Arranged To Be|18+✔️

'28

I waited up all night for Czar to return, but he never did. Eventually, exhaustion overtook me, and I curled up on the bed, silently praying that he'd be there when I woke up.

But I was wrong.

The bed was still empty in the morning. Cold. I tried calling him a few times, but each one went straight to voicemail. The silence made my skin crawl. After a while, I gave up waiting and decided to go downstairs for breakfast. Maybe food would distract me.

I pulled my hair into a neat slick back bun and slipped on another flowy sundress with sandals. I grabbed the room key and headed out.

The elevator ride felt like an eternity. My thoughts raced. Where the hell was Czar? Last night had gone from perfect to confusing in seconds, and now I felt like we were back to square one.

When the doors opened, I made my way into the dining area. It was warm and filled with chatter, families, couples, tourists. I felt oddly out of place without him. I filled my plate with whatever caught my eye and took a seat at a corner table by the window.

Halfway through my pancake, a man sat down across from me. He wore a white T-shirt and jeans. His hair was dirty blonde, slicked back, and his dark green eyes gleamed with something cold. A scar curved above his left brow. His smile was slow, chilling.

"Can I help you?" I asked, instantly on edge.

He chuckled. "Yes, actually. You're Zariah, right?"

My blood froze. "You're Liam."

His smile widened. "So, you've heard about me."

I started to stand, but his voice stopped me cold.

"I wouldn't do that if I were you."

I looked down and saw it, a silver gun resting on his lap. My heart stuttered. I slowly sat back down.

"How's Czar?" he asked casually, reaching across the table and taking a hash brown off my plate like we were old friends.

"H-he's fine," I said, eyes scanning the room for help. No one noticed. No one cared.

"Good. You know, I never pictured him as the type to settle down."

"I didn't have a choice," I said quickly. "I was forced to marry him. He doesn't love me. Killing me won't hurt him."

He raised a brow. "You really believe that? Because from where I'm sitting, he looks pretty damn fond of you."

"He doesn't—"

"I never said I wanted to kill you," Liam said, his smile turning razor-sharp. "There's no fun in that."

"Then what do you want?"

His eyes darkened. "I want to take everything Czar loves. The way he took everything from me."

I swallowed hard. "He didn't know she was pregnant. If he had—"

Liam laughed. "You believe that bullshit? He's a murderer, Zariah. He doesn't care who gets in his way. Don't ever forget that."

"And what does that make you?" I shot back. "Why'd you kill his father?"

Liam's jaw clenched. A vein in his neck pulsed. "You wouldn't believe me if I told you."

"Try me."

He leaned in slowly. "Ask Annika."

Then he stood, tucking the gun into the back of his jeans. "Don't worry. We'll see each other again. Soon."

I pulled my phone out with shaking hands and called Czar. It rang twice before he answered.

"Zariah? Where are you?"

"No, where are you?!" I snapped, voice breaking. Tears filled my eyes. "L-Liam... he—he was just here."

Czar's voice turned sharp. "Where are you right now?"

"The dining hall."

"Stay there. I'm coming."

He hung up.

My chest was tight, my breathing uneven. The panic hit hard and fast. I bent forward, pressing my head to the table, struggling to breathe. It felt like no air was reaching my lungs. My fingers tingled. My vision blurred.

Then everything went black.

*~* 

Finally! We meet Liam, what do you guys think? Do you guys believe he had a good reason for murdering Czar's dad, wellllll I guess we have to wait and see. Also where the hell was Czar!!! Anyways  I hoped you all enjoyed this chapter. Don't forget to comment, vote, and share. Until next time my lovelies.