Kourtney glanced at her ringing phone and sighed. She reached for it, taking a quick look at the caller ID.
It was an unknown number, and immediately, she assumed it was one of her ex-fiancé's family members calling again. She shook her head and silenced the call, her expression twisting slightly to frustration.
Liam raised an eyebrow, noticing her reaction. "Everything okay?"
Kourtney shrugged, offering a half-hearted smile. "Just another call I'd rather not deal with."
"Ok then. But I'm being serious here. I'm not leaving without you. Let's go grab something quick before work hours resume," Liam continued to insist.
Kourtney stretched her arms lazily overhead. "I promise I'll take a break soon. Just let me finish this one last section of the draft, please."
"Liam is right, Kourt. We've seen how hard you've been working since yesterday, and we have no doubt the Silverstone Gala will be a massive success. But you need to take a break, okay? It's still one month away anyway," Kourtney's closest female workmate, Irina Evans, added in support of Liam.
The three of them were known as an unstoppable team within the company, and their camaraderie had grown stronger over the years.
Kourtney sighed, finally giving in to their persistence. "Alright, fine. But only because you guys are being so insistent."
Liam grinned triumphantly. "That's the spirit! Now, let's go before they run out of those amazing Parmesan Garlic French Fries you love."
As they strolled towards the company cafeteria, Kourtney couldn't help but feel grateful for her friends' intervention, especially Liam. He was one of the few people who could always coax her into taking a break, and she was thankful for that.
She tended to get lost in her work, often forgetting to take breaks or care for herself. Liam and Irina's presence was like a reminder that she wasn't alone in this demanding job.
Reaching the bustling cafeteria, the aroma of various foods filled the air. Kourtney scanned the options before settling on a salad, trying to maintain some semblance of a healthy diet amidst the Silverstone Gala event-planning chaos.
They joined the line and chatted about upcoming events, office gossip, and anything that helped take Kourtney's mind off work for a while. As they grabbed their food and found a table, the trio continued their banter and laughter before deviating to work topics.
"So, Kourt, how's the gala's theme coming along?" Irina asked, taking a bite of her sandwich.
Kourtney leaned back in her chair, sipping her water. "It's shaping up nicely. I'm thinking of a starry night theme with a touch of elegance and mystery. I want the guests to feel like they're stepping into a magical world on arrival at the venue."
Liam nodded approvingly. "Sounds enchanting. And knowing you, it's going to be executed perfectly. You have an incredible talent for turning ideas into reality. I've seen you work tirelessly, paying attention to every detail and making everything come together seamlessly."
"I know! Right? Her dedication and creativity never cease to amaze us. It's truly awe-inspiring," Irina chipped in.
Kourtney smiled warmly, appreciating their encouragement. "Thanks, guys. I couldn't do it without you both."
"But seriously, Kourt," Liam continued, his voice softening with a sincerity that caught her off guard, "you're not just incredible at everything. You're the most amazing person I've ever known."
Kourtney felt her cheeks warm, and her heart flutters at Liam's words. His praise held a sweetness that went beyond their usual banter. She exchanged a glance with him, her curiosity piqued by his genuine sentiment. His eyes even held a tenderness that she hadn't noticed before.
Liam smiled brightly, his eyes lingering on her for a moment longer before he fixed his gaze on his plate. Underneath the table, he tapped his foot softly on Irina's. He'd been crushing on Kourtney for the longest time now. And he thought, 'Now is my chance.'
Just as Kourtney was about to respond to his praises, Irina cleared her throat noticeably. "Excuse me, guys. I just remembered I need to use the bathroom. I'll be back in a bit."
Kourtney watched as Irina rose from her seat, her expression holding an almost bustling laughter. Kourtney raised an eyebrow, noticing a mischievous glint in Irina's eyes. She exchanged curious glances with both Liam and Irina, wondering if they were plotting something behind her back.
Probably a new prank!
As Irina left, Kourtney turned her attention back to Liam, who seemed oddly serious now. His usually playful demeanor had transformed into something she wasn't used to seeing.
He shifted in his seat and cleared his throat as if he was about to give a presentation.
"So Kourt. How've you been holding up since… you know," Liam started a new conversation.
"I've been holding up just fine," Kourtney replied briefly with a smile.
She knew where this might be going, and hell no! She was not in the mood to talk about it with anyone. Thankfully, no one at work had brought it up before now. All she wanted to do right now is to focus on the upcoming event.
"Great. Because the last thing I want is to see you unhappy. I mean… You deserve better, Kourt. And that bastard is going to regret losing a rare gem like you. Sooner or later," Liam said with all seriousness.
"Gee. Thanks. You're always my biggest supporter."
"And I'll always be. It's like I was made to be your cheerleader in life."
Kourtney blushed awkwardly and ate a mouthful of salad. She couldn't shake off the feeling that something significant was about to unfold, especially with the way he touched her cheeks earlier.
Liam cleared his throat again and focused his gaze on the table for a short instant before he looked up at Kourtney. His emerald eyes held a mixture of vulnerability and determination, locking onto hers with intensity.
"K–Kourt," he began, his voice a tad shaky.
"There's uhh... something I've wanted to tell you for a while now."
Kourtney's pulse immediately quickened as she met his gaze, her curiosity and anticipation growing. She wondered if he was about to reveal something she had sensed for a while.
"What is it, Liam? Is everything okay?"