Year of Goodbyes

Chapter 3

Finally, they are in their neighborhood. Liam dropped off Arabella and Sophie first before going to their house. Then, he went down from his car and helped Arabella carry her suitcases inside.

Agnes was outside her door the moment she heard a car parked outside. She had tears in her eyes and was smiling happily. Finally, at long last, her little girl is home and she can hug her grandchild. But when she saw Liam, she paled, she transferred her troubled eyes to her daughter, who also had a conflicting look in her eyes.

" Oh, my girls! You are finally here! I thought I would wait forever for you to arrive!" She hugged both her girls and took Sophie from Arabella's arms, and rained kisses on her face. Sophie was so happy and was giggling nonstop. Bella and Liam watch them with adoring eyes.

" Liam! How come you sent them home? Did you know Bella was arriving today?" Agnes asked Liam and looked at Arabella suspiciously.

" Oh no, Aunt Agnes, we just met at the airport. I was waiting for Taylor's flight when I saw Bella come out of the gate. So I offered to send them home since we live near to each other." Liam explained awkwardly.

" Oh, okay, what a coincidence, huh? Must be fate." Agnes answered cryptically and glanced at her daughter, who was now throwing daggers at her.

" Mom! Why don't we go inside? It's getting late and cold, and we are starving." She pushed her mother inside and gathered her suitcases, but before she went in, she turned to Liam and smiled awkwardly.

" Thanks again for the lift Liam, I appreciate it, and please tell Collette, I said hi."

" Ahm yeah, it's not a big deal what neighbors are for, right? Anyway, I have to get going, and I will surely tell Collette you're here. Expect an avalanche in a little while. Knowing her, she won't stay put and start banging on your door." Liam laughed, he said goodbye, but he was not even moving. He seemed reluctant to part with her. He can't get enough of her.

She is so gorgeous, and he is having a hard time controlling himself, not grabbing her and hugging her tight. After a few more goodbyes, he finally walks back to his car and drives home.

" What took you so long, baby? I'm dying here and starving. Why didn't you just drop them off and leave? She's not your ex, isn't she? You seem so eager to chat with her, and she looks so obsessed with you, it's disgusting." Taylor complained that irritation was visible on her face.

" What? No, Tay, she is like my little sister. As I've told you, she is my sister's best friend. I haven't seen her for six years. I can't just treat her like I don't know her." Liam answered heatedly. He's pissed about her behavior and hostility against Bella.

" Huh, little sister, ha? If I'd known better, I think you are crushing on her. You can't take your eyes off of her and pay more attention to her than me. Me, your girlfriend, who flew hundreds of miles to see you." She continued badgering, and it annoyed him more.

" You are just tired, Tay. You imagine things that don't exist. So let's stop discussing Bella, alright? She has done nothing to you, so don't judge her based on the first impression." He put a stop to their argument and exited the car.

They arrived at their house, got out of the car, and took Taylor's suitcase. He walked to the front door with a scowling Taylor behind. She knows there's more to it than Liam wants to let on. One thing is for sure. She would not let that b***h come close to her man.

" Liam, you're here! Oh, hello Taylor, welcome." Collette greeted her brother and gave Taylor a nod. She doesn't like Taylor for her brother, but she can't do anything about it.

" Hello dear Collette, how are you? I miss you." Taylor hugged Collette, beamed at her with a fake smile, and kissed both cheeks. Collette made a gagging face and rolled her eyes, which made Liam chuckle.

" Wow, in a good mood, are we?" Collette asked Taylor with raised brows.

" Hey, Cole, guess who I met at the airport a while ago?" Liam was grinning at his sister, excitement on his face.

" Who?" Collette was intrigued.

" Bella. She finally came home, Cols. After six years, she's back. I just dropped her off at their house before coming here." He informed his sister. Collette was wide-eyed and didn't move or speak for a second, then she screamed so loudly that her parents came running.

" What is going on here? Where's the fire?!" Her father asked, stunned.

" Daddy! Daddy! Bella is back! I've got to go! I need to go see her!" And before anyone could say anything, she was out the door like a flash.

" Bella, as in little Arabella?" His mother turned to Liam with a confused face.

" Yes, mom, little Bella is home, and she has got the cutest and prettiest little girl. So you got to meet them, mom. You will fall in love with her daughter. I know I did." Liam said animatedly.

" She's married?!" His dad asked, surprised.

" No, dad, she said that i***t left her when she got pregnant, but I admire her, though, despite her predicament, she was able to raise her child alone and got a degree. She applied to our local school here as a Kindergarten Teacher." He told them proudly.

" Oh, I always knew our little Bella would go far. She is smart, responsible, and respectful, not to add a gorgeous young girl." His mom nodded her head, and happiness and pride were visible on her face.

" Ehherm, hello Mr. and Mrs. Jones, what a lovely home you got." Taylor made her presence known. However, she felt a little left out with their conversation.

" Oh, hi dear, I'm sorry, where are our manners? Welcome. How was your flight?" Liam's mother greeted her with a smile. Even though she doesn't like this girl, she has to endure her presence for her son.

She cannot understand what he sees in her, with all that fake body and a fake smile, not to mention her awful personality.

" Oh, the flight was fine, Mrs. Jones, it was tolerable, but I hate the service. The flight attendants are all stupid and slow." She criticized the staff and calling them names, which made Liam grimace, and his parents glared at him.

Their eyes are asking him, why on earth did he choose her? He could do better than this plastic, spoiled fake barbie. Funny, because he was asking himself that same question the moment he saw Arabella.

She is way behind Bella, physically and mentally. Her personality, compared to Bella's, is like comparing a lion to a lamb. She is nothing like Bella, and she never will be.