Lily sank onto her plush pink bed, surrounded by the fruits of her shopping spree.
She let out a groan, looking at the opulent room. She was no more than a Barbie doll in an oversized dollhouse, pretty but purposeless.
With a sigh, she reached for her phone, seeking a lifeline in the form of messages from her lawyer, Michael Thornton. A single text from him lit up her screen: "Any updates?"
Lily's fingers hovered over the keyboard. What could she say? That she'd spent the day playing dress-up and also yesterday she faked sickness in order to avoid Eaton's dinner while making no progress on their real mission?
Reluctantly, she typed: "Went shopping. Chris bought everything I asked for."
Michael's response was swift and cutting: "Are you involved in his business dealings yet? Making any headway?"
Shame burned in Lily's cheeks as she replied: "No. I actually skipped the family dinner itself. And was mean to Chris Eaton during the shopping."
The bubbles indicating Michael's typing seemed to last forever. When his message finally came through, it was worse than Lily had feared: "You're wasting time. At this rate, you'll never get out of that Eaton's contract. You need to act sooner, Lily. Or else you will be stuck there forever."
Lily tossed her phone aside, burying her face in her hands. She cursed herself, her fear, her inability to face the Eatons head-on. Her lawyer wasn't wrong—if she doesn't do anything, she will be stuck there forever.
She stood, pacing the room that suddenly felt more like a prison than a paradise. The rows of designer clothes, the sparkling jewels, the endless luxury – it all seemed to be laughing at her inability—at her cowardice.
"I can't go on like this," Lily whispered to her now beautiful reflection in the ornate mirror. The girl staring back at her looked lost, uncertain. "I have to do something, or I'll be stuck in this pink prison forever, suffocating under the weight of all this... perfection."
Her gaze hardened with newfound resolve. It was time to face her fears, to confront the Eatons and whatever secrets they held. She couldn't let herself become a lifeless doll, manipulated by unseen hands.
With trembling fingers, Lily picked up her phone again. "You're right," she texted Michael. "I'll do better. Starting now."
As she hit send, Lily felt a mix of determination and dread. The real challenge was just beginning.
…
Lily stood before Chris's door which was a floor below hers, her heart racing. She smoothed down her Valentino dress, its soft fabric clinging to her curves. The diamond necklace Chris had gifted her sparkled at her throat, matching the glitter in her expertly applied eyeshadow that made her big eyes pop. Her newly plumped lips, courtesy of recent fillers, were painted a soft pink.
Taking a deep breath, she pushed open the door. Chris's room was a stark contrast to her pink paradise. Shades of gray and white dominated the space, giving it a sleek, masculine feel. The sheer size of it took her breath away. In the distance, she spotted a fully equipped gym, explaining Chris's enviable physique.
She found him in a corner that served as a study, his attention focused on a laptop. As she approached, Chris looked up, his eyes widening appreciatively.
Chris looked up from his laptop, his blue eyes widening as they took in Lily's appearance. His gaze swept down her body, lingering on the revealing V-line of her Valentino dress for a longer time before he looked further down at her body.
A blush crept up Lily's cheeks, warming her skin, and her core. Despite her resolve to keep her guard up, she couldn't help but feel a flutter in her stomach at the intensity of Chris's gaze. He looked at her as if she were a meal for his delight.
Then he stood up, his tall frame towering over her. A sassy smirk played on his lips as he asked, "To what do I owe this pleasure?" He said that while still looking down at the V-line of her dress made Lily regret her choice of clothes.
Perhaps she must have worn something more modest.
Lily opened her mouth to respond, but Chris cut her off with a teasing glint in his eye.
"Wait, let me guess," he said, his voice dropping to a husky whisper. "You couldn't resist my charms any longer. And after all, it is nighttime."
Lily felt her face flush deeper, caught between attraction and exasperation. Chris was undeniably handsome, his presence magnetic, but she reminded herself of her true purpose for being there.
"Actually," she began, steeling herself, "I wanted to talk about—"
"You wanted me," Chris finished her sentence with a cocky grin. His sensual lips curved into a smile as he lazily pulled up the sleeves of his shirt, highlighting his muscular arms.
Lily's breath caught in her throat, but she tried to maintain her composure. She will not fall weak to his charms.
Chris leaned against his desk, his eyes twinkling with mischief. "I understand, you know. After all, I am Chris Eaton. Every woman in New York wants to sleep with me." He winked at her. "And now that you're my wife, well... it's only natural you'd want the same."
"No, no, no!" Lily protested, her cheeks flushing bright red. "I don't-" But even as she denied it, she felt a flutter in her stomach. His attitude was infuriating, yet somehow... attractive?
Chris smirked, clearly enjoying her flustered state. He took a step closer, his voice dropping to a husky whisper. "I'm all yours, sweetie."
Lily's heart pounded harder. She backed away, trying to ignore the desire now burning down on her. This was Chris Eaton - arrogant, insufferable Chris Eaton. She shouldn't be feeling this way.
"You're impossible," she muttered, crossing her arms.
"Impossibly irresistible?" he suggested, raising an eyebrow.
Despite herself, Lily felt the corners of her mouth twitching. She turned away to hide her shy-maiden-like smile. How lame of her?! She must not let him see how he affected her.
"You wish," she retorted, but her voice lacked conviction.
Chris chuckled, the sound sending shivers down her spine. "Deny it all you want, Mrs. Eaton. But I see right through you."
He reached for the top button of his shirt, revealing the strong veins of his thick muscular neck, the intensity of his ocean-blue eyes burned down her soul now. Lily's breath caught in her throat. She knew what he was doing, and she must stop him.
Before he could unfasten another button, Lily grabbed his Gucci shirt, squeezing the expensive fabric in her hands. Her fingers touched his neck in impact, and she felt his pulse racing beneath her fingertips. It was as rapid as her own—a sign of the burning desire between them.
Their eyes met, her fiery brown gaze locking with his ocean blue. It was like fire meeting water—a clash of opposites that ignited something deep within them both.