The Dream that Lingers

Lily tossed and turned in her bed, her thoughts lingering on the brief, intense encounter in the elevator. But as the night deepened, exhaustion took over, and she slipped into sleep. That’s when the dream came.

In her dream, she found herself standing in a soft, golden light. The room around her was elegantly decorated, the soft hum of a quiet conversation floating through the air. She turned and saw him—Henry—standing by the window, his back slightly turned, his sharp silhouette framed by the moonlight.

The dream felt so vivid, as if everything was drawn from the fragments of reality. She walked toward him, her feet light and unsteady, drawn to him like a magnet. Henry, sensing her approach, turned slowly to face her, his gaze deep and penetrating. His eyes softened when they met hers, as if seeing her for the first time—and yet, there was an undeniable recognition, an understanding between them that ran deeper than words.

Lily felt herself drawn in, her breath catching in her throat. He reached out, brushing a strand of her hair from her face, the touch lingering longer than it should have. She felt a heat spread across her skin, and her heart raced. The chemistry was undeniable—his presence was intoxicating, magnetic. The space between them seemed to disappear as he took a step closer, lowering his head slightly as if to kiss her.

Just as their lips were about to meet, the sudden ringing of her alarm shattered the moment, pulling her violently from the dream. Her body jerked awake, her heart still pounding, and her cheeks flushed bright red. Lily pressed a hand to her face, her mind racing as she tried to shake off the feeling of the dream. She had to get up. She needed to distract herself from the feelings that seemed to surge within her.

After a quick, frustrated sigh, Lily threw off the covers, determined to not let the dream linger in her mind. She quickly dressed and got ready for work, pushing the memory of Henry and the warmth of the dream to the back of her mind. There was no time for distractions.

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By the time Lily arrived at work, the morning sun had begun to filter through the office windows, casting soft rays across her desk. She dove into her tasks, working with precision and focus to keep her mind off the swirling thoughts about Henry. As the hours passed, she found herself working more efficiently than ever. Perhaps it was the nervous energy she couldn’t shake, or maybe she was simply driven by the thought of the birthday party later that night. Whatever it was, she completed her work earlier than expected, a small victory.

With the rest of the afternoon to herself, she decided it was time to attend her best friend Kate’s 25th birthday party.

Kate and Lily had grown up together, their bond forged in childhood. Their mothers had been close friends from their college days, and as a result, Kate had spent countless hours at Lily’s house growing up. Their friendship had deepened over the years, surviving the highs and lows of life. When Lily’s mother passed away, Kate’s family had been her rock, especially her mother, who had stepped in to help Lily through those difficult times.

Kate’s family had always been wealthy. Her father was a prominent businessman, and they lived a life of luxury. So it was no surprise when Kate decided to throw her birthday celebration at the luxurious Riverton Grand Hotel, a venue known for its opulence and exclusivity. It was the kind of place where business tycoons and celebrities mingled, and Kate’s party was no exception.

Lily had been looking forward to this night, but she couldn’t shake the thought of her dream about Henry. She quickly brushed it aside. Tonight was about Kate, and she needed to be there for her friend.

Since she had finished her work early, Lily decided to head home first, to relax and freshen up before the party. She needed a moment to herself, to clear her mind and center herself for the evening ahead.

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As she arrived at her apartment, Lily felt a sense of relief. The bustling energy of the office had left her feeling frazzled, and a warm shower was exactly what she needed. She stepped into the bathroom, the hot water quickly easing the tension in her muscles. It felt good to unwind, to be present in the moment for herself, and not worry about work or Henry—or the dream that was still lingering in her thoughts.

She closed her eyes for a moment, breathing in the steam. But even as she stood there, her mind drifted back to Henry—his deep gaze, his quiet strength. It was almost as if he had the power to draw her in without saying a word. She shook her head, trying to focus on the present. Tonight, she would be there for Kate. Tonight, she would enjoy the party.

Lily turned off the shower, wrapped herself in a soft towel, and began to prepare for the night ahead.

Lily finally arrived at the Riverton Grand Hotel, feeling a mix of excitement and lingering nerves. She had dressed up for the occasion, slipping into a sleek black dress that made her feel a bit more confident than she had earlier in the day. The elevator ride up to the private party room gave her a moment to gather her thoughts and push away the distractions from work—though Henry’s face seemed to linger in the back of her mind.

When the elevator doors opened, she stepped into the grand hallway, and the sounds of laughter and music filtered through the walls. She made her way to the private room Kate had reserved for the night.

As soon as the door opened, Lily was met with a warm welcome and the sight of her best friend grinning from ear to ear. Kate, a vision in a sparkling red dress, was already in the midst of enjoying her birthday. She held a glass of champagne in her hand, and her cheeks were flushed with the excitement of the night.

"Finally! There you are!" Kate exclaimed, rushing over to hug her. "Happy birthday!" Lily said, pulling back with a bright smile and handing Kate a small, wrapped gift.

Kate's eyes lit up as she took the gift. “You’re so sweet, thank you! But I have to tell you… you’ve been so hard to reach lately. It feels like I barely see you anymore. Your company has taken up all your time, hasn’t it?”

Lily felt a pang of guilt at the remark. “I’m still the new girl, Kate. I just got this big consultant role, and I need to work hard to prove myself. But I promise I’ll try to be more available. I miss our talks too.”

Kate raised an eyebrow with a playful smile. “I better see you more often, or I’ll have to come down to your office and drag you out myself.”

Lily chuckled, relieved that Kate understood. They moved over to the table where other friends were waiting, each one greeting Lily with a smile and a hug. The energy of the room was infectious, and soon the party officially began. Kate cut the birthday cake, and everyone gathered around to enjoy the delicious food and toast to her special day.

As they finished eating, Kate stood up, raising her glass. “Alright, alright, enough of the food! It’s time to play my favorite game!” she announced, her eyes sparkling with excitement. “Truth or Dare, everyone!”

Lily’s stomach dropped slightly at the mention of the game. She was never a fan—especially because she had a terrible track record when it came to dares. Her friends loved giving her outrageous challenges, and it always ended with her feeling more embarrassed than amused.

She glanced around the room, avoiding eye contact with Kate as the others eagerly chimed in, shouting in unison, “Truth or Dare!”

Kate grinned, sensing Lily’s hesitation. “Come on, Lily! You can’t bail on me now. It’s my birthday, and you’re staying for the fun!”

Lily hesitated, her fingers nervously tapping the side of her glass. “I should probably get going. It’s already pretty late, and I have work tomorrow.” She tried to keep her voice calm, though she could feel the pressure of everyone’s eyes on her.

But Kate wasn’t buying it. She crossed her arms, narrowing her eyes playfully. “No way. You can’t leave yet. You’ve been dodging me for weeks with work, and now that you’re here, you’re not going anywhere. No excuses!”

Lily bit her lip, glancing around the room at the pleading expressions of their mutual friends. They all chimed in together, “Stay, stay, stay!”

With a resigned sigh, Lily gave in. "Alright, alright. I’ll stay, but only because it's your birthday," she said, offering Kate a small smile.

Kate raised her glass high in the air. “That’s the spirit! Now, let’s get started!” She called out to everyone, her excitement spreading through the group. “Lily’s staying, so let’s make this a good one!”

Lily could already feel the dread creeping in, but she pushed the thoughts aside and joined the circle. Tonight was supposed to be about celebrating Kate, not about avoiding embarrassing moments. She’d get through it—hopefully without any dares that would make her regret it.

As the first round began, Lily's eyes darted nervously to her friends, trying to prepare herself for what was to come. She just hoped that whatever the game threw at her, she’d be able to handle it... even if it meant enduring a few awkward moments.

[ TO BE CONTINUED ;) ]

"A moment that will change everything is about to happen. The kiss that will spark a misunderstanding between Lily and Henry awaits in the next chapter."  SO STAY TUNED

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