As soon as Liam arrived at the office, Jorge was already inside waiting for him, with his teasing smile.

“I knew it…” Jorge said with a smile. The photo of Liam quickly leaked but it was his kiss with Lana. He was aware Lana would come back but he was even more glad that she showed herself at the right moment.

Jorge was initially monitoring the media since he did not want any evidence that would confirm the rumor of the said marriage talks with Mr. Chua’s daughter since he was totally against it.

He was utterly surprised to see Liam’s video of kissing a woman by a journalist who was bold enough to circulate the video and even posted photographs of Liam kissing Lana in public and hugging her intimately, for her next scoop of gossip.

Of course, Jorge allowed it instead of preventing that scoop from leaking, since the woman in all those videos and photos was Lana, the only woman he would consider as sister-in-law since he believed that these two were fated and meant to be together.

“Where is she now? Did you two talk and reconcile?” Liam heard Jorge ask with a bright smile full of hope, printed on his face.

Liam did not respond but quietly sat on his chair. He comfortably rested his back and neck on the chair and looked at the ceiling, instead of answering Jorge’s question. Lana’s face was imprinted in his head, she looked more enchanting and seductive in her long hair fluttering on her back. He kept staring at the ceiling so that he could picture that beautiful face on it.

She looked more beautiful with her long hair. And there was no doubt that she had the same effect on him as always. He missed everything about her, so much so that he felt like he was going crazy in that instant, just thinking about her.

Jorge’s brows collided because he knew Liam was just acting as if he did not hear him. Obviously, there was no reconciliation that could happen with that silence from Liam.

“Hey, bro…” Jorge whispered with a pout. His ears were already itching to hear the full story of what happened at their unexpected encounter.

“Do you think Lana knew you would be there at the same restaurant? I mean it feels like too much to be a mere coincidence? Seeing her there at the exact timing? She probably went there knowing you would be there with another woman. It’s a trending topic you see, the possible-arranged-marriage talk between the Chua and Sy families.”

Liam looked at Jorge with a straight face and authoritatively responded, “Don’t meddle in my affairs with Lana, Jorge. That woman left, she abandoned us and she should know the consequences of her reckless actions. I don’t want you or Miley getting involved whatsoever.”

“Yes, your honor!” Jorge scoffed with a twitched mouth. It was not like they gave out that information to Lana. Well, if they were still in contact with Lana they probably would have.

Could it be his wife Miley? Maybe. He would ask his wife later and even help her further in relaying information about Liam’s appointments to Lana!

“Are you still mad at her? Can’t you forgive her if she asks?” Jorge could not help but ask. He was too curious about what Liam had in mind but to his disappointment, he was once again ignored royally by Liam.

He shook his head as he looked at Liam who was only quietly staring at the ceiling.

“Look at you! So lost in the wilderness of your own deep thoughts.” Jorge mumbled with a crumpled face.

“You did not even answer me,” Jorge whispered.

“Can’t you forgive her?” Jorge repeated.

Liam stared at him and said, “Go back to your office Jorge and don’t be a gossipmonger.

Jorge twisted his face and mumbled, as he walked down the door, “Make sure you do not prolong that plan you have in your head, Liam. Especially once Lana begs you to take her back. I know you are still, somehow mad at her but if you do still love her… Then there’s no shame to humble yourself for the woman you love.”

Liam sighed as he watched Jorge leave his room.

Jorge asked him about forgiveness…

Liam heaved a long deep sigh. Lana was already forgiven, even if she did not ask for it. He would always forgive her no matter what she did or whatever she would do… because that was what love meant, he loved her… You forgive the person you love because you love them…

However, Lana must be punished. He must teach her a lesson for her reckless move.

She must realize that it would not be that easy, going back as if nothing happened, if she chose to leave like that or else she would repeat the same mistake again, knowing she could go back to people she left behind easily.

He tried his best not to look weak in front of her. He wanted her to see that he could live a normal life without her. He wanted her to know that it would be her loss if she was too weak and would easily give up on their relationship. It was hard, very hard, but he must keep his stance.

Liam was curious about what Lana would do next. Knowing her, she would not rest until she had achieved her goal and this time he knew her goal was him. His mobile phone beeped, interrupting him from his deep thoughts.

He grabbed it to open the message he received, it was from an unknown number.

[Please save this number. It’s my new number. It’s me, Lana. I miss you. I will visit Miley now and then father later to apologize to them personally. I know I’ve been selfish and I hope you will make me atone for my mistake. I miss you Liam and I have never stopped loving you…]

Liam’s facial muscles flinched as he gulped. Lana was a straightforward woman but not when it comes to what she felt… He was taken aback by that message, and stared at it for a long time, in disbelief.

‘Is that really her? How did she become such…. shameless?’

He closed his eyes, trying his best to control the various emotions he went through, his mind couldn’t process all of them at the same time. He wanted to tell her that he missed her too and that he also did not stop loving her ever, but he didn’t.

“Atone for your mistake? And how will you do it, huh? Will you be able to turn the time back and erase the pain you gave me?” he whispered as his eyes started glistening with tears.

The pain was still there but he was also grateful that Lana was finally back. He admitted that seeing her for the first time a while ago, after a whole year, warmed his heart and a gleam of hope arose in him.

There was no doubt that he would take her back but she should earn him this time… that way she would treasure him more and not let go of his hand when the going gets tough.

Liam exhaled loudly as he wondered if somehow he made any sense at all.