The Night His Company Went Public Chapter 2

I had planned to break up with Liam after the party.

When I walked out of the restroom, the crowd had thinned out, but Liam was nowhere to be found. I called him; no answer. I sent him texts; they stayed on "Delivered."

I remembered the gossip I’d overheard in the restroom stalls just moments before.

"Did Liam and Aria break up?"

"Not yet, but I bet it's coming. Didn't you see? Chloe said it was getting late and she was scared to go home alone, and Liam immediately offered to drive her."

It was 11:30 PM. The streets outside the venue were empty. I gave a self-deprecating laugh and hailed a cab home.

The apartment was dark and painfully quiet. He hadn't come home.

A sudden, crushing wave of exhaustion hit me. I stumbled into the living room, collapsed onto the sofa, and fell into a deep sleep.

In my hazy, feverish sleep, I dreamed of eighteen-year-old Liam. He was napping on his desk by the window, while I was desperately trying to solve the last question on a brutal AP Calculus practice test.

The sunlight was blinding, making it hard to see the numbers. I frowned. Suddenly, the harsh light vanished.

After I finished the problem, I rubbed my eyes and looked up. A pair of long, articulate fingers was holding a textbook, shielding my eyes from the sun.

I stared blankly as he shook out his numb arm, then waved his hand in front of my face. His eyes were dancing with amusement, his tone teasing:

"Aria, are you mesmerized by me?"

Then the dream shifted to the day after graduation. He blocked my path, the tips of his ears bright red, trying desperately to look cool.

"Aria, I like you. If you become my girlfriend, I'll be good to you for the rest of my life. I won't let anyone bully you."

I had asked him, What if you're the one who bullies me?

I still remember how his expression turned deadly serious.

"I will never bully you, Aria. If that day ever comes, you just walk away from me. That would be the cruelest punishment you could ever give me."

Through the haze, I heard my phone ringing.

I picked it up and heard that familiar voice say my name. "Aria."

Without a second thought, I spoke into the receiver.

"Liam, you bullied me. I don't want you anymore."

Without waiting for a response, I tossed the phone aside and fell back asleep.