Marcus and his friend Nick decided to collaborate on a project. They went to a nearby restaurant to grab some coffee and finalize the document they had been working on. It was a busy afternoon, and the café was filled with people chatting, sipping their drinks, and typing away on laptops. The smell of freshly brewed coffee lingered in the air, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere.Sitting across from each other at a small round table, they both took a moment to enjoy their drinks. The clinking of cups and the hum of conversation around them created a comfortable background noise. Nick took a sip of his coffee and then glanced up at Marcus with a curious expression.“When are you getting married to Lily?” Nick asked suddenly, raising an eyebrow. It was a question that seemed to come out of nowhere, catching Marcus off guard.Marcus frowned slightly. The idea of marrying Lily had been floating around for a while, but something about it didn’t feel right. He couldn’t quite put his fin
Here is the expanded, revised version of your chapter with enhanced detail, improved flow, and grammar corrections, extended to about 1000 words while strictly maintaining your original scenes:Lilian did not notice Marcus when she entered the coffee shop. Her eyes swept briefly over the tables and customers, but she seemed preoccupied, heading directly to the counter where a young waiter stood, looking a bit tired.“Hello, I need two cups of coffee,” she said politely, her tone calm yet firm.The waiter looked up, slightly surprised. He hadn’t expected such politeness from her for some reason. “Do you want an Americano or just regular coffee?” he asked with a smile, trying to be friendly.“Regular,” Lilian replied without hesitation, her gaze fixed on the menu board above his head, though it was clear she wasn’t really reading it.“Alright, please hold on,” the waiter said as he quickly began preparing the order. He glanced back at Lilian, curious about her demeanor. There was someth
“Does she come here often?” Marcus asked the waiter, his tone sharp and commanding. His dark eyes bore into the man behind the counter, leaving little room for hesitation.“W-who?” the waiter stammered, clearly startled.“The lady who just left,” Marcus clarified, his frown deepening. He was already irritated, and the waiter’s stuttering response wasn’t helping.“Oh, yes! Yes, she does,” the waiter replied quickly, nodding as if the movement might save him from further questioning.Marcus gave a slight nod of acknowledgment but said nothing further. He turned and walked back toward Nick, his frustration evident in his measured steps.“Let’s go,” Marcus said curtly, his voice low and tense.Nick raised an eyebrow, watching his friend with an amused smirk. “What did you ask him? You scared the guy half to death,” he teased, his tone light despite Marcus’s evident bad mood.Marcus ignored him, striding toward his car with purpose. He unlocked it with a click and slid into the driver’s se
The next day, Lilian walked into the coffee shop, her heels clicking against the tiled floor. The faint aroma of freshly brewed coffee filled the air, a pleasant but ordinary comfort in her busy day. Her expression was calm, her posture upright, and her steps deliberate as she approached the counter.This time, the attendant behind the counter was different from the one she had seen yesterday. A young woman with a bright, polite smile was stationed there, her hands busy as she adjusted the cups on the counter.“I need two cups of coffee,” Lilian said, her voice steady and polite but devoid of any unnecessary warmth.The female attendant immediately looked up and nodded, her smile broadening. “Alright. Please hold on,” she replied with practiced professionalism as she turned to begin preparing the coffee.Lilian gave a small nod of acknowledgment, her hands reaching into her bag to retrieve her phone. She unlocked the screen, her fingers deftly scrolling through her emails and messages
Lilian looked at Marcus, her patience wearing thin. “I don’t think that’s any of your business,” she said, her tone sharp, a frown settling on her face. Her irritation was evident, and she no longer cared to hide it.This entire encounter was exhausting, and she felt the tension building in her chest. She had no idea what else to say to get him to stop.“Your coffee,” the female attendant said, cutting through the heavy atmosphere.Lilian turned her head toward the counter and immediately handed over her card. “Here,” she said, her voice soft but curt as she addressed the attendant.The barista accepted the card with a polite smile and swiped it. A brief beep signaled the successful transaction. “Thank you,” the attendant said, handing the card back to Lilian.Lilian gave a slight nod in acknowledgment, her attention already shifting away from the interaction. Without sparing another glance at Marcus, she turned on her heel and began walking toward the door.The sound of her heels ech
“Hi, I haven’t seen your face here before. Are you new here?”The question came from a young woman seated beside Marcus at the bar. Her dress was short and elegant, though its hemline left little to the imagination, exposing her toned thighs. She leaned toward him with an inviting smile, her confidence apparent as she toyed with the rim of her glass.Marcus had no idea why he was here. He hadn’t planned to come to this bar or even leave his home tonight. His hands had simply gripped the steering wheel, and before he knew it, he had arrived at the hotel. He sat at the bar now, nursing a drink, his mind in turmoil.When the woman spoke, he turned his head slightly, his gaze barely meeting hers. Then, with a dismissive wave of his hand, he said flatly, “I’m engaged.”The woman’s smile faltered for a moment before it returned, sly and determined. “Oh,” she said casually, as if the information hardly mattered. “That doesn’t mean anything. Your fiancée doesn’t have to know. It’ll just stay
Marcus stood in the middle of the bustling club, the flashing lights and pounding music doing little to distract him from the heaviness in his chest. Around him, people were laughing, drinking, and dancing, their joy only amplifying his sense of isolation.Why was he even here?He didn’t belong in this crowd. The suffocating noise felt like an assault on his already turbulent thoughts. Unable to bear it any longer, Marcus pushed his way through the throng of partygoers and headed for the exit.The cool night air greeted him as he stepped outside. It did little to sober him up, but at least it was quiet. He fumbled for his car keys, his movements a little sluggish from the alcohol he had consumed, though his mind still functioned well enough to get him home.Sliding into the driver’s seat, Marcus started the car and drove in silence. The streets were almost deserted, and the rhythmic hum of the engine was the only sound accompanying him on his way back.When he finally pulled into his
Marcus snapped out of his daze at the sound of Lily’s voice. He blinked a few times, his gaze landing on her. She looked so much like Lilian that sometimes, it made his heart skip. The resemblance wasn’t perfect, though; there were differences that only someone as familiar with Lilian as he was could notice. The slight curve of their noses, the subtle distinction in the color of their eyes, the way their expressions shifted—Lily’s smile never carried the same warmth that Lilian’s did.“Are you okay, Marcus?” Lily asked, her head tilting slightly as her brow furrowed. She was watching him with concern now, her playful tone momentarily subdued. “You’ve been staring at me for a while. Am I that beautiful?” she teased, the corners of her lips lifting into a grin.Marcus shook his head slightly, dragging himself out of his thoughts. “You are beautiful,” he said quietly, his tone distant despite the sincerity of his words.Lily’s eyes lit up with surprise, and a soft blush rose to her cheek
At the same time, Franklin pulled out his card and handed it to the cashier, his movements calm and deliberate. Mrs. Thompson, standing at a distance, shook her head in visible disgust as she watched the scene unfold. Her lips tightened, and her arms crossed over her chest, her disapproval practically radiating from her.She had been watching Franklin and Lilian the entire time, though she pretended not to. Her eyes occasionally darted away to feign indifference, but her glances were sharp and judgmental, as if silently cataloging every flaw she perceived.The cashier swiped Franklin’s card, her professionalism unbroken, and handed it back to him with a polite smile. “Thank you,” Franklin said curtly, picking up the shopping bag with one hand.“Let’s go,” he added, glancing at Lilian. She nodded without a word, her face neutral, and together, they walked out of the mall. Their exit was quiet, but it left a tension hanging in the air.Mrs. Thompson, watching their retreating figures, f
Marcus nodded, barely acknowledging the item Mrs. Thompson had suggested. His focus remained glued to his phone, his thumb moving in a rhythmic pattern as he scrolled. The faint glow from the screen illuminated his face, highlighting his disinterest.Mrs. Thompson sighed, her lips curving slightly upward into a knowing smile. “Let’s take it,” she said, her voice brisk but decisive as she turned to her daughter, Lily.“Okay, Mom,” Lily replied obediently, adjusting the strap of her purse.They didn’t head to the cashier immediately. Instead, they wandered the aisles a bit longer, their steps leisurely as they perused the shelves. The mall’s ambiance was lively yet refined, with the soft hum of conversations and the occasional ding of registers creating a backdrop of familiarity. Shoppers moved with purpose, some clutching baskets overflowing with items, while others strolled with less urgency, seemingly enjoying the experience.Eventually, Mrs. Thompson and Lily made their way to the c
The next morning, Lily walked into the living room, her steps slow and deliberate. She had spent the night at Mrs. Thompson’s house because today was the day they were set to visit Marcus’s grandparents. The thought of the visit made her stomach churn, and as much as she wanted to avoid it, she knew there was no escape.“You’re awake,” Mrs. Thompson greeted warmly, looking up from the sofa where she sat sipping tea. Her smile, as always, was bright and welcoming.“Yes. How was your night, Mom?” Lily asked, attempting to mirror Mrs. Thompson’s energy despite her inner anxiety.“It was fine, dear. And you? Did you sleep well?” Mrs. Thompson asked, setting her teacup down on the table.Lily nodded. “Yes, I did. Thank you.”Mrs. Thompson beamed at her. “Marcus will be here soon. I already called him.”Hearing this, Lily raised an eyebrow in surprise. “Oh, we’re going this morning?” she asked, unable to hide the slight reluctance in her voice.“Yes, dear,” Mrs. Thompson replied, her tone c
Lilian descended the stairs slowly, her hand brushing against the smooth wooden railing. The sound of muffled voices from the living room reached her ears, sparking her curiosity. She hesitated at the bottom step, tilting her head slightly as she tried to discern who her father was talking to. When she stepped into the living room, she paused, surprised to find her dad sitting with another man she didn’t recognize.Her eyes flicked between the two, and her brow furrowed. Who’s this? she wondered. Her father wasn’t exactly the most sociable person. In fact, he barely interacted with others outside their family. The idea of him befriending someone so quickly—especially since it hadn’t even been a week since he’d returned home—seemed odd.“Dad,” Lilian called, her voice breaking the quiet hum of their conversation. She smiled as she spoke, her tone warm and familiar.Francis looked up, his expression betraying a mix of surprise and amusement. “Oh, Lilian. You’re home?” he asked, clearly
“Did he take you to meet his grandparents yet?” Mrs. Thompson asked suddenly, her voice breaking through the calm of the afternoon.Lily froze, her heart skipping a beat at the unexpected question. “They’re back?” she asked, her voice tinged with both surprise and unease.Mrs. Thompson nodded with a warm, reassuring smile. “I suppose they were informed about the wedding, so they came back. You don’t need to be nervous, dear. They’ll accept you—they’ve always trusted Marcus’s judgment,” she said confidently.“Oh,” Lily muttered, nodding slowly. Her mind was already spinning. Grandpa Thompson, back so soon? She had hoped to avoid another encounter with him until after the wedding.Mrs. Thompson studied Lily’s face for a moment, then continued. “I’ll talk to Marcus and make sure he takes you to meet them this week. It’s important to pay your respects before the wedding. That’s how it’s always been done in this family,” she added firmly but kindly.Lily forced a small smile, though her st
“Have you made a list of the guests you want to invite to the wedding?” Mrs. Thompson asked once they had finished eating, her tone gentle but filled with curiosity.Lily shook her head. “I’ll just let you decide,” she replied with a warm, effortless smile.Mrs. Thompson’s expression softened even more, her pride in Lily evident. “That’s very considerate of you. But surely, you’d like to invite some of your friends, wouldn’t you? Or do you not have anyone in mind?” she asked, tilting her head slightly, a knowing smile on her face.Lily thought for a moment, her gaze drifting to the window. “Well… I do have a few friends I could invite,” she said softly, as if she hadn’t considered it before.“Good. Just give me their names, and I’ll add them to the guest list,” Mrs. Thompson said with a nod, her organizational mind already at work.“Sure, Mom,” Lily replied, her smile bright and sweet.Mrs. Thompson leaned back slightly, looking at Lily thoughtfully. “Have you seen Marcus this week?”
Lily breathed a sigh of relief as she scrolled through her phone, checking the news and social media updates. There was nothing—no mention of her confrontation with Lilian at the mall. The tense exchange still lingered in her mind, replaying in flashes of sharp words and raised voices. If someone had seen them and posted about it, she would have been mortified. More importantly, Mrs. Thompson might have found out. The thought alone made her shudder.Mrs. Thompson valued poise and self-control, qualities Lily had worked hard to demonstrate since meeting Marcus’s family. If the older woman learned that Lily had been publicly arguing with Marcus’s ex-wife, it could damage her carefully built reputation. It didn’t matter that Lilian had provoked her—what mattered was the perception. Thankfully, it seemed the incident had gone unnoticed, allowing Lily to relax for now.She adjusted her dress as she stepped out of the car, the soft fabric falling neatly into place. The Thompson residence lo
The attendant clenched her fists tightly, her eyes fixed on Lilian, filled with frustration and anger.“Security!” the manager called out, his voice sharp as he noticed the attendant still kneeling on the floor. His face was flushed with embarrassment, the scene drawing unwanted attention from nearby shoppers.A security guard entered the store almost immediately, his posture firm but professional. The manager pointed toward the attendant, his expression stern. “Throw her out,” he ordered.The security guard approached her, his tone calm but commanding. “Please stand up and leave,” he said.The attendant let out a deep, frustrated sigh. Slowly, she rose to her feet, brushing off her uniform as if trying to regain some dignity. “Fine, I’ll leave,” she muttered under her breath. Then, turning to Lilian, her voice rose with bitterness, and her glare hardened. “Are you happy now? You’ve cost me my job! I’m the breadwinner of my family, and because of you, they’ll starve. I hope you’re pro
The manager noticed the commotion brewing near the front desk and quickly descended the stairs to investigate. His polished shoes clacked sharply against the marble floor, each step reverberating through the quiet tension that hung in the air. His brow was furrowed, his lips pressed into a thin line as he approached the group.“What is going on here?” he demanded, his deep voice slicing through the awkward silence. He directed his question at the attendant, whose eyes darted nervously between him and Franklin. The manager’s gaze lingered briefly on Lilian, her flushed face and clenched fists a testament to her frustration, before finally landing on Franklin, whose calm yet imposing presence filled the room.The moment the manager’s eyes fell on Franklin, his expression shifted. The irritation etched into his face melted into something resembling recognition, then alarm. His posture stiffened, and his tone softened, carrying a note of deference. “Sir,” he said, addressing Franklin with