Am I Worthy?
***
It’s amazing what you know if you watched someone long enough.
I just talked to Liam on the global. Resistance matters – what else? When I first met him, I thought he was a pretty easy person to read. He was honest, open, caring… what more could you ask for? He had the makings of the perfect gentlemen, or the biggest boyscout.
I thought I *knew * him, thought I had him all figured out.
I had never been so wrong in my life.
In my line of work, underestimating someone could cost you * billions* of dollars. I thought I had that one covered. I mean I am after all CEO of Doors Int. Then I learnt about Liam’s big secret. Oh my, how the mighty have fallen.
Liam Kincaid, oh wait, it’s Beckett, isn’t it? Kimerian hybrid, son of Ronald Sandoval, Siobhan Beckett and Ha’gel to boot. Who would’ve thought?
I guess after that little revelation, I’ve been watching him a lot closely. I didn’t want to make another mistake. Admitting that I underestimated him to *myself * was hard enough.
A 2 year old is the Leader of the Resistance – what a laugh. But then again, he is a good leader, I have to give him that. There is just something about him…his eyes… that just inspires trust and loyalty. I personally think he’s too honest for his own good. You can always see the emotion playing across his face. He doesn’t bother to hide it. He doesn’t build up walls around him. He doesn’t need to.
Damn, I envy him. I wish I could just be *me * , you know. No masks, no need to pretend. Oh well, there are some things you can never have. A quote from Harper Lee’s To Kill A Mockingbird came to my mind: “Atticus Finch is the same in his house as he is on the public street.” Liam is like that too.
What I just can’t understand is how he can be a Companion Protector and lead the Resistance at the same time. I mean, I only *pretend * to like working with the Taelons. Liam would genuinely give his life to protect Da’an. I smiled. I guess when Liam gives you his word, he really gives you his word. Honor, integrity and chivalry means everything to him.
Whenever I think of who Liam is related to, I just want to… hurt someone. I guess Sandoval makes my blood boil. That had to be the understatement of the year. I mean the man is responsible for so many crackdowns and caused the deaths of so many resistance members. Right now I bet Ronnie is plotting something devious as per normal. He is a traitor to his own kind. How could Liam want to save his life? “Sandoval is my father.” Yeah, right. Sandoval is a bloody surrogate. I mean he tried to kill you, Liam. Okay that was a low blow, it’s not like Sandoval knows Liam is his son. But the underlying principle is the same. He tried to kill Liam, more than once. I mean, hello, does anyone see a pattern here?
You know, I guess I’m skirting the real issue here. It’s not easy surviving this dog-eat-dog world. I sacrificed a lot of things to be at the top. Having friends are rare. I mean I have allies, enemies, rivals but friends are one in a million.
People like me just don’t have friends. I mean look at me. I’m this powerful CEO who happens to be a woman. I’m willing to lie, cheat and basically kill anyone who got in my way. I even threatened to kill Liam once. Friendship and Renee Palmer don’t mix.
When I look at Liam I see Resistance Leader, Kimerian hybrid, Companion Protector and a filial son. Can I add friend to that list?
I stood up and looked out the window. It was dark; everyone was already asleep. “Can you be my friend, Liam? Am I worthy?” I whispered.
Somewhere out there, a young man is sleeping comfortably. Unbeknownst to him, a small smile appeared as he sleepily replied, “ Yes.”
It’s amazing what you know if you watched someone long enough. If you’re lucky, maybe you might even have learnt something about yourself along the way.
***
End