Lily nearly choked, coughing as she set her sandwich down. “He’s just...a family friend. I told you.”Maya raised a skeptical brow. “Right. Family friend who looks at you like you’re the only person in the room? Sure.”Lily groaned, burying her face in her hands. “It’s not like that.”“Whatever you say,” Maya teased, nudging her playfully.Later during the break, Aaron joined Lily in the courtyard. He had skipped one of his classes to take a call, but his focus was now entirely on her.“You’re handling this well,” he commented, handing her a bottle of water.“Handling what?”“The stares. The whispers. The attention.”Lily shrugged, though the weight of it was something she couldn’t deny. “I’ve learned to ignore it. Besides, I think most of the attention is because of you.”Aaron smirked, his confidence infuriatingly intact. “Can you blame them?”Before she could respond, a familiar voice called out. “Lily!”She turned to see one of her friends approaching, a wide grin on her face. "I
Lily turned toward Aaron, startled, the glass in her hand trembling slightly. “Do you always have to sneak up on people like that?”Aaron raised a brow, stepping into the kitchen with that quiet confidence that always seemed to unnerve her. “I wasn’t sneaking. You were too lost in thought to notice me.”She rolled her eyes, setting the glass down. “What do you want, Aaron?”“To check if you’ve finished sulking over your book,” he teased, leaning against the counter across from her.Lily huffed but couldn’t fight the faint smile tugging at her lips. “I wasn’t sulking. I was... processing.”“Processing?”“Yes. Processing how someone as insufferable as you managed to take over the living room and turn it into your makeshift office when you have your own study,"Aaron chuckled, his eyes glinting. “The study wont have you, but if you dont like my company, you're welcome to leave and occupy my study instead.”Lily narrowed her eyes, grabbing a dishcloth and tossing it at him. “You’re unbeli
Aaron tilted his head slightly, his lips brushing her temple in a featherlight touch that made her heart stutter. “Tell me to stop, and I will.” She swallowed hard, the words forming but never leaving her mouth. Did she want him to stop? Did she even know what she wanted anymore? When she didn’t answer, Aaron took it as permission, his lips ghosting down to her cheek, then to her jawline. Each touch sent shivers coursing through her, a warmth pooling in the pit of her stomach that she couldn’t ignore. Lily’s hands rested against his chest, her fingers curling slightly into his shirt as if to steady herself. The tension was suffocating, but in the most exhilarating way. “Aaron,” she finally managed to say, her voice barely audible. “Hmm?” His mouth lingered near the corner of her lips, tantalizingly close yet not quite there. “I don’t know what we’re doing,” she admitted, her honesty cutting through the haze between them. Aaron paused, pulling back just enough to meet her
“I’m fine,” she said quickly, too quickly.Damian didn’t press further, but Lily caught the subtle raise of his eyebrow. She sipped her tea, wishing the awkwardness of the moment would dissipate.As if on cue, Clara walked in, her cheerful presence instantly lightening the atmosphere.“Lily! You’re finally out of your room. I was starting to think you’d moved in there permanently,” Clara teased, grabbing an apple from the fruit bowl.Lily forced a laugh. “Just needed some time to myself.”“Well, Aaron’s not here, if that’s what you’re worried about,” Clara added with a knowing smirk.Lily froze mid-sip. “Why would I be worried about that?”Clara shrugged, her smirk widening. “Oh, no reason. You just seemed a little... flustered last night.”Lily’s cheeks burned. She avoided Clara’s gaze, focusing intently on her tea.Damian cleared his throat, clearly uncomfortable with the conversation. “Mr. Knight mentioned he would be returning late tonight. He asked me to remind you not to wait up
His gaze locked onto hers, a mixture of mischief and something deeper swirling in his blue eyes. “Goodnight, Lily,” he said softly, his voice carrying a warmth that made her knees feel weak.“Goodnight,” she managed to whisper, her voice barely audible.Aaron straightened but didn’t step away. His gaze lingered on her for a heartbeat longer before he finally turned, walking toward his office.As he disappeared down the hallway, Lily raised a hand to her cheek, her skin still tingling where his lips had been. Her thoughts were a chaotic swirl of confusion and longing. She couldn’t deny the pull she felt toward Aaron, but she also couldn’t shake the fear of what it all meant.Back in his room, Aaron sat on his bed after throwing his coat on it. He ran his hand through his hair as the realisation once again hit him:Lily Sterling was undoing him piece by piece. She had a way of breaking through the walls he had carefully built, making him crave things he had long since convinced himself
They sat in silence for a few moments, the tension between them thick enough to cut with a knife. Lily reached for a piece of toast, her movement causing her shorts to ride up slightly. She noticed Aaron’s gaze shift again-brief, almost imperceptible, but it was there.“You’re awfully quiet this morning, why did you request my presence?” Lily said, her voice light as she buttered her toast.Aaron’s lips twitched into a faint smile, though his eyes remained guarded. “Just for breakfast.""And why so quiet?" "Just thinking." he replied.“About?” she prompted, tilting her head.He set his coffee mug down, leaning forward slightly. “About how you seem very comfortable this morning.”Lily raised an eyebrow, pretending not to catch his meaning. “I slept well. Is that a problem?”“Not at all,” Aaron said smoothly, though his voice had dropped a notch. He studied her for a moment longer before leaning back in his chair again, the picture of composure-except for the way his fingers tapped res
She didn’t have an answer for that, and he took another step closer, the space between them growing smaller and smaller.Before the tension could escalate further, Damian appeared in the doorway. “Mr. Knight, the car is ready.”Aaron sighed, glancing at Lily one last time before nodding at Damian. Lily watched as he straightened his jacket and adjusted his cuffs. “Is this a deja vu?” she asked, surprising even herself with the question.“I found out my meeting would be late so I could use some time here.” he said casually."What? 15 minutes?" Lily made an 'are you serious' face.Aaron paused, his hand on the doorframe. He turned to her, his gaze softening. “Wanted to spend more time.”And with that, he was gone. It was so childish of him, Lily thought.Lily spent most of the day trying to focus on her classes and assignments, but her thoughts kept drifting back to Aaron. His words, his touch, his presence-they were like a storm she couldn’t escape, no matter how hard she tried.Back a
Lily shifted on her feet, avoiding his eyes. “Why wouldn’t I?”A small, humorless smile tugged at his lips. “Because you’ve been avoiding me all day.”“Whatever, I haven't,” she said quickly, but the defensive edge in her voice gave her away.Aaron pushed off the desk, taking a slow step toward her. “You have, Lily.”Her breath hitched, and she took a step back, only to realize she was already at the door. Trapped. “I just... I needed space, okay?”“From me?” he asked, his voice low, almost a whisper.Her gaze flickered to his, and the raw vulnerability in his eyes made her chest tighten. “I don’t know,” she admitted quietly.Aaron closed the remaining distance between them, his hand coming up to rest lightly against the doorframe beside her. “Lily, if I’ve done something to make you uncomfortable-”“You didn’t,” she cut him off, her words tumbling out too quickly. She hesitated, her eyes dropping to the floor. “It’s not you. It’s me. I just... don’t know how to deal with any of this.
"I can forgive you, I guess. People have done worse than this." She admitted. "Did he do anything to you? What did he come for?" Lily's eyes narrowed. "I’ve had...Damian keeping an eye on you ever since he revealed himself to you...." Aaron admitted, "I didn’t want you to be blindsided by him.” For a moment, she didn’t know whether to be angry or grateful. “Why didn’t you tell me?” she asked, her voice quiet. “Because I didn’t want to scare you,” he said honestly. “I wanted to make sure you were safe, but I also wanted to respect your space. I wasn’t sure if hearing it from me would help or just...make things worse.” Her emotions overwhelmed her, and before she could stop herself, tears welled up in her eyes. Aaron, without hesitation, reached across the table and took her hand. “It’s okay,” he said softly. “You’re safe now. That’s all that matters.” For the first time in what felt like forever, Lily let herself break. She leaned across the table, and Aaron
Lily was sitting in her living room, her mind a whirlwind of the confrontation with Zared and Aaron stepping in, having her back-as always. After all that happened, she wondered if her pushing Zared off was selfish of her. While Lily had grown more mature these years, she had also become cold and made sure to keep herself first at any cost-but this Lily...it was the old Lily...who wanted to think that she was wrong for mistreating Zared-maybe her was disturbed, what could have possibly been the reason for him to fake his death-how big the problem must've been? A knock at the door startled her from her thoughts. Frowning, she checked the time-it was late, far too late for visitors. Cautiously, she approached the door and looked through the peephole. It was Zared. Her breath caught, and her hand instinctively tightened on the doorknob. Part of her wanted to ignore him, but the other part-the one still grappling with the guilt of his supposed death-compelled her to open the
Lily sat across from Clara in her cozy apartment after the massive shock she had, the glow of the city lights filtered through the windows. Clara had invited her over for an evening of conversation, sensing something was weighing heavily on her friend. As Lily sipped her tea, her fingers fidgeted with the rim of the cup. “Clara,” she began hesitantly, “something happened yesterday.” Clara raised an eyebrow. “What is it?" Taking a deep breath, Lily placed the cup down and looked Clara in the eye. “Zared is alive.” Clara froze, the mug in her hands suspended mid-air. “What?” “He came to my office. I didn’t recognize him at first, but it was him, Clara. He’s alive, and he... he apologized for everything.” Clara placed her cup down, her expression a mixture of shock and confusion. “Zared? As in Zared Williams?The same man who k*lled himself? How is that even possible?” Lily shook her head, her voice shaky. “I don’t know. He said it was complicated and that he was tryin
Lily sat at her desk in her company, her fingers hovering over her keyboard. The day had been long and draining, but there was still a stack of work to get through. She sighed, rubbing her temples, when a soft knock interrupted her thoughts. “Come in,” she called not lifting her head up. The door opened and closed behind. “Do you need anything, ma'am?” "No, thanks." "Would you like some coffee?" "No, you can go." Lily said, her tone cold as her eyes remained on the screen. “Some tea?" he asked Her brows furrowed but her eyes remained on her paperwork. "I dont need anything, leave before I fire you." There was a pause, but the person in front of her didn’t leave. Instead, he took a step closer. “Are you sure? I can fetch you tea, coffee... water, maybe?” Lily looked up briefly, irritation flickering across her face, though she still didn’t focus on him entirely. “No, thank you. And I think you should go.” But the man didn’t move. “How about I help you
It had been two weeks since the gala, and life had settled back into its usual rhythm for Lily; or at least, that’s what she told herself over the weeks. The days were packed with meetings, client calls, and deadlines, leaving her little time to dwell on anything else. But no matter how busy she was, Aaron’s presence lingered in the back of her mind like a stubborn shadow. She hadn’t expected to see him again so soon, and certainly not like that-standing across a room, looking at her with a mix of longing and regret. Lily shook her head as she sat at her desk, trying to push the memory aside. He doesn’t matter anymore, she reminded herself. You’ve moved on. Your life is yours now. But the truth was harder to face. A part of her was still drawn to him, to the man who had once made her feel like the center of his universe. Later that evening at her apartment, as she stepped into the kitchen, her phone buzzed on the counter. She picked it up to see Clara’s name flashing on
Aaron was already making his way toward her, his steps purposeful but hesitant. “Do you want me to distract him?” Clara asked, noticing. “No,” Lily said, surprising even herself. “I’ll handle it.” When he finally reached her, he stopped just short of invading her space. “Lily,” he said, his voice a mix of relief and uncertainty. “Aaron,” she replied, keeping her tone neutral. Clara took that as her cue to slip away, leaving them alone. “You look...” Aaron trailed off, his gaze softening. “You look beautiful.” “Thank you,” Lily said, her walls firmly in place. There was an awkward silence before Aaron spoke again. “How have you been?” “Busy,” Lily said simply. “You?” "Same. Busy." He said, his eyes boring into her's. Aaron Knight had never been one to doubt himself. His confidence, honed over years of navigating ruthless boardrooms and mastering impossible deals, was unshakable. But now, sitting in his empty penthouse with the city lights stretching endlessly b
The 4 years that followed were a whirlwind of success for Lily. As the founder and CEO of her own fashion brand, she had become a name synonymous with innovation and elegance. Her designs graced international runways, and her name carried weight in the business world. She was confident, composed, and exactly where she wanted to be. It was a crisp evening in the city, and Lily sat in her office overlooking the bustling streets below. She tapped her pen against the edge of her notebook, her mind wandering. A knock at the door broke her thoughts. Clara walked in, looking radiant as ever in a sleek jumpsuit. “Your PR team says you need to approve the final list for the charity gala tomorrow,” she said, placing a folder on Lily’s desk. Lily smirked. “You didn’t need to bring this yourself. What’s the real reason you’re here?” Clara feigned an offended look. “What, I can’t check on my dear friend? Fine, maybe I just needed a break from my office. Paperwork is soul-sucking.”
The penthouse felt lifeless. Every step Aaron took echoed through the empty rooms, each sound reminding him of what he’d lost. He couldn’t stop himself from wandering to Lily’s favorite spots-the kitchen where she used to hum softly while brewing tea, the couch where they would argue about what to watch, her corner of the bedroom where her books were still stacked neatly, her pink and white bedroom-the one she always dreamed about. He stood by the window where Lily once leaned against his chest, watching the city lights together happily. Now, those same lights felt distant and cold. On the coffee table lay a scarf she’d left behind, forgotten in the rush of her departure. Aaron’s hand trembled as he picked it up, the soft fabric bringing back the faintest trace of her perfume. He closed his eyes, clutching it tightly as if it could somehow bring her back. Aaron couldn’t shake the memory of her face when she left, her tear filled eyes, the hurt in her voice as she said goodbye.
The penthouse felt cavernous in her absence. Lily’s steps echoed faintly against the polished floors as she carried a small bag down the hall. She had packed only the essentials-clothes, documents, and her favorite book-a conscious decision not to look back. The thought of leaving the home they'd shared stung, but staying felt like drowning. Her mind replayed the scene in Aaron’s study, the damning photographs and the file with her name etched at the top. Every piece of information about her, laid bare-her family, her childhood, her fears. She’d trusted him, and in return, he had dissected her life like a puzzle to control. As she neared the door, the faint scent of his cologne lingered, and her grip on the bag tightened. This was the only goodbye she could give. Aaron had been out since the incident-a small mercy-but as Lily turned the handle, she heard the elevator hum to life. Her heart plummeted. The doors slid open, and Aaron stepped out, his suit slightly dishevel