22 Wed, Jan 8
Chapter 72
Chapter 72
Izzy rubbed her temples, her fingers pressing against the slight he that had been building all day. The pressure of the project was mounting. She had handled difficult tasks before, but this one felt different. Everyone expected perfection, and that expectation weighed heavily on her.
She glanced at her screen, her presentation was finished and polished but a part of her wasn’t satisfied. It needed to be flawless seamless transitions, compelling data, and visuals that left an impression. She took a deep breath, reached for her water bottle, and, after a long sip, placed it back on the desk before resuming her work.
The vibration of her phone broke her concentration. Izzy’s eyes flicked to the screen. Liam’s name lit up. She hesitated, her gaze shifting to the clock in the corner of her screen. It had just turned seven.
She muttered under her breath, “I told him not to wait up. I said I’d be busy.”
Reluctantly, she picked up the phone and swiped to answer. “I’m busy,” she said, cutting him off before he could speak. “I might even spend the night at the office.”
As soon as the words left her mouth, she frowned, silently chastising herself. Why was she telling him this? It wasn’t as if he cared about her schedule. So, she cleared her throat and added. What do you need?”
There was a brief silence before Liam spoke. “Come downstairs.
Izzy blinked, unsure if she had heard him correctly. “What?”
“I’m outside your office,” Liam said.
Her brows furrowed as she stared at her phone, processing his words. “What are you talking about?
“I’m waiting for you,” he replied.
Izzy stood from her chair, walking toward the window. She pushed aside the blinds and peered down at the street below. Sure enough, Liam was leaning against his car, looking up as if he knew she’d be watching.
She stepped back, her grip tightening on the phone. “What are you doing here?”
“I thought that was obvious,” he said. “Come down, Izzy. I won’t take no for an answer.”
Izzy groaned, glancing back at her desk and the pile of work she still needed to finish. “This is ridiculous,” she muttered, but her feet were already moving toward the door.
Izzy walked out of the building, her arms crossed as she approached Liam. He was leaning casually against his car. She stopped in front of him and she raised an eyebrow. “What are you doing here?”
Liam didn’t answer. Instead, he opened the car door for her and gestured for her to get in.
She hesitated for a moment, her brows knitting together in suspicion. “Really? You’re not even going to explain?”
Liam simply waited, holding the door open.
Izzy sighed, her shoulders sagging slightly as she slid into the passenger seat. “Fine, but this better be quick. I have work to do,” she said, fastening her seatbelt.
too
much
Liam closed the door and walked around to the driver’s side. He got in, started the engine, and pulled onto the street without a word.
She glanced at him, her irritation building. “Where are we going”
1/3
Chapter 72
“You’ll know soon enough,” he said, his eyes fixed on the road.
Izzy leaned back in her seat, her fingers drumming against her hee. “I have a mountain of work to finish, Liam. I can’t just leave the company like this.”
Liam smirked slightly but didn’t respond.
“Liam, I’m serious,” she said, her tone sharper this time.
He chuckled, which only irritated her further.
Izzy groaned, pinching the bridge of her nose.
“Relax, Mrs. Horvath. I am not taking you away from your work he said as the car slowed down.
Soon enough, Liam pulled the car into a quiet overlook on the edge of the city. The skyline stretched out before them, the buildings glittering with lights against the deep blue of the night. Below, the river wound its way through the city, its surface reflecting the glow of the moon and the occasional passing boat. The view was breathtaking, a perfect blend of nature and urban life.
Izzy frowned slightly as she looked around. “Why are we here?”
Liam got out of the car without answering. He moved to the back, opening the trunk and pulling out a few items. Izzy watched through the rearview mirror, curiosity replacing her irritation.
After a moment, he walked to her side of the car and opened the door. “Come on,” he said, stepping aside to give her room. Izzy hesitated before unbuckling her seatbelt and stepping out. Her eyes widened slightly as she saw him setting up a small folding table and two chairs. He placed a couple of takeout bags on the table and began arranging the containers.
She raised an eyebrow. “What’s all this?”
He glanced at her briefly before continuing to set up. “You’ve been too busy. You don’t eat on time. Someone has to remind you to take care of yourself.”
Izzy folded her arms, watching him work. The makeshift setup was simple but surprisingly thoughtful. The table faced the view, perfectly positioned for them to enjoy it as they ate.
Liam gestured to one of the chairs. “Do you mind eating takeout”
Izzy opened her mouth to respond but found herself too stunned to say anything.
He didn’t wait for her answer, taking out neatly packed boxes and opening them to reveal a variety of dishes. “I figured something easy would be better. No distractions, no screens. Just you, the food, and the view.”
Izzy finally managed to speak, her words slow as she tried to process everything. “You… brought me here to eat takeout and look at the city?”
He stopped what he was doing and turned to face her. “You don’t like it?”
Izzy shook her head quickly. “No. That’s impossible. Who wouldn’t like eating while looking at this?” She gestured to the view of San Francisco, her eyes lingering on the glowing cityscape and the river below.
Liam pulled out the chair for her, his expression unreadable. “Then sit. Eat. The presentation can wait for a little while.” She sat down slowly, her gaze shifting between the food and the view. For once, she had no arguments.
Izzy picked up her chopsticks, eyeing the spread in front of her. The takeout containers were filled with steaming Chinese
Chapter 72
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food–lo mein, sweet and sour chicken, dumplings, and a few other dishes she didn’t recognize right away. She couldn’t help but laugh softly as she picked up a piece of chicken.
“I didn’t think you were the type to eat takeout,” she said, glancing at Liam as she took a bite.
Liam smirked, picking up a dumpling with his chopsticks. “There’s a lot you don’t know about me, Izzy.”
She raised an eyebrow. “Oh, really? Like what?” She hated to admit it, but she was genuinely curious about him. She had known him since she was young however, their contact ended when he went abroad. Besides, she hated him then.
Well, she still disliked him, but she slowly found herself tolerating his presence. And perhaps even quite like it.
He leaned back slightly, studying her as he chewed. After a moment, he gestured toward her with his chopsticks. “For starters, I’m not as complicated as you think. I don’t mind simple things, like this.”
“Simple things?” She chuckled, twirling some lo mein onto her chopsticks. “You just pulled me away from work, set up a table with the best view in the city, and brought half the Chinese menu. That’s hardly simple.” And she couldn’t help but appreciate such a gesture.
“You needed it.” Liam shrugged, popping another dumpling into his mouth. “Someone had to drag you out of that office before you buried yourself alive in work.”
Izzy narrowed her eyes at him playfully. “And that someone had to be you?”
He didn’t answer immediately, just smirked and looked out at the city for a moment. Then he turned back to her. “Let’s just say… I like looking after what’s mine.”
SEND GIFT
