Lily stepped into the mansion, feeling a mix of excitement and nerves. Julian showed her to her room, which was beautifully decorated and had a stunning view of the gardens.
"It's lovely," Lily said, trying to take it all in.
Julian smiled. "I'm glad you like it. Rachel, my housekeeper, will help you get settled in. If you need anything, just let her know."
Lily nodded, feeling a bit overwhelmed but also grateful for Julian's kindness.
As Julian left her to unpack, Lily took a deep breath and began to explore her new space. She was determined to make the most of this experience and see where it would lead.
As Lily unpacked, Rachel helped her settle into the room, chatting about the mansion's routines and staff. Lily learned about the chef, the gardeners, and the housekeeping team.
After unpacking, Lily took a moment to freshen up. She then decided to explore the mansion, curious about its grandeur. She wandered through the halls, admiring the artwork and decor.
As she turned a corner, Lily stumbled upon a stunning library. She gasped, running her fingers over the spines of the books. Julian appeared behind her.
"Find something you like?" he asked, his eyes sparkling.
Lily turned, smiling. "This library is incredible. I love books."
Julian nodded. "I'm glad you appreciate it. Feel free to borrow any book you'd like."
Lily's eyes widened. "Really?"
Julian smiled. "Of course. Make yourself at home, Lily."
Lily followed Julian to the dining room, where a delicious-looking dessert spread awaited them. There were chocolate truffles, cheesecake, and fruit tartlets.
"Wow, this looks amazing," Lily said, her eyes widening.
Julian smiled. "I'm glad you're a dessert lover. Try the cheesecake; it's made by our chef."
Lily took a bite and closed her eyes, savoring the creamy texture and tangy flavor. "Mmm, this is heavenly."
Julian chuckled. "I'm glad you approve."
As they enjoyed their dessert, Lily felt more at ease in Julian's presence. They chatted about everything from books to travel to their favorite foods.
The evening was passing quickly, and Lily realized she was having a wonderful time. She glanced at Julian, feeling a spark of connection.
As they finished their dessert, Julian's expression turned serious. "Lily, I need to remind you about the terms of our agreement," he said, his voice firm but polite.
Lily's heart skipped a beat as she met his gaze. "What do you mean?" she asked, trying to sound nonchalant despite the flutter in her chest.
"The contract clearly states that this is a business arrangement," Julian said, his eyes locked on hers. "I'm paying you to be my companion, and I expect you to maintain a professional distance. No emotional attachments, no romantic feelings."
Lily felt a pang of disappointment, but she nodded, trying to push aside her growing feelings. "I understand," she said, her voice steady. "I'll keep that in mind."
Julian's expression softened slightly, but his tone remained firm. "Good. I want to make sure we're clear on the terms."
Lily smiled, trying to play it cool. "Crystal clear, Mr. CEO."
Lily retired to her room, feeling a mix of emotions after Julian's reminder about the contract. She changed into comfortable clothes and climbed into bed, her mind racing with thoughts about her situation.
As she lay in the dark, Lily couldn't shake off the feeling that she was walking a thin line. She had agreed to the terms, but her heart seemed to have other plans.
Despite her reservations, Lily felt exhausted from the day's events. She closed her eyes, letting the silence of the mansion lull her into a restless sleep.
The next morning, Lily woke up to the sound of birds chirping outside her window. She stretched, feeling a bit more refreshed.
As she got ready for the day, Lily wondered what Julian had planned for her. Would it be a busy day, or would she have some time to herself?
Lily stood by the stairs, curious about the meeting. She watched as the men discussed with Julian, their voices hushed but their body language intense.
As she observed, Lily wondered what kind of business Julian was involved in. Was it something related to his company, or was it a personal matter?
Suddenly, one of the men glanced up and caught Lily's eye. She quickly stepped back, feeling a bit self-conscious about being caught peeking.
Lily quickly retreated from the stairs, feeling a bit embarrassed about being caught peeking. She didn't want to draw attention to herself, especially not in her nightgown.
She decided to go back to her room and wait until the meeting was over. As she changed into some comfortable clothes, Lily couldn't help but wonder what the meeting was about.
After getting dressed, Lily decided to explore the mansion's library again. She had enjoyed browsing through the bookshelves the day before, and she thought it might be a good way to pass the time while the meeting was going on.
As she wandered through the library, Lily stumbled upon a book that caught her eye. It was an old leather-bound volume with gold lettering on the cover. She opened it up and began to read, getting lost in the words.
Time passed quickly as Lily read, and she didn't notice when the meeting finally adjourned. It wasn't until she heard Julian's voice behind her that she realized the men had left.
"Enjoying the library?" Julian asked, his eyes crinkling at the corners as he smiled.
Lily turned to face him, feeling a bit startled. "Yes, I found this old book and got lost in it," she replied, holding up the volume.
Julian nodded, walking over to her. "That's one of my favorites. It's a rare edition, and it's been in my family for years."
Lily's eyes widened in surprise. "Really? I wouldn't have guessed."
Julian smiled, reaching out to take the book from her. "Let me show you something," he said, opening the book to a specific page.
As he held the book out to her, Lily felt a spark of electricity as their fingers touched. She quickly pulled her hand back, feeling a bit flustered.
"Sorry," Julian said, looking at her with a hint of amusement in his eyes. "I didn't mean to startle you."
Lily shook her head, trying to play it cool. "It's okay, I just wasn't expecting it," she replied, trying to focus on the book.
As they stood there, looking at the book together, Lily felt a sense of closeness to Julian that she hadn't felt before. It was as if they were connecting on a different level, one that went beyond the terms of their contract.
But as quickly as the feeling appeared, Julian stepped back, his expression returning to its usual cool, detached demeanor.
"I should get back to work," he said, closing the book. "You can keep reading, of course. The library is yours to use whenever you like."
Lily nodded, feeling a bit disappointed that the moment had passed. "Thanks," she said, trying to sound casual.
As Julian turned to leave, Lily called out to him. "Julian?"
He turned back to her, his eyes questioning. "Yes?"
"What time do you usually wake up?" Lily asked, curiosity getting the better of her.
Julian's expression was thoughtful. "Early. Around 6 am. Why?"
Lily shrugged. "Just wondering. I didn't know you were having a meeting so early."
Julian's eyes narrowed slightly. "It was a last-minute thing. Something came up that needed my attention."
Lily nodded, feeling a bit more curious about Julian's business dealings. But she didn't push the issue, knowing that she wasn't supposed to be involved in his work.
As Julian left the library, Lily went back to reading her book. But her mind kept wandering back to the meeting, and what Julian might be involved in.