65 I Like You

"So, from your dress, I take it that your dinner didn't go so well?"

Hearing this question, Liz looked down to see that dabbing her dress with tissues hadn't helped at all.

"Yes, it had to end…prematurely. Please sit. Give me a second."

With a smile at the corner of her lips, Keren just sat down and started reading a magazine she found on a table nearby.

Going to the bathroom, Liz quickly took a shower before opening her bag and seeing what to wear.

This was her boss's sister, but she was in her room, and it was 9 pm.

Hence, thinking that wearing something formal would be weird, she changed into casual jeans and a shirt which didn't have any holes before walking out.

Sitting down on the chair in front of Keren, Liz asked, "What did you want to find me about?"

Setting down the magazine, Keren first rearranged her gorgeous long hair which actually made Liz jealous.

She was once again dressed ravishingly, in a blue chiffon gown, making Liz think that she was one of those women who got out of bed in a perfect state.

"I like you."

This weird statement from Keren threw Liz off, making her gawk, not knowing how to respond.

"Th-thank you?"

Seeing Liz answer in this awkward fashion, Keren let out a booming laugh, almost startling Liz and making her fall off her chair.

Such a well-dressed and chic women could actually make such a…unique sound.

This laugh actually made Liz warm up to Keren more, as it made her see that the woman in front of her wasn't as perfect as she had thought.

After the laughter subsided, Keren smiled wide and said, "I like you, because you are the first woman whom my brother talked about since.."

As she paused at this point, the wide smile was wiped away, as if the memory that was triggered by the rest of the sentence was the kind which wiped away happiness and joy.

Liz had always wondered what the reason was behind the CEO's strange actions when he had said those words which hurt so much. Although she repeatedly told herself that it didn't matter, she knew that there must be something which made him act like so.

Now, seeing that it might be her chance to find out, Liz asked, "Since?"

Alas, it seemed that she wouldn't find the answer today.

Shaking her head, Keren said, "I'm not at liberty to tell you. I know what happened in that restaurant; believe me, if I were you, I would also feel cold towards him. Let me just say this: he's broken. So broken that he had no choice but to lock his heart away if he wanted to continue to live,"

Broken?

No matter how she looked at it, Liz couldn't believe that this word could apply to the CEO who seemed perfect in every way, except for his cold behavior.

Yet, she thought back to that moment in the restaurant which she had locked away in the deepest corner of her eye.

Even though the memory once again threatened to drown her in a sea of pain, she somehow resisted and instead focused on the expression and eyes of the CEO who had yelled at her.

Indeed. Now that she thought about it, there had indeed been pain and agony clear in those eyes.

Seeing the disbelieving and then thoughtful look on Liz's face, Keren spoke again, pulling her away from that memory.

"I wish I could tell you more. But I really can't. Well, here I go ruining the evening by bringing up that horrid thing. Anyway, I came because I wanted to ask if you would like to be friends. I have few of those in my life, and I feel that you are someone who would definitely be a worthy friend. We Bradshaws are usually the kind who say what we want outright, with the exception of my brother, of course. Let's talk again later. Good night."

Saying so and not giving any pause for Liz to answer, Keren stood up and smiled at her before walking out of the door.

As it closed behind her, Liz was left staring, bewildered at the actions of this woman.

Why was it that everyone in this family was so weird?