Undeterred, he said gently, “I'll arrange for several bodyguards to follow and protect you."

"Okay."

Lilah relented with a small smile as she hung up the phone.

As the evening wore on, time seemed to drag on endlessly. With no word from the testing center, Lilah resolved not to wait any longer.

When she finally succumbed to fatigue and fell into a deep slumber, her cell phone suddenly illuminated the darkness with a message. "I've sent the results to your cell phone."

The first rays of the morning sun cut through the sky, heralding the arrival of a new day.

As Lilah's eyes fluttered open, she was greeted by a deep, familiar voice.

“Lilah, you're awake."

Rubbing the lingering sleep from her eyes, Lilah squinted at Gerard standing by her bedside. “Why are you up so early?" she asked, her voice still thick with the haze of slumber.

"There's an important meeting today. I've prepared breakfast for you. Get up and eat," Gerard urged gently.

As Gerard spoke, he gently stroked Lilah's back, his fingers tracing slow, soothing circles. Lilah sat up, rubbing her messy hair that felt like a tangle of silk against her fingers, and then slipped on her shoes.

At that moment, the doorbell rang.

Lilah turned her gaze toward the door as Gerard said, "I'll get it. You should go have your breakfast."

She nodded, her lips curling into a small smile as she walked to the table where a spread of breakfast awaited. The rich aroma of freshly brewed coffee and warm pastries filled the air, making her stomach rumble. She took a seat and began to eat, savoring the comforting flavors.

As Lilah was eating, the door creaked open. She glanced over to see Gerard talking to a man in a crisp suit, whose polished shoes reflected the morning light streaming through the window.

"Mr. Harris, our men are waiting downstairs as instructed," the man reported, his voice steady and professional.

Gerard nodded, his expression serious. “Ensure her safety."

“We will guarantee it." The man affirmed with a nod.

"Alright, you can go now," Gerard said, dismissing him.

The man left after getting the instructions, the door clicking shut softly behind him. Gerard joined Lilah at the table.

Lilah slowly chewed the cake on her plate, its sweetness lingering on her tongue as her mind wandered. Gerard noticed her distraction and gently warned, "Be careful, my love. You don't want to bite your fingers."

Snapped out of her thoughts, she looked up and smiled, her cheeks dimpling.

"Don't worry. Come and join me for breakfast."

"Sure," Gerard replied, taking a seat beside her.