"I'm off Mr. Vernon. "I say as I collect my bag and phone.
“Have a good day and please be a little early tomorrow." He smiled at me.
"Sure." I returned his smile.
I made my way to the elevator and headed downstairs. I said bye to Clary, the old receptionist and walked out of the door.
Unlocking the car I get inside and throw my bag in the passenger seat. I dial Sophia's number and She picks it up after a few rings.
"Hey there, lady." She greets me and I can imagine her warm smile.
"Hi Sophie. How are you?" I ask.
"Not bad.” She replied.
"Are you free and at home?" I asked and she replied with a ‘yes’. “um… is Liam home?"
"Yes, he is home. He told me about your fight. I can't believe Damon is back."
She sighed.
"Me too. I'm actually driving, can I come over now?" I asked unsure what her answer would be.
"Of course. You both need to clear things.” She says and I nod to myself.
"I will be there in ten." We exchange "byes' and I hang up. I dial Damon's number and he picks up immediately, like he's been waiting for my call.
"Hello?" I hear a female voice. Who is it?
"Hello,um...is Damon there?" I ask.
"Who are you?" She ignores my question.
"I am Lucia!" I replied curtly. Can't she just give his phone to him.
"Oh...Lucia.” She said to herself and I can hear the smirk in her voice. The line is silent for a few seconds then her voice comes again. "Babe… there's someone named Lucia on the line." She told someone, the person whom she was with. Damon and then I heard his voice asking in the background…
"Lucia is everything alright?" I realized that he was talking to me. I stayed quiet for a while, trying to remember why I called him.
"Lucia are you there?" He asked yet again.
"Um...yea. Sorry. I was wondering if you can pick up the kids and drop them home? I need to go...somewhere." I say.
"Go where?" He asks, curiously. Curiosity killed the cat.
"It's none of your business." I replied, harshly.
"You're my business. So whatever you do is also my business. Now tell me." He sighed, sounding frustrated.
"Liam's." I sighed as well.
"Okay. I will pick the kids. Don't worry." He agreed.
"Thank you." I said and before I could hang up I heard him say
"I love you." My entire body froze for a minute, and I fought hard to ignore the butterflies in my stomach. I started the car and made my way towards Liam's house.
I found a parking spot and parked my car there. I made my way to the building's elevators and pressed the buttons to Liam's apartment. I knocked on the door once I reached there and Liam himself opened the door. His eyes fell on me and his eyebrows furrowed in confusion.
“What are you doing here?" There was no hint of anger present in his voice, just curiosity.
"Um… I came to talk to you." I answered nervously. Why am I nervous? He's my best friend.
"Talk about what?" He asked and I shifted uncomfortably. "Come in." He sighed and moved aside to let me in. I clutched my bag closer and went inside. Sophia came out of the kitchen as soon as I entered the living room.
“Who's at the-" She stops mid sentence when she sees me. "Lucia!" She squeals and wraps her arms around me. I hugged her back and a smile spread across my face. "It's been Long." She says as she pulls away.
"Yea." I replied and smiled back at her. "It's good to see you."
"Why are you here?" We are interrupted by Liam. "What do you need to talk to me about?" He demanded impatiently.
Without uttering a word, I walked close to him and wrapped my arms around his torso and lay my head on his chest. He stiffened at first and then slowly, wrapped his arms around me. And before I knew it, tears were falling down my cheeks.
"Liam, I am so sorry. I should have told you everything in the beginning. I am so sorry I didn't. I regret keeping it a secret." I sobbed into his chest.
"I know what I did was wrong, and the way I spoke to you…" I bowed my head in regret. "I feel so bad, but please, don't do this to me. I can't lose you Liam. Please, forgive me." I pulled away from him and entwined my hands with his', literally begging him.
"Please Liam." I said again and this time, he wraps his arms around me and pulls me into his embrace.
"Fine, I forgive you. But, you have to promise that you will tell me everything from now on." He sighed.
"I promise. And thank you." I said happily. Thank god! I got my best friend back.
"Yay!!" We hear and I pull away from Liam and realize that Sophia was still here.
"Thank goodness! I couldn't bear to see Liam like that, you know? He was so upset." She smiled and walked towards us. "Group hug!" She squeals and we all laugh.
“The dinner was great, babe.” Liam smiled and kissed Sophia on her cheek and she blushed.
"Okay, guys. I need to go." I said and then realized something. "Oh Liam, Damon's parents are here." I informed him.
"Famous Mr. Walter and Juliette? Oh! I should meet them. It's been long." He said and I couldn't agree less.
"Please come. The kids want to meet you. And you too, Sophie, no excuses this time." I warned and she smiled.
"Sure. We'll come tomorrow." She promised and I hugged her and then Liam.
"Bye, see you tomorrow." I waved at them, then headed to the elevator.
I reached home fifteen minutes later and parked my car in the garage. I looked at the clock and it's almost ten o'clock PM. I grabbed my keys, bag and phone and headed inside. I unlocked the doors and got inside to see Juliette and Starvos sitting on the couch. Starvos looked stressed and Juliette seemed so tense. When she spotted me, she got up immediately and hurried towards me. A strange feeling across my heart seeing them that way. Hope everything is alright.
"Lucia..." She struggled
“What happened?" I inquired from her, furrowing my eyebrows and her reply made my world fall apart.
"The kids are not home, yet."