CHAPTER 154: MODERN SOLUTIONS

Earlier in the day...

Liam arrived an hour before closing. He stopped his car in the small parking lot of Urban Paradise Farm. Ella was already waiting at the gate, her hands nervously twisting together until she spotted him. She forced a smile, though her heart was racing.

"Glad you could make it!" she called, her voice lighter than she felt.

Liam tilted his head back to read the wrought-iron arch above the gate. "Urban Paradise Farm, huh? Why that name?" His question was casual, but it disarmed her, pulling the tension right out of her shoulders.

Ella’s lips curved into a real smile as she answered. "Georgia and I wanted to bring nature back into the city. Too many people think they need land to have a garden, but that’s not true. Even if you’re in a basement apartment, you can still grow something.

All it takes is the right pot, water, nutrients, and a little light—natural or artificial. The plant doesn’t care, as long as the conditions are right."

Liam’s brows lifted, genuine admiration flickering in his gaze. "That’s... incredible. You’re not just running a business—you’re giving people a way to change their lives. And help the environment, too. Honestly, I’m impressed."

Ella felt the heat crawl up her cheeks and quickly turned, pretending to brush a stray leaf off the gate. "Don’t be impressed yet. You haven’t seen the best part. We added something new—even Georgia hasn’t seen it. Come on."

She pushed the gate open and motioned him inside.

Liam followed, his pace slowing as soon as he stepped into the office. The air shifted immediately, cooler, fresher, alive. Towering ferns lined the walls, tiny succulents dotted the shelves, and flowering vines curled around trellises that framed the space like a living artwork. It wasn’t just a workplace—it was a sanctuary, humming with quiet life.

Liam let out a low breath, unable to hide his wonder. "Ella... this place is—" he stopped, searching for the right word. "—it’s like stepping into another world."

And Ella, watching him fall silent in awe, felt something uncoil inside her chest. For the first time in a long time, she wasn’t just proud of the shop—she was proud of herself.

"Whoa... it feels like I’m outdoors, but I’m not," Liam said, his voice tinged with amazement as his gaze swept across the greenery.

Ella chuckled, the sound easing the nervous knot in her chest. "So... do you like it?"

"Like it?" He turned to her with a half-smile that made her heart skip. "I love it. Honestly, I want something like this at home, but I don’t think I could keep it alive. My schedule is a disaster."

Ella shook her head, amused. "That’s what we’re here for. We’ll design the perfect setup for you—low-maintenance plants, full automation. You wouldn’t have to check on them often. And if you’d rather not get your hands dirty at all, we offer maintenance services. My team can visit, trim, fertilize, and do everything needed to keep your garden thriving."

Liam raised his brows and let out a playful whistle. "I’m convinced already. Where do I sign?" he teased, his grin widening when Ella laughed.

She lightly swatted his arm, her nerves giving way to warmth. "Hold your horses, Mr. Eager Client. We’ll get there. First, let me take you to the actual garden—you haven’t seen the real show yet."

Her eyes sparkled as she motioned him to follow. Liam obeyed, trailing behind her as they wove through the lush pathways of the office-turned-jungle, his stride slowing whenever she would look over her shoulder to glance at him while giving him more details about the place.

"Here we are," Ella said as she pushed open the door to the far end of the garden. "This is the part Georgia hasn’t seen yet."

Liam stepped inside the covered greenhouse, his eyes widening as they landed on the rows of vegetables thriving in a hydroponics system. "You’re not just into ornamental plants? You’ve got vegetables too?" he asked, curiosity painting his tone as he leaned closer to inspect the setup.

"This is just a model for clients," Ella explained with a spark of pride in her voice. "I’m planning to expand into both residential and commercial spaces—restaurants, especially. Imagine chefs picking fresh herbs right in their kitchens. We’ll handle everything—setup, seedlings, even maintenance. And depending on the space, we can offer different hydroponic systems."

Liam bent slightly, brushing his fingertips across a head of crisp lettuce as though testing its reality. "This is incredible, Ella. Truly innovative."

Ella smiled, her eyes shining. "Modern problems need modern solutions. That’s why we wanted to expand—we can reach more people this way."

Liam glanced up at her, admiration clear in his expression. "You’re brilliant, Ella. Really... it’s attractive." His words slipped out casually, but the weight of them lingered.

Ella froze mid-step, her breath catching. Heat flooded her cheeks as she quickly fanned herself with her hand, praying he wouldn’t notice. "W-Well... shall we head back to the office? I’ll show you the living wall designs I mentioned last night." She spun on her heel, eager to hide her flustered face.

Liam nodded, though his gaze lingered on her longer than it should have, drinking in the way her curves moved beneath her dress as she walked ahead. ’She’s smart, beautiful, and somehow still single,’ he thought, a slow, knowing smile tugging at his lips. ’Good thing for me.’

After Ella finished walking Liam through the living wall designs, the two of them drove back to his penthouse. Stepping inside, she wasn’t exactly surprised to find the space polished in sleek, manly shades of black, gray, and steel—minimalist, but undeniably masculine.

"You live here alone?" she asked, her voice curious as her gaze swept across the wide glass windows and monochromatic décor.

"Yeah," Liam replied, loosening his tie as he dropped his keys on the counter. "I’ve been here since college. When my dad asked what Nick and I wanted as a graduation gift back in high school, we both said the same thing. We wanted out of the house."

He grabbed two glasses from the kitchen and poured orange juice as he spoke. "I stayed here on my own, but Nick had... company. Vicky moved into his penthouse without asking, and somehow she just stayed until she graduated and bought her own house. She asked for a car from our dad when she graduated."

Ella raised her brows, wandering further into the living room, her fingers trailing lightly over the edge of his leather couch. "So they lived together for years?"

"Not exactly," Liam corrected, sliding a glass into her hand. "Nick went to maritime school. He was barely around—only home once a month, sometimes less. Vicky and their mom kept his place in order whenever he was gone."

Ella froze mid-sip, lowering the glass slowly. "Their mom? Not yours?"

The question hung heavy in the air.

Liam’s hand stiffened around his own glass, his shoulders going rigid. He hadn’t meant to slip, hadn’t meant to open that particular door. His eyes flicked toward her, sharp and conflicted, while his thoughts raced.

’Fuck... I’m screwed,’ Liam thought as he gulped while staring at Ella.

*******

Thanks to hmerai for the Golden Ticket!