Serena

Another long day.

I do love my job, it's really great. But there are certain days, where I just lose all patience and the stress of everything catches up to me, after which, I'm running around like a headless chicken.

Being your own boss is fun, until it isn't.

I like the perks but then you realise that all problems come to you and you don't really have anyone to go to...unless it's so vent.

Like today, Arya nearly had and argument with a customer. Elias had kitchen trouble. And I had to deal with a difficult bride-to-be.

It seems like little issues, but it really wasn't.

I was so glad for this day to be over, as soon as it was closing time, I flipped 'closed' sign around. I wasn't prepared to deal with anyone else. It was also why I was glad that Will was going to be handling dinner tonight.

Arya had already left to go home, whilst I was just finishing up on the shop floor. I had this habit of making sure everything was in its place before I locked up, since I liked to walk into a neat store, rather than a messy one.

As I neatened up the dresses that were hung up, I heard a knock on the door.

"Sorry, we're closed!" I called out, not bothering to turn around. It was a little rude, but I was really, really done with today.

Then, I heard the knock again.

I had to take a calming, deep breath. "I said, we're-"

My words seemed to be caught in my throat as I turned around, since instead of seeing, what I thought would be another customer, it was Liam. He was standing by front door, looking straight at me through the glass.

I smiled and shook my head, before walking towards the door, unlocking it from the inside, and then pulling it open.

"We're closed," I repeated, trying to remain professional and pretending he was just a customer.

Liam frowned. "Oh, but where else will I find my perfect to make me the most beautiful bride. Please, I'm desperate," he acted, exaggerated by jutting out his bottom lip.

I pursed my lips, trying to stop the smile coming onto my face by his stupid acting skills, which were so awful.

"Maybe just this once," I sighed, holding the door open for him.

Once he was past the threshold of the doorway, I smacked his arm. "You're an idiot," I laughed.

To my surprise, I heard an amused breath leave him. It sort of sounded like a chuckle, but not quite. Was this really Liam?

I moved to walk in front of him, leading him towards the open area of try-on room. It was just a space, set up with mirrors and a circular standing area, for when brides want to try on a dress or come in for a later fitting.

It also had the most comfiest chairs.

I took a seat on one of them, whilst Liam sat on the other.

"How are you?" He asked, making conversation first.

I smiled. "I'm good, although extremely tired after a long day," I said, to which he nodded. "How did you know where I work?" I then had to ask.

"I asked Tiff," Liam replied.

Of course. It wasn't like my store was some kind of hidden fortress that he couldn't find, but I had never expected him to be here.

"This is quite something, Rena," Liam spoke up. "It's a beautiful store," he complimented, his eyes drifting around, taking in the space around him.

I smiled. "Thank you."

However, my smiled then faltered when I observed something else. Something, that I hadn't seen in quite a while.

I guess Liam must have felt my eyes on him, since he turned to face me, with a confused expression on his face.

"What is it?" He asked.

"It's just...You're smiling," I stated, pointing up at his face.

I had assumed when the words left my mouth, Liam would lose the smile and instead down or look angry, basically anything to be the opposite. But instead, he continued to smile.

It wasn't a full blown one, like when I see cake. But it was still something. More than I had seen a really long time.

"It's new," Liam said and I nodded, afraid to say anything more in case he decided to stop.

There was a slight silence, before he spoke up again.

"I went to Julie's grave," he said.

I don't know what shocked me more. The fact that he went to her grave or that he'd said her name. Liam had avoided saying Julie's name since that day, he never uttered it once, but now...what was happening?

"Oh?" I said, not entirely sure of what I was even meant to say or how to react.

Liam nodded. "It wasn't the soul-ripping visit I thought it'd be. Bea and I sat there for some time, talking to her, about her, to each other," he told me.

Again, I didn't know how to react to this information.

"Do you feel better?" I asked.

"I feel..." Liam paused and sighed deeply, before continuing, "Free," he said.

"It's stupid but I feel like there's no weight on my chest now. Not an ache. Or it's more of a sting. There is the hurt and pain, but that of a loved one leaving, as there would be. I was avoiding her passing but now I truly feel like I've accepted it. It's going to be okay," he rambled.

Liam hadn't really said this many words in a while, too.

But from what he said, I couldn't help but smile. He was really trying. He was pushing himself to be okay again and that was really amazing.

I could never imagine what he had gone through but the fact that he was trying was great.

"I'm so proud of you," I told him.

Liam looked at me and smiled, this time it was slightly wider than the last one.

"I-...um," he stuttered, before clearing his throat. "Thank you," he said.

I almost wanted to laugh at how formal he sounded.

"Where is Bea?" I asked him.

"She's at one of her friends' house, for a play date. I'm going to collect her afterwards," he said and I nodded.

Just as I opened my mouth to ask him something, Liam reached into his pocked and took out a little, blue pouch, with a bow wrapped around it at the opening. He then held it out in front of me and I eyed it with suspicion.

"What's this?" I asked, looking at the little pouch.

"A gift," Liam responded, moving it further in my direction.

I instantly backed away. "No."

He raised a single brow at me. "No?"

"No," I shook my head. "I didn't do anything for a gift," I told him.

This was the problem with doing a good deed, sometime people just expected you did it for a reason or for a reward. It's not a bad thing, but sometimes it could be a little insulting.

Like right now, I was debating whether or not I should be insulted by this gesture.

"It's a thank you gift," Liam started and I looked at him skeptically. "For planning Bea's party. I didn't know I was going to see you at the dinner or I would've brought it then."

His face looked sincere and genuine, although I still couldn't help but be a little suspicious and I still didn't want to accept a gift for something I wanted to do.

"I really don't need a thank-you gift for that. I told you, I was happy to plan the party," I told Liam.

He frowned. "Please?"

"What is it?" I asked.

Liam sighed. "Take a look."

I held his gaze for a moment, before I finally took the pouch from him. It had a bit of weight to it, which in my mind, meant it was pricey. Even the silk of the pouch was so smooth to touch, it had to be something fancy.

"If it's expensive I'm not keeping it," I quickly told Liam.

"Even if I told you Bea chose it herself?" He asked.

Okay, that made me feel bad. "Stop it."

He let out a little chuckle. "Okay I'm joking," he said, and I still had to process the fact that he chuckled and made a joke. "I chose it, but she loved it," he added.

I narrowed my eyes at him, before undoing the bow of the pouch and carefully opening it.

Gently taking out what was in there, I felt myself smile instantly.

It was a brooch. It was of a curved, leaf shape. A silver stem, with blue and clear crystal gems making up the design of it. It was so pretty.

"Liam, this is..." my voice trailed off and I ran my fingers over the brooch.

"Do you like it?" I heard him ask.

"I ..." Fumbling over my words, I didn't know what to say, before I quickly put the brooch back into the pouch and then try to hand it back to him. "I can't keep this. It's looks too expensive."

Liam leaned away. "It's really not."

"But-" I tried to protest, only for him to shake his head.

"Please?" He asked and I twisted my lips.

I did really want to keep it, but it just seemed like it was really expensive, despite whatever Liam said.

When I looked at him, his face almost held a pleading expression and I finally relented, holding the gift closer towards me.

"Thank you. It's beautiful," I told him, causing a smile to appear across his face.

"I'm glad you like it," he replied.

"I have to ask you something," I blurted out, my timing horrible as usual.

Liam looked confused before he nodded. "Sure. Anything."

"Tiff mentioned that you were in Australia over the last few years," I started.

He nodded at this. "Yeah, that's right. I needed a break from everything, since it all reminded me of Julie, so I chose to move to the other side of the world," he said.

"Bea doesn't have an accent," I commented. "Sorry, I just...I've been wanting to ask that for a while."

Ever since Tiff had mentioned that to me, I've always wondered about it. Liam's accent was the same, but Bea's wasn't Australian. I don't know why, but I had to ask.

Liam chuckled at my words. "She didn't really pick it up, I think because of me. My Aunt and Tiff don't really have that strong of an accent either," he revealed.

"Although, on certain words, you can hear it," he said and I raised my brows in question. "Like, she'd never said barbecue, she'd say 'barbie'."

I laughed at this. I found it kind of adorable.

"I've missed you, neighbour," Liam said and I froze. I hadn't heard that in a while.

"Me, too," I smiled.

"Does this mean we're friends, again?" He then asked and I could see his cheeks turn a little red. I have a feeling that wasn't something he was meant to say out loud.

I nodded. "We're friends. Always."

When Liam smiled, I realised that was actually something he wanted. He wanted to be my friend again and that was a warming thought.

Before either one of us could say or rather blurt something random out, I heard my name being called.

"Serena!"

"Fitting room!" I yelled back. Like an idiot, I didn't lock the door.

When I saw the confused look on Liam's face, I smiled. "It's Will," I told him and he nodded.

"Hey," Will walked into the room, grinning. "Oh. Hey, Liam," he then added, noticing I wasn't alone.

"Hi," he replied, standing up and I did the same, as Will walked towards me.

"You ready to go home?" He asked.

I nodded. "Yeah."

"I should go as well," Liam said.

"Thank you for the present and just coming to see me," I said.

He nodded. "It's no problem," he replied.

"Serena, did you tell him about the exhibit?" Will asked and my eyes widened, before I face-palmed and looked at Liam.

"I totally forgot. There's a photo exhibition next week. I really want you to be there, and Bea. Trust me on this, you won't want to miss it," I told him.

I didn't want to tell him that it was Chris' boyfriends exhibition, since Chris would be there and I thought it would be fun surprise for the both of them.

Liam frowned. "Um, I don't'-"

"Please?" I asked, just like he did, to make me accept the brooch.

He looked at me for a moment, before he nodded. "Text me the details?"

"Of course," I smiled.

"It'll be good, man. Don't worry," Will said, trying to be reassuring that it won't suck.

Liam smiled before looking at me once again. "I have to go get Bea now. I guess I'll see you both at the exhibition?"

"Of course," I said.

Just as Liam began to leave, I called out his name before he could completely walk out the room, causing him to turn back around to look at me.

"I really am proud of you, Liam. And happy for you, too," I told him.

I could faintly see the smile on his face, but I knew it was real one, from the way his eye crinkled slightly.

He didn't say anything, but that smile was enough of an answer before he left the shop.

At least I knew for certain we were friends again.

"So, how was your day?" Will asked, wrapping his arm around my shoulders.

I smiled at him, before telling him all about my stressful day, which I guess ended on a more happier note.