Chapter 14 – 14 Amanda’s House

Liam held his phone to his ear, his voice laced with the most convincing lie he could muster as he said, “I really can’t make it tonight, Ann. I’ve got… other important stuff to handle.” His tone was casual, yet he carefully injected just the right amount of regret into his words, hoping to soften the blow.

There was a pause on the other end of the line, followed by a soft, disappointed sigh. “Oh… I see,” Ann responded, her voice carrying a tinge of sadness that almost made Liam feel guilty. Almost. “Well, I guess we can do it another time then.”

Liam exhaled, relieved that she didn’t push further. “Yeah, I’m really sorry. I just have some plans tonight, and I won’t be free until around ten.”

Just as he thought the conversation was wrapping up, Ann’s tone suddenly changed, the sadness in her voice replaced by excitement. “That’s perfect!” she chimed. “You can just come over to my place by ten then. We’ll have our date here.”

Liam’s brows lifted slightly, not expecting such a quick turnaround. “Wait, isn’t that a little late?” he asked, trying to sound hesitant, even though he was intrigued.

Ann giggled, her voice playful over the phone. “Then just sleep over. Problem solved.”

Before he could even react, the line went dead, leaving Liam staring at his phone in disbelief. For a moment, he lay back on the couch, his eyes fixated on the ceiling, processing what had just happened. Then, as the realization fully sank in, a small chuckle escaped his lips, and he murmured under his breath, “Interesting.”

—

Hours later, as the sky darkened and the streets grew quieter, Liam found himself standing in front of Amanda’s apartment door, knocking twice. He waited for a response, but none came. He knocked again, this time hearing a hurried voice from inside.

“Give me a minute, Sophia! I’ll be right there!”

A smirk formed on Liam’s lips as he leaned slightly against the doorframe. So, she was expecting someone else. He wasn’t sure who this Sophia was, but from Amanda’s rushed tone, it was clear that she wasn’t ready to receive guests. Maybe he should have come a little later.

Then, after a few seconds, the door swung open, and Liam’s eyes widened slightly in surprise. He had prepared himself to see his teacher, but what he hadn’t prepared for was what she was wearing.

Amanda stood before him, dressed in nothing but an oversized white button-up shirt that barely reached her upper thighs. The fabric was loose-fitting, but the way it draped over her frame did little to hide her figure. Beneath the shirt, the outline of what seemed to be black lace underwear was faintly visible, hinting at what lay underneath. The top few buttons of the shirt were undone, exposing a glimpse of her collarbone and the smooth skin of her upper chest, while the lower part of the shirt barely managed to conceal the curve of her hips.

Her legs were bare, toned, and smooth, and it was clear she hadn’t been expecting company—at least, not the kind that required proper clothing. Her dark hair was slightly messy, as if she had been lounging around comfortably before being interrupted.

For a brief moment, Amanda just stood there, blinking at him in shock. Then, as recognition dawned upon her, her initial surprise morphed into irritation. Her brows furrowed, and she crossed her arms over her chest, as if realizing too late how exposed she was. “Liam?” she muttered, her voice tinged with disbelief.

Liam, still leaning against the doorway with an amused look on his face, gave a small chuckle. “Where you expecting someone else?”

Amanda’s lips pressed into a thin line as she inhaled sharply. “Aren’t you a little early?” she shot back, her voice carrying the clear undertone of annoyance, but Liam could tell it was more from embarrassment than actual anger.

Liam simply smiled, his eyes lazily scanning her from head to toe before locking onto hers. “Well, you said eight, and it’s eight.”

Amanda exhaled, shaking her head before stepping aside. “Just get in already,” she muttered, her face slightly flushed.

As Liam stepped into Amanda’s home, the first thing that struck him was how unexpectedly cozy and well-kept the place was. He had imagined something more formal and structured, given that she was a teacher, but instead, the house had a warmth that made it feel lived-in.

The soft glow of warm lights illuminated the modern yet simple interior, highlighting the neat arrangement of furniture. A plush gray couch sat in the center of the living room, decorated with a few stylish throw pillows, while a glass coffee table rested in front of it. A bookshelf stood against one wall, filled with novels, educational books, and a few decorative ornaments, giving the space a quiet elegance. A few personal touches, like framed pictures and a potted plant near the window, added a homely feel.

Then, another sensation hit Liam—the delicious aroma of food wafting through the air. He turned his head slightly, sniffing the air as he recognized the smell of something rich and flavorful. Walking toward the kitchen, he spotted a pot simmering on the stove, steam rising from it. From the savory scent that filled the house, it was likely some kind of creamy pasta dish with garlic, butter, and herbs, mixed with what smelled like grilled chicken.

Just as Liam was about to take a closer look, a different scent suddenly drifted past him—something sweeter, softer, and distinctly feminine. It was Amanda.

She brushed past him casually, her bare legs still on display, though this time, he caught something he hadn’t noticed before. As she climbed the stairs, the loose hem of her oversized shirt lifted slightly, revealing more of her toned thighs, and for the briefest moment, a hint of black fabric peeked through.

Liam quickly turned his head, coughing awkwardly as he muttered under his breath, “I didn’t see anything… Nope, saw absolutely nothing.”

Still, despite his words, a smirk tugged at the corner of his lips.

While waiting for her return, Liam walked around the house, admiring the quiet details of her home. It was personal, comfortable, and somehow felt entirely different from the version of Amanda he knew in class.

Then, suddenly, there was a knock on the door.

Liam turned his head toward the entrance, hesitating for a moment before walking over and opening it.

Standing there was a young girl, no more than ten years old, her large brown eyes staring up at him curiously. She had long dark hair tied up in a ponytail, and she clutched a small bag at her side.

Liam blinked in confusion, his mind immediately jumping to conclusions. “Miss Amanda has a daughter?” he murmured to himself, eyeing the girl with mild shock.

But before he could say anything else, Amanda suddenly appeared behind him, now holding a small white envelope in her hand.

“No, she’s not my daughter,” Amanda said flatly, as if reading his thoughts. She then handed the envelope to the girl and added, “Give this to your dad, alright?”

The girl, Sophia, nodded, clutching the envelope tightly before flashing a small smile. “Okay, Aunt Amanda! Thanks!” Then she turned and ran off, disappearing down the hall.

Liam, still standing by the door, felt even more confused than before. If that wasn’t her daughter, then who was the father? What exactly was Amanda involved in?

He thought about asking, but before he could, his eyes subtly drifted downward.

Amanda was still wearing the oversized shirt, but this time, she had put on a pair of tight black shorts that hugged her figure just enough to keep things modest—but only barely. The fabric stopped mid-thigh, still showing plenty of smooth skin, though it was clear she had only put them on to avoid any more awkward situations.

Liam leaned against the doorframe, watching as Amanda closed the door and turned to face him. Her expression had shifted back to something strict and professional, as if trying to establish some sort of boundary.

“Just so we’re clear,” she said firmly, crossing her arms. “Once we’re done eating, you leave immediately. No extra time, no unnecessary conversations. Got it?”

Liam, still leaning lazily against the frame, clicked his tongue, a playful smirk spreading across his lips.

“Where’s the fun in that?” he replied smoothly.

Amanda narrowed her eyes at him, clearly unamused.

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