Emma Johnson sat in the passenger seat, her unease growing with every passing second. She had finally enjoyed two days of peace, and now Liam Williams was up to something. What kind of game was he playing?
"Where exactly are we going to eat? Don't you have to work overtime? How can you just be free like this?" Her anxiety spiked. It felt like if she let her guard down for even a moment, she'd fall right into whatever trap he had set.
"You'll know when we get there. What's the rush?" Liam drove quickly, as if time was running out.
His voice sounded calm enough, but wasn't that exactly how he sounded right before one of his inexplicable outbursts?
Emma bit her lower lip, her hands nervously twisting together in her lap.
The car screeched to a sudden halt in front of an upscale restaurant in the city center.
Emma glanced around. The place was packed with cars, and inside, guests and staff bustled about. Surely, even if Liam was angry, he wouldn't cause a scene in a place like this.
Reassured, she smoothed her clothes and stepped out of the car. Liam saw right through the panic and unease written all over her face.
What was that supposed to mean? Was she unhappy?
He had a mountain of work waiting for him at the company. He remembered they hadn't had a proper date in ages, not even a chance to share a meal alone. Today, he'd made a rare effort to take her out, and all he got was her gloomy expression.
Despite his irritation, Liam swallowed the roar building in his chest and walked over to her. He draped an arm around her shoulder. "Sweetheart, what's on your mind? I finally get to take you out for dinner, and you look so down."
The moment his hand touched her shoulder, she flinched involuntarily before quickly regaining her composure.
Liam noticed. It was so obvious even a blind man could see it.
Emma tried to act natural, but her voice still trembled when she spoke. "I'm fine. Maybe it's just too cold."
She was convinced this was a trap Liam had set. No matter how kind he seemed now, the moment they got home, everything would change.
As they walked into the restaurant, the host spotted Liam and hurried over with a smile. "Mr. Williams, your table and dishes are all prepared. Please follow me."
Liam nodded silently. Emma felt the temperature of his hand growing colder and colder as they followed the host. Even the air around them seemed to freeze.
Every time she felt this chill, it meant Liam was about to explode.
What happened? He was fine in the car. Why was it getting so cold here?
All the questions she wanted to ask died on her lips. After being together for so long, she had learned to read his moods. She knew when he was in a bad mood and when she could joke with him. But right now, it wasn't the time to say or do anything.
The waiter placed dish after dish on the table. Liam had ordered everything according to her usual preferences. On any other day, Emma would have been thrilled to see such a feast.
But now?
Liam took a sip of his red wine, his face dark as he watched the woman across from him. She sat stiffly, her hands resting unnaturally on the table, staring at the dishes with a blank expression. Even her usually bright eyes seemed dull and confused.
Was she really that miserable going on a date with him?
Or maybe he was being too sentimental. Emma had said she would never fall in love with him. Even their contract was just to protect her innocence.
But now, they were in public. Since she was his wife, she should at least act the part according to their agreement.
The more he thought about it, the angrier he got. If he had known she would be so reluctant, he would have just stayed at the office and worked overtime.
"Eat. I'll take you home when you're done." Liam's voice was cold, devoid of any warmth, making Emma shiver.
She looked at the table full of delicious food but couldn't muster any appetite. How could she eat when his voice was so icy?
Emma nodded silently, picked up her chopsticks, hesitated for a long time, and finally whispered, "Why did you bring me here?"
Liam was stunned. Could she really ask that?
Why else would he take her to a restaurant? To eat, of course. What else was there to do?
"It's nothing. I just wanted to take you out for dinner. Hurry up, I have to go home and deal with company matters later." Liam couldn't be bothered to answer such a pointless question and made up an excuse to shut her up.
Deal with company matters?
If he was so busy, why did he bring her out to dinner? And then claim he had no ulterior motive? When did Liam become so bad at lying?
Emma paused, not saying another word.
Just as she put a piece of meat in her bowl, Liam's phone rang without warning. Her hand froze in mid-air as she stared at him.
It was Christopher Martin calling. Liam glanced at the screen, hesitated for a moment, then picked up the phone and walked outside.
He knew perfectly well that as long as he sat there with Emma, she wouldn't be able to eat in peace. Only when he left would she finally relax.
Liam walked past her without a second glance, his imposing presence making it impossible for her to even look up at him.
Through the window, Emma watched him standing outside, talking on the phone. Her heart grew heavier. Suddenly, she remembered what Benjamin Williams had said that morning.
What if Liam really had no other intention? What if he just wanted to have a date with her? Was she overthinking everything?
What should she do?
Emma ran her hands through her hair, staring at the tall figure outside.
Every time she couldn't figure out what Liam was thinking, she ended up making him angry for no reason.
Was she really that stupid?
"Weiwei... What are you doing here all alone?"
Emma felt a tap on her shoulder, and a familiar voice came from behind.