24. Lilian
Chapter 24
Lilian
My pencil scratches across the page, filling in the final bubble on my exam sheet. I set it beside and stretch, scanning the lecture hall. Most students have already finished and left.
I gather my things.
The last few weeks were bliss, although I spent every day hunched over textbooks in the library. It paid off. The questions were less daunting than I had feared.
And all because of Sebastian.
Since he snuck into my room, it became routine for him to sleep at my place, and I’m glad it did. I’ve never slept so well for such a long period of time. The nightmares are gone.
But it feels like he’s holding back because every time I want to go further, he refuses. Exams. He probably didn’t want to burden me further or push me into something.
I stand and walk to the front of the room, handing in my exam.
Stepping out into the hallway, I inhale deeply. Other students walk by me, talking about their answers. Sebastian had his last exam yesterday. Should I visit him?
“Lil! How was it?” Gemma appears beside me.
“Good, I think.” I hug her. “Yours?”
“Good,” she says.
Mary walks up to us. “Ugh. It was awful. Remind me again why I’m doing a double major?”
Gemma pats her arm. “Because you love a challenge, and you probably did fine. So stop worrying.”
“Hey, at least we’re done now,” I say.
“True. I’ll just get drunk at the party this weekend. Flushing out all that unnecessary stuff occupying my brain,” Mary says.
“Speaking of which,” Gemma says, “Lil, we’ll pick you up from your dorm later so we can head to the airport together.”
“Sounds good.”
“Great!” Gemma claps her hands together. “See you soon!”
“Can’t wait for this weekend!” Mary loops her arm through Gemma’s as they walk away.
“Me neither,” I murmur to myself.
Maybe we’ll go further this weekend?
Wait. Will he even be at the party? We haven’t discussed it, and I don’t dare ask Gemma if he’ll be there. I’m not ready for her to find out about us, whatever this is .
At home, I pack clothes into a small suitcase, my hands moving mechanically. I should enjoy this trip with my friends and not overthink things with Sebastian.
What if he’s bored with me? No, that doesn’t make sense. I mean, why would he come to the library then? Does he think I need more time?
I… How would I even tell him I’m ready? What if I do, and he doesn’t want to because it’s a whole other reason?
Baking. I should bake. Baking always calms me, and this particular recipe is one of my favorites. It will be a nice gift for Gemma’s parents. Are her parents even there? It doesn’t matter.
That should do. At least my suitcase is organized. I zip it and go into the kitchen.
I measure out the flour, sugar, and other ingredients, sifting them into a large mixing bowl. The motions are automatic, muscle memory from countless times I’ve made these cupcakes. It’s a recipe I discovered years ago, tucked inside an old, handwritten cookbook that belonged to my mother.
I remember the first time I found it, sitting cross-legged on the floor of my childhood bedroom, surrounded by boxes of my parents’ belongings. The book was wedged between a stack of worn Regency Romance novels, its pages yellowed with age. Pride and Prejudice. I flipped through it curiously, pausing when a folded piece of paper slipped out.
Unfolding it, I saw my mother’s handwriting, looping across the page in faded ink. It was a recipe for chocolate cupcakes, and I remembered—the same ones she used to make for my birthdays when I was little. I could almost taste the rich chocolate and the sweet buttercream frosting.
I started making them myself not long after that. The first few batches were disastrous. Dense, burnt, or horrifically bitter. It’s a wonder Lan and Levi didn’t get food poisoning from my initial attempts.
But I kept trying, adjusting the ingredients and tweaking the baking time. Gradually, they started to resemble the cupcakes from my mother.
Now, as I crack the eggs into the bowl, it’s like my mother is beside me, guiding my hands. It’s stupid, but it makes me feel close to the woman I forgot. A bittersweet feeling.
Would she be proud?
I shake my head and pour the batter into the cupcake tins, sliding them into the preheated oven.
Later, as I’m packing up the cupcakes in a box there’s a knock at the door. I check the time on my phone. That must be Gemma.
“Coming!” I wipe my hands on a towel before opening the door to reveal Gemma standing there with Mary and Sebastian behind her.
I had no idea he would be coming along to get me.
“Hey! Are you ready to head out?” Gemma peers inside and spots the box of cupcakes. “Nice. Did you bake your famous cupcakes?”
“Exactly what I need after today’s exam,” Mary says .
“Um, but you can’t have all of them,” I say. “I thought it’d be nice to bring something for your parents, Gem.”
“Aw, that’s so sweet of you!” Gemma says. “I’m sure they’ll love them. Let’s get going!”
“They? It’s just mom,” Sebastian says.
“Oh, Dad canceled his business trip,” Gemma says. “So he’ll be there after all. They’ll be off for the evening, though.”
Sebastian’s smile fades, and his jaw clenches.
“So, ready to go?” Gemma asks me.
“Sure, let me lock up.” I grab the cupcakes and my suitcase.
“Let me take that.” Sebastian takes the suitcase from my hand.
We walk to the car, and as soon as we’re inside, Gemma and Mary start chatting away, filling the drive with stories and gossip to update me about their lives there. I lean back, listening while Sebastian keeps his eyes on the road, a faint smile tugging at his lips.
When we arrive at the airport, we board the private jet and settle into our seats.
“Anyone up for a game of rummy?” Mary retrieves a deck of cards from her bag.
“I’m in,” Gemma says.
I nod, grateful for the distraction. “Sure, why not?”
Sebastian, however, takes out his laptop. “You girls go ahead. I have some work to catch up on. ”
I glance at him, trying to read his expression, but he’s already focused on his screen. Maybe he’s stressed? With exams and now his father putting pressure on him?
As the plane takes off, Mary deals out the cards, and we start playing. However, my gaze keeps drifting to Sebastian. I wish I could go over and talk to him, but with Gemma and Mary here, it’s impossible. We haven’t told anyone about us yet, and I’m not ready for that conversation, especially not with his sister.
I chew my lip and focus back on the game, and luckily, the flight passes quickly.
We part ways with Mary at the airport, who heads off to visit her parents. Gemma, Sebastian, and I make our way to their penthouse apartment, which is nestled in an upscale corner of the city.
The doorman, Philip, greets us and points us to the private elevators on the far side.
Stepping into the penthouse, I’m immediately enveloped by the scent of lilies and lemon, an oddly familiar fragrance. It reminds me of home, of Uncle Marc’s place. He always insists on having fresh lilies in the foyer.
A woman with blonde hair and a bright smile hurries forward to envelop Gemma and Sebastian in a hug. “You’re here! Oh, it’s so wonderful to see you both.”
This must be their mother. Not a hair out of place, and her dress perfectly pressed—she exudes an effortless grace that I can only dream of possessing .
Gemma and Sebastian are like two perfect miniature versions of her, all blonde hair and emerald eyes that sparkle with warmth. Even their smiles are identical—wide, welcoming grins that say you can trust them with everything.
Gemma gestures at me. “Mom, this is my friend Lil. The one I was telling you about.”
Mrs. Barron’s eyes pore over me, and for a split second, her smile falters. “It’s lovely to meet you, Lil. Gemma’s told me so much about you.”
Did I just imagine that? “It’s nice to meet you, too, Mrs. Barron. “Thank you for having me this weekend.”
“Oh, please, call me Sloan. And it’s our pleasure, dear. Any friend of Gemma’s is always welcome here.”
“Your home is lovely.” I gesture to the lilies. “My uncle always has lilies in our foyer, too.”
“He does? Great minds think alike, I suppose,” she says.
Sebastian clears his throat, drawing his mother’s attention. “Is Dad around?”
“He was in his study, taking a call. You know how busy he is, darling.” She walks to the stairs. “John, come greet the kids!”
Sloan walks back to us. “Why don’t you all go and get settled in? Gemma, show Lil to the guest room, would you?”
I remember the cupcakes in my hand. “Oh, Mrs. Barron—I mean, Sloan. I brought these for you.” I hold out the container. “They’re chocolate. Gemma mentioned they’re your favorite. ”
Sloan’s face lights up as she takes the container from me. “Oh, Lil, you shouldn’t have! That’s so sweet of you, thank you. John will be thrilled, he—”
A deep voice interrupts her. “About what?”
A tall man with salt-and-pepper hair strides into the room, wearing a crisp white shirt and slacks. His brown eyes are fixed on me.
Sloan nudges him. “John, this is Lil, Gemma’s friend.”
“Lil,” John says. “It’s nice to meet you.” His features are similar to Sebastian’s, kind of like an older version. But where Sebastian radiates warmth, John’s eyes are cold.
Do I have something on my face?
“You too, Mr. Barron.” I manage a smile.
“Oh please, call him John and me Sloan. There is no need for last names here.” She holds up one cupcake to John’s mouth. “Look, she even brought your favorite cupcakes.”
John hesitates for a moment before leaning down and taking a bite. “They taste good.”
But there’s not one indication he actually likes them, nothing. Fantastic. Did I forget the sugar or something?
Sloan pouts and takes a bite herself. “They’re amazing. You must excuse my husband. He’s a bit grumpy today.”
He nods again, then turns to Gemma. “Darling. Welcome home.” He kisses her cheek, then looks at Sebastian. “A word in my study, please.”
Sebastian’s jaw tightens. “Sure, Dad.”
“Finish before dinner,” Sloan says.
“I will, love.” John places a kiss on Sloan’s forehead before leaving with Sebastian.
Did I do something wrong? I brought cupcakes. Isn’t that what you’re supposed to do when you’re a guest in someone’s home?
Gemma loops her arm through mine. “Come on. Let me show you to your room. You’re going to love it.”
I follow her up the winding staircase and down a long hallway. We stop in front of a door, and Gemma pushes it open with a flourish. “Here we are! Your home away from home for the next few days.”
I step inside, my jaw dropping at the sheer size of the room. A king-sized bed dominates the space, piled high with plush pillows and a fluffy duvet. Floor-to-ceiling windows offer a breathtaking view of the city skyline.
“Wow, Gem. This is incredible.” I drop my bag on the bed, running my fingers over the soft fabric.
“Only the best for my bestie. Dinner’s at seven, so you have some time to relax and freshen up. If you need anything, just holler, okay? And we’ll meet with Mary after dinner.”
I nod, and she gives me a quick hug before disappearing out the door. The moment it clicks shut behind her, I collapse onto the bed, burying my face in my hands.
Their father hates me. Sloan, at least, likes me? And Sebastian… I’ve never seen him so on edge before.
I’m probably overthinking things. Reading too much into a simple interaction .
A sharp knock sounds at the door, and I nearly jump out of my skin, clutching the duvet. “C-come in.”
The door opens, revealing Sloan with a stack of fluffy towels in her arms. “I thought you might want some fresh towels.” She steps inside and places them on the dresser. “The bathroom’s through there, and there should be plenty of toiletries for you to use.”
“Thank you, that’s very kind.”
Sloan studies me for a moment, her head tilted slightly. “You look just like her.”
What?