**LILY**
It didn’t take long for the media to leave as Arlo’s staff cleared them out. I couldn’t help but wonder why the media had been outside the Bonde Company building in the first place.
After a while, I saw Arlo step outside, surrounded by his staff, who were stationed both at the entrance and outside the building to ensure no media could slip in.
I decided to step out of my car. As I did, I heard Arlo’s loud voice yelling at some of his staff. His voice was so commanding that they seemed frightened.
When he noticed me, he calmed down and approached me. Arlo looked at me intently, and I suddenly felt a camera flash nearby. I turned my head to search for its source, but I couldn’t see anyone.
“Babe, why didn’t you inform me you were coming?” Arlo asked sweetly as he wrapped his arm around my waist and led me inside.
“I just wanted to surprise you and have lunch together. Rita sent us lunch,” I replied.
He took the plastic bag containing the lunch boxes from my hand. I let out a deep sigh and looked up at him. He kissed my forehead.
As the elevator doors opened, we ran into Uncle Philip. He seemed surprised to see me.
“Good afternoon, Uncle Philip,” I greeted him with a smile.
“How are my grandchildren? I haven’t seen them for two days. I’ve been very busy with the company. Even though my son is the CEO, I prefer to focus my time here,” Uncle Philip said.
He placed a hand on Arlo’s shoulder, and it seemed like they were having a silent conversation with their eyes. Then he turned to me, smiled, and excused himself, leaving me and Arlo.
Arlo and I entered the elevator in silence. I could feel how cold his hand was as he gently squeezed my palm.
When the elevator doors opened, we walked to his office. Once inside, he closed the door and placed the lunch boxes on the table.
His office was spacious, with a glass dining table, a small kitchen, and a restroom. It looked more like a suite than a typical office.
Suddenly, he hugged me and kissed my neck, moving up to my lips.
“I love you so much, Lily. I love you more than anything,” he said to me. But his words left me feeling confused—I couldn’t understand him.
His kisses grew rougher and deeper until I was completely swept away by his passionate kiss. But when his phone rang, we stopped. He picked up his phone, and I saw his brows furrow as he read the message that came through. He typed a reply, and I decided to step into the small kitchen to get some plates, glasses, spoons, and forks.
When I came back, Arlo was already on the veranda, talking to someone on the phone. He was deliberately keeping his voice low, making sure I couldn’t hear the conversation.
I could sense that Valerie was on the other end of the line. I placed the plates on the table and took out the lunch boxes. I started serving rice and dishes onto my plate without waiting for him. Peeking at him, I saw he was still on the call. When he noticed I had started eating, he ended the call and walked back inside.
“I’m sorry, babe. I was on the phone with one of my wine business partners in Turkey,” he said. I weakly nodded.
“The food is getting cold. If it gets colder, it’ll lose its taste,” I said. He sat down beside me.
“Babe, are you mad?” he asked, looking at me.
“Nope. Should I be?” I replied with a question.
He filled his plate with food, smelled it for a moment, and then took a bite of the rice and dish.
“Grandpa Thomas is here. He wants to see you and the twins, and he also wants to talk to you,” he said.
“He’s always welcome, and I don’t mind. He’s free to see the twins anytime,” I said with a smile.
“I love you so much, Lily.”
“I love you too, Arlo. How’s Valerie?” I asked suddenly. I had been wanting to ask all this time.
“Why are you suddenly asking about her?” he asked in return.
“Nothing. I just thought about it because, as far as I know, your company and theirs are business partners,” I said.
“Valerie isn’t the one managing their business; it’s her father. Babe, let’s not talk about her.” I noticed Arlo was avoiding the topic of Valerie.
After a while, we finished eating. I got up to clear the table, but Arlo told his secretary to handle the dishes. He hugged me, swept my hair aside from my neck, and began caressing and kissing it.
