Liam nodded, running his fingers through his thick blonde hair, an uncharacteristic sign of nervousness. His lips curved into a shy smile.
He seemed so nervous, which was so unlike him. He even started fidgeting with his fork, staring down at his plate.
Kourtney held her breath, her eyes locked on him, waiting for the words she had always suspected but hoped wasn't true. She prayed silently, that he wouldn't say what she thought he was about to say.
"Kourt... I've known you for the past two years, and I've admired your strength, your kindness, and your unwavering dedication. I'll keep saying it – You're an incredible person, Kourt. Like an Angel sent from Heaven! And I... I want you to know that I've–"
"Well, I've realized that you mean a lot more to me than just a friend and colleague. Kourtney Lily Allen, I... I really... really like you. I like you so much…"
"My feelings for you... they've grown stronger than just friendship. A-And now that you're single again. I Uhmm… was hoping you'd give me a chance…"
A flurry of emotions rushed through Kourtney's mind as she absorbed his confession. Her heart raced, and she struggled to find the right words to respond.
She had always suspected he had romantic feelings for her, just like everyone else assumes, but hearing him say it out loud was a different matter altogether.
Just as she was about to speak, her phone began to ring, breaking the charged moment between them.
Startled by the interruption, Kourtney reached for her phone, her fingers trembling slightly. She saw the unknown number from earlier flashing on the screen once again, and her heart sank at the timing of the call. She looked back at Liam, offering an apologetic smile.
"I'm so sorry, Liam. These calls are getting really persistent lately."
Liam's gaze softened, his initial nervousness returning to his eyes. "No need to apologize, Kourtney. Timing can be tricky, huh?"
Kourtney nodded, her mind a whirlwind of emotions and thoughts. She busied the call, dropped the phone, and turned her attention back to Liam, offering a faint smile to cover her unsettled emotions.
"Yeah, sorry about that. It's probably just another random call."
And then, the phone started ringing once again.
Liam's lips curved into a reassuring smile. "It's okay! But, hey, at least answer it just in case it's something important, especially since the caller seems incessant."
As Kourtney contemplated what to do, Liam leaned in a bit closer. "Or, you could just answer it and give them a piece of your mind if it's bothering you so much."
She chuckled, appreciating his attempt to lighten the mood. "Thanks, Liam. I think I'm going to do just that."
He winked playfully. "Anytime, Kourt."
"Please excuse me. One sec."
"Sure."
Picking up her phone, Kourtney took a deep breath and answered the call.
"Hello?"
There was a moment of silence on the other end, and Kourtney had to repeat herself.
"Hello???"
"Hmmm." This time a reply came through.
"Who is this?" Kourtney asked impatiently, but there was no tangible reply again, except for another long drag of "Hmmm…"
She was getting annoyed now as she had no time for a humming competition over the phone. Her patience was wearing thin for the persistent caller. Her annoyance grew, and she was just about to end the call when a voice finally came through.
"Is that how you greet your husband?" the stern voice replied with annoyance evident.
"H-Hu… Husband?" Kourtney's eyes widened in realization.
Sebastian frowned deeply at her startled response.
'Did this woman forget she had a husband?' he thought.
"Yes. It's your husband. Or did you forget you were married?" Sebastian sneered.
"I… I–" Kourtney was rendered speechless, and panic welled up inside her.
She struggled to find the right words to say. Instead, she felt a lump in her throat. It wasn't that she had forgotten her marriage, but the emotional stress and torture she'd been through these past few days were quite overwhelming. So much so that she hadn't had a chance to think about anything else, and that's why his words caught her off guard.
"And why the hell were you cutting off my calls? I did say I was going to give you a call after we got married, didn't I?" Sebastian's deep voice resounding through the phone line held a trace of anger and malice.
Kourtney took a deep breath, trying to steady herself.
"I... I didn't realize it was you. Okay?" she managed to respond.
'And even if I did, it's not bad to ignore you, as well,' she wanted to add but dared not to.
How was she supposed to know he had been the caller all this time? She'd already assumed it was one of the Smith's trying to bother her with questions concerning her failed engagement with Brandon.
"Kourt?? Is everything okay?" Liam asked with genuine concern after noticing her panicked facial expressions.
Sebastian heard it clearly – the sweet, gentle, and caring voice of another man just as he was about to respond to her whining. His face stiffened and turned cold in an instant. Anyone who saw him now would probably perceive the fury radiating off him.
That male voice in the background was like a jab to his ego – his wife was busy spending time with some other guy. His grip on the phone tightened, and his knuckles turned white. His jaw clenched as he struggled to control the boiling emotions within him.
"Who is that with you?" Sebastian demanded, his tone icier than ever before.
Kourtney's pupils dilated in alarm, realizing he must have heard Liam. She quickly stood up from her seat with the phone still pressed to her ears.
"Uhmm… Liam… Excuse me for a second." She ran off hurriedly to a quiet corner.
Liam's expression turned slightly disappointed. He leaned back, folding his arms casually as he watched Kourtney disappear.
"Husband?" he muttered to himself in confusion. There was also a profound look in his eyes.
He had been secretly rejoicing since he heard the news about Kourtney's fiancé dumping her for her sister. Her wedding was canceled just like he prayed it would. And today, he decided to reveal his feelings for her.
Liam had harbored a deep, unrequited love for Kourtney for a long time, and now he saw a glimmer of hope. But hearing her talk on the phone, saying the word, "Husband," and seeing how she looked so flustered somehow made his mind race.
What's going on?