Regardless, it was almost time for her to leave, and she had to leave eventually. There was no party that lasted forever. Maria said to Ernest, "Then, could you book a ticket for me too? We can leave together."
"Okay." Ernest agreed without hesitation.
Just as she hung up, she was about to lift her head when Liam already held her chin and raised it to meet his gaze.
"What's wrong?" She was startled.
"Are you leaving so soon?" He felt as if she was eager to leave. When Ernest mentioned he was purchasing flight tickets, she didn't bother discussing it with him before she decided to leave.
Liam had a feeling that she could be heartless when she wanted to, and her bluntness rivalling his.
Maria didn't seem to understand his reaction and said, "However, school's about to start. Since Ernest is leaving, of course I have to go with him. What's up with you? Do you not want me to leave?"
Liam's expression went stiff and he felt a little embarrassed. He turned away from Maria and looked a little sheepish.
Maria came to her senses and asked with a bright smile, "It seems like you really don't want me to leave, right?"
That was surely what it was. It was even more so since they had been by each other's side for the last two weeks. It was only natural that he would feel heavy hearted for her to leave.
However, school was going to start, and whether he liked it or not he had to let Maria go.
"I'll come back to visit you." She cupped his face and kissed him on the lips. "The moment I get the chance I'll come back and see you, okay?"
With her reassurance, he smiled and brightened up in an instant. "Okay, it's a promise."
"Of course." She reaffirmed him. She cocked her eyebrows. "All I ask is that you don't find me annoying then."
Before Liam could respond, he was interrupted by the ring of his phone.
He patted Maria on the shoulder and said softly, "Let me answer this call first."
"All right."
Maria got up and handed him the phone. She inadvertently glanced at the phone and saw two words displayed on the caller ID. "Cindy White."
She stared blankly at the screen.
Liam had caught Maria's expression. He didn't shy away but instead picked up the phone in front of her.
"Miss White, what can I do for you?" Liam asked in an icy tone, sounding distant.
She couldn't make out what was said on the other end of the phone, but Liam's gaze grew colder under the light. Even his side profile looked frigid, and there was a hint of dispassion along the curled corners of his lips.
For a moment, Maria felt as if Liam was being bullied.
She knew that those people were always out to get Liam.
"There's no need. Thank you, Miss White, for your help, but you need not waste your time on me. I don't need such an opportunity, thank you." When he finished, Liam hung up the phone.
Maria looked at him worriedly, only to find that he was already facing her with a gentle smile.
"Maria, come here." He patted the spot on the sofa next to him.
Maria walked over and leaned into his arms, allowing herself to be embraced by him.
He stroked her hair as if he was petting a cat.
"Have you been given an opportunity? Are you going to give it up?" she asked with concern.
"It's not an opportunity." Liam didn't hide and said in a low voice, "She's pretending to be a senior who wants to do me a favor when in reality she wants me to wag my tail and beg at her like a dog."
Maria's chest tightened. It was the first time Liam was opening up his heart to her and told her those things.
She felt sorry for him.
"So, you actually saw through her." She lifted her head and looked at him. "You actually knew about her intentions, didn't you?"
"Yes, I know it was never her plan to help me. If I hadn't gone through all these things with her guidance these past few years, I wouldn't have been pushed back to such a low point. I'll admit she was the one who picked me up, but she was also the one who sent me crashing down rock bottom." Liam patted Maria's back. "I'm now just waiting for the contract to expire, so that it can be ended swiftly."
"Why do I feel like she might take revenge on you now that you've refused her?" Maria had a feeling that Cindy wasn't a nice person.
"Her revenge plan has already started, and it's all because of Celeste." Liam didn't show much emotion when he mentioned Celeste.
When Maria heard Celeste's name, she glanced at him worriedly. Seeing that he didn't seem unusual, she was relieved.
"Why are you staring at me?" Liam asked her with a smile.
Maria froze and pouted. "Well, you know."
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: True Fated Marriage