Chapter 28

Liam's POV

I watched the car that carries the love of my life drove farther away until it's nowhere to be seen. My heart is heavy, but I held it in. I inhaled deeply and let the air out with a long sigh. When I saw Bella tonight looking so beautiful and ravishing, I wanted to drag her back to her room and hide her there.

I don't want any man to see her looking like that, it pains me to let her go on this date, but I have to. I don't want to scare her away even before I started. I have to play cool, and I have to plan everything perfectly.

I waited for this moment for a long time. I don't want to screw it up by being so controlling, although it's tough. I felt Collette squeezed my arm, and I looked down at her face. She smiled at me, telling me she understands what I'm feeling.

" Have faith, bro. Fight for her. Show her what she means to you, and she will be in your arms in a heartbeat." She encourages me. I nodded my head and closed my eyes. We went back inside the house. She stayed for a while then went back home.

I'm left with aunt Agnes and Sophie in the living room. Sophie is back on my lap, watching cartoons. Aunt Agnes is doing her knitting on the single sofa and steal glances at me, smiling.

" So, Liam. You and you're girlfriend broke up? That's good to hear, son. I don't really like her. I'm not too fond of the way she's looking at Sophie." She said, shaking her head and scowled.

" Yeah. That's one of the reasons why we broke up. She throws a fit this afternoon when we went home. She's saying bad things about Bella and Sophie. I couldn't tolerate it anymore, mom and Collette were upset at her as well. My family was really not into our relationship in the very beginning. I don't even know why I stayed with her for a long time." I explained to her.

" I can see why your family doesn't like her. She's arrogant and so full of herself. You don't look good together, if I may say so." She added with a laugh. Sophie fell asleep in my arms, so I carried her to her room and tucked her in. I kissed her head before leaving her and went back to the living room to talk to aunt Agnes.

I've never felt so nervous in my life, but I have to do the right thing and ask aunt Agnes's permission to court Bella. I sat back on the sofa and was fidgeting. I rubbed my cold hands together and clutching them in front of me.

" Are you okay, hon? You seem agitated?" Aunt Agnes asked. She noticed my nervous state. I looked at her in panic and swallowed hard.

" Ahm, auntie? There's something I need to tell you." I started, then inhaled deeply and stared at her curious eyes.

" What is it, dear?" She stopped knitting and faced me.

" Okay, hooo, I can do this. Ahm, auntie, can I court Bella?" I told her slowly and looked at her reaction. I am trembling, and my hands are sweating. She sat like a statue and her mouth is hanging open. Then she gave me a big smile and burst into tears.

I was shocked at her reaction. She had the same reaction as my mom and Collete when I told them I am in love with Bella. I stood up and knelt in front of her. I held her hands and looked at her worriedly.

" Auntie, are you okay? Why did you cry? " I asked her, distressed at her reaction.

" I am okay, hon. I am just happy. Finally, you realized you are meant for each other. I have been praying fervently for this moment. I am so happy for you, son. You do love her, right?" She said, smiling through her tears.

" I do so much, auntie. You don't know how I wanted to tell her not to go on this date. But I don't want to come on too strong. I want to take things slow and make her get used to me around her. I have been in love with her for so long. I don't want to screw everything before it has even begun." I told her honestly. She smiled and patted my cheek.

" Thank you, Liam. You don't know how much you made me happy. Be patient with her, she has been through a lot, and she's carrying a burden too heavy for her. When the time comes, she will tell you the truth." She said. Again with the cryptic words like what Collette told me this afternoon.

What is it that Bella is hiding? What does it have to do with me? I stood up after kissing aunt Agnes' hands and went back to the sofa. I kept looking at my watch, itching to message Bella and ask her to come home. It's been only an hour, but I miss her already.

It's funny how I've become a softy ever since Bella came back. I always want to see her. Her smile and blushes, even when she was choking, are so endearing to me. When I saw her tonight in that dress, I wanted so bad to kiss her.

Motherhood seems to agree with her. She never looked so beautiful and so enticing. I detested the way Tom looked at her as if he owns her. And when he placed his hand on her back to guide her to his car, I wanted to rip that arm so bad.

I glanced at the clock again and fidgeted with the phone in my hand. I cannot concentrate on the movie I'm watching. My mind keeps on going back to Bella and how she looks tonight. I don't trust this, Tom. I cannot explain why, but I don't like him. Maybe I am paranoid, and my jealousy got the better of me.

I gave in to my urges and started texting Bella to make sure she's okay. I keep on writing and rewriting my sentences. I don't want to sound nosy or bossy. I want her home now.

" Hey, you arrived safely at the restaurant? Everything, okay?" I texted her and pushed send. I threw the phone on the sofa and waited impatiently for her reply. Aunt Agnes has been stealing glances at me, smiling. Then I heard the beep on my phone. I grabbed it right away and read her reply.

" Yeah, we are having dinner now. Everything okay, there? Is Sophie alright?" She texted back, and I smiled.

" Yeah, she's okay, babe. She's sleeping in her room. I am watching TV with your mom. Please be home early, okay? And don't choke without me around." I joked at her. My face hurt from smiling so hard.

" Liam, I've only been gone for an hour, and we've just started eating. Now stop texting so I can eat, you crazy guy." She replied, and I laughed. I decided to tease her a little, so she wouldn't have time to entertain her date.

" Oh, I am crazy, alright. I am so crazy about you, babe ;)" I sent the message with a smirk. Let's see how you will handle that, Bella. I'm pretty sure she's blushing right now.

" Liam, stop it! I'm on a date, you moron! Now he's probably thinking I'm watching p**n on my phone for blushing so hard. I'm not gonna answer you anymore. Let me eat. I'm starving!" She answered, and I am laughing so hard now.

God! I love teasing her. How I wish I could see her face right now. I hate the thought of her smiling at Tom and explaining her predicament to him. I miss having her in my arms the way I cuddled her this morning at the bathroom.

A few minutes later my phone rang, I thought it was her, but I was disappointed it was the hospital calling. Aside from my own clinic, I am also volunteering in the town's local hospital. I pushed the answer button and listened to the person on the other line.

" Hello? Dr. Jones speaking." I said in a formal voice.

" Good evening, Doctor. This is Glendale Hospital, we have an emergency, and we badly needed you here, doctor." The voice on the other line said.

" Alright, I'll be there in twenty minutes." I cut the call and stood up. I went to get my coat and headed for the door.

" Aunt Agnes, I need to go to the hospital. There's an emergency, and I'm needed there. I might not be able to come back, so please monitor Sophie for me and let me know if the fever comes back?" I told aunt Agnes while putting on my coat.

" Sure, son, I'll do that, be careful, okay?" She answered, and I nodded, kissed her cheek, and went out of the door. I went to my car and sat there for a minute. Then I grabbed the phone to text Bella one more time.

" Baby, I need to go to the hospital. I might not be able to come back tonight, so I won't be here when you come home. Make sure to come home before eleven and keep a distance from that ape, understand? Be careful, love, sorry I can't wait for you." I sent her the message then started the car. I'm going home first to grab my things before heading to the hospital. My phone sounded when I parked outside my parent's house. I read her response and smiled.

" Yes, dad! It's too bad you won't be there when I come home, but please be careful. I'll see you tomorrow?" She replied, and my heart soared. She wanted to see me too. There's hope for me then.