Page 8 of Liam
Mia raises an eyebrow. “Are you sure? You’re soaked.”
“It’s nothing I can’t handle,” he assures her, that charming smile still in place. “Really, I promise. Just a little shower.”
“I could definitely use a towel,” I say.
Mia shoots me a sharp glare, her dark eyes narrowing behind stylish black-rimmed glasses, before turning back to Liam. “I hope everything has been satisfactory so far, despite the unexpected shower.”
“Oh, it’s been illuminating,” Liam replies, that infuriating smirk playing on his lips.
“Well, if by illuminating you mean completely drenched,” I mutter under my breath, “then yeah, it’s been a real splash.”
Mia’s eyes dart to me, and I catch the slight twitch of her eyebrow as she tries to maintain her professional composure. “Dr. James,” she says through a forced smile, “I’m sure we can rectify the situation.”
Liam, of course, doesn’t miss a beat, turning that smirk up a notch. “Oh, no need, Dr. Chen. I’m finding this veryrefreshing.”
I roll my eyes so hard that they practically take a lap around my skull. “Careful, Mia. Keep complimenting him like that, and he’ll think the entire building’s sprinkler system was part of his personalized welcome package.”
Mia’s dark hair sways as she glances between us. Her slender fingers adjust her glasses as she speaks. “Aleria, can I have a word with you? In private?”
I follow her to the corner of the lab, already bracing myself for the lecture I know is coming.
“What the hell are you doing?” Mia whispers. “Do you have any idea how long we’ve been waiting for this investment opportunity? And now I find you two soaking wet and bickering like children in the middle of our lab?”
I open my mouth to defend myself, but Mia cuts me off. “No, don’t even try to explain. I don’t care what he said or did. This is Liam Valeur, for crying out loud. The man who could single-handedly save or sink our entire project. And you’re treating him like he’s some frat boy who spilled beer on your thesis!”
The guilt sets in as I realize how my behavior must look from the outside. “Mia, I?—”
“Save it,” she interrupts. “Try to act like a professional for five minutes, okay? We need this to work out. You know LumiVera needs the money.” She takes a deep breath,composing herself. “Now, I’m going to go do damage control. You’re going to dry off and then join us with a smile on your face and not a single snarky comment. Got it?”
I nod, my chin dipping to my chest as Mia’s words sink in. The weight of her disappointment settles on my shoulders like a lead blanket. It’s not just my future that hangs on the line here. It’s also Mia’s. The other researchers working here.
My fingers fidget with the hem of my soaked lab coat, twisting the fabric as if I could wring out my shame along with the water.
As Mia turns back to Liam, her voice honeyed with apologies and professional charm, I risk a glance in their direction. A hot flush creeps up my neck, painting my cheeks with embarrassment.
She’s right, of course. I’ve allowed my personal feelings to derail what should have been a straightforward business meeting. Months of hard work, sleepless nights, and scientific breakthroughs, all jeopardized because I couldn’t keep my cool around a man in an expensive suit.
Straightening my shoulders, I vow to myself to do better, to be the professional I know I am.
Mia says, “Mr. Valeur, I sincerely apologize for this unfortunate incident. Perhaps we could refocus our attention on the ASTRA project? I believe you'll find the details quite compelling.”
“No need to apologize, Dr. Chen. I understand completely. Dr. James here thought the lab could use a good washing,” Liam says, his tone light but with an edge of challenge that sets my teeth on edge.
His eyes meet mine, daring me to respond, and my newly-made promise crumbles like a sandcastle in a tsunami. The words burst out before I can stop them.
“Oh, that's rich coming from you, Mr. I-Value-My-Bank-Account-More-Than-Human-Emotions,” I snap, years of hurt bubbling to the surface. “Tell me, do you calculate the ROI on every relationship or just the ones you plan to discard?”
“Aleria,” Mia whispers, her eyes wide with alarm. She tugs at my lab coat, trying to pull me back, but I shake her off.
Liam, undeterred, turns to Mia. His demeanor shifts, charm oozing from every pore as he cranks his charisma up to eleven. It’s like watching a snake charmer at work, and I hate how effective it is.
“Dr. Chen, maybe you can help settle something. You know Dr. James well, right?”
Mia's eyes ping-pong between us, looking like she'd rather be anywhere else. Possibly on Mars. “I...uh…I guess,” she stammers.
“Then perhaps you can tell me if she’s always this grumpy or if it’s just my charming presence bringing it out in her.”
“Grumpy?” I spit out, my voice rising despite my best efforts to remain calm. “I’m not grumpy.”
