Chapter 75. A third date
Jackson Johnson
I was sitting in one of the armchairs in my penthouse living room. The lawyer had filed a defamation lawsuit and a second restraining order against Máxima. She couldn't come near my family, Lilly, or her family. An hour ago, Máxima had held a press conference talking about her dismissal, why she had supposedly been stripped of her position, and possible mismanagement of assets, all of which painted a bad picture of me. As if I were the villain in the story. I was absolutely furious. I couldn't believe she had turned everything in her favor. If I wanted, I could ignore it so it would lose attention, but she was talking about my company and my image.
"Sir," I looked up from my hands; it was the housekeeper.
"Yes?" She smiled warmly.
"You have a visitor." I was surprised to hear that. I checked the time; it was past ten at night, and I wasn't expecting anyone from my family.
"Who is it? Are you sure they're here for me and not another tenant?" She shook her head.
"It's a young woman. She says her name is Lilly Bradley." I raised my eyebrows in surprise. What was Lilly doing in my building at this hour? I got up quickly to go find her. I took the elevator down while typing a message to Richard informing him of her unexpected visit. When the elevator doors opened, I rushed out. She was sitting on the leather couch that adorned the building's lobby. When she saw me, she stood up and waited for me to approach her.
"Is something wrong? Are you okay? What are you doing here so late?" One question after another, she just waited for me to stop so she could speak.
"I know you asked me to stay away, but I want to show you that I'm here to support you..." I didn't let her finish.
"Oh, Lilly." Her words filled the void inside me since I had told her to stay away temporarily. I took her hand, ignoring the manager and receptionist watching us. "Come." I led her into the elevator, wrapped my arm around her to pull her close to my side, pressed the button and the code to go up. When the doors closed, I moved quickly, pressing her against the stainless steel wall, sliding my hand inside her coat to caress her side.
"Jackson..." she gasped in surprise. I looked into her brown eyes, ignoring the security camera.
"I'm so glad you came to see me." She smiled and caressed my cheek with her hand. "I have so much to tell you..."
"I have an extra change of clothes..." I didn't understand what she meant for a moment. "...If we can't talk about everything you want to tell me tonight, we can continue at breakfast." Her words made me sigh, filling my chest with a feeling that gave me goosebumps.
"You'll love what my housekeeper cooks." I leaned in to kiss her passionately. When we broke apart, her cheeks were flushed. The elevator bells announced our arrival.
I took her hand again to guide her into my apartment. The housekeeper emerged from the kitchen, surprised to see us.
"Good evening," Lilly said immediately, trying to let go of my hand, but I prevented her.
"Good evening, Miss Bradley."
"Come, I want to introduce you to my housekeeper," I said as we walked toward her. "This is Lilly Bradley."
"Nice to meet you." They shook hands and exchanged names.
"Likewise. It's nice to see a beautiful young woman by my boss's side..." Lilly blushed even more. "But go on, I've prepared everything. I'll be here in the morning, Mr. Johnson."
"Thank you. Have a good night." The housekeeper smiled broadly. She knew she was surprised to see a woman who wasn't my mother or Máxima in this place. Finally, we were alone. I had instructed Richard to rest, having noticed the fatigue in his eyes. Although he hesitated, I insisted he rest. This night was mine, with no one around us. I didn't want to think about what had happened with Máxima, with Arya, the press conference...
Seeing that I was lost in my thoughts, Lilly approached and wrapped her arms around my waist, tilting her head back to look at my face.
"Don't think anymore," she whispered, not breaking eye contact.
"I'm so glad you came." I wrapped my arms around her and hugged her to me, resting my chin lightly on her head while I inhaled her scent. We stayed like that in the middle of the main room for a few more minutes without saying anything. My mental stress and the whirlwind of thoughts had dissipated until my mind calmed down.
"Have you had dinner?" I shook my head, and she gave me a disapproving look.
"Honestly, with everything that's happened, I have no appetite."
"For nothing?" I noticed a sparkle in her eyes.
"Well, for you, always." I winked and then kissed her forehead. "But my mood is a bit strange right now."
"I understand. I've decided that tonight will be our third date," she said. I raised an eyebrow at her, but with so much on my mind, I decided to go along with it.
"Lilly..."
"Wait, I haven't finished," she smiled, caressing my cheeks. "I want to spend the night with you. We'll just sleep, talk about everything that's bothering you if you want, and cuddle in the 'spoon' position. Just that. We don't have to be intimate. I just want you to feel that I'm here for you." I realized I loved what she proposed. It felt like she understood how I felt at that moment.
"You're exceptional. Did you know that?" I asked sincerely. Her visit was just to be with me.
"I hear that all the time..." she winked.
"You're conceited, Miss Bradley," I whispered, kissing her lips. When we parted, she smiled at me.
"Tonight, we'll just be Lilly and Jackson."