Chapter 17 LILITH : 288 ( Vouchers Yes . I planned to move out . If I truly wanted to gain independence from my family , I had to first learn how to live away from them . To be honest , I felt a little apprehensive about taking this step . In both my lives combined , I'd never lived away from home - not even for a single day . Even in college , where first - years were required to live in the dorms , my parents pulled some strings . I ended up completing all four years as a day student . Then came marriage . Then pregnancy . And just like that , freedom slipped further away as I settled into the role of full - time wife and mother . So now that I finally had the chance to live for myself , of course I wanted my own space . Somewhere I could decorate however I liked , eat what I wanted , wear what I pleased , and live by my own rules . The thought alone filled me with excitement . I stood , energy buzzing through me . I had set my meeting with Dean for noon - despite being free all morning - so I'd have time to go house hunting first . With renewed determination , I grabbed my phone and a small black bag - one of the new items I'd ordered online before yesterday's banquet - and stepped out of my room . 08:52 Chapter 17 Downstairs , Uncle Theo - the butler and a kindly middle - aged man - noticed me . " Miss , are you going out ? " I smiled . " Yes . " 288 Vouchers I didn't say where , and he didn't ask . " But ... you haven't had breakfast yet . " " Don't worry about it . I'm not a kid - I'll figure it out . " He frowned slightly but didn't press . Then his brow creased . " There are no available drivers right now . How will you get where you're going ? " That worked out just fine for me . If a driver went with me , it'd have been hard to keep my plans from the rest of the household . I kept my face neutral . " I'll just take a taxi ." " A taxi? " His frown deepened . " But there have been troubling incidents in the news lately- public transport hasn't been entirely safe . I'm worried . " I resisted the urge to point out that I was twenty - two , not two . Uncle Theo had watched me grow up . I knew that was just his way of caring . " Uncle Theo , " I said gently , but firmly . " I'm not a child anymore . It's just a taxi . I'll be fine . " He hesitated , then finally gave in . " All right . Just ... don't stay out too late . Everyone will 08:52 Chapter 17 WOFTY " I promise . " I said and slipped out the door right after . - H248 Vouchers I left with high expectations - but by the time I had to leave for my meeting with Dean , I hadn't found a single apartment worth my time . Turns out , house hunting was also a skill - one I still lacked experience in Defeated , I had no choice but to postpone it for another day and caught a taxi to the business district . The moment I stepped into the rooftop café , a female waiter approached me . " Good afternoon , miss . Do you have a reservation ? " she asked , smiling politely . I nodded . " Yes . Under Lilith Caldwell . " She checked her tablet , then gestured ahead . " Right this way . " and led me to a corner table at the far end , shaded by a white parasol . To my surprise , Dean was already there . His silver - blond hair made him easy to spot from across the room . I thanked the waiter and sat down . " You're early , " I said . I had glanced at the clock at the front desk just moments ago - there were still a few minutes left before noon . And judging by how relaxed he looked , he'd probably been here for a while . 08:52 Chapter 17 " Of course I can't keep a young lady waiting " He smiled , his dimples peeking out Just like last night , my eyes were involuntarily drawn to them . But only for a second Thinking about my failed house - hunting mission soured my mood too much to enjoy even his annoyingly perfect face . I sighed . Across from me , Dean's smile slipped , replaced by concern . " Did something happen ? You don't look too good . " Maybe I was too tired . Or maybe I subconsciously felt relaxed around him . Either way , I ended up venting . " One place was overpriced and had shady ' premium ' fees . Another looked nothing like its listing - if I hadn't triple - checked the address , I'd have thought I was in the wrong place . Then I finally found one I liked ... and it had a security issue . " I shook my head . " I can't believe I have to go through all that again tomorrow . I'm already exhausted . " Dean arched a brow . " Isn't your family in real estate ? " I rolled my eyes . I should have known he ' d point that out . Yes , technically there was no shortage of properties under my name . There were basically a gift currency in my family . 08:52 CAINA 17 But it was exactly becomes of this that I would never chrome to the Here Because that any I'll always be under their water What I wanted was a space of my own Hot wwther sided cage Dean had to know that . He was to sharp and to , and after witnessing my fauty dynamics bast night And maybe , just maybe , if he'd bothered to hide that glut of annement in the eyes . I cult ve convinced myself he hadn't thought that far I turned my head away , annoyed with myself for sharing so much . My bratu and kane malfunctioned from all the stress . " Are you mad ? " he asked , his tone careful I didn't respond . Honestly , I didn't even know why I was acting this way I wasn't usually this toniy " I'm sorry , " he said . " I promise I won't tease you about it again . If I do .. you get a wish . Wha do you think ? " I turned to him , curious . " A wish ? " He nodded . " Any wish . " I narrowed my eyes , confirming once again . " Any wish ? " He hesitated briefly , then sighed . " Yes , any wish . " " Then you owe me one now , " I said , watching him closely - half - expecting him to backtrack , 06.52 Chapter 17 since the wish - granting part hadn't even started yet . But he didn't . He just looked at me with a quiet , soft smile . And without warning , heat rushed to my cheeks . I quickly averted my gaze , staring at anything and everything , but him . This man ... he was playing dirty . Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!