CHAPTER 155: PERSISTENT

"Ella..." Liam’s voice lowered as he closed the distance between them, his steps unhurried yet calculated, careful not to cross her boundaries.

His hand brushed over her arm, gentle but firm, grounding her in place. "It’s not really for me to say. Can you pretend you didn’t hear that slip? It’s not that I don’t want to tell you—I just... it isn’t my story to share. Is that alright?"

His thumb stroked lightly against her sleeve, a subtle comfort.

Ella’s lips curved into a soft smile as she placed her hand over his. "You don’t have to worry, I understand. I only asked because I was curious. Now that you’ve explained, you don’t need to say anything more."

Liam narrowed his eyes with a teasing squint, a smirk tugging at his mouth. "So... you’re curious about me?"

Her cheeks warmed as she let out a small laugh. "Well, of course. Who wouldn’t be?"

He nudged her shoulder, guiding her toward the kitchen. She followed, her pulse quickening without reason. "Curious about me as a client? As a friend?" He paused, his voice dipping lower, playful but painted with intent. "Or... as someone trying to pursue you?"

Ella froze mid-step, her breath catching. She blinked, unsure if she’d heard right. "E–Excuse me?"

Liam’s smirk deepened as he set a bottle of wine and two glasses on the kitchen island, the soft pop of the cork filling the silence. "I told you before—I’m interested in you. So tell me, does your curiosity mean... maybe you’re interested too?"

Her fingers fumbled, tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear. "I—I’m not sure... I thought you were just joking. Why would you even be interested in me?" she chuckled nervously, her words tumbling faster than she could stop them.

"You must have plenty of women chasing after you. Women who are richer, prettier... women who actually know how to dress up. Me? I own a small plant shop, I’m always in jeans and dirt-stained hands. I’m... ordinary. Definitely not someone you’d want to flaunt around."

The words slipped out before she could stop herself, and regret immediately crashed in. ’Damn it, I said too much!’

Heat burned her cheeks as she lowered her gaze, desperate to avoid the weight of Liam’s eyes—those eyes that she could already feel were locked on her, seeing far more than she wanted to admit.

Liam closed the gap between them with unhurried confidence, his voice dropping low, almost a growl. "You’re right... If you don’t know how to dress up, then it’s perfect. Because I don’t ever want to flaunt you around. I don’t want other men staring at you, realizing just how beautiful and dangerously sexy you are."

Ella gulped and was completely frozen in her spot.

He handed Ella a glass of wine, then casually reached out, catching a loose strand of her hair between his fingers. With gentle slowness, he brought it to his nose, inhaling the faint earthy sweetness that clung to her. "These things," he murmured, "are only for me to see, to touch, to breathe in. That’s why you’re perfect for me. From the moment I laid eyes on you, I’ve had this pull, this urge I can’t resist."

Ella’s chest tightened, her breath quickening as his face drifted closer. Every second felt stretched, charged, like the air itself held its breath. Her eyes fluttered shut, surrendering, her lips parting in anticipation of what was to come.

Liam’s gaze softened, a genuine smile breaking through the controlled intensity. Seeing her willing, waiting, ignited something warm and fierce in him.

But then—

A loud ringtone sliced through the moment. Ella gasped, nearly spilling her wine as she scrambled for her phone. ’Perfect timing, damn it.’

"Sorry, I need to take this," she said, cheeks flushed as she glanced at the screen. "It’s Georgia."

Liam exhaled through a chuckle, shaking his head at fate’s interruption. "Take your time," he said smoothly, already reaching for the pan on the counter. "I’ll start on dinner."

Ella picked up the call with her usual cheerful tone. "Hey, I’m with a—" Her words froze when the sound of Georgia’s sobs came through the line.

[Ella, I’m sorry... is this a good time? Are you with a client?]

Ella straightened, her heart sinking. "It’s okay. Tell me what’s going on. Why are you crying?" Her voice was soft, but the shift in her tone instantly caught Liam’s attention.

[The majority of our clients pulled out... Some terminated their contracts early, and the rest said they won’t renew. Jefferson Davis ended his business with us this morning, and now this—] Georgia’s voice broke into harder sobs.

Ella’s stomach twisted. Without hesitation, she moved briskly across the room and grabbed her bag from the sofa. Liam’s eyes followed her, his posture sharpening as if preparing for whatever storm she was being pulled into.

"Where are you? I’ll come to you," Ella said, clutching her bag strap tightly. Then she pressed a hand over the mouthpiece, turning to Liam with urgency in her eyes. "I’m sorry—I need to go to Georgia. It’s urgent." Without waiting for his reply, she headed for the door.

[I’m still in the office... I can’t go home like this. Katie already saw me crying yesterday, and I can’t let her see me again. Maybe I’ll just stay here tonight. I don’t know anymore—I feel so lost...]

"Don’t move. I’ll be there. I’m going to book a ride now," Ella assured her, stepping into the elevator. "Entering elevator now. See you soon." She ended the call, already pulling up the app.

But before she could tap the screen, a large, warm hand covered her phone.

Ella’s head shot up, her eyes widening as the elevator doors slid shut. "Liam! What are you doing here?"

Liam smirked, holding up his car keys with an infuriating calmness. "You came in my car, remember? I’ll drive you. Where are we going?"

"No, no—it’s fine. I’ll just book a car. You should go home," Ella protested, trying to wriggle the phone free.

His voice dropped lower, firm, leaving no room for argument. "I’ll drive you, Ella. That’s final. You can’t escape me that easily."

Ella blinked at him, caught between exasperation and the wild thrum of her pulse. "Escape you?"

Liam leaned closer, his smile slow, unshakable. "Yes. Whether you like it or not, I’ll be around you whenever I can. So stop trying to push me away—you’ll only waste your time."

Her breath hitched as the elevator hummed downward. ’What the heck? Why is he so persistent?!’