Chapter 211: Holding Back
As Oliver’s car disappeared down the hotel’s driveway with a half-asleep Vicky inside, Ella finally sat properly in her seat, bit her lip, and turned to Liam. "Will Vicky really be okay with Oliver taking her home? She... looked like she doesn’t even like him."
Liam let out a low chuckle, his eyes twinkling knowingly. "She’ll be fine. And trust me, it’s the opposite. Vicky likes Ollie more than she’ll ever admit. Don’t let her constant irritation fool you—it’s all an act."
Ella tilted her head curiously. "Really? And how exactly do you know that?"
"It’s been obvious since we were kids," Liam said, a nostalgic smile tugging at his lips.
"She fell for him the moment Nick first introduced him to us. Back then, Oliver was one of the top scholars in my father’s sponsorship program. Dad would invite all his scholars over once a month for dinner.
There weren’t many of them then, not like now, with dozens more in the program. And every time Ollie came over, Vicky would follow us around like a shadow."
His tone softened with warmth. "For a while, I honestly thought the two of them would end up together. Especially when Vicky was in college—they got so close, almost inseparable. Everyone assumed they were secretly dating. Then suddenly, out of nowhere, they just... stopped talking."
Ella’s brows furrowed, her curiosity piqued. "Stopped talking? Just like that?"
"Yeah," Liam sighed, shrugging. "No one knows why. Maybe Nick told Ollie to stay away from her. Or maybe Ollie himself decided not to risk ruining his friendship with Nick or with the rest of us if things didn’t work out with Vicky.
Both of them have kept their mouths shut about it all these years. After that, Vicky built this wall around herself, acting rude and cold toward him. The only time she’d talk to Ollie was for business. Outside of that, it’s just... silence. Or snobbery."
Ella pursed her lips in thought before a playful smile appeared. "Hmm... I think it’s the latter. Oliver seems like the type who’d overthink everything. He probably thought being with Vicky might risk the friendship and bond he has with Nick and your family. I don’t see Nick forbidding him."
Liam chuckled, shaking his head. "That sounds about right. Ollie worries too much, makes up scenarios in his head that will never happen. That’s just how he is."
Ella laughed lightly. "Well, maybe that’s why he’s such a damn good lawyer—his brain’s too busy drafting every possible scenario before it even happens."
The car slowed to a gentle stop in front of Ella’s home. Liam cut the engine, but neither of them moved immediately. For a moment, the only sound was the faint ticking of the cooling car and the steady rhythm of their breathing.
"Thanks for tonight," Ella said softly, turning to face him. Her smile was shy but genuine. "Do you want to come in for a bit? Just for coffee. Or... tea?"
Liam hesitated, then shook his head lightly. "If I go in, I don’t think I’ll want to leave anytime soon."
"Then don’t. It’s Sunday tomorrow, and I am not sleepy yet. We could do something fun, if you’re up to it, unless you need to go home now," Ella said, innocently.
Liam gulped; his mind was already imagining things. "Do something fun?"
Ella nodded. "Yes, like watching movies, or anything you want to pass the time."
Liam chuckled under his breath, mostly at himself for where his mind had wandered—definitely not about movies. To cover it up, he drummed his fingers playfully on the steering wheel, then snatched up his car keys with a grin. "Alright, let’s do that," he said, hopping out of the car with an energy that made Ella laugh.
Once inside, Ella grabbed the remote and placed it in his hand as she flicked on the TV. "Pick something. I’ve got Netflix, Disney, HBO, and Amazon," she offered, her eyes twinkling.
Liam’s jaw went slack in mock amazement. "You have everything?"
"Of course," Ella replied with a playful shrug. "I can’t exactly work in the garden at night—the plants need their beauty sleep, too. And my paperwork isn’t that heavy, so when I’m free, I binge-watch. It’s my guilty pleasure."
She flashed him a teasing smile before heading toward the kitchen. "Now you choose. I’ll make us some tea and snacks."
Liam watched her disappear into the warm light of the kitchen. He shook his head with a quiet grin, realizing he wasn’t really interested in movies at all. Not when the real entertainment was standing just a few steps away.
When the romantic comedy played on the screen, Liam and Ella laughed so much their sides hurt.
Ella reached for her teacup at the same time Liam lifted his to drink. The quick motion sent his cup tipping, tea splashing onto his shirt and pants.
"Oh my gosh! I’m so sorry!" Ella gasped, snatching tissues from the table. She leaned over in a rush, dabbing at his shirt first before moving to his lap without thinking twice.
Liam stiffened, his eyes widening as her hand pressed against the fabric of his pants. "Ella—" he began, but she was too focused, blotting at the damp spot near his zipper.
Her innocent fussing sent a jolt through him, and his body betrayed him instantly. Heat flared, tension tightening low in his stomach. He grabbed her wrist, his grip firmer than he intended.
"That’s enough, Ella," he said, his voice rougher than he wanted. "You’re... you’re making this worse."
Confused, Ella blinked up at him, then glanced down—her eyes widening at the unmistakable bulge straining against his pants. Color rushed to her cheeks. "Oh... I—I’m sorry," she stammered softly. "I didn’t mean to make you... hard."
The innocent way she said it only made Liam’s pulse pound harder. He shut his eyes briefly, trying to control himself.
Then Ella bit her lip nervously. "I heard it’s... painful if you leave it like that. Is that true?" She hesitated, her voice trembling between worry and curiosity. "What... what can I do to help?"
Her question hung in the air, the movie’s laughter track a sharp contrast to the electric tension crackling between them.
Liam’s heart hammered in his chest because now, he had a choice: pull back before they crossed a line, or close the distance and finally show her what he’d been holding back for far too long.
*******
Thank you for the Golden Ticket Kristen2025!