Chapter 3

The next day, bright and early.

I woke up from a deep sleep, the hangover from last night was awful. The strong liquor felt like fire searing my throat, accompanied by throbbing headaches.

I struggled to push myself up and sit. Seeing my familiar bedroom, my racing heart finally settled. I must have drunk too much, and Maya brought me home.

I threw off the covers and went to the living room for water, only to see Liam sitting on the large sofa.

I blinked, thinking I was mistaken.

He was wearing casual loungewear, his long legs casually crossed. Sleek, gold-rimmed glasses perched on his high nose bridge, and he was intently reading a book.

Warm sunlight streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows, casting a soft, shimmering halo around him.

I was a little stunned, mumbling his name aloud. "Liam?"

Liam looked up at the sound. "Awake?"

But the memory of yesterday flashed in my mind, and I asked, a little sheepishly, "You... aren't going to work?"

He glanced at me, his voice calm. "My mom said I was always working and not spending time with you. She stopped all my work for this period and told me to focus on you."

"..."

Liam set his book aside, then picked up a small piece of paper from the sofa beside him and walked towards me.

He held the paper out to me, his gaze deep and unwavering.

"Yesterday. Explain yourself."

In the quiet air, Liam's low, magnetic voice broke through, carrying an almost imperceptible chill, his eyes radiating a dangerous intensity.

I looked closer and saw it was the bill for the male escorts I'd ordered last night... I thought he was asking me for money.

"I'll pay you back... Don't be so petty!"