CHAPTER 3

A week had gone by since Liam and I got married. I didn't have to worry about those 7 days because Liam never spent any of his night at home due to work at the office. We did go on honeymoon as every normal couple did, but he didn't spend any of his night at home.

Since we got married, Liam never really mentioned anything about why I ended up as his bride. When it came to lying to the press and his admirers, Liam was a better liar. We couldn't spend much time going out as intended because of the paparazzi and annoying journalists who wanted to know if we were truly happy together.

I returned to our hotel room yesterday evening while Liam went to the office. My eighth day as a married woman. I could tolerate it as long as Liam didn't return at night.

I picked up my Bible and read Revelation 6. My Bible was a peaceful place to be when I was distressed.

I closed my bible when I was done reading, and entered the bathroom. l walked up to the big mirror and dabbed some toothpaste on my toothbrush and brushed slowly.

I wonder if Lisa's doing okay? I thought. I never really liked her that much but she was my sister and I cared about her well-being. I removed my clothes and had my bath. When I was done, I dried my body with a towel and combed my hair, and wrapped the towel around my chest.

"Damn! Why did I have to forget my clothes in the room? It's okay. No one's here. I'll quickly go in and wear it before anyone comes in." I assured myself. I peeped through the door to know if anyone was there. When I was assured that no one was in the room, I came out and sat on the bed.

While I was applying my body cream, Liam got up from under the bed. He was there the entire time and I didn't know.

"Hey." That was the only thing he uttered.

"Wh-what are you doing here?" I screamed.

"I,"

"Didn't your parents teach you any manners? I didn't let him finish. I was already too angry to listen. "Weren't you taught to knock before entering someone's room?"

"Look,"

"Keep quiet! When you make a mistake, the least you can do is say I'm sorry. Stop trying to justify your mistake."

"Hello, Grumpy," This was the first time I heard him raise his voice at me. "This is my room," he continued. "Do I have to remind you that we are married?"

He was right after all. How could I forget that this wasn't my parents' home where everyone except me knocked before entering.

"Plus, now you've brought up my home training, didn't your parents teach you any manners at all? Sorry, I forgot. How could they have, when you all deceived my parents and me? You all are just the same. Have you for once thought about what you will say to my parents when we get back?"

Oh no. That was the one thing I forgot. What would I tell them? I hope my parents were able to clear everything up. I grabbed my cream from the table and placed it in my bag.

"Why? Have you suddenly lost your voice after realizing the truth?" He teased me.

"Really? So it's my fault that you and your family got deceived? I wasn't putting on a mask. It was only a veil and you couldn't tell who you were marrying. You are the biggest fool I've ever seen. We didn't deceive you, we were just too smart. Go take some lessons from the hotel staff."

"What?" He threw his phone on the table and walked to the other side of the bed where I was standing. "I am a billionaire! I am Liam Smith!"

"Go tell that to someone who cares! I didn't want to marry you in the first place."

"So why are you here?"

"For my parents! You disgust me. I hate you, Mr. Liam! I hate you!"

"If you hate me so much then leave! Runaway with your family. I'll tell my dad it was my fault. Just get out!"

"I will." I stormed out of the room with my bag. He didn't want me so why should I stay? Besides, this is what I've always wanted since we got married.

"What's wrong?" The receptionist asked. "Have you finally decided to leave Mr. Liam for good?"

"Rachel, it's not what you think."

"Oh really? I don't wanna brag but, I think I know you too well. Don't forget that I'm your best friend. We've known each other for years. Now tell me what's going on." She knew me too well. Sadly this is the bad thing about having good friends. They seem to understand what the heart wants without even saying it.

"So you got a new job here, huh?" I tried to avoid her question. "You couldn't even tell your best friend."

"So did you. You fell in love and got married without informing me. I had never thought in my entire life that you of all people would fall in love with Liam Smith. I mean, he raped a girl and even forced her to terminate her pregnancy. You've always been against injustice, so why marry him?"

"It just so happened that I, you know, fell in love. Love is indeed blind." Love? I was starting to ask myself if I even understood the meaning of that word. I had to lie to so many people that I was in love with Liam.

Liam and I had just parted ways but I still couldn't bring myself to tell Rachel the truth. Was it because I felt pity for him because of his bad reputation or was it my heart playing tricks on me?

"Love is blind? No...the Hannah I know wouldn't say that. You are just 21years. Last I remember, Lisa was engaged to Liam. So how did you end up as his wife."

"The thing is," The girl standing close to Rachel was starting to eavesdrop on our conversation so I kept mute for a while. There was no way I could tell her the truth. If I did, then the entire world would know of everything. Liam's name will be dragged down the mud again. "I fell in love with Liam and it turned out to be that I was the only one he loved all this while."

"Let's assume I believe you. Why are you leaving the hotel alone with your bags?"

"I admit that we are best friends, but there are things I just told you right now."

"I'm sorry for trying to help you."

I picked up my bags from the floor and walked up to the table in front of me. Two old ladies were sitting with their husbands. One of the ladies stared at me and smiled. She had the smile of a sixteen-year-old. I waved at her and politely greeted her. Soon, the four of them started to stare at me. I adjusted my dress a little and sat up straight. I wasn't putting on the wrong dress and I had no puke on my face so I wouldn't let these old people talk me down. I cleared my throat before reaching for the glass of orange juice in front of me.

"Hi, dear." The nice old lady finally said something. I dropped my glass and extended my hand to greet her again. Probably she didn't hear me greet her the first time. "What's your name?"

"Hannah Brow..........I mean, Hannah Liam Smith."

"I see you are with your bags. This means you are separating from your husband."

"No ma'am."

"It's good. He's a shameless man. He raped that innocent child. He ruined her entire life. It's all because of him, that innocent child can't show her face outside. Liam is a terrible person."

"That's not true!" I wasn't going to let anyone say anything negative about my husband. "We don't even know the real story. Anyone can come out and say a celebrity raped them just to gain publicity. I've known Liam for seven days and I know he's not that kind of man!"

"Then why are you leaving him?" Another girl from behind asked. Everyone had already gathered around my table.

"Is your marriage based on love or was it an arranged marriage?" Another person asked from the crowd.

There were cameras everywhere. I was feeling very scared. Liam wasn't with me. I knew I had to defend myself and Liam. If anything should happen to Liam, his parents won't spare my family. I've already come this far, there was no backing out now. This is my destiny.

I stood on top of my chair and shouted with fear in my voice. "I love Liam Smith!" Everywhere had suddenly gone quiet. People were staring. Paparazzi had their cameras roaming. "Our marriage is based on love. Who do you think you are to question our relationship? Liam is not a bad person. It's high time you dropped this cheap mentality."

"Liar!" Someone shouted from the crowd. "She's probably trying to cover up for her husband. If you truly love each other, why does he sleep at the office every night?" I raised my head a little higher and saw the guy that asked the question. He was dark and tall, with brown eyes. How could he have known Liam slept in his office? I reasoned. There are only two things, it's either he works in this hotel or he works at Liam's office.

"What's going on here?" It was the same cold voice from my room. I felt so excited that Liam had come out. These people were the real definition of Cowards. As soon as Liam came out, they ran off. I jumped down from my chair and flung my arms around his neck.

"Thank you."

"Shall we?"

"Sure." We checked out of the hotel and entered his car.

"About the divorce."

"It's not happening." I cut in. "I don't trust you enough to handle your father. Until I pay up my father's debts and save his business and image, we will stay together as husband and wife."

"What was that all about?"

"What?"

"Hugging me and telling everyone there that you love me."

"I was only putting on an act."

"Well, I hope you have a good act to put on in front of my parents." He just didn't know the right time to talk. I looked out through the car mirror and admired the road. I was going to my husband's house for the first time.