: Come Back To Me

"He is an important person who needs protection. It will be your primary responsibility to oversee his security," the major loudly said to Lily while they were on a military helicopter, flying ten thousand feet above the ground.

This was one of those odd assignments.

When Lily arrived at the military camp earlier, Sergeant Major Patton only let her sign a confidentiality contract, and then they hopped on a helicopter. It was while in the air that the major explained the mission. It seemed like she would protect a private individual from a threat, but who? Even that was kept a secret.

After some time, they ultimately arrived at their destination. Earlier, Lily thought they were closing in on a familiar city, but her senior officer often distracted her, and she had to answer many of his questions. She wasn't able to identify where they had landed.

The helicopter landed on a rooftop building. Again, it all seemed familiar to Lily; however, looking at everything several feet above the ground made it difficult to put a name to it.

Lily reluctantly followed the military officer down the building, where bodyguards escorted them. They walked through an elegant hallway and into the private office.

The man whom she was assigned to protect was sitting on a leather seat, and his back was facing them.

'Whoever this was should have heard the doors open, right? Why did he have his chair turned the opposite way?' Lily mused while studying the chair.

Eventually, a man with blond hair announced their arrival, "Sir, Major Sergeant Patton is here with Sergeant Lily Wright."

The chair slowly swiveled, and at the sight of the man she was meant to protect, Lily's hands sweat, and her heart sank.

It was Lucas Thompson, Aiden's father.

'No. Why didn't I see this coming?' Lily silently asked herself. No wonder the place was so familiar. Lily was in Rose Hills, Lucas' hometown and the location of the Thompson Group of Companies headquarters.

Major Patton walked towards Lucas and shook his hand. He said, "Mister Thompson. It's nice to see you again.”

'What? They have met before?' Lily could only wonder.

"Sergeant Wright, this is Mister Lucas Thompson. He is the new CEO of the Thompson Group of Companies, and right now, his life is in danger. He had requested the military’s help, and we have chosen you for the job," Major Patton said. "You will be reporting to Mister Thompson round the clock, which means you will be living in the same building as he is until the authorities have arrested the mastermind behind his assassination threat."

Lily was standing there like a stick. She did not know how many times she gulped. Eventually, she took a deep breath and answered, "The Military is not supposed to be used by private individuals. I refuse to accept this mission."

"Miss Wright, that is true, but if it is for the benefit of the federal state, then we will intervene," Major Patton said plainly. "And that is why you are here."

"Besides, isn't it that your family has used the military for personal protection too?" Major Patton pointed out.

Inside, Lily was fuming. How dare the major point that out?

Yes, that was true. Because Lily's great-grandfather was a former military general, her family, the Wrights, have enjoyed the benefits of military protection and service over the years. So, it was unfair to use this as an argument not to protect Lucas. Thus, she heaved a sigh and answered, "I understand, Major Patton. I'm sorry."

"Then, I shall let you be. You are to report to me every week through our dedicated private line," The Major said before giving respect to Lucas. After that, he excused himself.

Lily heard the door close behind her. When she was alone with Lucas, she lifted her chin to look him in the eye.

Fuck, he looked so good, but Lily had to remind herself that she hated this man. This was the man whom she loved, gave her everything to, and left without any explanation.

"How have you been, Lily?" Lucas finally asked. Like the last, his voice was deep and slightly raspy. "It's been a long time."

"Oh." Lily let out a sarcastic laugh. She said, "So you do know me?"

"I'm sorry about the last time we met. I wasn't entirely prepared for it," Lucas explained himself.

"And you are prepared now? Let me guess, you set this whole thing up?" Lily asked.

Lucas just smiled in his seat. He did not confirm nor deny it. He offered the chair before his desk and said, "Please, take a seat, Lily. I'd really love to catch up. What would you like to have? Coffee or tea?"

"I don't need anything. I will only sit and talk with you if you tell me why you left. Where have you been, and what on earth did you do in the past ten years that you went missing?" Lily could not help but raise her voice. "Why haven't you contacted us, not even your parents?"

"How could you throw away years of friendship, love, and brotherhood just like that!" Lily said that because Lucas was also very close to her brothers.

"If you did not want to be with me, you could have said so!" She screamed. Her emotions were taking over her so she took a deep breath and shut her eyes, trying to find her calm.

"Whoever said I did not want you, Lily? I returned solely to take you back," Lucas frankly said.

His answer stupefied Lily. Her brows raised as she asked, "Really? You want me back? After ten years of being gone?" She scoffed and said, "Are you out of your mind?"

"You left me. You made me miserable, and you made our families fight! You only left me a note to say not to wait for you!" Lily said. She could not help but be irritated by his calmness. "What makes you think I want you back, Lucas? Newsflash, I have moved on as you had requested. Also, I have a boyfriend!"

Yet again, Lucas did not answer. However, Lily saw his expression darkened. He leaned back in his chair and ran his fingers through his dark brown hair. He replied, "Do you think I care if you don't want me back? Is your boyfriend half better than me? I bet he isn't."

His answer frustrated Lily to the core. She asked, "Where have you been?"

"I can't tell you that," Lucas replied bluntly.

"Why? Why can't you?" Lily asked. "If you can't tell me, then I can't trust you!"

"The past ten years are now part of my past. Didn't they say that a person's past should not matter in relationships?" Lucas asked. He finally stood up and walked towards Lily, saying, "Come back to me, Lily. I'll give you everything you want."

"What I want is for you to leave me alone," Lily coldly said.

Lucas stood before Lily and slightly chuckled. At first, he seemed amused, but soon, he firmly replied, "Anything but that."

He held her wrist and repeated, "Come back to me, Lily."

: The Boyfriend

"You know what, Lucas? You are insane!" Lily yelled, pulling her arm away from him. She did it so forcefully that the necklace around Lucas' neck bounced to reveal that golden tag with her name carved on it.

Instantly, Lily stilled. Her heart skipped a beat while her eyes were glued to the pendant. This was the same necklace and pendant Lucas bought the week before he disappeared.

More questions formed in her head, ‘Why was he wearing this? Did he still care? If he cared, then why did he leave in the first place?’

Lily's eyes could not help but brim with tears as she stared at the pendant. With this discovery, she looked into his eyes and begged, "Please, Lucas. Tell me why you left, and maybe we can set aside all this misunderstanding."

Lucas maintained eye contact. He clenched his jaws and said, "I can't, Lily. I just can't."

“Then -" Lily finally snapped. "I don't want this assignment. Talk to the major about this because there is no way I can stand being in the same room as you, much more, breathe the same air as you!"

She grabbed her duffle bag and threatened, "I'm leaving. Don't you dare say a word about it to Major Patton!"

"Lily," Lucas called, but Lily was already at the door.

The bodyguards watching outside tried to reason with Lily, but Lucas said to his men, "Let her go. You'll only end up hurting yourself. She isn't a simple lion."

"Good that you know!" Lily yelled upon walking in the direction of the lift.

***

"Where are you flying to, Miss?" The ticketing agent at Rose Hills airport asked.

Where does she want to go? Lily did not know. She pursed her lips, wiping the tear that fell down her face. She told the woman before her, "Excuse me, let me make a phone call real quick."

Stepping aside and finding an isolated corner in the airport, Lily cursed, "Fuck, why am I crying? I really hate you, Lucas!"

She took out her phones. She had two: her personal phone and the one meant for the mission. She dialed Jake's number.

"Lily, what a surprise! I thought you were out on a mission?" Jake, her boyfriend, answered after two calls.

"Yes, things have changed, and I need you, Jake. I need to talk to you," Lily said. "You are in Lockwood, right? I'm in Rose Hills. Can I see you for a few hours? I won't disturb your business trip. I will go to be with Aiden after our talk."

She sighed and reiterated, "I want to see you."

"Of course, Babe. Come to see me in Lockwood. I am staying at Blue Intercontinental. Call me when you have arrived and Let's have dinner together. I missed you," Jake said, but Lily felt a lump in her throat and could not say the same words back.

Instead, Lily responded, "Thank you, Jake. I'll see you in about two hours."

The truth was, Lily hoped that seeing Jake would make her stop thinking of Lucas. Thus, she went out of her way to see him.

***

"Ah, there she is!" Jake exclaimed. His gorgeous grey eyes sparkled at the sight of Lily. He hugged her and pecked her lips. "God, I miss you so much, but this life of dating a military woman sure is tough."

"I -" Lily flushed. "I'm sorry you had to bear with that."

"It's alright, Lily. I understand. Come inside. Let's have a wonderful meal together," Jake suggested while grabbing her hand. They went to the main restaurant, and Jake quickly ordered Lily's favorite food.

As they ate, Lily studied Jake. He had dark hair and sharp features. He almost looked like Lucas in the past, except his eyes were gray. Suddenly, Lily dropped her fork. She covered her face with the realization that Jake looked somewhat like the old Lucas.

'Oh, my god,' Lily said to herself. She had probably seen this before and simply lied to herself. ‘Did I date Jake because he looked a bit like Lucas?’

"Babe, is there something bothering you?" Jake asked, interrupting Lily’s thoughts.

"Nothing," Lily quickly recovered and faked a smile. She drank her wine and poured more, gulping down three glasses in a row.

"Woah." Jake laughed. He said, "Are you sure everything is okay, Lily?"

Nodding her head, Lily answered, "Yes. I'm just pressured with work."

Jake was an heir to a known construction company in Braeton, the Bass Power Construction. He was currently the Marketing Director. Lily met him through her brother, Liam.

Liam had introduced Jake to Lily as one of their new contractors. Often, Jake traveled to other cities to make proposals, hoping to get another project for the company. That was why he was in Lockwood.

"Lily, my job here will be extended for another week," Jake revealed. "But I'll see you after that, right? Since your mission is canceled."

With a smile, Lily faintly replied, "Yes, it's fine. Do what you have to do here. Aiden wants me to spend time with him."

She continued to finish her meal, but just as she did, she saw a familiar figure walking towards them. It was her former high school classmate, Alicia Bennet.

Immediately, Lily frowned. She said, "What is Alicia doing here?"

Jake turned in shock, saying, "Alicia? Oh." He shrugged and said, "I don't know."

Alicia Bennet was obsessed with Lily's boyfriend. She flaunted her admiration towards Jake, not bothering to be discreet. She would post it on her social media and tell some of Lily's high school classmates.

This woman had long, straight blonde hair and dressed like a model. She was rather the opposite of Lily.

As expected, Alicia walked over to their table. She smiled and said, "Fancy meeting you here."

"Really? You did not stalk Jake, right?" Lily asked while gazing at her boyfriend.

"So what if I did?" Alicia rolled her eyes. She said, "I at least have the freedom to do that."

Jake sneered at Alicia's words. He appeared to be disgusted by this woman. He said to Lily, "Ignore her, Babe. Eat your food. Let’s not waste our breath on her.”

"The truth is, I'm with my friends. I guess I'll be on my way," Alicia said before joining a table where three other girls were waiting for her.

"Is she bothering you? I could ask my cousin to teach her and her family a lesson," Lily offered to Jake.

Jake merely laughed and said, "This is the first time I have seen her in Lockwood. Don't bother yourself with unimportant people, Lily. Let's just enjoy our dinner."

After their meal, Jake invited Lily to his hotel room. She agreed. Again, she wanted to convince herself that she had moved on with Jake, but she did not last a second when her boyfriend kissed her on the lips.

Lily pulled away and made an excuse, "I - I'm sorry, Jake. I wasn't expecting to stay longer. I booked a flight to Braeton at ten in the evening."

"oh, that's a shame," Jake muttered. He smiled and cupped her face. He said, "Don’t worry. I will always understand you because I love you, Lily. You know that. I will always be patient with you."

He grabbed her hand gently and said, "Let's go and get you a taxi."

***

Earlier that day.

Through a security surveillance video, Lucas watched as Lily left the Headquarters of the Thompson Group of Companies. His eyes were fixed on her slender frame, her small and cute face that had not aged over the years.

Like him, Lily was already in her early thirties, but her face looked so young.

Lucas did not want her to leave, but Lily was a force to reckon with. It wasn’t the time. He needed the right opportunity and he was determined to find it.

He glanced up at his assistant and said, "Ryan. Have someone follow her. Update me on her whereabouts.”

"Yes, Sir," a man, also well-built with blond hair, acknowledged.

Lucas returned to work for the rest of the day. He did not leave his office and wasn't planning to until nighttime.

Ryan entered his office once more to update Lucas, "Sir, Miss Wright went to Lockwood to see her boyfriend, Mister Jake Bass. They had dinner together, and she spent a few minutes in his hotel room."

"Jake?" Out of anger, the pen in Lucas' hand snapped. The veins on his neck protruded, and his jaws were clenched. He was seething as he ordered, "Find out everything you can with this man, Jake Bass. I want all his dirt in twenty-four hours. You got that, Ryan?”

"Yes, sir," Ryan replied.

Ten years ago, he left, but now he has returned. Lucas would stop at nothing to have Lily back in his life.

: Cheated On

"Mommy, are you okay? You have been staring into spaces lately," Aiden asked. Lily was helping her son with his homework. While Aiden wrote his answers in the book, Lily was in a daze.

"Sorry, Buddy. Was thinking of something," Lily said. "Are you done?"

"Almost. I'm so glad your mission got canceled," Aiden revealed.

Lily was unsure if Lucas had canceled the request for military protection, but since Major Sergeant Patton had not called, she assumed nothing had officially been done. She supposed she still had to make that weekly report to the major by the end of the week, even if it was fake.

These past three days, she had been thinking a lot about Lucas. She was furious that he would not tell her what happened to him over the years. She was even more angry that he wanted her back and expected everything to be the same.

When Aiden was finally done answering his homework, the mother and son pair had snacks in the kitchen. In the middle of their meal, Lily received a call.

She picked it up and heard a woman speak on the other line, "Miss Wright. This is Anna from Emerald Residential Tower. Mister Bass had arrived from a business trip and requested you join him for dinner."

The lady was referring to her boyfriend, Jake Bass. Lily was confused because Jake was meant to be on a business trip until next week. Then, if Jake wanted to have dinner with her, why ask the residential building receptionist to call her?

Still, she did not think much about it and answered, "I'll be there. Thank you, Anna."

Lily tried to call Jake, but his phone was off. Thus, she left Aiden in the care of her parents. After getting changed into something comfortable, Lily went to the Emerald Residential Tower.

When she arrived, Anna greeted her warmly and gave her a keycard, saying, "Mister Bass asked that you let yourself in, Miss Wright."

Lily accepted the keycard and took the lift to the tenth floor, where Jake's flat was. As instructed, she let herself in.

She was about to call for Jake from the living room when she heard sensual moans from the second floor of the apartment. Immediately, she frowned.

"Ah, Jake!"

"I love it!"

"More! More!"

The closer Lily walked to the staircase, the louder the moans became. Lily carefully ascended to the second floor and identified where the sounds were coming from. It was from Jake's room, and whoever was inside left the door open.

Clothes were scattered on the floor. Inside, Lily saw her boyfriend, Jake, completely naked and was on top of a woman she knew well. The woman was Alicia Bennet!

Of all the people Jake screwed around with, it just had to be her!

'Well, I guess Alicia got what she wanted.' Lily concluded, recalling how this woman had always wanted to be with Jake.

To Lily's surprise, though, it did not affect her. Shouldn't she be screaming and crying right now? However, she was unfeeling. Why? She probably already knew the answer. She never truly moved on with Jake.

Somehow, Lily was relieved. Aiden was right all along. Jake never deserved to be Aiden's father.

Lily entered the room and coldly said, "I guess this means we are over, Jake!"

Jake scrambled off Alicia. His face turned ghostly white upon seeing Lily. He stuttered, "Fuck, no. Lily, I'm sorry."

"Goodbye, Jake," Lily said before leaving.

***

Lily, wait! Lily! I'm sorry!" Jake called. He chased after Lily as soon as he found her stepping outside the lobby of the residential building. "Stop, please. Lily. I'm sorry."

"I could not hold it. I am a man with needs, and you did not want to do it with me!" Jake complained and managed to grab her wrist. "I gave in to the temptation, and I'm sorry. I promise it won't happen again. I love you -"

"You lied about your whereabouts, Jake," Lily pointed out while pulling her hand away. "You said your business trip got extended, but instead, I found you home, in bed with another woman, worst, with Alicia!"

"She had always been so frank about wanting you; she did not even care if you and I were in a relationship! Finally, I understand why," Lily gasped and said, "Because for all I know, you have been doing her for -"

"No, Lily. It hasn't been that long -"

"Oh, god," Lily shook her head. "Forget it, Jake. Just forget about you and me. I can't be with you anymore."

Jake kneeled before her and begged. He repeatedly asked for Lily's forgiveness, but he probably realized that she would not change her mind. He said, "Lily, think about this carefully. You won't find any other man who will love you when you have a baggage -"

"Stop! How dare you say that? Do you want me to kill you right now? Because we both know what I am capable of." Lily knew exactly who Jake was referring to: Aiden. So, was she meant to settle down with Jake just because she was a single mother? How long has Jake considered Aiden as a baggage?

Lily found her car. Before getting in, she said, "I wish you and Alicia the best. You deserve each other. Don't bother me anymore."

She left, driving to the nearby park to think.

At the park, Lily found a bench and sat there, reflecting on the recent events in her life. First, Lucas was back, but someone wanted him dead. Then, Lucas told her he wanted her back after ten long years. Now, she discovered her boyfriend had been cheating on her!

'What had Lucas done in the ten years that he was gone? Did he have a girlfriend in between, or maybe more, and he only realized he loved me just now?' She was asking questions that only Lucas could answer.

"What the hell is going on with my life?" Lily thought before muttering, "But then again, Lily, breaking up with Jake was for the best. Because with Lucas back, you are second-guessing your life's future decisions - oh, my god, I can't believe I just said that."

Lily face slapped herself at the thought of Lucas.

"Lucas. Lucas. Lucas." He was getting into Lily's head more often than he should.

Unexpectedly, her phone rang. She picked it up and heard her mother's voice. Her mother was crying on the other line when she revealed, "Lily, your father was rushed to the hospital. He suddenly fainted. The doctors rushed him to surgery. Aiden is with your Aunt Gaby now."

"Oh, god. I'll be there," Lily said in a panic.

When Lily arrived at the hospital, all her brothers were present, including her uncle. The doctor walked up to them and revealed her father's condition.