Lily’s POV.
I went back to my apartment in Richard’s car as he insisted that his driver would drop me soon enough. And that he does, I thank him and go towards Mr. Lennox’s apartment.
I inform him about my moving and his wife asks me to have dinner with them. She insists on it and I agree. Mr. Lennox asks me if I need any help and I assure him that I don’t have much to pack.
I take out some boxes from the basement and he helps me to put them in my apartment. I close the door after he leaves and start naming the boxes with marker. I stuff kitchen things in three medium size boxes and one big box.
Then it takes only one big box to put my books. I put curtains and other trivial things in two medium boxes. Then order pizza for lunch. As I eat it I look around at my stuff. The living room still has furniture but looks bare.
After lunch, I pack up four boxes of my clothes, bags, personal things and shoes. In one backpack, I put my laptop bag and my important files and certificates. I take out two duffle bags and in one I put my two day’s clothes and in second I put my toiletries.
I take my dirty laundry and put it in a plastic bag then in a duffel bag. This personal item bag will go with Lucas who will be here in the afternoon. I have only one key and I have to make a copy of it too.
I went to the nearest shop for it and I was just in time for closing. I look at the other two duplicate keys. One is for my family and another one is for Ryan. I came back to my apartment and put the keys in my bag.
I have yet to pack fridge things so I take all of them to give Mrs. Lennox. I take them with me to her apartment and we have dinner together of classic mac n cheese just the way I like it. I also have a chocolate cake she made for me. She really has taken good care of me for the past three years.
I kiss her good night and come back to my apartment. I get a text from Ryan asking if I am done with packing and I text back saying yes. He texts me back and I smile as I read it.
‘Can’t wait to have you in my arms everyday.’
And I also can’t wait to be there. I text it to Ryan and go to sleep as per his next order in text. I wake up early in the morning and have a breakfast of milk and cereal calmly. Then I take a quick shower and recheck everything and tape them.
Lucas comes before lunch with lunch for us which Emma packed for us. We have it as I explain to him about boxes and all. I give him one key and tell him to pass it on to Emma as it is for her only. He makes a face and I chuckle.
After lunch I wash the containers and put them in a box and tape it. Lucas helps me put my personal things in the back of his car. Then soon a small truck arrives and in that are two men. They and Lucas put boxes in the back of the truck.
I tell Lucas to go as I will take a cab as I have to cover up the apartment’s furniture. I look at the bare apartment in nostalgia. This was my safe haven for the past three years. I still remember the first time I came here I was nervous and scared to live alone. But soon I started liking the time I had for myself.
Ethan called me Lily here when Emma and Lucas surprised me on my birthday and he said my name. I still have a recording of it. We had made many happy memories here and I hope in my place we do the same and also Ryan.
I wipe away a single tear and take my sling bag. I lock the door and remove my name plate which Emma made for me. I give the key to Mr. Lennox and promise to stay in touch. I take a cab to my new place.
It takes me an hour to reach there and by the time I am there it is 4 in the afternoon. I already gave my brother and his family’s name to security there, so they would be free to come and go.
My floor has three apartments and thank goodness my apartment’s door is first as this Ryan could come to my apartment without my neighbours knowing about it. I see the door is open as everything is done shifting.
And I sign the papers of the movers and thank him for the help. They would be paid by the company and they did a great job. I see my family there with Ryan which is shocking but I cover it immediately.
“Welcome to your new apartment, Lily.” Emma says and hugs me.
“Thank you.” I say and kiss her cheek.
“Well I hope you would not mind me crashing at your place. It is beautiful, especially the pool. After this is over, I am taking a dip in that but first let’s go and arrange your things.” Emma says.
“Sure.” I say.
“Where do you want this study table of yours, Rosie?” Lucas asks and I see Ryan trying to hide his smile.
“I think I told you not to call me that.” I whisper to Lucas and show him how to put it in front of the window.
They arrange the books while Emma and I arrange kitchen stuff. Eve is sleeping upstairs and so is Ethan. Ryan and Lucas take other boxes downstairs which I will arrange later. Emma and I decided to make dinner for us all as she bought some groceries for me.
We make baked spaghetti with burgers and fries, so Ethan could enjoy it too. Ryan excuses himself for a few minutes and comes back with champagne. Lucas goes to check on Ethan when he calls for them.
Emma goes to check on them too and Ryan comes to me and we steal some kisses in between that time. When I hear footsteps, I give him a key and push him away. When I see Ethan, I go to him and bend down. He kisses my cheek and hugs me.
“Your house is so pretty, Aunty.” He says.
“It is?” I ask and he nods.
“Can I come here on Saturdays?” Ethan asks and I chuckle.
“Of course you can, my pepper.” I say as I tickle him.
“I am hungry.” He says and I make him sit on a chair at the dining table and sit beside him to serve.
Ryan sits beside me and I serve him too. Lucas and Emma come down with Eve. She is awake but let us have dinner as Ethan distracts her once in a while. After dinner, Ryan leaves as he has work and we as family talk for some time.
After they leave, I text Ryan all clear. I go to my room then in my closet where they put all the boxes. I arrange them in an hour but Ryan has still to come. I put away my first day’s professional clothes on one side with matching shoes.
Then I go for a relaxing hot shower. When I come out of the bathroom, I am picked up and gently thrown on bed. I yelp but stop myself from screaming when I see Ryan hovering above me with a wicked grin.
“Well I think you got it, why I give you the key?” I ask as I tease him.
“Yes I did.” He says and opens the robe I am wearing and kisses. We spent the rest of the night together.
The next morning I woke up before Ryan and got ready quickly. I come out of the bathroom and wear a dark blue and white striped shirt with a grey pencil skirt and black heels. I wear a watch in one hand and pack my tote bag as I wake Ryan up.
“Freshen up while I make breakfast for us.” I say and leave the room.
I make avocado toast with egg and orange juice. Ryan comes down and we have breakfast together. After kissing me and wishing me good luck, he leaves for his apartment. I wash up the dishes and leave the apartment at 8:45.
I take a bus then walk up to my company. I get the Id from security after I show the papers. And when I enter the lobby, I hear Mindy calling for me. I turn around to see her and she looks impressed with me.
“Good. You are early. Let’s go, I will show you how elevator work.” She says.
We open the private elevator after showing our Ids and get inside. After pressing a button the lift takes us to an executive office which is on the fifteenth floor. Mindy tells me that Vance is the CEO and the only one running the company.
When we reach our floor, she tells me that Vance has stopped taking his coffee after his wife got pregnant. She says that she is a secretary to the CEO and they didn’t choose a new one because she is good at her job.
“The previous assistant was fired because she was a bit unprofessional and cancelled his wife’s doctor’s visit dates for some important dealings. So make sure you never mess with the CEO’s wife. She is a CEO of her own small but very prestigious event management company.” Mindy warns me and I take a note to always keep my boss’s wife happy.
Mindy gives me general instructions about my job and I try to learn as soon as possible. It is the same as what I did at Andersons but here I would be leading a group of people too in absence of my boss.
“I must say you are good at this. Now about your team. I would be second hand and there is one more assistant working under me.” Mindy gives me details of them when lift ding again.
Mr. Williams enters the floor and stops when he sees us. He comes towards us and Mindy introduces me to him. I forward my hand to shake hands and he takes it.
“I hope you are settling in fine, Ms. Lily.” Vance asks.
“I am, Mr. Williams.” I say as I take my hand back.
“So let’s start but don’t call Mr. Williams.” He says.
“Okay Sir.” I say and he smiles and goes into his cabin.
Mindy and I follow him inside with tab in hand then the work starts. My whole day goes with understanding everything going around here and also my boss’s schedule which can get changed at the last minute too if her wife says so.
So I decided to make a schedule with a ten minutes difference between them for any last minute changes. I ask Mindy to make contact with Mrs. Williams’ doctor and make sure to have their visit details, so we arrange our schedule around it.
Mr. Williams appreciates my work and assures me that he will inform me about any changes that need to be done too. As I have knowledge of computers, I even accompany him for other company’s database surveys and help me solve things too.
“How is the new apartment coming along for you?” Mr. Williams asks.
“It is very nice, Sir. A bit big but suitable for my family visit and near to work too.” I say.
“My best friend and your last boss live just above you.” He says.
“I know that Sir. We met two days ago. And just to be honest sir as I don’t want you to know about this from anyone else, I am god daughter of Richard Anderson.” I say as I don’t want to hide that simple fact and create any problems for myself.
“Really?” He asks.
“Yes, Sir. But I hope you don’t tell this to anyone.” I say.
“Does Ryan know about it?” He asked.
“Yes.” I say and he nods.
“Well it is your personal matter but thanks for heads up.” He says with a smile.
“Thank you, Sir.” I say with a smile.
I came back home that day tired and very hungry. I kick off my heels and lay down on the couch only. I only had salad and soup for lunch as there was very little time for it and I was not in the mood to make anything. I get a call from Ryan and pick it up.
“Hi.” I say.
“Hi. You sound tired.” Ryan says.
“Yes I am. I was not working for more than a month, so it would take a bit time to get back to my old self. Are you coming to my apartment because I am not going anywhere? And if you are, can you order something for dinner?” I ask.
“I can. I would be there in an hour. So freshen up by that time.” Ryan says then hangs up.
I get up even though I don’t want to and get changed into white camisole top and shorts after I have a quick shower. I wear the robe but don’t tie it and leave it open. I come down and go to the kitchen to drink water when I hear the lock clicking open.
I see Ryan entering the house with a bag in one hand as I drink water. I put the glass down and go into his embrace as soon as he puts the bag on the kitchen counter. I breathe in his beautiful calming scent and stay in his arms for a few minutes.
“Are you not hungry anymore?” Ryan asks.
“Yes. I am.” I say and leave his arm to look at what he brought for us.
He has brought two small pizzas. One is cheese n corn and another one is mexican green wave. There are also veggie Quesadilla and fries and strawberry milkshakes. I kiss Ryan for dinner and he chuckles.
He turns on the TV after helping me bring dinner on the coffee table in front of the couch. But we sit down as it is more comfortable that way. We watch a football match and Ryan again asks for bet and I smile to it.
“You really want to bet again?” I ask.
“It is not like I lose.” He says with a wink.
“Fine.” I say.
But after finishing dinner and cleaning up the coffee table, I lay my head back on the couch and feel drowsy. And soon before I can know the result, sleep comes over me because of tiredness in full force.
I wake up next morning in my bed and don’t find Ryan beside me but I do see wrinkled bed sheets on his side. I look at the watch to see it is 8 and get up immediately. He must have left an hour ago maybe. I shower quickly and go down to have at least an apple.
But I smile as I see breakfast wrap with juice and a note which says, ‘I will take my prize for bet tonight. Get as much energy you want for tonight as I will have you anyway.’
I blush as I read that and have breakfast as quickly as possible. Then send him text with a wink, ‘I won’t mind as long as you make breakfast for me. And you be ready as I will also have anyway I can tonight.’
I leave my apartment with a secret smile on my lips.