Chapter seven
1232 Words
The following weeks settled into a rhythm Lily had quickly grown to love.
Her mornings belonged to the university, where lectures, assignments, and endless deadlines filled every hour. Her afternoons and evenings belonged to Wilson Fashion Gallery a place that no longer felt intimidating but strangely comforting.Every day the gallery buzzed with life.The sound of sewing machines blended with conversations between designers discussing fabrics and patterns. Tailors moved carefully from one workstation to another carrying half-finished garments. Rolls of silk, satin, chiffon and velvet rested neatly on shelves while mood boards filled the walls with sketches, colour palettes and magazine clippings from fashion houses around the world.
Lily often paused to admire the atmosphere.This wasn’t simply a workplace.It was where dreams were stitched into reality.After her impressive first presentation, Alexander had assigned her to a much bigger project.
She would be sketching part of the gallery’s upcoming evening wear collection while simultaneously helping develop the company’s annual fashion magazine.
The responsibility was enormous.But surprisingly…Alexander insisted on supervising every stage himself.Almost every afternoon found them seated across the large oak table inside the design studio.
“Show me what you’ve done today,” he would say.At first Lily found it nerve-racking.Every sketch felt like an examination.Every explanation made her palms sweat.Yet Alexander never criticized without teaching.“This neckline competes with the embroidery.”“The sleeves need more movement.”“The structure is beautiful… but the emotion is missing.”
He never simply pointed out mistakes.
He explained them.Gradually…
Lily stopped fearing his opinions.Instead…
She started looking forward to them.
One afternoon they were reviewing her newest ball gown collection.
Sheets of sketches covered the table.
Alexander walked around to stand beside her instead of across from her.Lily immediately became aware of how close he was.His familiar cologne drifted toward her.
“This design…” Alexander said, pointing toward one of her sketches.“I love the silhouette, but I think the waistline could be softer.”Lily leaned closer.
“I was actually thinking…”
As she reached for her pencil…So did he.Their fingers brushed.Both of them froze.Neither moved.Neither spoke.
Lily slowly lifted her head.Alexander was already looking at her.For a few quiet seconds, everything else disappeared.The chatter from the designers.The sewing machines.The music playing softly through the gallery.It all faded into the background.
His brown eyes held hers with an intensity that made her heartbeat quicken.Lily was the first to look away.She cleared her throat and quickly picked up another sketch.
“I… I’ll adjust the waistline.”Alexander blinked as though returning to reality.
“Right.”He stepped back slightly.
Neither of them mentioned what had happened.But somehow...The room felt different afterwards.Preparations for the gallery’s seasonal exhibition soon began.
Designers, photographers and stylists worked tirelessly for weeks.
On the morning of the photoshoot, Lily was arranging garments backstage when she heard someone whisper excitedly.“Mr. Wilson is modeling the men’s collection.”Curiosity got the better of her.She quietly walked toward the exhibition floor.There he was.
Alexander stood beneath the studio lights wearing a perfectly tailored charcoal suit from the newest collection.The jacket fit him effortlessly.His posture was straight.His shoulders broad.His confidence transformed the suit from ordinary to unforgettable.
The photographer barely had to give directions.Every pose looked natural.Every expression looked effortless.Lily couldn’t explain why she couldn’t stop watching.
Maybe it was the way he carried himself.
Maybe it was the quiet confidence that never crossed into arrogance.Or perhaps…
She was only now allowing herself to truly see him.He wasn’t merely her boss anymore.He was…Handsome.
Ridiculously handsome.She found herself admiring the sharp line of his jaw, the way his sleeves framed his forearms, and the small smile that appeared whenever the photographer complimented him.
Without realizing it…
She smiled too.Then guilt crept in.Jayden.
His name echoed in her mind like a warning.She remembered believing someone else’s smile had once belonged only to her.She remembered trusting.
She remembered loving without fear.
And she remembered how quickly everything had fallen apart.
Her smile disappeared.“No,” she whispered to herself.Not again.She couldn’t allow herself to become attached.Not to her boss.
Not to anyone.People left.People changed.
People made promises they couldn’t keep.
She had already survived one heartbreak.
She wasn’t sure she could survive another.
From that day onward, Lily unconsciously created little distances between herself and Alexander.She kept their conversations professional.She left the studio as soon as meetings ended.She avoided lingering whenever he entered the design room.
Alexander noticed.He simply didn’t understand why.
The magazine deadline approached faster than anyone expected.
For three consecutive evenings, Lily remained in the gallery long after every employee had gone home.
The once lively building became unusually quiet after sunset.Only the soft glow from her computer illuminated the design studio.
Coffee cups surrounded her desk.
Fabric samples lay scattered across the floor.Her eyes burned from staring at layouts for hours.Still…She refused to stop.
The magazine had to be perfect.
By the time she saved the final draft, it was late and she had to go back to the campus
She leaned back in her chair, rubbing her temples.
“I can’t even feel my neck anymore,” she mumbled tiredly.
As she gathered her belongings, a familiar voice interrupted the silence.
“Working overtime without permission?”
She jumped.Alexander stood by the doorway, sleeves rolled to his elbows, car keys spinning around one finger.“I didn’t hear you come in.”
“I noticed.”
He glanced at the untouched sandwich on her desk.“You didn’t eat.”
“I forgot.”
“You forgot dinner?”
She laughed weakly.
“I was busy.”
Alexander studied her for a moment.
Dark circles rested beneath her eyes.
Her shoulders drooped from exhaustion.
Even her usually neat ponytail had begun falling apart.“You look exhausted.”
“I’m fine.”
“No.”
His tone was gentle but firm.
“You’re pretending to be.”
Lily opened her mouth to protest.Instead…
Her stomach growled.
Alexander raised an eyebrow.
She covered her face in embarrassment.
“I’ll pretend I didn’t hear that.”A reluctant smile escaped her.
“Come on.”
“I’m taking you home.”
“Oh, that’s really not necessary.”
“It wasn’t a suggestion.”She laughed.
“You always sound like you’re giving boardroom instructions.”
“And you always argue.”
“I do not.”
“You just did.”
She shook her head, smiling despite herself.
A few minutes later they were driving through the quiet city streets.
The silence between them wasn’t uncomfortable.Soft jazz played through the speakers.Streetlights reflected across the windshield as the city slowly settled into the night.After several minutes Alexander suddenly pulled into a restaurant Lily looked at him in confusion.
“I thought we were going home.”
“We are.”
“But not before you eat something.”
“I really don’t want to inconvenience you.”
“You won’t.”He smiled.
“My grandmother used to say hungry people make bad decisions.”Lily laughed.
“I think your grandmother was wise.”
“She was.”
Inside the restaurant they shared a simple dinner.Just warm food, quiet conversation, and occasional laughter.Lily found herself relaxing in a way she hadn’t expected.
For a little while…She forgot what heartbreak felt like.And that frightened her almost as much as falling in love again.
- Writer
