Chapter:8
1921 Words
---
Outside the restaurant, the night air nipped at Lily’s bare arms, making her shiver.
She wrapped her arms around herself, cursing under her breath. "Brilliant. No coat, no dignity."
Just as she was about to call a driver, a sleek black car rolled up beside her.
The window slid down smoothly, and there he was — Sky — his expression unreadable.
He held her red coat out the window lazily.
"You forgot this, troublemaker."
Lily narrowed her eyes but snatched the coat from him anyway.
"Thanks for finally doing something right," she muttered, draping it over her shoulders.
Sky leaned a little closer, his eyes glinting under the streetlights.
"Get in."
Lily hesitated. "Why?"
"I'm not letting you walk around dressed like that," he said, voice low and almost protective. "Even I have limits."
Without waiting for an answer, he reached over, popped the passenger door open, and gave her a look that dared her to argue.
Reluctantly — and maybe a little flattered — Lily slid into the seat.
As she fumbled with the seatbelt, Sky leaned over without warning and pulled it across her, clicking it in place.
For a second, they were inches apart — so close she could smell the clean, sharp scent of his cologne, feel the warmth radiating off him.
Lily froze, wide-eyed.
Sky didn’t move away immediately.
Instead, his hand lingered lightly on her waist, his gaze roaming her face with an intensity that made her throat dry.
"You drive me insane," Lily whispered without thinking.
Sky’s lips twitched — the faintest ghost of a smirk.
"Good," he murmured. "You deserve a taste of your own medicine."
Their faces were so close... if either of them leaned in even a little, their lips would meet.
But just when Lily thought he might actually kiss her — Sky pulled away, cool and composed again, as if nothing had happened.
He started the car.
Lily sat there, heart hammering wildly in her chest, gripping her coat tighter around herself.
The drive was silent — but it was a heavy silence, thick with things neither of them dared to say out loud.
When they reached her house, Sky parked and turned to her, his hand casually resting on the back of her seat.
"Goodnight, Lily," he said, voice smooth as silk.
She nodded dumbly, reaching for the door handle.
But before she could step out, he caught her wrist again — this time slower, more deliberate.
His thumb brushed over the inside of her wrist, sending shivers up her arm.
"And Lily..." Sky’s voice dropped even lower, rougher, as he held her gaze.
"I don't break my promises."
Then he let go, the loss of his touch making her feel weirdly cold.
She stumbled out of the car, clutching her coat around her like armor, watching as his taillights disappeared into the night.
Her heart was a mess.
Her thoughts were worse.
This was supposed to be an arranged marriage.
So why did it already feel so dangerously real?
---
At their restaurant, Ava was on her third glass of wine, laughing at one of Liam’s ridiculous stories.
"You’re seriously telling me you almost got arrested for sneaking into a zoo after hours?" she giggled, wiping a tear from the corner of her eye.
Liam grinned proudly.
"Not almost. I did get arrested. But in my defense, it was for a noble cause. I was rescuing a drunk flamingo."
Ava shook her head in disbelief, laughing even harder.
"You are dangerous," she teased, pointing her fork at him. "I’m starting to rethink this whole marriage thing."
Liam leaned forward on his elbows, his eyes sparkling with mischief.
"Too late, princess. You're stuck with me."
Ava arched a brow, swirling her wine around in her glass.
"Big words for someone who hasn’t even seen me angry yet."
"I'd like to," Liam said, voice dropping just slightly, his grin turning a little cocky.
"Bet you'd be sexy as hell."
Ava choked on her wine, coughing and laughing at the same time.
"You're such a player," she accused, still laughing.
"And you're loving it," Liam said confidently.
She couldn't even deny it — because she was.
Something about him was reckless, wild, fun — the complete opposite of the cold, stiff guys her mother usually set her up with.
Dinner passed in a blur of teasing, laughter, and lingering glances.
When it was time to leave, Liam stood and offered his hand to her with an exaggerated bow.
"Your chariot awaits, milady."
Ava snorted but placed her hand in his anyway.
The moment their hands touched, a jolt of electricity passed between them — sudden, unexpected.
They both paused, staring at each other for a heartbeat too long.
Then Liam grinned, covering the awkward moment with another joke.
"Careful. Fall for me too fast, and you’ll ruin my bad boy reputation."
Ava rolled her eyes but squeezed his hand just a little tighter.
As they exited the restaurant, the cool night air wrapped around them.
Without thinking, Liam slipped off his jacket and draped it over her bare shoulders.
"Can't have my future wife catching a cold," he said easily.
Ava’s heart skipped a beat — but she masked it with a playful scoff.
"Future wife, huh? Someone's getting ahead of themselves."
Liam only smirked, leaning down so his mouth was right next to her ear.
"Just getting started, princess."
And before she could react, he tugged her gently toward the waiting car, his hand never letting go of hers.
---
Later that night, back at the mansion, Ava kicked off her heels at the door and padded into the grand hallway, Liam’s jacket still draped over her shoulders.
Before she could even make it three steps inside, she was ambushed.
"There you are!" her mother exclaimed, practically materialising out of thin air. "How was it?!"
Her eyes darted immediately to the jacket.
Ava froze, caught like a guilty teenager sneaking home past curfew.
"It was...fine," Ava said casually, trying (and failing) to hide the smile tugging at her lips.
Her mother narrowed her eyes like a hawk spotting prey.
"Fine? Just fine? And whose jacket is that, young lady?"
Ava shrugged off the jacket, pretending it was no big deal.
"It's chilly out," she said coolly. "He was being polite."
Her mother squealed like a teenager at a boy band concert.
"I knew it! He likes you!"
Ava groaned, dragging a hand over her face.
"Mom, please. It was just dinner. Nothing happened."
Her mom leaned in, whispering like they were co-conspirators.
"Nothing... yet."
At that moment, Lily stormed through the front door, her high heels clicking furiously, a deep scowl on her face — but, curiously, her cheeks were bright pink.
"Don't even ask," Lily said, tossing her purse onto the nearest couch.
Ava and her mother both turned to her like bloodhounds catching a new scent.
"Why are you blushing?" Ava asked, smirking.
"I'm not blushing!" Lily snapped defensively.
Her mom gasped.
"You are! Both of you are! This is better than I ever hoped for!"
Lily shot Ava a death glare.
"This is your fault," she muttered.
Ava held up her hands.
"Hey, don't blame me because your icy prince got under your skin."
"I'll kill him before I marry him," Lily growled under her breath.
Their mother clapped her hands together, beaming.
"Wonderful! Such passion! It’s the beginning of true love!"
Ava and Lily exchanged a look of horror — and then simultaneously groaned.
"If this is love," Lily muttered, "I'm already tired."
"And I'm already drunk," Ava added, laughing as she flopped down onto the couch, still clutching Liam’s jacket like a secret.
Their mother just smiled, satisfied.
"Good. You're exactly where you're supposed to be."
---
Sky drove home through the quiet streets, his mind still lingering on Lily’s fiery outburst.
He smirked to himself, shaking his head.
She’s dangerous, he thought.
But... interesting.
When he pulled into the driveway of his penthouse, the building lights gleamed against the night sky.
He parked, headed up the elevator, and unlocked his door.
The scent of vanilla perfume hit him immediately.
He didn’t even need to look. He knew who it was.
Sitting casually on the edge of his couch, wearing one of his shirts and little else, was Camila — his usual "bed partner."
"Welcome home, stranger," Camila purred, getting up and strolling toward him.
Her bare legs glowed under the soft lights, her long hair cascading over her shoulders.
Sky closed the door behind him, tossing his keys onto the counter.
"Who let you in?" he asked, his voice cool, unreadable.
Camila pouted playfully.
"You gave me a key, remember? In case I missed you too much."
Sky said nothing. He dropped onto the couch, loosening the top buttons of his shirt, looking every bit the king in his domain.
Camila took it as an invitation. She slid onto his lap, wrapping her arms around his neck.
"I missed you," she whispered, her lips brushing his ear. "Why don't you ever call me first?"
Sky let his hands rest lazily on her waist, but his heart wasn't in it.
It never was.
"You know how it is," he said simply. "I'm not the calling type."
Camila's smile faltered for half a second before she masked it with a kiss to his neck.
"You could be... if you tried," she whispered, desperation leaking into her voice.
Sky gave her a lazy smirk — a smirk that didn’t reach his cold eyes.
"Don't ask for what I can't give."
Camila pulled back to look at him, her eyes shining with unspoken hope.
"Maybe one day you will," she said softly.
Sky didn’t answer.
Instead, he scooped her up in one swift motion and carried her to his bedroom — shutting the door behind them.
Whatever feelings she had were hers alone to carry.
For Sky, tonight — like every other night with Camila — was just a way to forget the chaos that stirred inside him.
A chaos that, tonight, had a name.
Lily.
---
Later that night, after her playful dinner with Liam, Ava flopped onto her bed, smiling to herself.
Everything was going perfectly — maybe too perfectly.
Her phone buzzed, vibrating against her nightstand.
Unknown Caller.
Ava's heart jumped. She quickly checked that her door was locked before answering in a hushed voice.
"Hey," she whispered.
A deep, familiar voice answered.
"You forgot about me already, babe?"
Ava exhaled, relief washing over her.
"Of course not, Derek. I’m just... playing my part."
There was a low chuckle on the other end.
"Good. Just calling to remind you," Derek said. "You’re not there to fall for that rich pretty boy. You’re there to get us into the Clay family’s fortune."
"I know," Ava said, twirling a strand of hair around her finger. "I'm just getting started. Liam already thinks I’m crazy about him."
"Good girl," Derek said, his voice dropping lower. "Make him trust you. Make him fall hard. And when the time is right... we’ll drain them dry."
Ava smirked, a glint of mischief in her eyes.
"I'll have them eating out of the palm of my hand, Derek. Just wait."
"That’s my girl," he said. "I’ll call you tomorrow. Don’t get sloppy."
The line went dead.
Ava tossed her phone onto the bed, her earlier smile fading into something colder, sharper.
This wasn't just a marriage.
This was a mission.
And she planned to win.
No matter who got hurt.
- Writer
