“Hello, Mrs. McCall.” Lily called and her mother blinked rapidly with her lip parting in shock. She was confused. A week ago, her daughter came begging for money to save her father’s life. How the hell was she standing next to a billionaire now?“You two know each other?” Susan, Axel’s stepmother asked.“Not really. Just an old encounter.” Lily’s mother hurriedly responded with a short chuckle, she put on a different expression. Next to her was her daughter, Lily stared at her and looked away almost immediately. “Well, Axel, meet my lovely friend, Tania McCall, and her beautiful daughter, Malia.” She introduced herself with a wide smile. Lily was amazed by her sudden smile, minutes ago she had a frown on her face.“Nice to meet you, Axel.” Malia said with a smile, she tried to move closer to him but the look on his face wasn't welcoming which made her halt.Lily looked around and noticed Mr. Blackwell wasn't with them anymore.“So Axel, your mum told me you need a wife. Well, my dau
“Tell me what?”“It's nothing serious, actually.” Nora replied.“I have to go.” Axel suddenly said and Nora nodded at him before he walked away.“If it is nothing, why do you look so worried?” Lily asked and Nora smiled at her.“Because it might be hard for you.” She replied.“Well, what is it?” Lily asked eagerly. She was getting impatient already.“You will be hosting the next ball of the season.” Nora said and her eyes widened in shock.“Wh… what?”“The next ball party will be hosted by you,” Nora said again.“I heard what you said the first time. Why am I hosting it?” She asked as she felt her heart race.“Because that is the tradition. The newest bride of the season will host the second ball of the season.” Nora explained and Lily put on a worried expression.“But I don't know how to host a normal party, not to mention a ball, what am I going to do?”“That is why Axel sent me here to help you. Don't worry, we will be ready before tomorrow night.” Nora assured her with a smile.“T
THE NEXT DAY MORNINGLily heard humming repeatedly from her sleep, she tried to ignore it but it got louder every second and it was disturbing. She slowly opened her eyes and sat up to see Nora going through a bag on her couch and humming.“Nora.” Lily called tiredly and she turned to her.“Oh, hey Lily.” She called happily and Lily slowly got off the bed. She felt pains in her feet as she walked closer to Nora but she ignored it. “How are you here so early?” Lily asked as she yawned.“Early? It's not early. It's past 10:00 am.” Nora replied and Lily mouthed a ‘woah’ She must have been so exhausted for her to wake up this late, and she also slept late. Lily’s eyes moved to the bag and she noticed there were different fancy dresses on the couch and there were still more in the bag.“What's with all these dresses?” She asked and Nora smiled at her.“It's for the ball. You have options and you have to do some fit-checking for a few.” Nora replied and Lily sighed.“Shouldn't I be worr
“What the hell is going on here?” Mrs. McCall yelled as she rushed towards them which gained more attention from the people in the room.Malia faked cries as she looked at her drenched clothes. Axel’s stepmother was also with Mrs. McCall.“I… I didn't do anything, I... “ “Yet, you are holding the glass.” Axel’s stepmother replied and Lily hurriedly dropped the cup. “Darling, what happened?” Mrs. McCall asked as she ran her hands over her daughter's body. Everyone kept watching, Lily noticed Axel among the crowd and her heart raced in fear. Things just got ruined!“All I did was ask her for a glass of water since the waiters weren't around, I felt I had the right to ask her since she is the host. I don't know why but she suddenly slapped me and poured a glass of water on me.” Malia cried out loud and Lily’s lips parted in shock. That was such a huge lie but the crowd bought it because they started to mumble words among themselves with different expressions on. “Why would you do
“It's fine. You can leave it, we are already late.” Axel said. “Oh, okay.” She replied and he walked ahead of her, he walked out and she trailed behind him. They got out of the house and Axel walked towards a different car. He got into the driver’s seat and Lily entered and sat in the passenger’s seat. She had never seen him drive himself before. She looked inside the car and was amazed, it looked more pretty than it was on the outside. Axel ignited the car and drove out of the mansion, Lily hurriedly used her seatbelt seeing the way he drove. He drove into the streets and he moved really fast which made Lily scared. He kept breaking the traffic rules and she feared the cops would be after them. “Axel.” She called and he glanced at her.“Yeah?”“Can you please slow down?” She asked and he ignored her. After some minutes of what seemed like torture to Lily, the car finally stopped in front of a building. She breathed out in relief and glanced at him. He didn't look bothered as
Axel was tired of waiting for her to be calm, he held her hand and headed towards the exit of the building. They got out of the building after a few minutes, Lily was still shaken about what happened. They got into the car and Axel drove into the streets, this time, he didn't drive so fast and he kept glancing at Lily. She didn't say anything, and neither did he. The drive back home was silent, Lily’s thoughts were clouded with a lot. Axel drove into the mansion and slowed down then turned to Lily.“I have got to go somewhere. You can go in, Nora is waiting.” He said and all Lily did was nod, she walked out of his car and walked into the house. Axel watched her till she got into the house before he drove away. Lily entered the house and met Nora in the living room.“Lily.” Nora called happily and Lily put on a smile, Nora stood up from the couch and hugged her tightly.“Oh my God, let go.” Lily chuckled and Nora smiled before letting go of her.“I heard what happened at the ball
THE NEXT DAY MORNING Lily slowly ate her breakfast as she recalled what happened the previous day, she could remember her and Nora gisting and having fun all day. She also remembered smoking too much which made her uncomfortable.She could also remember Axel saying mean words to her about her life and she couldn't help but wonder how he knew about Mrs. McCall being her mother. Thinking about everything now, she was confused by what Malia meant when she said she was supposed to be the one married to Axel. How is that possible if his stepmother was just introducing him to them at the first ball?“Ma’am.” A maid snapped Lily out of her thoughts, she turned to the maid and she bowed.“Mr. Blackwell sent for you, he is in the living room.” The maid said and Lily nodded, she gulped a glass of water before heading out of the dining room. She got to the living room and met him going through something as he stood next to the fireplace. He wasn't dressed in his usual tuxedos, he was in cas
Axel got out of Max’s car and walked into the house, he walked into the living room and met Lily on the couch. She was asleep and the television was on. He turned to the television and noticed she was watching a kid's show before falling asleep. He checked the time and it was almost midnight, he slowly walked to her and stared at her. Axel suddenly heard footsteps and he looked up to see a maid. “Good evening sir. I had no idea you were back already.” The maid said and all Axel did was stare.“We volunteered to help her into her room when she fell asleep an hour ago but she insisted on waiting for you.” The maid said and Axel nodded, she bowed and walked away. Axel stared at Lily again and this time, he took his time in reviewing her looks. She looked like a baby as she slept, she had her arms around herself, and her legs were folded. Her lips were parted slightly and they looked so inviting. Axel recalled the night he kissed her and how she was so scared when he did. She sudde