Chapter 25

Still Liam

Everyone was surprised at my reaction, and mom came to me worriedly.

" Son, calm down. Let's sit down, honey, come on. Tell me, what's wrong?" Mom guided me to the sofa and rubbed my back. I covered my face with my hands and wanted to cry.

" Liam, what's wrong, son?" I heard my dad asked. I kept my head down and clasped my hands.

" She's going on a date. Bella's going on a date!" I whispered more to myself. I wanted to cry or punch someone.

" Liam, what's wrong with that? Bella is single and beautiful. Of course, men will be attracted to her. She deserves to be happy too, you know." Collette butt in, and I cursed again.

" But she can't do that! She can be happy with me! I can make her happy!" My family gasped and looked at each other. I did not see mom's and Collette's faces, but they are grinning from ear to ear.

" What are you saying, Liam? Do you like Bella?" Collette asked me. I covered my face with my hand again and threaded my fingers through my hair frustratingly.

" I don't just like her, Cols. I am in love with her. I have loved her for so long. I can't even remember when it started." I confessed to them, looking at them with anguish.

" Oh, my God!" Was Collette's response. Mom was covering her mouth, tears in her eyes.

" What should I do? I don't want to lose her again. And I am falling in love with Sophie every day. Do you know that she started calling me daddy this morning? I wanted to cry when she asked me if she can call me dad. Bella was devastated that she ran to the bathroom and cried." I told them what happened this morning.

My mom is full-blown crying right now, so as Collette. I was confused at their reaction and looked at them with a frown. I looked at dad, and he had a sad face while smiling at me.

" Liam, you have to tell her. You have to let her know how you feel. Oh, God! You two are such idiots!" Collette told me in panic.

" Why didn't you tell us how you felt for her son? Things wouldn't have to be so complicated as now." My mom asked me.

" I was scared, mom. She was so young, and I thought she only sees me as her older brother. When she went away and didn't even say goodbye, I was so hurt. I wanted to look for her, but I don't know where.  So I busied myself with studies and my work." I told them honestly.

" When I saw her at the airport that day with her daughter. I felt like crying. I wanted to run to her and hug her, but I thought she was married. Then I found out the guy is out of the picture, and she suffered alone. I fell in love with her all over again. I guess I never really stopped loving her." I confessed everything until I realized I am crying.

Mom hugged me and comforted me while my dad tapped my back. Collette is crying in Todd's arms, sobbing so loudly.

" You stupid idiot." She cried. " You have to talk to her, Liam. You two have so much to talk about. I don't want to be the one to tell you what she has to tell you. Do something, and tell her how you truly feel." Collette cryptically told me.

There's something she's hiding from me. I should go and talk to Bella then. I am so nervous, but I have to do this before I lose her again. I will never survive losing her for the second time, especially Sophie.

" My advice is to let her go on this date. Make her explore and come to terms with her feelings for you. Because if I'm not mistaken, the feeling is mutual between you two. I can see it in her eyes, the way she looks at you." My mom said, I wanted to protest, but I know what she said is right.

Bella has to come clean with her feelings, as well. But just by thinking of her with another man kills me. Seeing her smile at the other guy is like a dagger through my heart.

" Mom is right, Liam. Let's give Bella a chance to date and see what she'll do after that. Knowing Bella, she will tell me all about the date when she comes home. Don't worry, I won't tell her what you told us, but you have to act right away, or she might fall for this guy." Collette warned me, and I looked at her with determination on my face.

I will never let that happen. Bella is mine, and I will not allow any man to touch her nor take her away again. I have to think of a plan to woe her. I have to talk to Aunt Agnes first, come clean, and finally ask Sophie.

Before this week ended, Bella will be my girl and hopefully my wife, soon, I vowed. I looked at them gratefully, and I clutched my hand hoping I'm not too late.

" We are all behind you, son. We love Bella too, and there's nothing more I want than to have her as my daughter-in-law. Thank God you got rid of that wretched woman!" Mom said, rolling her eyes, and I laughed lowly.

" That's true! If you did not hit her, I would have! I wanted to scratch her eyes out and pull out all her hair! I hated that woman so much, urgh!" Collette agreed with mom and was looking so furious.

" Just let us know if you needed help, son, and we will help you." My dad said and smiled at me, patted my shoulder, and squeezed it.

" Let me know if you need help with the marriage registration, bro, and I will gladly do it for you." My soon to be brother in law Todd added in. He's a lawyer, so he knows these procedures. I smiled at him and gave him a thumbs up.

" Thanks, bro. I might ask you one day." I told him with a small laugh. Suddenly I feel light. Telling my family about my feelings for Bella felt so good. I know they love her, and they would be thrilled to have her be a part of the family officially.