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Okay, I'm taking my leave now.

Cya!

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Who would have speculated that one day I'd feel unfamiliar when I enter my house? The sight in front of me compelled me to halt on my route, and Anthony involuntarily crashed into me as he was trailing behind me.

"Liara?" He inquired, his grey eyes gazing at me with concern. I found it overwhelming to speak as if something has stuck in my throat. Taking a profound breath and steadying my racing heart, I smiled at him, giving his palm a slight squeeze. A sign I always used to communicate my silent message to my friends.

"Oh, there you are!" Dima's squeaky voice penetrated my ears and my smile broadened. There's no single person on the globe who could ever make me delighted the way her voice does.

"We've been waiting for you! I tried your phone, but it was switched off." She explained, her eyes scrutinizing me as if I'm bruised somewhere. I chuckled at her immediate transformation in demeanor.

"Dima! The dinner is ready!" Yep, that's what I was talking about. I furrowed my brows when I saw Zearo wearing Dima's apron departing the kitchen, clutching a handful of containers.

"Son, I will take care of it. Please go get changed. And look who is home!" Dima, you did not have to do that! I wanted to cry out loud, but obviously from inside. I sucked in a deep breath when my eyes met his. He halted on his track as well and his eyes wide open along with his mouth.

I snapped my gaze away from his stare when I heard somebody clear their throat. I felt a touch on the small of my back and could effortlessly guess whose it was. Anthony placed his hand on the small of my back lightly offering me a push inside the house. I glanced at him, but he wasn't facing me.

My brows furrowed even more when I observed his line of sight and settled on Zearo's face as he was scowling at us as if shooting daggers. Perplexed, I walked a little closer and found his glare on my back, where Anthony put his hand.

My eyes widened, taking hold of their unspoken battle. I took a step aside from Anthony's hold. My actions surprised me. When I looked back up, I noticed a tiny smirk on Zearo's pink lips and couldn't help but get drowned in them.

Liara, you can do better! What the hell! My inner self screamed at me and I couldn't hold but felt the blood gushing my cheeks. Not ready to confront them anymore, I headed towards my room by excusing myself.

"What the hell is wrong with you, Liara! He is a nobody! Quit reacting like this!" I admonished my profile as I stared at myself in the mirror and realized I looked like a tomato. Not bothering to change my formal attire, I headed towards the bathroom to freshen up as I had an urgent conference after dinner.

**†****†****†*****†*****

As soon as I departed the bathroom, I cried out at the scene in front of me, "Jesus Christ!" Soon my hands followed suit and shut my eyes. I almost ran into Zearo ripping his jeans off! What a disaster!

"Liara princess, you alright?" I gave attention to Dima's faint voice from the hall and couldn't help but facepalm.

"I'm good, Dima! I will be down in a minute!" I yelled loud enough for her to hear.

Peering back, I spotted Zearo eyeing me with an amused smile on his face, making him look even more attractive. I took my time noticing he worked on his appearance after a quick glance, whether he was bottomless. I breathed out when I found that he wore his jeans and did not take them out.

Slowly taking my time, I checked his face. His hair flawlessly combed, all his piercings gone; And let me tell you, he had five piercings on his face, two on each ear and one on his left eyebrow. He tamed his beard to minimal, bestowing his face a very manly look. Gazing a little down, he wore a simple grey shirt and ordinary plain raven jeans. His shirt gluing like a second skin and his jeans ripped around his knees.

My eyes couldn't help as I looked up again, I saw his eyes looking at me, capturing me gawking at him. A smug smirk on his face. "Like what you see?" He asked, his voice causing my legs to tremble. A deep husky laugh following suit. I'm going to die! I announced internally.

Clearing my throat, I removed my bun and let my hair loose, concealing my cherry cheeks. "We have a walk-in wardrobe where we can change our clothes," I asserted without lending him a second peek, my right hand pointing at the closet door.

When I couldn't hear his response, I whirled around and regretted my action immediately when I noticed his eyes on my bottom. "What are you looking at?!" I frowned. He can't be serious!

"Um, nothing. What were you saying?" He snickered, not even regretting that I caught him eyeing at my bum. Shameless idiot!

"Walk-in wardrobe, you can alter your clothes there," I repeated myself through gritted teeth. I swear I'd get a headache dealing with this jerk.

"Okay, you don't mind me using your closet, right?" He inquired.

Without peeking at him, I answered, "Left-unit is empty. You can arrange your clothes there." I paused. "Don't try to reach the right-unit. And yeah, not only that, you will not touch my belongings." Turning around, I spotted his mouth wide-open along with his wide eyes. Good, he didn't expect me bossing around? Well, I guess he might be disappointed then.

"I mean every word I said. We might be husband and wife, but only in front of my people. This room is where you and I are strangers." I declared, gesturing around my room, and left him standing.

****†*****†*****†*****†****

To assume that my idea of him entering my life was clawing my heart past week would have been my overthinking self as now when I saw Dima happy and giggling with Zearo made the burden of lying to her a little light.

Zearo came back from the room soon after me, changing into simple pants and a v neck t-shirt, hugging his body very well. Dima set the dinner table with all the delicacies so beautifully, causing my stomach to growl with starvation.

I didn't know Zearo was home since morning, and they planned a family banquet without even informing me. Anthony knew about it, but he did not mention it to me. He, Mia, and Zearo sat opposite to me, Dima and Emma.

"Umm, Dima, it's so delicious!" I moaned, taking a bite of a spoonful of ravioli, instantly regretting my actions, making everyone giggle. Anthony, Mia, Emma, and Dima eyed me and laughed so hard, making me cringe. But Zearo had a distant look in his eyes that I couldn't read.

"What are you guys laughing at?!" I demanded, ready to leave the dinner table if they continued their laughter. Realizing that I didn't appreciate them laughing at me, they shut their mouth but had an evil grin on their faces, which irked me.

"What!" I inquired again.

"That ravioli" Emma announced, pointing at the ravioli on my plate. "Is cooked by Zearo."

"Fuck" Is all I could think in my mind. I glanced at Zearo once again, avoiding the smiling faces of my people, but he just shrugged, shoving food in his mouth. His face was blank. I couldn't exactly guess what he was thinking, but something was bothering him.

"I... I have a meeting with some clients. I will be in my study." My hunger instantly vanished. I couldn't eat anymore. Seeing his expressionless face forced me to remember that photo of him and that brunette which Anthony showed me earlier. A lump in my throat was so powerful that it felt like I would vomit any minute.

"Liara, you ate nothing dear." Dima's voice caused me to halt in my movement.

"I'm full Dima. I will have something when I'm hungry later." I smiled at her, assuring her I'm being honest.

"Okay then, we will leave after having dinner." Emma and Mia announced, nodding at each other.

"Son, you might be tired! You don't have to sit here if you feel the need to rest alright?!" I peeked at Dima who was holding his hand. The unusual display of affection suffocating me.

"Of course, Dima. I'm good now." He said but had a weak smile on his face. What happened to this guy? Why the sudden change in his demeanor?. There were so many questions running in my mind, but I had no right to ask him.

"Okay, if you guys excuse me." I rushed towards my study, locking myself up.

"Phew! That was..... Awkward!" I let out a deep sigh, calming my crazily beating heart.

****†****†****†****†***

"Come in." Pinching the bridge of my nose, I looked at the intruder. I've been constantly working the moment I entered my study. I had to take my mind off someone. And work was the only way to get rid of my crazy mind.

"Liara, you alright, honey?" I saw Mia entering my study. Why'd I imagined they'd leave me alone?

"Mia, what's the matter?" I asserted because I know my best friend. It's not the sole reason she'd be here.

"Uh, if you don't mind, I had a question bugging me since the day you declared you are married." Ah! I knew it.

"Okay, go on." I put my pen down and shifted my attention to her.

"Do you love him?" I knew who she was referring to, but the sudden question left me speechless for good seconds and that led her to realize that something was wrong. She stood there, shocked, as I couldn't come up with the answer.

"Mia, you have nothing to worry about. I-"

"Answer my question, Liara. I've been with you for so long, just look at you! You guys don't even look at each other the way I and Arian do!" Arian, her boyfriend, who would swoon over at her every time we meet. His eyes were enough to describe how deep his love was.

"Mia, I have been searching for you-" Great! Emma barged into my study shortly after.

"You guys... Okay... Um. I will wait outside for you Mia. Good night Liara!" Emma Watson was running away after realizing what's going on and I'd be damned if I let her escape.

"Emma, you don't have to run away from me. I will not bite." It pissed Mia. Holly shit!

"Alright, jeez woman! Gimme that Champagne bottle then." Emma spoke, pointing at the liquor section of my study. I never thought of using it. It was just a reminder that my grandma used to have them.

"You will not touch that, Emma." I glared at her and she slumped into the sofa near the door.

"So, why are you both so serious today?" Emma asked nonchalantly, trying very hard not to laugh at me. I cursed under my breath as she was not making this easy.

I had planned this encounter in my mind but didn't expect it so soon. Dima never questioned why and how I married a stranger, but Keryl and Mia sure were angry. They tried to talk to me about it so many times, but I successfully dodged it.

They were happy, but being my family, they had their doubts. The major reason being I hated men or I may hate men even now except for a few people who struggled really hard to get past the hatred phase. But they don't know that men irk me even now!

"Liara, will you please tell me what's going on?" Mia asked. Her voice slowly losing its boldness.

I glanced at Emma, and she nodded. I took a deep breathing and said the bitter words right after, "I love him, Mia."

"Are you positive about it?" Mia demanded, still unsure about it.

"I feel this pull towards him and he feels it too. I realized it's not the only reason to get married, but-" I stopped and peeked at Mia, making sure that she bought it.

Taking a deep breath as the lies hurt me like I put my hand on a cactus plant, I continued, "But I don't know. I wanted to try my luck. He never cared about my money, Mia. I admire that about him. We are trying our luck. We both are not comfortable with a public display of our love, and I needed him to stay away from crazy paparazzi. Mia, believe me. I'm happy with him." Did you ever try eating raw bitter gourd? I never did, but sure the words felt bitter rolling out of my tongue that I felt like I ate raw bitter gourd.

The next moment, they engulfed me with a bear hug. Mia and Emma on either side, sandwiching me in the middle.

"I'm so elated for you! I like Zearo! He is such a gentleman. I'm so, so happy for you, my best friend!" Mia said, her tears slicing my heart into a million pieces.

"Oh, for God's sake, Mia! Can't you express your happiness without crying?" Emma started bickering with Mia and I just stood there watching my crazy friends.

"We gotta go, ladies!" Anthony's voice snapped them out of their fight. They rushed towards me and hugged me once again before rushing out as soon as possible.

I took a heavy breath calming myself and just when I took a step towards my chair, a deep husky voice entered my ears "That was intense."

I stood rooted where I was!

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