1. Chapter 1

Chapter 1

Lily

" L ily Snow? Is that you?" A familiar voice from behind the door startles me. It can't be him.

"Ethan?"

"I can't believe it is really you, Lily."

I can't believe it either. I can't believe that I am seeing Ethan's face again after all these years. Ethan. My high school sweetheart. He looks very different.

"It has been what? Like ten years now?" he says, slowly taking steps towards me.

"Yes." I nod and swallow the lump that's been stuck in my throat for the last minute. It has been a decade of neither seeing his face nor feeling his presence next to me in my room.

Ethan Ruth, now known as Ethan Rothschild, is the CEO of the company I am about to be interviewed in for a job: Rothschild Pharmaceuticals. It must be fate bringing me back to him. Or maybe it is just a curse.

"I guess life has a funny way of bringing people back together. So, you're here for the florist position?"

"Yes, Ethan. I suppose I am."

"Mr. Rothschild," he clears his throat and walks past me, not showing any signs of interest anymore. The gaze that was so full of surprise, nostalgia, and astonishment quickly turns into a cold one.

"Sorry?"

"Have a seat, Lily. Please," he says after a long pause of silence and uninterrupted eye contact.

"You are the CEO here?"

"Yes. Yes, I am. CEO and owner." He gestures to the sofa in front of him.

"You must have it all, then," I nod and look around me. The office lacks color.

"I am the company's only heir."

"Rothschild? Ethan Rothschild? Wait. Something is off. Did you change your surname? Or did you just lie about it, too?"

"Slight changes. But no, I did not lie about it."

"I figured," I say and analyze his smile. When he smiles again, I feel like my entire body is being crushed to earth.

"Got something to say about it, Lily?"

"Not really. I just didn't know this company belonged to you. I should have done my research," I clear my throat and sit on the sofa facing him, my legs feeling shaky.

I begin regretting wearing these fancy high heels that I had to borrow to look presentable enough in front of the company's CEO.

"There's a lot you don't know, Ms. Snow." He sits facing me at the edge of the round table, which hardly has anything on it except stacks of papers and his black laptop.

No wonder he needs someone to decorate this place. His face seems younger than the one I remember.

"Why am I here, Ethan?"

"It is Mr. Rothschild." He clears his throat again and rubs his eyes, seeming out of patience. I guess I should not call him by his first name like I used to.

"Why am I here?" I say again, sterner this time.

"You are here for the job. You won the bid for this contract, Lily. The samples you sent are quite ravishing."

"Out of all florists in New York? Am I the only one who sent samples?"

"Ms. Snow, I know art when I see it. Your own talent brought you to this place."

"You must have a thing for pastel aesthetics, then."

"Or perhaps after seeing your profile, I simply can't think of a better florist to decorate my huge building. Your business is quite impressive," he says as he looks at my printed samples like it is his first time seeing them.

"Where have you been all these years?" I ask, but it suddenly feels like the question is too futile. I feel so overwhelmed just looking at him. Feelings of mistrust are blinding me.

"Is the job offer to your liking?" Ethan asks, completely ignoring my question.

"Ethan, I-"

"It is Mr. Rothschild for now, please, Lily."

"I can't believe you," I sigh and lay back on the sofa.

"You have to accept things as they are, Lily. I, too, am surprised that we had to meet like this. Maybe it is for a reason. It is a good business deal after all, don't you think?"

"I am after any opportunity that will make me excel in my career."

Ethan clears his throat and crosses his arms together, looking like he wants to negotiate some unsolved businesses.

"Your resume says you are brilliant and artistic, and I need some sort of life in this place."

"Life?"

"Yes," he says, his voice quieter than ever.

"What does that mean? Is that a code for something?"

"I am sure my face shows how impressed I am with these samples, Lily. I am also sure that you would do wonders in this project. You've always done wonders in art class. I remember how fond I was of your work."

"Oh, please. You can't bring that up. Old history. We are grown-up people now, aren't we? Aren't we, Mr. Rothschild?"

He doesn't say a word. He simply nods and sits back in his massive chair. The eye contact between us is driving me crazy. He is staring at me differently this time. His stare is so cold.

"I mean, look at you. A CEO? And an owner of this building?"

"I own this entire city, Ms. Snow," he cockily smiles. It is almost like I am talking to a whole different person.

"Ethan Rothschild, huh? Back from the dead?" I say to him, leaning back on the sofa the same way he does, feeling sudden, immense power, as if I have already gotten the project.

"Technically, yes," he clears his throat.

"It has been almost ten years since I have last seen you. You look different."

Ethan looks down and laughs. His eyes are sparkling when they meet mine. The smile is gone, and seriousness takes over. His hands are joined on the table, and he leans forward. I can almost smell him from across the table.

His lips are pressed into a straight line and his jaw clenches. The silence between us is unbearable.

"Have you had a chance to look into the Rothschild Pharmaceuticals for our businesses' partnership?"

"I haven't."

"I believe that's better."

"Why is that?" I ask, slightly smirking. It feels like I know the answer.

"Would you still have arrived to this job interview if you knew your ex-boyfriend is the CEO of the company?"

"I should have at least done some research."

"I don't think that would be necessary. You probably see it all over the news. We are pretty much visible. We have been at least for the past two months."

"You must be a huge deal, then."

"I am."

"I am talking about the company," I nod, and scoff at him. There is this cocky side of him that I haven't seen before. I can't tell whether I love it or hate it.

Ethan laughs, revealing a set of perfectly straight, gleaming teeth. He proceeds to bite his lip and stare at me. He looks like he is enjoying this.

"It has been so long, hasn't it?" he asks.

"Indeed, it has."

"I have to say; I missed this."

"Missed what?"

" This . I missed talking to you. It really has been a long time."

"Well, I didn't miss any of this."

"I can see that," he smirks and finally stands up. The smell of his cologne feels like a wave hitting my face. He doesn't take his eyes off my knees.

"You have to be professional, Mr. Rothschild."

"Right. Well, let us get to business, Ms. Snow. I assume you have read the project's scope?"

"Yes."

"What do you think about it?"

"It sounds like something I am capable of doing."

"You've always had that in you, haven't you?"

"What do you mean?"

"Passion for creating things. You were always the creative one."

"We both were. We were kids. Old times. But that doesn't matter anymore, right?"

"Right," he stops right in front of me. I look up at him, feeling mesmerized by the sight.

He has grown more handsome than ever. The black shirt and black blazer suit him well too. I shouldn't get too distracted, but when his dark blue eyes are looking into mine, I can't help but feel lost.

Ethan stands tall and lean, with a pale, flawless complexion. His dark hair frames a sharply defined jawline and high cheekbones. His deep blue eyes are intense and mesmerizing, often curling into a knowing smile. He moves with effortless grace, exuding confidence, and an air of timeless elegance.

"Ethan, stop," I snap as I stare up at him. His gaze is so calming.

"Stop what?"

"Just, stop. Stop this," I gesture at his whole body.

"I am not sure I understand."

"I feel like I was dragged here."

"Dragged? I didn't do any dragging. You won the bid for this project, Lily, and you confirmed to have an interview with the CEO, and you walked here yourself."

"Oh yeah? I can walk out of here, too."

"I wouldn't let you. You are here for a reason. Don't forget that. You will be our contractor here."

"I don't think so, Mr. Rothschild."

"That's the point. You don't, but I do. You have a lot to learn, Ms. Snow. The first lesson of the day is to never say no to Ethan Rothschild," he says, lightly placing his hand on mine.

How can his hand be so cold ? I think to myself. I don't remember it being this cold. I miss the feeling of his hands wrapped around my body; protecting me, caressing me.

"The first day of the job earns you a substantial amount of money. Are you going to let go of it that easily?" he adds.

"This is not about the money."

"Maybe you do not need the money, but you do need me."

"You think too highly of yourself."

"No, I don't. If I did, I wouldn't have done what I did."

"And what did you do? Leaving me after promising to stay? Or was it the fact that we were so in love, but you still decided to leave me and break my heart? Which one are you talking about?"

"Let's not bring that up now, Lily. I know I have a lot of apologies to make, but can we take it step by step?"

"Yes. You do, but I-"

"But I am willing to make up for them, Lily. Sit back down. Let's negotiate this."

He lets go of my arm and places a chair in front of me. The way he is looking at me makes my heartbeat so hard. My hands are sweating. It is the first time I have talked to him in so many years.

"What do you have to offer?" I sit back down.

"A successful project. Does that suit you?"

"I want to excel in my career."

"I will have The New York Times write about you. They will write how you turned the Rothschild Pharmaceuticals into a living heaven."

"You think I am capable of that?"

"I think you are capable of so many things," he says and eyes my legs again. It must be my short black skirt.

"Don't look at me like that."

"I am sorry."

"I am not sure I can do this."

"Ms. Snow don't forget you are here for a reason," he smirks as he gets up from his chair and hands me a paper.

"What is this?"

"The contract."

I read the contract carefully. Everything is written clearly. It is definitive that I will make a lot of money out of this. I am supposed to start the job today itself. How can I say no? I need the money. I need recognition for my floral business.

Working here for a week will grant me so many things. So many opportunities. And he is ready to make it all happen. Perhaps I can even give up my lousy blog writing job. It is not getting me anywhere, unless I have something gushing to write about.

"This is a lot of money."

"Well, you will spend a lot of time here, so you have a lot to learn."

For a second, it feels like his eyes are pierced in mine. He notices every move I make. Before he can say anything, I smile at him.

"You know my job is much more than placing flowers in every corner, yes?"

"What does your job consist of Lily?"

"Making this place heaven themed."

"How so?"

"What is it that you exactly do here?"

"We create pharmaceutical products."

"That I know. I need more information."

Before he says anything else, he flashes me a smile and bites his lower lip. I check my skirt again.

"So feisty. Well, our company sells substances and chemicals to dermatological companies that create products helping people retain their youth."

"Anti-aging products?"

"Something like that," he nods, then shrugs as if he is not certain of his answer.

"You can't keep people young forever. Do you know that? That's like going against the law of nature."

"Trust me. That's what we do here; and we are quite good at it too. Splendid."

Before I can add anything else, he gets an email notification on his laptop. He immediately checks his watch and stands up.

"Have it your way, Ms. Snow. I should be going now."

"This must be the shortest interview I have ever had."

"I have an urgent meeting that I should attend. Congratulations on the project, Lily Snow," he says and hurries to the elevator.

"Mr. Rothschild!"

"Yes, Lily?" He turns around.

"Do you have a list of the things that are needed to be done?"

"Not yet, but I will have someone email you a list of tasks. For now, I want you to familiarize yourself with my office and start with it."

"But it's huge."

He chuckles and steps back inside the elevator. His eyes are telling me no good. It is almost as if he is hiding something from me.

"I know. But it's worth it. It will give you an idea of what to do with it. I will be back soon."

"Any scent preferences?"

Ethan pauses in the elevator, his back facing me. He then places his hands in his pockets, shrugging, and I swear there was a chuckle coming from his side.

"Yes?"

"Anything but garlic."

"What? Who even does that?" I shrug and roll my eyes.

"I am allergic to garlic," he firmly says as the elevator door closes.