Chapter 29: I Have a Serious Addiction.
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Jake pressed his cheek against Riley’s, whispering in her ear, “I’m waiting for the day you come crawling back. I won’t be so easy then.”
Riley gasped, shoving him away.“Jake, you’re insane.”
Jake chuckled softly. “Riley, we’ve known each other for three years. You knew what I was like from the start. You were the one who pursued me, weren’t you?”
Riley trembled with anger, biting her lip hard.
Jake continued, “Even if you’re hooking up with Brown, what’s the big deal? Peter is notoriously a playboy. You’re better off with me.”
“Bullshit,” Riley spat, finally losing her composure.
Jake was taken aback, his smile deepening.“Riley, you’re truly surprising me.”
For three years, Riley had been incredibly accommodating, almost robotic in her behavior. Now, Jake saw a woman with real emotions and spirit. Who had changed her? Peter? The thought of Riley changing for another man made him jealous. But it didn’t matter. In the end, she’d come back to him.
“Riley, I’ll wait. Don’t make me wait too long.” He kissed her forehead and left. Riley leaned against the wall, gasping for breath. That madman. She should never have gotten close to him because of his looks.
After regaining her composure, she walked out of the stairwell. Liam, lean and tall, leaned against the hallway wall, a cigarette burning between his fingers. The smoke obscured his features, but his handsome face was still visible.
Earlier at the auction, the heiresses had been whispering about him. Probably dreaming of marrying him. It was understandable; his looks were mesmerizing. His eyes were captivating and his lips were full and a soft reddish hue.
The thought of kissing him startled Riley.
Liam looked up, noticing her slightly reddened eyes.“Your eyes are red. Were you crying?”
Riley shook her head.“No, I got sand in my eye.”
Liam remained silent, approaching her. His tall frame enveloped her, the faint scent of his cigarette filling her nostrils. A subtle strawberry scent mixed with the tobo He leaned in, their faces inches apart. Riley saw her reflection in his amber eyes. Her gaze drifted down to his lips, making her take an involuntary step back.
“Need me to blow it out?” he asked.
Riley looked confused.“What?”
“The sand in your eye.”
Riley said awkwardly, “It’s fine now.” She looked around nervously; when she lied, her eyes tended to wander. She noticed a pile of cigarette butts by the trash can where Liam had been standing; he’d been here for a while, hadn’t he? He’d had a perfect view of the stairwell.
Hoping he hadn’t seen everything, she asked tentatively, “Were those cigarettes yours?”
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Chapter 29: I Have a Serious Addicti…
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Liam raised an eyebrow, humming lightly.“I just smoke. I don’t know anything else.” Riley:“…” That was a blatant lie.
Feeling awkward, she changed the subject.“You smoke a lot.”
She immediately regretted it. What was their relationship? It shouldn’t matter how much he smoked.
Liam looked down at her, his tone languid. “I’m planning to quit.”
Riley nodded.“Quitting is good. Smoking is bad for your health.”
Silence descended again.
Liam suddenly said, “Don’t you want to know how I plan to quit?”
Riley looked at him curiously.“Quitting requires a plan?”
Liam exhaled a plume of smoke.“Of course. I have a serious addiction.”
Riley:“…”
She paused, suggesting,“Maybe you should just stop smoking. It’s bad for you.”
Liam smirked.“And who says you get to tell me what to do?” His tone was playful, almost teasing.
Riley felt awkward, her hands clenching and unclenching. Did she have the right to tell him? No, probably not.
“I’m sorry. That wasn’t what I meant.”
Liam’s smile faded. He narrowed his eyes, studying her with a hint of annoyance. He hadn’t realized she was so stubborn. What kind of life had they been living all this time?
Seeing his silence, Riley said, “I should go.”
She tried to walk past him, but he grabbed her wrist.
She turned to look at him. He stubbed out his cigarette.“Let me walk you home Riley resisted.“That’s not appropriate. You’re the main guest; it wouldn’t look good if you left.”
Liam’s tone
was playful.“The main female lead is gone. Why should I stay?”
Riley wanted to escape the ambiguous atmosphere.“You should stay to greet the guests. No need to go with me.”
She pulled her hand away.
Liam frowned.“Are you avoiding me?”
Riley shook her head nervously.“No, I just want to go home.”
“Then let’s go.”
He walked towards the elevator. Riley followed, feeling down after encountering Jake. She sat quietly in the passenger seat.
Liam glanced at her repeatedly.
“Talk,” he said abruptly.
Riley was startled.“Huh?”
You’re not talking. I feel like I’m alone.”
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Chapter 20 Have a Serious Addicti..
Rifey’s lips twitched. Was he treating her like a ghost?
The car stopped. Riley was puzzled.“Why are we stopping here?”
“Let’s get something to eat.”
Riley instinctively refused.“I’m not hungry. You go.”
“Together. It’s been years.”
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‘Riley looked up, realizing where they were. Qingyun Road. The food street. She’d been here many times with Liam in college.
As Liam got out, she followed suit. The cold wind made her shiver in her cheongsam. She should have brought her down jacket. It was in Peter’s car.
Suddenly, a shadow fell over her. Liam’s familiar scent of mint filled her nostrils. Riley pulled his goat off her head, glaring.“What are you doing?”
“I’m hot. Hold this.”
Riley held his coat tighter. It was still warm, carrying his body heat. The coat was long, dragging on the ground even with her heels. She had to lift the hem as she followed him.
