BLAKE
I couldn't get Lily's words out of my head after our Thanksgiving dinner. I kept thinking about her claims, which made my mind a mess. As for the issue of her being with that man, well, seeing them together disturbed me in ways I couldn't explain.In search of information, I looked into the man Lily was with that weekend. With that, I asked my assistant, Fred, to look into it for him and find more information about that person. With each passing minute, the puzzle pieces started to fit together. I was relieved to find Fred in my office late one night since his company helped take my mind off of the stresses plaguing me."Fred," I asked, my tone contemplative, "what do you know about Alexander Maverick Hauss?"With brows furrowed, Fred looked up and blinked. "Mr. Maverick Hauss?" He heads the leading company in the film industry, Hauss Enterprises, Sir. A couple of months ago, our company was in a negotiation with their creative executives."LILYAs I made my way back to the office after lunch, the afternoon sun was bathing everything in a warm glow that made me both excited and nervous. A lot was going on in the office, but my coworker Jennifer stood out with her eyes wide with eagerness.I couldn't help but wonder what had her so excited. Curiosity got the best of me, and I approached her to find out what was happening. "Did Sir Maverick look for me?""Thank God, you're finally here, Lily! And yes, Sir Maverick wants to see you in his office," Jennifer said, her voice tinged with curiosity.'Oh... what did he want? Is it about Blake?' I pondered as I looked out the window of his office. Right then, I remembered his odd curiosity about Blake. I wondered if Sir Maverick's interest in Blake had something to do with the recent project the company was planning to do.As I turned back to Jennifer, I felt a flutter of nerves. Trying to make it casual, I asked again, "Thanks, Jennife
LILYThe elegant chandelier in the hotel's large hall gave off a warm glow. Gleaming lights combined with the sound of conversation and laughter create an atmosphere of splendor and significance. Despite the glitz and glamour, I was still a nervous wreck. After all, this was a film exhibition, and many of the industry's most prominent figures were in attendance. Maverick, looking dapper in a crisp suit, leaned in. "Are you okay, Lily?" he whispered, his eyes full of concern.My heart rate went up, but not because of the terrifying situation. It was fear of looking naive or out of place. I smiled and said, "Just trying to soak it all in, Sir. I hadn't attended an event with such high stakes and influential people before. It's a bit overwhelming, but I'm grateful for the opportunity." He squeezed my hand reassuringly, a gesture that momentarily eased my nerves. "Remember, we're here for a reason. Our work speaks for itself."I scanned the room for familiar faces, hoping that striking
MAVERICKShe hesitated, but then took my hand. As we danced, the lines between us blurred. Every movement, every glance, charged the air with palpable tension. The world faded away, leaving just the two of us in that intimate embrace.When the song ended, I found it hard to let go. "We should... um, get some air," I stammered, my composed demeanor slightly shaken.We left the scorching dance floor and returned to the hotel, where we sat on the balcony and enjoyed the cold night air. "You know," she began, her voice barely above a whisper, "I used to sneak out to gardens like these back at the orphanage. They were my little pockets of peace."I looked at her, surprised. "I never knew that. On my family's estate, we had gardens too. They were meticulously maintained and filled with vibrant flowers, but they never gave me the same sense of tranquility as these wild, untamed gardens." I could see a hint of nostalgia in her eyes as she reminisced about her past. She gave a small chuckl
LILYThe main hall of the Sundance Film Festival was alive, with the sounds of laughter, conversation, and glasses being clinked. Despite my efforts to lose myself in the experience, the memories of past interactions weighed hard on my heart. It was hard to distinguish between the twinkling lights and the low murmur of voices.I came out of my trance when I heard Sir Maverick's voice. "Lily? You seem distant. Is everything all right?"I'm okay, just... having a lot on my mind." I tried to put on a smile, but it felt forced. He was about to say something but stopped and looked at me with concern. "Why don't you take a break and clear your head? I'll call you when I need you." I nodded, grateful for his understanding, and excused myself to find a quiet spot to gather my thoughts. As I started to leave, though, Sir Maverick reached out and held my hand tenderly. His touch was comforting and reassuring, a nonverbal show of care and comprehension. "Take your time. You can return to the
LILYThe skyline of Washington, DC, was an impressive background for all the activity inside Hauss Enterprises. After the emotional roller coaster at the film expo, returning to city life was strange and nice.As soon as Sir Maverick entered the office, his presence was felt everywhere. The air was filled with whispered talks, shared glances, and a high level of anticipation. While getting coffee, I ran into Jennifer, Maverick's secretary. The splash of red in her hair was a sharp contrast to her clean blue dress."Hi, Jennifer. It's nice to be back," I said, smiling at her."Oh, Lily! It's good to have you back!" She greeted me, her eyes twinkling mischievously. "Anyway, how was the expo? Was it fun? Did Maverick make any big deals?" I took a sip to buy some time, a smile playing on my lips. "Oh, it was great. Apart from the usual meetings and deals, a big festival happened alongside the expo. We actually closed a major partnership with a global tech company. It was quite the succes
LILYMia's desperation was palpable, and it resonated with me. I could see the anguish in her eyes as she pleaded for help, her voice trembling with fear. As she walked away, her words echoed in my mind. A persistent reminder of the human cost of Sir Maverick's strategic decisions.Summoning my resolve, I approached Sir Maverick's office. I knew confronting him wouldn't be easy, but thinking about how his actions negatively affected Blake brought me pain.My voice wavered slightly as I broached the topic. "Sir, can we discuss the project transfer?"Maverick's gaze met mine, his expression guarded as he leaned forward slightly. "Of course, Lily. What's on your mind?"Taking a steadying breath, I addressed him with sincerity. "I understand the business rationale behind the project transfer, but I've also witnessed firsthand the emotional toll it's taking on Goodwill Productions and the stakeholders involved in the project. Is there any way we could reevaluate this decision?"Maverick's
LILY"Where the fuck is my necklace, Lily? Give it back to me, you bitch!" Mia White, my foster sister, shouted as she slapped my cheeks.Touching my swollen face, I replied, stuttering, "I don't know what you're talking about, Mia! I didn't steal anything.""I saw you have it, you thief! I knew from the start that you were jealous of me!" Mia sneered. "You want everything that's mine!""But I swear, I haven't touched your necklace. Maybe you misplaced it, or someone else took it. I understand you're upset, but accusing me won't solve anything," I replied, trying to calm her anger."Since your arrival, Lily, you've been nothing but a parasitic curse on my life," Mia continued, her voice dripping with venom. "You've taken everything from me before, and I won't let you get away with it again!" Her voice was a raw snarl as she brandished an empty jewelry box."I did not touch your necklace! You know Mother and Father would allow me to enter your room, Mia."However, my plea was a weak cr
Mother's words hung like a heavy cloud of grim finality.When her words finally registered, I cried, "Please! Let me stay here first! I'll do anything you want, Mother. Clean the house, cook, and do the laundry. Don't throw me out, please!"Despite my pleas, Father grabbed me by my shirt collar, hoisting me up with a grunt of exertion. I could barely find the strength to resist as he hauled me to my feet, my legs shaky and uncertain beneath me."Get out," he growled, his voice barely more than a whisper but carrying a weight that made my stomach churn. "And don't you dare show your face here again?""Please! Don't throw me out, Father!" I pleaded, kneeling before him.However, Mother shoved me toward the front door, throwing me out onto the porch of our house. With that, I stumbled forward, my balance teetering precariously on the edge of collapse. The cold night air rushed through my back as I felt the hard, concrete material of the pavement."Leave our house! Get out! We don't want