The Avoidance:
Sterling Industries – Manhattan – 9:00 AM
The elevator doors opened onto the fortieth floor.
Liam stepped out, coffee in hand, tie loosened. He had been at the office since six, trying to bury himself in spreadsheets and quarterly reports.
It wasn't working.
Every time he closed his eyes, he saw her.
Zara.
The way she looked at the floor when she walked into a room. The way her hands trembled when she served tea. The way she said his name – soft, hesitant, like she was afraid of it.
It's pity, he told himself for the hundredth time. You just feel sorry for her,
But then why did he keep
Seeing her face anything he try to concentrate
? Why did he find himself driving past the Alexander mansion on his way home from work? Why did he lie awake at night, staring at the ceiling, thinking about the bruise on her cheek?about the fear in her eyes ?
"Mr. Sterling?"
Liam blinked. His assistant, a young woman named Chloe, stood in front of his desk.
"Your ten o'clock is here. Mr. Chen from the Shanghai office."
Liam nodded. "Give me five minutes."
Chloe left.
Liam sat down and rubbed his temples.
Focus, he told himself. You're engaged. You have a company to run. You have a family you don't want to disappoint,
You can't afford distractions.
But Zara wasn't a distraction.
She was becoming an obsession.
He obsession
---
Alexander Mansion – Main Hallway – 10:00 AM
Amara stood in front of the hallway mirror, adjusting her earrings.
Diamonds. Large. Expensive.
She smiled at her reflection.
"Perfect."
Imani appeared behind her. "The car is ready."
Amara turned. "Did you call Liam's office?"
"Yes. His assistant said he's in meetings all day."
Amara's smile faltered. "Did you tell her it was from his future wife and it's urgent "
"I said it was from you and personal." Imani hesitated. "He hasn't returned the call."
Amara's jaw tightened.
This was the third time this week. Liam had cancelled their lunch on Monday. He had sent flowers instead of coming to dinner on Tuesday. And now, on Wednesday, he was ignoring her calls.
"Call again," Amara said.
"Miss Alexander—"
"Call again."
Imani pulled out her phone and dialed.
Amara watched her reflection in the mirror.
What is wrong with you, Liam?
Why are you pulling away?
Imani lowered the phone. "Voicemail."
Amara's hands curled into fists.
"Fine," she said. "I'll go shopping alone."
She walked toward the front door.
"Miss Alexander," Imani called after her. "Perhaps he's just busy. The wedding planning—"
"The wedding planning is an excuse." Amara stopped. "He's avoiding me, I can feel it."
Imani didn't respond.
Amara turned to look at her. "I need to find out why,and I hope you can help me out on this simple task ."
"Me?"
"You're the housekeeper,and I know you sneak around the house almost every time ,You see everything." Amara's eyes narrowed. "Watch him. And report back to me."
Imani's face went pale. "Zara?"
Haven't you noticed it,when laim comes around he always seems to be distracted,I've seen the way he looks at her." Amara's voice was cold. "
"Look at who"Imani asked
"Your useless daughter "Amara replied ,her mind booking with anger "and my dear Imani I put you charge to find me find out if your stupid daughter is scheming behind my back to get my man,
If she's doing something to steal my fiancé, I want to know."
Imani nodded slowly. "I'll handle it."
"See that you do.and do it quickly "
Amara walked out.
Imani stood alone in the hallway.
Her hands were shaking. With annoyance.
Zara, she thought. "What have you done ,I promise make you pay for this "
---
Sterling Industries – Liam's Office – 12:00 PM
Liam's phone buzzed.
He glanced at the screen.
Amara: I called your office. You didn't answer. Is everything okay?
Liam stared at the message.
He should call her. He should apologize. He should make up an excuse – work, stress, anything.
But his fingers wouldn't move.
Amara: Liam?
He typed back:
Liam: In meetings all day. Rain check?
Three dots appeared. Disappeared. Appeared again.
Amara: Fine. Tomorrow?
Liam hesitated.
Liam: Let me check my schedule.
He put down the phone.
He didn't have meetings tomorrow. He had nothing.
But he didn't want to see her.
He didn't want to hear about long episodes of unending vacation tripes,names of luxury label fashion "
It's not her,
He ran a hand through his hair.
This is insane. You're engaged. You have a future with Amara. Zara is a servant. A nobody.
But the word "nobody" felt wrong.
She wasn't nobody.
She was the only person in that house who felt real.
---
Rooftop Bar – Manhattan – 7:00 PM
Liam sat with Marcus and Xavier, a whiskey in his hand.
The city sparkled below them. The night was cold.
"You've been quiet," Marcus said.
"I'm always quiet."
"Quieter than usual." Xavier leaned forward. "Is it the fiancée?"
Liam swirled his drink. "She's been calling. I've been avoiding."
Marcus raised an eyebrow. "Why?"
"I don't know."
"Yes, you do." Xavier pointed at him. "You just don't want to say it."
Liam set down his glass. "Fine. Is zara"
"Zara who is zara"marcus asked looking suprise
"She is a servant in the Alexander mansion "
Marcus and Xavier exchanged glances.
"A servant?" Xavier said.
"So
What about her "
Laim hesitated "I don't know if it's a problem I just ….I feel sorry for her,she being abused,her mother beats her…"
"And you want to be the knight in the shining armor to reduce her from her abusvive mother"Marcus asked
"Liam, you're engaged to the heiress."Xavier joined in
"I know."
"So what's
Marcus studied him. "And?"
"And what?"
"And you're avoiding Amara because you feel sorry for a servant?"
Liam didn't answer.
Xavier leaned back. "He's got it bad."
"I don't have anything," Liam said. "I just... I can't stop thinking about her. But it's not like that."
"Then what is it like?" Marcus asked.
Liam was quiet for a long moment.
"I don't know," he admitted. "That's the problem."
Marcus sighed. "Be careful, Liam. You're playing with fire."
"I know."
"Do you? Because fire burns. And when it does, it won't be you who gets hurt. It'll be her."
Liam's jaw tightened.
Marcus was right.
But knowing that didn't make the feeling go away.