Lily stirred her coffee absentmindedly, her thoughts far from the bustling café around her. She stared out the window, watching the morning sun cast its golden light over the city streets. Her mind kept replaying the events of the previous night at The Velvet Room. The fear she'd felt, the tight grip on her wrist, the stranger's unwanted advances—then Michael's timely intervention.
Michael Ramsey. The name felt important, like it had weight. Lily couldn't shake his intense eyes, the authority in his voice, the way he had handled the situation without a trace of fear. It was clear he was a man used to power, to getting what he wanted. The business card he'd given her was still in her pocket, its edges crisp, almost beckoning her to take it out and read it again.
Lost in thought, Lily didn't notice the man approaching her table until he cleared his throat. Startled, she looked up to see Michael Ramsey himself standing there, a faint smile playing at his lips. He looked out of place in the cozy café, his sharp suit and polished shoes contrasting with the casual morning crowd.
"Mind if I join you?" he asked, his voice smooth.
Lily blinked, then quickly nodded, feeling flustered. "Of course. Please, sit."
Michael slid into the chair across from her, setting his briefcase on the floor beside him. He studied her for a moment, his eyes searching her face as if reading a book.
"How are you feeling today?" he asked.
Lily hesitated. "Better. I was a little shaken up last night, but… I'm fine now. Thanks to you."
Michael's smile widened slightly. "I'm glad to hear that. I apologize if I startled you by showing up unannounced. I happened to be nearby and thought we could talk."
Lily's curiosity piqued. "About what?"
Michael leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms over his chest. "I understand you're working multiple jobs. You're paying for your father's medical bills, correct?"
Lily's eyes widened. "How do you—?"
"I have my ways," Michael said smoothly. "It's a small world, after all. I've always made it a point to know about the people who work for me. It helps me understand them better."
Lily wasn't sure whether to feel flattered or uneasy. "Yes, that's true. My father has cancer, and his treatment is expensive. I'm trying to do everything I can to help him."
Michael nodded thoughtfully. "Admirable. Family is important. But working three jobs is hardly sustainable, especially with the stress it brings. I have a proposal for you."
Lily's heart skipped a beat. "A proposal?"
Michael glanced around, ensuring no one was eavesdropping. He leaned forward, lowering his voice. "Yes. I have a business proposition that I think could benefit us both. I need someone I can trust, someone with a clean slate, to help me with a personal matter. And I can pay you enough for it. Trust me, you won't need to work any other jobs."
Lily's mind raced. What could he possibly want from her? She barely knew him, and yet here he was, speaking as if they shared some kind of unspoken bond. "What kind of personal matter?" she asked cautiously secretly hoping it wasn't something lewd.
Michael took a deep breath, his gaze steady. "It's about my cousin, Aiden Sinclair. You may have heard of him—he's somewhat of a celebrity in the business world. His wedding is set to take place in two and a half months. The thing is," he paused as if trying to choose his words. "He's not the most loyal of men. He's going to rope a good woman into an unhappy marriage if I don't do something about it."
Lily frowned. "What does that have to do with me?"
Michael's eyes darkened slightly. "I have reason to believe Aiden is about to ruin the life of the woman involved. I suspect he's not being honest about his intentions or activites. I need someone on the inside to observe him, to ensure that she is not being misled into this marriage. I want you to work for him as his personal assistant and report back to me. Any signs of infidelity; calls, meetings, visits, gifts, let me know."
Lily stared at Michael, her mind reeling. This was a lot to take in. The idea of working for a billionaire, spying on him, felt surreal. "Why me?" she asked quietly. "Why not hire a professional?"
"Because," Michael said, his voice calm, "you're not a professional. You're genuine. You have no ties to our world, no hidden agendas. Aiden won't suspect you. And you're desperate enough to take the job. I'm offering you five thousand dollars upfront, with more to come depending on what you find. Think of what that money could do for your father."
Lily's hands trembled slightly as she processed his words. Five thousand dollars. That was more than she made in months working all three jobs. It could cover a significant portion of her father's medical bills, give her the breathing room she desperately needed. But the thought of spying on someone, of deceit, made her stomach twist.
Michael seemed to sense her hesitation. "I'm not asking you to do anything illegal, Lily. Just observe. Report back to me. If Aiden is truly innocent, that is, not cheating on his fiancee, then no harm done. But if he isn't… you could be saving someone from a lot of pain."
Lily swallowed hard. This felt like a crossroads, a point where her life could take a completely different direction. She thought of her father, of his tired eyes and frail hands. The weight of the responsibility she carried pressed down on her, almost suffocating.
"What if Aiden finds out?" she asked, her voice barely a whisper. "What if he knows I'm spying on him?"
Michael's expression softened. "I'll protect you. Aiden wouldn't harm an innocent girl like you. Besides, he won't know. You'll just be another assistant, doing her job. The only difference is, you'll be keeping me informed."
Lily's mind raced. The offer was tempting, incredibly so. But it also felt dangerous. She had no idea what kind of man Aiden Sinclair was, or what kind of game she was stepping into. Still, the thought of helping her father, of easing his pain, overpowered her doubts.
"Okay," she said finally, her voice steady. "I'll do it."
Michael's eyes gleamed with approval. "Excellent. I knew you were a smart girl. You'll start tomorrow. I'll have a resume and background ready for you. All you need to do is show up at Sinclair Enterprises at nine a.m. sharp. Aiden is expecting a new assistant, and you'll fit right in."
Lily nodded, feeling a mix of anxiety and determination. She had made her choice. There was no turning back now. Michael reached into his pocket, pulling out an envelope and sliding it across the table.
"Here's the upfront payment, as promised. Use it wisely."
Lily took the envelope, the weight of it reassuring in her hands. She tucked it into her bag, feeling a sense of relief wash over her. Michael stood, adjusting his suit.
"I'll be in touch," he said, his tone all business now. "And Lily… thank you. You're doing the right thing."
With that, he turned and walked out of the café, leaving Lily alone with her thoughts. She stared down at her coffee, the steam curling into the air. The right thing, he had said. But as Lily sat there, the city moving around her, she couldn't help but wonder if she had just made a deal with the devil.
The sun continued to rise outside, brightening the streets with its light, but Lily felt a shadow pass over her heart. She was stepping into a world she knew nothing about, driven by desperation. And as she left the café to head home, she couldn't shake the feeling that her life had just changed in ways she couldn't yet understand.