CHAPTER THIRTEEN🥀

The mansion felt almost eerily quiet as the limo pulled up in the drive way. Emily walked into the grand entrance hall, still reeling from the whirlwind evening.

Despite the glamour and excitement, the guilt over lying to Liam simmered in the back of her mind.

She clutched her phone in her hand, replaying the unread messages in her head, but before she could think too much, Alejandro’s deep voice broke through her thoughts.

“I hope you the event was as marvelous as you would imagine?” She turned to see him looking at her with a small smile.

She smiles sheepishly, using her hand to smooth down her gown “I was far beyond anything I had imagined. I was Captivated by it”

He chuckled softly “Trust me, you weren’t the only one Captivated tonight” the gaze he held was intense as he said those words.

Alejandro moved closer “The night we spent together was wonderful”

His words slow and deliberate. “I’d love to have your company again... perhaps for something else, if you don’t mind that is”

Emily’s heart fluttered at his suggestion. A blush spread across her cheeks, her thoughts momentarily pushed aside by the excitement of his attention. "I-I would love that too" she stammered, her voice soft.

Alejandro smiled, his eyes glinting with something she couldn’t quite place.

He gently took her hand, his lips brushing her knuckles in a lingering kiss. “Good night, Emily.” he murmured, his voice a velvet whisper that sent a shiver down her spine.

Her face flushed even more, her heart beating faster as she managed a quiet, “Good night.”

As she made her way upstairs, she could feel his gaze follow her, watching her every step.

When she finally disappeared from view, Alejandro lingered for a moment, his smirk deepening before he turned to the opposite staircase and headed to his wing on the last floor.

The hallway to his suite was dimly lit, his footsteps echoing in the silence as he made his way inside.

Once in his room, Alejandro undid his tie and stripped off his jacket. His shirt followed soon after, revealing the sharp, chiseled lines of his body.

He stepped into the bathroom, the sound of water filling the silence as he took a cold, refreshing shower. Steam sipping from the shower and around him, his muscles rippling as the water cascaded down his skin.

Afterward, he wrapped a robe loosely around his body and stepped back into the dim light of his room, pouring himself a glass of scotch.

The amber liquid swirled in his glass as he took a seat on the couch, his posture relaxed yet commanding and momentarily closed his eyes.

A few minutes later, there was a soft knock on the door. "Enter" he called out, his voice low but firm.

Mary entered the room quietly, her head bowed as she greeted him. “Good evening, Young Master. I made sure to come as fast as possible.”

Alejandro opened his eyes and looked at her fleetingly, swirling his drink. “Come” he commanded softly, his tone carrying an edge of expectation.

Mary walked forward without hesitation, standing in front of him.

He raises a perfectly shaped eyebrow and she didn’t need further instruction.

She immediately got on her knees, her hands trembling slightly as they reached for the edge of his robe.

Alejandro's gaze darkened, though his expression remained impassive. He took a slow sip of his drink, his eyes cold and detached.

The next morning, Emily was determined to make things right with Liam.

She dressed carefully, picking out a soft blue blouse and a pair of dark jeans. After their exchange of texts last night, she had begged him to meet her at their usual coffee spot, and though he had reluctantly agreed, she could sense the tension.

She walked downstairs, asking the driver to drop her off.

As she sat in the back of the sleek black car, her heart raced, her thoughts spinning.

As she reaches the Coffee shop, Emily stepped out of the car, her heart pounding as she spotted Liam through the window of their usual coffee spot.

He was already inside, seated at their table, looking down at his phone, his brow furrowed.

She swallowed hard, guilt knotting in her stomach as she pushed open the door and walked in.

The moment she sat down opposite him, Liam looked up, his eyes narrowing in frustration.

His face was tense, his usual soft expression hardened. He didn’t give her a chance to settle before speaking.

“Well? I’m here, so you better start talking, Em.”

Emily's heart sank further. She fidgeted in her seat, feeling the weight of the moment pressing down on her. "Liam, I… I know I did something horrible" she began, her voice barely above a whisper. "And I’m genuinely, really sorry."

Liam let out a dry, sarcastic chuckle, his eyes narrowing further. “Yeah, but why did you do it, Emily? And what the heck were you doing with Alejandro Ortega? THE biggest hotshot in the entire country… not to mention the biggest name in the business industry?”

Emily’s eyes dropped to the table, her fingers brushing the delicate bracelet Liam had given her for her birthday last year.

It had always been a reminder of their bond, and now, it felt like a chain of guilt around her wrist. She took a deep breath, trying to find the right words.

"It might sound really crazy but you’re my best friend so I have to tell you the truth….the thing is I…I’ve fallen for him, Liam" she admitted, her voice trembling.

"That’s why I agreed to go with him to the gala. But I didn’t mean to hurt you. I never meant to hurt your trust."

Liam’s eyes widened in shock, his expression immediately shifting from frustration to disbelief. “What?” he asked, his voice louder now, incredulous. He stared at her as if trying to process what she had just said.

Emily bit her lip, her throat tightening. “I don’t know how it happened… but it just did. That’s why I made the dumb decision to go.”

Liam’s hands clenched into fists for a brief moment, and his jaw tightened.

Emily reached out, her hand gently covering his, a silent plea in her eyes. “I should have told you the truth from the beginning. I should’ve just come clean. I’m so sorry, Liam.”

She looked at him expectantly, hope flickering in her eyes that maybe, just maybe, he would forgive her.

But instead, he slowly pulled his hand away from hers, the gesture cold.

Her heart sank even lower. The disappointment in his eyes felt like a dagger in her chest.

Liam looked away from her, his gaze distant as if he couldn’t bear to face her. When he finally spoke, his voice was low, laced with bitterness. “Typical. Of course, you would. Every girl does.”

His words stung. Emily blinked, taken aback, her lips parting as she tried to understand what he meant.

After what felt like an eternity, Liam let out a long, tired sigh. He ran a hand through his hair, his frustration melting into something softer but still laced with hurt.

Liam finally looked back at Emily, the hardness in his eyes softening just slightly.

There was still hurt in his gaze, but something more understanding seemed to flicker beneath it. Emily held her breath, watching him closely.

“I’ll forgive you,” he said slowly, his voice quieter now, “but under one condition.”

Emily immediately perked up, hope flooding her chest. “Of course, what would that be? Just name it,” she said, her voice almost trembling with relief.

He paused, his eyes narrowing slightly again, but this time with curiosity rather than anger. “When did you start working at Elena’s company?” he asked, his voice measured.

Emily blinked, the question catching her off guard. “What?” she asked, momentarily puzzled, unsure of why he was asking. “I mean… I’ve been working there for about two months now, why?”

Liam’s expression didn’t change much.

Liam looked at her, his expression turning serious. “I want you to move out of the Ortega mansion.”

Emily's surprise was evident as her eyes widened at Liam’s request.

She had thought about moving out of the Ortega mansion before, but hearing it so directly from Liam made the decision feel immediate…urgent.

“What?” she stammered, still processing his words. “Move out… by the end of the month?”

Liam nodded, his expression firm. “Yes. By the end of this month, I want you to move out of the Ortega mansion and get an apartment with your mom. You’ve been working there for two months now; it’s more than enough time to get settled. I’m asking for you to move out in two weeks.”

Emily’s heart raced. It wasn’t like she hadn’t thought about leaving. She knew living in that mansion wasn’t a permanent situation.

And securing the job had been her first priority…something that could support her and her mom.

“Liam,” she started, her voice softer, “I’ve already been planning to leave the house. I wasn’t going to stay there long-term. I just… wanted to get the job secured first, and now that I have, I’ve been thinking about finding a small apartment for my mom and me…I just didn’t think it would be so soon”

Liam looked at her closely, as if weighing her words. “It’s been two months since you started working so I’m sure you’ve gotten paid money twice but if it’s not enough to get a good apartment, I don’t mind helping. So, two weeks, Em. That’s all I’m asking for. I don’t think staying there is a good idea anymore…I mean it belongs to the Ortegas remember?” He was clearly referring to the Elena’s parents and how they wouldn’t be too thrilled seeing a stranger at their house that had been there for the past few months.

Emily chewed her lip, feeling a mixture of relief and anxiety. She had thought about moving out, but Liam’s condition put more pressure on her. She didn’t want to upset him further, and she understood where he was coming from.

But the truth was, she wasn’t sure if she wanted to stop having to get to spend time with Alejandro.

They had just gone to an event together and now she had to leave there in two weeks for her best friend’s sake.

“I understand, Liam,” she said finally, nodding stiffly. “I’ll find a place soon. It’s just… I need to figure out where and how to make it work with my salary.”

Liam’s expression softened slightly. “And that’s why you have me Em. I’ll help out, I just don’t want you getting too tangled up in their world.”

She gave him a small smile, still feeling the weight of his words but appreciating his concern. "I know."

…To be Continued

Authoress Cass🤍