“Lily.” Max called, snapping her out of her thoughts.
“Huh?”
“Let me go through the book.” He said, stretching his hand towards her, she held the book to her chest and shook her head.
“No, don’t worry about it.” Lily replied.
“Is there a reason… ” Max trailed off as the door opened and Axel walked in. Lily’s face lit up a little as he walked towards them.
“What is going on?” He asked, staring at Lily as she held the book he gave her to read firmly to her chest.
“Oh, Lily is confused about the book she is reading and she doesn’t want me to help her with it.” Max replied and Axel rolled his eyes.
“If she doesn’t want you to help her then don’t. Come on.” He said and walked ahead of him towards the hallway. Max smiled at Lily before trailing behind Axel.
They got to Axel’s study and he searched around for the file Max came to pick up. Max couldn’t stop thinking about the book, he had no idea why he was so curious about it.
“What book did you give Lily to read?” He suddenly asked and Axel turned to him.
“Why are you asking?”
“She is really confused, she looks bothered.” He replied and Axel raised a brow.
“I don’t get it. How is that your concern?”
“You are stressing her out.” Max replied, raising his voice a little.
“You should leave. If I find the file, I will send someone to deliver it to you.” Axel said and Max sighed.
“I’m sorry man. I didn’t mean to… ”
“Do I have to remind you countless times that she is my wife? Anything that has to deal with her is none of your business.” Axel cut him off and he nodded.
“Yeah, sorry.” He replied and walked out of Axel’s study.
Lily heard footsteps approaching the living room and she looked up to see Max.
“Oh, are you leaving already?” She asked and all Max did was wave at her without looking in her direction and he walked out.
“That was weird.” She mumbled and paid attention to the book again.
“Ma’am, dinner is ready.” A maid announced to her and Lily nodded in response, with her eyes fixed on the book, she headed to the dining room.
She got there and took a seat, the maids dished her meal before leaving the dining room.
Lily ate slowly as she read. Axel walked into the room but she didn’t notice his presence, he took a seat next to her and stared at her.
“Woah.” Lily muttered as she flipped to another page. Axel slowly leaned closer to her and stared at the book, he stared at her neck and inhaled her fragrance.
“Are you that confused?” He asked and she flinched. Axel pulled away from her and she breathed out in relief, she was scared, she was so interested in the book, she didn’t notice him.
“Are you that confused?” He asked again.
“Ye… yeah.” She replied.
“How many pages are left for you to read?”
“Hmm, it is still a lot. I read a page twice. I can’t really read that fast.” She replied and Axel nodded. He dished his meal himself and started to eat.
“I have questions. Why is the guy always… ”
“I can’t answer your questions until you are done reading the book.” Axel cut her off.
“Oh, okay then.” She replied and fixed her eyes back on the book, Axel suddenly took it from her and she gave him a questioning look.
“Wh… why did you do that?” She asked.
“Eat. The doctor said you have to eat a lot. You are a little malnourished.” He replied and dropped the book next to him.
“Malnourished?” She asked surprised.
“Eat, Lily.” He said and she started to eat. Axel kept glancing at her as they ate, for some reason he couldn’t understand, he was watching her, and the thought of her choking or needing something was popping into his head.
“Axel.” She suddenly called with a mouthful.
“Don’t talk while eating.” He replied and she giggled and chewed her food faster so she could speak. She was done in seconds and she sighed.
“You said the next ball is this week, when is it?”
“Tomorrow.” Axel replied.
“Tomorrow? Why didn’t you say anything about it?”
“I was going to.” He replied and looked away from her. He realised being around her, he was starting to talk more. He barely has a conversation with someone, all he does is give orders and do things.
At first, he thought maybe he could ignore her and her questions but he couldn’t, Lily’s questions were a lot.
“Why are the balls so close to each other? We had ours this week, right? Why another one again?” She asked and he turned to her.
“The time doesn’t matter as long as you can hold the ball perfectly. It’s a competition among families and your ball is still the talk of the city so someone else wants to be in that light.” He explained and her face lit up.
“Really? Tell me… ”
“Eat Lily.” He cut her off and she bit her lip, she nodded and continued with her meal.
Lily didn’t say anything again till the end of the meal, she thought maybe she could continue her conversation with Axel but he informed her that he was exhausted and needed to go to bed.
Lily understood and they both went to their separate rooms, Lily continued with her reading for a while till she drifted off to sleep.
*********
It was morning again, Axel left for work, Lily had breakfast alone and continued with her reading.
The day went so fast and it was time to get ready for the ball, the maids got Lily ready as usual.
She walked down the stairs in her beautiful dress but with the book in her hand. She was excited to see Axel but surprisingly, she met the chauffeur.
He informed her that Axel would be meeting them at the ball, he had something to attend to real quick.
Lily understood and walked out with the chauffeur, they got into the car and he drove out of the mansion.
Lily opened up the book and continued reading.
After a while, they got to the ball and Lily looked out. As usual, they were reporters. She was thinking of what to do when Axel suddenly showed up at the door and opened it for her.
She smiled happily and walked out of the car.
“Axel.” She called and he ran his eyes on her dressing.
“You brought the book?”
“Yes.” She replied with a smile and he ignored it and held her free hand.
The reporters took pictures of them as they walked into the ballroom.
They got in and Lily looked around, the room was pretty but she didn’t care. She just wanted a spot to sit and read the book.
“Lily.” She heard a familiar voice call her name and she turned to see Nora. She was walking towards them with Max next to her.
“Nora.” Lily called back and let go of Axel’s hand then pulled her into a hug.
“You look pretty.” Nora said and she giggled.
“You do too.”
“Hey, Lily.” Max greeted and she turned to him. She remembered how he acted towards her the last time and all she did was smile a little.
“He is here, Axel.” Max said to Axel and nodded then turned to Nora.
“Stay with Nora.” He said and she nodded then he walked away.
“What’s with the book?” Nora asked Lily as she looked at her hand.
“Oh, it’s nothing. Just doing a little reading.” She replied abs hoping Nora wouldn’t ask further questions about the book.
“Oh, okay. Should we go meet Axel’s parents?”
“No please.” Lily hurriedly replied and Nora chuckled.
They both walked around for a few minutes until Nora had to go greet some of her friends. Lily was left alone and she walked to a corner of the room, took a seat, and started to read the book.
Max, who was standing close to where Lily was seated, noticed her and he walked towards her. He got to her and she didn’t notice him, Max got more curious about the book.
What could it be about? Why would she bring it to a ball to continue reading it? What was Axel up to by asking her to read a book? He knows it is not just a random book, there was a reason behind it.
“Lily.” He called and she looked up at him, she didn’t flinch this time. He got lost staring at her blue eyes, he was surprised she held his gaze, not that he was intimidating like Axel but most girls can’t hold eye contact for up to a few seconds.
Max heard throat being cleared and he snapped out of his thought, he turned to see Axel and he chuckled nervously.
“Excuse me.” He muttered and walked away. Lily smiled at Axel and he suddenly pulled her up, he pulled her through a hallway and out of the ballroom. They got to a garden and Lily looked around as Axel pulled her.
He suddenly stopped in the middle and turned to Lily.
“Axel, what is… ” Lily trailed off as Axel cupped her face and pressed his lips to hers.