A Hopeless Pursuit (Forbidden Love Series Book 10)

 

Liam excitedly had his breakfast while his mom looked at him questioningly.  "Do you have extra classes early in the morning?" She asked him.

"No I'll go and see Sera before heading for college," he said. His mom looked worried.

"Is she alright?" She asked him.

"Oh yes, she's fine. I was just missing her mom. Nothing serious," said Liam. Truth was that he couldn't wait till evening to see Lisa. What if she disappeared somewhere?

"Go in the evening after work. You'll be able to spend some time with her," suggested his mom. She understood who her son actually was going there to meet. She had observed how Liam was looking at Lisa the other day.  Liam had never brought a girl home before so it was quite obvious that he liked her.

"Okay," said Liam with disappointment when he realized that what his mom was suggesting was actually for the best. But the question was how he would be able wait the whole day. He left for college and met his friends, Dave and Kevin at the campus.

"Why such a long and unhappy face dude?" Asked Kevin, slapping Liam's shoulder.

"You know why. She didn't come for our date. Her parents found out about us and has grounded her," he said unhappily.

"Then what can you do? Wait for her punishment to be over?" Asked Dave.

"That'll take two years," said Liam. "I'll just go and meet Sera and see her for a few minutes maybe," sighed Liam.

"We'll find some way to get you to meet her bro, don't worry," said Kevin. Liam knew it was a nearly impossible task but he wouldn't give up on Lisa. After a hectic morning attending lectures and practical classes, Liam went home to freshen up and get ready for work.

He went to the grand Parker suites, Las Vegas where he was working as an intern. As a student of hotel management, he was passionate about his work and dedicatedly learnt everything from scratch just like any other intern. Although he was the owner, he never shied away from hard work. He preferred to be treated just like his fellow interns. After a busy day, he went home and showered and changed to go to the Lennard house. He reached there at 6 o'clock in the evening and parked his car at the underground parking area. Taking the elevator, he went straight up to Laurence's floor. Serenity welcomed him with a hug.

"Hey, did you bring me the cookies you bought last time? Me and Lisa loved them so much," she said, searching his hands.

"Oh, I didn't know. You should have told me before," said Liam feeling bad.

"Okay, bring next time when you come," said Serenity, leading the way to the living room.

"Do you want coffee?" She asked knowing that he always had a cup after work.

"Yeah, would love to," said Liam, looking around for Lisa.

"She hasn't come up yet. I'll just call her," said Serenity, seeing Liam search for Lisa.

Liam coloured a little. "I was just looking for Laurence. Doesn't he come home early? Did he find his first wife?" Asked Liam.

"No to both your questions. He comes in late and goes off early. I hardly get to see him. He's very depressed, " said Serenity with a sigh.

"What about you Sera?" Asked Liam softly.

"I'm okay. I alive," she answered avoiding Liam's eyes.

"Do you realize your mistake now? You can divorce Laurence and clear up with Alexander. He loves you Sera," said Liam. Serenity shook her head. 

"I can't give him a divorce. Seeing him get married was his mom's last wish. She's not well and I don't want to be the cause of the deterioration of her health," she said dejectedly.

Liam sighed and prayed that Laurence found his wife soon and released his sister. The door opened and Lisa peeped inside. She had been eagerly waiting to see Liam since last night. She had avoided all interactions with her parents, eating in her own room whatever Sandra brought her. She spoke to her music teacher and he agreed to teach her personally. He would visit her twice in a week for lessons and also give two online lessons. She gave him her brother's number to discuss about the tuition charges.

Hearing Liam's voice in the living room, Lisa felt her heart skip a beat.

"Is that you, Lisa? Come on in," said Serenity peeping from the living room. Liam got up from his couch, unable to contain himself anymore. He walked out of the living room towards her.

"Hi," he said softly looking at her with excitement. He felt like pulling her into his arms but with his sister present, he didn't know whether he should or not. But Lisa flew into his arms, hugging him tightly, embedding her face in his chest. Liam held her tightly to himself, both, lost in the embrace. Serenity got up to give them some privacy.

"I'll get you your coffee Liam, " she said escaping to the kitchen. She missed Alexander after seeing Lisa with Liam. She realized the mistake she'd made on the spur of the moment.

"I missed you," mumbled Lisa, incoherently into his chest. Liam felt his heart somersault with happiness.

"I'm here now, Lisa," he said softly. "We'll meet every week if you want. "

Lisa nodded. "Yes please," she whispered. "You could come to my school back gate at 1:45 every weekday, whenever you want to see me," she told him.

"Done, " he promised and they both smiled at one another. "Now give me a quick kiss," he said and claimed her lips without waiting for her to react. He plunged his tongue into her sweet mouth and quickly got a taste of her. The sound of his sister's footsteps made him break the kiss. He led her to the living room where Serenity placed his coffee and a few cookies on the coffee table.

"You both can have the cookies. I'm fine with just coffee," he said offering the cookies to Lisa. She took two and handed the plate to Serenity who declined.

"You have it Lisa, you love it so much, " she said. Lisa happily sat munching them.

"I'll get more for you when I come again this Saturday, " said Liam. Lisa looked at him with dismay.

"Saturday?" She asked trying to tell him that Saturday was a long way off. Liam was helpless. He couldn't come to his sister's house every day. It wouldn't look good. He also couldn't tell her in front of his sister that he would see her at her school tomorrow.

"Yes, I'll be free on Saturday, " he lied.

"Come over on Saturday then," said Serenity. The main door opened and much to Lisa's horror,  her mom entered Laurence's floor. Laurence loved his privacy and didn't like everyone visiting him upstairs so his parents hardly came up to his floor.

"Hello Liam, how nice to see you son. How have you been?" Asked Penny Lennard, satisfied to see Lisa too there.

"I'm fine, aunt Penny, " said Liam.

"Lisa, why don't you take him to your room?" Asked her mom, glaring at her, daring Lisa to disobey.

"My room's dirty mom," grumbled Lisa. She knew her mom too well. She knew why her mom wanted her to take Liam to her room she'd never listen to her.

"I'll ask Sandra to clean it. Take him to your room and show him around, " ordered her mom, glaring at her more.

"It's okay, aunt Penny. I was leaving now anyway. I'll see Lisa's room next time I come over," said Liam not understanding what the big deal was about checking out Lisa's room. Why was her mom forcing her? It wasn't anything important after all.

"When are you coming next? Feel at home. You can visit anytime you want to, " said Penny Lennard with a fake laugh.

"He hasn't decided when he'd visit next," said Lisa as Liam stared at her with surprise. Why did she not tell her mom? He got up and waved at his sister and Lisa and left for home.

After he went away,  Lisa hugged Serenity and went downstairs to her room where her mom was waiting for her with her hands on her waist ready to pounce upon her. "What was that all about Lisa? I think I clearly told you what you needed to do when Liam came home," she said with a grave expression.

"I'm sorry mom. I can't do what you're asking me to," she said bravely. Her mom raised her hand and slapped her across her face. Lisa was too shocked to react.

"Next time you don't listen to me, you'll get harsher punishments," threatened her mom, leaving her room angrily. Lisa sat slumped to the floor. She would face all the punishments but she would never frame Liam and deceive his trust. She loved him after all. The realization that what she felt for him was true love, made her all the more sad and she sobbed into her pillow brokenly not knowing what to do anymore.