Epilogue Part 1
One month later...
Lilly Bradley
"Everything is ready for the engagement party," said Isidora, looking at me with excitement. "The guest list includes a hundred people, encompassing the closest members of both families. Will your grandmother be traveling from London?" I nodded.
"I don't want to seem rude, but I have a meeting in ten minutes and need to get up to the office," I said, smiling.
"You're not rude, dear. I know I shouldn't have come during work hours, but I wanted your approval on this," she said, smiling politely.
"You have it. Besides, you have great taste in everything. I don't mind if you help me choose or approve things," I winked at her, and she smiled even more excitedly. "I trust your decisions."
"Good, with that, you give me the green light," we stood up simultaneously, said goodbye with a kiss on the cheek, and a hug that lasted longer than usual. It seemed she was about to cry again. She stepped back and fanned her face with her hand. "I'm sorry, I'm just so excited." We said goodbye once more. Finally, I walked to the elevator and went up to the administrative floor. After that night when Jackson gave me the engagement ring, it took us a few days to tell our families, and Isidora insisted on organizing the engagement night herself. I was excited, very much so, but I needed to stay calm and not stress. However, staying home without doing something productive would be even more stressful. Since I could remember, I had always been working. Jackson didn't want me working for any company other than his, so I agreed to return to my position as an administrator at Johnson Enterprises.
When I reached the floor, I went straight to the office and grabbed the folders with the information I needed for the meeting. I looked at the clock and had five minutes to get there.
"Lilly," I looked up, and it was Máxima, standing in the doorway of the office – a familiar sight. We smiled at each other. "Are you ready?" I quickly nodded. "Then let's go. I don't want to be late for my first weekly meeting." Máxima had returned as head of the administrative department. Jackson had learned to forgive his friend and leave the past behind after what happened with Arya. She had been back in her position for a week.
All the department heads were taking their seats at the large table in the conference room. Jackson hadn't arrived yet. Máxima took her usual seat, and I sat beside her to support her this one time, explaining everything that had happened since she had left the company.
"Good morning, everyone," Jackson's commanding voice echoed through the room. Everyone sat up straight in their chairs, some adjusting their ties and nervously arranging their folders. Since the incident with Paige a month ago, it had been announced at the first weekly meeting that anyone attempting to act against him or the company would face consequences. He had also clarified what had happened to me and my innocence. After a while of listening to the meeting about the new properties that had been rented, bought, and sold, my phone distracted me for a moment. It rang loudly in the room. Jackson's look in my direction said, "Haven't you put that thing on silent?" I cleared my throat immediately and, apologizing for the interruption, rushed out of the conference room. Once outside, I answered the call.
"Yes?" I looked at the closed door and decided to move further away so my voice wouldn't be heard on the other side.
"Miss Lilly Bradley?" I heard the question from the other end of the line.
"Yes, that's me."
"We're calling from New York-Presbyterian... again." Then I remembered and looked at the screen, bringing a hand to my forehead as I mentally scolded myself.
"I'm sorry, I haven't picked up my test results. Can I come by around one to get them?"
"Of course, I'll inform them right now."
"Thank you." I ended the call and kept staring at the screen, remembering Jackson's persistent urging for me to get general tests to make sure everything was fine. He'd been worried since I was hospitalized due to stress, and only recently had I done it. How could I not, when he went and told my father to help him convince me? I remembered my father's smile when he found out Jackson was so concerned about it. So, I had to go despite my fear of needles. I finally did it, but I'd been getting calls to pick up the results for days, and it kept slipping my mind.
"Who was it?" Jackson's voice behind me sent a shiver down my spine. I turned to him slowly and put on a smile. "That smile is half-hearted. What's up?"
"It was the hospital. I need to pick up the test results."
"Why have they taken so long to give them to you?" I bit my lip, and he narrowed his eyes. "Seriously, Lilly?" From the way he said my name, I knew he was starting to get annoyed.
"It slipped my mind, I swear." He softened his gaze and discreetly caressed my elbow.
"Do you want me to go with you to get them?" I shook my head.
"You have lunch with new clients. I'll take the opportunity to go."
"Are you sure, honey?" I nodded and smiled at how he'd whispered the last word. "Now that's a real smile." He quickly looked around, and seeing no one was there, he kissed my lips, then the tip of my nose, and finally my forehead. "Back to work," he said, and before leaving, he discreetly patted my butt, making me jump at the unexpected move. Maxine saw it and, when she reached me with my folder, was smiling amusedly.
"I love seeing this side of Jackson." I took the folder in my hands and held it against my chest. "Is everything okay?"
"Yes. Yes, of course..."
"It's just that you left the meeting because of the call..."
"Oh, it was the hospital. I need to pick up some test results." We started walking toward the elevator to go to our floor.
"And that? Are you okay?" She pressed the button to go up.
"Yes, it's just that after the disaster a month ago, I ended up in the hospital due to stress, and when we got back, he insisted I get tests to rule out anything."
"Oh, that's not unusual for him. He's always been strict about health. I'm glad he told you to do it, especially now that you're engaged and getting married in five months." The elevator doors opened, and we each went to our own offices. I dropped into my chair and stared at my computer screen. What if the tests show something bad? I didn't want to tell him that lately, I've been feeling tired and sleepy. Could I be anemic? I quickly shook my head. Those results must show that I'm completely healthy.