Chapter 18: The Cunning Man
Chapter 18: The Cunning Man
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When Riley left the nursing home, it was completely dark, and a light snow had begun to fall. She was lightly dressed and looked especially frail and forlorn. She was exhausted and distraught.
She’d hoped her mother, despite her lack of care for her father’s medical needs, would at least provide decent care. Instead, she found her father alone in a squalid room, the air thick with a foul odor. She learned from the manager that her mother hadn’t wanted to spend a dime on her ‘father. The truth was, her mother had been covering up her cruelty with a lack of the excuse of money. What she had bought Carson recently could have covered her father’s medical expenses for a year.
Riley took a deep breath, checked the time -19:30. There were food stalls near the nursing home. She ordered fried rice. As she waited, someone approached. She chose to ignore him.
Liam looked at her. Her skin, usually fair, was flushed from the cold. He noticed her thin cashmere coat and turtleneck. She was freezing. He took off his scarf and draped it around her neck. The familiar scent of mint filled her nostrils.
“I don’t need…” she started to take it off.
Liam stopped her.“Keep it. It’s cold.” He sat opposite her. Riley didn’t object; she was indeed cold.
“How’s
your friend?” she asked.
Liam answered casually, “He didn’t make it. He died.”
Riley gasped. The food vendor, delivering her rice, overheard.“Another death at Angel Nursing Home?”
Riley looked at him.“Sir, do people die there often?”
“Everyone there is waiting to die.” He waved his hand.“What’s the point of talking about this? Here’s your fried rice, girl.”
Riley, starving, ignored Liam and began to eat. Liam watched her.
She felt uncomfortable.“Mr. Fowler, aren’t you leaving?”
“Call me Liam,” Liam said calmly.
Riley felt awkward. Liam lit a cigarette, taking a long drag and exhaling smoke rings. Riley disliked cigarettes, but his cigarette had a faint strawberry scent. It was and cloying. Did they even make strawberry cigarettes? Her gaze fell on the cigarette between his lips. “Then just don’t call me ‘Mr. Fowler‘,” he said languidly.
Riley ate silently. Snow began to fall.
Liam said, “The snow’s coming down hard. Let’s go.”
Riley looked up. Winter seemed to have arrived earlier this year. She paid and walked towards the main road, Liam following her slowly.
Riley turned to him. “I’m going back to school. Why are you still here?” Liam, hands in his pockets, smirked. “I’m going back too. What, you won’t even let me walk on the
same road?”
Riley ignored him. He continued, “Checkmate.”
Filey sighed. She’d expected him to have matured, but he was still as chatty as ever.“Liam, go
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Chapter 18 The Cunning Man
away. You don’t need to follow me.”
“I’m broke.”
Riley glanced at him.“What?”
“I have no money to go home.” He said it matter–of–factly.
“Where is your car?”
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“Peter took it. Riley, I’m penniless. You won’t leave me here, will you?” “What about your phone? Don’t tell me you didn’t bring it.”
“I did, but it’s dead. I can’t pay.”
Riley doubted
- it. She
took
out
hundred–dollar bill.“Here, a
take
a
cab.”
Liam looked at the money but didn’t take it.
Riley was annoyed.“Liam, what do you want?”
“My place is in the same direction as your school. Let’s share a cab to save money.”
Riley looked at him incredulously.“Really?”
Liam smiled wryly.“Am I that unbelievable?”
They finally hailed a cab. Riley played on her phone, ignoring him.
“Don’t use your phone in the car; you’ll get carsick,” Liam said.
Riley glanced at him.“I don’t get carsick.”
“I do.”
eyes.
Liam watched
Riley gave up arguing, resting her head against the window and closing her her, his satisfaction evident. Her hair was still damp from the snow, the fine hairs on her forehead clinging to her skin.
Her phone vibrated. She opened her eyes, meeting Liam’s gaze.
“What?” she asked.
Liam coughed awkwardly, sitting up straight.
It was Ethan Perry. She’d blocked everyone associated with Jake except Ethan. During those three years, he’d been genuinely kind to her. She silenced the call. Liam didn’t comment.
Ten minutes later, the cab stopped. Riley checked the meter and gave Liam two hundred dollars.“Here, give this to the driver when you arrive.”
Liam took a hundred. Riley raised an eyebrow.“Is that enough?” The meter showed eighty–plus dollars.
Liam nodded.“Enough.”
As Riley got out, Liam called out, “Riley.”
K
She turned.“What?”
He looked at her deeply.“I’m starting work at my family’s company tomorrow.”
Why was he telling her this?
dorm,” he said.
Fake care. Text me when you reach your dorm,”
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Chapter 18 The Cunning Man
She left.
The driver asked, “Sir, where are you going?”
Liam glanced at the G–Class parked nearby. “Pull over ahead.”
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He got out, still able to see Riley’s dorm building. He paid for the ride with his phone, put the money Riley gave him in his wallet, and approached his car.
Peter was chewing gum. Liam, I saw everything.”
“Saw what?”
Peter didn’t elaborate. “You’re a cunning man. Poor Riley.”
Liam frowned.“Drive and shut up.”
Peter chuckled.“Dude, what are you waiting for? Just grab her and kiss her!” Liam raised an eyebrow. “You’re telling me what to do?”
I’m teaching you how to chase a girl.”
“Shut up!”
Peter shrugged.“Let’s talk business.”
Liam looked
at
him_disdainfully.“What_business
could you possibly have?”
Peter ignored the insult. “My brother said the auction was your welcome–back party. Is that true?” Liam confirmed indifferently.“My dad wants me to make an appearance. I think it’s unnecessary.” Peter was surprised.“You’re not going?”
“No.”
Then I’ll invite Riley. I need a plus–one.”
Liam turned, glaring at him.
“Don’t you dare.”
