Liam's POV
As she handed me her house address, I couldn't understand why she'd let a man speak to her that way. It's not like I cared what happened to her; I just found it disrespectful how a lowlife could speak to an heiress like that. Did she really not tell him who she was? Because he seemed clueless.
I took the card from her hand, staring down at her hazel eyes, and a smirk formed on my lips. If only she knew the person she was dealing with right now, a cheating ex would be the least of her problems.
She didn't wait for another word as she got into her car and drove away.
"Boss, I must say, what you're wearing is ugly," Posh said, emerging from behind me while I stared at her moving car. He wasn't wrong. It was quality, but not my style.
"Let's go. I have some things to take care of before meeting her later at her place," I said, walking toward my sleek black SUV with Posh trailing behind me.
"You're walking into the enemy's territory, boss. Why don't we just get it over with now? You've been plotting your revenge for years, and now it's right in front of you," Posh explained, opening the car door for me. I hopped in while he hurried to the driver's seat, and my other three bodyguards used the Mercedes-Benz directly behind us.
"I know, but it's too easy that way. Vinichi doesn't know me; his spoiled daughter doesn't either, so I'm not in a haste. I want to see where all of this will lead and how long she can put on an act for her family," I replied, leaning back comfortably in my car seat.
"Okay, boss. Bad news, your clothes were shrunk when they were being dry-cleaned." Posh looked at me through the front mirror. It was funny because he was expecting me to lash out, but I couldn't—not when those clothes not coming on time had given me the best opportunity yet.
"It's fine, big guy. Now, call Veron. Tell him to write back to Vinichi, like my dad, saying I'm willing to marry his daughter tomorrow by noon." I smirked at how well my brain came up with ideas.
"Right away, boss," he replied and passed on the instructions immediately.
Vinichi was a sneaky bastard, but I was sneakier than he could ever be. If he wanted Aliya to get married to Liam so badly, then what I'd do now would make her want to avoid that marriage with the real Liam and marry Nick—which is still me.
How I came up with these ideas, I have absolutely no idea. It'd be easier to work around her as Nick the poor guy than as Liam the rich and arrogant one.
Before long, we arrived at my mansion. The sunlight reflected off its polished exterior, highlighting the neatly trimmed trees and the tall, white building. A clear reminder of how far I'd come. We drove down the long driveway until the car came to a smooth stop.
I got out of the car immediately and made my way inside. The place was eerily quiet—just how I liked it—but people worked as always. Maids carrying dishes, the butler ensuring everywhere was neat. I hated noise, and they all understood that, always making sure to obey my orders and worked in silence.
"Posh, I need you to find me some loose cash and hail me a cab. I'll be out in a while," I said, turning to him as he followed me. He raised a brow in confusion but didn't dare question me.
"Yes, boss," he bowed and walked away.
I moved upstairs when my phone rang. I looked at the screen, and it was my dad's doctor.
"Is something wrong?" I asked immediately after picking up the call, making my way to my bedroom.
"Hello, Mr. De Luca. Everything is great. Your dad has just been requesting to see you a lot lately. It'd be nice if you could pay him a visit." Dr. Pete's words made my heart hurt and the anger in me fuelled even more when I remembered dad's condition.
"Okay, can you stall for me? I'm busy, but I'll be there next week," I pleaded, and he accepted.
"Very well then. Have a nice evening, Mr. De Luca." His old voice came through the phone, and I thanked him for always making sure my dad was okay.
My dad would've never needed a fucking doctor and wouldn't be confined to his own home like a thief if Vinichi hadn't destroyed our family. Ever since that dreadful night, nothing had been the same, and that was why I would burn him, his family, and his entire wealth to the ground—starting with his lovely daughter. I laid on my bed staring at the ceiling thinking of my family as the day slowly turned to night.
"Fuck!" I cursed when I looked at my watch and saw it was past 5 p.m. already. That brat had asked me to come by 5, and now I had gotten so lost in plotting my revenge that I totally forgot. It was going to be difficult for me because no one gave me orders, but if I wanted to earn her trust, then I'd have to learn not to disappoint her.
I stepped out of my bedroom and made my way downstairs. Posh stood by the doors as always, waiting for me. "Boss, are you sure you don't want me to drive you there?" he asked with worried eyes.
"If you do that, it'll blow my cover. So, from today, I'm not Liam De Luca outside this house. I'm Nick, and you're my best friend, Posh. There'll come a time I'll need you. For now, give me what I asked for," I said with a sinister smile as he handed me some loose change.
"The cab's waiting for you outside the gates," he announced. I nodded and made my way outside to find an old taxi that sure didn't fit Liam's aesthetics but will fit Nick's.
I got in without sparing Posh a second glance, and the car sped off.
After what felt like an eternity, the car finally stopped.
"Sir, we've arrived," the cranky driver said, turning to face me. I dipped my hand into my pocket, pulled out some cents, and handed them to him.
I stepped out of the car and could finally breathe properly. "This is crazy!" I exclaimed inwardly as I stared at Aliya's penthouse. I couldn't believe I was mixing myself up with a Van Alen.
"No security? So much for being a wealthy man's daughter," I murmured as I scanned the environment. Everything was silent. I stood in front of her doors and noticed they were slightly ajar.
I wasn't an expert, but I could tell something wasn't right. So, I pulled out my gun, pushed the doors open, and made my way inside the house. It was empty.
"Aliya?" I tried calling out, but no one answered. The place looked like a catfight had taken place: the chairs were turned over, some windows had been broken and I could see gigantic footprints that obviously didn't belong to Aliya.
I began making my way up the stairs slowly and stopped in front of a door when I heard a struggling voice. It sounded like Aliya's.
In one go, I aimed for the door with my left leg and broke it down forcefully. That's when my eyes almost popped out of their sockets.
Two armed men were standing guard, and one huge man was on top of Aliya, trying to take advantage of her.
"Help me, Nick!" she screamed, but was slapped across the face and she winced in pain. My chest clenched at the scene unraveling before me. I shouldn't care and I should be happy she was in pain but for some unknown reason, I felt like burning these men to the grown for hurting her.
The two men who stood guard noticed me now but didn't move. I walked over, placing the gun over the big guy's head who was on Aliya. When he turned around and realized who it was he hurriedly got away from Aliya.
"Leave before I kill you all!" I yelled, and they ran off.
Aliya trembled in fear as she rushed to me, holding me tightly.
"Thank you, Nick. Thank you for saving me," she wailed, thanking me.
But she was wrong.
I didn't save her. She almost got hurt because of me. Those men were my men.