No Filter

Chapter LXXX (80)

Liam and I stayed another day, even though I knew he didn't want to. But he only stayed for my consent. I wanted to know more, but if it was hard for Liam, I told him that we could go. He didn't argue. He's been pretty silent since his parent's argument. He spoke little to me about his feelings. He was turning back to being that guy I met in August. However, more intimate. Less broken, yet more at the same time.

We stand out in the backyard, admiring the sunset. My head rested on his shoulder. Our hands intertwined, and I let this moment soak in because I know as long as we're here, this was the most I could get out of him. It was only a couple of more minutes before we head back inside.

Liam squeezes my hand, and I lift my head to look at him. His eyes were glued to the sun, and he didn't turn away from it. I know his mind was probably filled with deep thoughts. And I wish he could tell me. We needed to communicate.

I swallow and bite my bottom lip, debating whether I should raise my voice or not. I chose the former. "Liam," I said, "what are you thinking?" He didn't speak, let alone move a muscle. "Tell me."

He shakes his head, making his first movement after a while. "Let's head back inside," he says. I grab his arm from moving and plead for him to stay.

"No," I said. "Right here. Right now. Don't hide from me." I place my hand on cheek and caress his skin softly. His eyes twinkle, and he sniffs, letting out a chuckle with a breath. He shakes his head. He takes a step back.

"I will talk to you later," he says. He removes my hands and walks inside the house.

I watch him walk away. I couldn't be angry at him. He had his reasons. I just wish he could tell me. After a few seconds, I follow him inside.

I enter the back door and then the kitchen. My brows crease, seeing Liam stopping in the living room. His hand forms a fist as it shook uncontrollably.

His dad raises his voice loud, "I had high expectations for you, but what did you do? You ruined my dreams. You ruined everything."

Liam spits back, "If you think that, then why did you leave me with the farm? Why did you leave me with that son-of-a-bitch? Answer me. You have no idea what I have to endure because I was fighting for you. He claimed that you cheated him money. And I was threatened. You were threatened." He turns around, knowing that I've been there all along, listening, and he gestures for me to come out. I stood out, but Liam took my wrist and pulls me next to him. His mom was in tears as his father was flushed out red. "Ally was threatened. You didn't see what I saw. You didn't know what they did to her. And I still didn't give them the money because I know you are a fair businessman."

"So because you believed that I didn't, that's an excuse to block out all the bad things that you did?" his father questions. And I didn't understand him. He is a father. And a father, or any parent, should forgive their child. But I know I would've said the same thing to my dad three years ago.

Liam wets his lips and bites his tongue. "Fine," Liam says. "If you despise me this much, then I will leave and never come back. I won't take care of your farm. You can do it."

"Good," Geoff remarks. "Get off of my property. You're no longer my son."

"I was never your son in a long time," Liam says. "Our ties were cut the moment you abandoned me. You and mom were the most painful to lose. You guys raised me. Sheltered me. Fed me. And I tried my best to do what you guys want. But I won't do that anymore. You guys held me back from pursuing the career that I wanted."

"Liam," Karen croaks. "I never wanted to hold you back. You're my son. I only did what was best, and I thought, at the time, he knew what was best."

"Well, it's too late," Liam says. "Ally and I are leaving tonight!"

He tugs my arm and takes me to the stairs. I hear Karen wheezing out Liam's name, and then a soft, cautious gasp followed her. Then a thud. Liam darts his eyes back, and when I did, Liam frees my arm and runs to his fainted mother. Geoff and Liam gather around her.

Geoff cries, "Oh, Karen. My sweetheart."

"Mum," Liam pants. His voice shook. "You're going to be okay, Mum."
—
We waited out in the emergency room. Geoff paced back and forth. Liam sat on the bench while I sat beside him, rubbing his back soothingly. His hand held onto mine for comfort. His eyes were as puffed as mine, and like my nose, his was red. His sadness reminded me about myself when my mom was in the hospital. I could imagine what he is going through.

I look at him and see the man I loved being pushed back by his demons: the things that kept him from being happy. I've seen him sad before, but never like this. He is somewhere in there. I just know it.

Our silence was cover up by the footsteps of the people walking in the hallway. I look at the clock on the wall and listening the ticks. I breathe through my nose and rest my head on his arm.

I see two feet approaching the two of us. I lift my head and see Geoff, distraught. His eyes shifted from Liam and me. His hands were tucked in his pocket, and he nodded his head, looking guilty. "I'm sorry," he spoke.

Liam's eyebrows furrow, as did mine. "Are you teasing me?" Liam asks, shaky and hoarse. "Not too long ago, you were screaming and telling me sorts of stuff. Now, you're choosing this time to apologize when Mum is in the ER?"

Geoff nodded his head, shrugging a little. "I don't know what to say," he replies. "If she doesn't make it, we have to make up, won't we?"

"Why should I?" Liam questions. "She will make it. And if she doesn't, then we could just leave things be. You already said that I'm not your son. I don't see why we still have to communicate."

"I want things to be good between us," Geoff rebuttals. "Your a father too. Wouldn't you want that from your son?"

Liam clenches his fist. "Don't you dare bring up my son. I'm a better father than you'll ever be. You might have raised me, but you never supported me. Only when you had time. And even then, you chose to spend it somewhere else. I learned to never abandon anyone you love. Even before you and Mum left, you always told me to do this and that without you actually guiding me, unless it was the farm."

"Liam, I have tried to make peace with you, but you won't accept," Geoff says. "I understand, but please, forgive me in my part. You forgave Ally. I don't see why you can't do that to your parents."

I swallow, getting jitters in my stomach. Liam rebuttals, "Ally believed that I could be a better person. She helped me become a better person. I wouldn't know who I would be if she didn't come back to my life or if I didn't accept her."

Geoff tenses up, and he clenches his teeth, looking at Liam straight in the eyes. I feel through his arm that Liam wasn't afraid anymore. He wasn't intimidated nor was he silent anymore. "I'm sorry, but I don't want you in my life. Not anymore."

Geoff nods his head in acceptance. "If that's what you wish, then so be it. I wish you nothing but the best." Liam cackles softly in disbelief, turning away. Geoff adds, "I'm speaking the truth."

"Whatever you like to call that, it's up to you," Liam says. I close my eyes for a moment, getting tired. I listen to their voices softly concluding their conversation.

The door swings open, and I open my eyes. The doctor walks out, and Liam and I stand up together.

"How is she, Doctor?" Liam asks.

The doctor smiles and informs, "She is alright. She's just been a little stress. A couple days of rest should just fix it."

I let out a breath of relief. Liam looks at me and smiles. My heart flutters, seeing his beautiful smile and the crinkles in his eyes once more. I squeeze his arm, holding onto my excitement.

Geoff raises his voice, "Thank you, Doctor."

The doctor nods his head and informs us the last bit. We had to be quiet in the room. She is still resting. Liam and I follow Geoff into the room, and we waited until she woke up.