Chapter 47 CHAPTER 46

Chapter 47 CHAPTER 46
The next day, I left the mansion early and headed to Elsie's condo.
Tomas and I weren't meeting until eight that evening, but I needed to leave ahead of time so Aeros wouldn't find out I was going on a date.
While I was driving, my phone suddenly rang.
It was Aeros.
I hesitated before answering.
"I'll just pretend I'm busy driving," I told myself.
I forced myself to ignore the call. If I answered, he might suddenly change his mind and tell me to come back to the mansion.
Half an hour later, I arrived at Elsie's place.
I pressed the doorbell and waited.
The moment she opened the door, a wide grin spread across her face.
"Finally! You actually listened to me!" she said excitedly.
I smiled. "I was afraid you wouldn't talk to me anymore."
She laughed. "You know exactly what I would've done if you hadn't listened."
I walked inside and sank into the soft sofa.
"I'm only doing this because it's what you wanted," I said.
"What did you tell Aeros?" she asked with a teasing grin.
"I told him I was coming here... so he'd let me go."
She burst out laughing.
"I wonder what he'll do when he finds out you're going on a date with another man."
I didn't answer right away.
Because even though I hadn't admitted it aloud, I already knew the answer.
"Do you have anything to eat?" I asked suddenly, changing the subject. "I left early and skipped breakfast."
"You know I don't eat breakfast."
"Then cook something. At least be hospitable to your guest."
She laughed again.
"Guest? More like a pest!"
A faint smile touched my lips, though my chest still felt heavy.
"Just cook already. You're the one who wanted this."
"Fine, fine!" she replied, still laughing.
I chuckled as I watched her disappear into the kitchen.
Despite all the lies and secrets I had to carry, there were moments like this when everything felt normal, when it seemed as though I wasn't constantly caught between right and wrong.
I spent the entire day at Elsie's condo, trying to calm myself while waiting for my date with Tomas.
I was secretly nervous, but more than that, I was determined not to get caught by Aeros.
And Aeros completely believed I was spending the day with Elsie.
"Girl, my dress actually looks good on you," Elsie said, examining me from head to toe.
I was wearing the dress she had lent me.
I hadn't brought any of my own clothes. I didn't want to leave a single clue that might make Aeros suspicious. One small detail could expose everything.
"Thanks," I replied with a forced smile.
"I'll drive you to your date," she offered enthusiastically.
I raised an eyebrow.
"What do you take me for? Someone who's never been on a date before?"
She patted my shoulder playfully.
"Hey, it's just a date. Don't give in too easily."
I laughed, though there was a painful ache in my chest.
"I'm not that kind of woman."
"Oh, right. You're just hopelessly foolish."
"I'm leaving before this conversation gets worse," I said as I stood.
"Be careful!" she called after me with a grin.
I climbed into the old car my mother had given me years ago and started driving toward the restaurant Tomas had chosen.
Then my phone rang again.
Aeros.
My heart skipped a beat.
For a moment, I couldn't speak.
But eventually, I answered.
"Aeros."
"Where are you?" he asked in his usual calm voice.
"I'm still at Elsie's condo."
"What time should I pick you up?"
"You don't have to. I brought my old car. I'm not sure when I'll be home, but I'll definitely come back."
There was a moment of silence.
Then—
"Okay."
Such a simple answer.
But I knew there was trust behind that single word.
Trust I didn't deserve.
My grip tightened around the steering wheel.
"I'm sorry, Aeros," I whispered to myself.
"But Elsie's right. I need to learn not to fall too deeply for you. So when the day comes that our agreement ends, I'll still be able to stand back up."

It took me another thirty minutes to reach the restaurant.
The place was bright and lively, filled with the clatter of dishes and the laughter of customers.
Yet somehow, I felt like I was the only person carrying something heavy inside.
Tomas was already there, waiting.
The moment he saw me, he smiled and waved.
I walked over.
"Have you been waiting long?"
He stood and handed me the bouquet he was holding.
"I just got here too."
I smiled despite the ache in my chest.
"That's good. I thought I'd kept you waiting."
He shook his head.
"Let's order."
He called for a waiter and chose our meals himself, as though he were accustomed to taking care of someone.
"Elsie told me you're working as a virtual assistant," he said while we waited.
"Why don't you come work for my company as my secretary? My current secretary is about to resign."
I smiled but didn't answer immediately.
"My job right now is pretty comfortable. There's not much pressure. Working in a company is different more responsibilities, longer hours, and traffic on the way home."
He shrugged.
"Fair enough. But if you ever change your mind, give me a call.
“Sure. Thank you.”
For a moment, silence settled between us as the food arrived. Somehow, everything around me seemed lighter. Tthe aroma of the dishes, the warm glow of the lights, even the exhaustion that had weighed on me all day.
“The food here is really good,” I said, a genuine smile finally appearing on my face.
“I’m glad you like it,” Tomas replied immediately.
“Yeah.”
Another brief silence followed, but it wasn’t awkward. With Tomas, I never felt the need to pretend I was happy.
“Lilith...” he suddenly said, his voice more serious this time. “I hope this won’t be our last date. You already know how I feel about you.”
My grip on my utensils tightened.
“I’m sorry, Tomas, but I’m not ready to be in a relationship yet. I think you already know that. Teresa must have told you about me.”
He nodded, never looking away. “That’s actually one of the reasons I like you even more. Despite everything, you’ve remained strong on your own.”
I lowered my gaze slightly.
“I just want to get back what was taken from me. Even if that’s all I can do. For my parents. Until now, I still regret not being able to help them.”
He was silent for a moment before gently taking my hand.
“It’s okay. I understand. If you ever need help... I’m here.”
A faint smile tugged at my lips.
“Thank you.”
We continued eating. Despite the heaviness in my heart, Tomas had a way of making me laugh. There were moments when I found myself laughing out loud, almost forgetting who I was truly supposed to be thinking about.
Until—
“Excuse me, Ma’am,” a waiter said.
I looked up. “Yes?”
He carefully placed a glass of red wine on the table.
“Ma’am, this is for you.”
I frowned. “Who sent it?”
The waiter gestured toward a nearby table.
“The gentleman sitting over there.”
Slowly, I turned my head.
And in that instant, time seemed to stop.
A chill ran through my entire body.
Aeros.
He was staring directly at me not angry, not pleased.
It was a look far more terrifying than either.
The kind of look that told you only one thing:
You’ve been caught.
“Do you know him?” Tomas asked.
“Huh?” I turned to him.
“Do you know that man?”
I couldn’t answer because Aeros was already walking toward our table.
“Hi, Lilith,” he greeted, his eyes fixed sharply on me.
Tomas looked at him carefully. “I remember you. You’re the guy from the bar that night.”
Aeros nodded in response, but his gaze never left me.
“Let’s go, Lilith.”
He even held out his hand for me.
I took a deep breath.
“I-I’m still on a date. I’ll call you later.”
I saw his Adam’s apple bob as he swallowed his anger.
“Okay. See you later.”
He turned around and walked away.
“Who was that guy?” Tomas asked.
“He’s a childhood friend,” I lied.
“Okay,” Tomas replied.
Just moments ago, I had been enjoying my time with Tomas.
Now, all I wanted was for our date to be over.