Lily sat in her design studio, staring at the sketchbook in front of her. She had been struggling to come up with new ideas, feeling stuck and uninspired.
Just as she was about to give up, she heard a knock at the door. It was Leo, standing in the doorway with a curious expression.
"I saw the light on and thought I'd check in," he said, his eyes scanning the room. "What are you working on?"
Lily hesitated, unsure if she wanted to share her struggles with Leo. But something about his gentle tone put her at ease.
"I'm just trying to come up with some new design ideas," she said, showing him her sketchbook.
Leo walked over to her, his eyes scanning the pages. "These are great," he said. "But I think I see the problem."
Lily raised an eyebrow. "What's that?"
"You're thinking too much," Leo said, a small smile playing on his lips. "Sometimes you just need to let go and see things from a different perspective."
Lily thought about his words, realizing that he was right. She had been overthinking everything, trying to control every aspect of her designs.
"Thanks, Leo," she said, feeling a sense of gratitude towards him.
Leo nodded, his eyes sparkling with amusement. "Anytime, Lily. Now, let's take a break and get some fresh air."
Lily agreed, and together they walked out into the gardens, the warm sun on their faces and the sound of birds singing in the trees.
As they strolled, Lily felt her mind clearing, her thoughts untangling. She was starting to see things from a new perspective, and it was all thanks to Leo.
As they walked through the gardens, Leo turned to her with a thoughtful expression. "Lily, I've been thinking...you have a real talent for fashion design. Have you ever considered entering a competition?"
Lily's eyes widened in surprise. "A competition? What kind of competition?"
Leo smiled, his eyes sparkling with excitement. "I'm one of the sponsors of a prestigious fashion designing competition, and I think you'd be perfect for it."
Lily's heart skipped a beat as she considered the opportunity. A competition like that could be a game-changer for her career.
"What's the competition like?" she asked, her curiosity piqued.
"It's a high-profile event, with some of the biggest names in the fashion industry attending," Leo explained. "The contestants will be given a theme and a limited amount of time to create their designs. The winner will receive a cash prize and a chance to showcase their designs at a major fashion show."
Lily's eyes grew wide with excitement. This was an opportunity she couldn't afford to miss.
"I'm in," she said, her voice firm.
Leo smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "I knew you'd be interested. But I have to warn you, Lily...the competition will be fierce. Are you sure you're ready for this?"
Lily nodded, her determination growing. "I was born ready."
Leo chuckled, his eyes sparkling with amusement. "I like your spirit, Lily," he said. "I think you'll do great things."
As they continued walking through the gardens, Lily felt a sense of ease with Leo that she hadn't experienced before. It was as if they had finally found a common ground, something that they could both be passionate about.
As the sun began to set, casting a warm orange glow over the gardens, Leo turned to her with a thoughtful expression.
"Lily, can I ask you something?" he said, his voice low and serious.
Lily nodded, her curiosity piqued. "Of course, what is it?"
Leo hesitated, as if unsure of how to phrase his question. "What do you think of me?" he asked finally, his eyes searching hers.
Lily was taken aback by the question, unsure of how to respond. What did she think of Leo? She had thought of him as a ruthless billionaire, a man who would stop at nothing to get what he wanted. But now...now she wasn't so sure.
Leo's eyes seemed to bore into her very soul, as if he could see every thought, every feeling, every desire that lay hidden within her. Lily felt exposed, vulnerable, and yet, at the same time, she felt a sense of safety, of protection. It was as if Leo's gaze was a shield, a barrier that kept the rest of the world at bay.
Lily hesitated, unsure of how to respond. She didn't want to hurt Leo's feelings, but she also didn't want to lie to him.
"I think you're...complex," she said finally, choosing her words carefully. "You're not what I expected."
Leo raised an eyebrow, his eyes sparkling with interest. "Oh? What did you expect?"
Lily shrugged, feeling a sense of trepidation. "I don't know...someone colder, I guess. More ruthless."
Leo chuckled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "I can be ruthless when I need to be," he said. "But I'm also human, Lily. I have feelings and emotions, just like everyone else."
Lily felt a surge of surprise at his words. She had never thought of Leo as vulnerable before, but now she saw him in a different light.
"I'm glad you're not what I expected," she said, smiling slightly.
Leo's eyes locked onto hers, his gaze intense. "I'm glad too, Lily," he said, his voice low and husky. "I'm glad too."
The air between them seemed to vibrate with tension, and Lily felt her heart beating faster. What was happening between them?
As they stood there, frozen in time, Lily felt a sense of connection with Leo that she had never felt before. It was as if they were two pieces of a puzzle, fitting together perfectly, seamlessly. She knew, in that moment, that she was meant to be with Leo, that their destinies were intertwined.
The sound of footsteps outside the room broke the spell, and Lily felt a sense of disappointment wash over her. She didn't want the moment to end, didn't want to let go of the feeling of connection that she had with Leo. But as the door opened, and Mrs. Jenkins walked in, Lily knew that she had to let go, had to return to reality.
"Sorry to interrupt," Mrs. Jenkins said, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "But dinner is ready. Shall I have it brought up here, or would you prefer to eat in the dining room?" Leo's eyes never left Lily's face as he responded, his voice low and husky. "We'll eat in the dining room. Thank you, Mrs. Jenkins."
As they walked to the dining room, Lily couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement, of anticipation. She knew that she had to be careful, had to guard her heart, but she couldn't help the way she felt. She was drawn to Leo, like a moth to a flame, and she knew that she couldn't resist him forever. The question was, what would happen when she finally gave in to her desires?
_i guess I'm really drawn to him, but he's with another_ she said within her