“Oh, then forgive my manners. Can you take me up to see the CEO, please? I’ve been dealing with uncivilized people since I walked in here,” she said, quickly intertwining her arm with his, hoping to leverage his presence to bypass the receptionist.
“Alright, follow me. I’ll take you up to him.”
Rachael’s face fell, and her lips tightened into a thin line, clearly offended and humiliated by Edwin’s quick compliance.
‘She must think she owns the place,’ Lilian thought, a smirk tugging at her lips.
“See? Even he thinks it’s important!” she mocked, playfully sticking out her tongue to her new harsh nemesis, the redhead and the rude receptionist.
Edwin raised an eyebrow, clearly amused by the childish woman and her antics. He found her wild and interesting, with a magnetic charm. She looked very pretty to eat with her cute, chubby cheeks. She wasn’t exactly his cup of tea- he liked blondes. But there was just something about this brassy amber-eyed brunette that captivated him in an instant.
He watched her closely, something unreadable in his eyes. Like a predator looking at a new and appetizing prey…
As they started walking toward the elevator, Rachael’s expression darkening, Lilian felt a pang of victory. All thanks to the handsome hunk beside her!
Lilian’s heart raced as she walked beside him, who was effortlessly commanding the attention of everyone they passed.
Although, there was something about him that was giving serial killer vibes. She just couldn’t put her finger on it. Or maybe it’s because she had been watching too many movies lately.
“Ladies first,” He gestured politely for her to enter first with a wide grin plastered on his drop-dead handsome face, and she took a moment to compose herself before stepping into the tight, enclosed space she was supposed to share with him.
On entering the elevator, Lilian caught a glimpse of herself in the polished metal, her disheveled hair and anxious expression contrasting starkly with Edwin’s immaculate appearance.
She felt a rush of self-consciousness the moment her amber eyes met with his blue orbs through the elevator glasses, and she turned her face away, staring weirdly at her foot.
‘Gosh…why am I suddenly so nervous?’ she screamed internally as she noticed her palms had also become sweaty.
Lilian could feel the weight of his scrutiny, and despite her fearless and audacious nature, she felt a thrill of shyness.
‘Why the fuck did he have to look at me like that?’ she cursed, feeling like a hot mess under his gaze.
She had always prided herself on her assertiveness and her ability to stand her ground, but this strange man who she just met made her feel weak in the knees.
“Do you always barge into places and cause trouble like that?” his voice, smooth like velvet, was laced with a teasing tone.
She turned sideways to face him. His sharp features and chiseled jawline were mouthwatering, and there was an intensity in his eyes that made her feel seen, really seen, for the first time in a long time.
The more his gaze lingered on her, the more she blushed hard.
“Only when it’s necessary. And trust me, my definition of necessary is quite flexible!'” Lilian managed to shoot back, crossing her arms defiantly, though her heart raced at the way his eyes kept roaming over her body shamelessly. She could feel the heat rising to her cheeks, and she cursed herself for letting him get to her so easily.
“Necessary, huh?” He leaned a little closer, the scent of his manly cologne enveloping her senses-woodsy and intoxicating. “You’re quite the firecracker, aren’t you?”
“I guess I am!” she replied proudly, while he let out a throaty laugh.
Music to her ears….
But once again, there was something about the man that sent a shiver down her spine.
She caught a fleeting glimpse of something lurking behind his charming smile-a shadow of danger, perhaps? But she brushed it aside. ‘Just a hunch,’ she reassured herself.
‘And he’s laughing so much. Does he think I’m a clown?’ Lilian’s imagination was starting to run wild.
‘Focus, Girl! Kourtney’s life is at stake-not your heart!’ she warned herself, trying to drown out the flutter of attraction she was feeling at the moment.
Thankfully, they managed to reach their destination after what seemed like hours. The elevator doors opened with a soft ding, and they stepped into a lavish office space that screamed wealth and sophistication, the strong scent of coffee feeling the air.
“Oh, and by the way, are every one of the workers here rude?” Lilian suddenly asked with pouted lips. She was dying to break the cold, awkward silence once more. Also, the way she had been treated earlier really bothered her a lot.
Meanwhile, Edwin couldn’t help but let out a light chuckle. Of course, he wouldn’t miss an opportunity to diss Sebastian. It was one of his favorite hobbies.
“Can you blame them? It’s tough working for a Stone-Cold CEO. And they don’t realize when they end up becoming like him!”
“End up becoming like who?” The rich baritone voice of another man broke their lively chattering.
Lilian spun around in panic to see Sebastian eyeing them irritably. She hadn’t even realized they already reached his domain because she had been too carried away by the hot male beside her.
“Well… your wife’s crazy friend over here was just being curious,” Edwin blurted out with a smirk.
‘CRAZY??’ Lilian wanted to cry as she gawked at him.
She was already starting to regret her thuggish outburst earlier in the lobby. Now, the man probably thinks she is a lunatic.
“I was just telling her about how they need to be ruthless to work for a weirdo like you,” Edwin continued, enjoying the view of Sebastian’s pale and ashen face.
Sebastian’s jaw tightened, and he shot Edwin a look that could melt steel. “You’re pushing it.”
“Am I? Or is it just the truth?” Edwin chuckled, completely unfazed.
They started exchanging banter, quarreling like cats and dogs, while Lilian stood quietly on the side, watching the two grown men arguing like children. It was like watching two titans clash, and she was caught in the eye of the hurricane.
“Why are you here?” Sebastian finally addressed her, ignoring Edwin’s latest drag.
His tired eyes bore into hers as if he were searching for answers in her very soul. The dark circles beneath his eyes told her he hadn’t slept a wink last night, and she couldn’t suppress a smirk at the thought that her friend, Kourtney, was the reason for this rich and powerful man’s weariness.
‘Red-haired who?’ she mocked internally.
“Kourtney got a weird phone call from the HR at her family’s company. I warned her not to go, but she insisted. Then she left. I was watching a really interesting K-drama, but then I still managed to notice Kourtney was not yet back because I’m a good friend. So, I became worried and decided to go to the Allen Corporation myself. On reaching there, I noticed everyone was talking about an incident involving Kourtney. They said she pushed her sister down a fleet of stairs, causing her to get a miscarriage. And then, Kourtney was handcuffed and taken to the precinct, but they wouldn’t even tell me where. I’m so worried!” Lilian said all in one breath.
***********
Author’s Note:
Hi Besties, hope you’re all doing great…. I knew it was about time I introduced you guys to our 2nd Male and Female Lead, Edwin and Lillian. And I’m certain you’re all going to enjoy their love story just as much as you love Sebastian and Kourtney’s.
Well, fasten your seatbelt cause we are in for a thrilling ride!
I love you all. And thanks for sticking with me.