Lily rushed to her room and locked the door. She entered the bathroom, leaned over the sink, gripping the edge tightly as her breathing turned uneven.
Her reflection stared back at her—flushed cheeks, wide eyes, lips slightly parted.
" Lily… seriously?" she whispered to herself. "On your first day? Arrgh."
She turned on the tap and splashed water on her face.
'You love eating good food? What was that?'
She groaned softly, squeezing her eyes shut.
'And why was I even explaining myself to him like he deserves an explanation?, but I was really stupid'.
She slapped her forehead lightly with her palm.
'I'm just so good at embarrassing myself… and he is also very good at concluding matters. How am I supposed to face him after all that?'
"You can have all of it," she mimicked his tone. "Tsk… so annoying."
Her face showed faint annoyance.
'Don't cough out the good food'.
Those words echoed in her head.
She let out a frustrated breath and grabbed a towel, patting her face dry.
"He's just… annoying," she paused. "And confusing."
She hissed and leaned against the wall.
Just then, she heard a knock on the door. Her head slowly turned.
The knock came again
She walked slowly toward the door and opened it.
"Are you okay?"
There he was—standing there, arms crossed, a concerned look on his face.
Refusing to fall for his calm expression, she scoffed and rolled her eyes.
" Why?"
He didn't answer. He just stood there, staring at her with a blank expression, his eyes scanning her face.
'He loves doing this. If this were a movie, I would hate this guy… not like I like him anyway.
The silence stretched, making her uncomfortable.
"You came all the way here just to check if I'm okay? You weren't this caring a few minutes ago."
She avoided his gaze.
"For someone who talks a lot, you ask obvious questions," he said calmly.
She froze.
'Talks a lot? How many times have I even spoken to him?
She screamed internally in frustration.
She shot him an annoyed look, crossing her arms.
"Are you always this annoying?"
A faint half-smile tugged at his lips as he lowered his arms.
"You seem fine," he said, then turned to leave.
"Wait… wait."
He stopped but didn't turn around.
"Can we talk?"
****
Smith followed her inside the room and closed the door behind him.
He stood beside the dressing table, leaning slightly against the wall. Lily sat slowly on the bed, trying to appear composed.
She didn't want to be this polite to someone who had teased her all day—but she didn't know how to act around him either.
"Won't you sit?" she asked carefully, searching his face for answers.
He met her gaze with a cold, distant stare.
"Right." Her expression straightened. "Not like I care though," she muttered, clicking her tongue to hide her embarrassment.
'Geez, Lord! He's doing it again'.
The room fell into an awkward silence.
Lily looked around the room, searching for something—anything—to break it.
'I called him in… shouldn't I start the conversation?'
Her eyes landed back on him. He was still watching her, arms crossed.
She quickly looked away.
'I definitely need to stop looking at him if I want to say something meaningful'.
"Thing is… my room… I like it," she said, nodding slightly as she looked around.
This was not what she wanted to say,but with his eyes fixed on her,she couldn't bring herself to act normal
He didn't respond.
She sighed internally.
'Of course'.
Her eyes drifted back to him again—but she quickly looked away when she noticed his stare.
'He have to stop looking at me like that, I'm not some kind of anime or something '
"And the clothes…....
"Oh, that… Mum sent them in," he said suddenly, rubbing the back of his neck.
She frowned slightly, studying his face.
'So he does talk when he wants to'.
"Your… mum?"
He nodded.
A soft, emotional smile formed on her lips.
"Really?" She let out a warm chuckle. "When will you take me to see her?"
Excitement lit up her face like a child given her favorite candy.
His eyes softened as he watched her.
She really is something.
"That will be after our honeymoon," he said quietly
She nodded absentmindedly… then froze.
"Wait… what??" she shouted, standing up.
" Honeymoon?"
He nodded again.
But this time, he looked away, staring into space.
She let out a hollow laugh, unable to believe it.
"We're not even real couples. Why do we need a honeymoon?"
He stared out the window, distant.
"Thought the same thing."
Her lips parted, but no words came out.
She had just graduated from college. She was supposed to be building her life—getting a job, leaving her complicated family behind, starting fresh.
But instead… she was stuck in this marriage situation. And now—
A honeymoon?
'Aren"t honeymoon done by real couples?, they weren't even sharing a room '
She snapped out of her thoughts.
"Whose idea was this, and how long is this honeymoon?"
"A month."
Her lips parted,but no words came out
She sat back down, stunned.
"You mean a whole month… stuck with you?"
A low laugh rumbled from his chest.
She frowned. He was actually finding this funny.
"Why? You have a problem with it?"
"No… well yes. I just graduated, I need a job. Not spending a whole month doing nothing."
'Getting married to him had already drained me. I can't lose my sanity too'.
He looked at her… then gave a warm smile.
He walked closer, leaning slightly toward her. She instinctively leaned back.
"Tell that to Mrs. Wellington," he whispered.
Then he turned and walked out.
"Hey..I...
The door shut loudly behind him.
Lily threw herself onto the bed and closed her eyes tightly.
When she opened them again, tears had gathered—but she quickly wiped them away.
She had promised herself not to cry again.
'It makes one weak'.
She exhaled heavily. Life was definitely happening to her.
"Honeymoon my foot," she scoffed