Liam's POV

     I sat down in my office; going through the files Eve's sent me earlier. I did that blearily because I was so bored and tired although we have just returned from recess earlier.

    I dropped the files and pen to have some rest then continue later instead I was stealing glances at Eve..who was busy typing something.

  I smiled; then I remembered last night, what made me think of Eve while I was lying to Clara that I have found someone better... Of course, Eve is by far better that Clara.

  Recalling why called me, made the sweet smile on my face switched into a frown.

    "I don't ever want to have anything with her even if she apologises one million times" I hissed.

    She broke my heart and didn't even bother to check up on me. And when she called last night, I actually thought that she already had a change of mind or something, only for her to tell me that she is inviting me her wedding party. What a joke!

   I tried to cast my mind away from Clara; as I focus more on Eve. That hardworking girl... I like her; her sincerity, her joviality, her concern..all this attributes possessed by someone going through a-thick-and-tough.. Plus she is so beautiful. 

I don't know what she was looking at on the screen but she smiled as she was typing. Damn!

    I guess the only way I can stop her from being close with my father is by making her to spend less time at home.

    I continued to watch Eve, I didn't know when I stood up..worked towards the wall and continue smiling like a fool. I remember her funny way she speaks and the way she laughs too. I feel like I needed her around every now and then. I'mma definitely gonna make her come to my place again.

    George, Daisy and Maria came to her office... she stood up and embraced them including that George; I notice that they are pretty close in the office too. For some unreason I groan angrily. I didn't hear what they were talking about but I could see that Eve was smiling widely at them ~ at George.

   I decided to walk out and send them off because it's work time not time for gisting... Luckily for them, they left before I could leave my office. I shrugged and continued gazing at Eve who has stopped whatever she was typing... as she packed up her things and arranged her desk.

  Soon, I saw her working towards my office. I ran back and sat on my mesh chair.. Opened and turn on my laptop as if I was engrossed with work or something.

  She knocked on my door and I cleared my troat and told her to come in...which she did.

   "Are you still working?" She asked me.

    "As you can see" I told her.

 "But it's closing hour" She said.

    "Closing hour?" I exclaimed and looked at my wristwatch. "Time flies" I said.

    I didn't know I spent all my time watching Eve.

 "So are you not leaving?" She asked.

    "I am... I didn't know it was closing hour" I added, switching off my laptop..as I carried my briefcase and walked to her.

   "You are coming with me today" I told her as we walked out of my office.

  "No, you are coming with me instead" She said.

 "Huh! Eve I have no intentions of coming home anytime soon" I told her.

  "I am going to the boutique, won't you come with me?" She asked.

    "Ohh" I mouthed.

 "Sure I will... But I would take you there with my car" I offered and she agreed.

    ****

    "I'm paying for all" I said when we entered the big boutique.

    "What? your father gave me a credit card; I don't know how much is in there though but if you pay for whatever item I pick... It means you are literally saving your father's money" I told him.

    "I don't care. I just wanna pay for anything you buy here" I insisted and she looked at me and mumbled;

    "Jeez I shouldn't have told you to follow me" 

A walked through the first section where they sold bodycon gowns

    "Buy this" I told Eve.

    "Does it look cooperate at all?" She asked me.

 "Oh you are here to get cooperate dresses?" I asked and she nodded. ; "Well this gown is not a cooperate one but  I know it would so good on you" I told her then I noticed that her cheek redden.

   I picked up the gown then we moved on and on to other sections; she bought some lovely cooperate wears and I also made sure that she picked whatever dress I would love to see on her.

    She went into the dressing room to change into the outfits, while I waited for her and told her how she looks on all. I have good sense of fashion, for both male and female probably because I had a fashion conscious ex girlfriend, Clara.

    Speaking of Clara, she walked into the boutique just when I was waiting for Eve to come out.. She just went inside again to put on the last dress.

    I stared at Clara as spoke to a lady that works here.. She didn't come inside the boutique alone; she came in with a guy whom I presume is the fiance she left me for. One ugly guy.

    "Is my wedding gown ready?" She asked the lady who worked here.

    "Yes ma'am I'll go get it now" The lady bowl before her and she left quickly.

  Just when I decided to ignore Clara and act as if I didn't notice her presence... She saw me.

    "Liam" The way she usually call my name.

    Then she walked towards me with that guy beside her.

    "Do you know him?" The guy asked her.

    "Yeah...he is my..." She looked at me first then continued; "he is my ex boyfriend, the one you spoke to; the other night" Clara told him.

    "Oh lame right..?" That ugly guy said as he stretched his hand to have a handshake with me.

    "It's Liam not lame" I said brusquely, then look down to his hand... It made him, remove his hand slowly as he was embarrassed.

    "Liam, this is Richard; my fiance" She said, she really had the gut to introduce me to the ugly guy she left me for.

    I didn't say anything... Just then, Eve came out of the dressing room with the lovely short red gown I picked for her.

    "Isn't it so beautiful?" She turned around for me before she realised their presence.

    "Oh" She mouthed when she recognised Clara.

 "Come darling" I told Eve, and she was glaring at me like (what's that darling all about?)..yet she came over and I placed my hand over her neck.

    "Yes the gown is so lovely and it fit you perfectly.. Oh My God! You are so beautiful babe" I complimented Eve and kissed her on lips..

 She was stood there; stiff and glaring bluntly at me then I whispered "Please Cooperate With Me" so she won't get the wrong idea.

 "I can see that you have moved on quickly" Clara said.." With your secretary" she added.

    "Oh yes and she is the best thing that would even happen to me" I said.. drawing Eve closer to me.

    "We are done right?" I asked her and she nodded slowly yet speechlessly.

    "Let's go then" I said, leaving Clara and her fiance but I made sure that I stepped on that guy's foot who yelped "Ouch"

    I didn't look back because I could sense that they were still watching us... I whispered to Eve not to look at the back also.

    Until we got to where my car was packed, I opened the door to let her go in first before entering.

    Then I drove away.

    ***

    Eve's POV

    We didn't say anything throughout the ride. There was a lot on my mind and my heart won't stopped racing. Liam kissed me!

    "I am...sorry about that" Liam finally broke the silence, yeah he knew what I was thinking but I just nodded.

    "I just had to do something to make her jealous because that guy next to her is her Fiance" He said but I didn't still say anything.

 "Looks like it didn't still work out. She has completely locked her heart for me because of that ugly wretch" He continue to talk but I still didn't say anything.

    I touched my lips..

    "Wait!" He suddenly halted the car.

   "Did I steal your first kiss?" He asked me.. I blinked severally... Yeah! It was my first kiss but that's not the matter, I thought I had only little feelings for you but he literally made increased my feelings for him.

  I wish I could tell him that; instead I looked at him and muttered slowly;   "Just drive Liam" 

  "Hmmmn..Okay" He started the engine and continue driving.

    ******

    ****

    He drove him home and pulled his brake when we were already close to the mansion gate. So I didn't have to call Andrew.

    "You are really not upset with me?" He asked me again just as I was about to get off his car. I shook my head and forced a smile.

  "Alright, bye dear" He said and I watched him drive away before entering the gate. 

Robert sighted me before I could even click on the gate bell.

    "What happened to Andrew?" He asked as he let me in.

  "I didn't call him because..a colleague drop me off.." I lied to Robert. " But I would let him know" I said.

 "What happened to you?" He asked, looking at my face.

    "Not...thing" I replied already walking into the house.

 I didn't bother saying Hi to Helen whom I knew that she was in the kitchen..as usual.

    I ran upstairs till I got to my room.

 Immediately I entered, I rushed to the mirror to look at my lips.. suddenly the whole scene recapped into my head that I didn't know when I let out a very loud scream.

     Mark and Helen ran inside my room.

 "I didn't know that you were at home Mark" I forced a smile as if all is well.

    "And I didn't know when you came inside the house" Helen retorted.

  "Why did you scream like that?" Mark asked me.

    "I... I don't know" I said laughing weirdly and they were gazing at me as if I was not alright.

  "Dr. Mark, don't you think Eve needs a medical check-up?" Helen told Mark and I shot her a hard look.

    "I am fine Mark; just saw random flashbacks" I said.

"Hmmmn it better be.  How is Liam doing?" Mark asked me.

  "Liam?" I said... and I could see Liam's face, his smile..him walking towards me.

    "Yes Liam" Mark said, waving at my face to get my attention.

  "Liam is fine" I said and laughed hysterically again.."Hahaha"

    Mark gave me a funny suspicious look then he left my room.

    "You are not normal Eve" Helen said.

  "I know right" I said as if I wanted to cry.. and she gave me a stern look too and exit.

    "I'm not normal at all" I shouted and threw myself on the floor.

  My heart was still beating very fast, the whole scene of him kissing me kept appearing that I even saw myself smiling and pouting out my lips for him to kiss.

 I suddenly remember the time he pulled off his clothes and dive into the swimming pool...it suddenly feels like he did it for me to show me his s*xy abs, six-packs blah, blah, blah.

    "Oh My God" I exclaimed..then my phone buzzed.

    I reached out for it, only to see Liam on the home screen.

    Liam everywhere... 

    "What have you done to me Liam?" I took a very deep breath and then let them all out before picking up his call.

    "Hey" He said.. this voice..geez! My poor pondering heart!

   "Hello" I muttered;

  "Eve I know you are still upset about the kiss.."

    "I am not upset. I... I just don't feel good probably because it was unexpected " I confided... No, I actually feel good; it may heart that is cooking up a whole wrong idea.

    "Okay. That's good to know.." I knew he was about to hang up the call...so I cut in quickly.

 "Liam, do you still love Clara?" I asked him. Yeah it seems like he really does.

   "No, not at all" He responded.

 "Are you saying no only to force yourself that you do not?" I asked again...

    "What are you saying?"

 "You still like Clara" I blurted.

    "I do not" He said.

  "Hmmm Okay" I said.

    "Why did you ask Eve?" He asked me.

 "I... I don't know. I thought we were now best friends like you proposed; so I just thought you should let me know..." I tried not to stammer.

 "Oh Okay...see you in the office tomorrow right?" He said.

    "Yeah, Bye"

  We disconnected the call. This whole best friends thing is not working out for me... I don't want to agree with myself that I want more than just a best-friendship. But Liam, on the other hand, seems not to notice it and he keeps lying to himself that he is over Clara obviously he is not.

    ***

    During Dinner time;

   When I, Mark, and Mr. Maya gathered as usual while Helen the cook decided to mind her own business in her room. She already said that she won't join us in the dining room unless she's invited...

    Mr... Maya dropped his cutlery, drank some water, and ask;

    "How is my son?" 

 I didn't say anything because he didn't specify whom he was talking to or which son he was referring to. And ever since Liam left the house, Mark hasn't been cool with him.

    "Which son?" Mark asked him though.

 "Liam. I am sure he is forever gonna stay at his place, living a bachelor's life" Mr. Maya said.

    Funny how Liam's name makes my heart skips a beat.

    "Why are you asking after Liam if this is all you have to say?" Mark almost yells.

  "And I wasn't talking to you Mark" Mr. Maya retorted.

    "You should have been more specific " I mumbled.."Liam is fine" I told him.

Mark scoffed; "See you acting as you care," Mark said to his father... who yawned and murmured " I do" He picked up his fork to continue eating but he dropped it and yawn again

    "Even with your nonchalant attitude, we are still doing fine and I hope you would realize that very soon" Mark continue talking...

    Mr. Maya suddenly began to snore...

  "What an act! Hahaha," Mark made fun of him.

    I was surprised to see Mr. Maya sleeping; I didn't even plan anything today because he didn't make any advances toward me.

    He rested his head uncomfortably on the chair and began to sleep.

    "Is he really sleeping?" Mark asked me.

 I looked at his face; "Yeah"

 "What the heck he isn't even done with his meal? Who sleeps off while eating?" Mark stood up and went to his father.

  "I would take him to his room now," He said..trying to wake the old man up but he kept snoring...

    Mark who wasn't cool with him earlier... pulled him to the floor and dragged him to his room.

    **

    "Helen" I hollered her name as I climbed the stairs.

 She heard me at once and opened her door... I held her hand and went back into her room.

 "What's the matter?" She asked me.

    "Did you drug him? Mr. Maya?" I asked her.

 "Of course" She replied.

   "Jeez! He slept off while we were having dinner... It was weird.." I rushed my words.

 "Then why are you panicking? He deserves it"

 "You know he just returned a few minutes ago from wherever he went to, he never even made any attempt to have s*x with me " I said.

    "Ohh...that's bad because the drug is gonna work for no reason" She giggled.

"Aside, it worked too early. What if Mark finds out? He is an acting medical doctor you know?"

    "Don't worry. He won't find out. Now stop panicking Eve" She said.

  "Listen Mr. Maya deserves whatever that is happening to him and who knows he might be planning to have you in his bed later today which might be too later for you or even me to do anything about it " She said; patting my shoulder.

    She absolutely succeeded in making me feel innocent.

    *****

    ****

Eve's POV

    "Good morning"

        Good morning" I waved at the other staffs as I headed to my office only to meet Liam standing there, with his hands on his waist.

I froze; as I recalled yesterday.

    "Good Morning " He waved to my face smiling.

  "Good...good morning " I stammered and I headed to my seat.

  "I was expecting you" He said.

    "Why?" I asked him.

  "Just because. Damn! You have a lot of work to do" He said whacking the books on my table. 

   "I would be expecting you in my office then.." He said and moved away when he got to his door.He turned back and said.

    "I just don't know why I love to see you around me" With that, he left.

   "Tell me you like me instead and stop joking indirectly with my feelings" I mumbled as I switched on the computer and began to work.

    Suddenly my phone beeped, I picked it up only to find out that it was from a strange number.

    ~"Hello" I said into it, after picking it up.

 ~"Am I speaking to Mrs Eve? I'm Doctor Thomas  This number was registered as the guardian of a patient here"

 ~ "What patient?"

    ~"Mr Joe. Are you Eve Joe?"

  ~"Yeah... I... He is my father. Why is he my father at your hospital?" I stood up panicking.

  ~"He has been here for a while but all of sudden, you stopped footing his bills...why?"

 ~"His bills? I stopped? I don't know what you are talking about what about Mr Maya?" I asked them.

 ~"I don't know who that is either but your father is in a critical condition, we stopped attending to him immediately we didn't get any response from the guardian"

~"Please" I bursts into tears, " Do not leave my father"

 ~"I'm sorry Mrs Eve. There are a lot of charges you need to pay for at the moment... And I'm sorry to let you know that the longer you do not show up with the bills, the earlier your father might need a heart transplant" the doctor said.

    ~"What?" I exclaimed; "What hospital?" I asked and he told me the address.

    ~"I'ld be there soon.." I flinched, I didn't know what to start with or pick up first.

    Liam came out of his office at the right time.

    "Liam...can you..can you..." I stuttered, breathing very fast and panicking.

    "Calm down Eve. What is it?"

    "My father. He is in the hospital. He needs me; he needs money.. I..i need to go see my father." I trembling.

   "I'ld drive you there" He said..

    ***

 We got to the hospital; one and a half hour, it was suppose to be close to there hours drive but Liam sped.

    The receptionist led us to the doctor's office. 

    "I am Eve Joe; I received a call from here.." I began to introduce myself before he could even ask.

  "Yeah, I was the one that called you" He responded giving me a sheet.

    I scan through it in a jiffy, I spotted my father's name and the bill he was owing. 

    "Can...I... Can I see my father now?" I asked him.

  "I am sorry Miss Eve, you can't your father is not in a good shape now" The man replied.

    "Then commence the treatment!" Liam shouted..

  "We can't start anything; until you pay up the bills at least the initial ones first" The Doctor said and Liam groaned..

    I opened my purse quickly and shoved out my card;

"There is a bank, down the lane; nearby" The Doctor said.

    "Start already. She's gonna go withdraw some money" Liam told him.

   "Hmmm" The man only hummed.

    ****

"I don't know why it's not working" Eve panicked; struggling with her debit card.

    "What do you mean it's not working?" Liam asked her.

   "It's showing that there is no money in the card" I said.

  "What? My Dad always have excuse money in his card" Liam said.

    I tried it again; but it's the same thing.

    "Oh My God what will I do?" I startled.

    "Come, let's return to the hospital" Liam said; holding my hands.

    **

 "She couldn't withdraw some money" Liam told the Doctor as soon as we returned to the hospital.

"I said; no treatment can commence if they is no money. If you can't pay the current bills, pay for the former ones.... This man has been here since.." the doctor repeated but Liam interrupted him.

    "I'll foot the bills. I'ld pay for both the current and the former bills. Will you commence the treatment now?" Liam asked him.

    "Liam... You will foot the bills? " It's a whole lot of money. My salary can't even foot the bills.

 "Leave it for me" He said and faced the doctor.. "I'll pay through your bank account details. Now be fast about it" He told him.

   "I'll inform my colleagues and the treatment will commence now. meanwhile you still can,'t see the patient... please stay outside" He said then walked away in a jiffy.

  "Thank you Liam" I said to him while we waited at the reception" .

    "Don't mention" He said wiping my tears and I sniffed.

  "Your dad didn't keep his promise. I left my father unto his care" I told him.

    "I'm sorry about that" Liam said.. "I'm gonna kill that man by the time I get home" He mouthed yet I heard him.

 "Or it could be my fault, I didn't bother to check up on my father. I wanted to but I was occupied with Job and all what I thought by the time I visit him, I'll be financially stable and he'll be happy to see me but..but reversed it is" I rushed my words and tears kept on flowing down my cheeks.

    "Any of this is not your fault Eve" He said.

  "The doctor said that the last time the bills was settled was last week; I signed the marriage contract last week. Is that why your changed towards me?" I asked him.

    "I....." Liam muttered and sighed heavily.." Eve I am sorry" He said again.

    "Why are you apologising?"

 "My father intentionally made you go through this pain"

   "And...and there is no money in the card he gave to me" 

   "He deducted everything"

    "What??"

   "I knew father was up to something, he won't wanna loose in a game of two" he pulling me to his arms.

    "So he decided not to fulfil any of his promises immediately I signed the marriage contract? "

"Yeah, knowing full well that you have no other choice but to continue to live with him. I saw this coming...now it's too late before I could tell you. I am sorry Eve" He said again.

    I'm duped... a fresh tears started to roll down my eyes.

    ********

    ****