WOLF and the Runaway Heiress.

Chapter 05

RIO

I drove Liam back to his condo, and after a great deal of struggle, I managed to walk him to the front lobby.

Thankfully, the security guard on patrol was walking by and offered to help me get Liam to his suite.

Frank was a nice middle-aged man. He had been the overnight security guard for this condominium for as long as I had been dating Liam. He had been married for just over thirty years and was a very proud grandfather. I always make sure I bring his baked goods when my visits are planned for overnight stays and on Christmas.

He even offered to introduce me to one of his three sons. Much to Liam’s displeasure, I chuckled each time and told him I’m not done with Liam yet, but he’d be the first to know when I was

“He drank quite a bit, eh.” Frank grunted as we struggled to load Liam into the elevator with us.

I rolled my eyes. “It was supposed to be a romantic evening for the two of us, since he’s been away on business these last few days.” I sighed.

Frank furrowed his brow and narrowed his eyes when he looked at me. His head tilted ever so slightly. “Gone on business, you say.”

It was my turn to look confused at his words.

“Yes, his father sent him to Chicago for some business deal. He’s been gone for four days.” I answered.

I thought I had seen something flash in Frank's eyes, a look of disbelief, but perhaps I was searching for something that wasn’t there.

“Hmm,” Frank grunted with a shallow nod, before turning his focus on the doors about to open onto Liam’s floor.

“You think you can make it inside, or do you need help?” Frank asked with a clipped tone as we reached the apartment door.

“I think I can manage. I am just dropping him off and leaving, anyway. I really appreciate your help, Frank. Thank you, and tell Marie I said hi.” I smiled.

Frank paused, looking as though he was struggling with something, but then nodded, wished me a good night, and left me alone with Liam at his apartment door.

After I left Liam's condo building, I headed straight home. I waved at the gate guards of our neighbourhood as I passed through.

It was just after two am and I was confident that my mother was still awake, waiting for me. She always did, unless I sent her a text telling her I would be over at Liam's.

“Hey, mum.” I sang as I walked through.

Sure enough, she was reading one of her latest books in her favourite reading chair inside the living room.

“You’re home late, kitten. Is everything alright?” Mum asked, closing her book after marking the place with her bookmark.

“Yeah, just a little annoyed.” I sighed, taking my shoes off and placing them on the rack.

“Oh?”

“Liam invited Bree and David, so it wasn’t dinner for just us. He told Bree that we were getting married on my birthday month, cancelling out our plans, and then got too drunk to walk, so I had to have Frank help me carry him up.” I slumped down onto the leather sofa and threw my head against the back in defeat and exhaustion.

“Wait, why would he tell Bree that the plans were set? Did you not clear that up already?”

“Yup. He tried to apply pressure, telling me that since a couple had backed out, we should seize the chance instead of waiting. But I really want to build my career first. Is that selfish of me?” I looked at my mother with sad eyes.

Was I being unreasonable? It made sense to take the chance of booking at the resort location Liam picked for us. It was beautiful and fancy, and I knew his friends and family would approve of it. So why was I holding back?

My mother got up from her chair and sat next to me. She pulled me into her arms and held me tight.

“There isn’t a selfish bone in your beautiful body. Don’t let others dictate your life or path, kitten. It’s your life. If you want to wait, I support that. If you want to cancel our plans—” She started.

“No! I want our trip to happen and won’t be cancelling it. I just, I’m confused, mum. Is that normal?” I looked up, and she smiled while cupping my cheeks with her hands.

“It is. Only you can answer when and how things happen. Maybe take this time and reflect on what it is that you really want in life, Kitten. You are a smart and accomplished young lady. If you want to hold off, then do that. Perhaps it is the little voice inside telling you that maybe you're not as sure as you'd like to be. And that's okay. Just make your own decision, not someone else's.”

I stay silent, but nod as I curl into my mother's hold.

“Now, how was the interview? I have been dying to know.” My mother's tone instantly lightened the tension within me.

“I think I might get it, but don’t want to be too excited, just in case.”

“I have nothing but faith in you. If this doesn’t work out, there will be more opportunities. You graduated at the top of your class, and people will be competing to hire you. I promise.”

My mum always knew what to say to calm me and pick myself back up.

She was my life—the lighthouse in the fog of my uncertainty.

I don’t know what I’d do without her.

Fresh morning light pierced through the partially opened curtains of my bedroom. I don’t remember how I got up here, but I was the same size as my mum; there was no way she could have she-hulked me up the stairs to my room across from hers.

A light knock pulled my attention to the door.

“Good Morning, Kitten.” My mum's voice sang out as she entered, and beelined to open the curtains the rest of the way.

I groaned and faceplanted into my pillows.

“Noooo, not yet.” I whined only to meet with a light chuckle.

“Time to get, stinky-bum.”

I snapped upright with a narrowed squint. “Hey, I do not have a stinky bum!” I growled.

My mother's laughter filled the room, making it impossible to keep my stern face.

“Go shower, David is getting dressed. He happened to come over last night. Which was lucky because you, my dear, passed out on the sofa, and he helped carry you to bed.”

I had that aha moment. That makes sense now.

“Wait, why was David here? I dropped him off at his own place last night.” I distinctly remembered dropping the intoxicated David off at his studio apartment in the city. How’d he get here?

My mother just shrugs and smiles. “David said he wanted to carpool with me today. It’s his first day, you know. Make sure you acknowledge that when you get downstairs.”

With a nod, I groaned as I got out of bed with a big stretch.

“What are your plans today?” My mum asked as she walked to my closet.

It may seem weird, but my mum and I often went to each other's closets and laid out clothes for the other. It's always been just the two of us; it was our habit to do so now.

I remembered watching her do it when I was a child and thought I should return the gesture. Mum thought it was adorable and never stopped me. Now it was our daily habit.

Personally, my mum had a significantly better style than I did. I suspect that she was mostly just snooping to see which of her own clothes she’d find mixed in with mine.

“I am having lunch with Bree, and sleeping at Liam’s tonight,” I answered as I dragged my heels to the attached bathroom.

“Alright. That works out. I need to go out of town for the day to meet with some friends. I will be back in the morning.” My mum shot back.

“Okay, want to have lunch tomorrow? I can come here or to the office?” I called from the running shower.

My mum walked in, laying out the fresh towel that I had forgotten.

“Let’s meet at the office. I have a meeting in the morning once I get back, but will I have my assistant block out the hours of noon to two, so you and I can eat and maybe do some light shopping?”

“Perfect.”