22

Iris Parker

Something has been weird with Liam these past few days. I can't seem to put my finger on it, but her was definitely acting weird. And that was why I called to meet Ezra and Mace up.

I always found it weird how those three could be friends. I mean, they were all so different and they all wanted things to turn out the way they want it to, it was just mind boggling that they can get along and not fight.

Never mind that last part, they were always fighting.

I sat at the cafe taking a sip of my iced coffee as I was thinking about these past few days. Liam was more... gentle. More caring? He already was for the most part, but this time he was being more protective.

The other night, I went to bed earlier because he was coming in late. I groggily woke up when he entered the room and I felt how he kissed my cheek. I was too sleepy to wake up fully though, but what he whispered woke my mind up.

"I'll do whatever it takes to keep you all safe. I love you."

I woke up slowly and asked him to repeat what he said but all he told me was that he loved me. That made my heart beat faster and shake my head and went back to sleep.

It was only till I woke up and thought about what he said and realized that he really had been acting weird.

He wasn't acting distant or anything, but he was spending less time with us. He said he was trying to fix something, but what that something was, he refused to tell. He would only smile and leave for work.

Still, even if he tells me not to worry and smile at me with that handsome smile of his, I can't help but worry. I know he's hiding something from me and I can't help but feel that he's in some sort of danger.

We were only starting out on this life of ours. I can't risk for this to end so soon already. I imagined this life to last. I didn't want to go back to the way it was before.

"Earth to Iris?" a familiar voice said. I looked up only to see Ezra and right behind him was Mace, carrying two drinks. I was guessing Ezra made him carry both of their drinks.

I smiled and it must have been contagious because they both smiled back. I stood up to hug them both. It has been a while since I've seen them. Precisely since... our move to the Venialgo mansion.

Liam had told me that they were busy in their lives too so they weren't able to come visit, but I was just happy that I'm seeing them again.

"I missed you both." I say excitedly. Being with these two, you will never have a dull moment. It will always be very fun.

They walked to the other side of the booth and sat down.

"Well, I don't see why. You have Liam, now." Mace said sarcastically. I snorted and threw him a tissue.

"Oh yeah, and last I heard you still have bad blood with my dear best friend, Xenia." I bit back. Now, Mace was usually the group's good vibes charger but when if you mention Xenia, he will immediately drain out of battery.

Let's just say they had a past...

Seeing that, both Ezra and I started laughing and Mace looked genuinely pissed.

"That's pretty low of you, Iris." he says and I shrugged in response.

"So why did you call us here?" Ezra started and lifted his coffee to his lips.

I panicked. Partly because it was Ezra and mostly because I felt like I was going to fail at my conquest. Although Liam, Ezra and Mace may argue a lot and have stupid fights, they knew a lot about each others' lives. And they're pretty secretive people with shady businesses, so that says a lot about their friendship.

I started playing with my cup, tapping my fingers against the plastic as I tried to calm my nerves. The two, however, seemed to be calm but I was sure they had an idea about what I was going to ask.

"Uhm, I don't know." I started and chuckled nervously. "I just--" I was stuttering badly. Ugh, I'm so bad with confrontations. "I just missed you two!" I ended up saying and laughing lowly.

I was expecting them to buy it, to smile even or just pretend that it was a good excuse.

"I'm pretty sure Liam has told you how of a terrible liar you are." Mace said.

"Can't you come up with a better excuse?" Ezra seconded.

My lips turned to a frown. Fine, I was a terrible liar and so what. Ugh, these two.

"Fine, fine. I was going to ask if you guys know what's happening with Liam lately." I said, showing that I was a bit insulted.

Mace started laughing, in revenge I'm sure. Ezra, on the other hand, kept a stoic face as if he was already expecting me to ask this question.

"What do you mean?" he asked. That made me feel more nervous. I mean what do I tell them? That I felt that Liam was in some sort of danger? That he was acting weird? That he was being overly protective?

I took a while to respond.

"I don't know... Lately he's been acting as if we're in some kind of danger and... I don't know. Is he in some kind of danger? Please, if you know, tell me. I want to help him too." I finally said my intentions. Mace was serious now too.

I could already see how displeased they were with what I said. Was there something wrong on trying to help my husband? If he really was trying to protect us, our family, then I should too. I couldn't just sit here and be protected.

"And what if he is? What will you do?" Mace asked. Again, I was always surprised when he used his serious tone.

I thought. And what? What can I do? Protect him? I will only get in his way. Unlike him, I don't know what kind of enemies he is fighting. Unlike him, I had no idea how to fight. But despite all that, I still want to help.

"H-help him. He doesn't have to do this alone." I hated how I sounded so weak although I wanted to sound strong. They both looked at each other for a second and turned back to me.

"I'm afraid that's where you're wrong Iris. You can't help him. He has to do this alone." Ezra started.

"There's a lot of things Liam has to deal with on his own. He's had a complicated life and I understand if he hasn't told any of it to you yet. He doesn't want you to know the things he's seen, the places he's been and the things he's done." Mace continued.

I felt like someone was stabbing my heart. Sure, I knew Liam had a dark life in which he's probably committed things I have no idea off. But what exactly has he done? What exactly does he have to deal with on his own? And why I can't help him with it?

He has helped my dad, my family. I wanted to be there for him now too.

They must have noticed that I was sinking in my thoughts because Ezra sighed shaking his head and Mace lightly chuckled.

"But don't worry, Iris. Even if he is in danger, we're here for him."

"We won't let him do anything stupid... although most of the things he does is stupid because he is stupid." Mace rolled his eyes for added effect.

I was shocked and relieved.

Perhaps I will never understand what keeps their friendship strong, but all I could feel about it was to be thankful.

After all, it's true. They were there for him, too. They were there when Jace was kidnapped, they've been through every high and low in Liam's life.

Seeing these two idiots in front of me, my worries lessened.

Iris Parker

"I heard you talked to Mace and Ezra." Liam whispered beneath me as I was fixing his tie before he went to work.

Those two big-mouthed idiots. Nothing ever remains secret between them three, huh.

I would have liked to pretend like I didn't hear him, but that was impossible since one; we were alone in our room and two, he literally said it in front of me. I felt his eyes following me, so I avoided them at all cost.

All of a sudden, I felt his arms encircling my waist and I was pulled close to him. It made my heart skip a beat and I hated how I was still so affected by the slightest of his touches when I should have been used to them by now.

I felt his kiss on the top of my head as he embraced me. "You don't have to worry about anything, Iris. I've got everything under control." he assured, but even I felt like he wasn't totally sure.

Finally, I looked up to him.

"I know... but--" he stopped me by holding both of my arms and making me look up to him firmly.

"I'll be fine. It's just some business issues. It'll be done soon, I'm sorry for worrying you." he said, but I knew that there must've been a lot more than what he was letting me see. Instead of retaliating, I nodded. I even smiled at him to assure him that I believed him.

"Sure, sure. Just be... careful." I said. He smiled back at me and my heart couldn't help but flutter. Honestly, how could a man like him even like someone like me? I doubt he was sane sometimes.

I'm sure there were other girls out there and I was just thankful that I was the one beside him right now.

His hold softened and the glisten in his eyes changed. A look I knew too well. Slowly, he leaned closer and I closed my eyes in cooperation. When I felt his breath close to me, I held my breath and prepared at what was to come.

"Mommy! Daddy! Jace wouldn't give me my toy! Can--" Jamie barged in the room, whining.

I pushed Liam away so fast and quickly looked at Jamie to see if he saw the scene.

Oh my gosh, he did.

He stood there, petrified, genuinely confused with what he just saw. Behind him, Jace and Jacob followed. They probably came to defend themselves, but seeing Jamie standing like a statue, they stopped too.

My cheeks were burning at this point and I threw a quick glare at Liam. Unfortunately, the bastard only laughed.

"Mommy, were you and daddy just about to--" I covered his mouth immediately so he wouldn't be able to say anything anymore. If the other two were to hear, we wouldn't hear the end of it.

Once, they saw us hugging and they announced it to everyone who came near them.

"What happened, baby? Why do you look so sad?" I changed the topic immediately. Thank goodness that seemed to catch his attention because he turned around him and pointed at Jace and Jacob.

"They stole my toy! That's mine mommy!" he scried out unjustly. At that, the other two started defending themselves.

Phew, dodged a bullet.

----

I was observing the pictures on the wall. Family pictures of the Parkers were around and I couldn't help but smile at the pictures of Liam as a child, a teen and so on.

It struck me how the triplets looked so much like him when he was at their age.

"Ah, yes. Time flies so fast, right?" Wendy said, suddenly beside me. I was shocked, but quickly got my composure back.

"Yeah, it sure does. Before I knew it, the triplets are already nearing their fifth birthday." I answered. She was visiting for the weekend and since it was the afternoon, the triplets were taking their daily nap.

"I asked Grace to set up some tea in the gazebo. Why don't you join me?" she said and smiled.

Okay, weird.

I knew that she took her tea time very seriously, already weird considering she was Italian, but I also knew that she rather spend them alone. I remembered her telling me that it was her time to herself.

Before, I didn't understand, but now I do. Everyone should definitely have some alone time to think, to get to know theirselves better. Even if it was just half an hour, it will make a big change in your life.

I followed her to the gardens and along the gazebo as she was talking to me about her latest trip to Bali and how she wanted to start a charity there.

Overall, Wendy, or mama as she preferred me to call her, was a very random person when it came to her interests, but through them, it showed her big heart. I mean, a charity in Bali?

I guess they needed one, but I think that Bali is a very touristic place and they earn a lot of money from that. There are probably more places in the world that needed that charity more than Bali. But I guess even the best places are in need of helping too.

By the time we were there, the table of the gazebo were filled with cookies and of course, tea. I think I've gotten used to teas now because of mama, I definitely enjoyed them more now.

"Tell me, Iris. Has Liam been acting strange lately?" she asked which caught me off guard. I set my cup down and looked back up to her. To my dismay, she wasn't looking at me.

It was then that I noticed the streaks of grey strands along her hair. Nonetheless, she still looked beautiful. However, instead of the gracious smile she always wore, worry painted her face in the most elegant way.

"Uhm, why do you ask so?" I question, setting my eyes to look straightly at her.

"Oh nothing, dear it's just... I have a feeling that very soon, big changes will occur. Finally, she turned her head towards me and smiled. I didn't quite get her smile. It was a meaningful one, but I wasn't quite sure if I understood.

Very big changes, huh.

"Well, to answer you question, he has been. I've tried to ask, but he's adamant not to share. He tells me not to worry, but how can't I? I have a very bad feeling about... all this." I tell her honestly. I hated how I completely vented my true feelings to her. She should be leaning on me, not the other way.

She smiled sheepishly and shook her head, but her worry expression still remained.

"Liam is like that... Once he sets his mind on something, he will get it done without anybody's help." she paused and seemed to be thinking of distant memories. "In a way, I think that it's our fault why he grew up with that mindset. But Liam is Liam." she sighed and shook her head at her son. Even I couldn't help but smile.

For a while, we didn't say anything and I remembered the last time we were here. On their last visit when she had asked me to give him a chance. Those were months ago and Liam and I had overcome our differences. And now... well we've got different challenges.

"I'd like to tell you to not worry, but even I am worried sick." she chuckled at herself before continuing. "But all I can tell you is that, he's doing this all for your family."

Mama looked at me happily and contentedly. Is there something on my face? Why is she looking at me like that?

"Uhm, sure." was all I could say because it felt so awkward.

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