Taming My Sugar Mommy
Chapter 54: Beneath the surface

Chapter 54: Beneath the surface

Morning sunlight streamed through the curtains Isabella had forgotten to close completely. Liam blinked awake, the events of the previous night rushing back to him. The flash drive felt like it was burning against his skin where he’d concealed it.

Isabella was already up, the sounds of her moving around in the kitchen below drifting up to the bedroom. Liam sat up, running a hand through his tousled hair, the weight of his planned deception settling heavily on his shoulders.

’I need to get to Seraphina,’ he thought. ’But first, I need a convincing reason to leave without raising suspicion.’

He made his way downstairs, following the scent of the aroma. Isabella stood by the counter in silk pajamas, her hair pulled back in a messy bun that somehow made her look even more beautiful. She smiled when she saw him.

"Good morning," she said, sliding a mug of coffee toward him. "I was wondering when you’d join the land of the living."

"Morning," Liam replied, accepting the mug gratefully. "Something smells amazing."

"Just some avocado toast and eggs. Nothing fancy." Isabella moved gracefully around the kitchen, plating their breakfast. "Sleep well?"

Liam nodded, watching her. The domesticity of the moment made what he was about to do even more difficult. "Like a rock. Your bed is dangerously comfortable."

They ate breakfast at the kitchen island, making easy conversation. Isabella talked about an upcoming board meeting she was dreading.

"The broad of directors are all gathering on Monday," she sighed, setting down her fork. "The company’s facing a bit of a financial crisis lately. Nothing I can’t handle, but it’s going to be a tense meeting."

"Anything I can help with?" Liam offered, genuinely concerned despite his ulterior motives.

Isabella shook her head. "Just the usual corporate battles. I’ve weathered worse." She gave him a tired smile. "Enough about my problems. Any plans for today?"

Liam ran his fingers through his hair, grimacing slightly.

"Everything okay?" Isabella asked, noticing the gesture.

"Yeah, just..." Liam hesitated, then continued with calculated casualness. "I actually need to get a haircut today. It’s getting a bit unruly."

Isabella tilted her head, studying him. "It is getting a bit long. I could call Anton if you want. He’s my stylist—does house calls on weekends for his favorite clients."

Liam shook his head, standing to clear his plate. "Thanks, but I’ve got a guy I’ve been going to for years. Plus, I need to swing by my place anyway to grab some fresh clothes." He moved past her, careful to maintain a respectful distance. "I won’t be long."

Isabella looked up at him. "Make sure you come back."

"Of course," Liam said, the lie bitter on his tongue. "I thought maybe we could do dinner tonight?"

"Sounds perfect." Isabella’s gaze was searching. "Everything okay? You seem... distracted."

Liam smiled, willing his expression to show nothing but warmth. "Just a few work things on my mind. Nothing important."

’Nothing important except the fact that I’m betraying your trust while trying to protect you,’ he thought, the irony not lost on him.

An hour later, freshly showered and dressed, Liam stood at the front door with Isabella.

"I’ll text you when I’m on my way back," he said, offering a polite smile.

Isabella nodded, maintaining the same professional distance he had established. "Don’t let them take too much off. The board members respond better to polished appearances."

Liam laughed, the sound hollow to his own ears. "Duly noted."

Outside, he got into his car and pulled away from Isabella’s elegant townhouse, watching in the rearview mirror as she closed the door. The flash drive felt heavy in his pocket as he navigated through Saturday morning traffic toward the Dorchester Hotel.

He found parking in the hotel’s underground garage, taking a moment to collect himself before heading to the elevator. His phone buzzed with a text from Seraphina: "Don’t keep me waiting."

The Dorchester’s lobby was bustling with weekend travelers and well-dressed Londoners enjoying late morning tea. Liam approached the reception desk with practiced confidence.

"Good morning," he greeted the receptionist with a warm smile. "I’m meeting someone in suite 1103."

The receptionist smiled politely. "Lady Seraphina mentioned about your arrival, sir. The elevators to the suites are just to your right."

Liam nodded his thanks and made his way to the elevators, his reflection in the polished doors showing a man who appeared far calmer than he felt. The elevator ascended, his thoughts focused solely on the confrontation ahead.

The hallway on the eleventh floor was hushed, thick carpet muffling his footsteps as he approached suite 1103. He stood before the door, took a deep breath, and removed the key Seraphina had given him three days ago when they meet at the coffee shop "in case you want to talk alternative."

’This qualifies,’ he thought grimly, sliding the key into the lock.

The suite was spacious and elegant, with floor-to-ceiling windows offering a breathtaking view of Hyde Park. Seraphina stood by those windows, dressed in a sheer silk robe that revealed more than it concealed, a glass of red wine in her hand. She turned as he entered, her lips curving into a smile that didn’t reach her eyes.

"Liam," she purred, setting her wine glass on a nearby table. "Right on time. I appreciate punctuality in a man."

"Seraphina," he acknowledged, keeping his voice neutral. He remained near the door, maintaining distance between them.

She moved toward him with feline grace. "No kiss hello? I had hoped we might become better acquainted." Her eyes narrowed slightly. "They sacked my previous spy, Sarah. I wonder who did it?".

" Yeah,same here."

"I think we both know this isn’t a social call," Liam replied coolly.

Seraphina laughed, the sound like breaking glass. "Always so serious. Did you bring what I asked for?"

Liam shook his head, adopting a frustrated expression. "I couldn’t get it. Her security is too tight. Marcus was making rounds all night, and her office is locked up tight." The lie came easily, even as the flash drive seemed to burn in his pocket.

Seraphina’s eyes narrowed slightly. "That’s... disappointing. I expected better from you, Liam."

"I tried," he insisted. "But I’m not going to risk everything on a reckless move. I need more time."

"Time is a luxury we don’t have." Seraphina moved to retrieve her wine glass, taking a deliberate sip. "She needs to be... neutralized... Isabella before she can cause any more damage."

Liam frowned, watching her carefully. " You promise not to.. and what exactly is your issue with Isabella? What’s in these files that’s so important to you?"

"That’s not your concern," Seraphina replied sharply. Then, composing herself, she added in a softer tone, "All you need to know is that I have leverage over you, and you have a job to do."

"The video," Liam said flatly.

"Precisely." She smiled, all teeth. "It would be a shame for Isabella to see how... intimately... we worked together . I don’t think she’d understand our professional arrangement."

Liam stepped forward, his expression hardening. "If I get you these files, I want your word the video never sees the light of day. No copies, no backups, nothing."

Seraphina approached him, close enough that he could smell her expensive perfume. "You know let skip all about the video shit for now, Liam, I’ve been thinking." Her voice dropped to a silky whisper. "I know all about Isabella’s financial troubles. The company is barely staying afloat."

Liam stiffened. "What are you talking about?"

"Oh, come now." Seraphina circled him slowly. "Do you really want to go down with a sinking ship? Is that what you want, Liam? To die with her company?" She stopped in front of him, her eyes glittering. "All because of a contract involving those diamonds your wife stole when you were nothing but a delivery boy?"

The color drained from Liam’s face. "How do you know about that?"

"I make it my business to know everything about the people in my orbit." Seraphina’s smile was predatory. "You deserve so much more than this, Liam. So much more than being Isabella’s... what? Her errand boy? Her slave?"

Liam’s jaw tightened. "I’m not her slave," he replied, his voice carefully measured. "I work for her because I signed a contract. I owe her for what happened with the diamonds. But there’s more to it than just obligation."

Seraphina raised an eyebrow. "Oh? More to it? I see." Her smile was knowing, but she didn’t press further. "Very well."

"What exactly are you suggesting?" Liam asked, his voice low.

Seraphina reached out, slowly running her fingers along his arm. "I want you to work for me, Liam. With me not just any slave but someone that will be a boss ." Her eyes locked with his. "Be with me."

Liam’s expression remained impassive, but his mind was racing. "And what about these files? The video?"

"Details," Seraphina said dismissively. "Minor complications that could easily disappear if we were... aligned in our interests." She moved even closer. "Think about it, Liam. No more scraping by. No more being at someone else’s beck and call."

She reached up suddenly, grasping his collar with surprising strength, pulling his face down toward hers. "I want you working for me, Liam," she whispered, her breath warm against his lips. "And I want you by my side."