Flames Of Passion In Los Angeles

Ana POV-

"Ex-Wife..." Grace blurts out.

"Ex-what!?".

I could see Grace close her eyes in regret.

"I think we should... go now, Ana..." I hear Liam's voice as he stands up.

I subconsciously nod, trying to digest the new information I have just been given.

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I rush out of Liam's car and into James's house to gather some of the things that I will be needing for the night.

I pack my bag up with a pair of jeans and a top, along with that, I place my necessary bag that has all of my hygiene stuff. I make one round check of all the things that I think I will be needed through my luggage.

Once I am sure that there is nothing else that I will be needing, I stand up but I suddenly freeze when I notice James's wardrobe slightly open. I could see the light burning inside.

"What is in there?..." I ask myself, trying to act like in the movies when one person finds out something about their significant other, something that they were not told... yeah.

My curiosity drives me into his closet and oh my... is his wardrobe like a room, I think these are called, 'Walk-in closets'? Something like that. It did not take long before I see all of the suits he owns. I walk over to then, I touch them while looking at the various colours, contrasting from light to dark. The textures feel so soft, so expensive. Why does he own so many suits?

I go through his suits and I stumble upon one, a dark grey suit, that has a tag.

"James O'Neill, " I readout. Okay, his name. My eyes widen, "CEO."...

Liam POV-

Where is she? What is taking her so long?

I get out of the car and I walk into the house. " Ana?".

"I'm coming..." she shouts from up the stairs.

"Alright...". I head back out and I sit into my car, waiting for Ana. While doing so, I turn on the radio.

"The earthquake was crazy, my house is destroyed... everything I own is destroyed...". I listen to one of the victims of the earthquake speak. The reporter then goes on. "This for sure was one of the worse earthquakes that hit Los Angeles in a long time. With an incredible strength of 7.9 on the richer scale, making its way into the top five strongest earthquakes to strike Los Angeles. More about this earthquake..." I zone out when I notice the car beginning to sway gently, right before. "Aftershocks are expected to happen somewhere between today and possibly through to next week...". I can feel my car shake, aftershocks, the shaking last for only a few seconds.

Minutes pass when I see Ana running out through the door before locking them and heading straight into my car. She sits in the front passenger seat with a small but filled to the brim, bag in her l.a.p.

"Ready?".

She nods.

"What was that quake?" she asks me, frightened.

"Aftershocks..."

"I'll assume they will not be as strong as the main earthquake?"

I just shake my head. "No, they will not be as strong as the main quake".

I smile when I hear her sigh of relief.

"May I ask, what was the hold-up? I am asking mainly by the fact that I got scared".

"Women stuff..." she replied.

"Great story... thanks...".

"You know, it would have been nice of you if you would have told me that your brother is a CEO...".

"He finally told you, did he?".

"Nope, he didn't tell me anything...".

I give her a glance before looking back at the road.

"How did you find out then?...".

"Liam, tags are the greatest invention to this day...". Right... Tags.

I can't help but chuckle at her sarcasm.

"At least you could tell me what he does..." she asks.

"James helps me... Well, technically we all help each other...".

" By 'we all' I assume you and James...".

I shake my head. "No...".

I don't have to look at her to know that she is giving me a confused look. James didn't tell her anything...

" There are three of us. James, Jason and me.".

Ana POV-

"There are three of us. James, Jason and me.".

Jason?... That guy at the airport.

" Jason?" I ask him.

"So you know him?".

" No... I just saw him flirting with my friend...". I say and I receive chuckles.

"That is him, typical Jason..." Liam says.

"So what do you do?".

" Well..." he begins. "I think I should begin by saying that I am a CEO myself.".

" Honestly, why am I not surprised..." I mutter out.

"I'll pretend I didn't hear that..." he says before giving me a quick look. "You are welcome..." he mutters back to me.

I roll my eyes at him.

"Ouch... another eye roll?".

"We are going off-topic... so, what do you manage, since you are a CEO?".

I hear him clear his throat. "Euromania Airlines...".

I choke on my spit. "What!?".

"Yup...".

"Now I am very surprised.".

"Glad to know that I can do at least something well, " he says.

"And James?" I question him.

"Euromania Industries, Inc.".

"And what is that?".

"An airline manufacturer, " he replies.

"Why hasn't he told me this?".

I hear him sigh...

"Well... I am sure James has told you about all of his exes, has he?".

Exes?... So it's true...

"Did he?...".

I shake my head as if he could see me. "No... no, he didn't.".

Quiet.

"I know I said that I will not be talking about James and his... exes. I have other things to focus on, like his health. But for Christ's sake, why did he hide all of this from me?".

Quiet.

"Liam, please answer me. I want to know. Am I not good for him?".

He shakes his head before a smile grows on his lips. "You not enough for him?".

"Yes..." I answer as I feel tears building up in my eyes. "Does he still love me?".

"Yes." He instantly answers me. His answer surprises me. He takes a pause. "It is not you, him hiding this from you has nothing got to do with you, more so him, or should I say his exes.".

I swallow down the lump that formed in my throat.

"What happened?" I ask him. "Tell me what happened before James met me?".

"A lot..." he answers. "Too much has happened.".

I take in a deep breath. "Tell me...".

"I don't think that it will be a good idea for me to tell you all about his personal life.".

"So you are saying that I should wait for James to tell me everything?" I am not going to lie, I do feel kinda enraged.

"Pretty much, yes.".

"If he hasn't told me now, I don't think he ever will! Please, tell me. I don't want to be the same as all of his past loves.".

I hear him chuckling.

"What is so funny?".

"You saying that you want to be different.".

"And? Is that bad? Are you snagging me for trying to be different? To not be like every other bitch that has dated him and made him the way he is?". I am just as surprised as his about my outburst.

"Okay, what you have to do now to take a deep breath. Calm down. You didn't understand what I was trying to point out.".

I do as he said. I take in a deep breath.

"Are you calm now?" He asks me.

"Yes, but not for long...".

"Okay. What I tried to say is that you are already different. From the first moment I saw you, I knew you were going to be different. From the moment I saw you, I knew James has made a good choice." He explains.

"So what were his exes like?" I ask him.

"Gold diggers. Wanted James just for his money. The saddest part is that James knew all this, he knew he was being used, he knew that they wanted him only for his money, only for his wealth. Deep down, he told me that he believed that they were going to change... To love him for who he actually is, not for what he is," Liam explained.

"People like that never change..." I mutter under my breath.

"Yeah..." he agrees.

Then it struck me. "You said his wealth. W-what do you mean by 'his wealth'?".

"Something else James didn't tell you, eh?.". He takes a deep breath before proceeding. "James is a Millionaire.". My jaw dropped. I mean, I know he is a CEO, but still... a Millionaire!?

"Millionaire?".

"Yup..." Liam answers. "You sound so surprised...".

"That is because I am...".

"Eh, look. Perfect timing." Liam says, parking his car into the garage of his huge house.

He cut off the engine, pulling the break stick up. We stay in the car for a minute or two. I at least have a reason why. I am trying to digest all of this new information I have just received.

"Welcome to the family, Ana." He breaks the silence before looking at me with a grin.