A Hopeless Pursuit (Forbidden Love Series Book 10)

Lisa shyly climbed down the lawn staircase acutely aware of Liam's hot gaze upon her. "Shall we go?" Asked Lisa shyly, aware of everyone's attention focused upon them. Liam nodded as if in a daze, his hot gaze not leaving her for a second. He nodded at Laurence and Arianna and led Lisa to his car.

"Where are we going?" Asked Lisa and Liam grinned. He had taken all the pains upon returning home after his exams. Though it was an on the spur of the moment decision, yet he wanted to make it special Lisa. He could have opted for an expensive restaurant but he wanted to bond with her, spend time with her. He wanted to show her how much he loved her.

"To a special place," he just said, not uttering a word after that. Lisa kept staring at him.

"Where is this special place?" She asked with a faint smile on her face.

"In Vegas itself," smirked Liam. "Okay a small hint. We'll eat your favorite food there. Inhale the fresh aroma of lavenders there and watch your favorite movie too, " said Liam. Lisa eyes went round with wonder. Did such a place really exist? She shrugged giving up. Liam wouldn't say a word more so she just gave up and looked out of the window.

"Did I tell you that you're looking amazingly beautiful?" Asked Liam.

"No, you didn't, " said Lisa.

"Well, you are looking very beautiful, " said Liam and Lisa smiled at him. He too was looking extremely good in a charcoal grey suit and a black zip up semi-formal shirt underneath.

"You're looking good too," she admitted shyly. Liam glanced at her briefly with a smile on his face.

He drove into a beautiful gated apartment complex, straight into it's basement parking area. Lisa looked around the place not realizing whose house they were visiting. He led her towards the elevators. Once inside, Liam punched in a number and the elevator started moving upwards. "So who lives here?" Asked Lisa with curiosity.

"This was dad's bachelor pad before he married mom, " said Liam. Lisa looked at him and then realization struck her at what it all implied. She would be getting to spend a private moment with him all alone, away from family as well as friends. Excitement coursed through her body at the thought of what they would do on their date night. Liam led her out of the elevator towards a door which he unlocked. A subtle whiff of fresh lavenders hit her nostrils immediately just as he opened the door. Lisa went inside, looking at the beautifully decorated interiors. Small tea lights were hung in the living room to give a romantic hue to the place. There were  white and lavender lanterns fixed to the ceiling above the dining table. A floral centerpiece decorated with lavender blooms sat on the dining table.

"Did you decorate this place?" Asked Lisa with disbelief. How did he get the time with his ongoing exams?

"Yes, it was a hurried thing after my exams. Nothing much," shrugged Liam, coloring a little. Lisa loved everything that he did for her. It was her first formal date and Liam took so much pain to make it special for her.

"I just love it Liam. It's so special," said Lisa, admiring every detail.

"Seriously?" He asked quite satisfied with her answer. Lisa nodded and walked around, inspecting the apartment. Liam locked the door and stood with her on the balcony, watching the city skyline and inhaling the crisp evening air. The sun had already set and the stars looked extra bright tonight as if celebrating their special night with them. Liam stood close behind her and she could feel his hot breath on her neck. A shiver ran down her body as she held her breath with anticipation. His arm went around her and held the railings on the other side of her, his arm brushing against her side.

"I'm coming here after a long time," said Liam looking around. "I used to come here with Sera when Alexander used to live here," he said with a smile at her upturned face.

"How's Serenity and the babies?" Asked Lisa.

"They're doing great. Serenity's got married to Alexander and the twins have bonded with Alexander so well," informed Liam, looking into her eyes while his finger tucked a loose tendril behind her ear.

"I'm so happy for her," said Lisa as goosebumps erupted on her arms at his tender touch. The doorbell rang and Liam went to get it.

"Our dinner should be here," announced Liam as he opened the door. He brought the food to the table after paying the delivery boy. There were boxes of mouthwatering pizza, a box of authentic Italian pasta and garlic bread sticks with tangy dips.

Lisa licked her lips seeing the delicious food in front of her. Liam was keen to serve the food so she just watched him go out of his way, laying the dining table with floated candles and a covered tray full of goodies beside their food.

"What's in that tray?" Asked Lisa curiously.

"It's dessert but right now let it be a surprise," he said. Lisa eyed it curiously but obliged him and sat down to tuck into her favorite food.

"Do you like it?" He asked her with a smile seeing her excitement.

"Obviously. I love it, you know it's my favorite, " she said with a grin, biting into her pizza.

"I can't wait for my exams to be over. I'll finally graduate and get freedom from college. It'll be just work then. I'll be able to give you more time," he promised.

"I don't have any complaints against you Liam. I can't ask you for more," she told him.

"Wait and watch Lisa. This is just the beginning," he said and Lisa grinned. She knew it actually.

They talked some more about Liam's hectic schedule because of his college and internship both of which were soon coming to an end  much to his relief. Lisa came to know about his best friends and about his family too.

"You're lucky to have such wonderful parents. I love them, " said Lisa.

"Soon you'll move in with me and we will all live together," informed Liam with a twinkle in his eye. They had finished their meal and Lisa helped clear up everything. She took their plates to the kitchen to rinse. Liam followed her too.

"What's the most delicious dish that you can make?" Asked Liam as they rinsed the dishes together.

"I can't cook. I've never made anything in my entire eighteen years of life. The chefs cooked and mom never entered the kitchen. I was always busy running away from home to take time out to cook," sighed Lisa as she dried her hands and looked into Liam's eyes. He held her hand and led her to the living room sofa. She sat down with Liam too beside her. He gently massaged the back on her hand which was in his. His other arm was around her resting at the back of the sofa.

"Why did you always have to run away Lisa? Learn to face a situation, running away isn't a solution you know. If you can't handle a situation, take help from your loved ones but never run away. It brings more complications, " advised Liam. Lisa rested her head onto his chest.

"Now that I have you, I'll never run away Liam. You're my home, my everything ," she told him with lots of conviction. Liam smiled and released her, suddenly getting up.

"I'll be with you in a second, " he said, disappearing into the dining room. He emerged a minute later with the tray that he had kept on the dining table. Their surprise dessert! Lisa excitedly sat up to see what goodies he had in there but to her surprise, he just knelt on one knee in front of her and kept the tray on the sofa. Lisa gasped at him with shock. Was he proposing? Liam held out his hand and she placed hers in his. 

"Lisa I know that I should have asked you to be my girlfriend first as it conventionally goes but I don't want to follow rules. We have loved one another for the last two years and we both know that we can't live without one another. So let's take our relationship a step forward and seal our futures together? I want you to be mine forever to love and cherish eternally. So do you want the same with me?" He asked her hopefully and Lisa nodded, her eyes filling up with tears of happiness. "Then will you marry me baby?" He asked softly.

"Yes Liam, " said Lisa as she choked back the happy tears. Liam uncovered the tray and Lisa gasped seeing a heart-shaped diamond encrusted engagement ring lying inside an open box. Liam picked it up and placed it on her finger. He got up and looked deep into her eyes as his arm pulled her close into his arms.

"I love it Liam. It's so beautiful that I don't have words to describe it," said Lisa.