Bound by Fate

Chapter 4: Affection

David West paused for a moment, sighing. Lily probably had no idea that the other women were jealous of her beauty, which was why they excluded her. He wondered if he should just fire them all and replace them with men. After all, he had the authority to do that! But then again, looking at the doll-like girl in front of him, if he did replace them with men, they might just devour her.

"David..." Lily’s soft voice pulled him out of his thoughts. She pouted, clearly unhappy with him. She knew he was just trying to comfort her!

"Lily..."

She sniffled, interrupting him, "You don’t have to comfort me. I’m not really that upset."

Tears welled up in her eyes, but she stubbornly refused to let them fall. Seeing her pitiful expression, David couldn’t help but smile. She said she wasn’t upset, but it was obvious that she was. After a moment of thought, he said, "From now on, you can stay by my side. You don’t need to hang around those people anymore." Although he had already given special instructions, he still worried that those women might find ways to make things difficult for her.

"Why?" Lily asked, confused. Everything seemed fine to her now.

"I’m worried they’ll bully you!" He genuinely saw this lovable girl as a little sister, even though her identity was quite suspicious.

"I won’t let anyone bully me!"

"Is that so?" David thought she was being naïve. Seeing her now and remembering the sly smile on the maid's face earlier, he knew this little fool had already been bullied.

Lily suddenly flashed a sweet smile and blinked her big, bright eyes. "David, does that mean I can slack off if I stay with you?"

David chuckled, his face full of warmth as he nodded, "Sure!"

"Alright then! I’ll stick with you from now on, so you better take good care of me!"

"Hmm?" David raised an eyebrow. "Where did you learn to say things like that?"

Lily scratched her head in confusion. "Did I say something wrong? That’s what they always say on TV."

David shook his head in amusement. Over the past few days, he had witnessed her remarkable learning ability. Perhaps these were things she already knew before she lost her memory. He was still curious about her identity. The fact that An Rui couldn’t find any information on her suggested that she wasn’t an ordinary person. He just hoped she wasn’t an enemy.

"Lily, I have some work to do. Why don’t you go downstairs and play for a bit? Don’t listen to what those women say."

"Okay!" she replied obediently, nodding as she skipped down the spiral staircase. Her lighthearted demeanor showed that she had already forgotten her earlier unhappiness.

David knocked on the door and, after receiving permission, opened it and stepped inside.

"Cloud Gate?" Ethan Blackwood said as he slipped on his suit jacket. "Have Patrick handle it. Doesn’t he have a good relationship with Skyler?"

"Yes, sir."

David was about to leave when Ethan called him back. "From now on, let Lily Thompson serve me. No one else is allowed on the second floor without permission."

"Uh..." David was a bit surprised. The boss actually remembered Lily’s name? But he had just told Lily she didn’t have to be around those women, and now she was being assigned to take care of the boss. Would she be upset with him?

"Is there a problem?"

David snapped back to attention. "Uh... no, sir."

"Knock, knock..." Lily was lying on the bed, bored and rolling around when she heard the knock. Her eyes lit up as she jumped off the bed and opened the door, excitedly calling out, "David..."

"Bored?"

Lily nodded. No one was talking to her, so she was a little bored.

"Well... Lily..."

She looked at him with her clear, innocent eyes. Seeing that he was struggling to get the words out, she suddenly asked, "David, did you do something to betray me?"

David nearly choked on his own saliva. He cleared his throat, seeing the serious expression on her little face, and asked, "Why do you ask that?"

"Because in the TV show last night..."

"Stop!" How was it that TV was always involved? Looking at her innocent, doll-like face, David asked, "Lily, the boss wants you to serve him. Are you okay with that?" If she didn’t want to, he could talk to the boss. Though Ethan was cold, he was fair to his subordinates.

Lily frowned in confusion. "But... doesn’t he dislike me?"

David raised an eyebrow. Lily always said the boss disliked her, but from what he could see, that wasn’t entirely true. At least, that supposed dislike wasn’t directed specifically at her. Otherwise, how could she still be living in this villa, walking around freely? "So, do you want to do it, Lily?"

Lily frowned, tugging at her hair as she thought. Then she nodded. He had taken her in, so she should repay him. If he didn’t dislike her so much, she wouldn’t have to avoid him all the time. Now that he wanted her to serve him, did that mean he didn’t dislike her anymore?

David watched her suddenly smile foolishly, a chill running down his spine as he scrutinized her. Cautiously, he asked, "Lily, are you in love with the boss?" Please, no! The boss didn’t have a heart, and if Lily fell for him, she would end up completely heartbroken!

Lily tilted her head, thinking seriously, while David’s heart sank. This silly girl wasn’t really...

Just as David was about to try to convince her to give up, Lily answered earnestly, "Not love, but I do like him!"

David frowned at her, doubting. "Do you even know the difference between liking someone and loving them?"

Lily lifted her chin, her face full of pride. "Of course I do. They explained it on the TV show last night..."

"Stop!" David was speechless. How was it always TV shows? He started to worry that these shows might be teaching this pure-hearted girl the wrong things.

David frowned, wondering whether he should let Lily get closer to the boss. He knew Ethan’s charm, and if Lily unknowingly fell in love with him, it would be all his fault.

"David, don’t worry about me. I might not remember much, but I’m very smart!"

"Pfft..." David couldn’t help but laugh. "Do you always compliment yourself like that?"

Lily’s smile was sweet and infectious, but then she asked a completely random question. "David, do you think you might be my long-lost brother?"

"Hmm? Why do you ask?" He had been an orphan all his life. If she really was his sister, he wouldn’t mind.

Lily gave him a sidelong glance, her expression one of exasperation. "Because that’s how it always happens in TV shows!"

David was at a loss for words. "You should stop watching TV."

"Why? I like watching TV!"

David shook his head. "Alright, let me explain what you need to do."