“What took you so long?” I asked as he was taking forever to come out of the washroom. 

“Well, never mind me. How are you feeling right now?” He asked, changing the subject. I knew something was wrong as I saw Gabriel, my so-called father, walking out of the same washroom. I was worried about whether they had any heated conversations. 

“I’m good,” I said and peered at him as we walked out of the building. 

“I’ve been meaning to tell you some--, ouch!’’ Zearo staggered a few feet back as a girl came crashing at him. She hugged him tighter and said how much she missed him. 

“What the “ He was about to curse and I stood there watching their interaction when his expression suddenly changed and perhaps he realized who she was. I couldn’t see her face as she snuggled into him, hiding her face in his broad shoulders. 

I was itching to get her away from him, but then his next words stopped me. “Eva Anderson..” Anderson? 

“You remember me?!! I’m so glad!” She hopped, still hugging him. After she smiled at him, I saw her face. She was my father’s daughter? How did they both know each other?

“Well, yeah, I kind of have an excellent memory.” He chuckled nervously when our eyes met. I raised my eyes and folded my hands, tapping my leg, waiting for him to get over his greeting so we could head home. 

“Well, Eva..” He tried to escape from her hold. She had her hands wrapped around his torso and her face buried in his chest. 

“Let me be. I’ve missed you! My brother didn’t let me go to the club after that day. I’m so over his fatherly attitude.” She spoke, and that’s when I saw another silhouette standing beside me. 

“Jesus.” I was surprised as he came out of nowhere. 

“Eva, you are choking him. Stop it!” He spoke, excusing himself and pulling her away. 

“Well, here he comes.” She added sarcastically. It was as if I wasn’t even visible to them. 

“I’m sorry about her. I’m William.” He introduced himself to Zearo and then to me, surprisingly. 

“We’ve met before and this is my wife, Liara D’Waner.” Zearo introduced me. I rolled my eyes at him being cocky as he slowly walked beside me, away from her hold. It was as if he was hiding behind me from a seventeen-year-old.

“Hello,” I said when I saw them both staring at me. I waved at them awkwardly.

“You are beautiful and lucky,” Eva spoke, rolling her eyes. It overwhelmed me whether to take it as a compliment coming from my step-sister even if she knew about it. 

“I’ve heard a lot of things about you. Big fan.” William placed his hand on his chest and bowed at me. 

“It seems like my brother has a crush on you, miss. He hardly compliments anyone.” Eva smacked her brother on his chest, making me skeptical, and he just laughed nervously. I felt it weird for him to be my stepbrother. 

“Bullshit. She is like a sister to me.” He said, making me freeze. I stared at him and he winked at me. I didn’t know how to process this. Whether he knew about it or was it just how he was?

“You cannot keep on calling such a beautiful woman your sister.” She said, rolling her eyes, and it was all very awkward.

“Well, we might take our leave,” Zearo said and dragged me out of their sight even though Eva was yelling his name and perhaps the whole corridor heard her. 

“That. I’m sorry.” He apologized as I started the car. What did he expect me to reply? That it was okay? I was alright after I saw some teenager hugging him in front of the entire staff and that too when I was the CEO there?

I just nodded, completely confused about how I should reply, and drove out of the hellhole. I realized my plan to conquer this company was a bad idea. 

He didn’t start a conversation, and I chose not to talk to him, considering my demon. I doubted the fact that he said he liked me and then there came Julie’s words. He never liked me more than her. It was so confusing and depressing.

**†***†****†****†****†***

“Do whatever you need to. But you have to think about the kids and not just give me a clean chit about this matter.” I said to Brian and Vikrant as we were talking on a video call. 

“Can you just stay tension free for a day? Don’t you think you should give your little brain a break considering your hectic schedule today?” Vikrant asked, and I shook my head even though I was tired. 

“Yeah right, but you know her.” Brian commented and Vikrant sighed, “Unfortunately.” I glared at them and then I heard a knock on the door outside of my study. I took a deep breath as I was knowingly avoiding both Anthony and Zearo after having dinner with all my friends and family. It was so weird as his mother somehow found it amusing to keep taunting me and I hated every bit. 

“Come in,” I answered, switching off the laptop after bidding those idiots good night. Mia and Olivia flew back to their respective cities, and Emma hung out with Dima and Lilly. I was expecting them to enter my office too, considering how they had never stayed in one place. 

Turning my chair, I looked at the person standing in front of me. I exhaled, knowing that perhaps avoiding him now would only worsen the situation.

‘’We need to talk," Anthony spoke first. I rested my hand on the table in front of me and raised my eyebrows at him. I would not go easy on him. Not after what he did to me and Aria.

“I’m listening,” I said, pointing at my ears. I was angry, sure, but was more frustrated at how he cheated on me, and here I was pretending to be his best friend.

“Liara, it’s hard for me alright. Can you not do this now?” He asked, pointing at my posture. 

“What’s wrong?” I asked, furrowing my brows. That pissed him off more.

“Liara..” He took a step closer and groaned, frustrated. I was frustrated too. I was furious.

“Spit it already before I lose my peace of mind.” I gave him the last chance.

“Okay, okay. I’m sorry. I am. I should have come and told you about Aria, but I couldn’t.” He said, closing the space between us. My eyes started watering because of the pent-up anger I had the entire day. 

“Yeah, because you never considered me as a family, let alone a best friend.” I mocked and wiped a lone tear that fell out of my eyes. 

“I thought I didn’t deserve to be happy after what you went through.” He said, and I glared at him.

“Why? Are you the reason for whatever happened to me?” I raised my voice, and he shook his head instantly. 

“You just ruined what we had, Anthony.” My lips quivered as I spoke. I was emotional at the moment and I didn’t know how to handle myself.

“I know Aria told you everything, but I promise I was going to come to you when I knew she was pregnant with my baby.” He said, kneeling in front of me.

‘’Do you even realize how much she suffered because you showed her a cold shoulder without even listening to her part of the story?" I asked, and he looked surprised. 

“What?” He asked. 

“I don’t think I need to repeat myself. I just can’t believe you could be so cold-hearted. Her mother was kidnapped and you, instead of supporting her, threw her out of your life?” He frowned at me, pushing the chair back.

“You are angry because I didn’t support her and not because I hid our relationship?” He asked and I slapped hard across his face.

“How can you be such an idiot? I knew something was going on between the two of you after my accident when I found you guys quarreling and not only that, there are way more instances where I overheard you two dumbos before you could even realize.” I said as I couldn’t believe this man for real. I rolled my eyes and slapped my forehead, feeling so frustrated.

“Come in,” I said when I heard another knock on the door. 

“What’s happening here? You called.” Zearo said as he walked on his shorts and a loose t-shirt. I choked on my saliva when I saw his crazy attire. 

“Why are you kneeling like this?” He asked when his eyes landed on Anthony who was still kneeling in front of me. I realized I had to come clean to Zearo as promised and perhaps now was the time. 

“I need to talk to you about Aria,” I said, changing the topic. I completely ignored Anthony, who had a sad expression on his face. That asshole needed a strict punishment, and I was damn sure going to make him regret what he did. 

“Okay,” Zearo said, pulling a chair and focusing on me. I cleared my throat and tried to come up with a proper way to explain all the things that I came to know. 

“The thing is..” I trailed off and saw Anthony get up from his seat. 

“I haven't forgiven you yet.” I glared at Anthony and he just murmured, getting back to his position. 

“Okay so, you have to understand that I’m not taking anyone’s side. I’m just describing what happened without my knowledge.” I added, addressing Anthony. 

“Can you just get to the point already?” Zearo asked, and I nodded.

“A few days back, Aria started seeing some signs that someone was tailing her. I remember she took a few days’ leaves after you guys shifted the kids out of shimmers and that’s when this started.” I said, taking a deep breath, trying to remember everything Aria told me.

“They followed her to her hometown and knew that her mother was sick and forcefully kidnapped her,” I announced.

“And this happened without you having any idea about it?” He asked, and I nodded.

“Who were they?” He asked again, and I understood why he was so restless.

“Luchellies men. They asked her to bring all the details about our search for your mother and then only they would leave her.” I said, pressing my forehead.

“Somehow, Aria was more invested in the human trafficking case and now I know why because she was trying to save her sick mother and unfortunately that resulted in her losing her not-so-worthy life partner,” I explained, trying my best to join all the dots. 

“I don’t know how your mother is linked to Luchellies, but they tortured Aria and her mother to get all the information about our search,” I explained.

“You said you’d not take sides.” He commented.

“I’m not. I know because Aria wouldn’t let the information leak that easily, and if the information has been leaked, then I know how much pain she must have gone through.” I said, proving my point.

“To repent her part, as she was guilty of it. She went door to door and explained to the kids and somehow she was the reason they agreed to come up with the video.” I spoke in a mere whisper. My voice lowered when I said it.

“She wanted to support the kids to fight for justice as she went through the same problem as her mother was kidnaped to and has been suffering for a long time,” I said. My eyes watered when I realized how much pain she went through.

“And to top it off, she was three months pregnant when she struggled alone.” I bit my tongue, stopping myself from cursing Anthony, who had his head hung low.

“Why? Where did her husband go?” Zearo asked and I scoffed.

“Her boyfriend.” I corrected it.

“He cut all the ties with her,” I said, pointing at Anthony.

“I couldn’t take it, she was the reason behind all this,” Anthony confessed, and I shook my head.

“She gave her all to you, Anthony, and you find this reason to throw her away from your life? Are you happy now when you realize how wrong you are?” I asked.

“If you love her, you should be by her side, no matter what. You loved her and not my secretary. She should be Aria to you. Only Aria and not Liara’s assistant. She did me wrong and I should be the one to punish her. Not you.” I responded.

“I’m sorry.” He apologized. 

“Apologize to her and not me. If she agrees, considering your luck, ask her to marry you right away. I will not be the reason for someone being a single mother again. Not anymore.” I said as I realized my mother had to go through so much pain alone. 

“She needs you and that kid, too,” I whispered, and he nodded.

“Get out of my sight and come back with a ring on your finger,” I suggested, pushing him away. He nodded again and walked out of the room. I fell into complete silence without realizing that Zearo was sitting in front of me. I pressed my palms around my head as my brain blasted because of immense pain. 

“Let me.” I heard a voice and gasped when I realized he was standing behind me. He smiled and then started managing my hair after taking off the clutch I pulled my hair off with.

“Thank you.” I sighed when I felt so relaxed and closed my eyes, enjoying the massage.

**†****†****†****†*****†****†**

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! I know I'm late but thought to wish with a new update ❤️❤️❤️❤️🤗🤗

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