CHAPTER 46 LILY’S POV I slowly opened my eyes, feeling groggy and weak as I twisted a little on the large silky surface I found myself on. My breath hitched a bit and I blinked, confused as I took in the unfamiliar surroundings I found myself. It screamed of opulence and luxury; a grand room filled with golden décor, sky-high ceiling, velvet curtains, and chandeliers that sparkled softly in the dim light. I lay on a silky, king-sized bed adorned with plush pillows and bolsters, far more luxurious than anything my body has ever rested on, and the air that enveloped me felt so crisp and light I could float away. Managing to pull my heavy body up to sit at the edge of the bed, a slight wince escaped my lips as I clutched my throbbing temple to feel a small gauze bandage over it. I also noticed plaster bandages covering various injuries on my body; both sides of my leg, the inside of my elbow and my arms. As I assessed myself, I realized I wasn’t wearing the same clothes as bef
CHAPTER 47LILY’S POVNoah’s words hooked me instantly and I looked at him with a sharp curious gaze. Of course, I wanted to know all that and more. No matter how much I thought about it, I couldn’t seem to understand how I wasn’t dead and, instead, had ended up here in his house.When that taxi driver was pointing the gun at me, I was sure he pulled the trigger. Even though I looked away because I didn’t want to witness my death, I heard the shot, loud and clear before passing out. Before that happened, I had called out for help and looked around to see if there was anyone nearby but there wasn’t. So how did Noah suddenly appear from nowhere and bring me here?“Please sit,” he sat at the edge of the bed and tapped the spot beside him for me to sit, his brown button eyes so charming and gentle it could melt away the troubles that lingered in one’s heart.Slashing out a breath, I eased up a little and reluctantly sat down but at a considerable distance away from him. Just because I de
CHAPTER 48LILY’S POV“Why are you crying? Please don’t cry…” Noah said and I realized a teardrop had escaped the corner of my left eye.Sniffling a sob and feeling embarrassed for breaking down in front of him, I tried to wipe the tear off with the back of my hand. After all that time with Robert, I had promised myself I wouldn’t cry again. While in prison, Alison had let me know crying was for the weak and faint-hearted and it never fixes any problem. She trained herself not to shed a single tear no matter the situation. I didn’t know how she managed to do it but she did.Despite my attempts to ward off the tears, I couldn’t help crying. It was as if I wasn’t in control of my emotions anymore and the tears had a mind of its own.Before I could wipe them myself, Noah reached out and used his thumb to scrape them away. He cradled my cheeks, my face fitting perfectly into the cup of his palms. We were so close I could feel his breath warm against my face, his eyes boring deep into min
CHAPTER 49LILY’S POV~ “Can I ask you something?” I said with a cautiously gentle tone. “Anything,” he sat on the edge of the bed while holding the empty tray, all his attention focused on me. “Did you have any kids with your ex-wife and have you ever thought of remarrying?” ~A forced, dry smile crossed his face and he took a moment as if thinking of what to say. I knew I had put him in an uncomfortable spot with that question and I was starting to regret it. Fuck. What was I thinking? I shouldn’t be asking such personal questions, especially at a time like this. He might believe I was becoming interested in him or worse, what if his past relationship didn’t end so well and I might just be opening up old wounds?“You know what?” I said, turning to the other side of the bed and adjusting the duvet. “Forget I ever asked that. Thanks again for the meal. Goodnight…”“No…it’s alright,” His hand reached out to stop me from turning away. I looked at him, my eyes widening a bit in sur
CHAPTER 50LILY’S POVSomething intense flared through my entrancement and I didn’t know when I threw myself at him, hugging him tightly. He didn’t retract like I had thought. Instead, he hugged me back, both of us seeking solace in the comfort of each other.I didn’t know how long we stayed that way but it was for quite a long time. I buried myself in the depths of his neck, resisting the urge to break down in tears. His masculine scent, an intoxicating mix of cedar wood and spice filled my senses, distracting the tears from flowing and making me feel better. He had his hands wrapped around the small of my waist possessively like he didn’t want to let go.When I pulled away slightly and met his gaze, all I could picture were his lips, his gentle needy eyes, and the clear-cut lines of his face. We stayed still, observing each other intensely. More like photographing each other, our heavy breaths crashing and mingling.“I should get going now and leave you to rest,” he said with that
CHAPTER 51ROBERT’S POVI paced the length of my office like a crazed scientist while waiting for Frank, restlessness gnawing at me to the bones. It’s been a week since I asked him to help me find Lily. Still, he hadn’t reported any progress he’s made to me so far. We were supposed to meet over half an hour ago but he was nowhere to be found. Plus, his line was unreachable. I don’t know what could be keeping him. Time was dangerously passing away.Three days ago, the remaining clients that had Lily managing their campaigns and projects stopped working with us, having lost their patience. They had no other choice as the delay was hurting their business and drawing them back. The impact was so devastating it nearly drove me to commit suicide. I hadn’t fed well and had a good night's sleep since then. And now, to make matters worse, we’d sunk to the bottom of the top ad agency rankings in the country and were dangerously sinking even lower than that. I never imagined sending Lily away w
CHAPTER 52ROBERT’S POV~ “So…?” I asked in a gruff, impatient tone. “Did you find her? Where is she?” ~Frank heaved a sigh and his shoulders fell. “I’m sorry boss but I don’t have any lead on her yet.”“What?” I lashed at him with gritted teeth. “How can you tell me that after all the time I gave you and all the money I’m putting into this?”“Boss, I just need a little more time. This isn’t an easy task...” He tried to say but I brought a hand forward to cut him off with a stern expression on my face. “Don’t tell me that! You have proven to be incompetent. Not only did you waste nearly an hour of my time, but you returned empty-handed with not even a single piece of information or clue. It’s obvious you don’t want your job back…”“No, I do…” As if that struck a cord in him, he said quickly with a pleading expression on his face.“Well too bad!” I snapped. “Because you just lost it forever. I’m taking you off this case. Leave my office and refund my money before the end of today or
CHAPTER 52ROBERT’S POV~ I froze. “Mother… who is this?”My mother smiled proudly and breathed out like she’d accomplished something huge. “Meet Rosaline, your soon bride-to-be.” ~“Isn’t she a lovely sight to behold?” She mused.“What?” My eyes bulged in disbelief as I stared at her she was still staring dreamily at Rosaline like she was the answer to all her prayers. “You arranged a bride for me…with …without my consent…?” I struggled to find my words because of the shock.“Yes,” she nodded enthusiastically, seeming unperturbed and proud of her actions. “I decided to come to your rescue and arrange the perfect bride for you since all the women you end up with turn out to be barren deserts, heartless murders and stupid whorish bigamists.”Anger dripped from her words, palpable in the atmosphere between us though she tried to conceal it and maintain a spurious expression of everything being fine obviously because of Rosaline’s presence. From what she said, it was obvious she was re