Ava's POV
Once I woke up from my dream, all the surroundings felt different. I spent the whole time avoiding Liam, with so many thoughts running through my head concerning our sudden wedding.
And the dream. My face flushed anytime I thought about it, making Liam stare at me weirdly.
When we arrived at his apartment, I exhaled. It was clear that his apartment was simple, yet it had a warm atmosphere to it—a nice sitting area, a tiny bathroom, a bedroom hidden far away, a small library filled with literature, and an office that seemed to be busy with activities.
It wasn’t over the top, yet it felt like a home.
“Make yourself at home,” Liam said as he set our bags down. I smiled, relief washing over me as he settled onto the couch.
He took the couch without a word, and I appreciated that. The last thing I wanted was to spend the night beside him after the kind of dream I had.
I had been feeling weird anytime I was in his presence. I didn’t want to admit what was happening to me deep down. But no matter how hard I tried to turn away, I couldn’t help but look at him. I would find myself staring at him while he was typing on his phone or working on his laptop, and he would be so yummy and attractive.
He looked stunning, absolutely stunning. Today’s attire was a well-tailored shirt that fit his rock-hard body perfectly. The top buttons were opened, exposing some of that delicious chest I’d seen and even touched in my dream. My heart raced at this, and I wondered if he was aware of the effect that he had on me.
“Ava?” Liam called one afternoon while I was daydreaming.
“Yeah?” I responded much too quickly in the hopes he wouldn’t notice the blood rushing into my face.
“Are you fine? You have been a little bit silent these days.”
“I’m busy!” I shouted hastily. I didn't want him to ask more, as I didn't trust myself. The last thing I wanted to do was to jump his bones.
“Busy doing what?” he drawled, his eyes narrowing.
“Uhm... everything," I mumbled, not looking at him.
“Is not wanting to look at me a new hobby of yours?” he asked, amusement clear in his tone.
“I don't, I—I have!” I stammered, not knowing how to respond. “I simply want to be left alone for a while.”
He let out a breath, massaging his temples. “Okay…. But we need to address certain matters. Later in the afternoon, okay?”
That afternoon, I reluctantly dragged my feet to the living room, choosing to stand rather than sit beside him.
“Ava, is it okay for us to sit down?” he asked, pointing at the couch. s**t.
“Of course,” I answered, although my mind wanted something else.
“What’s the matter?” I whispered, noticing the small frown he had on his face. Why does he look handsome even when frowning?
“Are you avoiding me?” he asked, locking his gaze onto mine.
I paused, biting my lower lip. “No. I'm just—Liam. I'm just not used to this marriage thing. I wasn't ready for this.”
He focused on my face, a sad smile forming on his. “I understand. But since it is official, we are married. Let’s take a vacation. I mean a honeymoon, a proper one. Not for love. Just to relax and get used to this. Somewhere beautiful like Bora Bora or Bali.”
I blinked at the offer as it caught me by surprise. We couldn't afford that.
“Liam, such luxuries do not exist in our world. We need to be economical and save up for the future.”
He averted his gaze downwards, a cute pout forming on his face. “I just thought it would be cool to have a little time together. Just to get to know each other better.”
“Aren’t we better off just having a beautiful date at your library/café?” Much to my surprise, I found myself proposing this. “I think I'll like it there very much.”
His face brightened. “You’d be cool with that?”
“Yeah,” I said, and I felt happy all over again. “It does not matter the place; what matters is being together.” That sounded as if we were a couple.
“Fine, I'll prepare the café then,” he said, getting up and walking out the door.
Later that night, we reached his café, and the warm interior embraced us immediately.
“By the way, you look stunning,” he blurted out of nowhere and surprised me.
“Thanks,” I replied, feeling my cheeks turning red with embarrassment. “You look… cute, I mean, you know….”
He let out a small laugh, and I did as well, remembering the first time I'd called him cute.
We sat down at a beautiful window-side table. “I’m really happy we made this happen,” I said right after I'd finished ogling him.
“Me too,” he responded, and even though he smiled genuinely. “It’s good to have some time spent with each other without any noise.”
While we were talking, I could not help returning to the dream that I had suffered through some time earlier. I longed for that type of relationship in real life, as the image of him in the dream, the way that we had been, was enough to make me yearn for it. I wanted to experience it in reality, the closeness I had dreamed of not so long ago.
At that very moment, his phone started ringing, a loud boarding sound in the silence of the environment.
He looked down, and his look changed immediately. “Excuse me – I have to take that,” he said, rising from his seat.
“Sure.”
He moved out of earshot, but I could still hear him talking, his voice low.
When he came back, his face looked pale, and my heart sank. “I have to leave. A situation has occurred.”
"What's wrong? Where are you going?”
“I can’t clarify at the moment. It’s just something that I have to take care of.”
“Can I go with you?” I asked, wanting to spend more time with him.
“No, Ava. I will take you home first.”
“But Liam—”
“I’ll be alright,” he said, already holding his keys. “I swear I will give all the details later.”
Liam parked by our apartment, and I paused before getting out of the car. “Just be careful, okay?” I said, my voice laced with obvious worry.
He nodded but didn’t look me in the eye. “I will. I’ll call you later.”
I shut the door, watching him leave in his car and felt a heaviness in my heart.
Sighing, I stood still for a moment, staring as he drove off.
I turned and walked inside, getting ready for bed since it was a workday the following morning.
However, even while lying there, my mind kept taking me back to Liam.
It's official, I finally resigned. I am going crazy.