Mr. Jones Be Gentle (Grace) novel Chapter 1457

Since Adrian insisted, she didn't refuse and exited the hotel with him.

When they arrived at the side of the car, Adrian opened the door to the passenger seat and told Liam, "Liam, I'll leave you two be now. Thank you for picking me up. Good night."

"Good night." Liam didn't get out of the car to greet him, but he remained courteous.

"Well be leaving then." Maria didn't think Adrian would figure out her relationship with Liam, which surprised her, but she felt relieved at the same time.

"Go on then." Adrian smiled and closed the door for her.

Maria waved as she watched him back up from the window.

Liam turned to glance at her before driving off.

Maria still had her head turned back. When she finally couldn't see Adrian's figure anymore, she turned to look ahead.

Liam's voice rang out, "You seem to be close with Adrian.”

Stunned, she answered honestly, "We're classmates from the same country, so we got along very well."

Liam only hummed a reply but didn't say anything else.

The atmosphere grew a lot more tense.

"By the way, are you free tomorrow?" Maria still felt that she needed to extend Adrian's invitation to Liam, "Adrian invited us out. Ernest and Leah will be coming along, so do you want to come?"

Stumped, he didn't expect her to ask for his opinions. He was about to speak.

However, Maria immediately added, "Actually, I turned him down for you. I don't think you should come."

Liam tightened his grip on the steering wheel. He didn't like Maria deciding for him.

"Why can't I go?" He asked in return.

"Well, you're a public figure. It wouldn't do you any good if you were to be photographed by the paparazzi." She was merely trying to look out for him, "You should stay home. Besides, you and Adrian aren't familiar with each other. I already feel bad enough for you to pick him up with me. Thank you for that, Liam."

Her words made him feel like they were strangers.

He felt so upset that his heart sank, suffocating him.

It made him feel like she had shut him out. As if he were the third wheel and Adrian was her boyfriend.

It was a dreadful feeling.

"Do you have to be so courteous with me?" He retorted.

Maria shook her head and said, "Of course I have to. I know you've sacrificed a lot for me. I'm already content."

She didn't continue her words, but there was still a lot on her mind.

She had a really good summer break.

There was no regret.

She was with Liam now. It didn't matter if there was no future, nor if his feelings for her weren't real. She was already content being able to lust over the momentary tenderness.

Some words needn't be said out loud. In fact, she knew that it was important to have a sense of propriety.

Liam glanced at her and noticed the smile on her face. That irritated him.

Maria stopped talking and looked ahead.

Liam broke the silence, "Can you not go back tonight?" "Huh?" Stunned, she shook her head, "No, my dad will definitely be upset."

She recalled how furious he was that day. Even though her mother wouldn't mind, she was pregnant, after all. She didn't want her mother to worry about her, nor would she want her father to be angry.

And most importantly, she understood her father did it for her own good.

Liam was a little disappointed to hear that.

But he still nodded understandingly and said, "I'll bring you back."

"Thank you." The corners of her lips lifted into another smile.

In the end, Liam didn't mention whether he was going to join them the next day.

When they arrived at her home, he parked the car at the side of the road. Maria glanced at her watch and found that it was already nine.

The day had passed in the blink of an eye, and it was time for her to return home.

"Well, you should go back now." She smiled at him and was ready to get out of the car.

Stunned, Liam was a little reluctant to let her go. He said, "Stay with me for a while."

Maria looked at him and saw that he wasn't in the best mood. She was swayed for a moment but worried that her father would come out all of a sudden, putting them in a more difficult situation.

"Does he have any plans for your future?" Zachary went on to ask. He was trying to address the situation patiently. After all, he was a sensible and mature man. Although he couldn't accept his daughter's relationship momentarily, after calming down, he knew that he had to map out a plan for her future.

"Dad, I know what I'm doing." Maria was afraid that her father was upset, so she explained, "I fell for him; it has nothing to do with him. Dad, I know you love me, and I also know all your demands for me are for my own good."

"I wasn't sensible as a child. I'd pull pranks, lie to you, and make you worry."

"But I'm all grown up now, and I know what I'm doing. So I hope you won't step in between Liam and me."

"I'm not asking for much. I just want to go about things my way. It may not be perfect, but that's how I want it to be."

Looking at his daughter, Zachary said nothing for a long time.

He understood his daughter's intentions. She was sincerely expressing her feelings instead of arguing. He nodded.

"You've indeed grown up." He didn't want to admit it as it meant, he too, was growing older, "I have to apologize to you. It was wrong of me to behave that way yesterday."

"Dad." Maria was instantly surprised by his apology, "Are you actually apologizing to me?"

"Yes." Zachary nodded, "I was just somewhat anxious. You have to know that I feel indebted to you. The five years where we were apart is like a knot inside my heart. I want you to live a good life without any suffering."

"But as your mommy said, you've grown up. You need to choose your own happiness. I can't do it for you."

"So I thought about it, and I've decided to teach you how to get a man to be fixated on you."

"What?" Gobsmacked once more, she stared at her father wide-eyed.

Zachary said, "Keep him wanting more is the best method."

Maria stared at him indignantly. "Keep him wanting more?"

She had a rough idea of what her father meant.

Zachary was afraid she wouldn't understand, so he explained further, "Ignore Liam tomorrow. Don't be the one calling him all the time. It's human nature to not appreciate what we can obtain easily, and that applies to everything."

Confused, Maria asked, "Dad, if Mommy hadn't left you for five years, does that mean your relationship now wouldn't be as good?"

"No," Zachary said, "I will never forget your mommy."

"Dad, weren't you generalizing earlier?" Maria pouted, somewhat protesting, "This is already contradictory."

"We're the only exception. Your mom's the only woman I've ever fallen for," Zachary said, "Liam is in showbiz, so there will be tons of opportunities for him to meet all sorts of attractive girls. Although you're stunning and also have an excellent background, you're too forthright."