Merging of souls

"I think we should break up, Lillian." Aaron wears a somber demeanor. Lillian is silent, her face void of expression. Aaron's eyes anticipate her next move, his gaze intense, expectant. Lillian shifts on the sofa, a part of her waiting to see her response. Seconds pass, but she is still void of emotion. Aaron's brows furrow in a "Why aren't you upset?" way. You should be wailing right now."Lillian lets out a sigh. Finally the weight of his words settles upon her. "I think we should tell our parents that it is a mutual decision.

No bad person, simply mutual." Aaron's expression twists into a disbelieving scowl, "You're talking like you don't know who your father is. He would never buy that. What about the promotional advertisement that your father's company and my father's are supposed to carry out? They have planned to use us as their main tool. Our relationship has been the basis of a lot of business deals between them. They have even made vacation plans for the holidays for us."His words cut deep into Lillian's heart. It would definitely not be easy to break the news to their parents and everyone that they know. Aaron's quite popular. Literally the most good-looking and popular guy in their school. Plus he is a super talented basketball player; girls swooned over him like they were under a spell. The summers they spent together, the games they attended, the jersey that she wore-memories will have to be buried. Their friends, or rather his friends-they were never hers-would get to know. She had her father to thank for that. The realization of this is like a twisting knife in her chest. She should be glad that she got the opportunity to tag along with Aaron and his friends. Lillian feels a tightening sensation around her neck, but she refuses to let it show. "It's best we tell them and accept whatever comes with it," Lillian says with a straight face. Aaron's gaze lingers on her, his eyes searching for a crack in the facade.

Lillian remains unshakable. Her demeanor fuels Aaron's frustration. He folds his arms across his chest, clenching his jawline. "I can't believe you're saying that. You never really viewed yourself being in a proper relationship with me, did you? Did you even have any feelings for me? Obviously not. You claimed that you weren't ready for sex when you wouldn't even try to get the smallest amount of intimacy with me. I have been so patient with you, Lili, haven't I? More patient than any other guy would ever be. I have always told you not to worry about the other girls I made out with. They are all in the past. I don't know what to do about you anymore." Lillian nods inwardly, suppressing a lump in her throat. It was all making sense now. She didn't know why her sexual urges seemed to disappear whenever Aaron was in the picture. She didn't want to give him the satisfaction of knowing that his words had an effect on her. "You're being an asshole, Aaron," Lillian says in a firm voice. Aaron finishes the glass of orange juice that was served by Miss Kathy, Lillian's maid."There's no need for you to stay any longer. It's uncomfortable for both of us. You should head home or wherever you want to go," Lillian says, her voice firm but polite. Aaron shifts closer to her on the sofa, bringing his palm to rest on her shoulder. He kisses Lillian on her crown. "Everyone's been telling me to end things for a while now. I mean, my friends that we usually hang out with." Lillian feels disgust forming in her tummy. She forces a smile, not wanting to feel that way. Lillian used to enjoy Aaron's company and maybe friendship until he told her he had a crush on her and they began dating. They had known each other since they were toddlers. A frown forms on Aaron's face. He wishes he could earn some type of reaction from Lillian. "Don't be so sensitive, Lili. It is for our best interests." He stands up and walks out of her room. As soon as the door closes, Lillian exhales deeply, feeling a sense of relief consume her. Although just seventeen years old, Lillian feels it's time for her to take control of her life. Her father, Mr. Arturo, did everything for her. He never allows her to lift a finger without his knowledge.It was only because of him that she agreed to date Aaron. If her father asks her about her and Aaron, she would tell him everything. Her father would not take it lightly with Aaron and his father. Lillian didn't care anymore about him. The moment he walked out of her room, he walked out of her life. Lillian vows in her heart not to let him or any other guy in her heart ever again.

As expected, her father cut business ties with Aaron's father, causing some loss to them. Aaron and his family had to stay away from anything concerning the Arturos. Lillian spent the next years of her life under her father's wing learning the art of business. She is the only child of her parents and would be the next CEO of her father's company, Artverse. Mr. Arturo makes Lillian the CEO at the age of 23. Lillian is a highly respected and regarded CEO in Los Angeles. She is a role model for many girls. All the projects handled by Artverse were successful. She has been preparing for a very important project for months. It is an urban renewal project proposed by the director of arts and culture in Los Angeles. There are a few days left until she gets to meet with the director about the project. Lillian is seated in her office, her table filled with different files. "What do you know about Vincent Hanstrup?" she asks her personal assistant Bella. "From my findings, he is one of the CEOs who will be an obstacle for you. All the projects he has partaken in are all successful. He also has quite a number of formidable business partners who no doubt would not hesitate to give him their support." Lillian leans back in her chair and scoffs, "We have that as well here. Is there anything else you found that could be a real threat to us?" Bella's eyes brighten, her cheeks becoming rosy. "Mr. Vincent is also quite good-looking. He literally has the body of a Greek god. I have some of his pictures here if you want to see. He is really popular for his looks and utilities it when necessary.I'm quite a fan of his." Lillian waves her hand, signaling loss of interest. Her face contorts in displeasure. "It's only because you are good at your work that I allow you to still have your job. Just look at how red your face is. Just because of some silly photos of a somewhat good-looking man." Bella quickly switches to her professional face, "I'm sorry, Miss Lillian." Lillian dismisses her. However, as the day goes by, she couldn't stop thinking about Vincent.

Today is a very big day for Lilian. She stands and stares at her reflection in the mirror. Her attire exudes aura. She is wearing a tailored black pantsuit, the jacket fitted to accentuate her shoulders, with a crisp white blouse underneath. A statement piece of jewelry, a bold silver necklace and a pair of elegant earrings, add a touch of elegance to her outfit. Her black pumps are high-heeled, yet comfortable enough to wear throughout the day. Her hair, naturally curly, is styled in a sleek, low bun, and her makeup is subtle, yet it enhances her natural features. "I can do this. I have been preparing for months. I will make Dad proud again". She says to herself reassuringly. She walks to her workspace in her room and takes her laptop. She begins to review the content of the meeting she will have with the director of arts and culture in Los Angeles. Anxious thoughts begin to swarm her mind again as she goes through the slides. Her mind wandered to her competitors, the CEO of Hanscorp, Vincent, and the CEO of Easel and Co., Mackenzie Roderigo.

A few weeks ago, she asked her personal assistant, Bella, to get her some information about Vincent. According to what Bella told her and a few regular chit-chats with her cousin Rani, Lillian couldn't deny the fact that Vincent is indeed a brutal businessman with an impeccable record. Lillian tries to shake the thought out of her head before she starts to lose focus and confidence. She picks up her phone to search for Vincent. "This is so not my thing, but I need more information about this Vincent guy." She says to herself as she taps the search icon. "He is all hype and no substance. Bella must be crazy for making me worry over nothing. My team and I are the real deal, building something meaningful, while he's just trying to keep up appearances and public image. How can all his pictures be of his business meetings and interviews? Wow, not even a single scandal about him when he is this famous. Still, he stands no chance against me." Lillian feels anxious, but she quickly puts her phone in her bag. "I hope the director deems me fit for this project." She says as she inhales and exhales deeply.

Lillian packs her laptop and other important documents into her bag and goes downstairs, heading for the door. "Aren't you going to eat breakfast, Miss Lillian?" Miss Kathy calls out from the kitchen. "I have no appetite now; I'll eat later," Lillian assures Miss Kathy. She rushes out of the kitchen with a sandwich and places it in Lillian's hand. Lillian smiles warmly, "Thank you." Miss Kathy assures her, "You're a brilliant businesswoman, and your proposal will be top-notch. I have seen your hard work and dedication to your job, and I believe you have what it takes to make the project a success." Lillian nods as Miss Kathy's words warmed her heart. Miss Kathy responds with a bright smile. She watches Lillian until she enters the car, and it zooms off. Miss Kathy is like a mother to Lillian, who lost her mother at a very tender age. She has a round face, a smattering of freckles across her nose, and short, curly hair. Her kind heart and gentle spirit are evident in her soft features and compassionate eyes. Miss Kathy was employed by Mr. Arturo, Lillian's father, a few weeks after Lillian's mom died. She truly loved Lilian like a mother would love her child. She is always there to offer a listening ear and comforting words whenever she needs it. Soon Lilian arrives at the company, Artverse, which was built by her father, Mr. Arturo. She is now the CEO of the company not because she is the only heir but also because she is talented and has a passion for art and innovative thinking. At the age of twenty, Lillian was able to land a successful project, displaying leadership and creative direction throughout the process. Her father continued to nurture her and made her the CEO. Lillian is now twenty-five years old and quite famous. She is among the top 10 most successful young CEOs. She is also the only female in this rank, and her father could not be more proud of his daughter. Lillian really enjoys working at the company, which covers projects on product design, art installations, exhibitions, and creative consulting.

Lillian enters the conference room where all the heads of departments are seated. They all greet Lillian as soon as they see her, showing their regards and respect. Lillian takes her seat and arranges all she would need. Soon the director of art and culture in Los Angeles enters the conference room. Everyone exchanges greetings with him, and the meeting begins. Lillian stands confidently in front of the conference room, takes a deep breath, and begins her presentation in a clear and concise voice, "Ladies and gentlemen, esteemed director of arts and culture, I am thrilled to present the Artverse proposal for the prestigious project, 'The Urban Renewal Center Design.'. Artverse has a comprehensive plan to revitalize the various neglected urban areas, incorporating public art, landscape design, and community engagement". Lillian clicks the remote and shows her team's impressive designs and concepts on the screen as she walks through the vision and highlights the unique aspects. The director listens intently, his eyes scanning the room with interest, acknowledging the fact that it is evident Lilian and her team put in a lot of work for the project. He is impressed by how Lillian addresses every concern and question with poise and professionalism. Lillian ends the presentation, and she knows she has given it her all. "Thank you, Miss Arturo. Your proposal is impressive, and we'll be in touch soon to discuss it further." Lillian exhales, a mix of relief and excitement running through her veins. She knows she is one step closer to landing the project.

Lillian gets back to her office and begins to work on some documents. The day passes by so slowly, and she can't help but feel the absence of her personal assistant, Bella. Bella would always have some interesting news ,just definitely something to talk about and get rid of the boredom that she was feeling right now. She told Bella to take the day off because she had informed her about how she woke up with a fever early in the morning. Lillian stares at the fancy wall clock and a tired smile appears on her face. In 10 minutes she would be able to close for the day. Lillian's phone rings and a bright smile appears on her face as she sees that the caller is her cousin Rani. " Lili guess what?!" Rani screams with her high-pitched voice. "Did you win a lottery?", Lillian asks, confused. Rani replies, " nope"! Lillian could guess forever and still not guess right when it comes to Rani. "Alright just tell me what happened that has made you be in such a good mood", Lillian asks as she saves the documents and begins to prepare to leave the office. "I'll come over tonight to give you the full gist", Rani says giggling like someone being tickled. Lillian is really happy if Rani is happy. She suspects that Rani has created another beautiful design that is the talk of the city. Rani is a fashion designer. She is very skilled and passionate about fashion. Rani owns a few boutiques, but she has a few people patronizing her business. She used to cry to Lillian occasionally about quitting, but Lillian would always tell her to keep designing and keep struggling, and soon she would see progress. The previous months were a reality of what Lilian had been saying. Rani's boutiques gained more patronage and more profit. A lot of people were beginning to recognize Rani's designs. Lillian is so happy that Rani's business is growing and now there may be even better news about it.

Lillian couldn't wait to get home and meet with Rani so that she could tell her all about it.

After dinner, Lillian is still waiting for Rani to arrive. Rani finally arrives, and Miss Kathy tells her that Lillian is in her room and could probably be asleep. Rani goes to Lillian's room and is overjoyed that Lillian stayed awake for her. " I'm so sorry, Lili, for keeping you awake. I know that you sleep early. I had some issues at the boutique and I had to stay to take care of it." Lillian smiles and taps the vacant space on the bed, inviting Rani to sit and spill all the gist. Lillian notices that Rani has been hiding her left land behind her since she entered her room.

"Did you hurt your hand, let me see it, Rani '', Lillian asks ,her face full of concern. "Ta da!" Rani squeals happily as she shows Lillian the diamond ring on her hand. Lillian's eyes widen in shock.

"You know Mason, right? My boyfriend? He proposed to me!" Rani blurts sheepishly. "And you said yes!" Lillian asks with a frown forming on her face. Lillian doesn't like Mason, and she has told Rani several times that he is weird. He doesn't act like someone who is in love whenever he is with Rani. "Lili, come on, I told you to put your doubts away; Mason is a nice guy, and he loves me. If he didn't love me, would he have proposed to me?" Lillian couldn't understand why Rani had to be so blind. Can't she see the kind of person Mason is? "Seriously, Rani, I don't think you should marry Mason." Lillian continues to talk, but Rani cuts her off, "I'm tired of you always trying to make him seem bad. He is a good guy." Lillian wanted to reply, but Rani cut in again. "Lili, this is my life; it's what I want. I love him, and he loves me too. You really want to tell me what is right for me. Come on, Lili, you're in no position to tell me that! You always say men disgust you and brag about how mean you are to them. Have you ever been in a serious relationship in your life? No! What about friendships? I can't think of one! It's always all about work. You never go on dates. You hardly ever go out, always secluding yourself, and you feel that me not marrying Mason is the right thing. Absolutely not!" Rani shouts, her chest rising and falling. She then walks out of Lillian's room, heads downstairs, and zooms off in her car. Miss Cathy hears some of the things Rani said and goes to check up on Lilian.

Meanwhile, Lillian is still in a daze. She couldn't believe Rani would lash out at her like that. As Rani's words echo in her head, she gets teary-eyed because she knows it's the truth. She hears footsteps approaching and knows it's Miss Kathy, who probably heard what Rani said and wants to check up on her. Lilian rushes to lock the door; she just wants to be alone. Miss Kathy tries to open the door but realizes that Lillian locked it. She decides to leave Lilian alone. Maybe some time alone could help her calm down. Tears run freely like a dam in her eyes was opened as Lillian lies down and allows Rani's words to stab her. She sobs for hours, and her pillow is soaked with tears. Her head hurts so badly because of how long she had been crying. Lilian decides to stop crying and moves to sit on the floor as she feels uncomfortable lying on the bed. She sits with her knees folded and rests her chin on them. She falls asleep although she didn't think she would.

As Lillian slowly opens her eyes, she is met with a wave of discomfort and confusion. She is lying on the floor, her body contorted in an awkward position, her head throbbing with a dull ache. She groggily sits up, rubbing her temples, trying to recall how she ended up on the cold, hard ground. Memories of the previous night's breakdown came flooding back. The stress, the anxiety, the feeling of being overwhelmed by the weight of her responsibilities as CEO. Rani's words had made it impossible for her to control her emotions. Lillian's face twisted in a mix of shame, frustration, and disappointment. She had always prided herself on her strength, her resilience, her ability to handle anything that came her way. But now, as she gazed at her reflection in the nearby window, she saw a vulnerable, exhausted woman staring back at her. She slowly rose to her feet, her body protesting the movement. Her eyes feel heavy, her skin pale, her muscles tense. She takes a deep breath, trying to shake off the lingering fogginess in her mind. As she made her way to the bathroom, she caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror. Her curly hair was disheveled, her eyes sunken, her skin sallow. She looked like a shadow of her former self. "Ugh, who is this scary creature staring back at me? I mean, I know I cried enough tears to fill a small ocean, but did my face have to absorb them all like a sponge?" she exclaims as she touches her face with her delicate fingers in disbelief. "I look like I've been stung by a swarm of bees, a chipmunk storing nuts for winter!" she frowns as she inspects her face more. Lillian is not used to seeing this version of herself at all. She can't even remember the last time she had an emotional breakdown. She is an expert at hiding and burying all negative emotions. No wonder the release of all those pent-up emotions was like a pressure cooker blowing its lid. "That was a masterpiece, a symphony of sobs, a crescendo of catharsis. But, you know what? I'm owning this puffy face! I'm rocking this post-cry glow, like it's a badge of honor. Because, let's be real, it takes a strong woman to ugly cry like that and then face the world, or at least the bathroom mirror, with confidence. So, puffy face, you're welcome to stay for a little while longer. I'll just add some extra concealer, and we'll call it a day. Because, when you're a strong woman, even a puffy face can't bring you down!" Lillian tells herself with a confident voice. She takes a warm shower and quickly gets dressed in her usual fashion of pantsuit and stiletto heels and straightens her curly hair to be styled into a sleek bun. She goes downstairs and sees Miss Kathy arranging breakfast on the dining table. Immediately Miss Kathy sees Lilian, her facial expression changes to a concerned one. "How was your night, Miss Lillian?" She asks in a very low tone. Lillian knew Miss Kathy heard what Rani said and also that she cried. "I am fine. I really am. But I would be better if I didn't look like I had cried out every liquid in my body, which I did." Lillian laughs nervously. "I really can't go to work looking like this. Lillian says with a gloomy look on her face. Miss Kathy urges her to eat breakfast while she searches for a remedy. Miss Kathy prepares an ice pack and some lemon water. After Lilian is done eating breakfast, she applies the ice pack on her face for a few minutes and drinks some of the lemon water. Lilian asks Miss Kathy about the condition of her face, and she assures Lillian that it is much better. Lillian decides not to put on makeup she had earlier decided to. She usually doesn't put on any makeup even though she owns a lot, which was given to her by Rani. "Hope you're going to talk to Rani and reconcile with her." Miss Kathy asks with raised eyebrows. Lillian exhales loudly and replies, "We'll sort it; we always do." Miss Kathy doesn't want Lillian and Rani to keep fighting because Lillian doesn't have many people in her life. She knows how much Lillian cares for Rani and how Lillian might not recover if the fight continues. "I know what you're thinking, Miss Kathy; please don't worry. Rani and I have been through so many fights, and we will get over this one, I promise." Lillian assures Miss Kathy with a smile. Miss Kathy smiles in return, getting rid of the concerned look on her face. Lillian soon leaves for work.

She goes about the normal work routine while trying not to overthink the fight she had with Rani. She really doesn't want this fight to last long at all. "You have a visitor, ma'am. It's Mackenzie, the CEO of Easel and Co. I told her that you're busy, but she keeps insisting on seeing you", Bella says while entering Lillian's office, interrupting her thoughts. Bella has a frustrated look on her face, silently pleading for Lillian to attend to Mackenzie. "Okay, let her in," Lilian replies. She watches Mackenzie enter with her escort group like she's some sort of celebrity. "Tell your minions to excuse us," Lillian says in an irritated tone. Mackenzie rolls her eyes and signals them to wait outside. "To what do I owe the visit, Mackenzie?" Lillian asks in a more irritated voice, looking up from her work on the monitor. She is not surprised to see Mackenzie dressed loosely as usual. She is wearing a short red minidress showcasing her smooth, long legs. The dress highlights Mackenzie's curvy body, which is a marvel of modern science, a testament to the power of plastic surgery. A furry coat hanging from her shoulders and lots of accessories. "Wow, look who's sitting on the big chair," Mackenzie says, her voice dripping with sarcasm as she sits on the couch in Lillian's office. "I'm impressed; I didn't know that they allowed amateurs to oversee companies like this." Mackenzie snorted. "You think you're so clever, don't you? But let me tell you, Lillian, you're just a daddy's little girl. You're just a pampered princess who's had everything handed to her on a silver platter. The director will be making the worst mistake if he ever chooses you. Anyway, you don't stand a chance against the other CEO's," Mackenzie says with a smirk. Lillian leans back in her chair, a mysterious glint in her eye. "Oh Mackenzie, you're so predictable. I've got a whole folder full of your insults, and I've been using them as motivation to succeed. You're basically my own personal cheerleader. You think you can hurt me with that tired old trope? News flash: My father may have opened doors for me, but I'm the one who's done the hard work to succeed. But enough about me. How is your company doing? Still struggling to stay afloat"? Mackenzie's smirk falters, and she storms out of the office, leaving Lillian to chuckle to herself. "That was fun. I do love the game of verbal sparring". Lillian begins to fan herself with her hands and says while scrunching her nose, "I'm sure Mackenzie bathed in her perfume before coming to my office. I feel so bad for the guards that have to go through this every day. Oh God, I'm literally going to suffocate." Lillian was glad that Mackenzie had left and was sure she wouldn't bother her for some time. Time went by quickly, and Lillian spent the rest of the day at work thinking about how she would reconcile with Rani. She decided to call Rani to tell her that she would pay her a visit so that they could sort things out. Rani wasn't picking up, and this made Lillian start panicking. She was scared that Rani didn't want to talk to her anymore. She calls Bella into her office and informs her that she will be leaving immediately.