Maurene''S


    POV


    I held onto Liam''s hand as we reached the receptionist''s desk.


    "Good day, Sir." Her smile was wide and it was obvious that Liam was known in this boutique. "How might I help you?"


    "I actually came by to take the pearl ne I had bought for my wife." He smiled, pulling me close to himself.


    My heart skipped as he called me his wife. Was he doing this because Amandawas here?


    "Oh! I will get it for you, sir." She went into the store.


    "Yes? Tell me who bought it before me?" Amanda''s voice echoed through the ce, attracting the nearby customers.


    I noticed two of the sales girls shaking their heads as they tried to get customers away from the scene while Amandacontinued to fume, yelling that she wanted to meet the manager and she would not leave the ce until he came out to meet her. Thedy attending to us soon returned with the package and she packed it in their brand bag before she extended it to us.


    "Wait, wait... isn''t that the pearl ne you just said has finished in stock?" Amanda asked pointedly, approaching us.


    Liam took the package and held my hand as she stopped before us.


    "So you were the one who bought the ne, huh?" She gritted out, ring at me through hershes.


    I bit my inner cheeks as I watched her fume. I did not have the strength to deal with her today. I already had too much today.


    "Yes," Liam replied, smiling like he did not just get what she wanted. Judging from the brand and the way Amandais not giving up, it must be trendy jewelry. Liam knew I didn''t care about things like that. I was not old school but I did not run myself dry trying to prove I am up to date through my appearance when I could speak and you would find out.


    "Actually, my wife''s birthday ising up soon. I just decided to surprise her." He turned to me, sincerity and genuineness dancing in his eyes and my heart hammered against my chest, afraid to return his gesture and at the same time, wanting to y my part well. It was true, my kids'' birthday was the first and after the week, it would be mine.


    I mustered a smile even though I knew it didn''t reach my face. He squeezed my hand before turning to Amanda who narrowed her eyes on our entwined hands.


    "You are married. Since when?" She raised a brow in scrutiny.


    Liam pulled me even closer to him, snaking his arms around my waist and holding me tight. "Since forever." He answered, sounding strangely true.


    His words... They were starting to sound like he meant them. Like he wanted them to mean a thing. This was what I wanted to do. Get Nathaniel off my back but why was my heart skipping at the words Liam said. This was bing all too real. He was already good at this.


    "Really? Then Nathaniel..." She stopped herself and swallowed hard. "Whatever. That product in your hand is supposed to be mine. Nathaniel ordered it for me."


    "But I got it for my wife first." Liam beamed a smile, raising the package up. "In fact, let me wear it on her."


    I tried to stop him but he refused and opened the box, bringing out a white, smooth and shiny piece of ne. My eyes widened as my mouth parted.


    "Liam,"


    He came behind me and wore it over my neck. One of thedies attending to us had gone to bring a mirror and surprise coated myself as I stared at my reflection in the mirror. I looked... I met Liam''s eyes through the mirror. Admiration and pride were what I saw in his orbs.


    My hands subconsciously reached up to hold the ne in my hand to make sure I was not dreaming and that this was real.


    "You look breathtaking." He whispered into my ears as he leaned into me. Thispliment of his was supposed to make me blush but instead, it made me grimace. A smile curled at the edges of my lips as I gulped hard, contemting refusing it and giving it to Amandaor taking it. The figure that appeared just behind me made me choose thetter. I was going to take it.


    "Nathaniel !" Amanda let out a shriek of excitement as she rushed toward him. He held her back and our eyes shed through the mirror. Something akin to possessiveness crossed his orbs before it vanished. Maybe I was the one thinking it. I pulled away from Liam and turned to him. His eyes dropped to the ne then back at my face before Amandastole his attention away from me.


    "Yes, Nathaniel. She bought the ne before I did." She pointed an using finger at me and I almost scoffed at her childish behavior.


    "Enough." He cautioned her. "I will have another made for you." He told her, his voice calm surprisingly.


    Amanda grinned and engulfed him in a hug instantly. "Thank you! Nathaniel ! I love you!" She screamed excitedly.


    Nathaniel tuned her out as he approached us, extending his to me. Liam took it and smiled. "We meet again, Alpha Nathaniel."


    His eyes shed to me before staying on Liam. "Yes. Please, I apologize on Amanda''s behalf if she tried to harass you." He said politely.


    "Oh, it''s nothing actually. I understand how she is feeling. I just decided to get my wife a birthday gift ahead." He grinned perfectly, cing his hands around my waist and Nathaniel followed the action before he lifted his head to look at me, his brows shooting up and a muscle in his jaw ticking.


    "Birthday? I thought..." He trailed off.


    Did he know my birthday date? That would be strange because Nathaniel had never wished me on my birthday. Whether he was aware or not, I was confused at that time and took it upon myself to tell him year after year and it got to a point I did not bother to tell him. I was ady who wanted a man who would wake her up with balloons and cake to make a wish by midnight. That... I have never had that. I was starting to get out of this mentality because there was no one that would do it for me.


    Yes, I changed my birthday date too. I had to change everything concerning me except my name. Even Liam did not know that.


    "You thought what?" Liam pressed further.


    "Oh, it''s nothing. I just remembered something. Anyway, we will meet during the week to discuss more on the project. Have a nice day." He offered his hand once again and Liam took it again this time, forcing a tight smile on. They stepped back from each other but I caught the quick interaction between them. What was that about?


    Nathaniel walked away, leaving us and not bothering to spare me a nce. Maybe he had already epted that I was not His Maurene.