Chapter Five: An Unexpected Partner
664 Words
Lily's POV
Monday mornings at the university were always chaotic.
Students hurried across campus, lecturers walked briskly between buildings, and the hallways buzzed with conversation.
Lily adjusted the straps of her backpack as she made her way to her Entrepreneurship Practical class.
"You're early today," Ava teased as she caught up with her.
Lily smiled. "I didn't want to be late again."
"You mean after crashing into the famous billionaire?"
Lily groaned.
"Can we please forget that happened?"
Ava laughed. "Everyone's still talking about it."
"I'm sure they'll forget soon."
"I doubt it."
The two friends entered the lecture hall just as their lecturer walked in.
"Good morning, class."
"Good morning, sir."
The lecturer placed a file on the desk and looked around.
"Today's practical will be done in pairs. Your task is to develop a business proposal and present it next week. The project will count for thirty percent of your continuous assessment."
The class immediately became noisy.
Some students smiled at their friends while others hoped they would get paired with someone responsible.
The lecturer began reading out names.
"Lily Carter..."
Lily stood.
"...paired with Daniel Williams."
Daniel looked up from the other side of the room and smiled.
Lily smiled politely in return before sitting back down.
After everyone had been assigned partners, the lecturer continued.
"You are expected to meet outside class, research together, and prepare your presentation. I don't want excuses."
The bell rang shortly afterward.
Students began discussing their projects.
Daniel walked over to Lily.
"Looks like we're partners."
She nodded with a small smile.
"It looks that way."
"I think we'll make a good team."
"I hope so."
He chuckled.
"I know a quiet restaurant just outside campus. We can meet there this evening to discuss the project."
Lily thought about it for a moment.
It sounded reasonable.
It was for school, after all.
"Okay."
Daniel smiled.
"Five o'clock?"
"That works."
"I'll text you the address."
"Alright."
They exchanged a few details about the assignment before Daniel left for his next lecture.
Ava immediately appeared beside Lily with a mischievous grin.
"So..."
Lily narrowed her eyes.
"So... what?"
"You and Daniel seem to be getting along."
"We're just partners for a project."
"Mhmm."
"It's true."
Ava laughed.
"If you say so."
Lily rolled her eyes, trying to hide the smile threatening to appear on her face.
---
That afternoon...
Lily returned home after her lectures.
She changed into a simple cream blouse and a pair of blue jeans before tying her hair into a neat ponytail.
She glanced at the time.
4:25 p.m.
Her phone buzzed.
Daniel: "Hi, Lily. I'm already at Maple Leaf Restaurant. Take your time. 😊"
She smiled.
"I'll be there soon."
After telling her younger brother where she was going, Lily picked up her bag and headed out.
She had no idea that what was supposed to be an ordinary meeting for a class project would soon set off events far beyond her imagination.
---
Damian's POV
At Knight Holdings, Damian stood by the window of his office, looking down at the city below.
His desk was covered with reports, but his attention was elsewhere.
Noah entered after a light knock.
"Sir, your six o'clock meeting has been confirmed."
Damian nodded.
"And the university student?"
Noah looked slightly surprised.
"Our team says she left campus about thirty minutes ago."
Damian turned slowly.
"Where did she go?"
"It appears she's meeting someone."
Noah checked his tablet.
"A male student... Daniel Williams. They're partners for a university practical, and they've arranged to meet at Maple Leaf Restaurant to work on the assignment."
Damian's expression became unreadable.
"Partners?"
"Yes, sir."
The office fell silent.
After a long moment, Damian picked up his car keys.
"Cancel my next meeting."
Noah blinked.
"Sir?"
"I said cancel it."
"Yes, sir."
As Damian walked toward the elevator, only one thought occupied his mind.
He told himself he was simply curious.
But deep down...
He already knew that wasn't the truth.
- Writer
