The office was busy again.
Phones rang.
Keyboards clicked.
Conversations floated quietly through the halls of Sovereign.
Lillian sat at her desk, trying very hard to focus on her computer.
Trying.
Not succeeding.
Because the bouquet of white lilies sitting beside her keyboard kept distracting her.
She glanced at them again.
A small smile crept onto her face.
Then she quickly forced her eyes back to the screen.
"Interesting."
Lillian froze.
Slowly, she looked up.
Chloe stood beside her desk.
Arms crossed.
Eyes narrowed.
"Oh… hi, Chloe," Lillian said carefully.
Chloe leaned closer to the flowers.
"Those weren't here this morning."
"They're just flowers."
"Those," Chloe said slowly, "are not just flowers."
Lillian tried to look innocent.
Chloe examined the bouquet like a detective inspecting evidence.
"These are expensive."
Lillian said nothing.
Chloe straightened.
Then leaned in close.
"…Did the CEO send you flowers?"
Lillian choked slightly.
"I—what?"
Chloe gasped.
"Oh my god."
"Chloe—."
"I KNEW IT."
Several people glanced over.
"Shhh!" Lillian whispered urgently.
Chloe grabbed her arm.
"Break room. Now."
"Chloe—."
"NOW."
Five minutes later.
They sat at a small table in the break room.
Chloe stared at her.
Unblinking.
Waiting.
Lillian shifted nervously in her chair.
"So…"
Chloe leaned forward.
"Start talking."
"There's nothing to—."
"Lillian."
"Yes?"
"You're dating Sebastian Wolfe."
Lillian's face turned red instantly.
Chloe slapped the table.
"I KNEW IT!"
"Keep your voice down!"
Chloe leaned closer, whispering dramatically.
"How long has this been happening?"
"It just happened!"
"When?"
"Recently!"
"Define recently."
Lillian sighed.
"Yesterday."
Chloe blinked.
"YESTERDAY?"
"Yes!"
Chloe stared at her.
Then whispered slowly.
"You mean to tell me… that the most intimidating CEO in the city fell in love with you overnight?"
"It didn't happen overnight!"
Chloe leaned back in her chair, smirking knowingly.
"So… the flowers. Nice touch."
Lillian blinked, cheeks warming.
"I… uh… thank you?"
Chloe crossed her arms, eyes sharp.
"You don't get it, do you? This isn't just flowers. This is a declaration. He's been… utterly ridiculous about you, hasn't he?"
Lillian swallowed.
"I… I guess he… cares a lot."
"Cares?" Chloe repeated, raising an eyebrow.
"Lillian, he practically moved heaven and earth last night. Carrying you here, staying by your side, making sure you were hydrated… he went full-on personal superhero mode."
Lillian's hands fidgeted in her lap.
"I know… I just… it was embarrassing."
Chloe leaned forward, a teasing smile curling her lips.
"Embarrassing? Lillian, he was devoted. Every move, every whisper, every little protective gesture… and you didn't even realize how much it meant."
"I… I was sick," Lillian murmured, looking down.
"I didn't… I couldn't…"
Chloe shook her head, softer now.
"Exactly. And he handled it perfectly. Every bit of care, every subtle touch… that's him showing he loves you. Not that you needed me to spell it out, but…" She grinned.
"…you do. You really do."
Lillian's fingers twined nervously.
"It was overwhelming… but… nice. To feel… cared for."
Chloe tapped the table.
"Nice? Lillian, that was beyond nice. That was… him, all in. No masks, no business face, just… him. And you."
Lillian's cheeks flushed hotter.
"I… I know now. I just… I wasn't expecting it."
Chloe leaned back, smirking again.
"Yeah. He's full of surprises. And guess what? You've got him. Officially. He's all yours, Lillian."
Lillian's mouth opened, then closed.
"Officially?"
Chloe nodded.
"Flowers, care, protection… and last night? Everything. That was the seal. You're his now. And trust me, he's not letting go."
Lillian exhaled, a soft laugh escaping her.
"I… I can't believe it."
Chloe grinned.
"Believe it. Enjoy it. And maybe… send a little 'thank you' his way. He'd like that."
Lillian glanced at the flowers again, her heart racing.
"I… I will."
Chloe gave her a quick wink.
"Good. You deserve this, you know. He's all in, and so are you. Don't waste a second worrying."
Lillian smiled softly, her hands brushing the lilies again.
"I… I understand now. Truly."
Chloe stood, stretching slightly.
"Perfect. Now go. Enjoy your desk, enjoy your flowers… and maybe text your CEO-boyfriend."
Lillian laughed quietly, shaking her head.
"Text him?"
Chloe winked.
"Yes. Just a simple thank-you. That's all he needs. Trust me."
Lillian leaned back in her chair, heart swelling.
A smile spread across her face.
She wasn't alone.
Sebastian Wolfe—the impossible, infuriating, protective, devoted man—was hers.
For real.
Her phone buzzed.
She checked it.
Sebastian:
Did you eat lunch?
Chloe leaned closer immediately.
"Is that him?"
Lillian locked the phone.
"No."
"Lillian."
"Yes?"
"I literally saw the name."
Lillian sighed.
"Yes. It's him."
Chloe grinned.
"Wow."
Lillian typed a quick reply.
I'm about to.
Her phone buzzed again instantly.
Sebastian:
Good.
Chloe stared at her.
"He's monitoring you."
"He's being protective."
"He's acting like a boyfriend."
Lillian smiled softly.
"Yes."
An hour later.
Lillian returned to her desk.
She had barely sat down when another delivery arrived.
A small box.
She blinked.
"What now?"
She opened it.
Inside was a neatly wrapped pastry.
Her favorite.
Chloe appeared again instantly.
"Oh my god."
Lillian laughed.
"He's ridiculous."
"You're telling me."
She picked up the pastry.
Then stood up.
"Where are you going?" Chloe asked.
"To his office."
Chloe grinned.
"Have fun."
Sebastian sat behind his desk when Lillian walked in.
He looked up immediately.
"Did you eat?"
She held up the pastry.
"You did this."
"I may have."
"You absolutely did."
He folded his hands calmly.
"You skipped lunch yesterday."
"That's not an answer."
"…Yes."
She smiled.
"You didn't have to."
"I know."
"But you did anyway."
"Yes."
She leaned slightly on his desk.
"Thank you."
His eyes softened slightly.
"You're welcome."
She hesitated.
"Chloe knows."
Sebastian blinked once.
"I see."
"She interrogated me."
"That sounds unpleasant."
"It was."
"Did you survive?"
"Barely."
He smirked faintly.
"Impressive."
She laughed.
"You're terrible."
"And yet you like me."
"Yes."
Later that evening.
Work was finally finished.
The office began emptying.
Lillian grabbed her bag.
Sebastian appeared beside her desk.
"Ready?"
"Yes."
They walked toward the elevators together.
Quiet.
Comfortable.
When the doors opened, they stepped inside.
The doors closed.
Finally alone.
Lillian relaxed slightly.
Then—
The elevator suddenly jerked.
The lights flickered.
Lillian stumbled slightly.
Sebastian caught her immediately.
One arm around her waist.
Holding her steady.
"You okay?" he asked quietly.
She looked up.
Very close.
"Yes…"
Neither of them moved.
The elevator resumed moving.
But Sebastian didn't release her right away.
His hand still rested gently on her waist.
"You know," he murmured.
"What?"
"I'm still learning this boyfriend thing."
Lillian smiled softly.
"You're doing pretty well."
He studied her face for a moment.
Then brushed a loose strand of hair behind her ear.
Her heart fluttered.
Then he leaned down slightly.
And pressed a soft kiss against her forehead.
The elevator dinged.
The doors opened.
Two employees stood outside.
They froze.
Sebastian and Lillian were still standing close together.
Very close.
The employees blinked.
Sebastian calmly stepped out of the elevator.
Like nothing unusual had happened.
Lillian followed.
Face bright red.
Behind them, the two employees exchanged looks.
And just like that—
The rumors at Sovereign began.