"Hey wait up" Lily shouted as she ran towards the school,trying hard to catch up with the boy.

...Lily a girl with golden eyes blonde hair and fair skin....

The boy turned only to mock and taunt her "slow.....like a tor-"

"stop it stop it" she panted as she reached him.

The boy looked at her as a smile crept up his exquisite face.

She looked at the boy in front of her his fairly contoured exquisite face and eyes so blue and captivating, that it feels like you got sucked into the clear ocean.And his casual black hair which only adds to his good looks.

"Jackson ha" she let out a chuckle which gave her a questioning look from the boy.

"what's so funny , and don't you dare call me that again" the smile on his fac faded.

sensing the change in mood she just stood there silently not daring to laugh out loud.

She could only hide her laughter at how she could anger him by just calling out his name.

The rest of the walk was silent.

...{CLASS 3}...

" oooo lilyyyyy" Carolina ,Lily's bestfriend shouted , waving her cute little hands.

Carolina a cute chubby girl with round black eyes and curly black hair- the class topper and Lily's bestfriend-the same age as Lily.

Lily waved in response as she went for her seat behind Carolina.

The moment she was seated Carolina went about her talk.

"You know what this year semester exam is gonna be alot harder so how about we..." she let out a cute look looking really expectant

"No Carolina " Lily let out a sigh she looked at the expectant look of her friend only to let out another sigh

Carolina would always be her study mate and would always persuade her to stay a little longer to study.

she knows her friend really likes studying and doesn't really like crowds - she is the opposite.

"You know i really don't like to study at all

my leisure time. So this time i am gonna stand by"

"Lily the semester is nearing " Carolina said desperately.

SOon the teacher came as they go on their classes.

...^^^( BREAKKKK )^^^...

*murmers*

*laughter*

"Lily are you really going for liberal arts" Sally asked rather confused.

Sally one of her friends who is as outgoing and fun loving as Lily.She has long straight black hair and a finch , she has those brown eyes which looked naughty she was another breath-taking creation.

They three were called the ' Bóñdëd 3's ' inseparable, as they were always seen together and the bond they had.

"ummm" Lily nodded not at all disturbed by the sudden question

she puts down her cup of strawberry drink and sat down comfortably on the chair.

"look at how relaxed she is" Carolina said pointing at her annoyed by her sudden change of mind

" weren't you always dreaming about taking science... and you broke our dreams of being a bunch of doctors " she almost couldn't control her rage as she slumped down one of the chairs.

Lily looked at her guiltily as she took both her friend's hand and spoke slowly

"sorry but i change my mind well.,.." she thought hard and smiled

"how about we go to that Triya restaurant, it will be my treat" she said as she looked at them.

Seeing their eyes lit up bit keeping their cold demeanor she look at them and smile.

"ok , but don't change your mind so easily again ok?"Carolina asked

"ok i promised" Lily answered happily

"Let's go this weekend" Sally suggested as they all came to the agreement.

...----------------------------...

"Dlivery " someone shouted which brings Lily back to reality.

Seemingly exhausted she lazily closed her photo album placed it on her bedside table and went for the door.

She looked at the take-out but couldn't find the appetite she ate some but couldn't finish it.

Taking a bath and ready to sleep she looked at the photos in her album.

*flipping through the pages* she stopped at a picture .

It was a 12 year old Lily glaring at a boy who was taller than her, she seemed pissed off but the boy seemed to enjoy her state of mood as he rub her head making a mess of her hair. They were in school uniforms.

Lily trailed the photo as glimpses of the past came flooding in her mind.

"see that.. i say i am taller " the boy laugh looking down at the girl in front of him who struggle hard to rub his head.

Lily struggled to stand on tip toes

"aahhhh" she closed her eyes as she slipped and waited for the pain, her heart skipping a beat. The pain did not come but she felt an arm around her waist.

She opened her eyes to Jackson flushed and scared face as if he was the one falling.

He let go of her as she wobbly stand up

"now don't do that again" he scolded

She nodded as Jackson's hand approached her head and rubbed it making a mess, she glare at him while he seemed happy.

*click*

"ok kids time for school "Mrs Stains Jackson's mom said holding the two kids by the hand as they went away.

" I am going to be taller than you one day" Lily shouted angrily

"Try it " Jackson replied with a laughter at the end.

...----------------...

Lily woke up to the alarm, she dozed off with the album in her embrace.

*7:30 am saturday.* the alarm showed.

"Day off" she thought

She went on about her routine and decided to visit Sally and ask her out.

After her high school Carolina went abroad and Sally and Lily went to X city University within the country, but they took different courses so didn't have much time as before. Thi s did not affect their friendship but they had been feeling much distant than before.

Lily took off.....

*tring tring *

The door opened to a shocked Sally.Well she didn't expect this, soon it turned into a happy face.

"wel well are you not welcoming me " Lily teased her .

"oh my dear friend what a pleasant surprise" Sally teased back and hugged her.

" ok ok let's get in Lily" Sally finally let go and ushered Lily in.

On entering Lily was a bit surprised. She was welcomed with an unexpected interior. All she saw was pink and white except for the little things there was no other colour.

She looked over Sally who gave her a 'what' look.

" Your style has changed_ a lot" she added after a pause.

"u hmmm" Sally nodded with a sad look.

Sally had already prepared the drinks and soon handed over.

They sat down for the talk.

...****************...

"and don't forget to board the earliest flight" Mrs Austy Lily's mother talked over the phone.

She has been talking about her going home once the vacation starts. This time Lily got annoyed but she does know that her mother really cared about her.

"ok mom good nite" Lily replied.

"good night " Mrs Austy replied.

Talking about her vacation Lily really doesn't get a good feeling about it. She remembered Sally mentioning about Jackson.

She shudder at the thought of meeting him again.

...;flashback;...

At Sally's house this afternoon

" You know that 'Queri ' that designing company" Sally asked .

Lily nodded with much disappointment. She had always wanted to be at the company.

Queri was really influential having reputation internationally and was as of now the best designing company in the nation.

She was sure of her capability but she lacks confidence, failing the interview.

"I heard MJC is buying it " Sally continued

This time Lily was really shocked "wasn't that Jackson's company. " she blurted out.

"yes" Sally nodded looking at Lily intently."I heard they are moving their base here"

***

Lily sighed to herself.Its been seven years . She thought she had long forgotten him but today she proved it wrong.

Right now she had that mixed emotion, she was 16 then and well she can kind of sort out her feelings .

But she wasn't sure then whether it was a like or the habit of liking him since the first time she saw him but when she heard about those rumors she was sad.

She has never felt that way before , it was not good .Before she could sort them out, he just left. Without any goodbyes or safe wishes.

Those memories were sweet but still they were sad too.

She had never heard from him. She had heard that he had been involved in the business of the MJC when she had first applied for her job when she was 21 .

Since then she had not heard about him.

She was just too busy with her job, she was busying herself with her studies and work so she would forget about it all.

She did hid them in the deepest part of her memory hoping to just forget it all but just his name made her troubled.

"seems like i should add more colour to it " she finally focused herself back to her work.

After her failed interview at the main company, she applied for one of the branches of Queri. She finally got in after two tries and just settled herself the year before.

In just a year she became a manager in group B of the designing area.

She had been working hard and had been diligent. Swift and decisive and that's one of the reasons her group has been given the project for the " Queri Design March" .

Tis the once in a year competition of the branches of Queri. Its main aim is to find capable employees fit to join the main company.

Many those who can't get in through interview or miss the chance can now have a chance.

The top ten most fit amony the hundreds of competitors would be allowed in.

This a golden chance for Lily, she was really into it not wanting to miss the chance.

The thing is ,right now she really can't focus anymore.

Her mind occupied by the thoughts of him.

Why move here?

Thinking about it she did think it was not that surprising. City X is by far the best place for any MNC's due to its best facilities. It is the best choice for any business related.

Just that starting its business by buying up the most reknown company was just a bold move.

Lily shook her head.

"Just get off my head" she shouted to herself like a maniac.

...****************...

At the Stains manor in City Hype

"this is all the information sir " a man in a black-suit put over a stack of files ona table beside a man who was facing the back, sitting on a chair.

The room was little dark and the only light was the lamp beside the bed, emitting a faint orange glow.

"you can leave, " the man replied coldly.

The other man bowed as he went away with a 'whoosh'.

His footsteps was light and within a second he was nowhere to be seen.

The man on the chair turned as he stare at the files. Under the darkness his emotions can't be discern.

Soon he picked the files up with his hands.

He had those slender and long fingers like one of those models.

He flipped through a page when he stopped to rub through the picture attached to it.

He close it and stand up walking to the balcony. He had a cigarette in his hand and with a flick of the lighter the cigarette starting burning.

The moon was at its brightest. It shone bright which made the stars near it to be invisible.

The man took a puff of the cigarette releasing lots of smoke. He was just about to take another puff but pause to look at the cigarette.

He then throw it away.

Standing in the balcony with those expressionless eyes he looked like an immortal with no emotions provided his looks. He had an attractive silhouette with broad shoulders.

" See you soon" he finally let out those words and went back with a smirk.

...----------------...

It was early november, three months has passed in the blink of an eye. Today was the day awaited most by those participants of 'Queri Design March'.

"3rd of November" Lily murmer still half asleep.

She had finally woken up to Sally's shouting urging her to wake up.

Can't she just shut up for abit?

"wake up wake up" Sally shouted "its the third of November"

She had been shouting her lungs out until the sleeping Lily finally woke up.

Sally moved in last month and they share the same flat. They are more like roommates now.

Lily was just getting off her bed when Sally asked her " so what day is today" she asked excitedly.

The half-asleep Lily just murmer "3 rd of november" .But the next second she became wide awake running about the house washing up,and dressing up.

"Is breakfast ready? Sal" she shouted while doing her makeup.

"yess come on" Sally replied frome the kitchen.

Lily rushed to the kitchen getting herself ready to gobble up her food.

She was just too excited, though she was one of the most promising of their branch this wasn't only about their branch, but different branches from the diverse cities around

She was just excited that she ran out after her breakfast hoping to be the earliest to arrive.

"hi Lily " her co worker Callix waved at her.

He had arrived way before her. He took part in the competition alongside Lily . He was too excited so he arrived the earliest.

" You are quite fast aren't you " Lily asked.

"Aren't you the same Miss" Callix replied with a smile.

"I was just too excited " Lily replied and went for her seat.

"well ! Are you confident Lil.I have been nervous the whole night and didn't get a sleep . Today i might fall any moment" he laughs.

He kept on talking about his anxiety, nervousness and fear.

Callix was a talkative type, he could go on about- the whole day.

It was still early ,20 minutes before the company oficially starts.

The company had decided to release it 30 minutes later int the official Queri forum.

Then send their private messages to the listed participants.

Though not all got the chance to participate much less got the chance to pass. It is just human nature ti expect some unexpected miracle.

That's just what the participants hope and wait for...

20 minutes passed-

Everyone had been to their seats.

As nervous as Lily was, Callix had been running to the washroom for a lot of times now.

He can't really calm down leading him to drinking that lot of water.

And his frequented washroom visits.

Lily sat in her seat ready to open the forum at anytime soon, she was just counting down the minutes.

Her heart thumping like crazy.

This is the same as her 12 grade results.

And she hoped the same miracle to happen again.

That time she had to do with two exams, unlike the other times where only one exam was required.

She had done well in her last exam but the first one was the worst exam she had given.

Much to her surprise she still became the second with flying colours in all subject.

This time she hope the same just that she had more confident.But the tension was different.

10...9...8...7...6...5...4...3...2....1

*click*

The forum opened.

It wasn't in the order of the highest or the lowest. But it was in order of the id no. required during the submission of their works .

"1079 ...1079 "Lily whisper under her breath.

Then a slight nervousness before she click to her id no.

Name :Lily Austy Brine

Total : 393

SELECTED

Lily couldn't believe what she saw , she took a lot of time contemplating it. Looking sad happy confused and finally teary.

Her colleagues seeing her in a roller coaster mood couldn't help but think of ways to comfort her.

"aiya manager it's okay you have alreay done your best " Stacia one chubby girl in their group couldn't help but calm her.

Lily didn't budge.

This time they panicked.

No not good at all at least she should reply even though she's sad.

They were at a loss not knowing what to do.

A drop of tear fell down on the papers below Lily.

Manager is crying. The others were relly panicked now.

But none dare to go to comfort her. Who would dare to face her wrath.

"boss are you fine" stacia went to her docilely.

The next second Lily hugged Stacia.

Stacia almost lose her footing.

She rubbed Lily's back trying to calm her not quite understanding the situation.

"It's ok you already did your best " Aling came to comfort her.

Lily was still in Stacia arms when she heard that her companion had gotten the wrong idea .

Breaking the hug she explain to them slowly with a smile.

"I didn't lose you guys i was just shocked that i got selected."

The others couldn't believe their ears.

So all those tears were just tears of happiness, and here they were worrying to death.

"Little Stacia did my ears betray me" the dumbfounded Aling still couldn't believe her ears.

She was the closest friend of Lily in the company.

Though they had a manager-subordinate relationship at work Lily had a good friendship with her.

"Boss just said it your ears didn't betray you"

Aling was really happy hugging Lily.

"Manager you did it"

"umm"

"Then tonight is worth a celebration." Callix called out.

Callix couldn't get in but he was selected as a stand by.

He had already seen it and let his colleagues know before Lily.

"oh Manager Callix had a chance he's in standby" Stacia said hopefully.

But they all know that no standby had been taken in for a long time now. Though they were given a standby the chance was very less nevertheless Callix was over the moon.

"Tonight will be my treat call the other two kidoos" Lily said.

Yhe team under her management consist of Her,Stacia,Callix,Aling and Lary and Rosy.

They were the most cooperative team in the company.

Tring* a notification.

...****************...