Zared's jaw tightened as he remembered last night's events, she was out with another guy and here he was holding his breath so she doesn't wake up. He got up and shaked Lily harshly in order to wake her up. He put his hands inside the pockets of the trousers he was wearing and looked at her sleeping figure which didn't even budge. He made his way towards the kitchen and came back with a glass full of water. He took a quick glance at her and didn't wait before splashing the water on Lily's face. It was like he was a whole different person a while ago. The person who was worried for her and the person who just splashed a glass full of cold water on her face to wake her up. Lily instantly sat up , wiping the water from her face and eyes while gasping. She looked down at her wet clothes and then looked up to see Zared standing, staring at her with his piercing gaze . She got up from the couch quickly while the water dripped from her chin and her clothes. "Looks like you slept very well,
"Oh..great"They walked towards the bench on the street and took a seat there. Zared didn't know where to start, how to say it. He couldn't understand what should he start with, how does he invite her. Ask her to be at Knightsbridge tonight? she would undoubtedly find out if he invited her to Knightsbridge, which of course she's not supposed to.'Do I tell her about me right now?...No, I can't do that out of the blue' he thought to himself. He was thinking what exactly he should tell her when she interrupted his thoughts. "You look tense, is everything alright?""Yeah,no-yeah, I'm alright" Zared sighed, he couldn't think of anything so he decided to just tell her where and when to be present tonight."I wanted to invite you""oh! where to? ""Knightsbridge"her eyes widened a bit and her brows drew together. "Knightsbridge? what for?" she chuckled"Just...be there tonight... at 8 pm, I'll text you the whole address. I hope you're not busy? ""No, no I am not but, I don't understan
After changing into a T shirt and a trouser, he got out of his room and reached at the end of the hallway to Lily's room, he raised his hand to knock on the door but paused midway and directly opened the door He saw Lily, sitting in front of the dressing table applying something on her hand. She turned back. "Z-Zared? " "What are you doing?""Nothing, I was just- nothing, when did you get home? I didn't hear the door""That is why I am asking, what were you so busy in? "Before Lily said anything, Zared made his way beside her to take a look at what she was doing. Lily was sitting with a wound ointment, applying it on the wound on her hand. His mouth opened at the realization, the blood on his hands, was not his but Lily's. It was from when he had gripped her hand tightly this morning, that caused her wound to bleed that stained his hand as well. He didn't know her hand was hurt, that she had a wound there. Zared decided to break the silence."Did I do this?""No!-no, it's the b
"You're what?!!" Riley shouted in shock. "Riley-""What the actual hell Zared?!!""Riley, listen to me-""Are you kidding me right now?! What do you take me for??!""Riley just listen to me for God's sake!" Zared raised his voice making Riley flinch. "It's not what you're thinking it is Riley, it's a contract marriage, both of us were forced in it and it's just on the papers and for the people to see, it's not real, I don't love her and I swear I haven't even touched her, ever. Believe me""What do you mean it's a contract marriage, Zared? it's for the people? which people, please tell me I would really like to know""Our business partners, the employees, the fans""Are you a celebrity or something? ""I own the 'The Williams'. ""What?"Zared nodded. "You.are.Zared Williams? You're the son of 'The Williams'?!"Zared nodded yet again. "Did you set me up or something?""Riley, please, try to believe me, It's not a set up""I need time, Zared. I'm sorry but this is too much for me t
Zared quickly turned off the shower, slipped into his pjs and took his steps towards Lily's room. He tore the door open and saw Lily lying down on the bed peacefully. He went to her and grabbed her up from the bed yanking her. "Look at you sleep shamelessly like this, it's all because of you, all of it! ""What-what are you talking about? " Lily was confused, she didn't know what was happening, wasn't he with his girl a while ago? Why is he so angry all of a sudden? these thoughts ran through Lily's mind. The next moment Lily's cheek met with a tight slap which she never expected right now. She looked up at Zared with red teary eyes and a cherry red cheek. "What are you doing? " Lily asked him in anguish, she wasn't angry, she was disappointed, she was in loss of hope. "This is what you deserve for ruining everything for me, first you ruin my peace and now my life, you must be enjoying it with a popcorn, am I right?! ""What are you talking about Zared? " she cried. "What happe
"I'm not cheating on my wife- how do I explain it to you""There's no explaining to do-""No there is! Riley- Me- I am not in a consensual marriage, this is just a contract, there is nothing between me and her, there never was and there never will be, she's a damn goldigger and I despise her. It's all for the sake of money and nothing else, or else I would've never involved you in my life, I'm not that kind of a person either, please try to understand, you can even talk to her if you want to. I did everything for the sake of my parents and nothing else"Riley was quiet, she believed Zared but didn't want to. She knew he was speaking the truth but she was hesitating. She wanted the happy days back when she used to hang out with him without worrying about any of these things, she sighed and decided to let it go for she believed him and the miserable state he was in right now, but she was curious. "What's her name? ""Lily""Is she pretty? ""Not at all, she's the ugliest, I don't even
"Oh...is that so ?" Zared raised his eyebrows while continuing to smile. Gabriel nodded and took his leave. Riley's brows were knitted together as Zared turned to her. "I had to tell you were my frien-""I understand" she said with her lips pressed together with a slight smile. Both of them had their dinner and soon settled on the couch with blankets and N*****x on. Zared showed Riley to his room and asked her to be there for a few minutes while he settled and decorated the living room with fairy lights and candles laying down the snacks he brought earlier. He turned off the lights and brought Riley downstairs. Lily watched from upstairs, her hands resting on the grill, she watched them sit on the couch, smile at each other and hug each other as they watched the TV. She sighed and went back to her room. 'As long as he is happy' she thought and pressee her lips. Lily was the strongest when it came to hold on to hope and be happy in other's happiness. All she wanted was his love and
Lily came downstairs at the same time Zared was on his way to his room. The staircase was located at the other end of the hallway and Zared's eyes caught her. Zared stopped and stared at her from the distance as Lily avoided making any eye contact. She looked down and proceeded to walk towards another staircase leading to the living room when Zared's words made her stop. "What we're you doing upstairs?"Lily turned and made sure not to look in his eyes. "Nothing""Talking to your lover on the cell phone huh?" he said in an annoyed tone. "My cell phone is not with me""What were you doing then? looking at him? what? is he outside the house? ""I don't have a lover""As if" he scoffed and turned around but then turned to face Lily again. "You didn't even make dinner" he raised his brows. "Not yet" "Look at me when I'm talking to you" he said forwarding his steps. He leaned near her face so that only a few inches were left between them. Lily lifted her eyes to look into his but f
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