Eve's POV
    
    Mark and Robert did the same thing; pulled off their clothes and jumped into the swimming pool. But I wouldn't stop gazing at Liam's body; his built body was the s*xiest, probably because he was the oldest and the most matured one between the three of them.
    
   They joke and played as they swam around while Helen and I viewed what was going on from where we were. 
    "Still drooling over Liam?" I didn't know Helen noticed me.
 "No" I blurted; feeling uncomfortable with the question, she just asked me.."I didn't say I'm drooling" I added.
  "Of course, you don't have to say it dear... It's very obvious" she emphasized the word 'very"
 "I don't know what you are talking about Helen" I rolled my eyes and she laughed.
  
    "Come on guys, come down here" Liam said again.
 "But we just said we cannot swim" Helen said brusquely.
"I know but just come down and.."
"And what... look at you all?" She questioned him.
  "Easy Helen" I whispered.
"Liam wants to talk to you all" Mark shouted and the brother was like what...why did he have to say that.
    
"I think it's better you go straight to the point because they obviously do not understand your unnecessary joviality, they think you're weird" Mark told Liam.
 "Okay so... I'll go straight to the point in what way?"
    "Simply apologize, the word sorry goes a very long way" He told him.
   "Apologise again?" Liam exclaimed.
    
 "Did you apologize before?" Mark and Robert asked at the same time. Looks like they have forgotten that Robert was there and could hear them.
  "Uhn.. not...not really"  Liam stammered.
"I'll advise you to get out of the water before doing anything sorry " Robert said to him, funny enough Liam jumped out of the water.
    
  "Okay so please girls get down here" Mark looked up and pleaded with us again...
   "Put on your clothes! Most especially Liam, Eve's not comfortable" Helen shouted.
    "What Helen!" I covered her mouth but it was already too late. They heard her!
    
    The guys laughed as they got off the water then wore some clothes on.... but the water was still dripping from their clothes, it made the cloth glue to their body and they were still looking really hot, especially Liam.
    
    "Done, can you guys; come down here now?" Liam asked again.
  "Are you sure this is not a trap?" Helen whispered to me. "Because Liam is not Liam right now"
   "He has been possessed!" I whispered back.
"What?" She exclaimed; taking the 'possessed' word seriously.
    "Possessed by a good attitude. C'mon Helen, trust him once on this one" I pleaded with her and she responded reluctantly.
    We claimed down the stairs to go meet them.
    
    **
    
    ~"Hey Jasmine, hello dear" Mark picked up his ringing phone..as he cleaned his wet hair with a towel.
 ~"I'm at home, where else " He told the caller.
 ~ "I'm sorry. It won't be like that next time" He rolled his eyes like a girl.
 ~"Right now Jasmine?"
 ~ "Okay, Okay... I'll pick you up" He said reluctantly.
   ~"Bye love" Mark ended the call.
    
 That was when we arrived down to meet them.
    "That was..errm... Jasmine, I gotta go nos Liam" Mark said, patting his brother's shoulder.
  "Are..are you gonna leave me to do this alone?" Liam stammered, looking at the angry faces of Helen and Robert...
    They presently had that to-kill-look.
 "You can do this.." Mark whispered into his ears but we heard him.
 "I'll go get changed first then leave right away" Mark said leaving and Robert wanted to follow him so that he could help him with the gate but Mark assured him not to worry about that
    
   "Uhhnnn" Liam moved backward slowly immediately his brother exited.
 "Are you afraid?" Robert asked him and Liam dramatically nodded like a baby and I chuckled. 
   "I am afraid, that you might drawn me into the pool or even chop my head off now that my brother has left" He said...and I laughed, Liam is so funny.
   "We are the ones; afraid of you" Robert told him.
   "I am not afraid of you" Helen interrupted; walking closer to him.
  "I'm sorry, I'm sorry " Liam shouted then he switched to a more serious tone and expression. "I'm very sorry guys" He pleaded.
    
   "What?"
 "There is no need for me to explain myself. I know my attitude towards you hasn't been unfair. I am so sorry" He apologized.
"Wait! In my whole life of living with you, you are saying the word 'sorry' for the first time?" Helen exclaimed.
   "Me too. Are you sure it's not a trap?" Robert whispered into her ears.
 "I think it is"
    
    "No, it's not... I'm being plain and sincere to you guys" Liam said.
   "It's fine by me" I said without any hesitation.
 "What's fine by you?" Helen looked at me.
    "I mean... I...I have forgiven him" I replied innocently.
    "Oh wow...just like that? because you guys recently had an intimate chitchat?" I pinched her..so she wouldn't say anymore word.
    
   "Helen,  I am sorry. Robert" Liam said again.
    "It's okay " Robert responded..
    "You too Robert?" Helen was puzzled.
  "I don't feel comfortable keeping him waiting but I am still afraid, that what if he changes " Robert said.
    "I won't... I swear I won't. I sincerely just realise how fair I have been to you guys" Liam uttered.
    "Hmmn, Okay?" Helen reluctantly said.."But.. I... I uhm... I can't assure you anything yet, let's see how goes, let's ee if you are truly a changed person" Helen said.
    "Same here but I... I actually once looked up to you as an older brother" Robert said to Liam
  "Please feel free to do that again" Liam unexpectedly hugged him.
    
    I was glad, everything was settled. I mean there would be no need to be so scared of Liam plus I was so happy that Liam was also happy...even though I noticed when he just stare into the space for a while (thinking) but then because we were around him, he tried to erase whatever that was bothering him off his mind.
    He even invited us to have lunch with him; before we knew it Robert and Helen could say anything and everything to him.
    *
    Mr. Maya finally arrived when it was in the evening... I could see that he was sort of surprised when he found us altogether in the living room.
    
    "Hey Eve"  He spoke to only me.
 "Welcome, Mr. Maya"Helen perfunctorily greeted him..while Robert took his seat, he had greeted him when he went to open the door to let him in.
    I was waiting for Liam and his father to exchange pleasantries but none resumed first.
    
"Eve, can I see you for a moment?" Mr. Maya said to me.
  I glared at them first.
  "Come on Eve, you are different from all of them. When will you get it straight into your head that you are now my wife? Did you sign the papers?" He asked me... rising his voice at me.
    
    "I..... " I really didn't know what to say because I don't know why he's mad at me.
  "Daddy" Liam interrupted me then he came forward.. ; stood right in front of his daddy.
    "What is it Liam?" The old man asked.
    "Daddy I was very sick" Liam told him.
    "Oh! 'Was?' You don't look it"
    
    "That's not the response I was expecting " Liam said softly, but that soft voice sounds more like it's gradually accumulating bitterness and anger 
    "What were you expecting? Oh, you want me to run helter-skelter because you fell sick? You do have the doctor's number don't you?" The man responded and Liam smirked.
    "It's about the sickness or me not being able to take care of myself but it's about your I-do-not-care " Liam shouted at him
    "And you are an adult Liam!" Mr. Maya fired back.
    
    "We need to do something" I told Helen.
   "Just stay out of it" Helen responded.. pulling me backward.
    "It's not their first time" Robert added. "I...I need to go outside now" He trembled and rushed out.
    Robert is a one really scared guy.
    
    "An adult. Of course, I am an adult." Liam let out a hysterical laughter. "Dad I almost committed suicide! You almost lost a son!" I...i was so down yesterday...I wasn't myself"He shouted.
    "An heartbreak! An ordinary heartbreak.. Mark told me you lost your girlfriend to someone else.."
    "And not even a sign of sympathy from, I didn't even set my eyes on you..." Listen Daddy, It's not only because of the heartbreak but because the pain reminded me of my family situation, the pain made me think I am one dejected fellow... just because  I have irresponsible father who only chases what's under skirts, who doesn't care at all about your son .. I.. I... thought I deserve all this because of my attitude towards people but ...no I don't deserve any of the pain.... Then I... I wanted to put an end to my existence... I...." His eyes were already teary.
  "But you are right" He sniffed and failed a smile. With that, he climb the stairs in a hurry.
    
    "Liam..." I was about to run after him..
 "Eve come on" Helen pulled my hand..." Liam can be really dangerous when he is very mad " She said to me. "He would sort himself out. This is what we get whenever Liam is back from college" 
    
   "Oh, this is great. Liam finally accepted you as his stepmother nevertheless" Mr. Maya clapped his hand as he put on a smile as if I didn't just watch the wicked part of him.
    I looked at him with fierce hatred.
    " Come on Eve, it's just a father and son slight argument. Don't be like that. So what about the form I gave you this morning?" He asked me as he came closer to me... "Excuse me Helen" He told her..
    
    "You are no longer my father!" We heard Liam's voice, we looked up only to seeing rushing down the staircase with some keys. They were his car keys.
    "Helen, do you have any idea about my apartment?" Liam asked her.
    
    "Err... I haven't been there for a while but it's well tidied " She responded.
    "Oh Good," Liam said then he faced his father.
 "I have had enough of your drama dad, I am finally moving to my own apartment. Isn't that what you have always wanted? being the adult... that I am..." He paused and laughed.
    "Good... Leave already Liam" Mr. Maya shouted
 "Leave if you can't get used to your father's attitude" He added.
    
  "I promise you father, you will regret everything. Everything!" Liam fired as he hastily walked out of the house. Helen and I ran after him...
    At that moment, Mark was just returning...
    "Mark I... I won't be living here with you anymore. I am sorry and I hope Dad explains himself to you" He told Mark and rushed to his car... he paid deaf ears to whatever we were saying...not even his brother.
    
 "C'mon Robert!" The guy hesitantly opened the gate for him...when he was about to move out, he looked at us again and said;
    "No guys, I'm not gonna change my mind. Besides, I have always wanted to move to my own apartment but looks like I made up my mind sooner without expecting it" With that, he drove out.
    
   *****
    ***