Julian pulled out a small notebook and pen from his pocket. "Write down the things you'd like to do on Sundays," he said, his eyes locked on hers.
Lily's face lit up with excitement as she took the notebook and pen. She began to scribble down her ideas, her handwriting flowing effortlessly onto the page.
As she wrote, Julian watched her, a hint of curiosity in his eyes. What would she write? What were her interests?
When Lily finished writing, she handed the notebook back to Julian. He scanned the page, his expression unreadable.
Julian's eyes scanned the list, a small smile playing on his lips. "Watching stars, playing games, cooking, and watching movies," he read aloud, his voice low and smooth.
He looked up at Lily, his gaze holding a hint of surprise. "These are... simple pleasures," he said, his tone thoughtful.
Lily nodded, her eyes shining with hope. "I just want to spend time with you, do normal things that couples do."
Julian's expression softened, and for a moment, Lily saw a glimmer of the man behind the CEO facade.
"I'll make time for these," Julian said, his voice gentle. "Sunday sounds promising."
Lily waited anxiously for Julian on Sunday, her excitement building as she thought about the activities they'd planned. She'd set up the living room with blankets, pillows, and snacks, ready for a cozy movie night.
But as the hours passed, Julian didn't show up. Lily checked her phone, wondering if she'd misread the plans or if he'd sent her a message. Nothing.
The disappointment was crushing. Lily felt tears pricking at the corners of her eyes as she realized she'd been stood up.
She tried to distract herself by watching TV or reading a book, but her mind kept wandering back to Julian and the plans they'd made. Why hadn't he shown up? Had something unexpected come up, or had he simply forgotten?
As the night wore on, Lily's sadness turned to frustration. She'd been looking forward to this all week, and now it seemed like just another wasted opportunity.
Julian walked into the living room, his expression apologetic. "Lily, I'm so sorry I'm late. Something unexpected came up at the office and—"
Lily cut him off, her voice cold. "Never mind," she said, her eyes avoiding his.
Julian took a step forward, but Lily was already turning away, heading towards the stairs.
"Wait, Lily—" Julian called out, but she didn't look back.
She walked into her room, shutting the door behind her. The sound of the door closing seemed to echo through the hallway, a clear message that she needed space.
Julian stood outside her door, feeling a pang of regret. He'd let her down, and now he wasn't sure how to make it right.
Julian walked into his room, feeling a sense of unease he'd never experienced before. He'd always been in control, always had the upper hand in his relationships. But with Lily, everything felt different.
For the first time in his life, he felt vulnerable, like he'd lost his grip on the situation. The feeling was unsettling, and Julian didn't know how to process it.
He sat down on his bed, staring blankly at the wall as he tried to make sense of his emotions. He'd never felt this way about anyone before, never felt like he'd been genuinely hurt by someone's rejection.
Julian's mind kept wandering back to Lily, wondering what he could do to make things right between them. He wasn't used to feeling this way, and it was both frustrating and intriguing.
Julian woke up early, determined to make amends with Lily. He arrived at her room, carrying a tray with her favorite breakfast.
"Lily, I'm sorry again for yesterday," he said, his voice sincere. "I know I let you down, and I promise to do better."
Lily looked up from her book, her expression still guarded. "It's okay, Julian. You don't have to apologize again."
Julian set the tray down on her nightstand. "I want to. I realize now that my schedule isn't the only thing that matters. You matter."
Lily's eyes softened slightly, and she looked at the breakfast tray. "Thank you," she said, her voice a little warmer.
Julian sat down beside her, hoping to bridge the gap between them. "Can I make it up to you? Maybe we can plan something else for today?"
Julian gently took Lily's hand, his touch sending shivers down her spine. He looked into her eyes, his gaze filled with sincerity and affection.
Lily's heart skipped a beat as Julian leaned in, his lips brushing against hers in a soft, romantic kiss. The world around them melted away, leaving only the two of them, lost in the moment.
The kiss deepened, and Lily felt herself getting swept up in the emotions she'd been trying to suppress. She wrapped her arms around Julian's neck, deepening the kiss.
For a moment, they forgot about the arranged marriage, the contracts, and the expectations. All that mattered was the connection between them.
As they pulled away, gasping for air, Lily's eyes sparkled with tears. "I feel like I'm falling for you," she whispered.
Julian's expression softened, and he pulled her close. "I'm right there with you," he said, his voice low and husky.
In that moment, Lily felt like she was exactly where she was meant to be. Julian's eyes locked onto hers, and she saw a glimmer of genuine affection there.
"Let's spend the day together," Julian suggested, his voice low and inviting. "Just us."
Lily's heart skipped a beat at the prospect. "I'd love that," she replied, her voice barely above a whisper.