Page 72 of Begin Again, Part 2

Traffic was still a breeze as she headed to Liam's penthouse, not surprising since it was just before 2:00 PM. The roads would only start getting crazy in a few hours, because everyone wanted to drive their cars to work on Fridays.

Dave buzzed her in and showed her to the master bedroom, making small talk as she zoomed around the place and packed Liam's luggage for his trip.

It was Eden's first time organising his luggage, so she didn't know how heavy or light to pack, but she figured he'd need several outfit changes if he'd be away for three weeks.

His walk-in closet was bigger than her lounge and kitchen combined, and she spent a few minutes selecting pieces from the neatly arranged rows of formal shirts, pants, and blazers in different shades of darks and neutrals.

She moved on to his shoes next, gawking at the shelves. The man had more shoes than she owned, more ties than anyone would ever wear, and too many watches—all expensive Rolex and Cartier timepieces.

"Does he wear everything in here?" she called out to Dave.

"Most of it," he replied, leaning on the door frame. "I'd pack a few formal shirts and pants, maybe two black suits. One should be a tuxedo. A couple of formal shoes and the rest should be casual clothes. If he's going to inspect distribution sites and warehouses, he can't wear suits. He likes to get his hands dirty whenever he visits the depots."

Grateful for the tip, Eden nodded. "You've worked for him long?"

"I've known him his whole life," Dave said. "I used to work for his parents, but they let me go several years ago."

Eden waited for him to explain, prodding when it became clear she'd get no other details if she didn't ask. "Why?"

"Car accident. The Andersons took care of my medical bills and the burial costs for my wife and kids. I couldn't even attend their funeral because I was in a coma for months."

"I'm sorry." Eden regretted prying into Dave's tragic past and opening wounds that were still too raw, judging from the tears choking up his voice.

"Unfortunately, while I was recuperating, I had to be replaced. I'm sure you've seen how massive their estate is. Work can't stop because of one person." Dave smiled ruefully. "I recovered and returned to work, but my leg was never the same."

Eden noticed his uneven gait the first time she met him two years ago. But she didn't think it was her place—now and then—to bring it up.

"It pained his parents to let me go, but Liam couldn't bear to part with me, so he took me in as his butler," Dave said. "Anyway, he has ten staff, including me. Three housekeepers, two drivers, and a couple of gardeners and chefs. But he doesn't need us, since he's hardly ever home. Even before he retired from professional racing, he was hardly ever here."

"Then why does he keep you all around?" Eden asked.

"We all mean something to him," Dave said. "His drivers were part of his technical team when he was a motorsport racer, and the rest are people he met along the way or changed his life in some way."

Eden returned to the bedroom with an armful of outfits, making sure they remained crease-free as she placed them in the suitcase.

When she was done, she turned to Dave, "his travel toiletries?"

He pointed to the en suite. "Cabinet on the left, next to the window."

"Got it," Eden said as she slipped inside the bathroom.

Liam's clawfoot tub was way bigger than hers, but looked out of place in this modernly furnished space. She was ready to jump in and take a moment to appreciate its size when the butler came in.

"He never uses it," he said. "I don't know why he has it when he prefers the shower, but I suppose you'll be using it now."

"Me?" Eden asked as she returned to the bedroom with a black leather toiletry bag. Shaking her head quickly, she added, "Please don't misunderstand."

Dave left the room, returning moments later with a familiar-looking gift box. "He kept this."

"I know," Eden said, wondering where he was going with this.

"A few weeks after you disappeared, he had a huge fight with Ms Laura, and blamed you. I don't think he could bring himself to touch anyone after you—"

"Stop!" Eden shook her head. She didn't want to hear how much she broke Liam. He broke her many times over the past few weeks. As far as she was concerned, they were now even.

Dave ignored her. "He flew into a blind drunken rage and turned the house upside down, looking for scissors to tear up your clothes. When we finally gave him a pair, though, he couldn't bring himself to destroy your dress. It was too precious a reminder that you were real, that you existed, and he didn't make you up."

"Why are you telling me this?" Eden asked, her vision blurry from her tears.

---