Chapter Eight - an unexpected encounter
1504 Words
Saturday mornings were a luxury Lily had almost forgotten.For weeks, her life had revolved around lecture halls, design studios, endless sketches, and late nights at Wilson Fashion Gallery. Deadlines had become her closest companions, leaving little room for anything else.This weekend, however, was different.For the first time in what felt like forever, Lily had nothing urgent waiting for her.No presentation.No magazine layouts.No unfinished sketches.Just a free Saturday.At Mia’s insistence, the four friends agreed to spend the afternoon together at one of the city’s newest rooftop cafés overlooking the waterfront.The café buzzed with laughter and soft music. Strings of warm fairy lights hung above wooden tables while flower boxes decorated every corner. A cool breeze swept across the open terrace, making the afternoon even more refreshing.Lily sat between Mia and Kendra while Mike occupied the chair opposite them.“You’ve been impossible to reach,” Mia complained dramatically before taking a sip of her iced coffee.“I was beginning to think the gallery kidnapped you.”“They practically did,” Lily laughed.Mike folded his arms.
“I told you internships are modern-day slavery.”Everyone burst into laughter.
“I actually enjoy it,” Lily admitted.She couldn’t hide the excitement in her voice.
“I’ve learned more in a few weeks than I imagined possible.”
“So…” Kendra leaned forward eagerly.
“Tell us everything.”That was all the invitation Lily needed.
She spoke about the gallery, the talented designers, the endless brainstorming sessions, and the pressure of meeting deadlines. She described how every collection began with a simple idea before gradually becoming pieces of art.For the first time in years, she felt as though she was exactly where she belonged.“My mum hasn’t stopped bragging about me,” Lily admitted with a smile.“She keeps telling every neighbour that her daughter is designing for Wilson Fashion Gallery.”
“She deserves to brag,” Mia smiled warmly.
“You’ve worked incredibly hard.”Lily nodded.
“We finally did it.”Her smile softened.
“After Dad left… there were days Mum thought we’d never make it.”
“But somehow…”
“We did.”A brief silence settled over the table.Mike raised his glass.
“To strong women.”
“To strong women,” everyone echoed before clinking their glasses together.The mood quickly lightened again.
“Wait!” Kendra suddenly exclaimed.
“If you’re working there…”She pulled out her phone.
“We have to stalk the gallery’s Instagram.”Within seconds everyone leaned toward her screen.The latest collection appeared.Elegant gowns.Modern suits.Editorial photographs.
Lily couldn’t stop smiling.“I designed that one.”She pointed proudly at a champagne-coloured evening gown.
“And that emerald dress.”
“Oh my goodness…” Mia gasped.
“Lily!”
“You’re serious?”Lily nodded shyly.
“I sketched both.”Mike whistled.
“Our girl is famous.”They continued scrolling until another video appeared.
Wilson Fashion Gallery’s newest promotional campaign.The camera slowly revealed Alexander wearing the men’s collection.The comments section was flooded with admiration.
“Who is this man?”
“The CEO is unbelievably handsome.”
“He’s literally a model.”
Even before the video ended, Kendra dramatically placed a hand over her chest.
“Oh…”
“My…”
“Goodness.”Mia grabbed the phone.
“Now this is a dangerous man.”
“He is ridiculously handsome.”
“I completely understand tailored suits now.”Mike rolled his eyes.
“You people are unbelievable.”The girls ignored him.
“Wait…” Mia looked at Lily.
“So…”
“This is the young boss you’ve been talking about?”
Lily nodded casually.
“I suppose.”
“I would donate an arm and a leg to date that man,” Kendra declared.
“So would I,” Mia added immediately.Both girls looked at each other before bursting into laughter.Lily felt warmth spread across her cheeks.“Why are you blushing?” Mia asked mischievously.
“I’m not.”
“You absolutely are.”
“You like him!” Kendra accused dramatically.
Lily almost choked on her drink.
“No!”
“I don’t.”
“I’m taking a break from men.”Mike laughed loudly.
“That’s exactly what every heartbroken person says.”
She pointed at him.
“Your gender caused this.”
“My gender?”
Mike placed a hand on his chest in mock offence.
“We’re innocent.”
“Innocent?” Kendra scoffed.
“You people invented mixed signals.”
“And heartbreak,” Mia added.The table erupted into another round of laughter.
Just then…Lily’s phone vibrated.She glanced at the screen.
Alex:
Hi, Lily.
I haven’t seen or heard from you in a while
Everything okay?
Before she could lock the screen, three heads leaned over simultaneously.
“Ooooooh…”The teasing began immediately.
“Speaking of handsome CEOs,” Mia laughed.Kendra snatched the phone before Lily could stop her.
“He checked on you?”
“He noticed you were quiet?”
“He texts first?”
She looked dramatically at Lily.
“This man is thoughtful.”
“Rich.”
“Handsome.”
“And kind.”
“What exactly are we waiting for?”
Lily quickly retrieved her phone.
“You two are impossible.”
“We’re serious,” Mia said.
“I think he likes you.”
Lily’s smile slowly disappeared.
“I don’t know…”
“What if I’m reading too much into it?”
“What if it’s nothing?”
“What if…”She paused.
“What if I get hurt again?”
Her friends exchanged quiet glances.None of them spoke.
Because they remembered.They had encouraged Lily to give Jayden a chance.They had celebrated when they started dating.And they had watched helplessly as everything fell apart.
This time…They decided not to influence her choices.
“If you ever decide to trust someone again,” Mia said gently.
“Let it be because you want to.”Not because anyone convinced you.
Lily smiled gratefully.“Thank you.”
Later that evening Lily had almost forgotten about Alex’s message until her phone rang.
“Hello?”
“Hi.”
His familiar voice instantly filled the room.
“I was wondering if you’d like to go somewhere.”
Lily hesitated.
“I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
“Why?”
“I…”She searched for excuses.
“I have assignments.”
“I should probably stay in.”Alexander smiled to himself.
“You’ve been thinking of reasons to say no for the last thirty seconds.”
She laughed nervously.
“I have?”
“You have.”There was a brief silence.Finally he spoke.
“Be ready by seven.”
“What?”
“I’ll pick you up.”
“Alex—”
The call ended.Lily stared at her phone.“Did he just…”She sighed.
“He did.”At exactly seven o’clock a sleek black car stopped outside the university hostel.
The campus was lively as students wandered between hostels, cafés and sports fields.
Alexander looked around with quiet amusement.
“It’s smaller than the university I attended in London,” he admitted when Lily entered the car.
“But it has character.”Lily smiled politely.She had spent the entire afternoon convincing herself that tonight meant nothing.It was simply dinner.Nothing more.Hopefully.
The drive was peaceful.They talked about fashion, university life, embarrassing childhood stories, favourite books and travel.Not once did the conversation become uncomfortable.
Not once did Alexander make her feel pressured.“So…” Lily asked.
“Where are we going?”“You’ll see.”
“I don’t like surprises.”
“I know.”
“Then why are you surprising me?”He smiled.
“Because you’ll enjoy this one.”
Twenty minutes later they arrived at an elegant restaurant overlooking the city skyline.
Soft piano music floated through the dining hall.
Candles illuminated every table.The atmosphere felt intimate without being overwhelming.
Throughout dinner they discussed everything except romance.Design philosophies.Childhood dreams.Travel.Family.The future.
To Lily’s surprise…Alexander never asked about past relationships.
He never flirted.He never crossed any boundaries.He simply listened.And somehow…That made her feel even safer.
For the first time in months she wasn’t waiting for someone to disappoint her.She was simply enjoying someone’s company.As they stepped outside the restaurant, Lily smiled.“Thank you.”
“I needed tonight.”
“I’m glad.”Before either of them could say another word…
A familiar voice called from behind.“Lily?”
Every muscle in her body stiffened.Slowly…She turned around.
Standing a few metres away, dressed in a navy shirt and dark jeans, was the one person she had hoped never to see again.Jayden.Time seemed to stop.The smile disappeared from Lily’s face.Beside her, Alexander noticed the sudden change in her expression.
He didn’t know who the man was.But he immediately knew one thing.
Whoever had just called Lily’s name… wasn’t part of her past she had completely healed from.
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