SECOND CHANCE AT FOREVER

Lily Monroe's heart pounded as she walked into the office of Nathan Carter. She had just made his coffee as he had requested it: three pumps of caramel, a bit of vanilla, and just the right amount of dolloped cream. Nathan Carter, the billionaire CEO of Carter Enterprises, always kept his office on fire. Lily had worked as his secretary for nearly three years, and she knew how particular he was about his coffee. "Lily, come on in!" It was a warm voice, his eyes lighting up in fact, at the sight of her. He was sitting at his desk, papers scattered around him. Although he looked all stressed, his gaze softened when his eyes fell on Lily. Lily set the cup down on his desk and stepped back. Her heart fluttered at their eye contact. "Here you go, Nathan. Just the way you like it." Nathan took a try and nodded in satisfaction. "Perfect, I don't know what I would do without you." The touch of his compliment warmed her cheeks. They were not just colleagues: the bond which got shared between Nathan and Lily was something really special. Lily liked him for his prosperity and the way he held regard for little things. Their moments together were rare yet always special. As the weeks turned into days, their relationship became much better. They started spending full time together outside the office; having meals and taking on things beyond the niceties of the office. Lily had started enjoying Nathan's occasional teasing, and his presence seemed to bring a peaceful environment in an otherwise chaotic life that hers was. The next evening, squeezing Lily's hand across the little table in the cozy restaurant, Nathan reached over and took Lily's hand in his own, sending a chill down her spine. "Lily, I've been meaning to speak with you," Nathan said, his voice grave but low. Lily looked at him, her heart racing. "Why? Nathan took a deep breath. "I know that I say we have been with each other all that time, but I honestly wouldn't want it any other way. There's no other life that I could choose right now, and I've never.. ." He took a deep breath. ".. .been happier in my life than when I'm with you." Lily's eyes widened in surprise and happiness. "Nathan, are you saying—" Nathan smiled, interrupted. "Well, I want us to go to the next level. I want to be with you, not as your boss but as your partner. I'm thinking of our forever." Her heart was soaring high. "You are saying what I think you are saying, right?" He nodded. "I want to marry you. I want you to be my wife. Tears of happiness filled Lily's eyes, and she squeezed his hand, overwhelmed by the love and commitment Nathan was showing to her. "Yes Nathan. I want that too. More than anything." Their engagement was a dream come true. They started planning the life ahead of them, full of excitement. Nathan's love for Lily seemed to pour sunshine on everything around them, and a favorite topic of their friends and family members was in regard to this relationship. But as the date of their wedding approached, a new face appeared in their life—Sophia Martinez, Nathan's assistant. She had always been nice, but there was an edge behind her charm that Lily couldn't really place her finger on. Sophia seemed to be always around, and at times, things got quite uncomfortable with her presence. Lily couldn't fail to notice the way Sophia would stare at Nathan, or the way she seemed overly interested in whatever plans the two of them had. "Lily, I need to talk to you about something." Lily looked up from her desk, smiling. Her smile faded at the sight of his serious expression. "What's wrong, Nathan?" Nathan hesitated, then told her, "There have been some issues at work. I need to handle them, but I don't want it to come between us." Lily nodded, making herself believe it. "I know. We'll be fine." The days went by and Nathan was somehow growing increasingly busy, now dividing his attention between Lily and the mounting job issues. Sophia was apparently interfering with Nathan's business more and more, sending Lily her disapproving looks. Eventually, however, the pounding tension between Nathan and Sophia was palpable, and even Lily had a hard time ignoring it when thoughts of their impending wedding simmered in her brain. Nathan's infectious glow had begun to wane, and Lily feared that their perfect future was slipping silently down the drain. One very tense evening, Nathan caught Lily as she came home from work and suggested that they go out for dinner. Over the dinner table, interludes of early conversation had pauses filled with strain. Lily finally gave in to her worry. "Nathan, what's going on? You've been so distant lately." Nathan let his face reflect the pain he was feeling. "I'm having some problems at work, and Sophia is involved. I'm trying to keep this all together, but everything is being affected." Lily's heart sank. "Nathan, I'm here for you; we're supposed to be a team." Nathan glanced at her softly. "I know, Lily. I just. I don't want this between us." As they talked, Lily felt that there was something cooking with Nathan inside out. The warmth of their love seemed to be in shadow by the tension dialling up in Nathan's life.