Real love never dies.

Chapter:7

Catherine went back to the lounging area and joined everyone while they were having drinks.

After a few moments, Ava came down, wearing a dark blue long dress with short sleeves and an open chest. Her hair was styled in a bun.

Then lunch was ready. They all walked to the table to share their meal together. Victoria sat opposite Catherine; Lily sat opposite Liam, and Ava opposite Sky. They started eating in silence until Ava broke it:

"So, do I get to choose who I want to marry?"

Catherine, hearing Ava speak, gave her a side glance with displeasure on her face.

Victoria, hearing the question, looked at Ava and said, "No, darling. I'm the one who chooses who is perfect for who," then went back to eating her food.

Ava, not ready to let it go, asked again, "When are you going to pair us? Today or some other day?"

Victoria, hearing Ava’s nonstop questions, didn’t even glance her way when she replied with a straight face, "After lunch today."

Ava then started eating again.

When everyone was done with their meal, they went back to the lounging area and sat down.

Victoria then started, "This is simple. No one is allowed to object. So, I choose..."

They all looked at her. Lily was so eager to hear who she was going to marry; she wanted Sky, not Liam. Ava, on the other hand, didn’t care, as she had her own agenda.

Liam wanted Lily, even though his usual type was Ava. Sky didn’t care much but liked Lily without even realising it.

Victoria said, "The one I choose for Sky is..." She paused and looked at Sky with a smile.

Sky looked at his mother.

"I pair Sky with Lily," Victoria announced.

Lily, hearing that, almost jumped up from her couch.

Sky sighed a sigh of relief without even knowing why—maybe because he thought Lily was better than Ava.

Liam was displeased but had no say in it; he just kept quiet.

Ava didn’t care. Catherine was happy.

Victoria continued, "Then that means Liam goes with Ava. That's it."

There was a sudden silence.

Sky looked at his wristwatch, then back at his mother.

"Mother, is that all? I need to be excused since there’s someone I need to meet," he said calmly.

Victoria said, "Oh, before I forget: tonight you all will be going on a date with your partners. I already booked the reservations. All you have to do is go there and spend the night together," she said with a calm expression.

Ava asked, "Are we going to the same restaurant?"

Victoria replied, "No, different restaurants."

Sky said, "If that’s all, please excuse me," and then stood up.

Catherine, noticing that Lily was still sitting, ushered her.

"Lily, walk your fiancé out."

Lily didn’t waste any time and followed Sky out.

Sky was walking ahead, and Lily followed closely behind. When they were out of sight from everyone, Sky suddenly stopped. Since Lily was trying to keep up, she bumped into his back, hitting her forehead against him hard.

His honey scent hit her so strongly that she almost forgot the pain.

The soft gasp she made, "Ouch!"—barely a whisper—was enough for Sky to hear.

She touched her forehead with one hand and gripped the hem of her dress with the other.

While she was rubbing her forehead, Sky's voice rang out, cold and distant:

"You don't need to show me out. I know my way."

He didn’t even glance back before walking away.

Lily, stunned by his coldness, finally came back to her senses, but by then, he was already out the door. She whispered softly, "See you tonight then, Mr. Cold..."

Instead of heading back to the lounge, she walked toward the garden.

The garden was full of flowers, and the green grass was beautifully trimmed.

She went to the swing she loved to ride and sat there, getting lost in her thoughts.

---

A Night of First Meetings

In the evening, the mansion was unusually quiet. Richmond lounged on the couch, wearing his spectacles and reading a newspaper. After some time, the sharp sound of heels clicking on the marble floor — click, click, click — echoed through the silence, as if someone wanted to draw attention.

The sound distracted Richmond. He looked up and found himself face-to-face with one of his daughters.

Standing tall, Ava looked stunning in a red chiffon knee-length dress. Her hair was styled in messy small buns, and her makeup was flawless. She struck a pose, one hand on her hip and the other holding a small clutch.

"Dad, don't I look fabulous?" she asked with a smirk, twirling to show off her outfit.

Richmond chuckled at his daughter's confidence.

"You look beautiful, Ava. But where are you off to? You're certainly dressed to impress."

Ava smiled sweetly.

"Mom arranged for us to go on dates with the Clay children. I'm paired with Liam, and Lily is with Sky. I don't know the full plans yet, but I'm hoping for a good time."

Richmond nodded, his expression thoughtful.

"I see. Well, be careful, dear. You don't know much about these people yet, and I want you to be safe."

Ava rolled her eyes good-naturedly.

"Dad, I'll be fine. Mom has everything under control."

She turned to leave — but then the sharp click of another pair of heels echoed from the stairs. Ava turned to see Lily — and she looked absolutely stunning.

Lily descended slowly in a short, tight red dress paired with thigh-high silver-heeled boots, her hair pulled back into a sleek ponytail, a long red coat draped elegantly over her shoulders.

She stood in front of Ava, noticing her sister giving her a full-body look.

"Why are you staring at me like that?" Lily asked, smirking.

Ava chuckled.

"Wow, sis... I've never seen you looking so sexy."

Richmond smiled at the sight of his daughters.

"Did you two plan to wear the same color? You really are my little girls."

Lily turned to Ava, finally noticing the matching outfits.

"Total coincidence, Dad," she said, already heading for the door. "See ya!"

"See ya, Dad!" Ava called over her shoulder, heels clicking against the marble as they both left.

Richmond watched them disappear, a mixture of pride and concern tightening his chest. He hoped his daughters would find happiness in their arranged marriages — but he couldn't shake the feeling that the night ahead would be full of surprises.

---

At high-end restaurants on opposite sides of town, two black Rolls-Royces pulled up simultaneously.

From one car stepped a silver high heel; from the other, a thigh-high silver-heeled boot touched the ground.

The young ladies emerged, walking gracefully into their respective venues, each unaware of the night awaiting them.

---

At Lily's Restaurant:

Before Lily could even enter, a waiter by the door helped her off with her long red coat. Lily gasped slightly at the breathtaking sight: red rose petals scattered everywhere, candles lining a path toward a single table reserved just for her and Sky.

She walked forward, smiling shyly until she reached the table where Sky was seated. Upon seeing her, he stood up and pulled out a chair without a word. Lily took her seat, and Sky calmly returned to his.

Sky was mesmerized by her appearance — even more than earlier that day. She looked stunning, almost ethereal. Yet outwardly, he remained as cool and unreadable as ever, masking the fire burning inside him.

He waved a hand, signaling a waiter to bring menus. As the waiter approached, Sky said curtly,

"Don't leave. Take our orders first."

He opened the menu casually while Lily sat stunned, feeling invisible under his cold gaze.

Sky placed a simple order: a light meal and a glass of red wine. Then the waiter turned to Lily.

"Miss, what would you like to order?"

Lily didn’t answer, too furious to process anything.

Sky, noticing her silence, looked up, locking eyes with her. Lily quickly looked away, her heart pounding in anger and frustration.

The waiter, sensing the tension, repeated softly,

"Miss, can I take your order, please?"

Snapping back to reality, Lily grabbed the menu and picked the most expensive dishes — multiple ones — along with the priciest wine she could find, her expression daring Sky to say something.

The waiter nodded politely and retreated.

Silence thickened between them. Neither said a word. The food arrived; they ate quietly, pretending the other didn’t exist.

---

Meanwhile, across town, at Ava's Restaurant:

Ava walked into her restaurant and spotted Liam already seated, casually twirling a glass of water in his hand. With a playful smile, she said,

"I'm here. Aren't you going to pull out a chair for me?"

Liam chuckled, got up, and pulled out a chair gallantly.

"You don't seem too excited," Ava teased as she sat down. "Am I not good enough to raise your spirits?"

She winked mischievously.

Liam leaned in slightly, his eyes gleaming.

"I'd be lying if I said you weren't doing something to me. I like girls like you... fiery."

He licked his lower lip flirtatiously, making Ava laugh.

"Damn, you wanna jump straight to that, pretty boy?" she teased.

"No harm in starting early," Liam said with a smirk. "After all, we're getting married soon."

Ava giggled and waved to the waiter.

"Let's eat. I'm so hungry I could eat a cow!"

When the waiter arrived, Ava leaned back with a smirk.

"My fiancé will order for me, right darling?"

"Of course, sweetheart," Liam said smoothly and placed the order without hesitation. Luckily, Ava wasn’t picky — she ate happily and soon they were laughing and chatting like old friends, the chemistry between them undeniable.

---

Back at Lily's Table:

The cold war finally snapped.

"Are you really going to be like this the whole night?" Lily snapped, unable to contain her frustration.

Sky paused briefly — then resumed eating as if she hadn’t spoken.

Lily's face darkened. Furious, she slammed her palm onto the table.

"I’m talking to you! If you didn’t want dinner with me, you should have said so! I wouldn’t have wasted my time dressing up for someone so cold!"

Sky didn’t even flinch.

In a burst of anger, Lily stood and swept the plates off the table, sending food and dishes crashing to the floor with a spectacular crash.

Sky calmly set down his knife and fork, folded his arms, and looked at her.

"I didn’t know you were a psychopath," he said coolly.

Lily stared at him, stunned.

"Did you just call me crazy?"

Sky sighed, casting a lazy glance at the mess. Then he stood.

"You didn’t have to make a scene just to hear my voice. Is it really that pleasant for you?"

Lily's fists clenched.

"Oh, don't flatter yourself! Who would want to hear your stupid voice?"

Sky smirked slightly.

"Isn't it obvious? Who else makes a fuss just because I won't talk to her?"

"You did this on purpose? How childish!" Lily snapped.

Without answering, Sky turned to leave. Panicking, Lily grabbed his arm.

"And where exactly do you think you're going? We're not done!"

Sky froze at the touch, feeling the warmth of her small hand. Carefully, he pried her fingers off.

"We're done here. I have things to do. Have a good night."

Without another glance, he walked away.

Lily shouted after him,

"You don't even have my number!"

Sky called back over his shoulder,

"I'll ask my mom."

And with that, he was gone.

Lily stood there, heart pounding, torn between rage and amusement. A slow, secret smile played at her lips.

He said he'll call me, she thought.

Forgetting her coat entirely, she walked out of the restaurant into the cool night air, her heart fluttering for reasons she didn’t dare admit.

---