"Your diamond cuts aren't good," he said, holding her from behind. His tall, muscular body pressed tightly against her back, his hand reaching over to guide hers. And every time he demonstrated a cut, he would kiss her on the cheek.
"Tuition fee," he would say.
After each kiss, he'd ask in his sexy, deep voice, "Got it?"
Got it? With his teasing, there was no way she could concentrate.
She wanted to tell him to tone it down, but before she could speak, he had already put down the knife, leaned forward, and kissed her.
The position was awkward, so Lily turned slightly to make it easier for him. But he grabbed her waist, preventing her from moving, and guided her face towards his lips with his other hand.
The kiss was intense and passionate, leaving her breathless.
And it didn't stop there.
When she went to the fridge, he followed. When she went outside to throw out the kitchen trash, he followed. When she went to the bathroom, he followed, standing outside the door for ages. When she went to shower, he followed, joining her for a romantic bath. The whole night, he stuck to her like a shadow, moving whenever she did, as if afraid she'd disappear the moment he blinked.
He was scared.
Even when they made love that night, he was unusually gentle, catering to her every desire.
Unable to take it anymore, she finally flipped him over, turned on the bedside lamp, and cupped his face in her hands.
"What's wrong with you?" she asked.
Edmond pulled her into his arms. "I'm afraid one day you'll leave me."
"Did something happen?" Lily asked, confused by his sudden insecurity.
"Alistair said some young guy has been chasing after Aria aggressively. During our conversation, I suddenly realized I'm getting old too. I'm afraid one day you'll be swept away by someone younger."
Lily was speechless.
Edmond's unusual behavior that night was quickly forgotten by Lily.
On the last night of the three-day Mid-Autumn Festival holiday, Lily received a call from a mutual friend of hers and Franklin's.
"Franklin had a fight with his mom this afternoon and has been drinking like crazy at CLu tonight. He doesn't want to go to the blind date she set up for him because he's in love with someone else. He's already thrown up from drinking but still wants more. None of us can talk sense into him. Lily, you have to come and talk to him. He always listens to you."
Lily arrived at CLu at 9:30 PM.
It had been raining lightly since the evening, and the drizzle hadn't stopped. Lily hurried along with her umbrella, her head down, watching her steps and lost in thought. She didn't notice her surroundings and bumped into someone as she left the parking lot.
"Oh, I'm sorry—"
Her apology was cut short as the person in front of her lowered their mask and took off their sunglasses.
Lily's eyes widened in surprise, and she hesitantly called out, "Su... Selena?"
Selena hadn't expected to run into Lily so unexpectedly either.
After returning to her hotel from the yacht the previous night, she had drunk alone, unsure how much. Her agent, Zhang Zhen, had to wake her up at noon.
After watching her eat lunch, Zhang Zhen said, "I've asked around about Edmond's wife. Her name is Lily, and she's the young heiress of the L&S Group."
Lily... Selena vaguely remembered the name. The photographer who took her cover for Win magazine was named Lily.
She got the lead role in Director Mei's movie because of that photographer, so the name stuck in her memory.
Zhang Zhen had also sent her a picture. Indeed, it was the same person.
Selena not only remembered the name but also Lily's face vividly. During the wilderness photoshoot, Selena had been struck by Lily's beauty. Even in the entertainment industry, Lily's looks were extraordinary.
She had thought Lily was a newcomer actress but was surprised to learn she was the photographer.
Sometimes fate played strange tricks. Selena had been looking at Lily's picture when she bumped into her, stunned.
Lily's clean, fair face showed no flaws. Wearing light makeup, her captivating eyes carried a hint of charm, making her look as if she had a natural beauty filter. Her hair was casually tied into a bun, and she wore a simple light gray coat and fitted jeans that accentuated her long legs, making her look tall and slender.
It was the same face Selena remembered, but different. Last time, Lily had looked sorrowful, like an empty shell. Now, her eyes were bright, and she seemed full of life, a complete transformation.
Seeing the person from the photo suddenly in front of her, Selena felt disoriented.
Caught in the rain without an umbrella, her mask soaked, clinging to her face uncomfortably, Selena lowered her mask and took off her sunglasses.
"Su… Selena?" Lily's voice was filled with surprise and joy, making Selena feel a pang of emotion.
She remembered the first time she met Lily, who had greeted her cheerfully.
"Goddess, I'm a big fan of yours."
Lily, too, hadn't expected to meet Selena there.
Unlike the glamorous star she usually saw, this Selena was wrapped tightly in a dark blue tracksuit, the hood pulled low, her clothes wet, and water dripping from her cap.
Lily almost didn't recognize her because Selena looked quite pitiful at the moment.
But she finally recognized her, mainly because she had been watching Selena's shows a lot lately and had grown familiar with her face. Plus, Selena had been all over the news for returning to Jiangyu to celebrate someone's birthday. Lily knew she was in town.
"I'm Lily. We met during the Win photoshoot in the wilderness. I was the photographer that day. Do you remember?"
As Lily spoke, she stepped forward, holding the umbrella over Selena's head to shield her from the rain.
Selena's expression grew complicated. She managed a thank you.
Being both a rival in love and a fan, as well as the person who had indirectly helped her secure the lead role in Director Mei's movie, Selena didn't know how to handle the situation.
She took a deep breath to steady her emotions and looked at Lily. "I remember you."
Selena, an experienced actress, could mask any emotion with a smile if she wanted. Right now, she wore a professional mask.
"Miss Jian, that issue of Win magazine helped me a lot. I've always wanted to thank you. Do you have time tomorrow? I'd like to treat you to a meal."
Her voice was soft, her invitation smooth.
Lily gave her phone number to Selena. She didn't need thanks, but Aria had told her that in any circle, talent was important, but so was networking. When a big star like Selena offered to meet, she couldn't refuse.
Still thinking about Franklin, Lily didn't have time to chat. She handed her umbrella to Selena and waved goodbye.
"Pick a time and place and call me," she said.
Selena watched her dash off into the rain, using her bag to shield herself, and then looked down at the umbrella in her hand, feeling an inexplicable discomfort.
Why did it have to be Lily? She actually liked the girl.
Lily was led into the private room, finding Franklin already drunk and slumped over, barely able to stay upright. Despite his state, he still clutched a bottle, determined to keep drinking, his face flushed and his expression challenging as if he planned to outdrink everyone there.
Two men stood beside him, trying to calm him down with coaxing words, but their efforts only seemed to fuel his determination. When Lily entered, there was a moment of silence in the room.