The CEO's Assistant

"I'm sorry babe, I've got to go." Liam walked back into the after getting off the phone, furious that his father threatened her, forcing him into obedience.

"Where are you going?" Still laying in his bed n.a.k.e.d, Arianna looked up at his with seductive expression, had it been anything besides her life he wouldn't have bothered leaving her looking like that.

"I'm sorry, dad's called there's an emergency at work." He felt guilty lying to her, but things were just starting to get back on course and he didn't want to ruin it by saying he had to go and meet his supposed new fiancée.

She had always believed actions spoke louder than words and based on his actions today, she believed in him. "Okay, well do you mind if I stay here?" her voice became softer as she asked nervously. "I don't want to go home."

"Of course, I'll have Jeffery prepare you a lunch soon." He smiled affectionately at her, as he headed into the bathroom for a shower. Ten minutes later he came out changed into a fresh black suit as if ready to go to the office.

"How long will you be?" She asked sweetly. Now dressed in his shirt from the previous day.

"I'm not sure, but I'll get Juliette to come around soon. I'll get some new clothes sent up as well." He wrapped his arms around her tiny waist pulling her into him, before giving her lips a gentle kiss and reluctantly pulling away. "love you, I should be back soon."

After leaving the room, he met Jeffery down at the entrance, whilst discussing arrangements for Arianna's lunch, Liam also made it clear that Arianna was not to know where he had to go, because he wasn't going to be marrying Odette anyway. Neither the butler nor the young master himself, suspected a pair of treasonous green eyes watching them from the shadows, with her own devilish ideas.

As she was about to head into the connecting bathroom, there was a knock on the bedroom door.

"Miss Richard, Young Master has asked me to bring you a set of clothes for today." Jeffery's deep voice came from behind the wooden door. She quickly poked her head outside the door to Jeffery standing expressionless with a small pile of folded clothes. "These are some of the Young Mistress' clothes, whilst you are taller than her I believe they should still fit you well enough."

"Thank you Jeffery." Arianna smiled politely whilst taking the clothes quickly before closing the door. She hurried into the bathroom, taking a nice steamy shower, finally starting to feel a bit more relaxed.

~ ~ ~

"Oh Liam you've finally arrived." Camilla sincerely smiled as she saw her cherished son make his way towards them.

"I do apologise for my tardiness." He apologised politely, however his facial expression showed no remorse nor guilt.

On his way over he did some research on the Whittingham family, they were a powerful British family with ties to all kind of European royalty and political leaders, including the French presidential family. Despite his love for Arianna, he decided it would be in his best interest to not offend the family, simply letting the matter down carefully.

"Please meet the Whittinghams." Camilla gestured her hand towards the family of three, "This is Joseph Whittingham, his lovely wife Lorraine and their gorgeous daughter Odette." She noticed her son's coldness towards the family, Camilla could already tell he was treating this like a business meeting.

"It's a p.l.e.a.s.u.r.e to meet you all." Liam put out his hand to shake hands with Joseph and Lorraine, when he approached Odette, she stood up and greeted him with a kiss on the cheek.

"It's a p.l.e.a.s.u.r.e to finally meet you." She smiled flirtatiously, as she linked arms with the handsome man who was soon to be her husband.

"Likewise." He spoke respectfully. Liam was caught rather off guard by her straightforward and amorous behaviour. He hadn't expected her to react this way, in all honesty he'd hoped she was against or at least neutral towards this arrangement, however that didn't appear to be the case at all. Gently pulling away from her, Liam went to sit beside his mother.

"Liam dear, we've heard so much about you, but why don't you tell us something about yourself?" Mrs. Whittingham asked with a contemplating glean in her chocolate eyes. "Afterall we should know a bit about our future son-in-law."

"Well actually Mrs. Whittingham, that's exactly what I wish to discuss." Suddenly the table fell silent and five sets of eyes fell on him, but it didn't both Liam in the slightest. His face remained inscrutable.

"Whatever do you mean Mr. Clair?" Lorraine retorted at the younger man with cold look in her eyes.

"I cannot marry Odette." He spoke honestly, the blonde heir didn't see a point in jump around hoops.

"WHAT!?" In unison all four parents spoke, looking shocked. Lorraine and William wore fury in their eyes, Camilla held shame and disappointment, while Joseph's face filled with confusion. However, it was Odette herself who looked absolutely enraged.

"What do you mean you won't marry me?" Odette's once docile green eyes were now filled with enormous amount of anger. Her once full heart, now felt like it had been stabbed.

"I do apologise for this sudden notice, however I myself was not made aware of this arrangement until last night." Liam remained unaffected by everyone's reaction. "I'm sorry Miss Whittingham, however I am in love with someone else and I don't wish to put you or her through this."

"What?" Odette was seeing every shade of red and green.

"I am sorry, considering we've never met before I honestly don't believe you should be this emotion about the cancelation of an arranged marriage." Liam looked at her coldly.

"Never met before?" She mumbled to herself in disbelief. Suddenly it felt like the knife that had been stabbed into her heart, was now being twisted and manoeuvred around to hurt her even more. "He doesn't remember. I can't believe this, he doesn't remember." She continued her incoherent babbling. "Who?"

"What?" Liam was starting to become impatient with her rambling.

"Who? Who is she?!" Odette's possessive nature started to show, causing even Camilla to reconfirm her uneasy feelings about the young heiress.

"That's none of your concern." Liam looked directly at her with a deadly serious gaze. "I simply came here to give you the courtesy of cancelling this arrangement in person."

"No-one is cancelling anything!"