C6 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.