"Come on, get ready, we'll have breakfast outside and then go shopping" "But, the malls and shops don't open yet.""We can just wander around till then, go to some museums and stuff, get ready!""Okay" Lily smiled widely and went to her room to get ready. She wore a white A line frock with little black hearts all over it with her hair open. She loved modest fashion and always wore something eye catching, though it was not blingy or any thing but simple and cute looking. Clarissa and Lily stopped by at a cafe to have their breakfast and then went to some parks and art mueseums to pass their time. When the shopping malls and shops opened, Clarissa took Lily to all kinds of shops, they went to the biggest brand's shops and Clarissa made Lily try every thing she picked for her, from clothes to bags and heels and make up and what not. All the workers and managers in those shops knew Clarissa and treated her really well. Lily was trying one of Clarissa's chosen pair of skirt and top whic
Clarissa loved the outfit she was wearing, she clicked a ton of pictures in it and this was the first time she clicked her pictures, she's never believed she was beautiful enough to have her pictures clicked. She loved tweed outfits but never had the courage to try it on, she thought it would never look good on her but now that she was wearing it, she loved it. Clarissa and Lily arrived at Knightsbridge and entered the house as they saw Zared standing in the middle of the living room, he haulted his steps when he saw both of them, it was around 5 pm. "Hi, you're home ? ""Yeah.... I needed to get ready for the party, where were you?""Shopping, can't you see" Clarissa said looking at her workers who was placing the shopping bags inside the house. Zared nodded looking at the bags. "Had to give your wife a little makeover, how is she looking? " She asked pulling Lily forward. Zared's eyes widened and his brows raised as he noticed Lily. His gaze was fixed on her face, she didn't l
Before Zared could proceed someone turned him around and pushed him aside, it was Clarissa. "You'll take hours doing a simple thing." She tied the knots one by one swiftly. Zared and Lily's faces were flushed and they couldn't meet their eyes. "Come on dear, let's get you ready.""There's more?" Zared asked paralyzed. "Of course, her make up is to be done, hair is to be made and-""Okayyyy, just let me know when you all are ready, I'll wait downstairs."Zared left the room as the hair stylist and makeup artist entered the room. Soon, Clarissa and Lily were ready, Lily had maroon eyeshadow on, her cheeks flushed and maroon rose like lip shade on. The middle part if her hair was held by a clutcher at the back as the wavy strands hung on either sides of her face. Clarissa wore a classy off shoulder black gown which suited her very well in every way. Both of them faced Zared as they were ready to leave, waiting for him to call the car for them. Zared lifted his gaze from his phone
For the first time, Lily didn't feel ugly or unnoticed or neglected. She felt confident, she felt beautiful and liked it. Every one if the ladies she met complimented her and her exceptional choice of jewelry. "Meet her, she is the only daughter of-""Linchesters" Lily completee Clarissa's sentence, she knew most of the people here since they were so famous and also once upon a time business partners with her father. Clarissa nodded smiling proud of Lily. "Hi, Nice to meet you miss...?" said the Linchesters' daughter."Lily, Lily Williams" Clarissa said before Lily could say anything. "Nice to meet you too, Emily." Lily said smiling at her. Emily's eyes were widened but not much, it would be noticeable for the ones who knew she was after Zared. The colour of her face was now paler than before, she had dark hair and dark eyes, she was wearing a silver dress which ended at her calves and a slit around her chest. Emily looked at Lily up and down, she scoffed and looked away. Clarissa
"Well, neither is Zared a child nor is he attracted to anything, but what can I say about the cheap stuff displaying itself so someone gets attracted." Clarissa said coming from behind Emily straightened and her face tightened, she looked at Clarissa and then Lily. "If you don't mind sweetheart, we would like to have a bit of a family time here." Clarissa scrunched her nose while smiling slyly. Emily turned around and left from there on Clarissa's sharp yet polite request. The party went on with the Williams family and Knight family meeting and hosting every one. It was coming to an end, everyone started to leave wishing the couple and their company well. Everyone left except the Knight Family and The Williams. Zared sighed and turned to Aaron and his mother, Gloria. "It was great giving our friendship another meaning once again." Gloria smiled holding Clarissa's hand. Both of the families knew each other since ages and were very good friends ever since. Clarissa smiled t
Zared warned Lily to not open her mouth since she always used to say "Goodnight" to Zared before they slept. Lily sighed and turned the other way hearing Zared. A few days went by and it was the day Clarissa was going to leave. Clarissa was bidding Lily a good bye hugging her. She approached Zared. "Take care of her, I'll be calling every day to check up on her and if I get to know you haven't been taking care of her, you'll regret it." Clarissa warned Zared as she was leaving. Zared nodded smiling at her. She left leaving Lily and Zared alone in the room. Zared turned to Lily. "I can't believe this." Lily looked at him. "You've made my mom go against me....and to the extinct that she didn't even ask me to take care of myself while leaving, but did remember to ask me to take care of you.""I didn't do anyth-""I didn't do anything Zared, I didn't tell her to do it, I didn't ask her to buy it, I didn't do it on purpose, I love you, I care about you, oh please Lily, for God's sake
Zared started approaching Lily, his ocean blue eyes were now a shade darker than before. His steps were slow. Lily was finding it hard to stand still at one place, her period cramps kicked in and she closed her eyes in the pain but couldn't make it obvious. She forwarded her steps in order to lighten her pain through the movement in her body. He didn't break the eye contact he was holding with Lily. She was confused, she didn't know why he was coming towards her, she tried to recall everything she did during the day, thinking what would make him angry this time, what did she do. He stopped right in front of her, she felt a sharp pain in her scalps as he pulled her hair and dragged her by it behind him. She screamed, asked him to leave, asked what did she do this time, but, nothing, not a thing worked on him, not a thing she said or asked made him utter a word.Her eyes were wet, the tears didn't leave her eyes, they were not of sorrow but out of pain, the pain caused in her scalps b
She saw her reflection in the mirror in front, the bags under her eyes, her cheeks sucked in, her color paler than before, her cheeks red and dry. She turned a little bit just to see blood stains on the back of her shirt, she gasped, the wounds did pain alot but she didn't know they would be this bad, she realized the wet feeling she was feeling earlier on her back wasn't sweat, it was blood from the wounds Zared made with his belt. She went to Zared's room to get water from the jug he had in his room since she had no stamina to go down stairs, she chugged the water in one go and laid back on her bed, she spent the night somehow managing everything. She didn't cry, she was too low on energy to cry, she drifted to sleep earlier than usual because of the tiredness present in her. It was bright outside, the sun shone brightly and the wind blew softly. Zared came home around midnight last night. He still got up at his usual time to get ready and head to the company. On arriving near the
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
The day was quiet, too quiet for Lily’s liking. Aaron had been called away for an urgent business meeting, leaving her alone in the penthouse. Normally, she’d enjoy the solitude, but today felt different. Her gaze wandered to the key sitting on her side table, the one Aaron had handed her a few days ago to the study. She hadn’t ventured inside yet, mostly because it felt too personal, too private. But now, with the emptiness of the penthouse pressing in on her, curiosity got the better of her. Sliding the key into the lock, she pushed the door open, stepping inside her fingers brushed against the dark wood of the desk. The view of the city skyline stretched beyond the glass, but her attention was drawn to a folder sitting in the center of the desk. It wasn’t marked, but something about it seemed out of place. “Just a peek,” she murmured to herself, feeling a twinge of guilt. Sliding the folder closer, she flipped it open-and froze. The first thing she saw was a phot
The last few days passed with Lily immersed in his studies and Aaron struggling to manage studies with the company work. Both of them got little time to spend together over the last two weeks-especially in Clara's absence. Aaron insisted they tell Clara about their relationship but Lily protested-too embrassed to admit she was right all the time. It was late in the afternoon when Lily was curled up on the couch with a book again, her feet tucked under her, while Aaron sat nearby with his laptop open. Clara was gone since morning and said she'd return late today. The quiet intimacy of the moment was broken only by the occasional click of the keyboard or the rustle of pages as Lily flipped through her novel. She glanced up, catching Aaron staring at her. “What?” “You,” he said simply, his voice low and teasing. Lily raised an eyebrow, though her lips twitched in amusement. “Me?” Aaron nodded, pushing off the wall and walking toward her. “I’ve been trying to work all day,
“Then I’d wait,” he said simply, his tone unwavering. “However long it took.”Lily felt her chest tighten at the sincerity in his words. “You don’t have to wait anymore. I’m ready.”His eyes searched hers, as if he couldn’t quite believe her words. “You mean that?”She nodded. “I mean it.”There was a pause before Lily resumed."So...are we....exclusive now?” her tone light but her gaze searching.Aaron’s grin widened, his confidence returning. “Lily, I’ve been exclusive to you since the day we met. You’ve been the only one for me.”Her cheeks flushed, and she ducked her head, suddenly feeling shy under the intensity of his gaze.“Since then?" She asked when she realised what he had said.Aaron tilted her chin up, forcing her to meet his eyes. "Since then. And you? Am I the only one for you?”Lily smiled, her hand brushing lightly against his chest. “Yes. It’s only you.”His shoulders visibly relaxed, and he let out a breath he didn’t seem to realize he’d been holding. “Good. Because
Lily looked up at him with widened eyes, unsure of what to say. “You don’t have to use it,” he added quickly. “I just thought...if you ever needed anything, it might help.” Clara raised an eyebrow, but said nothing, though she had a massive smirk on her face.“Thank you?" Lily said, unsure.Aaron held her gaze for a beat longer before nodding and leaving the room. As the door closed behind him, Clara leaned in, “You know what that is, right?” “What?” Lily asked. “That’s trust,” Clara said with a grin. In the quiet moments that followed, Lily stared at the key in her hand, her mind racing. Trust, she thought. It was a small gesture, but it carried more weight than Aaron probably realized. The day had stretched into a quiet evening, Lily stood by the large windows of the penthouse, watching the sunset. Her thoughts were a whirlwind of emotions, all centering on Aaron.He had been quieter than usual after their last conversation. She could sense the weight of his emotions every ti
Lily was curled up on the couch at the penthouse, with the same book in her lap. Her mind wandered restlessly, replaying Aaron’s intense behavior at the café and the protectiveness in his eyes. Clara had wisely given her space after their conversation, though Lily suspected she was lurking somewhere nearby, ready to jump in with more pointed observations. Lily sighed, snapping the book shut and leaning back against the cushions. Damian’s voice broke the silence. “Ms. Lily, Mr. Knight wants you, he's at the balcony.” Lily looked up. “Did he say why?” “He didn’t,” Damian replied, his tone as formal as ever. “But he did insist it was important.” Lily hesitated, her heart skipping a beat. “Alright,” she murmured, setting the book aside. Aaron was already on the balcony when she stepped outside, his tall frame silhouetted against the city skyline. The evening breeze ruffled his hair slightly, softening the usual sharpness of his appearance. He turned at the sound of her fo
The day wore on with an unsettling quietness. Lily had hoped for a moment of peace, but the intensity of her recent conversation with Aaron loomed over her like a storm cloud. She spent the morning aimlessly flipping through her to-do list, pretending to work but unable to focus on anything for more than a few minutes. She started to have doubts if she was making the right decision by completely trusting someone so soon after...she shook her head. By the time the clock struck noon, Clara barged into her room. “Okay, enough of this brooding,” Clara said, hands on her hips. “Get dressed. We’re going out.” “I’m fine, Clara. Really.” Lily opposed. “No, you’re not,” Clara countered. “You’re overthinking everything again, aren’t you?” When Lily didn’t respond, Clara sighed and grabbed her hand. “Come on. You need a change of scenery before you lose your mind. Besides, I need coffee, and you’re coming with me.” "Clara, I-" "It's been days since we've spent quality time tog
Aaron lingered near the door for a moment before stepping back inside, his gaze hesitant but resolute. Lily turned to face him, her brows furrowing slightly. “I thought you were leaving,” she said, her voice softer now. “I was.” He walked back toward her, his steps deliberate. “But I realized something.” Lily’s heart thudded against her ribs as he closed the distance between them slowly. She tried to appear composed, but his presence made it nearly impossible. Aaron stopped a few feet away, his expression a mix of determination and vulnerability. "I’ve spent so much of my life walking away-from people, from emotions, from anything that felt... complicated. But I don’t want to do that with you.” Lily blinked, stunned by the weight of his words. “Aaron...” “I’m not expecting you to feel the same way or even to understand,” he continued, his voice steady. “But I need you to know that you’re the first person who’s made me want to stay.” Her chest tightened as his c
He nodded, his gaze fixed on the view outside the window. “And then there was Zared.” Lily tensed at the mention of Zared’s name, her fingers curling into fists at her sides. She stayed quiet, letting Aaron continue. “He wasn’t even family,” Aaron said, his tone bitter. “Just the son of my father’s closest friend as you already know. But they treated him like he was their own flesh and blood. Better than that, actually. Zared was everything they wanted me to be: charming, obedient, perfect. And they didn’t bother hiding it.” Lily’s chest tightened at the pain in his voice. "They seem so different, I never imagined they could do all this." Aaron looked at Lily. "Everyone had their masks, Lily. You can never imagine how worse the sweetest people could get." Lily's eyes held pity as well as disappointment upon hearing the world's reality. "Every time I messed up, every time I didn’t meet their impossibly high standards, they’d bring up Zared. ‘Why can’t you be more l