Living in Two Worlds

The first time Lila set foot in Ethan Drake’s penthouse, she nearly gasped. The view alone could make anyone’s jaw drop a sprawling city skyline glittering under the sunset, glass walls everywhere, and furniture so sleek it looked like it belonged in a design magazine rather than a home.

“Wow,” she whispered, stepping cautiously. “It’s… huge. And shiny. And fancy. And oh my gosh, are those real orchids?”

Ethan, standing behind her with his arms crossed, watched as she tiptoed around, eyes wide. “Yes,” he said flatly. “They’re real. Please don’t touch them.”

“Touch? Me? Never!” she promised… and immediately leaned in to admire a particularly delicate flower. Ethan sighed. “Careful.”

“I’m being careful! See?” She held her hands up dramatically, pretending to tiptoe in slow motion. “Careful chaos.”

Ethan stared. Somehow, she managed to look completely harmless and mildly terrifying at the same time.

As they moved into the kitchen, Lila’s curiosity kicked into overdrive. “You… you have a blender that’s bigger than my apartment!” she exclaimed, pointing at a sleek, stainless-steel appliance.

“It’s a professional-grade model,” Ethan said tersely, like this explained everything.

“Does it make coffee?” she asked hopefully, bouncing on her toes.

“It… can,” he said cautiously.

“I’ll test it!” Lila declared. She dug through a drawer and emerged triumphantly with a packet of instant coffee. “Voila! Coffee!” She dumped it into the blender, added water, and pushed a button… which promptly sent a mini tsunami of brown liquid across the pristine countertop.

“Oh nooooo!” she shrieked, grabbing a towel. Ethan’s normally stoic expression cracked into a twitch of amusement. “I warned you,” he said, though his tone was soft.

“I know! I just… wanted to try!” She mopped up the mess as best she could, glancing at him apologetically. “See? Mostly clean.”

“Mostly is… debatable,” he muttered.

By the end of the afternoon, Ethan realized something about Lila: no matter how chaotic she was, she had a warmth that made his perfectly ordered world feel… livable.

Later, they ventured into his personal library, a vast room with floor-to-ceiling shelves. Lila ran her fingers along the spines, amazed. “These books… they’re beautiful. Do you read them?”

“I try,” Ethan said, leaning against the doorway. “Sometimes business takes priority.”

“I can help!” she said eagerly, pulling a chair over. “We can read together! You know, story time. Billionaire story time!”

Ethan blinked. “Story time?”

“Yes! I’ll even make snacks.” Lila dashed off into the kitchen again, returning with a small plate of cookies that were slightly burnt and misshapen. “Ta-da! Gourmet cookies!”

Ethan raised an eyebrow, but the corner of his mouth twitched. “Gourmet?”

“Yes! I call them… Lila’s chaotic cookies. Very exclusive. Limited edition.”

“Exclusive?” he repeated, amused despite himself.

“Yep! Only available in this penthouse. One batch a month. If you’re lucky.” She grinned like this was the most important announcement in history.

By the time they sat down to read, Ethan found himself genuinely laughing at her antics. She had spilled cocoa powder on his rug, accidentally turned the reading lamp into a disco light with a twist of the switch, and still managed to curl up next to him with a book.

“You… you’re not like anyone I’ve ever met,” he said quietly, staring at her from the corner of his eye.

“I’m a little crazy, yes,” Lila admitted, tucking her feet under her. “But mostly… sweet. And nice. And sometimes helpful.”

Ethan let out a humorless chuckle, though it sounded suspiciously like a smile. “Mostly, huh?”

“Mostly,” she confirmed solemnly. Then she whispered, “Do you… like it?”

For a moment, he didn’t answer. Then he said softly, “Yes.”

Lila’s heart skipped. She grinned sheepishly. “Good. Because I’m not changing. Not for anyone.”

“That’s fine,” Ethan said, his voice low, almost serious. “I… wouldn’t want you to.”

As the evening turned to night, Lila realized that despite the vast wealth, the sleek interiors, and the intimidating luxury of Ethan’s world, she felt… at home. Not because of the penthouse or the skyline, but because of the man beside her the billionaire who was slowly, unknowingly, falling for her chaotic sweetness.

And somehow, she felt like she could take on the world… as long as she didn’t spill coffee on him again.

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***