LilyWe chatted throughout until the sun was setting. Being around her was like a breath of fresh air, but it inevitably had to end. I waved her goodbye as she left the cafe, waiting for a few minutes before I texted Nathan to pick me up.He must not have been too far behind considering that in a matter of minutes, he was there.“Are you ready to go?” Nathan asked, a small smile brightening his scarred face.I nodded with a curt smile of my own before entering the car. In no time we drove off.The ride was silent and I took my time looking at the window.How things had changed. Before I used to walk comfortably on these streets. This city felt like it was mine. And now I was in a car that cost more than my yearly rent driving to a mansion and being under constant watch and supervision.Despite my initial fears and reaction, it didn't feel confining at all. I had grown comfortable. Under the protection I felt safe and no matter how strange it was, it was a better alternative than get
Lily The next day I woke up early. It was only 8 am. Had it been any other day I should have been sleeping and savouring the weekend while I still had the chance but it was different this time. Not while I was freaked out last night.I picked up my phone and hurriedly called Malina. There was a chance that she was still asleep but I couldn't stop myself against my hammering heart.After several rings she finally picked up and a groan was the first thing I heard.“It's far too early to call Lily.” She groaned. I chuckled to myself. Wasn't she the morning person between us?“Had a long night?” I teased.“Yes. Me and Joshua did. And more, until you called” She answered dryly, emphasising his name. That meant…oh.I cleared my throat and ignored the heat on my cheeks. It seemed like I had interrupted what could have been a morning romp for her. Perhaps I could throw this under and apologise to save myself the humiliation. “Well, out with it. You called for a reason.” She said before I co
LilyI kept sneaking glances at him throughout the drive. He didn't seem too different, yet he looked more relaxed. Lighter.When we finally reached our destination a gasp let me. The restaurant he picked was one of the most expensive ones. It was already a privilege thanks to Malina to have entered the club all those months ago. This felt like a dream.A sudden sound startled me. I turned to the side to find the door open with Alexander hanging.‘Shit.’ I silently cursed. I spaced out, what was wrong with me?Either way, I had to rectify my mistake. I stepped out as quickly as I could, careful enough to not touch him.The place looked like a dream too, with the chandeliers, flowers and the reflective syrface. My breath hitched as I looked through everything.I walked with him until we were brought to the table.“Any orders for you?”All the letters and orders were jumbled in my head.“She’ll have the steak and some it's g juice.”I tensed when Alexander spoke, but soon relaxed. Steak
LilyMy heart hammered as he led me out of the restaurant into the outside. The car was still outside, but he didn't lead me into it. Rather, he locked his arms with mine and walked through the streets.I had never been to this part of the city and with good reason too. The street alone was filled with many glittering lights that told enough of the opulence surrounding it. I would've never imagined ever being in a place like this if not for Alexander.I tried to not gape in wonder. The sight wasn't as fancy compared to everything else seen in Luminous Works and living in the mansion, but something about the evening hues and the stars sent a different aura. I could swear there were hints of music in my ears. It seemed so… romantic.“Where are we going?” I asked.“You'll see.” He answered, squeezing my hand in a way that made me nearly stumble in shock.The more we walked the more I realised that the music I heard wasn't just my imagination. The sound of violins grew closer and closer a
Lily“Come on Nate, why do you think I'll go through all these lengths?”His voice still echoed in my head as I entered the office, shutting the door behind me.“She'll be obedient and under my control. It's as simple as that.”As simple as that, as if I had any agency in the matter.He wanted to control my emotions, make me more amiable to him by making me infatuated with him. He thought that by treating me nicely he would get me to calm down. What did he call it again? Oh yes, an illusion.It was insulting, inhumane and disrespectful, treating me like I was some dog or an animal to be trained.The sound of his chuckle rang loudly in my mind. Even if I'd stormed away from the office long ago. I didn't care if either of them heard me when I did, if Alexander heard me. He could go to hell for all I cared.And yet, he was still haunting me.Looking down I was suddenly reminded of the object I held in my hands. My eyes over the wrapping paper, the small box I held something far too exp
LilyI held my head high against his stare as he passed files towards me. “The Kieran family has decided to sort out a deal with us for their stay here. These are the files on the non disclosure and everything else. Sort through it and hand it over to Nathan when you're done.”I didn't bother saying a word, giving a simple nod, taking the files and turning away. The sooner I left the sooner I could be away from him.“Wait,” I stopped in place as he called out, turning to him.“Yes, Mr Sinclair?” I asked.It was the formal greeting we were both used to, yet this along with everything I said sounded harsh and distant in my ears.He didn't give any indication that he'd noticed, leaning towards me from the desk.“You didn't come down during dinner. They said you were sick?” he asked.His words almost sounded chastising, grating on my ears, but what irked me the most was the look in his eyes. He looked at me like he expected an explanation.Cold anger rushed in my veins. How dare he? Did
LilyA shiver ran down my spine. His gaze bored into me, cold ice freezing my blood.From my periphery, I would have noticed other women murmuring with their eyes on him, but I couldn't. Not when his focus was solely on ME.He wasn't supposed to be here.A nudge beside me brought me out of my trance, but I still couldn't escape his stare.“Is he your boyfriend?” One of the nurses asked. I barely heard her voice through the blood rushing in my ears. On a normal day I should have noticed how nosy they were being, probably even offended. If only I wasn't fixated on his glare.My grip on the folder tightened.What was I doing? Was I going to be cowed solely because he was here? ‘No,’ I thought to myself, determination filling me.“He's nobody,” I muttered, uncaring if they heard me or not as he moved towards me.“Miss Grace.” He spoke in a stony voice. It sent shivers up my spine with how unnaturally calm it was. I had faced his ire only once and it felt like I was being scrutinised now
54AlexanderThe silence that filled the room was deafening, suffocating me from the inside. I remained standing, frozen in place right where she'd left.Sucking in a breath, I flexed my fists to try to control my emotions. This had escalated quickly.‘She heard everything.’ I shut my eyes against those thoughts, sucking in a breath.How the hell did Nathan and I not notice? We were supposed to be more conscious of our environment. It explained her strange absence last night, and her attitude earlier this morning. And it was all thanks to that damn conversation.Flashback “The first quarter of this month has been settled then,” I told Nathan, rubbing my thumb in contemplation.“Nothing to worry about on LW’s end.” Nathan said, a small frown leaving him as he sank into my office couch. I watched him from my desk before turning to the aerial view of my window, the sky and city buildings familiar.Nothing was wrong, yet my gut clenched. There was an itch under my skin, a twinge of wo