Chapter 4 Liam

Eventually, the storm quieted down, but the heavy gray sky of Seabreeze Cove didn't want to clear up.

Soft rain fell outside Liam's reinforced windows, causing a gentle sound that filled the whole house.

One lamp inside the room cast a warm light that made soft shadows around the space.

It was easy to spot the scent of damp pine, but there was also the hint of fresh coffee and the scent of cloth left from Liam's sweatshirt.

Laying underneath the wide hoodie on the simple bed, Elena enjoyed how soft and gentle the material was.

Although her breathing became slower, she couldn't stop her mind from thinking about what had happened.

Over there, Liam was sitting in the dim light as he watched her sleep.

He made the decision to stay away so that she could rest and adjust after going through the storm and an uncomfortable night.

Even though he tried looking in different directions, her closeness to him in the sweater's fabric made his eyes stay on her.

I shouldn't have experienced these feelings, he said .

For a long period, maybe even lots of years, I tried to avoid becoming close to people.

My past was a delicate mix of things kept hidden and what was cast in darkness.

The friendly nature of Elena was something I had to keep away from, he roared in his head.

Nevertheless, she was in front of me, real and alive.

For the first time in a very long while, Liam had a different feeling. He felt he wanted to look after her in more ways than just by being careful.

His heartbeat seemed different and rhythmic, but he didn't want to identify what it was.

Elena woke up, her eyes slowly opening and going back and forth under the dim light.

Liam greeted her softly in the morning so as not to scare her.

She blinked a couple of times, her eyes resting on him with sleepiness and also a small bit of curiosity.

"Morning," she answered, her voice having a low, raspy tone.

For a while, they kept eye contact, and the silence did not become awkward.

She said, "I didn't think you'd stay up for me," and settled more comfortably on top of the bed covers.

Liam shrugged. I walked the city streets and couldn't manage to sleep. He has too many ideas running through his mind at once.

"The storm actually affected a lot"

Elena understood very well what he was talking about.

She closed and reopened her eyes, and her glance showed how the room was calm but well organized, hinting at careful order and rules in

Liam's life

"It's not like I thought at all," she replied with a little smile on her lips.

"Safer. I can tell why it was very important to you,I mean checking those houses out"

He gave a faint smile.

Don't worry, everything would soon be back in order.

. "The shipping yard is designed to handle huge storms and other disasters."

Still unsure, she then said in a low voice, "So, what is your name?"

The question was in the air, soft but still very meaningful.

It took him a long moment to answer, "My name is Liam Sterling."

She was breathing uneasily.

Her thought shifted back to "Liam Sterling," which kept repeating itself in her head.

Even the slightest sign of tension was visible on him as he kept a close eye on her.

He said,

"You have heard my name mentioned before."

She slightly shook her head.

Admitting she looked for the information, she pulled the laptop toward her.

Lights appeared on the screen, and she found information about his work in energy, along with what he achieved by quietly growing his company.

Elena stopped at an article called, "Liam Sterling: The Subtle Influence on Seabreeze Energy Advancements."

"I am very impressed," was all she could say as she looked at it.

Liam became more gentle in how he spoke. I prefer to fly under the radar because my world has aspects people simply do not know.

She could sense the importance in what he was saying as she looked up at him.

You could have told me, don't you agree?

He hesitated.

This is the case since making a game is a complicated process.

Life is not easy for me.

There are risks because others want to take advantage of what I have. I didn't want to involve you in that."

She considered the various reasons for secrecy and how much they had to watch out.

There was a single moment when the unsettled atmosphere outside felt like what was happening between them.

Liam sat back and ran his finger through his damp hair.

He admitted to me that he is usually reluctant to let others into his life.

Still, my feelings are not the same with anyone else as they are with you.

Elena looked pleased as she gave a gentle smile.

"Me too."

They looked at each other, and energy started to build between them..

Gently reaching out, he brushed away a tendril of hair from her ear.

Elena took a sharp breath.

When it was just the two of them, the two were wrapped up in each other, sharing warmth, a familiar scent after rain, and a gentle feeling near by.

However, in that moment time stood still, waiting for something.

Liam's quiet and deep voice was the first to be heard in the conversation.

I want to share some more with you. What took place in my life.

What made me want to study in the US.

Still, I have to tell you that trust is scarce in the community where I was raised.

Elena gave a small nod as her heart started speeding up.

"Let me listen now," she softly murmured.

Although the outdoor rain had become a gentle drizzle, the storm's anger died, but there was something new being born in that room, starting out fragile and unsure.

Their relationship was more tight-knit than at any other time.

After Elena's breathing became calm, Liam let himself feel exposed for a second.

Since she fell asleep, he watched her face become free of concern.

He was frightened by how quickly she could get through his barriers.

He was concerned about more than just the things happening away from home.

He became scared about the emotions he would feel if she remained in his life.

Should he let himself have feelings for her.

He simply took a calming and silent sigh.

A lot of the hardest things happened during quiet times for a man, as he wondered if he would share his true feelings and be brave once again.

Elena

As she kept looking at the images on the screen, everything started to make sense.

The person she had met, who was so grumpy and sulky turned out to be much more complicated than she thought.

There was a possibility that he needed someone he could trust.

The laptop was closed quietly by her.

"Thank you for expressing what you're going through," she added gently.

Liam's smile was rare, and it showed how happy he was.