Chapter 9 - Encounter the Ex-boyfriend

I glare at him with resentment.

Eric maintains his smug smile, saying, "Trust me, landing the President's helicopter in other places would draw even more attention. Have a pleasant day, Miss Lily. We'll be back to pick you up at 5 PM."

"Well, thank you for giving me such a NORMAL ride," I reply sarcastically.

The guests in this luxurious hotel is either a business tycoon or a dignitary.

I, dress in my Zara suits, feel like a clown who have accidentally wanders into Swan Lake!

I hurriedly make my way through the crowd with a blushed face, keeping close to the wall.

But I don't pay attention and bump into someone coming towards me.

"Sorry, I'm so sorry," I apologize repeatedly.

"Lily?"

This voice?

I shudder and slowly raise my head. Indeed, standing before me is my ex-boyfriend, Ben. I never expect to meet him again after five years, and certainly not in this place...

Ben has changed a lot from five years ago. He has shed his youthful innocence, and his features have softened, becoming more rounded and mature.

Only his sapphire blue eyes remain as clear as ever, resembling a tranquil lake that one couldn't help but be enchanted by, gradually sinking in...

However, Ben and I are no longer possible...

We stand there in silence.

He opens his mouth several times but couldn't seem to find the right words.

Meanwhile, I bite my lower lip and nod apologetically before hurriedly running past him.

Before I can get far, a sweet voice suddenly rings out, "Ben, there you are!"

I freeze in my tracks, unable to move.

Ben's expression becomes even uglier than mine.

After a few seconds, a petite woman run over from the other end of the corridor.

"Why did you take so long to answer the phone?" She affectionately hooks her arm through Ben's and complains, "My parents were getting bored!"

A sudden pain stabs my heart.

The woman beside Ben is my step-sister, Anna.

Ben awkwardly withdraws his arm, saying, "This is a public place, please behave."

"Ha-ha, what's the big deal? Come on, you're a city official, not a monk. Can't you show a little love to your dear girlfriend in a public place?"

 Anna snuggles up to him, deliberately rubbing her chest against his arm.

Ben's lips twitch, and he looks at me with some embarrassment.

As for me, I manage a dry smile and am about to leave.

However, at that moment, Anna seems to finally notice my presence.

"Lily?"

Anna suddenly grabs my hand, and her long nails dig into my skin.

Forced to turn back, I greet her, "Morning, Anna."

"Wow, it's really you!"

Anna happily pounces on me and gives me a big hug.

"Why are you here? Since you left home, mom and dad have been looking for you! I never thought we'd meet here today!" says Anna joyfully, holding both my hands. 

"Mhm."

Anna and I? Good sisters? Never.

I totally get why she acts all happy at the reunion.

Indeed, the next second, she turns around and smiles sweetly at Ben, "You should go back inside, don't keep mom and dad waiting. I'll catch up with my sister for a little reunion!"

Ben, perhaps relieves, glances at me meaningfully before leaving.

Once he is out of sight, Anna instantly changes her expression and pushes me away disdainfully, "What are you doing here?"

I shrug helplessly, "I said I was just passing by, do you believe me?"

"Don't give me that! You think I don't know what you're plotting? You heard about Ben getting a job in the city government, so you sneaked in to see him, didn't you?"

"Believe what you want."

I had spent nearly a decade dealing with my step-sister; I know her personality well. Trying to explain anything to her is pointless, as her suspicions and jealousy surpass even the goddess Hera's.

Now she resembles a mother wolf protecting her cubs, with her emerald eyes fixed on me and growling, "I don't care what you're planning! You better stay away from Ben from now on! He's MY boyfriend now!"

She then glances at my appearance and sneers, "You want him back? Look at you now, do you think you can support your little bastard with your current salary?"

I feel a slight frown forming on my forehead.

She could insult me all she wanted, but no one has the right to disrespect Chris!

"Oh, mad, huh?"

Anna smirks at me, as if she has finally discovered my weak point, her eyes are immediately filled with excitement. "You don't like him being called that? Well, I'll keep calling him that! Bastard! Bastard! Bastard!"

I clench my fist tightly, wishing I could slap her in the face hard.

But just then, Ben probably fears that I will argue with Anna, so he comes out of a nearby room.

However, Ben is behind Anna now, and Anna, thinking I'm still ignoring her, raises her hand to slap me.

"Hey!" Ben rushes over, grabbing her wrist.

Anna is taken aback, and the next second, she forces out a few tears, crying, "Ben, I just want to ask Lily to join us for a meal, you know. But she keeps saying that I stole you from her. She's even spreading rumors that you and I slept together while you were still with her..."

Upon hearing her words, Ben's gaze shifts from guilt to disappointment as he looks at me.

He gently pats Anna's shoulder to comfort her.

Hiding behind Ben, Anna shows a victory smile at me.

I'm infuriated.

At that moment, Eric unexpectedly comes running down from the rooftop.

As Ben works in the city government, he recognizes Eric.

Seeing Eric quickly approaching us, Ben pushes Anna away again, and discreetly straightens his clothes.

Anna asks out of curiosity, "Who's that person?"

"Eric, the senior assistant to the President," Ben replies.

Instantly, Anna jumps at his words, "Is he here to see you? Could it be that he wants to promote you to work at the President's office?"

"Probably. There's no one else in this corridor," Ben replies.

Anna is overjoyed, starting to primp and preen herself.

Ben even reaches out and wants to shake hands with Eric when he comes closer.

However, as Eric passes by them, he doesn't stop for a moment and comes directly to me, saying, "Miss Lily, sir sent these items for you. You forgot to bring them."

"Thank you," I take the package from him and thank him.

Eric maintains his standard smile, but now he seems particularly friendly. "Do you need me to accompany you downstairs?"

I wave my hand, about to decline.

But Eric takes a step forward, gallantly offering his arm, "Please, allow me."

I follow his lead, leaving Ben and Anna stupefied.

In the lift.

I thank Eric again, "Thanks for stepping in back there."

"You're welcome." Eric's smile seems a little dangerous, "I just can't stand them calling the young master 'bastard.' I'll make sure to tell the President exactly what happened. They won't have any chance to rise up in their lifetime!"

"That's a good idea," I chuckle in agreement.

As it turns out, this smiling Eric is also quite naughty sometimes, making him kinda cute in my eyes.

However, a thought suddenly occurs to me, "Wait! How did you hear our conversation from the rooftop?"