Zaria cast him a glance. He was the last person she wanted to discuss such matters with. To be exact, it would have been better if it was never mentioned. She took a deep breath. "Do you really want to know?"

"I wouldn't have asked otherwise." He gave her a meaningful stare. He was waiting for her answer and the only way to end this conversation was to tell him what he wanted to know.

She let out an audible breath. "Because both of you turned out to be different from what I'd perceived."

"I don't understand." If it was because of something that was yet another similarity between him and Desmond, shouldn't it mean that he still had an equal chance?

She glared at him for pretending to be brain dead. "You were friendly, Liam. I'll give you that. You were a good man."

He didn't dare to rejoice. Her words sounded like a compliment, but from her tone, he knew that there was a giant 'but' coming.

"Until it turned out that you would push your friend under the bus in the name of protecting them." Her voice dipped.

His eyes shot at her. She still sounded hurt. He didn't know that it had caused her so much pain. "Zaria…"

"Not just that." She interrupted him. "I hate being deceived, Liam. No matter how small you think the lie is, it's still a lie nonetheless and you may never know what chain of events it could cause."

He knew that she was right. In fact, she was putting it mildly. He had simply played what he thought was a small trick but it almost cost her her job as well as F&P Media, and made her Jamie's obsession. He would still be harassing her if he didn't get himself killed. How could he forget? Within a few minutes of knowing her, she mentioned that she was not very forgiving.

"I understand." He didn't want to hear her praise Desmond.

However, she did anyway. "On the other hand, Desmond appeared to be this tyrannical CEO who wouldn't give a fuck if he run an elderly lady over with his billion dollar car. But after spending time with him, I realized that he was capable of being kind, loving, and he loves me."

He clenched his fists. When she opened her mouth again, he so badly wanted to shut her up but she paid no heed to him.

"You wanted a reason. I gave you two. Most importantly, you thought too much. I didn't ever think of you as someone I could be with romantically. I'm sorry if I accidentally led you on."

He had always known this. He had merely overlooked it like the idiot he was.

"You didn't. It was me. I…"

The elevator dinged to announce its arrival and the doors slid open.

"I have to go to work now." She walked out. He battled his thoughts and decided to leave too. She wouldn't mind being on the same floor as him, right? But why was he uncomfortable, although he was here for Desmond and not her?

She was three steps ahead of him. When she reached the door to her office, she turned to face him. "I didn't say you are a bad person. You're just… not for me." She clarified. "I hope you find the right woman for you."

"Ah yes. Of course I will." His lips twitched as he watched her disappear into her office. That last part was not necessary. She just said it to further shatter his hopes by informing him that even if she were to break up with Desmond later, she would not consider him.

How heartless...but he couldn't blame her. It was better that she made it clear instead of leading him on.

___

After telling Liam off, Zaria hoped that it would not affect his friendship with Desmond. She would avoid him later until he moved on.

She placed her laptop on her desk and went to Lucy's office.

"Hey mom." She placed a box of snacks in front of Lucy, who was buried in a stack of files.

"Sweetheart, I thought you had gone out for a meeting." She opened the snack box and dug in, thanking her daughter for being thoughtful.

"I just came back. It ended earlier than expected. Are you free for dinner tonight?"

She glanced at the files on her desk. "I should be able to make some time, yeah. These will be done in the next hour or so."

She didn't doubt her speed. "I can help with that." She took some of the files and carried them in one arm. "When we are done, can we go to my place? I'll cook."

She gave Zaria a meaningful look. "Will I leave alive?" She joked.

Zaria chuckled. "Don't worry, you will. Dad is out on a work trip. He had an interview scheduled in Luxenville tomorrow and has to go in person, so he will go over today."

Theodore was the only reason why she couldn't freely go, so she nodded when she learnt that he would not be there." I don't see why not."

"Great! I'll get the ingredients after work. Let me get Zeus and invite him too." She hoped off in excitement.

Evening came by pretty fast, probably because the trio had something to look forward to.

As promised, Zaria prepared to cook. She had given the servants the evening off because Lucy still wanted to be secretive.

However, she shooed her mother and brother out of the kitchen so they would rest as they waited for dinner. She only accepted their help to set the table.

"Sis, I didn't know you could cook so well." Zeus was on the verge of drooling as he stared at the assortment of delicacies on the dining table. He was just about to reach for a pineapple piece when his head got smacked.

"What kind of brother are you? You always think the worst of me." Zaria glared at him.

"That's not what I said. I was complimenting you, okay?" He rubbed his head and looked at Lucy like he was about to complain. She ignored them.

"Uh huh. It sounded like a compliment." Zaria smacked him again and in return, he snatched her silverware.

Lucy facepalmed. "Is it crazy that I'm thankful I don't live with both of you under the same roof?"

"You are not crazy. Zaria is a tyrant. If you lived with her under the same roof, who is to say that the house won't go up in flames?" Zeus teased.

"You are the freaking tyrant!" Her weapon was smacking him but he caught her hand and twisted it. "Ouch!"

"That's enough, you two. You do know that you are adults, right?" Lucy glared at them. How would they enjoy dinner while fighting like kindergarteners?

Zaria served some food for Zeus. "There. Don't go saying that I bully you because I'm the eldest."

"Urgh." He groaned. It was already bad enough that he was not older than her. Did she have to rub it in? "What's the use of being the eldest when you are not tall? I'm six feet tall while you are five foot nothing." He petted her head, earning a glare.

Seeing that their umpteenth battle of the evening was about to commence, Lucy ignored them and ate her food in silence.

They were still bickering when the doorbell rang.

"Are you expecting someone?" Zeus asked.

"No."

"I'll get it." Lucy stood. It would be a relief to be away from these two even for a second. Except, meeting the person she saw at the doorstep was not a relief!

_____

AN

Free coins! You know the drill.

AB9MYJKG6TPNA2AHA