Madeline's POV
Sensing the familiarity with each other, I asked "Is he your family cook?"
Joyce let out a hearty laugh, "No darling, I'm Liam's cousin from his maternal side, we are all amazing cooks, we have been running restaurants for generations, hope that helps."
I nodded understanding the dynamics between them, "So do you have the spare keys, how did you even reach here?"
Liam huffed as if he was annoyed about something.
Joyce gave him a knowing look, "Of course I do, I usually don't stay here, there is a villa few metres across, I came here for vacation."
Liam walked forward eyeing whatever Joyce was making, he casually asked, "Did you know that we were here or did you accidentally come in?"
Joyce swatted Liam's hand when he tried to grab a toast, "Aunty told me you were here, if I knew you had such a beautiful lover, I would have visited earlier, why...
Before Joyce could finish his sentence, Liam and I simultaneously disagreed, saying, "We are not lovers!"
Joyce chuckled. I was embarrassed that we both said the same thing at the same time. I bet my ears were as red as a cherry.
"Yup, sorry, my bad. You guys are married, husband and wife."
I almost dropped the glass of water in my hand, clearing my throat I said, ''Only technically, the papers I mean.''
I watched as Liam's gaze met mine, Joyce chuckled noticing the small moment of eye contact we had, ''Sure, this tension, the looks you guys are giving each other, it's only a matter of time.''
Liam grit his teeth as he snatched a plate from Joyce, ''Shut up.''
Joyce shrugged as if he was used to this, ''Maddie babes, you know what, Never in my dreams did I think Liam would get married, I thought he would be the last one out of us to get married, but look! He got married first.''
I awkwardly stood there as Liam continued munching on his breakfast, of course with how fast Liam changed his partners no one would have expected him to get married.
Joyce handed me breakfast as he said, ''You sit darling, eat well, come over if you are bored, Mr Grumpy tends to be boring.''
And with that he left, Liam didn't even turn and look at him as he left and we were filled with heavy silence between us.
I took a bite and holy hell! Joyce definitely knew how to cook, breakfast was just amazing.
Though the food was amazing Liam's silence still bothered me.
"You okay?" I asked, softly.
His jaw tightened. "Perfectly fine."
I blinked at his tone. Short. Cold. Like I'd done something wrong.
I tried to play it off with a chuckle. "Well, you're definitely not fun company right now."
He looked up, his eyes narrowed. "Then maybe you should go be with Joyce if you're looking for fun company."
I froze. "What?"
"You heard me."
That bitterness in his voice shocked me. I placed my fork down slowly. "Why are you being rude again, what did I do?"
Liam pushed his chair back with a harsh scrape against the floor and stood. "It's not like we're a real couple anyway, right? So you can probably go with him."
I kept quiet, there it was again, his behaviour.
Hot and Cold.
Push and Pull.
One minute he would hug me as if the world was ending and the next minute he would go back to being an asshole.
No matter how much I tried, I couldn't figure out what he felt towards me.
Sometimes he would turn vulnerable, asking me not to come closer then he himself would come closer only to push me away.
If distance was what he wanted, I would give it to him.
I would make sure there is no chance where he could get close to me, physically and emotionally.
I am going to give him exactly what he asked.
So this time he didn't walk out, I did.
I stepped out bathing in the warm morning light and Liam didn't stop me, he better not.
Yesterday's storm had made the sand wet and sticky, so it was a little uncomfortable to walk.
But I didn't stop, the further I walked, the angrier I felt, I hated this situation I was in.
Liam was everything I wanted but not someone I needed.
Or so I believe.
I bet it was the same for him, I bet he was just curious about me.
I like his playfulness, his smile, his eyes, his hair, his abs, his biceps, his hug, his scent and everything that makes him Liam.
But I hate the way he treats me.
I refuse to be treated like that by anyone.
I don't mind people hating me, everyone has their own perspective but I hate people who treat others badly just because they are unclear of what they are feeling.
I sighed staring at the waves ahead of me, I wondered what Evan and Vicky were upto.
Before leaving from Liam's place I did drop them a message saying that I am going on a vacation with dad but if I don't keep in touch with them they would get worried.
Or worse suspicious.