Morning had fully arrived.
The city buzzed outside Chloe's apartment.
Inside, things were calmer.
Lillian stood near the door, adjusting her blazer slowly.
She still felt a little weak, but much better than before.
Sebastian stood a few steps away, watching her carefully.
Arms crossed.
Observing.
"You're overthinking it," he said.
Lillian glanced at him.
"I'm not."
"You've been fixing that sleeve for thirty seconds."
She stopped immediately.
"…I like it to look neat."
Sebastian smirked faintly.
"You look fine."
She exhaled slowly.
"This is my first day back after collapsing in your office."
"That's hardly your fault."
"It still happened."
He stepped closer.
His voice softened.
"You were sick, Lillian."
"I know."
"But people will ask questions."
"Let them."
She hesitated.
"And what about… us?"
That made him pause.
She shifted her weight slightly.
"What if people notice?"
His eyes studied her calmly.
"At the office we behave professionally."
She nodded.
"And outside the office?" she asked quietly.
His expression softened.
"Outside the office…"
He stepped closer.
"…you're mine."
Her cheeks turned pink again.
"You say that so casually."
"Because it's true."
She shook her head, smiling nervously.
"You're impossible."
"And yet you agreed to date me."
She laughed softly.
"I guess I did."
Sebastian grabbed his car keys.
"Come on."
"Where are we going?"
"To work."
"You're driving me?"
"Yes."
"You do realise I live walking distance to the office."
"I know."
"But you are going to do it anyway?"
"Correct."
Lillian smiled.
The ride to Sovereign was quiet.
Comfortable.
Lillian watched the city pass by through the window.
Sebastian glanced at her occasionally.
"You're tired."
"I'm fine."
"You yawned twice."
"That doesn't mean anything."
"It means you're still recovering."
She sighed.
"You're already doing the overprotective boyfriend thing."
He glanced at her.
"Is that a problem?"
She smiled slightly.
"No."
They pulled up outside the tall Sovereign building.
Sebastian stepped out first.
Then walked around the car.
He opened the passenger door.
Lillian blinked.
"You opened the door for me."
"Yes."
"You never do that."
"Maybe I should have."
She stepped out slowly.
"People might see this."
"Then they'll see a man opening a door."
"You know what I mean."
He leaned slightly closer.
"You're blushing again."
"I am not."
"You are."
She nudged his arm.
"Stop it."
He chuckled quietly.
They entered the building together.
Employees greeted Sebastian immediately.
"Good morning, Mr. Wolfe."
"Morning, sir."
He nodded politely.
But his attention stayed on Lillian.
She walked beside him.
Trying to act normal.
Sebastian's hand briefly rested on the small of her back.
Guiding her toward the elevator.
She froze slightly.
"Sebastian," she whispered.
He glanced down.
"Yes?"
"People will notice."
He removed his hand calmly.
"They might."
"You're terrible at being subtle."
He smirked.
"Not my strongest skill."
When they reached the office floor, Lillian moved toward her desk.
Sebastian stopped beside her.
"You're not working too hard today."
"I have a full schedule."
"You were unconscious two days ago."
"I'm better now."
He frowned slightly.
"Still."
She crossed her arms.
"You can't put me on medical leave forever."
"I could."
"You won't."
"Correct."
She smiled.
"I'll take it easy."
"Good."
He turned to leave.
Then stopped.
"And Miss Parker?"
She looked up.
"Yes?"
"Drink water."
She laughed.
"Yes, Mr. Wolfe."
An hour later.
Lillian worked quietly at her desk.
Her computer screen glowed with emails.
Suddenly someone approached.
"Hey, Lillian."
She looked up.
Mark from finance stood there.
Smiling.
"Good to see you back," he said.
"Thanks," she replied.
"We were starting to think you disappeared."
She laughed lightly.
"Just got sick."
"Well, the office was definitely quieter without you."
"That sounds suspicious."
"Maybe I missed you."
She rolled her eyes playfully.
Next to her desk—
Sebastian watched through the glass wall of his office.
His expression remained neutral.
But his eyes followed the conversation.
Mark leaned casually against Lillian's desk.
"You should take it easy today."
"Apparently everyone agrees with you."
"Well, if you need help with anything—."
"I'll survive."
Mark chuckled.
"Alright. But I'll check on you later."
He walked away.
Lillian returned to her computer.
Moments later—
Her phone buzzed.
Sebastian:
Come to my office.
She blinked.
Then stood up.
Inside his office, Sebastian sat behind his desk.
Hands folded.
Watching her.
"You called?"
"Yes."
She closed the door.
"What's wrong?"
He leaned back slightly.
"Who was that?"
She blinked.
"Mark?"
"Yes."
"Finance department."
"He seemed very comfortable talking to you."
She tilted her head.
"He was just being nice."
Sebastian stayed quiet.
She slowly smiled.
"Sebastian…"
"Yes?"
"…are you jealous?"
He didn't answer immediately.
Then he said calmly—
"Possibly."
Lillian laughed.
"You are."
"He was leaning very close to your desk."
"You were spying on me?"
"I have windows."
She shook her head.
"You're unbelievable."
"And yet," he said calmly, "you like me."
She smiled softly.
"Yes."
He stood up.
Walking around the desk.
"You're still recovering," he said.
"And he was distracting you."
"He talked to me for thirty seconds."
"That's still thirty seconds."
"You're ridiculous."
"Correct."
Her phone buzzed again.
She glanced down.
Then looked up.
"Sebastian."
"Yes?"
"There's a delivery for me."
He raised an eyebrow.
"What kind?"
"I don't know."
She walked back to her desk.
A small bouquet of flowers sat there.
White lilies.
Her favorite.
A note rested beside them.
She opened it.
Drink water. Rest.
– S
Her lips curved into a smile.
A moment later Sebastian walked out of his office.
Trying to look casual.
Lillian held up the flowers.
"You bought these."
"No."
"You absolutely did."
He adjusted his cuff.
"You looked tired."
"That's not an answer."
"…Yes."
She laughed softly.
"They're beautiful."
"Good."
She leaned closer slightly.
"Thank you."
He shrugged.
"It's nothing."
"It's not nothing."
Their eyes met briefly.
Warm.
Soft.
Comfortable.
Sebastian leaned slightly closer.
"So," he murmured.
"How is your first day back going?"
She smiled.
"Pretty good."
"Good."
Then she leaned closer on her tiptoes and kissed his cheek.
Quick.
Gentle.
Sebastian froze again.
Lillian stepped back.
"Consider that encouragement."
He touched his cheek slowly.
"You're making this difficult."
"How?"
"You keep rewarding my behavior."
She grinned.
"Well…"
"You said you're learning."
He smiled faintly.
"Yes."
He leaned closer slightly.
"And I'm a fast learner."