Where my Heart Lies

Embark

About three and a half years later.

"Jessica, wake up!!"

"Shut up Kiana... let me sleep some more."

"Liam's coming back."

.

.

.

That was what Jessica had woken up to this morning. A declaration of Liam coming back. She had not seen him ever since, that, happened. It was only through other sources that she found out about him going to London for his company or stuff. She didn't really think of him much these years. Studies, college and her friends filled up most of her day, barely giving her time to think of anyone else. The nights found her exhausted and lulled her to sleep. Such was the rush in her life, she hardly figured where these years went. 

Things had changed though. Jessica was still socially anxious, but she had gotten better at conversations with a small group of people. Ryan and Larry, were the latest addition to her friend circle, which previously consisted of only Kiana. The reason she was here, in the cafeteria, sipping lemon juice in the morning, waiting to meet Liam once again, was solely Larry- who had convinced, rather insisted, that all of them be there to meet his cousin. Although Larry had already graduated from the university at the same time Liam did, he worked in the same city, after getting his post- graduate degree in earth sciences, as a geologist, so they could frequently hang out together. 

Jessica checked the time. It was twenty past eleven. Maybe they aren't coming. Jessica sighed as she leaned further back against the chair, closing her eyes in an attempt to relax herself. She was starting to doze off.

"Jessica? Jessica, wake up."

"Hmm...?"

Jessica slowly opened her eyes, a vibrant shade of blue illuminating her vision led them to a face that made time freeze. It was Liam. And Jessica was stunned. Her eyes wouldn't move a millimeter away from him. It was crazy how attracted she was to him after all these years. He looked so much more mature than before. Like a man. Now more than ever. And Jessica couldn't help but feel the woman in her rising to the top.

"Are you done staring?" Liam smirked.

"Umm, yeah... no! I wasn't- ,anyway, how have you been?"

"I Have been excellent." He replied while looking straight into Jessica's eyes. "What about you?"

"I've been good too." Jessica gulped. There was something in the way he looked at her, like he would eat her at any moment. Completely. Not leaving her soul in sight.

"I didn't-"

"Sorry we're late!"

Liam couldn't finish what he was saying as Larry, Ryan and Kiana entered the café with rather extravagant gifts for him. Kiana had brought him a huge flower bouquet, while Larry and Ryan together gifted him the latest I-phone. Liam thanked everyone and glanced at an embarrassed Jessica trying to hide her embarrassment, almost as if asking her gift for him. Soon, the group was gossiping like old ladies, about this and that and what was happening in the world. Jessica too made a comment every now and then, but she was never too comfortable to ignore the presence of Liam, who on the other hand seemed to know it all and had endless words about any topic they would speak of. "He is a businessman, of course he is good at conversations!" Jessica told herself. She observed him. How his fingers held the coffee cup, how his lips lightly sipped the drink, how his throat bobbed as he gulped the liquid down. All too much aware of it.