Chapter Two:
Lily Carter tried to ignore the card.She really did.She went to work the next day. Served drinks. Smiled at rude customers. Counted tips. Took the bus home. Heated instant noodles. Lived her normal life.But the black card kept calling her.
It sat on her small kitchen table like a silent question.Ethan Blackwood.A billionaire.
And he asked for a dinner.
She picked it up for the tenth time that day.
"This is crazy," she muttered.
She was wondering why people like him didn't date girls like her. They dated actresses. Models. Women with designer wardrobes bone straight hairs and perfect lives
Not a club waitress with overdue rent.Still… something about him felt different.He didn't stare at her body.
He didn't try to impress her.
He didn't even ask for her number.He simply… respected her.That was rare.Her phone buzzed.It was her landlord.Her stomach tightened.
When she picked the call,the landlord told her thty"Rent due in three days, Lily. No more extensions."Her chest sank.Reality returned.
She dropped onto the chair and stared at the card again.
Then she sighed.
"One dinner doesn't change anything."
Her fingers trembled as she dialed the number.
It rang once and he picked up.
"Ethan." she said, while Her heart jumped
"…It's Lily."
Then warmth entered his voice.
"I was hoping you'd call.
She swallowed. And said "You said dinner."
"Yes."ethan replied ,she asked him"When?" and Ethan said "Tonight."Her eyes widened.
"Tonight?"lily repeated . Ethan told her that he will send a car to come pick her up.
"No!" she quickly said. Because
She didn't want neighbors asking her questions. she told him that she will meet him up there by herself." Ethan paused for some secs then he said,"Alright. I'll text the location."
Her phone buzzed instantly. Ethan already sent the location for her,She looked at her phone and said in surprise".
The Hudson Crown
Her jaw dropped.
That restaurant was impossible to get into. She was surprised because is a hotel where Celebrities ,Billionaires and Politicians goes. Is a hotel where u will see only the rich, not the poor like her.
She almost cancelled the invitation
But she summoned courage when she remembered the landlord's call .she dressed up immediately and went to the point where the driver will pick her up, shortly the driver arrived, she went inside the car and the zoom off.
Two hours later, Lily stood outside the restaurant.
Her best dress was simple. Blue. Slightly faded. Not designer.
She felt out of place immediately.
Valet drivers. Luxury cars. Women in diamonds.
She almost turned back.
Then she saw him.
Ethan stood near the entrance. Dark suit. Hands in pockets. Calm.
When he saw her, his eyes softened.
And he walked toward her.
"You came."
She nodded nervously.
"Yes I did."
He looked at her dress.
Not judging.Just… noticing.
"You look nice."ethan said"
Lily's cheeks warmed.
"Thanks."she said"
He offered his arm.
She hesitated… then took it.
Inside, the restaurant fell quiet.
Not completely.But enough.
People noticed him, and then they noticed her too.
Whispers followed.
"Is that Ethan Blackwood?"
"Who's the girl?"
"She's not his usual type…"
Lily felt small.
Ethan noticed that they were gossiping about them.
" Ignore them," he said quietly.
She nodded
They sat together and was waiting for a waiter to come and attend to them
A waiter rushed over nervously.
"Good evening, Mr. Blackwood."
Ethan nodded.
"Two menus."ethan said"
The waiter handed them over.
Lily stared at the prices.
Her heart nearly stopped.
One meal cost more than her monthly groceries.
She closed the menu slowly.
"I'll just have water."
Ethan raised an eyebrow
"You're not hungry?
"I am… but this place is so much costly"
"Order what you want.
She shook her head,then said
"I can't afford this."
He leaned forward to her and said.
"You're not paying."
"That's not the point sir"
His eyes held hers.
"Then what is it?"
Lily took a breath.
"I don't want to feel like I owe you."
Then something in his expression changed.
Respect.
Ethan nodded.
He closed his own menu.
"Then let's split it."
Her eyes widened.
"You don't have to—"
"I want to."
She hesitated… then smiled.
They ordered something simple.
And for the first time, the tension eased.
They talked.
About normal things.
Her college major — literature.
His work — tech investments.
Her mother — sick but recovering.
His childhood — strict and lonely.
She laughed more than she expected.
He listened more than she expected.
And slowly… the world around them faded.
Until a camera flash exploded.
Lily's heart jumped.
And there comes another flash.
Then another follows immediately.
it was Paparazzi.
Outside the glass windows, photographers crowded,they started throwing questions on Ethan.
"Ethan! Who is she?!"
"New girlfriend?!"
"Are you dating a waitress?!"
"Look this way!"
Lily froze.
"I didn't sign up for this…"
Ethan's jaw tightened.
"I'm sorry."
there was more flashes coming.
Her hands trembled.
"They're taking pictures…lily asked"
"Yes."ethan replied
"My boss will see this…"
He leaned closer to her and said,
"I'll handle it."
She shook her head.
"You don't understand… I could lose my job."
The flashes intensified.
Whispers filled the restaurant.
People stared openly now.
Lily's chest tightened,and she said to Ethan.
"I should go."
Ethan stood immediately.
"I'll walk you out."
They moved toward the exit.
But outside… the crowd had grown.
Microphones pushed forward,and more questions were flowing.
"Are you dating her?"
"Is she your new girlfriend?"
"Did you meet her at a club?"
"Is she a gold digger?"
Lily's face turned pale.
Ethan stepped in front of her.
"That's enough," he said coldly.
They reached the car and he opened the door for her.
She got in quickly.
Her hands were shaking.
"I shouldn't have come."
"You did nothing wrong." Ethan said as he was still driving her home
The car stopped near her apartment.
she quietly stepped down from the car and said.
"Thank you for the dinner.
But before closing the door, he said softly—
"Lily… I want to see you again."
Her heart skipped.
She hesitated.Then nodded.
"Okay."
She closed the door then the car drove away.
The next morning, Lily walked into the club.
The manager was Angrily waiting.
He threw a newspaper onto the counter.
Front page entertainment section.
A photo of Her And Ethan.
With the Headline that says:
BILLIONAIRE ETHAN BLACKWOOD SPOTTED WITH MYSTERY CLUB GIRL.
Her stomach dropped.
The manager crossed his arms.
"You want to explain this?"
"You didn't tell me you were selling drama."
"I wasn't sir—"
"You embarrassed this club."
Her heart pounded.
"I'm sorry sir—"
He cut her off.
"You're suspended until further notice."
Her eyes widened.
"please— I need this job."
But he turned away.
"You should've thought of that before chasing billionaires."
Her chest tightened.
She grabbed her bag slowly.
Her world was falling apart.
And she hadn't even started dating him yet.
She stepped outside, stunned.
Then her phone rang.
Unknown number calling "
She answered the call.
"Hello?"
A cold female voice spoke.
"This is Victoria Blackwood."
Lily froze.
Ethan's mother.
"I believe you had dinner with my son last night."
Lily 's throat dried.
"…Yes ma."she replied in a weak voice.
Then the woman said something that made Lily's blood run cold.
"You will stop seeing him immediately… or you will regret it."
Lily's heart pounded.
"I don't—"
The woman interrupted.
"You have no idea who you're dealing with."
She hanged up the call immediately.
Lily stood frozen on the sidewalk.
Job gone.
Threat received.
World crashing.
As she was sitting outside, sad and thinking on what next to do, then… a black luxury car pulled up beside her.
The window rolled down.
It was Ethan.
But his face looked tense.
Serious and Different.
"Get in," he said.
She hesitated and asked him what's wrong?"
He looked at her… and said something that made her heart stop.
"My family already knows about you… and they're planning something."