Lilian stepped into the office, her heels clicking on the polished floor. As she did, she cleared her throat, the sound cutting through the tense air. Her eyes immediately landed on Emily, who stood too close to her brother’s desk, acting as though she was busy with something important. When Emily saw Lilian walk in, she stiffened, her face paling. She quickly stepped back, trying to act casual, but it was obvious she was caught off guard. Before Lilian had entered, Emily had assumed that Lilian must have taken the day off. That’s why she had taken the opportunity to come into the office herself, pretending to deliver some documents. Her true intentions, however, were less than professional. Emily had been hoping to get closer to Moses, perhaps to gain his attention, or more. But now, with Lilian standing in the doorway, all of that was quickly falling apart. Lilian’s eyes narrowed as she scanned the room, noticing Moses asleep at his desk, looking slightly disheveled. She couldn’t
Lilian stepped into the office, her heels clicking on the polished floor. As she did, she cleared her throat, the sound cutting through the tense air. Her eyes immediately landed on Emily, who stood too close to her brother’s desk, acting as though she was busy with something important. When Emily saw Lilian walk in, she stiffened, her face paling. She quickly stepped back, trying to act casual, but it was obvious she was caught off guard.Before Lilian had entered, Emily had assumed that Lilian must have taken the day off. That’s why she had taken the opportunity to come into the office herself, pretending to deliver some documents. Her true intentions, however, were less than professional. Emily had been hoping to get closer to Moses, perhaps to gain his attention, or more. But now, with Lilian standing in the doorway, all of that was quickly falling apart.Lilian’s eyes narrowed as she scanned the room, noticing Moses asleep at his desk, looking slightly disheveled. She couldn’t h
“What the hell?” Mrs. Thompson exclaimed, her eyes glued to the screen.Aria was caught off guard. She had just come back from dropping her cousin off at school and was entering the house when she heard her mother’s exclamation.“What’s wrong?” Aria asked, her voice filled with confusion.“She’s back!” Mrs. Thompson said, her frown deepening as she pointed at the TV.Aria blinked in confusion. “Who?” she asked, still trying to make sense of the situation.“Lilian,” Mrs. Thompson replied, her voice laced with distaste, her finger still pointing at the screen.Aria followed her mother’s gaze to the TV. On the screen, Lilian was standing behind Moses during an interview. Aria’s eyes immediately landed on Moses, her breath catching in her throat.‘He looks so handsome,’ she muttered to herself, a dreamy expression forming on her face.“Did you say something?” Mrs. Thompson asked, her tone sharp as she turned to look at her daughter. She had caught the murmur but wasn’t sure what Aria had
The office phone rang, slicing through the quiet of Lilian’s workday. She glanced at the screen, slightly annoyed by the interruption. Without hesitation, she picked up the receiver.“Hello?” she answered, her voice steady but laced with curiosity.“Miss Lilian, there’s a delivery for you—flowers and a gown,” the receptionist said, her tone a little shy, as if unsure how to break the news.Lilian’s brow furrowed at the mention of a delivery. She hadn’t ordered anything, and she wasn’t expecting a gift from anyone. The idea felt foreign, almost out of place.“Oh?” she replied, her voice tinged with suspicion. She raised an eyebrow. “I’ll be downstairs in a moment,” she added, before hanging up and standing from her desk.As Lilian stood up, her heart began to beat a little faster. It wasn’t fear—more a sense of confusion. The unexpected nature of the delivery threw her off. Who could be sending her flowers and a gown? It seemed unlike her to have such surprises.She walked out of her o
Back at the CompanyMarcus sat in his office, dressed in his finest suit, checking his wristwatch for the umpteenth time. The moment had finally come. He had carefully planned this. It had been years since he last saw Lilian—since they were married, in fact—but today, he hoped to make a gesture that might bring them back together. He had chosen a beautiful dress and a bouquet of flowers, hoping they would remind Lilian of the good times they once shared.Marcus reached for the small bottle of perfume on his desk. It was a gift from Lilian, given to him when they were still together. He hadn’t paid much attention to it at the time, but now, as he spritzed it onto his wrist, he realized how pleasant it smelled. He had never truly appreciated it before. The fragrance seemed to envelop him with a sense of nostalgia.He took one last look in the mirror, checking his appearance. His hair, freshly trimmed by his stylist yesterday, was perfectly styled. He had tried to look his best for this
Marcus’ assistant walked in the moment Marcus called for him.“Sir, you called for me?” His assistant asked respectfully.“Give the gift to her,” Marcus said, running a hand through his hair, his expression serious but a hint of uncertainty in his eyes.“What?” His assistant was stunned. He knew the gift was meant for Lilian, not Lily. He was shocked by Marcus’ change of mind.“Didn’t you hear me?” Lily said, her voice dripping with a mixture of smug satisfaction and playful confidence. “I asked you earlier when I saw you at the receptionist’s desk if the gift was for you, and you told me no. So, it’s clearly meant for me now, right?”Her words stung, but Marcus’ assistant kept his thoughts to himself. But it’s really not for you, he thought inwardly, though he dared not challenge his superior’s decision.“Alright, I will bring the gift then,” the assistant said, bowing slightly before turning to leave. “Please excuse me, Miss Lily.”Lily watched him walk out of the office with a sati
Lilian swiftly finished typing the last few sentences of her report and double-checked the numbers in her spreadsheet. Satisfied, she saved her work and closed her laptop. With a sigh of relief, she leaned back in her chair, stretching out her arms to release the tension from a long day of staring at the screen.It was already past 5 PM, and she knew her brother Moses had gone to pick up their younger cousin, Matt, from school. That meant she didn’t have to worry about running any errands today. She could head home straight from work, and she was looking forward to a quiet evening to herself—maybe a nice takeout dinner and a movie.Grabbing her bag and slinging it over her shoulder, Lilian took one last look around her desk, making sure everything was in order. She flipped off her desk lamp and made her way to the door, her heels clicking softly on the polished floor.She pressed the elevator button and waited, glancing around the nearly empty office floor. Most of her coworkers had a
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
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