CHAPTER 388: CHAPTER 386 STRENGTHENING EXERCISE [1 UPDATE]

"For now, we’ve seen 16 couples kissing, it’s thrilling!" Maya Spencer turned her head and excitedly said to Liam Spencer beside her.

Liam listened to Maya’s words, then suddenly stood in front of her, hands in his pockets, leaning down, looking into her eyes, and asked, "Maya, are you hinting at something?"

"Look! Look! Your brain is full of nonsense, do we really need to do this now?" Maya looked at his not-so-innocent expression, stood on tiptoe, and tapped his forehead in reprimand.

"Pfft..." Maya’s smug look made Liam burst into laughter.

Liam found that the closer he got to Maya, the more amusing her words became.

To Liam, Maya held nothing back, presenting the best of herself without the previous hesitations and indifference, nor any forced flattery.

He looked at her charming appearance, gently pulled her into his arms, then turned her around to face the scenery ahead, to feel the gentle breeze.

Maya felt the man’s tenderness, softly closed her eyes, and enjoyed the moment of calm and reassurance.

Liam’s chin rested on her shoulder, his lips near her ear, warmly saying, "Maya, I like..."

Before he could finish, Maya suddenly turned her head, interrupting his words.

At the same time, her heart pounded repeatedly as if she’d done something wrong.

This sudden fluttering feeling made her heart race like a deer.

She felt nervous to the extreme.

Maya knew what Liam wanted to say to her.

She felt very anxious about his confession, afraid that after he revealed his feelings, he would ask her for an answer, and she didn’t know how to respond, so she had to cut him off.

Such a mutual understanding without words, a "let it be" state, more suited their interaction; adding more ambiguity and seriousness would be too much.

Liam felt the girl’s tenderness, suddenly embarrassed, thinking how fortunate it was that Maya reacted quickly and cut him off; otherwise, an awkward pause would be uncomfortable.

Though he hoped Maya liked him, rather than having no other choice, he also feared the relationship they’d built would return to an awkward place.

Hence, he didn’t push Maya away nor continued with the topic, instead just hugged her tighter, kissed her deeper.

After a moment, Maya pushed him away, gasping, "Oh my gosh! I almost suffocated, my lung capacity has improved again."

Liam looked at the girl gasping in his arms, lowered his head, lifted his hands, pinched her cheeks, and lectured, "Weak stamina, need more exercise."

Maya hit his chest and groused, "Do I not exercise enough every day?"

Liam listened to her complaints, his smile bright as he hugged her tightly again, feeling incredibly happy with the sensation of holding her.

After a brief moment of affection, they held hands again and walked towards the apartment.

"Brother, my legs hurt, can’t walk anymore." After a short walk, Maya started to complain.

Liam turned, glanced at her, shook his head helplessly, squatted down, and patted his shoulder, signaling her to climb on.

Seeing this, Maya immediately lay on his back, giggling as she said, "Let’s go home!"

Liam replied, "Get on."

Listening to his command, Maya’s eyes widened, surprised.

"Hmm! Rare opportunity, enjoy it today."

"Whack!" As soon as Liam finished speaking, Maya’s slap came down on him, saying, "Show-off."

Immediately after, she unceremoniously rode on Liam’s shoulders, heading home.

Their playful antics attracted attention, quickly topping the trending news, "Young Master flaunts romance by the river".

Once home, Christopher Scott called shortly after, criticizing them and expressing he felt significantly hurt.

Yet, Liam shamelessly posted a photo in his Moments where he sneakily kissed Maya while she slept, causing an outcry, calling him unscrupulous.

Next morning, when Maya opened her eyes, Liam was no longer by her side. She jumped up from bed in the next second, heading to the living room to find Liam.

She remembered he said yesterday he’d be on a business trip today; surely he wouldn’t just leave without a word, disappearing for a week?

In the living room, Maya didn’t see Liam anywhere, feeling a bit disappointed, pouting and complaining, "What! Leaving without even a goodbye, for a week no less."

Recently, her life was filled with Liam.

Every day they saw each other; every day they ate together; every day they slept in the same bed.

Maya had long gotten used to the sense of belonging in Liam’s embrace, accustomed to having him in her life.

Yet, he suddenly vanished for a week, and she felt uneasy, as if something had been taken away, leaving an emptiness in her heart, her mood inexplicably low.

"Sigh..." She gazed at the walnut-colored wooden door, helplessly let out a long sigh, showing her disappointment.

"Miss me not leaving?" Liam suddenly appeared behind her, gently hugged her, and whispered next to her ear.

Instantly, Maya was stunned, quickly turned around, eyes wide in surprise, asking, "You haven’t left yet?"

"Yes, Elijah’s downstairs waiting, I saw you sleeping soundly, so didn’t wake you. I planned to leave, but then you woke up." Liam’s large hand tenderly stroked her face.

At this moment, Maya felt so excited; the thrill after the disappointment made her especially happy, biting her lower lip, she looked at Liam with a silly grin.

Then, she tiptoed, lifted her hands, and tightly wrapped them around his neck, not letting go for a long time.

If not for the important business trip, Liam might really choose not to go. However, this time it involved the Owen Clan reaching a new milestone, and Liam had to go himself.

He hadn’t expected that in the short time he went to the study to call Elijah, Maya would wake and he would see such a wonderful scene.

In the study, he watched Maya come barefooted from the bedroom, at first puzzled, when she reached the living room, realized she was looking for him; seeing her unhappy complaints and helpless sighs, his heart warmed into a puddle.

He realized how reluctant she was for him to leave.

Liam had never been as happy as now, feeling like the happiest man in the world.

Feeling Maya’s embrace, his smile never ceased. His delightful mood couldn’t be expressed in words, just knowing he wanted to hold her forever, watch her forever, care for her forever, love her forever.