For Lovers Only - [A Zarry Stylik]©️

XIV- LET ME GO HOME

Z,

The press was kind to me. The news of last night's event made a few pages in some newspapers, magazines and online. It was good press.

With my iPad, I read some of the links Gigi had sent to me and opened them to see what the media related. "An event for the arts", "New talents on display in downtown London", and "A breath of fresh air in the arts with superheroes." Good headlines.

I hadn't spoken to Liam properly since last night. I had this knot in my stomach where I wasn't able to understand if I was mad or resentful for his absence.

Part of me was glad he wasn't there because I got to feel Harry close, the other half felt he had set me aside and was now hyperfocused on his business, leaving me behind.

I was conflicted.

This led me to another rough night's sleep, where instead of sharing the same bed as my husband, I ended up cuddling Jaimie in his room and sleeping there. He was having a rough night too and having me there would soothe him.

At this stage, I wondered if I should argue. Should I act like I cared so much and my feelings had been truly hurt? Should I sink deeper into this façade of a still very much alive marriage? Or should I just act accordingly to my deeper feelings, catch the gust of courage that led me to take off my ring and grow the distance between us? Give room for our separation to take form. I looked around in our kitchen feeling little connection to what was once a place full of good memories and good moments. Nothing spoke to me.

I stared at Liam, who sat across from me, reading something in his newspaper and I felt even more distance. A cold wind blew through my heart. As I looked harder and assessed deeper I understood I wasn't upset. I wasn't mad. I wasn't.

What I wanted, who I wanted wasn't in this kitchen. He was out there, living his life and demanding the best version of me.

"So, we're not talking?" Liam's voice cut through my thinking, making me jump. He was looking at me.

"Hm?"

"I asked if we're still not talking?" He looked so young, beautiful and sane. He wore a polo shirt showing off all of his tattoos, hair all combed back and glasses to help him read. "I am sorry I missed your event."

"I know. You told me."I set my iPad aside and looked up at him. "It's okay."

We sat in silence staring at one another.

"How was it?"

"It was good. Full house." I added simplicity and a light shrug. "How was the meeting with the assistant?"

Liam lit up like a Christmas tree "Good. She gave us real pointers and helped us a lot. It was insightful. The fact that we had a direct line, it's promising."

"Who is he? The investor?"

"Simon Cowell," Liam announced and I froze. I knew that name. I had heard that name. "He's such a powerhouse. He's very discreet and an intelligent man. Very diverse portfolio in all things from tech to health, to now fitness. He's...very well-versed and he doesn't just pour money into the business. No. He reshapes it and makes it ten times better. A visionary."

I searched my brain to where I had heard that name before. Then, it came to me. "He was there."

"Was where?"

"At the event last night. He was there."

Liam's eyes grow bigger and he set the newspaper aside.

"He was? Did you invite him?"