In another part of Los Angeles…
A group of people are gathered in front of a grave,their head bowed low as the sound of sobs took over the silence. The atmosphere heavy with grief,and the scent of flowers and cement fills the air
"We are gathered here today because of the sad departure of our beloved Robbin Vince,he was a great man and he would be missed deeply" Luciana's father friend announced,bowing his head in tears as he gently placed a rose on the grave,moving back to his seat.
"I'm the richest man in Los Angeles. My father would say with so much pride. Cheers to the man that worked countless hours,trying to create a beautiful future for me,cheers to the man that ensured I never begged or lacked anything. Cheers to my father,he was a great man.may his soul Rest In Peace" The tears gushed out of Luciana's eyes as she placed a rose on her father's grave and walked back to her seat.
"He was a great man and you would be even greater" Charlotte placed a comforting hand on Luciana's shoulder and patted it gently.
Luciana had trouble believing she lost her father,no matter how many times she told herself she wouldn't cry anymore,she still found herself crying and wishing things could have turned out differently.
Luciana saw her father as irrelevant,he never had time for her,never went to any of her shows,never acted like he cared for her.
All he did was provide and made sure she didn't lack anything but she remembers few times when her father shared few words with her,on her way to school.
Luciana had a test and she was nervous and felt unready,she was fidgeting with her hands as her eyes scanned the textbook rested on her lap.
Her father was on a business call when he noticed. He immediately put the call on hold and took Luciana's hand into his.
"Those who wish for disappointment,gets disappointed. You're a smart girl,you've read and did your best,now all you can do is hold your head up high and take the test with pride. You're a Vince and we Vince,don't know fear or failure" Robbin encouraged with a smile,patting Luciana's hair and going back to his call.
"He was a great man,who shared the same interest as me,he would be missed dearly,may his soul rest well"Liam's firm voice broke Luciana out of her thoughts.
Luciana scanned Liam,he was dressed in a tailored black suit,his muscles threatening the soft fabric,in his hands were a boutique of roses beside him was Andrea,her hand placed on his as they both dropped the flower on the grave,embracing each other in a hug.
Anger slapped through Luciana's veins,her eyes brows knotted in rage as she watched Andrea's tiny hands lead Liam back to his seat.
Luciana was the one who lost her father,she was the one in tears and agony not Andrea so why was Liam hugging Andrea instead of her?
Luciana questioned herself,her tears drying out as anger took over
Even when Luciana had to go to the hospital,Liam left her there and took Andrea home.
All Liam cared about was Andrea,All Liam wanted was Andrea.
The thought of that made Luciana's heart sting with a mix of anger and pain.
Luciana was sick and tired of watching the man she loved the most,shamelessly throw himself at an unworthy woman like Andrea.
Luciana needed to get rid of Andrea and she needed to do it fast.
She's Luciana Vince,once she sets her eyes on something,she would do everything in her power to obtain it.
And she had her eyes set on Liam Walton.
…
Today had been a roller coaster of events for Andrea.
It started with the funeral of the famous Robbin Vince,Andrea never knew him personally but half of the people who attended,claimed he was a great man but Andrea though otherwise because she could somehow hear the sarcasm in their voice and sobs.
Even Liam's voice held a bit of sarcasm but unlike the others,no tears escaped his eyes.
Luciana was the one who cried the most,her beautiful puppy like brown eyes held so much sadness and pain.
Andrea felt sorry for Luciana,Andrea had no idea what it felt like to lose a parent but seeing Luciana,she could tell it was quite a painful experience.
Andrea had the urge to walk up to Luciana and tell her everything would be fine but Andrea didn't believe that herself.
Anytime people feel pain or grief,it's always responded with the slogan 'everything would be fine'
But that's a lie,people say that to create hope inside them.
When Andrea moved to her aunt's place after her parents departed,Andrea would seat out every Christmas morning,hoping and praying for her parents to come visit but they never once came till she left for college,they never once tried to contact her.
Everyday,for the past 10 years,Andrea kept telling herself 'everything would be fine'
But in reality,nothing is fine.
Andrea can't fill the hole in her heart at the knowledge that her parents abandoned her,they didn't want her because if they truly cared about her,they would have tried to reach her,tried to get to her but they didn't because they didn't want her.
To Andrea,her parents thought she was a mistake,that's why they abandoned her.
There lots of things Andrea never had the change to experience like: building snowmen with her mum or decorating a family tree with her dad.
Andrea would never forgive her parents.
They never stood by her
They abandoned her
A tear slid down Andrea's eyes as she buried her head deeper into Liam's headrest,the soft cushion fabric welcoming the back of her head as she closed her eyes and let the tears flow,ignoring her surroundings.
"What's wrong? Did you know him personally" Liam's soft voice asked,diverting his eyes away from the road and to Andrea.
Tears continued to build out of her eyes as she faced Liam
"Could you just take me somewhere quiet?" Andrea asked,her voice low,barely audible
With a nod Liam turned the steering wheel around and placed a comforting hand on Andrea's lap.
The sudden movement sent a wave of shiver through Andrea's bones.
Andrea was wearing a black turtle neck gown,her thighs bare against Liam's huge hands.
Andrea has never been touched this way by a man,she didn't know if to feel offended or happy.
Why would Liam place his hand on her thighs?Andrea wondered to her self,as her eyes scanned Liam's huge veiny hand closely.
Andrea had seen numerous rated 18 movies with charlotte and even though Andrea always shut her eyes through the erotic scenes,she wasn't completely clueless.
Liam's hand on her lap had to mean something.
Could he want sex? Andrea wonders to herself,her face going redder than a tomato with the thought of Liam on top of her
NO. She shouldn't be having this thoughts.
Liam is a billionaire,who has wealth and great looks,he could get any lady he likes and Andrea is not in his class or level,she haven't been able to even secure a job yet.
Andrea reminded herself as she cleared her throat and diverted her gaze out the window,the cars on the road were fewer than earlier and the sun was hiding behind the clouds giving the atmosphere,a gloomy glow.
"Where are we going?"
"You'll see" was all Liam said before diverting his attention back to the road,his hand still placed on Andrea's lap.
Tall trees started to come in Andrea's vision as Liam killed the engine.
The opening of the car door broke the silence
Andrea slipped out,her eyes surveying her surroundings.
Tall trees were everywhere,the smell of wet leaves flaming through the air,the sound of birds chirping through the sky.
Andrea's eyes scanned everywhere with awe,she had never seen anything so natural and beautiful.
"Come with me"Liam extended his hand towards Andrea and she took it,letting Liam lead her as her eyes kept tracing everything in sight.
Liam halted in front of a lake,the sun sparkling small shades into the blue water making it sparkle.
"Wow"Andrea exclaimed
"My mum use to bring me here when I was younger"Liam announced,running his hand through the water.
"It's beautiful"Andrea confessed,seating on a nearby rock
"Not as beautiful as you" Liam made his way to seat beside Andrea on the rock
A blush tainting Andrea's olive toned cheeks.
"Do you want to talk about it?" Liam's eyes turned serious as they scanned Andrea blue orbs with so much intensity
Andrea diverted her gaze to the floor,unable to hold his gaze for too long,her cheeks hitting up as she cleared her throat.
"They erm abandoned me"
Was all Andrea managed to say,fighting the tears that were forming in her eyes.
Andrea wasn't used to talking about her feelings,She felt like it was better to bottle it all up than look vulnerable in the eyes of another.
If her best friend,charlotte hasn't witnessed everything that happened to Andrea,charlotte wouldn't have had any of it from Andrea's mouth.
"Who did?"Liam asked cluelessly
"My parents,they left me,I was left to survive on my own,they never called,never texted,never visited. They think of me as a mis…" The words slipped out of Andrea's eyes,tears clouded her vision.
Liam watched the tears slid down Andrea's face and he hated himself for every tear that rolled off her cheeks.
Liam hated seeing his princess cry.
Liam wished he could find Andrea's parent and inflict pain on them for making his Angel cry.
"No" Liam took Andrea's face into his palm,looking at her red eyes.
"You're not a mistake,you would never be a mistake" Liam tucked a loose strand of blonde hair at the back of her ear,giving him a clear view of her beautiful diamond shaped face.
"You're amazing kind,beautiful and so loving,you always try to find the light and kindness in everyone even when It feels like there is none. Your parents might have abandoned you due to their selfish reasons but I never will. For as long as I live,I would stay by your side" Liam assured,using his finger tips to wipe the sparks of tears off Andrea's cheeks
Liam's fingers traced further down to her small pink glossy lips and for a brief moment,it felt like Andrea ran out of oxygen.
Heat radiated through her body as Liam placed his lips on hers,the taste of mint exploding through her taste buds,her fingers moved on their own accord as they dug into Liam's hair,pulling him closer and deepening the kiss
A loud beeping sound cursed through the air,breaking off the kiss,leaving both Liam and Andrea breathless.
Andrea reached for her pocket,her eyes scanning the screen.
'Dinner at Luciana's by 6,bring Liam'
The text read.