Darren's gaze calmly flickered over Lily's appearance as he took in the subtle details of her attire.
She was wearing a fitted navy-blue blazer over a crisp white blouse. Like most of her outfits, this one was tailored to perfection, tight around her waist and penciled slightly above her untainted knees.
Taking a note of how officially dressed she was, Darren came to a conclusion. 'It seems she's here on official business.'
She wasn't overly dressed . Her accessories were a modest silver wristwatch and a simple pair of pearl earrings, lacking the extravagance she would usually take if she was on a more casual outing.
Then, his eyes shifted to the papers clutched tightly in her hands.
A quick glance revealed a contract header—Smithers Group & Wellington Realty. His brow arched slightly. He saw that she was here as a representative for her dad's company to complete a deal with the CEO of this real estate company.
She was here as a representative for her father's company. His gaze sharpened as he skimmed the fine print. From the looks of it, it seemed to be an advertising deal.
So, Lily had been demoted to advertising?
By her own father?
The realization was rough, amusing but also pitiful. In his past life, Lily had even gained an executive role, and was being groomed as her father's successor.
He imagined the reason for that was because she had done what Gareth wanted; keeping him in check so that they could continue to use him to make more financial breakthroughs.
But now he had ended that, here she was, left to negotiate marketing contracts. Certainly this was Gareth's way of punishing Lily. Or was it a test?
Darren wasn't sure. But whatever it was, it was clear that her standing had slipped.
Lily's voice broke through the silence, calling his name once again.
"Darren?"
Her tone carried disbelief, but also more raw emotions like hurt, frustration and confusion. She took a hesitant step forward, searching his face as if trying to confirm he was real.
Darren was almost unrecognizable. Not just his face, but his clothes were ironed, there was more steel in his posture, and... he finally learnt how to comb his hair.
"What are you doing here?" she asked, brows furrowed. Then, more urgently, "Why haven't you been answering my calls? Responding to my texts? Why have you..." Her voice trailed off.
"Darren. I even came to see you once— I knocked on your door, Darren. And don't tell me you weren't home because I knew you were."
Her voice wavered slightly, and she swallowed before continuing.
"But you just ignored me. You've been so... cold. So awful. Why? What did I do to deserve this?"
Darren's jaw tightened once more, keeping his expression as bland as he could. "Didn't your father tell you?"
Lily blinked. "Tell me what?"
His lips curled distastefully, as though he was trying his best to avoid this conversation.
"Why I resigned from the company? He didn't tell you it was because I know. About everything."
She stiffened, confusion clouding her face.
Darren's voice remained as steady as ever. "After he had seen my GPA, my test results, my CPA, your father knew he'd hit the jackpot with me. A new young graduate that he could use and siphon from. All he needed was how to keep me so I wouldn't leave."
"When he learnt I was asking you out, it was the best opportunity and so, he finally agreed to let you date me. That way, you could keep me in check. Keep me happy. Keep me from leaving his company."
He let the words settle, then his gaze blared down at her. "You were using me. Manipulating me."
Lily went utterly still.
Her fingers clenched around the papers, her breath shallow. How?
How... how could he possibly know that?
That conversation had taken place years ago, just her and her father, behind closed doors. No one else had been there, and she had never breathed a word of it to anyone.
This had to be a bluff.
There was no way he could have found out. He had to be speculating and somehow managed to guess it right.
Lily forced herself to breathe. Then, she looked him straight in the eye and lied.
"That's not true," she said, her voice steady despite the turmoil inside her. "Darren, of course my father is very mindful of our relationship, but nothing like that ever happened. We've been friends for so long, I would never do that. Not to you."
Ding!
┏This person is being dishonest to you.┛
Darren didn't even react to the system's notification. He didn't need it.
His eyes remained locked on hers, cold and piercing. "You're lying."
Lily flinched.
"Your father didn't even bother to deny it," Darren continued, voice like ice. "He assumed you told me yourself." He leaned in just slightly, his gaze unrelenting. "And yet, somehow, you're the only one still trying to pretend."
A flicker of panic flashed in her eyes.
She had made a mistake. She just realized it now. Why did she have to lie? Couldn't she see that there was something extremely different in this Darren? Didn't she already know that?
Didn't she know that he wouldn't fall for her words like he usually did.
Her father had given her one instruction: Fix this. Not to make it worse.
But now she had done exactly that.
"No. No, Darren, I made a mistake. Please, let me explain—"
"No."
His voice cut through her words like a blade.
"I've been a fool all this time, thinking you loved me," he said, shaking his head. Then, inwardly, he added, 'And I was even a fool for a longer time. Ten years in fact.'
Then he exhaled sharply, straightening. "It won't happen anymore."
"Darren—"
"It's over, Lily."
The finality in his tone stole the breath from her lungs.
He glanced at her, eyes cold. "Officially. You and I are done."
She stared at him, unable to move, unable to process. 'Darren? Breaking up with me?'
She'd always imagined that if anyone was to break up with anyone, it would be her breaking up with him. And everyone thought so too. Mainly because they all believed she was way out of his league.
And yet, he was the one breaking up with her. How much had he changed?
The sharp sound of heels against the polished flooring snapped her out of her thoughts as the real estate agent returned, a radiant smile on her face.
"The documents are ready, sir," she said, stepping beside him. "Shall we head to the property now for the inspection?"
Lily's head snapped toward the woman, eyes narrowing. Property?
She looked back at Darren, whose expression remained unreadable. "What are you doing here, Darren?"
He sighed.
Then, he met her gaze one final time.
"I just don't want to see you again, Lily."
And with that, he continued forward, heading to the door. The real estate agent followed beside him, glancing back only once before they both disappeared into the hallway.
Lily stood frozen in place, watching his retreating figure. Her fingers trembled slightly, her heart hammering in her chest.
Then, under her breath, barely above a whisper, she murmured:
"You're wrong, Darren."
Her hands clenched at her sides.
"You're wrong... because I do love you."