Chapter 84 - I ? U I Do 17: The Kiss (1/2)

Ding dong…

The doorbell rang incessantly at Marian's place as the man on the doorstep grew impatient. But alas, the door remained closed and there was neither sound nor light coming from within the apartment.

”Where could you be?” Liam asked in frustration as he raked his hair with his fingers, a habit he's been doing over and over again these past few days.

In his hand was the crumpled resignation letter his PA had coldly left earlier that day on his table. The young president had driven here directly from his office, and it had been several minutes since. He had tried calling his PA's and secretary's phones but both were out of reach. Wearily, he slumped against the closed door and slowly slid on the floor, sitting there to wait, and wait he did until he fell asleep only to be woken up a couple of hours later.

”President Kang? Sir?”

Liam woke up from the hand softly shaking him. When he opened his eyes, it was Marian's worried face he saw. Startled, he quickly stood up and brushed dirt from his clothes, his eyes never leaving her face as he did.

His PA watched him with a wary expression, and when she saw what he was holding, he heard her soft gasp just before she covered her mouth with a hand.

”What are you doing here, sir?” she asked cautiously afterwards, and Liam was reminded of a cornered doe with her pair of big eyes looking everywhere but him.

”I came because of this,” Liam answered as he held out a hand to show the other the resignation letter making her cagier, the slender frame tensing as if she was readying to bolt.

”Why?” he asked softly and he watched as she bit her lower lip.

Her face showed an array of emotions and the young president couldn't understand why she looked as pained as he was.

”Let's talk inside sir,” she said as she took her keys out and opened the door.

Liam followed her inside and sat on the couch where she indicated for him to sit. She then sat on the opposite couch still avoiding his gaze.

His instinct told him that she didn't want to leave— really didn't want to go. So why?

Knowing full well that he couldn't ask her very personal questions considering that he hadn't confessed his feelings yet, Liam decided to make her relax by asking questions first regarding the reason for her sudden resignation.

”Did you not like the job anymore? Was it too much? I can pass on some of your tasks to others if you want,” he offered lightly but she shook her head.

”No, the work is just fine,” the PA told him and he tried once more.

”Is it your salary? We can talk about that you know. I can give you a raise,” he offered once more, and once again, she shook her head.

”Is it because of me?” he then asked suddenly which had visibly shaken the other.

Marian lifted her eyes from her ŀȧp to look at him with startled eyes. Liam was now sure that the reason was him.

”Is there something I did that you didn't like?” he prompted again and it took some time before she averted her eyes.

”You didn't do anything sir. I resigned due to health reasons,” she answered with a nervous quality indicating that she was lying.

Liam knew he definitely did something which prompted the other's resignation. Could this be because they made love? Did this mean Marian could now remember the night they spent together?

”Really?” the president asked with a sad smile. ”If it's not your workload, not your salary and not me, why are you leaving then?” he asked again, and when it seemed he wouldn't be getting an answer with that kind of direct question, Liam changed his tactic. ”Having no problem, then there's no point in resigning right?” he pushed again, startling the other more, making her want to protest but he was not going to give her room to do so.