"What will people think? You're rich, established… everyone might say I'm just…" she admitted in a whisper, so faint that Liana had to lean closer.
Before she could finish, Liana pressed a finger against her lips. "You think I'd be an idol if I cared what people said?"
Ethilia arched a brow, a hint of defiance in her gaze. "What? Didn't you say your fans are your everything?"
A sly smirk curved on Liana's lips as she leaned even closer, until their noses nearly touched. "You've been watching my interviews?" she teased.
She stepped back quickly, heat rushing to her cheeks. The closeness alone had her flustered, and Liana's teasing only made it worse. Especially after all the times she'd claimed she didn't care about her idol life.
Liana laughed mischievously, finding Ethilia's expression cute and funny. "Miss, I only care about the ones who truly matter to me. You think I waste time on haters?" She placed her hands on her hips.
"If I ever cared about them, I'd have been depressed or dead long ago." She rolled her eyes, then turned to Alena, extending her hand. "Come here, cutie."
Alena crawled forward happily, slipping her tiny hand into Liana's. With an easy motion, Liana scooped her up into her arms. "Good. Now let's go. Angel wants to see you in the dress she gifted earlier. Where is it?"
Alena's face lit up. She slid down from Liana's arms and dashed to the small closet. Liana turned back and caught Ethilia watching with a soft smile, her eyes following every move of her daughter.
Liana spoke gently, resting a hand on Ethilia's shoulder. "If we start worrying about what people think, we'll never do anything. There will always be voices trying to drag us down. If we take them all seriously… we'll be left behind, Ethilia." Her tone was grounding.
For a long moment, Ethilia simply stared at her. Then, slowly, she nodded. Liana smirked, squeezing her shoulder lightly. "Go change into something you're comfortable in, alright?"
Ethilia's lips parted in silent agreement before she slipped toward the bathroom. Just then, Alena returned, clutching her dress with both hands. Liana knelt down, helping her into it while Ethilia disappeared behind the door.
Dinner was warm, lively, and filled with laughter. Liana had taken them to a five-star restaurant and, in typical fashion, ordered nearly every famous dish on the menu.
But unbeknownst to them, someone was sitting just two tables away, watching their every move. Every detail was being sent to the one who wanted them destroyed
At one point, Liana felt that she was being observed. Her gaze swept the restaurant, but she couldn't pinpoint who it was. In the end, she forced the thought aside and focused on enjoying their time.
As they finished and went to the quiet parking lot, Alena had already fallen asleep in her arms. Carefully, Liana laid her down on the backseat and closed the door before locking the car. She leaned against the car with an exhale.
Across from her, Ethilia stood with her arms folded, an unimpressed look on her face. "You overdid yourself tonight, Liana," She complained.
Liana rolled her eyes and pulled out her black card. "See this, Miss? I didn't even try yet. I could've done way more, but you were stuffed before we finished half the food."
"Show off," Ethilia tried to hold back but ended up laughing, the sound sweet and filled the parking lot. A small smile painted on Liana's lips as she tilted her head and stared at Ethilia.
Her eyes roamed over the soft features of Ethilia's face. Her hands curled into fists to steady the nerves rushing through her. But she just couldn't help it.
This is what I want. To make you smile. To wake up beside this face and see you every night before sleeping... but... You snatched that chance from me years ago... and now that fate has given me another, I'll sacrifice everything to keep you.
Liana thought in her mind. Her hand automatically went to brushing against Ethilia's cheek.
Ethilia paused laughing, but the smile was still on her lips. She chuckled, "What is it? Why are you looking at me like that?" she asked softly, though deep inside, she already knew.
Liana shook her head. Her fingers slid from cheek to neck, tugging her closer. Ethilia stumbled into her, hands gripping Liana's shoulders for balance. Their bodies nearly touched, and their breaths collided in the cool night air.
Ethilia's fists tightened in the fabric of Liana's shirt as Liana's hold on her neck tightened. "I've always looked at you like this," Liana whispered, her voice low. "Since college."
Ethilia's breath hitched. Her eyes fluttered shut. She was unknowingly surrendering to Liana at that moment.
Liana's eyes drifted to Ethilia's lips. She leaned closer, but before she could do anything, she heard a sharp gunshot rip through the air.
A gasp left her lips as Ethilia flinched and whimpered in pain. Liana looked toward the source of the sound and saw that biker. Her jaw clenched, and she immediately turned back to Ethilia.
"Lia…" she almost shouted, seeing the blood spreading across Ethilia's forearm. Liana's hands went cold and started shaking slightly. Her mind froze to process anything.
Before she could even think, smoke swirled across the parking lot. She pressed a hand over Ethilia's mouth, feeling her tremble and sob softly against her palm due to the pain.
"Ana… it hurts…" Ethilia yelped. Blood trickled down her arm, making Liana's heart pound faster in fear.
As she was about to react, a sharp pain exploded at the back of her head. Her one hand clutched Ethilia while another went to the back of her head.
Everything was happening so fast, just like it had been planned long before, and Liana could feel it… yet she couldn't do a thing.
she was holding Ethilia tightly, refusing to let go, until she heard a familiar laughter and voice, "Get that Ethilia..."
With that, darkness swallowed everything. Liana felt Ethilia slipping from her grasp. Liana's body slammed against the cold parking lot ground, sliding a little as she went down.
Ethilia's voice was the last thing she heard, trembling and desperate. She was calling out to her for help.
"Anaa.. help me..."