"Are you crazy? I didn't even tell you to get close to Alger, Gel! And now you're in love with him?"
Jennie couldn't believe her friend's behavior. How could she fall in love with Alger after just one meeting? Hadn't Jennie already told her that this was only to make Lily jealous? But now, Angel had gone too far.
"Since when do you like Alger?"
"From the first time we met. Besides, what's wrong with it, Jen? Isn't Lily just playing hard to get? That means she doesn't like Alger at all. Rather than letting him go to waste, wouldn't it be better if I pursued him?"
"But Alger isn't the type of man you can easily win over. Once he falls in love, don't expect him to turn his heart to someone else."
"We'll see. I'm sure I can make him mine. Besides, who wouldn't like a mature, wealthy, handsome man who's every woman's dream? Only Lily is stupid enough not to notice Alger."
Jennie could only shake her head while sipping the alcohol in front of her.
"Do whatever you want. I'm going home. But don't ask for my help to get closer to Alger. This is beyond my original plan."
Angel ignored Jennie's words, simply shrugging her shoulders while sitting comfortably at the bar. No matter what, no one could control where their heart would fall in love.
"I'm sure I can have Alger. I'm beautiful, I'm on his level, right? Unlike Lily—she's just a secretary. What does she even have?"
Just like every other morning, their routine started with going to the office. But today, Alger and Lily were in the same car, with Alger behind the wheel. They wouldn't be heading to the office first; instead, they were going straight to the company Lily had mentioned yesterday.
Lily and Alger's arrival was met with enthusiasm. While Alger immediately went to the interview room, Lily followed one of the staff members. Everyone knew who Lily was—she was Alger's right hand. That meant she was fully trusted to handle an important project like this.
"So, Madam, are you and Mr. Alger truly interested in the concept? If there's anything lacking, we can make adjustments before the event takes place."
Lily remained silent, her gaze scanning every inch of the room in front of her. Alger's partnership with this publishing house would benefit not only him but also Edelweiss Publishing itself, which was highly popular among publishers.
"The colors aren't soft enough, but let's wait for Mr. Alger to give his comments. I'm just here to observe the venue."
"I agree with you, Ly," Alger suddenly said.
He stood beside Lily, his hands tucked into his trouser pockets.
"The colors are too bright. I'd say we should adjust the lighting to balance it out, so it doesn't look eerie. I want an exclusive interview, not a horror movie set."
"Pttfff." Lily covered her mouth, lowering her head. She almost burst out laughing at Alger's ridiculous words just now. How could someone as expressionless as a brick wall crack a joke with such a straight face?
"Alright, sir. Anything else?"
"I think that's enough. Let's wrap up the meeting here."
It seemed like they had been in the meeting for quite a while. Looking at the time, it was almost noon. Alger glanced at the watch on his wrist before smoothly turning his car toward a café. Casually, he grabbed Lily's tablet and set it aside.
"Eat first."
"But it's not lunchtime yet, sir. Besides, we've been out for too long. At one o'clock, you have a meeting with Team C regarding the launch plan, and—"
"Hello, James? Postpone the meeting until two. I still have work outside that I need to finish."
Lily stared at Alger with her mouth slightly open, prompting him to flick her lips playfully while raising an eyebrow.
"There, settled. Remember, I own the company. So I can cancel or reschedule meetings whenever I want."
"Ugh, so arrogant," Lily muttered before stepping out of the car first.
It seemed that Alger had changed. He had let go of his grudge—whether that was just her gut feeling or the truth, Lily wasn't sure.
Neither of them spoke as they sat in the café, quietly enjoying their meals. The only sounds filling the space were the clinking of cutlery against plates.
Lily pushed away her empty plate and took a sip of her drink, her gaze fixed on Alger.
"Why are you being nice to me?"
Those five simple words made Alger stop mid-chew. He lifted his head to meet Lily's eyes.
"Never mind, sir. You can answer after you finish eating."
Alger didn't respond. Instead, he pushed his plate away, still unfinished.
"What did you just say?"
"Why are you being nice to me? Weren't you full of hatred toward me before? Or do you just pity me now?"
Without hesitation, Alger nodded. He grabbed a napkin and wiped his lips. "That's part of it."
"I don't need your pity, sir. I've lived like this for a long time. And one more thing—our marriage is just a contract on paper, not bound by real law. So, please don't involve yourself too deeply in my life."
Alger frowned. "What do you mean? Do you think our marriage is just a game? Okay, I admit it. At first, I married you because I hated you—I wanted to make you suffer. But do you know what? The more time I spend with you, the more I understand your life. And I've come to realize something."
"What is it?"
Alger reached for Lily's hand and held it firmly. "You've been under so much pressure. You need someone to lean on. If not me, then who else will be there for you? And I already told you—I'm sorry. Sorry for the misunderstanding from five years ago. But now, I want to fix everything."
Lily gave a faint smile. Just hearing those words made her chest feel warm. She didn't know if it was just a fleeting sentiment or if Alger truly meant to stay by her side.
Alger was about to kiss her hand when her phone suddenly rang, making Lily quickly pull her hand back.
"Hello, Mom," Lily answered, glancing at Alger.
"Sweetheart, tomorrow's the weekend. Could you come over tonight? Bring Alger along. I'll cook both of your favorite dishes."
Lily lowered her phone and spoke softly to Alger.
"Mom asked us to come over tonight. Can we?"
"Hmm." Alger responded casually.
Lily pressed her phone back to her ear and reflexively nodded.
"Yes, Mom. Alger and I will come over later."
"Where are you? It sounds noisy. Are you eating out? With Alger?"
"Yes, Mom. We just finished a meeting, and since it was lunchtime, we decided to stop by and eat."
"Alright then. I just wanted to say that I hope your marriage lasts until death do you part, Ly."
"Amen."
Since it was almost 1 PM, Lily and Alger decided to return to the office. The journey wasn't too far, only about a fifteen-minute drive from the café.
As usual, whenever the CEO walked by, everyone on Team A would stand and greet him respectfully. But instead of heading straight to her office, Lily made a detour to Team A's area, more precisely to the pantry, to grab a drink.
"Damn, I've only just seen you today, Ly! Where have you been with the boss? Don't tell me it was a date?" Eliza pried.
Lily, who was sitting on a pantry chair, downed her drink in one go.
"Work, hey, work. You think I just date all day and don't work?"
"Where did you go that made you come back this late?" Sony asked suspiciously, sitting beside Lily.
"To Edelweiss Editorial, checking the venue for the event in two days. We also did an interview, and since it was lunchtime, we ate before heading back to the office."
"Damn, no wonder you used to be Mr. Daniel's right-hand person. Your work is always so neat, Ly. Impressive. But… you don't have any plans to resign, do you?"
Lily clicked her tongue, her gaze fixed on Eliza.
"And if I were to resign, would you take my place?"
"If I could be as perfect as you, I might consider it, Ly."
Lily chuckled softly and got up from her seat.
"You guys don't know the struggles I've been through these past three years. Nothing happens instantly; it all takes a process. So, keep pushing forward. Anyway, I have to get back to work. If Alger catches us still hanging around here, he'll be mad."
Lily's words were true. Her journey had been long. She had once been scolded by Mr. Daniel for a mistake, and at that moment, she had really felt like giving up. But then she remembered—her father needed money for medical treatment back then.
A bitter smile appeared on Lily's lips.
"I've come this far, and the process was so painful."
She took a deep breath and placed her bag on her desk.
"You're amazing, Ly," she murmured to herself.
Perhaps Lily forgot that her office's front glass was transparent from Alger's side. The man had not taken his eyes off her even once.
"Could it be that after five years, I've fallen for the same person again?"
As he watched Lily stand up, Alger loosened his tie, shifting it slightly to the side. It seemed he now had a different plan to bring Lily closer to him.
"Excuse me, sir."
"Hmm."
"In fifteen minutes, you have a meeting, sir. I just wanted to remind you."
Alger waved his hand, pointing at his tie.
"You can put this on for me, right?"
Without hesitation, Lily nodded and reached for Alger's tie. But before she could, Alger pulled her by the waist, making her fall onto his lap.
"Sir—"
"Stop complaining. Doing more than this wouldn't be a problem, would it?"