Chapter 5 THE SET UP

Grayson's POV

I was exhausted after driving home after my last meeting with the investors. Thinking about my date with Lily pumped me up to get ready. I popped in to clean up, threw on my best outfit, and spritzed some cologne. It didn't take me long to get it done.

While heading out, my maid asked if she should serve my meal, but I brushed her off because I was in a hurry. I grabbed my car keys from the coffee table and headed out. As I drove, I found myself humming to the tune playing on my stereo, and before I knew it, I was singing along with excitement, the thought of Lily agreeing to meet me after weeks of postponing it.

She seems not to reciprocate the love I have for her, but I'm sure I'll win her over one day.

It didn't take long for me to arrive at the restaurant where I was meeting Lily. We agreed to have lunch first and then see where the day leads us. I had reserved the entire restaurant ahead of time so we wouldn't be interrupted by anyone. I suggested picking her up at her place, but she turned it down and said she'd rather come by herself.

"Hey, Mr. Caldwell, come on over and I'll take you to your table." The restaurant manager said as I entered. I sat comfortably at the table he showed me. The table was ready with two menus and wine glasses; I just had to place my order.

"If you need anything, please do not hesitate to let us know, sir", he said politely and went off to his office.

As soon as I got comfortable, I called Lily, but she wasn't answering. I figured she was probably busy getting ready and couldn't pick up the phone. I hung around for another half hour and called her again, but she still didn't answer. I was beginning to feel anxious, like, did something go wrong with her?

Thoughts raced through my mind: was she fine, caught in traffic, or did she back out? I kept dialing her number over and over. At one point, I couldn't get through to her number anymore. All the excitement I had felt before leaving my house dissipated in a matter of seconds.

I noticed the staff staring at me, but I just ignored them. I went ahead and ordered a glass of wine while waiting for Lily. I started with one glass, then it turned into two, and before I knew it, I was on five and feeling a bit buzzed.

"Lily, isn't going to like seeing me this way, I need to stop", I called myself to order and dialed her line for the last time before I gave up and left the restaurant. Luckily, she picked up, and as soon as I heard her voice, I became sober immediately; all the anger and irritation I might have felt disappeared in an instant.

"Hey, I am so so sorry, I was held up with something and I couldn't come to my phone", she said before I could even utter a word. I had a feeling she wasn't telling the truth, but I decided to wave it off. It was dark out already, and getting angry was going to be pointless.

"So, what's the plan now?" I replied in a fake angry voice.

"You know what, I will send you an address now, go there and book a room, I will join you shortly, I promise", she said in a calm voice. "Alright then, I will see you soon", I said and ended the call. I called for my check and paid my bills, although embarrassed, I walked out of the restaurant with pride.

I was a little bit drunk and tipsy and could not drive by myself, so I had to take a taxi to the location Lily sent to me. I picked up my phone and messaged the restaurant manager to keep my car safe, as I would be back the next morning.

I staggered to the reception and asked to book a suite room. Although sceptical, she asked for an ID card, and on realizing I was the CEO of Caldwell Industries, she started treating me with respect.

I was given the key to the room and went up to relax and wait for Lily to come around. About an hour later, I noticed that the door was open and Lily entered, at least I thought it was her. She was also drunk and moving with unsteady steps.

I stood up to help me from the door to the bed. When I saw her, all my hopes were dashed because I wished we could talk to iron out some things, but she wasn't in any state to have a reasonable conversation.

I tried to remove her shoes and get her to settle in bed so she could get some sleep and sober up, but fate had other plans. She was moving too close, and I couldn't push her away. I knew she was drunk and didn't want to take advantage of her, but I couldn't stop. It was at that moment that I knew I loved Lily too much, and this was the moment I had always wanted, even though I didn't like the fact that we were drunk.

Then it happened, and after it did, I was sober, thinking I had taken advantage of her vulnerable state, and she was never going to forgive me. So I made up my mind to plead for her forgiveness until she forgives me, even if it's for the rest of my life. I was thinking up ways to make it up to her when I fell asleep.

I woke up to Lily's scream, "What's going on? Why are you screaming?" I said as my heart raced from the shock of waking up so suddenly. "Who the hell are you!?" she shouted at me with her eyes filled with hatred. Before I could reply, the door opened to reveal a familiar face, Lily.

To say I was shocked was an understatement. I glanced at Lily and back at the lady on the bed. It was obvious they were twins. "What is going on here? Why are you in bed with my boyfriend, Lillian?" she screamed angrily.

"I can't with you guys right now, I just can't", Lily said with tears running down her cheeks, and she ran out of the room. I stood up, rushed to put a shirt on, and ran after Lily, throwing a death look at her dumbfounded sister.

"Lily!" I shouted her name as I ran after her, but she wasn't stopping, nor was she turning back. She got into her car and drove off. It was then that I realized I had made a big mistake. With anger, I stormed back to the room, ready to pounce on Lilian, at least that was what Lily called her, and throw her out of my room. I entered the room and saw her rushing to leave.

I gripped her by the neck, ready to strangle her to death. I could see her choking, but I was blinded by rage. Then I released my grip on her neck, and she started coughing incessantly. I went to my pocket and removed a stack of money and threw it at her.

"I don't want to care who you are or where you came from, take this money and leave this room now, and don't you dare speak a word of this to anyone", I said in anger.

"Do you think I wanted this? If anything, I should sue you for taking advantage of a weak woman. I don't even know what you did or how I ended up in your bed for crying out loud. So don't give me that bullshit you are spilling out of that dirty mouth of yours" She said angry at me and everything around me.

"You took advantage of me, but I am not going to sue you because I care for my sister, and I would not allow her so-called boyfriend to rot in jail", she said with tears running down her face. She threw the money back to me, "Take your money and shove it up your ass". Then she stormed out of the room.