The office had been buzzing for weeks. Under Alex's leadership, the company had seen unprecedented growth, landing major deals that put them ahead of their competitors. It was no surprise when the announcement came that they were throwing an office party to celebrate their success. Lily had been dreading it all day, not because she didn't want to celebrate, but because of the ever-present tension between her and Alex.
The party was set at an upscale restaurant in the heart of the city. The atmosphere was lively, with dim lights casting a golden glow over the polished floors and glass chandeliers hanging from the ceiling. Colleagues mingled, clinking champagne glasses, laughter and congratulations filling the air.
Lily had started the evening cautiously, sipping her drink while listening to office gossip and avoiding eye contact with Alex. But as the night wore on, and the drinks kept flowing, her inhibitions slipped away. She found herself accepting drink after drink, laughing too loudly at jokes, and forgetting, even if momentarily, about her complicated relationship with Alex.
It wasn't long before Lily was struggling to stay upright, her body swaying as she tried to hold her balance. She barely noticed Alex watching her from across the room, his gaze sharp as he assessed the situation.
At some point, she stumbled toward him, mumbling something incoherent, and he caught her by the arm, steadying her.
"You're drunk," he said, his voice calm but firm.
Lily giggled, looking up at him with glassy eyes. "No, I'm fine! Just... a little tipsy."
Alex didn't smile. "Come on, I'll get you home."
Before she could protest, he had his arm around her waist, guiding her out of the restaurant. The cool night air hit her face, but it did little to sober her up. She leaned heavily on Alex, mumbling something about needing more fun.
He helped her into his car, securing her seatbelt before walking around to the driver's side. As he started the engine, Lily slumped against the window, her head spinning. The drive was quiet, the soft hum of the car the only sound. She felt herself drifting in and out of consciousness, too tired to focus.
When they reached her apartment, Alex helped her out of the car. Lily, still barely able to walk, clung to his arm for support. "You don't have to," she slurred, though her grip on him tightened.
"Let's get you inside," Alex said, his tone unreadable.
They made their way up the steps to her apartment, and Lily fumbled with her keys, her hands shaking. Alex gently took them from her and unlocked the door. He guided her through the darkened space, his hands firm but careful as he led her to her bedroom.
Lily collapsed onto the bed, her limbs heavy and uncooperative. "Stay," she murmured, reaching for him, her fingers curling around his shirt.
Alex hesitated for a moment, but eventually sat on the edge of the bed, watching her. She was too far gone to notice the conflict in his eyes, the way he battled between his feelings and the situation at hand.
As she drifted off to sleep, Lily's grip on him loosened. Alex carefully pulled the covers over her and stepped back, his eyes lingering on her peaceful face. He ran a hand through his hair, contemplating the moment before quietly leaving the room to give her space.
The next morning, Lily woke with a pounding headache and the distinct feeling that something was wrong. She blinked against the harsh sunlight streaming through the windows, her body sore and her mind foggy. As she sat up, the memories of the night before came flooding back, and she realized with a start that she wasn't alone.
The sound of light movement caught her attention, and she looked toward the doorway to see Alex standing there, casually flipping pancakes in her small kitchen. The smell of coffee and breakfast filled the air, but it didn't calm the wave of anxiety rising in her chest.
He glanced over at her, a knowing smile playing on his lips. "Good morning, my little doll."
Lily's heart skipped a beat at the way he said it, his tone both familiar and unsettling. She quickly glanced down, realizing she was wearing the same clothes from the night before, wrinkled and disheveled but still intact.
"Did... did I do something last night?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Alex turned off the stove and set the spatula down, walking over to her with that same predatory grace she had come to recognize. "Nothing you didn't want to," he said, his voice low.
Lily swallowed hard, trying to piece together the events of the night. She remembered the party, the drinks, how Alex had helped her into the car. She remembered reaching for him, asking him to stay. But everything after that was a blur. Her heart raced with uncertainty, but Alex seemed calm, almost too calm.
"I made breakfast," he added, gesturing to the kitchen. "Thought you might need it after last night."
Lily managed a small nod, though her thoughts were still racing. She didn't know what to make of his behavior—was he being kind, or was this another one of his games?
As she sat down at the table, Alex poured her a cup of coffee, his fingers brushing hers as he handed it over. The touch sent a jolt through her, and she quickly pulled her hand back, unsure of what to say.
The silence stretched between them, thick with unspoken tension. Lily's mind was still trying to catch up, but Alex seemed in control, as always, the master of the situation.
"Eat," he said softly, breaking the silence. "You'll need your strength today."
Lily nodded again, though the meaning behind his words wasn't lost on her. She couldn't shake the feeling that this was only the beginning—that whatever game Alex was playing, she was already too deep to back out now.