“I’m sorry, Liara. I really am.” Harry, Barrack’s son, apologized for how rude his father was during the entire session.

“I don’t know what his problem is with me,” I confessed as we both stared at his father descending from the building in his black expensive car.

“If this was just a proposition, why bother bringing so many people here?” I asked him.

“It was more than that.” He confessed.

“What do you mean?” I asked, confused.

“After you started achieving unmatchable things in this field, I started seeing Johnathan coming to our office more often. They had a feeling of him plotting something against you and my father helping him had me worried.” He said.

“Why’d your father help him?” I asked, growing skeptical.

“I don’t know. From what I’ve gathered, my father declined his offer before but after you're gaining Shimmers, he started helping Johnathan.” He concluded.

“He thinks I’ve been trying to close his illegal activities. Perhaps I am.” I admitted.

“This will not end well.” He shook his head.

“I’m fine. Don’t worry about me. Worry about your new mother.” I said, trying to make the situation a little tension free.

“I’ve lost count of how many moms I had in this lifetime. I don’t even remember who my actual mother was.” He confessed.

“I’m sorry.” I apologized.

“It’s alright. I feel sorry for everything that’s happening to you. I realized you’ve married a tough guy after I pried about his background. Which, FYI, was difficult.” He laughed out loud.

“And what’s that matter?” I asked.

“A criminal can beat another criminal. He must have dealt with many people like my father, and I don’t mind if you bring my father down. I was already growing tired of the black hole my father was in.’’ He explained. 

“I don’t -“ I looked at him and started, but he placed a finger on my lips, looked into my eyes, and said, “Whatever you decide, I’m with you. Just don’t let him marry this Italiano. They say her father is a big cookie.” He whispered.

“Why’d I do that, Harry? I already have too much on my plate.” I confessed.

“Don’t you realize they are already working on bringing you down? Jonathon has been working with my father to take over your company after you had his shares of his. They will not stop until they bring you down.” He explained.

“They framed you in the latest uproar by bribing all the reporters.” He said, and I stared at him with wide eyes.

“And yeah, that includes your husband’s little girlfriend on the florals.” “How did you do?” I asked, but he shook his head, laughing at me.

“I’ve had my men stationed to keep track of that Italiano. I know that Julie and Samira were helping my father and Johnathon and they were the ones who circulated the information.” He explained as he swiped to his phone gallery and showed me the pictures of the two.

“Don’t you think your father is going to be angry when he knew you were spying on them?” I asked.

“He knows I do this and he never really cared. He and I are just together because he has no other son to take over his empire.” He confessed.

“Harry” I didn’t know what to say, but then I stayed silent as I put a hand on his shoulder.

“Believe me, I want this to end soon. My father has joined hands with Samira’s father and if he does that, then you and I are in huge trouble.” He confessed. 

“What does this have with me?” I asked.

“Your club in Miami and the company that owns the rubber factory. They are criminals, Liara. They would do anything if they’ve set their mind to bring someone down.” He said.

“You want to threaten me?” I raised my eyebrows at him. Of course, I wasn’t an idiot to blindly believe Harry. But considering how helpful he was, and even now, I wouldn’t just let this man go.

“Woah!” He raised his hand and laughed.

“I would never.” He said as his laughter died down.

“I’m his son, so probably he would torture me but wouldn’t try to jeopardize my business, which I’ve started all by myself.” He concluded. I knew he was a very good entrepreneur, as he has the four largest healthcare facilities in different corners of New York.

“I know,” I said, gazing at the bright sky. 

“Look, I’m not saying that you are weak, but I want to say that you aren’t as lethal as them.” He concluded.

“Harry, you don’t even know how deep I’ve gone running this business,” I said as a matter of fact. 

“Of course, I don’t. And honestly, I don’t care how you’ve handled things in your area. I have done plenty of awful things in my area and you’ve never questioned.” He concluded.

“I need a proper return on my investment. How would I question your decisions when you’re been fulfilling the demands of the investors?” I said with a smirk on my face. I knew how he had things turn up and down to reach such a prominent name and fame.

“I don’t want to lose such an important investor. For that, I had to pull some strings. You cannot blame me for that.” He shrugged his shoulders, and I laughed. 

“But seriously, I am worried about the future.” He said.

“I don’t know how I could help with this.” I shook my head, completely unaware of the situation.

“I honestly don’t have any idea myself. But I feel they are planning something huge. And I’m going to find this out soon. I will not let them harm you.” He said, turning towards me. I was about to stop him from taking any more risks but I froze when he closed the distance between us and hugged me. 

“Harry-“ I tried to tell him he was suffocating me, but he sighed. “Your scent soothes my nerves. I wish I could hug you like this every day.” I heard him whisper. Bringing my hand onto his chest, I tried to break free from his hold, but he whispered, ‘’I’m worried you might get hurt. Can you not lie low for a couple of days?" He asked.

“Can you let her breathe? You are suffocating her.” 

“Zearo?” I whispered and he let go of me.

“Yeah, I brought you lunch.” He raised his hand and showed a bag full of food.

“I must take my leave now,” Harry said, looking at me. He smiled at Zearo and spoke, “You better take proper care of her and protect her otherwise-“ he stopped. I blinked a few times and looked at the men having a staring war. 

“Otherwise?” Zearo asked as he placed the bag on the table and walked towards us.

“Otherwise I will,” Harry said and walked away after showing his teeth and smiling like a kid to me. I chuckled at how cute he looked and cleared my throat when I saw an angry Zearo glaring at me.

“Someone made you laugh today? Aren’t you beaming with happiness?” He commented, tapping his leg, and I understood he was irritated by how we were interacting. 

“He doesn’t even know I’m his sister-in-law,” I commented, and he scoffed.

“What? Aren’t you both step-brothers?” I pointed at the door where Harry went. 

“I’m not interested in knowing who is related to me and who is not.” He snapped. I was taken aback, but I held myself.

“Is something wrong?” I asked, placing my hand on his shoulder.

“I’m frustrated.” He said without looking at me as he placed all the boxes in a row for me.

“Have you had your lunch?” I asked, considering this as a better option to change the situation.

“Of course not. And I’m hungry.” He said, placing a fork and a knife gently on the table.

“There ya go! Have your full milady!” He bowed and then I sat down, eager to see what he cooked.

“I’m not a wonderful cook but I tried alright.” He said, and I awkwardly smiled as I placed a piece of food in my mouth. It was salty, and the chicken was not properly cooked.

“What?” He asked, and I shook my head.

“Nothing, all good and edible,” I commented sarcastically, to which he smiled like a kid. I shook my head and munched down everything that was on my plate. The only thing which I could delightfully eat was Dima’s handmade brownies and a spaghetti dish.

“This spaghetti is so yummy.” He commented. I had the urge to tell him to taste other dishes, but I thought it better to keep it within me.

“My mom cooked it.” He said and finished more than half of the bowl. I blinked, surprised at his childishness, and laughed. 

“I’m full,” I said and had my drink before he could let me eat any of this dish.

“I’m full too.” He commented, and we both smiled at each other.

**†****†****†*****†**

“I don’t know. But Harry said they are planning something.” I said to Anthony as he sulked in a corner after coming from Aria’s home. 

“Why do you look so uncomfortable? What’s it?” He asked, and I shook my head, changing positions in my seat. I felt so uncomfortable with how my stomach hurt. 

“I ate half-cooked chicken,” I said and laughed, but that turned into a wince.

“What?! Why?’’ He asked, and I shook my head, clutching my stomach.

“Zearo cooked for the first time for me and I was not in the mood to upset him,” I stated although I regretted eating too much.

“You’ve got a death wish.” He commented and dialed a number. I shifted uncomfortably in the chair and checked the files I had in my hand. 

“Here, have this and some digestive syrups.” He held a bag full of medicines in front of me. 

“I-“ I tried to say, but my pain intensified. 

“Let me.” He came closer and fed me the medicine. I saw stars in my office because of how uncomfortable I was. 

“Better?” He asked, and I sighed as the pain was still there, but I needed to wait.

“Is everything alright?” I asked as I walked towards the balcony to get some fresh air. 

“Yeah, I’m not used to so much attention.” Anthony shrugged his shoulders. 

“You can take some time off to take care of her,” I commented. 

‘’Not at all a chance when we are amid chaos." He snickered. I ruffled my hair to ease off the stress and tried to concentrate on the cool wind that blew, touching my body. Yesterday I didn’t really know when I went so far with him. It was delightful and the first one was not clear to me. 

I touched my lips, remembering how he praised me and said he loved me so much that I couldn’t stop myself and gave in. Although I knew this wasn’t right somewhere in my heart, I couldn’t control myself. I loved him too and wanted him all for myself. 

“What do you think we should do with Julie?” I asked suddenly when something clicked in my mind. I would not let her have her way like this. 

‘’You want to?" He asked. I didn’t know what exactly I wanted, but what I needed was for her to realize who she messed with.

“Anything that we can use against her?” I asked.

“Few. I thought she was running but didn’t realize she would beat our capacity to dig deeper. She leaves no clue behind.” He explained, and I nodded, realizing I had only one person I could rely on as of now. 

‘’Can you fix an appointment with Logan tomorrow?" I asked, tapping on the railing.

“Don’t you have Luchellies wedding to attend tomorrow?” He asked, looking at me as if I was crazy.

“I do. And I am not interested in attending it.” I smiled at him and he shook his head. 

**†***†***†***†***†***†***†***†**
So sorry for the late update!

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