CHAPTER 2 – The Morning After

~ Lily ~

A relentless pounding in my head felt like a hammer striking my skull, and my body was heavy, sore, and unresponsive. Slowly, I blinked against the dim light filtering through the curtains, trying to remember where I was. Fragments of last night crashed into my mind—sipping champagne until I felt lightheaded, Sophia helping me upstairs, the soft hum of the hotel corridor, and… him.

A chill ran down my spine as I noticed the tangled sheets. My body felt heavy, aching in every joint. Then it hit me: I was naked. My stomach twisted, and my heart raced.

I blinked, trying to make sense of the warm presence beside me. Another naked figure. Panic gripped me, sharp and relentless. I recalled flashes of last night: his lips on mine, the weight of his body against me, the way his hands explored, the heat, the breathless moans that left me trembling… My cheeks flushed as the memories of our intimacy, his kisses, his caresses, the rhythm of our bodies entwined flooded back in vivid, overwhelming detail.

I had no idea who he was. I hadn’t even seen his face at first, just the curve of his shoulder, the way he faced the wall. Shaking, I reached out and gently tapped his arm. “Adrian?” My voice quivered with panic, my chest tightening.

He stirred slightly, mumbling something incoherent, and slowly turned toward me. My heart stopped. Horror, confusion, and disbelief crashed over me all at once. It wasn’t Adrian. It was Julian. Adrian’s older brother. The man from last night. My eyes widened, and my hands flew to my mouth.

“Oh my God,” I whispered, my voice shaking. “Julian… what how…”

He woke up slowly and blinked at me, confusion on his face, and then realization dawned in his sharp eyes. He quickly sat up, his body tense, moving with a precision that radiated control. I stood there, frozen, panic bubbling up in my throat.

"What… what happened? How did this happen? If Adrian finds out.." My voice shaking, my chest tightening as I imagined the chaos that would erupt if anyone found out about what had happened

He dressed with quick, deliberate movements, his expression cold and unreadable. His eyes flicked toward me now and then, assessing the situation. Finally, he turned fully, his gaze locking onto mine.

"Get a grip," he said, his voice low, commanding, and firm. "Act normal. Under no circumstances should anyone find out about last night. If the truth gets out, you’ll regret it. Do you understand?"

I swallowed hard, trembling, and nodding frantically. "Y-yes… I understand," I whispered.

He gave me one last sharp, warning look, and then he left the room. The door clicked softly behind him, leaving me alone.

I stayed there, paralyzed, the memories of last night pressing heavily on my mind. My chest heaved, my hands gripping the sheets as I recalled the heat, the kisses, the caresses, the moans, and the intensity of being so close to him. I swallowed hard, forcing myself to take deep breaths. I had to move. I had to act normal. No one could ever find out.

I managed to dress shakily, avoiding the mirror. My hands still shook as I slipped into my shoes, but I pushed myself to keep going. Outside, the world felt blindingly bright and exposed. I walked quickly and purposefully, trying to shake off the memories of the night with every step.

At home, my mother came down the stairs, her expression a mix of relief and anger.

"Lily! Where have you been? I’ve been looking for you all night!" she yelled.

"I… I stayed at the hotel," I said quickly, trying to keep my voice steady. I didn’t give her a chance to ask more questions; instead, I rushed to my room. My heart was pounding, and my hands shook as I closed the door behind me.

I sank to the floor, pulling my knees up to my chest and burying my face in my hands. Tears threatened to spill, but I fought to hold them back. No one could find out the truth. Nobody. Not Adrian, not anyone. I kept repeating this to myself.

After a while, I forced myself to get up and take a shower. The warm water eased the tension in my sore muscles and helped me push some of the panic away. I dressed carefully, choosing neutral clothes that wouldn’t attract attention.

A knock on the door jolted me. "Miss Harper, your mother said you should come downstairs. You’re going with her to Adrian’s family house for the wedding preparations," the maid said politely.

I took a deep breath, smoothed my hair and outfit, and nodded. "Thank you," I murmured, bracing myself.

Downstairs, my mother linked her arm with mine, giving me a tight, slightly suspicious smile. "Let’s go," she said.

The ride to Adrian’s family home felt like hours. I focused on controlling my breathing, forcing myself to act normal. Once we arrived, the grand foyer welcomed us with the scent of fresh flowers. Adrian’s mother and a few event planners were already there, and the air buzzed with conversations and planning.

I tried to stay focused, jotting down notes, suggesting ideas, and making myself look engaged in the preparations. But then, I caught sight of him.

Julian descended the stairs with that same cold, precise elegance, impeccably dressed and utterly composed. My heart raced, and I felt a tightness in my chest. Memories flooded back—the softness of his lips, the warmth of his hands, the heat of the previous night, and how close he had been…

He didn’t even look my way. Just a polite, distant nod to his mother and mine before he moved on. My stomach twisted in knots. He was the first man I had ever been… intimate with, the first I had truly let in. Yet, here he was, acting as if it had never happened.

I swallowed hard, trying to push down the wave of heat and disappointment that threatened to overwhelm me.

I focused on the preparations, doing my best to ground myself in the tasks at hand. But Julian’s presence loomed over me like a shadow, a constant reminder of that unforgettable night and the consequences if anyone found out what happened.

Taking a deep breath, I decided to keep my composure. I would act as if last night had never happened.