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Chapter 69: Chapter 69 Ann’s Bomb
Liam’s expression hardened the moment he saw Ann standing in front of him, holding a bag in her hand. His eyes narrowed slightly as he leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed over his bare chest.
"What are you doing here?" he asked, his tone flat but laced with a hint of frustration.
He had already warned her to stay away from him for a while—for her own safety—but Ann being Ann... she was too damn stubborn for her own good.
Ann twitched her nose slightly, an amused smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "Do I really need a reason to visit my man?" she said playfully before pushing her way inside through the small space Liam had opened.
Liam exhaled sharply as he turned around, watching her stroll in like she owned the place.
Once inside, she spun around, placing a hand on her hip as her dark eyes scanned him from head to toe. "Why are you acting so weird?" she asked, her voice teasing yet sharp, like she was testing him.
Liam raised an eyebrow. "Weird? What do you mean weird?"
Ann squinted her eyes as if analyzing him, her lips pressing into a thin line before she suddenly smirked.
"Wait a second..." she said, tilting her head. "Are you cheating on me with your super hot neighbor?"
Liam blinked. "My super hot neighbor?"
Only one name came to his mind.
Lana.
Liam let out a short laugh, shaking his head. "No, of course not. Why would I?"
Ann stared at him for a moment before breaking into a satisfied smile. "I thought so too," she said cheerfully.
Meanwhile, Liam was sneering inside.
Did this girl really think that if he got the opportunity to bag Lana, he wouldn’t? Even she would have to understand!
We’re talking about Lana here!
Ann, completely unaware of his inner thoughts, walked over to the small table in the room and dropped the bag onto it. Then, with a deliberate slowness, she reached inside and pulled something out.
"I made pie," she said, holding it up.
Liam froze for a second.
On one hand, he was happy.
On the other hand, he was suspicious.
He was happy because food was food, and he hadn’t eaten a damn thing all day. It was already 5 PM, and he only had $97.32 left in his bank account. He had been too afraid to spend money on food earlier, knowing he needed to save every penny.
But what made him suspicious was the look in Ann’s eyes—the subtle, seductive glint that he definitely noticed.
She was up to something.
Still, he wasn’t about to turn down free food.
Liam walked toward the table, eyeing the pie as he picked up one and took a bite.
The moment the warm, flaky crust hit his tongue, his eyes fluttered shut.
It was apple pie, but not just any apple pie.
The crust was perfectly golden and crisp, buttery but not too heavy, flaking apart effortlessly with each bite. The filling was sweet and tangy, with just the right balance of cinnamon and nutmeg that danced across his taste buds. The apple slices inside were soft but not mushy, each bite releasing a burst of warm, caramelized goodness that made his mouth water instantly.
He groaned softly, savoring the taste as he slowly chewed, letting the flavors linger on his tongue before finally swallowing.
When he opened his eyes again, they were wide with shock.
He stared at Ann, his expression filled with pure disbelief.
"Wait... you made this?" he asked, his voice slightly muffled from the food still in his mouth.
Ann nodded, biting her lip slightly, clearly enjoying his reaction.
Liam exhaled sharply before shaking his head in amazement. "God... I could kiss you right now," he said, completely honest in his admiration.
This was easily the best thing he had eaten in a long time.
Ann giggled, her cheeks slightly pink from his unexpected compliment.
But as Liam continued eating, a nagging feeling crept into the back of his mind.
Something wasn’t right.
Ann never did something like this for free.
There was no way she just randomly decided to make him a pie without wanting something in return.
What the hell does she want?
Liam barely had time to process his thoughts when Ann suddenly started walking toward him—slowly, deliberately, dangerously.
His throat went dry.
Damn.
She was making her move.
Liam gulped, his mind racing. He had just eaten the best pie of his life, and now she was closing the distance between them with that seductive, confident sway in her steps. How was he supposed to decline her request now?
It was a tactical strike, a well-executed ambush.
He was out of options.
By the time she reached him, her soft hands wrapped around his neck, her delicate fingers trailing against his skin. The scent of her **perfume—sweet, floral, with a hint of vanilla—**drifted into his nose, making his head feel light.
Ann tilted her head slightly, her dark eyes locking onto his.
"So..." she whispered, her lips so close to his that he could almost feel the warmth of her breath.
Liam swallowed. This was dangerous.
"...My brother is traveling again," she continued, her fingers lightly playing with the strands of his hair at the nape of his neck. "And he won’t be back anytime soon."
Liam nodded slowly, still trying to figure out where this was going.
He had no idea what she was planning, but if her tone and body language were anything to go by, it was something big.
"And you know," she said, her lips curling into a small smile, "living alone in my house is gonna be so boring."
Liam’s brows furrowed slightly. What was she trying to say?
Then, just like that, she dropped the bomb.
"Can I move in with you for the meantime?"
Liam’s entire brain shut down.
His eyes widened, his lips parted slightly, but no words came out.
What.
That was it?
That was it?!
That was it?!
That was what she wanted to ask him?
If she could move in with him?
For a brief moment, he felt relieved.
He had expected something far worse, something that could have put him in real trouble, but this?
This was... tempting.
Very tempting.
Who wouldn’t want their beautiful girlfriend to move in with them?
Waking up to her face every morning instead of his usual grumpy, sour self sounded amazing. It would definitely brighten his mood and make his life a little less miserable.
But then, reality slapped him.
He couldn’t do this.
He was involved in dangerous work now.
His job wasn’t a normal job. He wasn’t flipping burgers or working a 9-to-5. He was walking in a world of crime, gangs, and violence.
If Ann moved in, he would drag her into that world too.
He couldn’t let that happen.
Taking a deep breath, Liam parted his lips, ready to decline.
But before he could even say a word, Ann suddenly lifted a finger to his lips, silencing him.
Her dark eyes shimmered with certainty and determination.
"I already know everything, Liam," she said softly. "I know about you joining Black Lotus. I know everything."
Liam felt his heart drop.
His pulse skyrocketed.
His mind screamed.
WHAT?!
"How the hell—" he started, his voice hoarse, but Ann only smiled knowingly.
"It’s not exactly like Dickson can keep his mouth shut," she said with a small shrug, her tone teasing yet firm.
Liam’s jaw clenched as he shut his eyes tightly, inhaling sharply before muttering under his breath,
"That bitch."
