"D-Don't bother, Mr. Cartridge," said Carlo.
"We're also implicated, Mr. Ville. I hope you understand," I replied. I was referring to the invitation letter we received earlier.
Lily and Carlo turned their heads to look at me with contempt. I smiled because of it. I could feel their hatred toward me. I've achieved one of my goals today.
"Don't mind them, Mr. Cartridge," Mr. Vilacorp suddenly said. I could hear some disgust in his voice. I guess he already had a few clues.
"I will surely settle this matter," he added.
I could feel Zion looking down at me, so I raised my head to look at him—and I was right. I could tell my cheeks were turning red again. His gaze makes me blush. I don't know why!
Zion looked back at the person in front of us while I continued staring at him. I didn't even listen to what Mr. Vilacorp was saying because I was too distracted by this handsome man beside me—especially when his arm around my waist tightened.
"I'll just talk to my other guests as well, Mr. Cartridge." Zion nodded as I heard fading footsteps.
I saw Zion's Adam's apple move up and down, which made me gulp and look away. And just as I turned, two not-so-handsome people were standing in front of us. Tsk.
I couldn't stop myself from saying, "What are you still doing in front of us?"
"Err... Mrs. Cartridge. Have we met before?" Carlo suddenly asked, so I gave him a sharp look.
What the—!? Did he not recognize me?
"No," I replied curtly.
"You really look like someone I knew," he said.
I didn't know whether to laugh or cry at what he said.
"Are you hitting on my wife, Mr. Ville?" Zion suddenly said in a cold voice, making my heart race again.
Lily weakly said, "Ah... Mr. Cartridge, that's not our intention."
How badly I wanted to roll my eyes in front of them.
"Oh really?" I said.
Lily stared at me with hatred in her not-so-pretty eyes, so I stared back at her.
"We didn't mean to offend you, Mr. Cartridge," she suddenly said, and I cleared my throat.
"I'm not the only one here, Mr. Ville," Zion said coldly.
I felt myself smile. Oh, even though I didn't have much interaction with men before I died, I don't know why, but I feel comfortable with Zion.
"I'm sorry, Mrs. Cartridge," Lily apologized to me.
I just nodded. A few of Mr. Vilacorp's guests were looking at us now.
"I'm really sorry about my cousin, Mr. Cartridge," Carlo apologized again.
I sighed. This evening, he's already apologized to Zion and me so many times. And he even has that pitiful tone.
Tsk. I know what this Carlo is thinking. He only apologized while explaining that Jake was new to the business industry, but there's a deeper meaning behind his words. It's like he was saying that Zion and I are acting all high and mighty just because we're from a higher status, even if we're not.
"He came from the slums, but he's not a bad person... really," Carlo added.
Very cunning, Mr. Carlo Ville. I can't believe he was Ally Cole-Cartridge's ex here in this world—which is now me. I wonder what their past was.
"Just because you're rich doesn't mean you can belittle me!" Jake Ville, Carlo's cousin, suddenly shouted, making me turn to his direction.
"Shut up, Jake!" Carlo scolded as he pushed Jake away, causing Jake to leave in embarrassment.
These cousins really make me want to throw my stiletto at them.
"Then, we'll follow Mr. Vilacorp now," said Carlo as he held Lily's hand tightly and walked away from us.
I sighed in relief. Good thing they left, or else I might've said something nasty again.
I remembered in the story that Lily had feelings for Zion, but she loved Carlo. I liked Zion's character in the story because he never had feelings for Lily. But there weren't any details about why Carlo and Zion became enemies. I want to know more about them—especially why my character is connected to Carlo, and why these men became rivals. There's no reason given in the online story of "My Lily".
I blew out air. This is so hard for me.
"Do you want to follow them?" I was brought back to reality when I heard Zion's cold voice. I raised my head to look at his eyes and shook mine.
"I don't even remember them, so why should I follow?" I asked, puzzled.
I saw his lips twitch slightly, so I blinked and his mouth was back to a straight line.
"Let's go then," he said and pulled me along.
I didn't know where he was taking me, but the path looked familiar. We were heading outside the building.
"Are we going home?" I asked.
He hummed in response.
I just nodded. Oh well. I already saw Carlo Ville and Lily Sanchez.
While we were riding in Zion's Rolls-Royce in the backseat, I couldn't stop staring at him. I didn't even know why I was staring at Zion's face. There's just something about him that makes me want to look. He's just so handsome, even with that cold personality.
"Done staring at me?"
I was startled by his sudden words.
".." I couldn't speak.
I just stared at his beautiful face. His lips. Down to his throat and lower to his suit—two buttons already undone, and I hadn't even noticed.
I swallowed.
"...Woman," he called out to me, snapping me out of it.
I frowned at what he called me. Woman?
"Woman?" I repeated in disbelief.
"I have a name, Mr. Cartridge," I added with a scoff.
"Whatever your name is, don't stare at me like that," he said.
I sneered at him and turned my back to look out the window instead.
"How dramatic. You should be thankful I only have eyes for you in this entire life," I muttered quietly.
"I hear you," he suddenly said, so I shut my mouth.
When we got home to his mansion, we were greeted by a woman in her 40s comfortably seated on the living room sofa. I was confused about who she was.
"...Mom," Zion suddenly said, making my eyes go wide.
M-M-Mother-in-law!? I'm now Ally Cole-Cartridge!?
I remember a small detail from the story about Zion's mom. She's a retired general. She's really cold, and Zion takes after her. Zion's dad and mom were childhood sweethearts.
"...Son," Zion's mom said coldly, making my heartbeat quicken.
I remember reading a comment on My Lily saying that Zion's mom has a really nasty attitude! What do I do now!?