The sharp ring of her alarm jolted LILY out of a dream she couldn’t quite remember. For a second, she just lay there, tangled in her blankets, staring at the ceiling as if the world outside her room was moving too fast for her to catch up. The light streaming through the curtains seemed too bright, like it had been waiting to break through her sleepy haze.

She groaned and rubbed her eyes, pushing herself up, suddenly aware of the time. FIRST DAY, she reminded herself. The words felt both exciting and terrifying, a mix of possibility and pressure that made her stomach flutter.

The bathroom mirror greeted her with the usual reflection—disheveled hair, sleepy eyes—but today, it felt different. She was stepping into something new, something bigger than just another Monday.

With a deep breath, she splashed cold water on her face, the chill pushing away the remnants of her dream and replacing them with the clarity of the day ahead.

"Okay," she whispered to herself, glancing at the clock again. "Let's do this."

Lily stood in front of her closet, eyes flicking between the rows of clothes as her mind drifted back to the years it took to get here. JAMES ENTERPRISE . The name alone still made her heart race with excitement. It was the dream. The one she'd imagined as a child while scribbling in notebooks—her future self, walking confidently through glass doors into a sleek corporate building.

She had spent years building toward this moment. After finishing her MBA at Yale School of Management, a place that had sharpened her mind and expanded her network, it seemed like the world was finally aligning in her favor. Her professors had recognized her drive early on, pushing her to lead in group projects and challenge herself beyond the textbook. Her peers had seen her as the kind of person who was always a step ahead, always ready with an answer, a plan, a solution. The kind of person who didn't settle.

And yet, no matter how much she achieved—no matter how many accolades she collected along the way—there was something about today that felt more real than anything she had ever done.

Her childhood dream was now no longer a distant thought. It was happening. She was about to step into the world she’d always imagined, the one filled with high-stakes meetings, innovation, and maybe even a little bit of the corporate drama she'd always secretly wanted to be part of.

The pressure to live up to her potential—and to the expectations that had always followed her—hung in the air. But for the first time in a long time, she wasn’t scared. She was ready.

Lily's childhood was marked by hardship, as her mother passed away when she was just 13 years old. Despite the overwhelming grief, she refused to let it derail her ambitions. Determined to honor her mother's memory, Lily threw herself into her studies, consistently earning straight A's across all subjects. She dreamed of getting into Yale University and landing a prestigious job at a top company—goals she and her mother had once envisioned together.

Lily's family consisted of her younger sister, RUBY, who was five years younger than her. After their mother's death, Lily stepped into the role of caregiver, supporting her little sister in every way she could. Ruby, now preparing to attend the Tisch School of the Arts, aspired to follow in their mother's footsteps as a dancer. Their mother had been a trained ballet dancer, and Ruby had inherited not only her passion but also her grace and dedication.

Their father, who owned a small but popular restaurant, struggled deeply after the loss of his wife—the love of his life. His grief was compounded by the pressure to work longer hours to support his daughters' education. Before her passing, their mother had helped with the family finances by teaching dance to children, but now it fell on him to manage both the restaurant and the financial burden. It was in those dance classes, taught by their mother, that Ruby found her own calling.

While Lily's ambition drove her to focus on academics, Ruby's heart and soul were drawn to the rhythm of dance, keeping their mother's spirit alive with every movement she made.

Lily stood before the mirror, adjusting her blazer as she prepared for her first day at work. The nervous excitement bubbled within her, but she reminded herself that this was a huge step toward her dreams. As an intern, she was eager to prove herself, just as she had done throughout her academic career.

Once at the office, she joined the other new interns in the conference hall, who had joined the company, each with their own ambition, but today, all eyes were on the impressive gathering ahead. They were introduced to the company's key members, and then, the moment Lily had unknowingly been anticipating arrived.

The CEO of the group, Henry James Brown, walked onto the stage, commanding attention effortlessly. Henry was the only son of James Brown, the man who had turned a bankrupt company into one of the most successful in the country. Like his father, Henry exuded confidence, charisma, and an undeniable business acumen. But what set him apart, in Lily’s eyes, was his undeniable allure.

Henry’s sharp jawline, dark, tousled hair, and piercing blue eyes could stop anyone in their tracks. His smile was effortlessly charming, and his tall, athletic frame held an air of confidence that made the room seem smaller. He had the kind of looks that belonged on a cover of a magazine—handsome in an almost unreal way, with every feature seemingly crafted to perfection. His voice, smooth and assured, carried effortlessly across the room as he began his speech.

Lily found herself mesmerized. His words became a blur as her mind seemed to drift with every glance at him. She couldn’t focus on what he was saying; instead, she was captivated by his magnetic presence. His eyes, sharp yet inviting, swept across the room and suddenly, they locked with hers. For a moment, time seemed to stretch. Neither of them looked away. Lily’s heart raced in her chest, and she realized just how long she had been staring at him—lost in his gaze.

Henry, too, seemed to hold her gaze, a flicker of recognition crossing his features, as if he knew her from somewhere but couldn’t quite place where. The room around them faded away, and all that remained was the intense connection between them.

Just as the silence grew thick, the rest of the room erupted into applause, snapping Lily back to reality. The spell was broken, and her cheeks flushed with embarrassment. What was I doing? She had been staring at him for far too long. Her face reddened, and she quickly tapped her head, muttering to herself, "Focus, Lily." She could feel the heat of her own mortification, hoping no one had noticed her lost-in-thought moment.

Henry, however, stole one last glance at her before turning to leave the stage. His expression was unreadable, though his gaze lingered just a beat too long as he exited the conference hall.

After the speech, the interns were given a brief overview of their roles and responsibilities before being escorted to their desks. As Lily made her way to hers, she couldn’t shake the image of Henry from her mind, nor the inexplicable feeling that something had passed between them.

However, despite Henry's undeniable charm, there was something cold about him...........

[ TO BE CONTINUED ;)........ ]

Despite Henry's undeniable charm, there was something cold about him—an aloofness that she couldn’t quite place. It wasn’t just the polished perfection of his appearance or the way his confidence seemed almost mechanical. It was in the way he carried himself, as if there was a wall between him and the rest of the world. A deliberate detachment that hinted at a man who had seen too much, trusted too little.

Lily couldn’t shake the feeling that there was more to him than the charismatic CEO everyone admired. And for some reason, she felt an odd mix of curiosity and caution stir inside her. Why did he seem so unreachable?

Lily had heard whispers about Henry before. She’d read a few articles on him during her time at Yale, though none of them had prepared her for the real thing.

At just 24, Henry was already the CEO of James Enterprise, a title he had earned through a combination of talent, grit, and his undeniable intelligence. He wasn't simply handed the position because of his father, James Brown, the company's founder and largest shareholder. No, Henry had started at the very bottom—taking the most basic, entry-level job he was qualified for—before proving himself, step by step, that he was worthy of leading the entire company.

Lily remembered reading about his journey in a business magazine once. Raised by a father who had turned the company around from the brink of bankruptcy to become one of the country’s most successful enterprises, Henry had always been destined for greatness. But what stood out the most in the articles was how he had done it all on his own. At 13, he’d left his hometown and moved to the U.S. where he completed both his schooling and attended Harvard Business School. By the time he was 20, he had already become known for his sharp mind and exceptional work ethic. His rise to CEO, at such a young age, was a testament to his brilliance.

But it was more than just academic success that got him here. He had worked his way up through the company, earning the respect of his colleagues with every position he’d held. People didn’t see him as the spoiled son of the president—no, they saw him as a leader in his own right.

It was this combination of skill, hard work, and quiet determination that had always fascinated Lily. Still, it didn’t explain the coldness she had sensed from him. There was something else behind that polished exterior, something she couldn’t quite put her finger on.

The days after Henry's speech seemed to pass in a blur. Lily had been caught in a whirlwind of excitement and uncertainty, but now, back in the confines of her desk and her daily tasks, reality set in. She quickly found her rhythm within the company, focusing on the work that had always driven her. Henry, though still a looming figure in the building, became little more than a distant shadow as Lily immersed herself in her responsibilities.

She didn’t have the chance to cross paths with him again, and perhaps that was for the best. He was always busy, wrapped up in his high-level meetings and business dealings. Lily, on the other hand, was just an intern—a face in the crowd. She saw him from a distance occasionally, catching glimpses of him as he entered or left the building. But those moments felt like fleeting fragments, never enough to bridge the gap between them.

Days bled into weeks, and the internship continued to unfold smoothly. Lily’s efficiency at work became a standout feature of her time there. She had earned the praise of her colleagues and supervisors, becoming the talk of the office for her impressive skills and her unwavering dedication. It wasn’t long before it became clear that she wasn’t just another intern—she was the best they’d ever had.

As the internship came to an end, Lily found herself presented with an unexpected opportunity. Her hard work had paid off in a way she hadn’t anticipated. The company, impressed by her performance, offered her a permanent position as a consultant. It was a huge step, one she had dreamed of for years. But as she looked ahead to the future, she couldn't shake the feeling that this new chapter might bring her closer to Henry—and to whatever unspoken tension lingered between them.

[ TO BE CONTINUED ;) .........]

Lily was slowly getting used to her new role as a consultant at the company. It was a fast-paced, demanding job, and she found herself immersed in a variety of projects that required her to think critically and work hard. As a consultant, she was tasked with analyzing business operations, identifying areas for improvement, and presenting her recommendations to senior management. She worked with different departments, assessing their processes and helping optimize them to improve efficiency and profitability.

At the moment, the company was in the middle of a high-stakes project: they were attempting to take over a smaller rival company, Luxe Tech Solutions, to expand their market share in the tech industry. This acquisition was a significant deal, and everyone at the company was working tirelessly to ensure its success. The pressure was on, and it seemed like there was always a new report to create, a meeting to attend, or a strategy to revise. As a result, late nights in the office had become the norm.

Tonight, like many others, Lily was staying late, her mind racing through the last of the numbers and reports she needed to finish. Her best friend’s birthday party was the next day, and Lily had promised to attend. To make sure she could leave early and enjoy the evening, she wanted to complete as much work as possible tonight. The clock ticked away, and finally, with a sigh of relief, she hit the final "send" button on her last report. She stretched her stiff body, feeling the weight of the long hours.

Lily glanced at the time—it was already 11 p.m.

She was the only one left in the office. The once-bustling workplace was now eerily silent. Her coworkers had long since packed up and left for the night. She grabbed her bag, pushed the button for the elevator, and waited for it to arrive, eager to finally head home.

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On the opposite side of the building, Henry James Brown, the CEO, had just finished wrapping up his own work. The day had been filled with meetings, calls, and finalizing details for the Luxe Tech Solutions acquisition. He was exhausted, but his mind was still buzzing with thoughts of the company’s future. His secretary, William, was with him, and they were heading down to leave for the night.

Henry usually used the private elevator reserved for senior executives, but tonight it was out of service due to a malfunction. With a sigh of frustration, William pressed the button for the general elevator, and the two men waited in silence.

The elevator arrived, and as the doors opened, Henry stepped inside, followed by William. As the elevator was moving towards the basement it stopped on fourth floor, the doors opened, Henry’s gaze flickered across the lobby.

And there she was.

Lily.

Standing alone by the elevator, rubbing her tired eyes as if trying to stave off the exhaustion that had clearly settled in her bones. Henry’s breath caught in his chest. For a moment, all he could do was watch her, captivated by how beautiful she looked under the harsh fluorescent lights. Her long, dark hair framed her delicate features, and the exhaustion in her posture only seemed to add to her charm. She was stunning, even in the quiet, stillness of the late hour.

A chuckle escaped him, light and amused, as he noticed how cute she looked, rubbing her eyes in such a vulnerable, human way. The sound of his laughter broke the silence, and Lily, startled, looked up. Her eyes widened in surprise as she realized who she was staring at.

It was Henry.

She quickly checked the elevator’s indicator light to make sure she hadn’t pressed the wrong button, but no—it was the right one. Blushing slightly from the awkwardness of the situation, she forced a smile and greeted him.

“Hi, Mr. Brown,” she said, her voice a little too soft for comfort.

William, who had already met Lily a few times in the cafeteria, smiled warmly at her. “You’re still here this late? Shouldn’t you be getting some rest? I’m sure there’s a party to get to tomorrow?”

Lily nodded, a little too quickly. “Yeah, my best friend’s birthday tomorrow. I just wanted to finish up as much as I could tonight so I could leave early.” She kept her gaze down, avoiding Henry’s intense eyes. The last thing she wanted was to make eye contact with him again and get lost in that hypnotic gaze.

Henry noticed her discomfort but didn’t press the issue. He stepped aside. “We’re heading to the same floor. You should take this elevator. It’s no trouble.”

Lily hesitated for a moment, caught between the desire to escape the overwhelming tension and the reality of her situation. Finally, she gave a small bow, her voice quiet but sincere. “Thank you, Mr. Brown.”

She stepped into the elevator, standing as far from him as possible, but even then, the air seemed thick with something unspoken. The elevator doors closed, and for a moment, there was an uncomfortable silence. William, ever the conversationalist, broke it.

“So, Lily, working late like this? You’re a dedicated consultant, I’ll give you that.”

Lily felt her cheeks flush again. “I just wanted to make sure I finished my work before I go to the party tomorrow,” she said quickly, her voice soft. She could feel her heart racing in her chest. The tension in the small space was palpable. Every time she stole a glance at Henry’s reflection in the polished steel walls, her heart skipped a beat. She could barely focus on anything else, her mind swirling with thoughts she didn’t want to confront.

But Henry wasn’t oblivious either. He was observing her closely, his thoughts racing. There was something familiar about her—something he couldn’t quite place. He knew he had seen her before, but where? When? The welcome meeting? The more he thought about it, the more it bothered him. His gaze lingered on her, but he didn’t speak, not wanting to make the moment more awkward than it already was.

As the elevator descended, Lily could hear the pounding of her own heart in her ears. The proximity of Henry made it hard to breathe, and all she wanted was for the elevator to reach the first floor. The seconds seemed to stretch on forever.

When the doors finally opened, Lily was out before anyone could say a word. She bowed quickly, not daring to look back at Henry, and practically ran out of the elevator, the sound of her hurried footsteps echoing in the silent hallway.

Henry stood there, momentarily stunned, watching her retreat. The door closed, and he was left standing there, puzzled. Had she just… run away from him?

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Outside the building, Lily stopped for a moment, her body still tingling with the adrenaline from the elevator ride. She took a deep breath, trying to calm her racing heart. She had been holding her breath for the entire ride, hoping the elevator would reach the first floor as quickly as possible. Once outside, she gathered herself, feeling the cool night air wash over her.

She flagged down a taxi and settled in, trying to calm the storm of emotions in her chest. As the taxi pulled away, Lily couldn’t help but think about the man she’d just fled from. Henry James Brown. The CEO. And yet, despite everything, she couldn’t deny the magnetic pull she felt every time their paths crossed.

[ TO BE CONTINUED ;) ........]