Page 50 of Unfinished

Whatever it was, it was bringing up all the old fears Hannah had about how people would see our relationship. How could I ask Hannah to please stick this out with me when my own mother called her a gold digger? How could I subject her to this type of treatment?

I wanted to take her to NYC. She’d meet people there who would accept her and be excited about our relationship. That was what I should do, sweep her off to New York and introduce her to people who would love her exactly as she was. Over winter break I’d do that, even if it was for one event or a weekend.

Tonight, Rion and Bas were throwing an end of summer party. Hannah agreed to come to the party, so I was hoping that we had a chance to talk things through and I was able to convince her that there were some good people in my circles.

“Has Ashley said anything?” I asked Bas. I’d been trying to see if maybe Hannah had talked to Ashley about whatever it was that my mom said to her.

“Nope, I even tried to bring it up and Ashley was genuinely lost, so Hannah didn’t even tell Ashley what was said.”

“I hope she shows up.” I continued to watch the house waiting for Hannah.

“Ashley said she was getting a ride with Hannah.”

“I’m going to go in and watch for them.” I walked off the back deck and through the house. Once inside the den on the first floor, I closed the door behind me, not that it helped with noise or privacy. The walls were glass in the room.

I needed Hannah here. I wanted to bury my face in her hair and have that feeling that only came when I was near her. Like everything would be okay. I couldn’t lose her, I wouldn’t let her go, and I was determined to marry her one day.

“Hey Liam,” I turned around and Melissa was in the den.

“I don’t want to speak with you.”

“Come on Liam, you can’t be serious.”

“Get the hell out!”

“No, hear me out at least,” she said and I turned to her, crossing my arms over my chest.

“Why would I want to? I have no interest in you.”

“You should, because my dad’s company is your company’s biggest client.” She walked towards me.

“This isn’t about business, Melissa,” I scoffed.

“Everything is about business in our world, Liam. Hannah will never survive it, she can’t do what needs to be done for you. She has her own ambitions. Your ambitions are my ambitions. I can make you look good at every event and put you at the top of the social ladder,” Melissa said as she moved to stand right in front of me.

“I want someone who has an identity other than me and outside social circles.”

Melissa grabbed my neck and pulled me down to her, slamming her lips against mine. It was so sudden I was shocked for a second but I quickly put my hands on Melissa’s shoulders and pushed her away. I looked up and saw Hannah on the other side of the glass. Immediately, I pushed past Melissa and went after Hannah, who turned and walked right back out of the front door.

I opened the door to the den and ran out, “Hannah!”

The front door slammed but I followed her out quickly. Hannah was already walking down the sidewalk and I ran after her.

“Hannah! Stop!” I yelled after her.

“Liam, I don’t care,” she yelled over her shoulder and kept walking towards her Jeep. I caught up to her and grabbed her arm, spinning her towards me.

“She kissed me,” I said.

“I don’t care.”

“Obviously you do.”

“I was going to break this off with you anyway, go back to the woman who wanted to spend your money on bad artwork.” Hannah turned on her heel to keep walking and it felt like my chest was cracking wide open.

“You aren’t breaking anything off!” I yelled, stomping after her.

“Yes I am, we know this isn’t going to work, it’s better for us to walk away now.”

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