calls, and endless notes. Lily barely had a moment to herself, bu

sa commented one morning,

her chair. "I'm not distrac

with a laugh. "It's about Mr. Tal

please. He's just another gu

eyes. "Because I've seen the way he looks at you. And

uzzed with a new message. She glanced

orrow? I have a proposal yo

unmistakable, a pulse of excitem

*****

rtistic vision behind the exhibition, she made sure to pause and glance at the audience, noting their expressions. There w

steadying as she found her rhythm. "It's a statement on resilience, the w

e quicken was the sight of Ethan at the edge of the gathering, his gaze fixed on her with an intensity that felt almo

down from the podium. The crowd began to disperse, falling back into smaller

giving Lily's arm a squeeze. "

approaching, his stride confident and smooth. As he reached her,

s voice low and rich. "You

aze sent a shiver down her spine. Up close, he was even more arresting-

if you have a moment," Ethan said, glancin

n with the city's most enigmatic billionaire felt surreal. Yet, she nod

carpet. Lily's mind raced with questions-what did he want to

d once they were alone, his tone thoughtful. "It's

ld provoke thought, not comfort. New York has e

oken like someone who's not afraid of risk.

er. She met his gaze, surprised at her own boldness. "I've always believed

ights playing across his features. "An admi

omentarily thro

soring a new series of exhibitions that push the boundaries of co

nd the promise of something more. Lily's pulse raced with a mi

e said, her voice ba

t to discuss the details. But, Lily"-he leaned in, his voice dropping to a

iable shift between them-a connection forged not just by am

calls, and endless notes. Lily barely had a moment to herself, bu

sa commented one morning,

her chair. "I'm not distrac

with a laugh. "It's about Mr. Tal

please. He's just another gu

eyes. "Because I've seen the way he looks at you. And