Liam sat at the dining table, idly watching Amanda as she ate her food in complete silence. The only sounds in the room were the occasional clink of her spoon against the plate and the soft hum of the refrigerator in the background.
He let out a quiet sigh, leaning his cheek against his hand as he murmured to himself, "She's so boring..."
This wasn't what he expected at all.
When she first agreed to the dinner, he thought she would at least loosen up a little, maybe joke around or even tease him. But instead, she had been eating like he wasn't even there, her expression calm and unreadable.
Liam shifted his gaze to his own plate, finally picking up his spoon. The aroma of the creamy pasta dish she had cooked earlier was just as rich and flavorful as he had imagined. The grilled chicken was tender, coated in a smooth, garlic-infused sauce, and the pasta itself was cooked to perfection.
But despite how good the food was, he found himself more interested in Amanda's behavior.
Instead of complaining, he decided to observe her a little longer, trying to piece together what exactly was going on in her head.
A few more minutes passed, and the awkward silence continued.
Growing impatient, Liam suddenly dropped his spoon on the plate, the loud clang echoing through the dining room.
Amanda's eyes flickered up at him, briefly locking onto his gaze before she quickly looked away again, pretending like nothing had happened.
And in that moment, it clicked.
The realization hit him so clearly that he almost laughed.
Liam leaned back in his chair, his expression thoughtful as he finally spoke.
"You haven't invited a guy into your house before, have you? That's why you're acting so stiff. It's awkward for you, and you're trying to cover it up with that serious expression."
Amanda's entire body froze, her spoon hovering in midair as her eyes widened slightly.
For a moment, she didn't move—didn't even blink.
Then, in the next second, she suddenly burst into laughter.
It was so unexpected and unfiltered that she had to cover her mouth to keep the food in her mouth from spilling out.
After a few seconds, she finally managed to compose herself, setting her spoon down as she wiped the corner of her lips.
"Liam," she said, shaking her head. "You're so cocky. What makes you think I'd find it awkward inviting you over? You're just a boy."
Just a boy?
Liam's fingers curled around his spoon as a slow smile spread across his lips.
Amanda felt a sudden chill run down her spine at the way he smiled—there was something about it that felt different, almost dangerous.
The truth was, Liam had hit the mark perfectly.
This really was the first time she had ever invited a man into her home, and it wasn't just awkward—it was strangely unsettling. There was something about Liam specifically that made her feel different, and she had been trying to mask it behind her usual strict demeanor.
She hated that he had figured it out so quickly.
She wished she had never made that bet with him.
But before she could dwell on the thought any further, a loud, urgent knock suddenly echoed through the house, disrupting the moment entirely.
Amanda's head snapped toward the door, her expression shifting from amused to serious.
Liam, still seated at the table, raised an eyebrow in curiosity.
Who could be visiting her at this hour?
Amanda's expression hardened as she stood up from her chair and made her way toward the door. There was something about the way the knocking sounded—loud, forceful, and impatient—that put her on edge.
She reached for the doorknob, hesitating for only a second before pulling the door open.
The sight that greeted her made her stomach twist into knots.
Five men stood outside, dressed in rugged street clothes that screamed trouble. Their arms were covered in tattoos, and the sharp scent of cigarette smoke filled the air. One of them, standing at the front, casually took a drag from his cigarette before blowing the smoke directly toward her.
Amanda's jaw clenched.
She knew these people.
Debt collectors.
The thug with the cigarette smirked. "Time's up, sweetheart. You either pay up now or sign the contract."
Amanda's brows furrowed. Her hands clenched into fists at her sides as she tried to keep her voice calm.
"I just gave you everything I had last week," she said. "And my time isn't up. I still have three months."
The thug scoffed, flicking the cigarette onto the ground before crushing it under his boot. "If we say your time is up, then your time is up."
Before Amanda could react, one of the men grabbed her wrist, his grip rough and unforgiving.
She gasped, trying to yank her hand away, but his grip only tightened.
"Let go of me!" she hissed.
The thug chuckled, clearly enjoying her struggle. "It's a pity we have to send such a pretty bitch over there."
Amanda's stomach dropped.
She knew what he meant.
Fear flickered in her eyes, but she quickly swung her arm, breaking free from his grasp. She stumbled back a few steps, her breath uneven.
But then the men stepped forward, this time with full intent to grab her forcefully.
Amanda instinctively moved back, but in her haste, her feet got tangled together.
She let out a sharp gasp as she lost her balance, falling backward.
She braced herself for the impact, expecting to hit the hard floor.
But instead...
She landed against something warm.
No—someone.
Strong arms wrapped around her, breaking her fall effortlessly. The familiar scent of Liam's cologne filled her senses.
Amanda slowly opened her eyes, and her breath caught in her throat.
Liam was holding her securely, his chest firm against her back.
For a moment, she didn't move.
Didn't breathe.
She tilted her head slightly, looking up at him, and the way he gazed down at her made her feel... safe.
"Are you okay?" Liam's voice was calm, steady.
Amanda blinked a few times before quickly nodding, her face suddenly feeling hot.
But then she realized something.
She wasn't the only one in danger here.
Her eyes widened as she grabbed onto Liam's shirt. "You need to run." Her voice was urgent. "These people will kill you!"
Liam didn't react immediately. He simply kept holding her, his expression unreadable.
Before he could respond, one of the thugs snorted in amusement.
"What the fuck is this?" he sneered. "She's got herself a pretty little fuckboy."
The other men laughed.
Then, the one who had spoken took a step forward, his gaze locking onto Liam like a predator eyeing its prey. "Listen, kid. Fuck off before you ruin that pretty face of yours."
But Liam...
Liam didn't move.