Torn Between Three

Liam's POV

I dragged my tired body to the nearest table to clear it. My limbs ached, my head pounded from exhaustion and my stomach growled from hunger. The only thought that kept me going was the fact that my shift was almost over.

"Table six is asking for their bill," my manager snapped at me. I swallowed back my sigh. Didn't he see I was clearing the table? Couldn't he have sent someone else. I smiled and nodded at him. I couldn't afford to lose this job. I balanced the tray in one hand and went to table six.

By the time I stepped out of the restaurant, I was too exhausted to walk back home, yet too broke to call a cab. I laughed at how pitiful my life was.

A message lit up my cracked screen. It was a text from my younger sister.

[Mia]: Don't forget to eat, okay? Love you big bro.

A smile tugged at my lips. My little sister, Mia, was the only reason I kept going, I would do anything to make her happy.

I texted back.

[Me]: already did. I should be telling you that.

I smiled and pocketed my phone before walking home. The street leading to my house was quiet but I still had to keep an eye on my surroundings. Old habits die hard when you've spent years looking over your shoulder.

By the time I reached my tiny apartment, I was already deadbeat, but no matter how exhausted I was I would always lock my door as soon as I entered. I knew Fabian was still in prison for the next two years, that I was safe for the time being, yet I couldn't stop myself from being paranoid. I couldn't help looking over my shoulders whenever I walked or locking the door with the multiple locks I had installed, afraid that he would pop out and grab me when I wasn't watching.

I tossed my bag onto the couch and went straight to the fridge, there was leftover rice from two days ago and water. Good enough. I heated the rice and ate it hot as it was, as soon as I finished. I slapped myself to keep awake, there were assignments to be done and sleeping now would do me no good.

I got to work, once I was done with the literature essay, I stared at the other assignment on the desk. It wasn't mine, it was the assignment of my worst nemesis in school.

Damien Carter.

I wasn't always his errand boy at first . I was practically invisible in school but that was until I bumped into him, he had called me a fairy mockingly. I knew I wasn't like other boys who had manly body structure, I was always lean at the start, but I hated it when people used it against me and Damien just had to provoke me. Baring my fangs at him wasn't the right thing to do though, especially when he was a spoiled rich brat who was practically untouchable in school.

I had no friends to tell me about him, so now I'm being targeted by him and avoided by all.

On the bright side, no one was allowed to bully me except him, he doesn't want anyone destroying his errand boy.

I sighed again at my pathetic life.

By the time I was done with his assignment, I could barely keep my eyes open. I dozed off on the floor cause I was too exhausted to climb the bed.

Morning came as quickly as it always does. I went through my morning routine.

I don't eat breakfast, there's nothing to eat anyway.

I grabbed my bag and walked to school.

I hadn't even sat down when Damien walked in with his friends.

Goddammit!

I cursed, if I didn't know Damien hated me I would think he was a stalker who can't stay away from me. He always knew my whereabouts in school, when I step foot in school and most importantly, no matter where I decide to stay in this huge school, he would always find me.

Stalker.

I muttered under my breath. It's not like I was running away.

I reached into my bag and gave him his completed assignment.

He smirked and flipped through it. It's not like he's going to read it.

He ruffled my hair. "Good Job pet" his friends laughed, though I don't know what was funny about that.

I nodded.

Classes dragged on as they always do. Ironically, no matter how tired I was the night before, I wouldn't feel it during classes. I love to learn. Somehow, listening and jotting down during classes makes me forget about what was waiting for me after school.

When the final bell rang. I didn't waste time. I gathered my books and left school not bothering to linger about and chit chat. I had work to do.

I bought a sandwich and drink on the way home. I needed to eat something before working. I didn't want to risk pissing off high profile customers with my growling stomach while working.

La Vienne was a classy high-end restaurant known for serving only elites in the country. I got the job by luck. When I saw they were hiring, I applied for the job, with no experience or connection, just desperation. I was lucky to meet the previous manager, a sharp eyed, kind lady in her early thirties. Maybe she sensed my desperation or saw something in me, I don't know, but I got the job after being put on trial.

After eating, I headed to La Vienne. The restaurant had a locker room for staff members. I located my locker and changed into the uniform that hung neatly inside. It was a white shirt dress, black slacks and a vest that had the restaurant's logo.

My phone buzzed. It was a message from my dad.

Send money now, or I'll come to that fancy restaurant of yours and create a scene.

I sighed. Of course. What was I expecting.?

Working in a top tier restaurant means the pay was good. One might think my life would be easy now that I was making good money.

It wasn't. Not when I had parents like this.

My father is a gambler and my mum, an alcoholic, the moment I started making money, they saw me as a walking wallet, not as their son.

I ruffled my hair and sent an amount to him. I knew I would soon receive a text from my mum asking for her own share. With parents like mine, the pay was never enough. I had to take care of their never ending demands, and still care for my sister who stays with them, because if I don't, they won't, I had to take care of her feeding, her school fees and my house rent.

I'm not complaining about taking care of Mia, but I didn't like taking care of grown ass adults who had nothing to do than to waste money. Especially when they kicked me out of the house because I decided to confide in them that I was gay. That was a wrong move from my side.

When they chased me out, I thought they would change their minds and call me back.

They never did, whenever I saw their texts or calls, I would hope that they wanted me to come back home, but that wasn't what the calls were for. Soon, I lost hope. They call only when they need something.

As much as I hate them, Mia is still in that house and she's the only family I have left.

So, no matter what, I have to give in to their every demand.

I got into character, smiling forcefully, balancing trays of champagne and attending one arrogant customer to another. The smell of rosemary and curry filled the air, making my stomach growl with hunger.

Fuck.

Not now, I took a deep breath and looked around making sure no one heard it.

Just as I went to get the order of one of the customers, Daniel, one of the senior waiters snapped his fingers at me.

"I'll help you with the order, go and serve an important client in private room, number eight. They requested for a new server"

I frowned, there was a waiter specifically for each private room, so why would the client ask for a new one? I think Dianel read my mind cause he leaned in and whispered.

"They had him fired, he coughed while serving them. Apparently, the cough contaminated his food."

I blinked in disbelief. The previous waiter was trained to serve high-end clients so why was Daniel sending me that wasn't a professional?

Daniel rolled his eyes "you've worked here for two years, don't look at me with those eyes. By now you should have learnt everything needed to be learnt" he handed me a notepad and pushed me towards the direction of the private room.

"Be careful, he is a very important client"

I gulped and headed to the direction of private room number eight.

I entered the room and my eyes came in contact with the most breathtaking man I have ever met.

Sebastian Devereaux.

The man who I only saw on the news. His face was perfectly sculpted by God, his suit probably cost more than three years of my salary and his commanding presence made me want to escape.

Daniel didn't tell me I was serving Sebastian Devereaux, the man who literally owns the world.

When his piercing gaze locked onto me, I realised that I was just staring.

I cleared my throat and tightened my hands around the notepad. trying to keep my voice steady, I said "Good evening sir. Welcome to La Vienne. May I take your order?"

Sebastian didn't talk. He just watched me like he was accessing me. God, has he already found out that I wasn't a trained waiter? I knew this was a bad idea.

Seconds later, he shifts his eyes to the menu in front of him and points to a few dishes. I quickly jotted them down and fled.

I gave his order to the front desk then went to find Daniel.

"I can't go back there. If I go back there with his food I might be too nervous and make a mess, please send someone else" I pleaded.

Daniel scanned my face, when he saw that I looked so nervous that I could collapse anytime, he sighed in annoyance.

"Fine, I'll find someone else"

I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding. "Thank you"

I went back to my task of taking orders and serving meals.

Then my phone buzzed.

I don't have the habit of checking my messages during work but something made me check this one.

Bad idea.

It was a message from an unknown number.

"Hello Little Dove, I'm out. Miss me?"

My heart stopped for a second. The tray in my hand tilted and the champagne slid off the tray shattering. I didn't notice, all I could see was the text in front of me.

No, no, no.

Little dove.

Only one person calls me that.

My hands trembled as I reread the text.

Fabian.

He shouldn't be out yet. He's supposed to be in prison. There were still two years left for crying out loud.

One of the waiters rushed towards me. He was saying something to me, maybe calling my name. I don't know, I wasn't listening.

This isn't real, this can't be real.

"Liam" this time I heard my name clearly. It was my manager's voice.

I blinked, realising what I've done, there were broken glasses on the floor with spilled expensive champagne and dozens of eyes on me.

I panicked and went down on my knees and began packing the broken glasses back on the tray. I ignored the pain as they pierced my hands.

"Don't bother," the manager said coldly. "You're fired. Get out" he turned away and snapped at another waiter to clean up the mess.

I stood up, my hands and legs were trembling. Just like that I've lost my job. Fabian hasn't even appeared in front of me yet but my life was already taking a bad turn.

I saw Sebastian come out from the private room. His face is still as cold as ever. His gaze lands on me then at the mess at my feet.

He didn't say a word, he just walked out.

Not like I cared.

Fabian was out. I needed to get out of here. I needed to go home to collect my thoughts.

I turned on my heels and ran.

I was gasping for air when I reached home but I didn't mind. I slammed the door shut, putting the locks in place. I need to buy more locks.

I slid down the walls and wrapped my arms around my knees and let the tears flow.

Fabian is out.

He's out. I don't know how long I cried but I slept off in that position.

When I woke up the next morning, my head felt like it was splitting into two.

My body was stiff from curling up for a long time. The room spinned as I stood.

I entered the bathroom to prepare for school. When the water touched my hands, I winced, I had forgotten that I had cuts from picking up the broken glasses last night. The wound stung with every movement.

Fuck.

If I had known I was going to be fired on the spot, I wouldn't have picked them in the first place, I sulked up my complaints and endured the pain.

My movements today were slower, my limbs ached and every step I took felt like I'd been hit by a car. By the time I reached school, my head was pounding so hard that I felt like I would collapse any minute.

Every noise made the ache worse, from the teacher's voice to the rustling of papers.

I laid on my desk when we had free period and as If I wasn't suffering enough, the universe had to send Damien to test me.

"What's up pet?" I didn't respond. I was too sick for this shit. I was jobless with no money to spare for drugs, a psychopathic ex after me and now Damien wanted to add to my troubles.

"I'm talking to you" I could hear anger in his voice. I sighed and forced myself to sit up.

I saw him standing over my desk with his hands in his pocket and a smug smirk on his face.

I muttered what I always say whenever I saw him.

I pray your family goes bankrupt so that I can get back at you.

"Yes?" I replied. I stared blankly at him, his face seemed to blur in and out of focus.

I think he noticed I wasn't my usual self cause unexpectedly, his hands brushed against my forehead.

"Shit, you're burning up"

I flinched when his hands touched me and quickly slapped it away.

"I'm fine." my voice came out harsher than I intended.

Surprisingly, he didn't deal with me for slapping his hand away, he just scoffed "You look like you're about to drop dead."

I blinked my eyes repeatedly "Just drop off today's assignment and go. I'll make sure to write it for you"

To my surprise, he left without dropping the assignment.

Well, isn't today just full of surprises?

I laid down for the rest of the classes. I couldn't jot down anything anyway, my hands were useless, the wounds sting whenever I moved them.

After school, I moved out sluggishly, my steps were getting heavier.

Everything in front of me began spinning.

I felt myself falling and braced for the impact.

But I didn't hit the ground. I felt strong arms around me breaking my fall.

"Liam, hey are you okay?"

Damien's voice was the last thing I heard before everything went dark.

White ceiling was the first thing I saw when I woke up, and the smell of antiseptic made me realise I was in the hospital. I panicked. How did I get here? Who the hell took me to the hospital?

"Relax" I heard a voice from my side. I turned towards the source of the voice to see Damien sitting on the couch at one corner of the hospital.

I stiffened instantly, why was my nemesis here?

"What are you doing here?" I asked, my voice was hoarse.

He raised a brow "I brought you here."

He brought me here? Damien?

The disbelief in my face must have been obvious.

"Why? Can't I bring you here? Or am I that much of a terrible person that I can't bring you to a hospital?"

I shot him a look. Obviously.

He looked like he wanted to hit me but held back.

"How much is the bill?" I asked sitting up, my entire body screamed in pain. I need to get out of here. I couldn't afford to stay here.

"You need to lie down, the doctor said you have to stay overnight for observation" Damien said. He stood up from the couch and walked towards me.

I refused "No, I'm leaving"

"You're still sick, don't be stubborn"

"I asked how much the bill is," I snapped, I didn't even bother apologizing, why on earth did he bring me to a hospital? I couldn't afford to buy drugs, and now he brought me to the hospital. How on earth was I supposed to afford it?

"We'll talk about it later" he wasn't angry. Not even in the slightest. At this point I wondered if the person in front of me was Damien's twin.

I stood up angrily and too fast! My vision blurred and I used my bandaged hand to grab onto the edge of the hospital bed to stabilise myself.

Damien furrowed his brows "you're still not fully healed, I'm drive you home"

"I don't need you to drive me home, I'll find my way back." I didn't want him to know where I lived. What if he brings his bullying to my doorstep? I can't live with that.

Damien stepped aside and watched as I stumbled towards the door.

I leaned against the door. Walking to the door had already weakened me. How much more walking home. The worst part of it all is that I don't know the hospital I'm in right now or how long it is from home.

Damn it!

I should have accepted when Damien asked nicely. Now I didn't know if he would still drive me home. Between driving me home and staying back overnight, driving me home was definitely the better option. Not the best but I'll handle whatever comes my way.

"Can you drive me home?" I Muttered.

Damien smirked. "See? That wasn't so hard, was it?"

I wanted to punch him, but doing so will only put me in more trouble than I already am. Besides, I'm too weak to do that right now.

The drive home was silent. We didn't each other till we arrived at my place.

"You live here?"

"Yes" I came down from the car as soon as he parked. "Thanks for the ride, you can leave now"

He didn't go as I expected him to, instead he came down and followed me to my door.

"What?" I asked, staring up at him suspiciously, he was acting too strange and I didn't like it.

"You're not going to invite me in?"

"Why should I?" I don't know where I got the audacity to talk to him in a rude way today, maybe it's because of the thought of the amount of money that was going to leave my account.

He smirked "Because I helped you?"

I stared at him, wishing for him to disappear.

"Fine" I muttered, if I didn't let him in, he would probably force his way inside.

Inside, Damien looked around and frowned.

"If you're not comfortable, you can leave"

He ignored me and walked around.

I sat down and watched him, my gaze following him like an hawk

"Why are there no pictures here? Why do you leave alone? This neighbourhood seem unsafe"

I didn't respond, I just waited for him to finish fooling around.

He seemed to have felt my gaze, he turned to me and frowned "why do you keep looking at me like I'm a thief?"

"You're acting strange and I don't like it." I leaned forward "what exactly do you want?"

He finally sat down on the most decent chair I have.

"Aren't you going to offer me anything?"

I gave him a deadpan stare. "There's nothing to offer"

He clicked his tongue and went to the fridge.

"Holy shit! I've never seen a fridge so empty." He opened the cupboards "You really don't have anything to offer"

"I thought you work at La Vienne. Why do you behave like you have nothing?"

I stiffened and stared at him coldly "how do you know where I work?"

He noticed the change in my expression "Relax, a friend told me he saw you there."

"How I live is none of your business. Please leave, I need to rest"

Damien scanned my face before deciding to stand. "I'll leave you to rest, I'll bring your drugs to you tomorrow, you..."

"No need" I cut him off. Does he want to make my account bleed?

When he walked out of the door, I remembered he hadn't told me how much I was owing him.

"So, how much am I owing you?"

"I didn't ask you to pay"

I glared at him.

"Sigh, since you want to know so bad, it's one million dollars."

I stumbled back when I heard the price "What do you mean by that"

"The drip, the bed, the..."

"No, I mean, what kind of hospital charges one million dollars for less than a day?"

He looked at me like I was asking a stupid question "Obviously. It was the best hospital that was nearest to school at that time"

I gritted my teeth in anger "what do you mean best hospital? What happened to the common ones scattered around?"

"I've never gone to any place that's not the best" he scanned my house "your house is the first"

The urge to punch him was strong.