Lillian's POV
Marcus trailed behind me as I entered Luis Vuitton.He settled on a couch while I headed to the counter, searching for jewellery when a wristwatch caught my eye.Nicole, my shopper, immediately approached me with a smile."Hi Lillian, looking for something?" she asked."Can I take a look at this watch?" I pointed to a black and gold wristwatch.Nicole retrieved it from the glass case and handed it to me. "A gift?" she inquired."Yeah," I responded, then glanced at Marcus, who was engrossed in conversation with a store staff offering him a drink.Returning my attention to the watch, I heard Nicole ask, "Is he your boyfriend?"I shook my head."He's my brother," I replied, causing her eyes to widen."Atty. Marcus Sullivan?" she asked, and I nodded."He looks even more handsome in person. I saw him on the news and thought he was a celebrity," Nicole said, her gaze fixed on Marcus."Is he single, Lillian?" Nicole asked, turning her attention back to me, awaiting my response."I don't know, we're not that close," I admitted."I'll ask then," she said, about to approach Marcus, but I stopped her."May I see that bag?" I requested, pointing to one displayed on the upper shelf.Nicole looked at me in disbelief, but I simply smiled, and she had no choice but to oblige. Handing me the bag, she was about to leave when I pointed to another one."That's one of the newest releases," she said, eager to approach Marcus, so, I decided to let her."Okay," I said and started examining the bag before looking at Nicole."You can go," I said, and she grinned widely, wasting no time in walking towards Marcus.Out of curiosity, I moved closer to eavesdrop on their conversation."Do you have a girlfriend, Atty. Sullivan?" I heard Nicole ask.I glanced at Marcus, but our eyes met briefly, causing me to look away."Yeah," I heard him reply.Upon hearing his answer, disappointment filled Nicole's face as she walked back to the counter. I approached her."Are you okay?" I asked.She pouted and shook her head, then looked me straight in the eyes."Let me know if they break up," she said, making me chuckle.I nodded in response and handed her the items I had chosen to purchase. Nicole wrapped them and placed them in the bag, and after I paid, we exited the store."Do you want to buy something?" I asked Marcus, looking at him.Before he could answer, my stomach growled, and he undoubtedly heard it."Have you had lunch?" he asked coldly.I bit my lower lip and shook my head. I had been involved in an accident earlier, and I spent an hour at the police station trying to resolve the matter. However, the person I collided with refused to settle, so I forgot to eat lunch."Let's go," Marcus said, taking the bag from my hand, and we headed to the nearest restaurant.We sat at a table near the glass window. Marcus ordered a drink while I decided on pasta and a fruit shake.While waiting for our order, I stole glances at him."Thank you for coming," I sincerely expressed.Marcus stared at me for a moment, then nodded."Next time, call me if you need to go somewhere," he said, causing my forehead to crease, and my heart skipped for an unknown reason."Why?" I asked.Marcus looked directly into my eyes."I don't have time to clean up after your messes, Lillian," he said without breaking eye contact. I couldn't fathom why his words made my heart sink."You don't have to do that," I replied."It's my job. Maintaining your father's clean image is my job, which means I have to clean up any messes linked to him, especially his daughter's messes," he explained, his gaze unwavering. I didn't understand why his words left me feeling silent.I forced a smile, nodding my head. The waitress arrived at the perfect time, allowing me to ignore Marcus.When the food arrived, I focused all my attention on it, acting as if he wasn't in front of me.After finishing, I called the waitress and paid for our meal."It's on me," I said, then stepped out of the restaurant, carrying the bags.I sensed Marcus following me, and when I saw his car, I climbed inside.After a while, Marcus followed, but he didn't start the engine instead he looked at me."What's wrong?" he asked, looking confused by my behaviour.I glanced at him innocently."Nothing," I said, diverting my attention in front.Although I could still feel Marcus's gaze on me, he eventually began driving.After a few minutes, we arrived at the White House.I stepped out of the car without waiting for him to open the door—I doubted he would.I was about to walk away when I remember the wristwatch that I bought so I knocked on his window.When Marcus lowered his window, I handed him the box."What's this?" he asked.I swallowed hard, took a deep breath, and looked at him."A thank-you gift for saving me, even if it's just part of your job," I said.Marcus shifted his gaze to the box I was holding, then returned his eyes to me."I don't wear luxury brands, Lillian," he stated, furrowing my eyebrows."Better spend your Daddy's money on things that will improve his image," he continued, and then he drove away, leaving my hand hanging in the air, clutching the watch I had bought for him."I earned this money, you asshole!" I shouted, even though he could no longer hear me."You will pay for this, Marcus," I swore, glaring at his car that had just driven away.Marcus's POVI returned to the A&M law firm and found Alice waiting for me in my office, arms crossed and eyebrows raised."Where have you been?" she asked, her tone demanding.I walked towards my desk and sat down, deciding to check my computer for the profiles of the candidates for judicial nomination."Lillian had an accident," I replied, my eyes fixed on the monitor.Alice gasped, and when I glanced at her, her eyes widened in shock."Is she okay?" she asked, worry evident in her voice.I nodded and focused my attention back on the monitor."It was just a minor accident. We had to pay for the damages," I said, scanning through the candidates' profiles."Thank God," Alice said, relief washing over her."The way you ran earlier, I thought someone had died. Your face showed genuine concern, even though you claim to hate Lillian. Your actions contradict your words, Marcus," she teased me once again.I furrowed my brow and scoffed at her comment."Shut up, Alice. Don't you have work to
Lillian's POVcould feel my hands growing cold as Marcus stared at me intently.With each step I took towards him, his gaze remained fixed on me.Leaning against his car, he played with his car keys in his right hand. When I finally stood just a few steps away from him, he stood straight and opened the car door for me."Where's Daddy's driver?" I asked before getting into the car."Busy," he replied curtly, and as I stepped inside, he closed the door and walked around to the other side.Sliding into the driver's seat, he started the engine."So, are you two together now?" he blurted out, causing my forehead to crease."It's none of your business, Marcus," I firmly replied, turning my head to look out the window.We settled into silence, but it was soon broken by the sound of his ringing phone.He answered the call, putting it on loudspeaker since he is driving.I don't want to eavesdrop but I can't help but listen to their conversation.I caught a glimpse of the caller's name, Alice,
Marcus's POVMy heart pounded loudly in my chest as I looked at Lillian.Taking the opportunity, I held her hand and led her out of the crowd, pulling her along with me.Once we were out of the crowd, we walked back to our table, and I guided her to sit on the couch.She appeared extremely intoxicated, and annoyance washed over me as I watched her.She closed her eyes, leaning back against the couch."Drunk?" Dylan asked, looking at Lillian.I nodded and let out a deep breath."Let's do body shots, guys!" Alice suddenly appeared, holding a cocktail as she walked toward our table."Enough, Alice, you're drunk too," I said firmly, but she just smiled at me and approached Lillian.Taking a seat beside Lillian, she started tapping her face."Hey, babe, let's do body shots," Alice said, attempting to wake Lillian.Lillian groaned, then after a while, she opened her eyes and upon seeing Alice, a wide smile spread across her lips."Alice," Lillian called, wrapping her arms around Alice's wai
Lillian's POVHis words echoed in my head like a broken record.I felt insulted.No one had ever turned me down before.It was the first time someone had rejected me.I was used to getting what I wanted, but when Marcus came into the picture, he became a constant reminder that I couldn't have it all.As we arrived at the White House, I stepped out of his car, prepared to walk towards the front door, but he pulled me towards the back of the house."Someone might see you if we use the front door," he said, guiding me towards the backdoor that led to the kitchen.As soon as we stepped inside, Martha appeared, her eyebrows furrowed as she looked at us."Why are you late?" she asked sternly, then turned her gaze to Marcus, who stood behind me."I'm sorry, Martha. A friend invited me to a party, so I decided to bring Lillian," he said, causing my eyebrows to furrow.He was giving a different reason, probably to cover for me, but I wouldn't let him take the blame."No. I insisted on coming w
Marcus's POVA smile tugged at my lips as I watched Lillian walk away, covering her ears like a child. Once she was out of sight, I turned my attention back to my laptop and resumed typing."You seem happy," my mom's voice broke through, and I quickly erased the smile, meeting her gaze with a straight face."Are you talking to Alice?" she inquired, trying to sneak a peek at my laptop, but I promptly closed it."No, Mom," I replied, but she gave me a mischievous look, a teasing smile playing on her lips.She walked over to me and planted a kiss on my cheek. "I have to go. Have you seen Lillian?" she asked."She's already outside," I informed her, and she nodded before walking away.Once Mom was gone, I opened my laptop again and continued my work. An hour later, just as I was about to leave, Alexander appeared."Vice President Montgomery," I greeted him, extending my hand, which he gladly took."You're too formal, Marcus. Just call me Alexander," he said, and I nodded."Alexander, y
Lillian's POVIt was late when we arrived home.Finding a sponsor for the charity auction isn't easy but thankfully Victoria is good at talking so she successfully convinced those elites to sponsor the event.I headed towards the kitchen to get some water and there I saw Martha preparing our dinner. She is busy mixing the sauce in the pan.I dipped my hands in the sauce so she slapped my hands."Did you even wash your hands?" she asked but I just laugh at her and stepped out of the kitchen and walked towards my room.I was about to step inside my room when I heard Victoria call my name."Lillian," Victoria said, her voice filled with sincerity.I looked at her, anticipating her next words."Thank you for helping me," she said, gratitude evident in her voice.A genuine smile graced my lips as I nodded."You're welcome, Victoria," I replied.I had to admit, spending time with Victoria today was enjoyable. She was fun to be with."I'll just wash up," I excused myself, heading towards my
Marcus's POVI felt a lump in my throat as I gazed at Lillian, who stared back at me with anticipation, waiting for my response.My hands grew cold, and my heart pounded loudly in my chest.As she took a step closer, I instinctively took a step back, afraid to get too close to her, as I no longer had control over myself."What are you doing?" I asked, trying to maintain a facade of indifference.This was the first time I felt intimidated by someone. The first time someone made me so nervous."I'm just asking you a question," she replied casually.I swallowed hard, lowering my head and meeting her gaze directly."I don't like you, Lillian," I mustered the courage to say, my voice trembling slightly.Her expression changed. The confident facade faded, and a small smile appeared on her lips as she nodded."I know," she whispered weakly, confusing me even further."What are you doing, Lillian?" I asked, perplexed by her actions and words.Why was she asking me such a question? Did she li
Lillian's POVMarcus stormed out of the room, leaving me dumbfounded.After a while, Martha stepped inside and immediately walked towards me.She cupped my face and made me look at her."What happened, Lillian?" she asked, worry evident in her tone."H-He just asked me something," I stammered.I could still feel my heart beating loudly against my chest."Did you have a fight?" she asked.I shook my head and smiled at Martha to assure her that I was okay."He just asked me something," I repeated, refusing to tell her what Marcus had said.Martha looked intently at my face, and I could tell she wanted to know more, but she stopped herself from asking. Instead, she nodded her head."You should sleep, it's already late," she said, so I nodded my head. After that, she stepped out of the room.When I was all alone, I remembered everything Marcus had said.I could also vividly recall how angry he looked at me.His eyes filled with anger and something I couldn't name.Was it my question earli