown railings were supported by two pillars tiled in mixed white and peach marbles. There were gate lamps attached just above the two posts. There was a little garden, together with a few plants that could be seen alongside a small garage, although we didn’t have a car. Dad made this garden because Mom was quite fond of raising different types of plants such as lucky bamboos, potted orchids, peace lilies, palms, and jade plants.

I guessed I couldn’t help myself to be lost again in Liam’s marvelous dimple. If given the chance, I would like to squeeze his face so hard that he would not look handsome in the eyes of other people. But I just prepared myself to get out of his car and became flippant with my thoughts.

Liam was unquestionably rich. He could change his cars as often as he changed his clothes. But I was more comfortable here than in the car we used last night. Of course, my favorite color was red, so I liked this one better than the black. Kidding aside, I didn’t even know who brought this to him, perhaps his assistant whom he called last night.

“So, is this goodbye?” he asked quietly.

Although I wasn’t looking at him, I could feel that sadness crept upon his voice. I ended up biting my lower lip while feeling a twinge of sorrow too.

What should I tell him? Is this really goodbye for us? Would I accept the fact that we might never meet again after this?

But my heart was too stubborn to accept what my mind was thinking. “Hmm, not yet. You should come inside, let’s go?” I knew my eyes were glistening while looking at his handsome face.

A hint of shock flashed beneath the surface of his saddened expression with what I said, and that might be the number one reason why he could not speak. I didn’t know what came through me though, that I offered him to get in. All I knew was if I would not voice it out, then it would only make me go crazy.

Having no power to predict what he might think about it, I knew within myself that I still wanted to be with him, even just for a minute. And I would use every second of this opportunity as extended as to what it seemed—longer than I could ever imagine.

I would love to spoil another short time with him that I could treat as a lifetime.

“Hey, Liam! Are you that surprised by what I’ve said? Don’t worry, I’ve invited you as a friend, and I won’t lure you here or trap you in that so-called shotgun wedding! Maybe, if Dad was still alive, it could be possible. Knowing how I spent the night outside with a stranger like you? He might have immediately pointed his gun on your head, and you might not be able to get out of this car alive.”

It was supposed to be a joke, but tears immediately welled up in my eyes when I suddenly remembered my late police father. I just blinked my eyes a few times and glanced above so that my tears would not stream down my face.

I might not have shown it because I had to look strong from the outside, but the pain was still fresh like everything happened just yesterday. And what was even more hurtful was the fact that Dad was criticized, instead of being honored, at the time of his death.

“That’s not what I was thinking, Diane. I’m just afraid that I might get used to being here. Don’t be sad anymore, okay? I hate to see you like this.” He gently cupped my face while looking at me intently.

“I’m sure wherever your dad was, he was so proud of you for being a responsible and filial daughter who replaced him to run this family. I’ll accept the offer, but I won’t stay long. I’m going to the office because I still have lots of work to do. Wait here,” he emphasized before he slightly caressed my hair, got out of the car, and turned around to open the door beside me.