The following week was quiet, but not in the way Jenna had expected. There was no grand gesture from Liam, no late-night texts or sudden surprises. Instead, there was an unspoken understanding that things were shifting — slow, but inevitable. Jenna kept herself busy with the usual whirlwind of meetings, charity events, and design consultations, but her thoughts kept drifting back to him.
She'd never been one for waiting. Patience had never been her strength, not when it came to matters of the heart. But Liam was different. He didn't push. He didn't rush. And that, in itself, made Jenna uneasy. She was used to controlling the narrative, to setting the pace. But now, there was a new rhythm, one she wasn't sure how to follow.
It was late one evening when Liam called.
"Jenna," his voice came through the line, steady but warm, "I want to take you somewhere. It's not a date, just a place I think you might enjoy. You up for it?"
She paused for a moment, then glanced at her schedule. "What's the catch?"
"No catch," Liam said smoothly. "Just a chance to see something new. Trust me."
Trust him? That was the question she'd been asking herself ever since their dinner. Jenna hadn't fully let go of her reservations, but she also couldn't deny the curiosity building inside her. She hadn't been this intrigued in a long time.
"Alright," she said finally, her voice calm but with a hint of uncertainty. "Tell me where and when."
"Tomorrow. Seven o'clock. Be ready."
She chuckled softly. "That's it? No hints?"
"Not yet. I'll see you then." There was a playful edge in his tone. "And Jenna? Dress comfortably."
---
The next evening, Jenna stood in front of her wardrobe, mulling over her options. She could go for something sophisticated — sleek, elegant. But she decided against it. She needed to be unpredictable, maybe even a little spontaneous. She opted for a simple but stylish outfit — a fitted black leather jacket over a soft gray sweater, paired with dark jeans and ankle boots.
By the time seven o'clock rolled around, she was in a cab, her anticipation growing. Liam had told her to trust him, but the more she thought about it, the more questions cropped up. Where was he taking her? What was this really about?
When the cab stopped, she glanced out the window and saw that they were at the edge of the city, an area she didn't recognize. A private building loomed in front of her — elegant, modern, but with an air of mystery. Liam was already waiting outside, hands in his pockets, looking as effortlessly composed as ever.
"Ready?" he asked, his eyes gleaming with something unreadable.
She nodded, stepping out of the cab and following him up the stone steps.
"Where are we?" she asked, trying to keep her voice casual.
"You'll see," he replied cryptically.
As they entered the building, Jenna was taken aback by the interior. The walls were lined with art — bold, contemporary pieces that seemed to tell a story of their own. But what really caught her attention was the center of the room. A grand piano sat there, pristine and almost haunting in its beauty.
"You're taking me to a private art gallery?" Jenna asked, intrigued.
Liam didn't answer right away. Instead, he walked over to the piano, running his fingers gently over the keys, creating a soft melody that filled the space. Jenna couldn't help but be mesmerized by the sound.
"I thought you might appreciate it," he said finally. "I've been coming here for years. It's a place where things slow down. Where I don't have to be 'Liam Ryder' for a while. Just... me."
Jenna stood in the doorway, watching him. There was something undeniably vulnerable about him in that moment, something that made her question the walls she'd built around herself.
"Why are you showing me this?" she asked softly.
Liam turned to face her, his eyes searching hers. "Because I think you need to understand that I'm not just about business. I'm not just about control. There's more to me than that. And I think, somewhere deep down, you already know that."
For the first time, Jenna felt the weight of his words. She wasn't sure if she was ready to face it, but it was undeniable — there was a connection between them that couldn't be ignored.
"Why show me now?" she asked, her voice quiet but firm.
"Because I think you're ready," Liam said, his gaze never wavering.
Jenna stood there, caught between the temptation to walk away and the pull of something deeper — something she wasn't sure she could control.