Page 12 of Adoration: Isn't What It Seems (Love Isn't What It Seems 2)

“Yes,” Larry got the cue. “Let’s enjoy now and we’ll think about the future later.” Thankfully, it was the end of the conversation and we indulged in our food.

Brandon and I giggled discussing possibilities for dessert. We wanted to get the biggest and sweetest dessert we could afford.

An hour later, with wide smiles on our faces, we left our table and headed for the door. And I ran into Caldwells again.

“Hello, again,” Mr. Caldwell Senior greeted Brandon and me.

“Hi there, stranger,” Maxim greeted us too while smiling.

Alexander Caldwell said absolutely nothing, but his cold eyes were on me, again, with a weird intensity. I swore I felt my body flush in response to his gaze. I tried to ignore him and smiled at Maxim and his grandfather. “Hello.”

“Livy and I had the biggest dessert,” Brandon bragged with a wide smile, his hand in mine.

“Hello, Mr. Caldwell,” Lena spoke up behind me, Larry’s hand around her, holding her close. “Thanks again for giving us the contract.”

“You’re welcome,” Alexander responded, his tone cold. “You were the most qualified.” His eyes returned to me and I had a sense he was thinking, he no longer believed that.

I bit hard into my lip, to prevent myself from saying anything.

What a fucking asshole!

He glanced at my lips and back up, locking his eyes with mine. He knew he pissed me off. I wondered if he was waiting for a reaction. As if hewanteda reaction. I needed to get away from Alexander Caldwell. If I wasn’t doing this for Lena, I would never let him belittle me like that. Whether he had a good reason or not. I had so many creative words I wanted to tell his arrogant ass. I really disliked him, regardless of his abnormally hot body and all consuming flame that licked me every time I saw him.

“Well, it was nice seeing you all,” I muttered with a forced smile. My tone contradicted my words.

I was about to turn my back when Mr. Caldwell Senior’s statement stopped me in my tracks. “You look just like your mother. She was a beauty too.”

My head whipped back to Alexander’s grandfather, almost giving myself whiplash.

“My mom?” My voice portrayed shock. “You knew my mom?”

“Yes.” His smile was genuine, although a tad sad.

Everyone around me was forgotten, all my focus on the old man. “How did you know her?” I asked. “Did you know anyone else?”

Maybe he knew my father, or my grandparents, anything about Mom’s past. I waited, hungry for knowledge about my mother. I knew nothing about her past. It had always been just the two of us and Lena when she entered our life. Lena lost her parents in a car accident and my mom adopted her.

I should’ve known something about my father… anything. His name, where he was, what he liked, did he love me… but she never spoke of him. She never spoke of her past.

“Livy, my hand,” Brandon’s whimpering voice got me out of my daze. I didn’t even realize I was squeezing his hand and I immediately loosened my grip.

“I’m sorry, baby,” I apologized in a soft voice, glancing at him to ensure he was ok.

“Where is your mom, Livy?” His innocent question made my throat choke up.

I felt Lena’s hand on my back as she answered in my stead. “Grandma died. Livy’s mom is your grandma.”

I nodded and looked away from his innocent face, back to Mr. Caldwell.

“How did you know her?” I repeated the question in a low voice, watching for any and all signs on his face.

“Lily was the only daughter of the Glasgow family. I knew her from a very young age, she quite often played in our yard. Her parents’ land bordered ours.” His answer was not something I expected. “The Glasgow family is quite wealthy and influential.”

I frowned and my stomach dropped. I shook my head, his comment not making any sense at all. “You must have me mixed up. Our family name is Smith.”

I didn’t know anyone with the name Glasgow or ever heard of it. It was the only clue she gave me. It all started with the family name Smith.

He didn’t reply, but he looked so sure of himself. I moved my gaze from him to Alexander and Maxim, while Lena’s hand tightened around me. Alexander’s gaze was guarded and my alarm bells were going off although I wasn’t sure why.

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