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Liam's Pov
The captain's voice came over the intercom, calm and practiced.
"Ladies and gentlemen, we'll be landing shortly in New York. Current time is 5:55 AM. Local temperature is a cool sixty-one degrees. We hope you've had a comfortable flight."
I blinked myself awake, the soft hum of the engines steady in my ears.
Outside, the faint glow of dawn was breaking over the city. From above, Manhattan looked like a circuit board alive with light—streets glowing, buildings standing tall like silent sentinels waiting for the day to begin.
"Good morning, Mr. Harper," a voice pulled me back. The same flight attendant from earlier stood by my seat, bright smile in place. "Can I get you anything before we land?"
"Just some water, thank you."
She nodded, graceful, and disappeared down the aisle. A moment later she returned with a glass on a small tray.
I accepted it, the condensation cool against my fingers, and took a slow sip before setting it down and turned my Phone back on.
[Four messages] popped up.
The first, from Mom 'Call me once you land.'
Eve's voice slipped in instantly, sharp and amused. [Oh, the queen speaks. Let me guess, she only cares about her golden boy and couldn't care less if Charlie drank himself to death or Alan filed bankruptcy twice over.]
I smirked faintly. 'You're not wrong.'
[Of course I'm not. You're the golden son, Liam but don't let it go to your head.]
Second message, Emma 'I'm here at JFK to pick you up. Text me once you're through arrivals.'
Eve hummed, playful this time. [Now her… she truly is something else. Always there for you.]
'She's very close to me and we have something special' I said, as though we were actually having this argument in person.
[Close to you, yes. To everyone else? Frozen queen. She's got walls thicker than Fort Knox.]
I didn't bother arguing, because it was true.
Third message, John 'xxx xx xxxxx(Address). Midnight. Don't be late'
[Always acting mysterious. If he ever sent a text without cryptic nonsense, I'd faint.]
'It's part of his charm,' I said while smirking.
The fourth was from an unknown number 'Good morning, Mr. Harper. This is Anna, assistant to District Attorney Cameron Dennis. Please call me at your convenience so I can coordinate your arrival at the office.'
Eve went quiet for a beat, then drawled, [Ah, the serious type. Sharp heels, sharper schedule. You'll be chained to her calendar before the week is out.]
I leaned back in my seat, letting the phone slip into my lap as the plane dipped lower, city stretching wider and closer. The engines shifted pitch.
'I'm back New York.'
The wheels kissed the runway with a soft thud, and the engines roared as the plane slowed.
The faint jolt snapped me fully awake. A few passengers clapped, though the flight attendants only smiled politely and ignored them.
I took out my phone and quickly texted Emma that my plane has landed and by the time I got through customs and into the arrivals hall, I spotted her almost instantly.
Emma stood just beyond the sliding doors of the arrivals hall, impossible to miss even in the early-morning rush.
Her beauty was the kind that drew attention, but made people keep their distance because of the sharp, cold, and almost untouchable aura around her.
Her outfit mirrored elegance—tailored black slacks that fell in clean lines over polished heels, a fitted charcoal blazer over a crisp white blouse, and a slim silver watch at her wrist.
No unnecessary jewelry, no excess color. Just efficiency made visible, refinement sharpened into armor.
For everyone else, she was the frozen queen—distant, intimidating, and unapproachable, but when her eyes found me, her whole face shifted and a smile bloomed, soft and radiant, cutting right through the rigid, guarded aura she usually wore.
"Welcome back," she said, stepping forward without hesitation.
Her arms wrapped around me, and I returned the hug without thinking.
It wasn't one of those fleeting, obligatory greetings; she held on like she was genuinely relieved I was here.
"Good to be back," I said, pulling away slightly but keeping my hand briefly on her shoulder. "I was starting to think I'd forgotten what real air smelled like after all those recycled cabin filters."
That got her to laugh, quiet but genuine. "You look like you slept decently. That's a first."
"Wine and altitude," I shrugged. "Miracle combination."
We walked toward the exit together as I wheeled my luggage behind us.
Even in a busy airport, Emma stood out—composed, efficient, untouchable to anyone else, but next to me, she was relaxed in a way I knew few ever saw.
Once outside, we found her white SUV in the pickup lane. She unlocked it with a click, and I slid my luggage into the trunk before we both got in.
The car eased out of JFK, merging into the slow crawl of early-morning traffic.
"So," she said as she steered, giving me a sidelong glance, "breakfast?"
"You read my mind."
Her lips curved faintly. "I always do."
I chuckled and pulled out my phone again. "Any preferences?" She asked
"There's only one place that matters. Harry's Diner. Unless you want something new."
Harry's Diner is a familiar choice and only Two blocks away from our apartment.
We'd been there more times than I could count and it wasn't fancy or anything, but it was our comfort with good food.
"Harry's it is."
The city blurred past the window, still waking up, taxis flashing yellow through the morning haze.
While Emma drove, I scrolled to the new number in my phone and pressed call.
'Anna, assistant to District Attorney Cameron Dennis'
It rang once. "Good morning, Anna. Liam Harper here."
It's Cameron's assistant "Good morning, Mr. Harper" Her voice was crisp, professional, but not cold.
"Mr. Dennis asked me to coordinate your first meeting with him. Would 9 AM at the Manhattan DA's office work for you?"
"That works perfectly."
"Wonderful. I'll be waiting for you at the main entrance and walk you through security."
"Appreciate it, Anna."
"Of course, Mr. Harper."
The line clicked off. I slipped my phone back into my pocket and exhaled.
"Special treatment?" Emma remarked without looking away from the road.
"Maybe"
"Then you'd better not be late," she warned, though the edge of a smile touched her mouth.
I smirked back. "Yes, ma'am."
We reached Harry's Diner in about twenty minutes, sliding into a familiar spot just outside.
The neon sign hummed faintly against the early daylight, the words Harry's All-American Diner glowing in red and blue. Inside, the smell of coffee, bacon, and maple syrup hit like a warm welcome.
We took our usual booth near the window. A waitress recognized us and came over with menus she didn't really need to hand out.
"Eggs sunny-side up, sausages, bacon, toast, and coffee," I said without hesitation.
"And for you, honey?" the waitress asked Emma.
"Avocado toast with poached eggs, a side of fruit, and green tea," she replied smoothly.
The waitress nodded and left us to the quiet clatter of dishes and low murmur of other patrons.
I leaned back against the booth and finally dialed Mom. The phone rang twice before she picked up.
"Liam! Did you land?."
"Yes, Mom. I landed. Safe and sound."
"Oh, Good. Anyway, where are you now?"
"Having breakfast with Emma."
"Don't forget to call your mother once in a while." she said.
"I am literally calling you right now," I reminded her, amused.
"Don't get clever with me," she shot back, though I could hear the smile in her voice. "Alright, enjoy your food. Call me tonight and tell me how your big day went. You'll knock them dead, sweetheart."
"Talk to you later, Mom."
"Bye, darling." Click.
I slipped my phone away, shaking my head.
Emma raised an eyebrow over her folded hands. "She still treats you like you're twelve."
"She always will," I said.
"Of course," she muttered, though I saw the faint amusement tugging at her lips.
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Read 10 advanced chapters at;
patreon.com/Dreamwalker1