Chapter 6 Caught Between Two

• Lily woke up to sunlight filtering through the curtains and the faint sound of Alexia bustling around in the kitchen. She blinked groggily, memories of last night flooding back: her mother’s unsolicited advice, Kevin’s teasing, and Alexia laughing at it all.
• Her mother and Kevin had gone for a jog. She was very thankful as she wasn't in the mood for a replay of what happened yesterday. It would drive her crazy to remain that way.
• I sat up and stretched, making a note to check my phone as I saw it lying on the nightstand. My phone kept blowing up.
• With a sigh, she unbolted the door and found the name she fully anticipated: Alexander Beaumont.
• Three missed calls.
• Should she call him back; the sound rang out as a sharp knock on the door startled her coitus.
• “Lily!” The call went out from the kitchen — 'Get lost with your lemon…' “Someone’s here to see you.”
• “Who is it?”
• “Sounds like a good reason to come and see.
• Lily dashed to the living room in her pajamas, and Eric looked strange near the doorframe. He was in an immaculate suit, his characteristic twinkle in full operation.
• He looked more her way as he said, “Good morning.”
• Lily crossed her arms demurely. “Eric. What are you doing here?”
• He found an opening to step inside and announced, “I just wanted to check in.” “I figured you would maybe want to talk after everything yesterday”.
• Lily looked over at Alexia, who had just stepped out of the kitchen with raised eyebrows.
• “Thank you for caring, but I am okay,” she responded in a leavened voice. “Honestly, you didn't even have to bother coming all the…
• “Rubbish,” Eric dismissed her with a wave of his hand. “Lily, you must be feeling terrible about all this. You were placed into an unforeseeable circumstance. I mean — I just want to make sure you are not handling this all by yourself.
• Before she could reply, there was another knock at the door.
• Once again Alexia poked her head out. 'You are trending this morning, aren't you?''
• Lily sighed and unlocked the front door.
• Alexander was on the other side trying to remain stoic. “Busy, are we?” Looking at Lily before glancing past her to Eric, he said
• “What are you doing here?” “Where did you hear that? “From across the room, her voice was more inquisitive than it was accusatory.
• He held up a folder. “Work.”
• Eric straightened. Do you bring work to a person's home like always? Or is that a spiritual exemption?
• Alexander ignored him, walking inside and passing the folder to Lily. We require your sign on this. A board is waiting to hear what role you have.
• Lily had just opened the folder and papers,and took her eyes on it. “Confirmation?”
• 'You know, they want an official declaration,' Alexander went on to say. “Without your signature they claim the will might be fraudulent.
• Lily scoffed but kept her tone even. “Vincent’s will is clear. Why would they—”
• "Because they don't trust anybody that isn't another graysmith," Alexander cut in.
• Eric stepped forward.
• “That's exactly what I feared. They are pressuring you.
• Alexander’s gaze turned icy. "You don't even know what you're saying."
• ''Enough,'' Lily said, holding up a hand, “Both of you.”
• It was firm but controlled, not harsh. I will look at the forms and sign it if everything is okay.
• “Good looking out, but can we just keep it professional PLEASE?”
• Alexander nodded slightly as his face softened. “Of course.”
• But Eric looked distinctly unhappy. “Lily, you can always turn to me. You could have someone—”
• “I don't want her involved in this,” Alexander cut him off.
• Lily let out a slow breath, calming her nerves.
• “Thank you both for your concern, I respect it. But I should be ok to sort this out alone for a while.”
• Alexander nodded. “About the papers I gave you. Call me when you’re done.”
• He spoke not one more word, he simply turned and left as abruptly as he had come.
• A look of frustration and concern on his face, Eric held back. “Lily, are you sure—”
• “Yes, Eric,” she said gently. “I’ll be fine.”
• Reluctantly, he nodded. “All right. Well, unless you need something — you know where to find me.
• Upon his departure, Lily collapsed onto the couch still holding the folder.
• Alexia came out from the kitchen with two cups of coffee. “Well, that was something.”
• “You think?” Lily murmured, pulling a cup over.
• “Okay, okay,” said Alexia from the passenger seat. “They’re a lot. But you’re smart, Lily. He should have been more cunning than both of them combined. You’ll figure this out.”
• Lily managed a weak smile. “Thanks, Alexia.”
• “For what?” Alexia grinned. I am just being realistic.
• There was a pause where they sat in companionable quiet before Alexia spoke. **
• ‘Oh by the way…'Her voice was as conversational as ever. Why does he stare at you like that, and look like he's dazed, you know i mean Eric”
• Lily groaned, putting her head in her hands “Don’t start.”
• Alexia laughed, bumping her shoulder. “What? I’m just curious.”
• Lily looked through her fingers. You are not going to drop it, are you?
• Alexia smirked, “ Maybe.”
• Lily sighed. “Fine. He’s been... persistent. But I’m not interested.”
• “Not even a little?”
• “No,” Lily said firmly.
• Alexia raised an eyebrow. “And Alexander?”
• Lily hesitated.
• “This is it!” Alexia exclaimed, smiling from ear to ear “Alexia!”
• "Fine, fine," Alexia said, waving her hands. “I’ll stop. For now.”
• Lily shook her head, however an involuntary smile played on the corners of her mouth. It was comforting to have a rock in the maelstrom.
• Throughout the day, Lily would reread the papers that Alexander left. No-nonsense and rather cut and dry, but the gravity of her new position nearly bent that thin spine for a second.
• Kevin's voice rang in her ears; she had truly been handed a gift wrapped document, Alexander the jerk really did live up to his reputation; business as usual for him.
• Somehow more than anything else that is what she needed, he was the only one pretending nothing had really changed.
• She was more than just a secretary by that point. She was Beaumont through and through, carrying on the family legacy
• of power, secrets, and danger.
• And whether or not she chose it, her life would never be the same.