Page 34 of Adoration: Isn't What It Seems (Love Isn't What It Seems 2)

Liberty

Iwoke up in a strange house, on a strange bed. Last night’s events came rushing through and my heart twisted in my chest. I was in Lena and Larry's house, in their guestroom. I glanced at the clock and noted it was after eight in the morning. I closed my eyes, wanting to shut my mind so I could get through the pain. How many punches could life possibly throw?

I forced my eyes open and swung my legs over the bed. I rushed to see if Brandon was ok. I peeked through his door and he was still sound asleep. When we got back from the neighbor, it took awhile for me to figure out how to unlock the door. Thankfully, Officer James followed me and ensured I was in the house and locked in before he left. Lena always had a spare key hidden underneath her turtle statue. It was hard to maneuver it all with Brandon in my arms. All the shuffling woke him up, and it took us both a long time to get back to sleep.

With just a couple of hours of sleep behind me, I went to the kitchen to make some coffee. As I entered the kitchen, all the reminders of Lena and Larry hit me. Her favorite tea pot on the middle of the stove, her notebook open left on the table as if she was going to get back to it after her date with Larry.

My stomach twisted in pain. I reached with trembling hands through the notebook, Lena’s neat handwriting all over the page and a sob escaped my lips. My heart twisted in my chest, making it hard to breathe. I didn’t want Brandon to hear me or see me like this. I pressed one hand against my mouth, to stop the sounds coming from my lips. I wished I could press my hand against my heart and make the pain go away.

Breathe, Livy. Breathe.I could almost hear Lena’s voice.

Yes, I just needed to breathe. Focus on a task at hand. Coffee. I would definitely need it today. I should really drink it black today, like Alexander Caldwell.

I froze.

Shit. Work. I didn’t go to work.

I stood there unsure what to do. Clearly, I couldn’t go to work. Brandon needed a babysitter. But I also needed a job. I needed this job now more than ever if I was going to take care of Brandon. The lawyer mentioned they would have to validate my income, history, and living arrangements. Clearly my income from ghostwriting won’t cut it. I was barely supporting myself on that. And I certainly couldn’t tell them I plan on supporting myself by starting a publishing company.

I grabbed my phone to call Alexander when I realized I didn’t even have his number. Panic enveloped me. I’d lose Brandon, and he’d end up in foster care. That was what the lawyer said. If the court determined I couldn’t take care of him, they’d put him up for adoption.

I took a deep breath.Stop overreacting.I had to calm down. I had to dial information, get his number, and then I’d get ahold of him.

Five minutes later, I finally got through, but access to Alexander Caldwell was rejected. So I asked for Maxim. That didn’t fly either. Ok, Janet then. I lied and said I was her daughter.

“Hello,” I heard her voice over the line.

“Janet,” I almost yelled. “Please, don’t hang up. It’s me. Liberty.”

“My dear.” Shock was evident in her voice. “I was told it was my daughter.”

I started sobbing. “I’m so sorry. I lied. I couldn't get to Alexander nor Maxim.”

“Don’t cry,” she started soothing me. “What’s the matter?”

“Can I talk to either one of them?” I asked through sobbs.

“They are in a meeting,” she reasoned. “Remember the Italian property negotiations? It was scheduled for today.”

I frowned. Yes, he had a meeting with an Italian real estate company and wanted me to take notes.

I started crying. Who was I fooling? My life was a mess. How was I going to make sure Brandon was alright?

“Liberty,” Janet’s concerned voice reached me over the phone. “What’s wrong?”

“They are dead,” I whispered. “I don’t know what I’m doing. I have to make funeral arrangements and I don’t even know how to do that. When my mom died, Lena took care of it all.” I knew I was rambling, but I couldn’t stop the sobs or my panic. “How do I take care of everything? Where do I start? I don’t know what I’m doing,” I repeated through my tears.

“I am so sorry, dear,” she comforted me. “Everything will be ok. Hold on just a minute.”

I heard her talking to someone, but I couldn’t tell what she was saying or who she was talking to. I didn’t even care. I just wanted to get hold of Alexander and beg him not to fire me.

Brandon’s blonde hair peeked through the kitchen door, and immediately, I tried to get myself together.

“Good morning, darling,” I told him. He ran to me and hugged me. I hugged him tight. We only had each other now.

“Liberty,” Janet’s voice reached me. “Mr. Caldwell wishes to speak to you.”

“Ok,” I answered in a shaky voice. I was trying to keep myself together for Brandon’s sake. “When?”

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