Lana sighed then shook her head followed by saying, "No. I don't hate you, Liam."

  "That's great then, I hope this will not affect your internship with the company then Lana. I see great potential in you and if you wish to learn under my supervision, then that will be great. About you pretending to be my girlfriend… To be honest, you're the best woman for this role since I'm confident that you won't get clingy with me unlike others." Liam explained.

  After carefully thinking about Lana's case, Liam thought this kind of approach would be most appropriate so Lana could feel comfortable towards him.

  Then he continued, "If you will analyse things, although I'm not a gay, I share the same sentiments like them. I mean, I also don't like women to be around me. I do not wish to have a relationship with anyone, as of now. So I hope we can stay just as we are now. No strings attached. Friends for benefits. You'll be my girlfriend in public and I will also stay the way I was with you earlier."

  Lana looked at him with a blank expression. She was weighing every word Liam spoke and her simple gaze was enough for Liam to get a little anxious that made him sip his coffee. It felt like Lana was dissecting his every word.

  "If you're worried about the physical contact thing… I will make sure not to make any bold moves in the future UNLESS YOU INITIATED." Liam added, giving a heavy tone to the words.

  Lana's face reddened because Liam just slapped her with those words showing that who often started intimate skin to skin contact was her, not him.

  "It sounds like I'm the only one doing that to you… Hey… let me remind you, I only did that to save you from the venomous snakes lurching around you…" Lana defended with a twisted mouth.

  "Okay, I'm just saying that I will not make a move unless you ask for it or it's really needed like in some kind of emergency." Liam clarified.

  "I wonder what emergency could there be for us to have an intimate acting situation? You're the only one who needs those scenarios at most!" Lana scoffed, saving herself some grace.

  Liam's words were actually convincing enough, giving Lana a big assurance.

  He was right, she could consider him very different from any other man since he hated women as well. Besides, from that brief period she was with Liam, she was confident that he was a man of his words. He was a man she could trust.

  Not to include the fact that she was already comfortable with his company and his family.

  Like she was to Liam, she could say that Liam was also the best man for a boyfriend's role, especially to stop her mother from forcing her to go on various dates or arrange marriage meetings again.

  "Alright… Let's do that then. Let's be in a relationship between us with benefits without strings attached." Lana finally answered Liam's analysis that put Liam's heart at ease.

  He felt strongly relieved that Lana had decided to stay by his side like he hoped for.

  Liam then formed a cheeky smile on his face without him knowing. When Lana's eyes fell on his smiling face, she felt as though the clock stopped and time froze. She was so mesmerized by that smile.

  "You really look good smiling like that. You should do that often. It makes you look younger." Lana complimented and Liam coughed while his cheeks blushed.

  "I should take my leave now. I'm glad I have nothing to get worried about. Your expression this morning was really worrisome." Liam said as he stood up.

  Lana nodded and escorted him outside.

  "See you tomorrow, Lana," Liam said next.

  Lana answered him with a simple nod and smiled. When Liam left, she sat down on her swing and mumbled, "I should only focus on learning in his company and pretending to be his girlfriend… Pretending Lana. Make sure you only pretend……"

  "Lana dear!"

  She beamed when she suddenly heard her mother's voice. She turned her head and saw her mother walking towards her.

  Her face crumpled, and she felt a headache coming when she saw her mother was pulling Liam back with her.

  "It's too early! Why didn't you ask Liam to have dinner with you? Show him how good you cook!" exclaimed her mother, who quickly pressed her door passwords to enter her house with Liam.

  "Mom, I am sure Liam has some appointments ahead." Lana commented while she followed behind.

  "Nah, at this hour? I have just arrived and I'm sure Liam wouldn't mind staying with us for dinner. Would you, Liam? I'm sure you haven't tried Lana's cooking, right?"

  Liam gulped and looked at Lana, waiting for her signal. Though he wanted to directly trot inside her house but he dared not do that. He had to make her feel as if he was being forced to stay.

  Lana, after a deep sigh, said, "Alright, mom is right, you should stay for dinner. I'll cook tonight."

  She was helpless with her mother around. As much as possible she did not want to displease her and seeing how her mother smiled brightly with Liam around made her happy as well.

  "Do you have any favourite dish that you want to eat?" Lana did not know why but she turned towards Liam and suddenly asked that to him.

  Liam was pleasantly surprised with that question of Lana. He thought Lana was trying to give a good show in front of her mother.

  "Anything you cook will be fine," Liam answered her followed by a wink.

  Lana almost cursed at that action of his. 'What the heck was that? Showing off how roguishly handsome he is?' she complained inwardly and cringed seeing how her mother seemed to be squealing while she commented, "Oh my future son-in-law is so adorable. You should wink more at Lana. Look how her cheeks blush."

  "Mom!" Lana cried.

  "What? Why don't you go and cook our dinner now while I entertain Liam here? Go quickly and make something special." Mrs. Huang commanded and pulled Liam to sit with her on the couch.

  Lana left with a crumpled face, stomping her feet towards the kitchen. Someone truly said a son-in-law was always more precious to a mother than her own daughter.