A Love Restored

Hi Little Flower

“Sorry about that,” Liam said sheepishly. “I just came to hang out. I’m on my break.”

“Its not your fault.” I smiled. Liam grabbed some tissues to bent down on the floor beginning to scrub it. He was kneeling down so close to me; I took a few steps to the side. He cleaned

up and then threw the tissues.

“Smells great. What are you making?”

Liam took a seat on the kitchen island. “Can I help with something?”

1 shook my head. “Stew. It would be good for Mr. Corsino. And my Dad thinks I make a nice

stew.”

1 pointed to the oven where the bread was resting. “Baked some bread, too.”

“Damn, Flora,” he chuckled lightly, “You are full wifey material.”© 2024 Nôv/el/Dram/a.Org.

My cheeks flushed red. “Its my job, Liam.” I stressed. Was he flirting with me? More importantly, did he like it?

“My mom makes a mean lamb stew. My Dad loved it. They used to make it together some weekends. I was given the duty to peel potatoes and carrots,” he smiled with a

faraway look in his eyes, “I really miss him.”

“What happened? If its okay to ask?”

He pursed his lips. He looked around the room, as if afraid that someone would hear him tell

me.

“He was murdered.”

I…wasn’t expecting to hear that. My hand flew to my face in shock, “I’m so sorry, Liam, Oh my God.”

“It’s been a long time,” he said, “And we know who was behind it.”

“I’m really sorry,” I said softly, not knowing what to tell him but that. Behind his happy, friendly exterior, was this painful reality? “I really hope he got justice.”

He nodded. “Yeah.” His voice broke as he said it.

“Do you want to talk about it?” I put the stove to a simmer and sat down in front of Liam.

“It’s just really unfair.” He was speaking so softly I could barely hear it, “He was a good

man.

“Can I ask what happened?”

I did not know if it was the respectful thing to do. But curiosity got the better of me.

He looked up at me, his gaze filled with an intensity I could not identify. “He got involved with the wrong people, is all.”

“It’s really terrible, Liam.”

“I was just fourteen. My sister was two.”

“You have a sister?”

He nodded. “She lives in Florida with my aunt. She visits sometimes. You’ll meet her. Maybe on Thanksgiving.”

I smiled, “I’d love to. I’m sure she’s wonderful.”

He nodded. “She’s the top of her class. Straight A student. I’m sure she’ll be going places.”

“What’s her name?” I asked warmly. Liam’s sadness had come down as he talked about his sister. You could tell from the way he spoke that he really loved her.

“Lucia.”

“Liam and Lucia. Those are nice names from siblings.”

He grinned, “We’re both named after our grandparents. Her, after my mom’s mom. And me after my dad’s dad.”

I had never had grandparents. My father did not have any traceable family, or so he said. He had left his home at a young age and hadn’t been in touch with anyone after. My

mom’s parents had died soon after I was born. Felix’s grandma was still alive before I had… left. We had met a few times and she was sweet enough. I wondered if she was still around. Felix and her were really close.

“Do you have siblings?” Liam asked me.

“No.” I answered simply.

Did you ever want one?

Always,” I sighed, “I always wanted a little sister so we could play together and I could dress her up and we could talk about boys. But well.”

I was glad I didn’t have a sibling, now.

“Siblings are nice.” He said. “I really love my sister. It’s a shame she doesn’t live here. Since my Dad died, it was really difficult for Mom to manage work and kids together. It made sense when my aunt volunteered to take her to Florida. We meet often, but its not the same, you know?” I nodded. He continued, “And well, really, its kind of like its just me and my mom know. I think the world of her. She’s my everything.”

It was so sweet to see how much he loved his family. Liam was a sweet man who had so many emotions and wasn’t afraid to show them. It was endearing.

“What about you? Your mom…I know. Your dad? How is he?”

“I still live with him,” I laughed a little. “It’s not the best relationship, but we have our moments. I love him.”

“Yeah, well, Dads.”

I nodded. “You want to eat?”

“I’m starving.”

I quickly made him a plate. I filled a bowl with the stew and served bread with butter on the side. Putting it all on the tray, I set it in front of him.

“That smells amazing,” he made a show of sniffing the air, “And it looks so good, Flora.”

I smiled. “I’m glad you like it.”

“I have to take a picture of this. Its going on my finsta,” He winked. “Speaking of that, you have an Instagram?”

I had it under a fake name. Or rather, a private account without a name. We quickly followed each other. He had already posted a picture of my food, I saw as I looked at his account while he ate. A picture with the caption ‘Beautiful lunch plate with a beautiful new friend.’ I rolled my eyes at the cheeky attempt of flirting, but I still liked the picture and left a few emojis as

à comment.

“Do you like it?” I asked hopefully.

“Its delicious.” He groaned, “And the bread is so soft, but so crunchy? I hope there is enough. Because I’m gonna have another serving.”

My heart warmed at the praise. “There’s enough for like, five people. Please cat.”

I looked at the time on my phone, “Its time for Mr. Corsino’s lunch, as well. I’ be back after

get this to him. Just two minutes.” He nodded, not looking up from the food.

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I had barely moved from my seat when a voice rang out, “Liam!”

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