CHAPTER NINE

Lily's POV

"Oh my God, Lily, this place is amazing!" Sophia squealed as she slid into the booth across from me, taking the modest Italian restaurant. "So fancy!"

I almost choked on my laughter, "Sophia, this is Mario's. We've eaten here a dozen times."

"Yes, but now you're a billionaire CEO! Everything's different!" She grabbed my hands across the table, squeezing tight. "I still can't believe this is real. Tell me everything. And I mean everything."

The waiter appeared with menus, but Sophia waved him off. "We'll have our usual. And wine. Definitely wine."

Once we were alone, I let out a breath I hadn't realized I'd been holding. "Soph, I don't even know where to start. It's been the most insane three days of my entire life."

"Start with the hot nephew. Alexander Thompson." Her eyes sparkled with curiosity. 

"Is he really as gorgeous as his photos online?"

My cheeks felt hot now, "Oh my gosh, you looked him up?"

“Why not? Lily, the man is on Miami's most eligible bachelor list. That jawline could literally cut glass." She leaned forward conspiratorially. "So? Is he?"

I thought about Alexander’s devastatingly handsome face while he threatened me.

"He's... yes. He's gorgeous. He's also the most arrogant, infuriating man I've ever met."

"Better or worse than the strip poker guy from the hotel?"

I nearly choked on my water. "Sophia!"

"What? You came back from that vacation with a very satisfied glow. I want details."

I'd told Sophia about the hotel encounter in vague terms—mysterious stranger, unexpected chemistry, week of incredible sex. What I hadn't told her was his name.

"Strip poker guy and Alexander are actually... the same person," I said, slowly as Sophia's mouth dropped open.

 "You're joking."

"I wish I were." I covered my face with my hands. 

"Oh my God." Sophia started laughing, drawing stares from other diners. "This is the most ridiculous, romantic, soap opera thing that's ever happened to anyone I know."

"It's not romantic. It's a huge disaster. He hates me, Soph. Do you understand? He literally threatened me in front of the entire board."

"But he didn't know it was you at the hotel?"

"No. Neither of us knew." I picked at my napkin. "We were just... two strangers. It was supposed to stay that way."

The waiter returned with wine and our usual orders; chicken parmesan for me, seafood linguine for Sophia. We waited until he left before continuing.

"So what happened when he recognized you?" Sophia asked, sipping her wine.

I told her about the boardroom confrontation, his accusation that I'd manipulated Richard, the way he'd looked at me with such cold fury.

"But here's the thing," I said quietly. "For just a second, when our eyes met, he looked …hurt,”

"He's hurt because you stole his birthright." Sophia said, “I mean, anyone would be in that position.”

"I didn't steal anything!" I said, defensively.

"I know that. But from his perspective, you're the enemy." Sophia twirled pasta around her fork thoughtfully. "What was he like at the hotel? Before all this?"

The memories flooded back. 

Alexander's laugh. The way he teased me. The way he'd looked at me like I was the only woman in the world. 

His hands on my skin…

"He was... different. Still arrogant, but playful. Intense." I took a long drink of wine. "We talked for hours, Soph. He told me about losing his parents young, about the pressure of family expectations."

"Sounds intimate."

"It was. That's why this is so impossible. I know a version of him that doesn't exist anymore. Or maybe never really existed."

Sophia reached across the table, squeezing my hand. "Maybe that version is still there, just buried under anger and resentment. People don't change that completely."

"People change when you threaten everything they've worked for." I pushed food around my plate. "The worst part is, I understand why he hates me. If someone appeared out of nowhere and took everything I'd worked toward, I'd be furious too."

"So what are you going to do?"

"Survive. Prove I deserve this position. Show the board, the employees, and especially Alexander that Richard's faith wasn't misplaced."

"That's very noble." Sophia studied me carefully. "But what do you want? Not what Richard wanted, not what the board expects. What do you want?"

The question caught me off guard. I hadn't thought of that in a while. What did I want?

"I want to understand why Richard chose me. I want to build something meaningful with this opportunity. And..." I trailed off.

"And?"

"And I want Alexander to see me as something other than the enemy who ruined his life."

"You still have feelings for him," Sophia said slowly.

"No. I mean, I don't know. I do have feelings for the man from the hotel. But that's not who Alexander Thompson really is."

"Maybe it's exactly who he is." Sophia's voice had an edge I'd never heard before. "Maybe he's just good at playing roles. Did you ever consider that he might have known who you were at the hotel? That the whole thing was a setup?"

"That's ridiculous. How could he have known?" I asked, trying to make sense of it.

"Richard dies, leaves everything to a mystery woman. Alexander wants his inheritance back. Finding you and seducing you seems like a pretty obvious strategy." Sophia said.

I shook my head firmly. "No. His shock in that boardroom was real. He had no idea."

"If you say so." Sophia sipped her wine. "I just don't want to see you get hurt, Lil. This guy has everything to gain by manipulating you."

Her words planted a seed of doubt in me.

"Anyway," Sophia said, in a lighter tone now, "Let's talk about something more fun. Like your wardrobe."

"My wardrobe?" I blinked.

"Lily, you're the CEO of a billion-dollar company. You can't keep wearing borrowed blazers and Target clearance items."

"I like my clothes," I argued and sipped my wine.

"I know you do. But image matters in the corporate world. Let me help you." She pulled out her phone, already scrolling through shopping sites. "Nothing crazy. Just a few key pieces that say 'I belong here' instead of 'I wandered in from an art supply store.’ Wouldn't you like that?”

I bristled slightly. "There's nothing wrong with –"

"Of course not! But you're playing in a different arena now. That's what I mean. You need armor, not authenticity." She squeezed my hand again. "I want to help you succeed, Lily. Let me do this."

Looking at her eager face, I felt a wave of gratitude. Sophia had been my friend through so much. She’d been there for me during breakups, career disappointments, and financial struggles. Of course, she wanted to help.

"Okay," I agreed. "But nothing too expensive. I still have student loans."

"Please. You're a billionaire now, Lily. Act like it." She grinned. "Shopping this weekend. And maybe we can do something about your hair too."

"What's wrong with my hair?"

"Nothing! It's beautiful. But a professional style would make it better" she said, smiling.

"Sophia." I groaned.

"Fine, fine. Just the clothes." She raised her wine glass. "To Lily Rose, CEO. May she crush her enemies and look fabulous doing it."

I clinked my glass against hers, laughing despite my exhaustion.

Done with dinner, we said our goodbyes outside the restaurant. She hugged me – not as tight as she normally would. 

"Same time next week?" she asked, tucking loose hair behind her ears. 

"Absolutely. Thanks for listening, Soph. I don't know what I'd do without you."

"That's what friends are for."

I watched her walk away and when she turned around the corner, I headed home to my shabby apartment, already dreading tomorrow's challenges.