Chapter 28: Chapter 28

Chapter 28

“It’s fine “He said hoarsely, all the teasing tone in his voice gone. Both of them went quiet, occupied with their own thoughts until he spoke up again.

*So what will it be, Bella? Shall I perform my magic as Liam Blake? He said smugly.

Carla frowned, knowing he was up to something “And what would that be? She asked warily

“I’d make sure you get your desired flight in minutes of course, I’m more than capable of doing that you know “He drawled.

“Really? You can do it? Well I guess it’s true, you’re Liam Blake after all” She mused.

“Of course! So whatcha say, milady? Shall I perform my magic while you wait for more minutes? “He asked with a smirk.

Carla took a deep breath and agreed to go on with it, there was nothing to lose after all “Okay, I’ll take you up on your offer, I have nothing to lose anyway *She ended her words with a shrug.

*Besides.” She continued “It would pave way for me if everyone knew the great Liam Blake has got my back * She laughed humorlessly.

*Yeah baby, you can use me all you want, and correction? You’re getting married to this great man soon” He said happily.

She rolled her eyes “Oh quit bluffing, I know you’re great”

*Now now, go take a seat and relax while I pave the way for you “He sounded pleased with himself.

*You sure are something in the world of the high class, aren’t you? She muttered.

“Yeah, that I am “He replied and she could almost hear him rub his palms together in pleasure.

“It would do you more good if you were more humble Carla snorted.

“Aye aye milady, your servant will be back soon “He said in a mocking way and Carla laughed heartily, finding it funny. He hung up a second later and she went to put some necessary things into place for her departure

Then she waited for him patiently and five minutes later, her phone and she picked it eagerly.

“Hey “She greeted softly.

*All done, future Mrs Carla Blake, you’re good to go!” He said excitedly.

“Whoa! You’re really cool! Thank you so much! “Carla exclaimed, surprised at how swift he had pulled some strings just so he could make her comfortable

“Yeah I know I’m cool, are you done packing up?” He asked, waving away her gratitude naturally.

She rolled her eyes, she was doing that a lot lately “Yeah I am, I just need to get my butt to the airport now. Send me the details, will you?” She asked in a very sweet voice

“Oh the details, yeah… I already sent someone to your place, he has everything with him and he’s going to drive you to the airport, you should see him in the next two minutes or… “His sentence trailed off as he checked his wristwatch, or so she guessed. At the same time, there was a knock on her door and he snapped his thumb and middle finger together, as though he had been waiting for it. He had been listening in on the background so he heard the

knock too.

“There! That’s him “He said lightly

Carla was dumbfounded by the extent of his kindness, and for the third time, she felt she made the right choice by getting married to him even if they had no feelings for each other. They could do with the chemistry attraction between them.

“Awwnn Liam! Thank you! Thank you!” She said happily, almost on the verge of tears.

*Heyy, are you crying?” He asked nervously, wondering if he had managed to upset her when all he wanted to do was to make her happy.

She shook her head quickly, though he couldn’t see her “No no! I’m not, I’m just so glad right now”

“Oh “He heaved a sigh of relief

*Just go answer the door, hmmn? Steve likes to do his work so accurate and he doesnt like to be kept waiting “He said teasingly.

“Oh oh! I almost forgot about him “She said and jumped off the couch, moving to the door.

She listened to the sound of his laughter as she got the door opened. A bulky man stood there, Carla could see his eyebrows were etched in a small frown. She immediately knew it was Steve. He really didn’t like to be kept waiting, just like Liam said.

“Hello ma’am “He greeted politely

“Hello” She answered with a small smile

My boss… Steve started to speak but Carla cut him off.

“I know, Steve Come on in She smiled and opened the door wider for him and he preceded her inside.

Within some minutes, he had put everything in the car and stood, waiting by the passenger door which was opened. He was waiting for her obviously and she gave him a grateful smile before sliding in Her phone rang again and she picked it without checking the caller ID. She was damn too tired and her journey hadn’t even started

“Hey baby, are you all set? It was Liam

“Yeah, I’m in the car now” She replied tiredly.

“Thanks for everything, Liam She added

You don’t have to thank me, Carla. I only did what I needed to do, that’s all ” He said firmly

Still, thank you “She repeated and he sighed.

“It’s okay, when are you coming back? “He asked, changing the subject.

Carla looked out of the window for a while before she answered “I don’t know yet, it depends on how bad her situation is, a week at most “She said thoughtfully

“Okay, I’ll wait for you. I can’t wait for you to come back so we’ll have our wedding “He said softly.

Carla frowned slightly, why was he being so understanding? Last time she checked, he was in a hurry to get married to her so they could start making babies, so what changed?

“Liam?” She called

“Yeah?” He answered quietly

She hesitated for a few seconds before she finally talked Are you okay? She asked uncertainly

“Yeah sure, why?” He said, laughing

*Nothing. I’m just confused “She said slowly

“Why would you be?” He asked and she guessed he was frowning too.

*Nothing much, I’m just confused because you’re being so understanding in this situation, which is quite unlike you” She said with a shrug and Steve glanced at her from the rearview mirror.

“It’s your mother we’re talking about Carla, and you thought I would proceed with the wedding as planned? Wouldn’t that make me a monster?” He asked in a very grim voice.

“I just thought….” She started to speak, feeling very guilty that she had misunderstood him.

He cut her off “No Carla, I’m no monster. I would have gone with you if you didn’t mind but you said you’d go alone so I have no choice but to wait for you

“I’m sorry Liam “She said sadly, guilt eating her up.

“It’s fine Bella. just come back home to daddy quick, will you?” He said in his usual smug tone.

* Yes daddy!” She answered him cheerfully and Steve looked at her from the rearview mirror again. She spared him a wink and he blushed, looking away quickly.

“Good girl” He drawled

“We’re having our wedding as soon as you get back, hmm?” He asked, but it wasn’t a question. It was more of an assurance and statement.

*Sure She readily agreed this time, she couldn’t refuse after all he had done to help her.

“I’ll miss you so much, Bella “He said unexpectedly and Carla felt blush crept up her cheeks. What should she say to that now? Should she tell him she felt the same?

“Same here” She said softly

He didn’t seem fazed by her confession and said casually Take care, okay? I’ll be calling you every hour till you arrive there”

“Okay take care too” She said and hung up.

Being in the first class section in the plane was like a dream come true for her and she arrived in Florida earlier than she thought. She noticed some changes had been made in the city. She offered some bills to the taxi driver who took her from the airport and he thanked her before taking his leave Carla stood still for a moment, looking at the home she grew up in. Memories of the old days flooded through her and she shook her head to clear it of the old memories. Taking a deep breath, she dragged her travelling box along with her and walked to the front porch slowly. She rang the doorbell and at few seconds later, the door flew open, revealing Adele. Her eyes widened at the sight of Carla and she engulfed her in a tight hug

“Carla, you’re home! She squealed in excitement.

Carla smiled in satisfaction and let herself be engulfed in the warmth of the motherly hug. She drew back from the hug slowly after she realized the old lady had no intention of disengaging herself from the hug anytime soon. Adele did so reluctantly.

“I’m glad you’re back baby‘ How have you been?” Adele asked, her eyes shining with sheer happiness.

“I’ve been doing pretty good, Adele “Carla replied warmly and added “How have you been doing too?”

The old lady nodded Yeah, I’m doing great, as you can see ”

“I’m glad to bear that, where is Mom? Carla asked anxiously, already changing the subject to why she was there

“She’s in her room, come on Adele said quietly and preceded her inside, but not without helping her with the little she could carry Carla followed her in, her mind on her Mom as she wondered just how bad was the sickness that it made Adele’s mood dampened the minute she asked about her Mom. She looked around the room, noticing nothing has really changed in her absence Everything was still intact, the way it was in the old days. She let go of her big, travelling box and followed Adele who had gone so quiet that it was hard to imagine it was the same woman who had been so happy to see her. Carla listened to Adele’s footsteps padding softly on the stairs and remembered her childhood days when she had almost tripped on the same stairs. They got to her Mom’s room and Adele knocked softly, and placed her ear against the door to listen to Georgia’s response.