Chapter 33
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.
----
HELLO there!!
Sighhh, so yey to me for updating twice in a week. I've been free lately and have been spending lots of time writing. I had forgotten how lost I could get once I entered the worlds I've imagined.
On that note, updates will be taking place regularly on Fridays to Saturdays (really depends.) I will always try my best to meet this deadline.
I just want to thank you all for even reaching until this very chapter, you guys have no idea how much it means to me. I love you all so much honestly 😭💕
On another note, if you are interested in werwolf stories or would like to take a shot at it, please please support my other book called 'The Alpha Broke the Omega'.
That's it for now, see you all next Friday! (or Saturday lol)
much love,
sky 💕