Moment

Stefano’s POV

“Good day, sir,” Gregory greeted from the other end of the line. “I've gotten some information on Miss Lillian.”

Placing my phone on the nightstand, I put it on speaker before wearing my coat.

“Good day, Gregory. Go on,” I responded. “Tell me what you've got.”

“From what I know, Miss Lillian currently works as a head chef at Watkins, a five star restaurant in Trafford. She is also not married.” Gregory divulged, and a pleasant feeling of hope warmed my heart.

That meant I still had a chance to win her back and make her mine to love and care for.

If Lillian forgave me, I was prepared to kiss her feet or even the ground she walked on.

I would worship her like the goddess she was and never treat her like I did in the past. I had learnt from my mistake and now knew what was right.

Nowadays I found myself dwelling on the possibility of what would have happened if I had opened my heart to love Lillian or at least considered her human and not my servant.

If I had given her the opportunity to grow and develop in her career.

She would have probably become a chef and I could have even established a restaurant for her.

Given Gregory's findings, I still had the opportunity to do the latter, I just had to come up with a superb plan.

As long as she wasn't married, I was certain I could win her heart again.

It didn't matter whether she was seeing anyone or not.

“Is that all?” I asked, grabbing my briefcase from the bed.

“Yes, for now, sir,” He replied. “I'm still looking into other information about her.”

“Good job.”

“Thank you, sir.”

“Anyway, I have to go now. Keep me posted,” I said before ending the call, and sliding my phone into my pocket.

A smile creased my lips as I stepped out of the bedroom. I could already imagine Lillian accepting me with open arms.

I didn't care how long it would take but I knew I had to win her back in any way possible.

Ever since she left, my life lost meaning and purpose. But just seeing her last week had made me hopeful and optimistic about the future.

“Good morning, sir,” My housekeeper, Sheila, greeted as I walked downstairs.

“Morning, Sheila,” I replied.

My new place, a penthouse at the highbrow area of the city, was built to perfection. Since I was always busy with work, I decided to employ Sheila as my part-time housekeeper.

“Have a nice day at work, sir,” She said, to which I nodded.

“Thanks.”

With that, I took my leave.

About thirty minutes later, I reached my company. The first thing I did when I got to my office was respond to mails from my employees.

I was about to start reviewing the pile of business proposals on my desk, when the landline on my desk rang.

“Yes?” I uttered, after clicking on the answer button.

“Good morning, sir. This is the front desk receptionist, Tiannah Johnson. There's a man here, sir, and he's asking for you.” A woman responded.

That was strange.

I wasn't expecting a visitor.

“What is his name?” I questioned.

“James Chavez,” Tiannah replied, and the name instantly clicked in my mind.

“Send him in,” I replied, before ending the call.

James Chavez was my best friend from highschool to college. He had left America immediately after college to take over his father's company in the United Kingdom, after the latter passed away from a stroke.

We lost contact about a year after he moved out of the country.

A knock came on the door just then.

“Come in,” I said, and James strode in, a smirk playing on his lips.

“The one and only Stefano Rodriguez,’’ James saluted. “It's been thirteen good years and you've really changed.”

“Were you expecting I'd remain the same person since college? Come here, you jerk.” I huffed, before we shared a friendly embrace.

Clapping my back, James shook his head in awe. “I take back my words. You haven't changed one bit. You are still the uncultured douche from highschool.”

“Fuck off,” I retorted. “Have your seat. I'll ask someone to bring refreshments.”

“There's no need for that. I have somewhere else to be in fifteen minutes,” James said, glancing at his wristwatch. “I have a meeting nearby. I saw in the news that you were taking over the branch here and decided to stop by to see if it was real. Now I know it is.”

“Yes, it is. So how has everything been?”

“Wonderful actually,” James chuckled, showing me his ring. “I got married to the woman of my dreams seven years ago and we have a kid and another on the way.”

Ignoring the miserable pang of my heart, I feigned cheerfulness.

“Congratulations, bro. I'm so happy for you.”

“Yeah, thanks, man,” James replied. “How about you? What have you been up to in the past thirteen years, Stefano?”

“Nothing much,” I replied, too ashamed to recount the details of my disastrous marriage to him. “Just work.”

“Who knew you'd become the workaholic between the both of us?” James teased. “But seriously, I hope you find your person soon.”

“I found her already.”

“Is that so?” He raised a brow and I nodded. “That's great, man. I hope everything comes together.”

“Me too.”

“I've exhausted my break,” James sighed, standing up. “Let's meet up soon, yeah?”

“Yeah, man,” I replied, before reaching into my pocket for my wallet.

Removing my business card, I handed it to him. “Here you go.”

“A business card? How professional,” James jeered, to which I scoffed. “Alright then. I'll be on my way. It's nice seeing you again, Stefano.”

“Likewise, James.” I replied, before he headed out of my office.

+

Lillian's POV

“Weldone, dear,” Mrs Laughlin said, as she walked into the kitchen, where I was tidying up the area I had used for cooking.

She had wanted me to make her little amounts of the food that would be served during her birthday week, next week.

Thankfully, it seemed Stefano hadn't told his grandmother that him and I used to be married.

And I really hoped he never did.

“Thank you, ma,” I said, averting my focus to her. “Do you need something?”

“No,” She shook her head. “You could have left the kitchen for Nancy to tidy up.”

“It's nothing, ma,” I replied.

“By the way, I came here to commend your cooking,” Mrs Laughlin continued. “Every single dish was scrumptious. You are really gifted in this cooking thing.”

My head swelled with pride at her praises, and I couldn't stop myself from grinning.

“Thank you so much, ma. For giving me this opportunity.”

“It's not a big deal, dear. I'm simply stating facts.” Mrs Laughlin waved it away. “It’s time for my afternoon nap. I'll see you at the event.”

“Alright, ma.” I said, to which she hummed before waddling out of the kitchen with her walking stick.

Thereafter, I continued organizing the kitchen. There was a particular set of dish that Nancy had taken from the top drawer, and I wanted to return it.

Climbing on a kitchen stool, I opened the cabinet and placed it in there.

I was about to climb down when I missed a step, causing panic to grip me for a moment, before I accepted my fate and closed my eyes, ready for my back to kiss the floor.

However, I was stunned when it met with a muscular, warm surface instead.

Fluttering my eyes open, I gasped inwardly when I realized that I was in Stefano's arms, our mouths merely inches apart as we looked into each other's eyes. His musky cologne wafted into my nose, making me feel unneeded butterflies.

The intense gaze of his grey eyes made me look away and inhale shakily, as my body became awfully aware of his strong yet gentle hold.

“Are you okay?” He asked, his deep baritone reverberating the kitchen, causing me to feel things.

Stupid things.

“Yes,” I muttered. “You can let go of me now.”

Without a word, he did so, and I found myself almost missing the safe expanse of his strong chest.

Get a grip, Lillian, I chided myself inwardly.

“I came to visit my grandm-”

“You don't have to tell me,” I cut in, lest Stefano thought his tiny act of kindness entitled him to speak to me.

“Yeah, right.” He said, scratching his nape awkwardly.

I didn't utter a response as I grabbed my car keys from the counter, and left the kitchen.