Turned Down!

 Episode 18

 Taste and Table Restaurant.

        Flash back, two days ago

Lily sat at the restaurant, sipping her coffee and observing the scene before her. Her eyes landed on three ladies who were giggling and laughing, their eyes fixed on London who was immersed in his work unaware of the giggling Ladies.They were clearly admiring him.

        

        Lily smirked when an idea hit her.She watched as the ladies left the restaurant, and then she made her move. She approached them outside, a sly smile spreading across her face.

"Excuse me, ladies, I couldn't help but notice the way you were looking at the chef back there. Are you interested in getting to know him better?"She asked smiling sweetly

The ladies exchanged nervous glances, 

        " And who are you?" One of them asked eyeing her.

        

  " Me, am his sister" she answered proudly immediately the ladies eyes widened and they came closer to her.

        

" Really?"

 " Yes of course, do even know his name?" Lily asked and they nodded no.

        " He's name is Landon 

Lily replied, "I know it's hard to believe, but I have proof. I have pictures of us when we were younger."

One of the ladies raised an eyebrow, "Okay, let's see."

        

        

Lily pulled out her phone and showed them pictures of London when he was young, looking very handsome. The ladies giggled and cooed over the photos.

Lily teased, "I have more pictures, but you have to pay to see them."

The ladies eagerly handed over their money, and Lily showed them more photos., "If you're excited to see more, I can arrange a meeting with London. But it won't be cheap." She said grinning from ear to ear.

The ladies bargained, and they agreed to pay once she set them up with him. Lily smiled, knowing she had made a profitable deal. She handed over her phone number and said, "Text me when you're ready to meet London."

As the ladies walked away, Lily couldn't help but laugh to herself. She had made a few quick bucks .

        

   "Only pictures I gave them and I already have $200, what if they meet then I'll have....hahaha" she laughed already imagining the money in her hands.

              Flash back ends, presently

London sighed frustrated, "I can't believe you bargained a deal to send me on a date with a lady"

Lily shrugged, "Ah, it's not bad."

London's anger flared, "What's not bad? You bargained a deal behind my back for money? How could you do that?"

 "I needed money, and I thought you wouldn't say no to those ladies, honestly they're hot" she explained

London pressed, "Why didn't you just come to me if you needed money? You know I'd help you out."

Lily hesitated, "I didn't want Emily to find out. She'd be angry if she knew I was collecting money from you again."

London sighed, "Okay, what do you need money for this time?"

Lily looked down, "I had some school things I needed to buy, but I didn't have enough money."

London's expression softened, and he came closer to her"Next time, just come to me, okay? Don't do something like this again."

"Okay I will, I promise." She said and smiled

London smiled back, "Okay, send me your account number. But no more scheming, deal?"

"Deal!" She nodded happily.

        

" Good now , I have some food packed for you guys come with me"

She followed him to the kitchen, excited to receive the food he offered. As she entered the kitchen, one of the chefs was carrying a hot tray, and Lily didn't notice it until it was almost too late. The chef lost control of the tray, and the hot contents almost spilled on Lily.

London reacted quickly, dragging Lily back and holding her by the waist to prevent her from falling. Lily's heart skipped a beat as she found herself in London's arms, staring up at him in surprise.

For a moment, they just looked at each other. Lily's heart started beating faster, and she felt a flutter in her chest. She hadn't expected this sudden closeness, but she couldn't deny the spark that had ignited between them.

 Her heat was beating loudly she thought he could hear her. The chef apologized profusely, breaking the spell that had cast a silence over the kitchen. London released Lily, but his hand lingered on her waist for a moment before he let go. Lily stepped back, her cheeks flushing with a mix of embarrassment and excitement...

        

 " Be careful okay, it's very busy here" Landon said and walked to the fridge where the food was. 

        

*Wh... what was that about?* She asked herself, she touched her chest which was still beating fast

        

*Why Is my heart beating like this. No snap out of it lil you were just scared that's all* she thought trying to convince herself.

        

***********

        Thompson industries 🏢

 Emily recovered from the shock and stood up properly.

    "Sorry, I made a mistake" she said her voice shaking. She quickly grabbed her bag and turned to leave but Ryan held her hand making her pause.

    

 "Aren't you miss Emily Wilson?... you're here for the interview right?" He asked. Emily turned slowly to face him, seeing him smile at her she got irritated and roughly removed her hand from his hold.

        

" No, am not here for any interview." She said, her voice frim and her face straight. Ryan didn't understand.

        

" I... didn't Zander tell you about..."

        

 " Alexander " she cut him off

        

  " Huh?"

        

  " His name is Alexander, don't call him Zander like you're close" Emily snapped.

     

 Ryan just raised an eyebrow." Okay...um Alexander, didn't he mention anything to you. You see I gave him my business card that..."

        

 " Yes he did, he told me about your job offer" 

        

" Okay, so... what do you think about it?" He asked

        

 " Today I came here to give you my answer" she paused staring at him straight in the eye.

        

" I don't need it" she said and Ryan looked at her surprised, this wasn't what he had in mind. He sighed and rubbed his forehead a little.

     

" Mrs Emily, are you by chance still angry about the situation that happened few days ago when my driver splashed mud water, is that why you're refusing to take my job offer?" He asked again

        

" About that, I won't deny the fact that am not upset about the incident after all it was because of you I couldn't make it to my interview that morning. But...am not here because of that"

        

" I appreciate your concern for my children though I don't know what they may have told you about us that made you want to give me a job, thank you but am not interested. Please stay away from my children and don't fill thier head with nonsense next time. I'll take my leave now." She turned sharply and walked out leaving Ryan confused. Tlyer entered immediately.

        

" Boss, is the interview already over?" He asked but Ryan was still silent

        

 " Boss?"

        

 " There wasn't an interview to begin with "

        

"Huh?, She didn't want the job" tlyer asked curiously. Ryan just shake his head and sat down on his chair.

        

 " I don't know tlyer, am confused as well...what the hell just happened?" He asked shaking his head.

     

  *********

 Emily's house. 

Emily got down from the cab and entered the house dejectedly and sat down.

   

  * Of all people, why him...fate why are you so cruel to me* she thought sadly and a tear dropped from the corner of her eye. Just then her phone rang and she picked.

        

" Hello, Lily what's up?" She asked but lily didn't respond instead she began hearing surpressing sobs

 " Hello Lily, can you hear me. What happened why are you crying?" She stood up already scared.

        

  📞 It's... it's...

   

 " Calm down Lil and tell me what's going on"

        

 📞 It's mum, she suddenly passed out at the eatery earlier, 

        

" What!" Emily's heart sank immediately

        

 " What happened to her!"

        

 📞 I don't know , lan dropped me off and when I entered the kitchen she was already unconscious on the floor. Lily said her voice cracking now. Emily's hand flew to her mouth.

        

 📞 We're currently at the hospital and...the doctor says she needs immediate surgery or else.. she'll die.

        

" No, no, send me the address am on my way" Emily hanged up and rushed out already crying.

        

************

Hospital 🏥🚑🚑

        " Doctor! doctor please save my mum please!!" Emily begged crying.

        

 "Am sorry miss Wilson but your mother needs a heart transplant fortunately we have one available but, we need money because another paitent needs it too, so the first person to raise 5 million dollars will get the heart transplant" the doctor said and left leaving the stunned Emily.

        

" What should we do now em, I don't want mum to leave us...what are we going to do!!" Lily cried uncontrollably while Landon hugged her trying to calm her down while looking at Emily.

   

" Mum! Mum!..."

        

    Tbc...