Chapter 1 One

Three years had passed since Lilly’s world was shattered by Eric’s abrupt goodbye, the memory of his farewell text message still lingered in her heart, it’s a painful reminder of the love they once shared.

“It breaks my heart to say goodbye to you this way, I still love you and I will always love you forever. Eric”.

The words echoed in Lilly’s mind like a piercing dagger each time she thinks of that night.

Tonight, being fresher’s welcoming party in Prestige university, with the celebration spirit, Lilly don’t have the spirit to celebrate with the new intake.

It has been like that ever since Eric left her, but her best friend, Rose had forced her to attend the fresher’s welcoming party that night which will be taking place in the multipurpose hall.

If Rose hadn’t won the bet she proposes to her, Lilly definitely wouldn’t attend, but now she had no choice.

Rose had won the bet and she loses, so she has to attend the fresher’s welcoming party.

Lilly stood in front of the mirror in her hostel, adjusting her dress for what felt like the hundredth time.

She had never been one to fancy school parties, she heard the fresher’s party was always interesting especially with the senior students who were always present but she wasn’t interested.

She did not attend her set’s welcoming party too because it was that year Eric had broken up with her.

She thought of pretending to suddenly fall sick to avoid attending the party but something about the idea of attending the party gave her a good feeling.

Perhaps it was the thought of escaping her life of boredom or a chance to rediscover herself.

Whatever the reason, she found herself getting ready for the party, something she hadn’t done in years.

As she applied her makeup and styled her hair, her mind wandered back to Eric.

She had thought she was over him, but the truth was, she still thought about him every time.

“Lilly, it’s time!” Rose’s voice cut through her thought.

“Coming.”

She picks her purse and dashes out of the hostel.

She wore a three-quarter purples gown that flow gently as she walks, she had a flat shoe on which marches her purse. Her hair was neatly packed and she had a nude make-up on, overall, her look is effortlessly simple but she was glowing, different what she used to look like.

That night, the campus looks bubbly like the festive period, as students walks into the hall excited to attend the party.

“Is this how Prestige university look like?” she wonders since she seems to have already forgotten what a university life looks like.

For the last three years, she only attends lectures like a ghost, from her class back to her hostel.

It was like a routine she carries out every day for the last three years. Everyone calls her “ghost lady” because she rarely dress-up or show-up anywhere at the campus except for classes, her hostel and library.

As she thought of how she has spent the last three years, she sighs deeply, then her mind again drifted to Eric but she decides to put it off her mind.

The multipurpose hall was grand, sparkling like a diamond in the night.

The students were all putting on smiling faces, all eager to party, some with their lovers, some with their friends and some ready to flirt and a get partner.

“Lilly, I have to go be with my boyfriend” Rose smile and left her by herself.

Lilly’s eyes dart into the hall, she was not there to flirt or get a partner, she just wanted to while away time, she felt anxious all by herself as she scanned the hall, wondering if she would know anyone.

And then, she saw him.

Eric Dallas, the guy who had shattered her heart into a million pieces, standing right in front of her, his eyes locked unto hers.

The crowd around them instantly seem to have melted away, leaving only the two of them.

Lilly stares at him, her heart skip several beats as Eric’s eyes held unto hers.

She felt like she was drowning in his eyes, unable to look away.

The connection between them was strong, burning like an unbreakable spark, but then she snaps out of it as she suddenly comes to her senses and quickly look away from him.

She gets nervous all of a sudden.

“What was he doing here?” She thinks looking away.

“And even more handsome…” her mind howls within her but quickly scold herself.

“Lilly you must be out of your mind.”

She realizes his gaze was still on her, so she forces a fake smile feeling a little heat rise within her.

“Let’s begin!” the announcer’s voice cut through, declaring the start of the party.

Lilly’s mind reeled at the thought of being together with Eric in the same hall.

“Get yourself a partner and move with the beat,” the announcer declares.

“Ye…es!” The students erupt into cheers.

Eric smiled, his eyes never leaving Lilly, he slowly took a step closer, extending his hand towards her.

“Lilly.”

She turns slowly towards him.

“Will you mind a dance with me?” he asked, his voice firm.

His charming smile and piercing blue eye balls had the power to make Lilly lose her mind and it seems she was already losing her mind staring at his dreaming eyes.

Her heart skips more beats, her hand almost moving to accept his invite, but she doesn’t want him to get under her skin.

Not this time!

“No!” she said vehemently, quickly controlling herself and instantly turn away to avoid his gaze which was pulling her in.

Eric looks disappointed, but he knew why she was like that and tries to persuade her believing she will accept his invite.

“Lilly, is nice to see you again,” he touches her shoulder softly.

Lilly’s heart race at his touch on her shoulder, she seems to have frozen.

“I have missed you.” Eric’s voice sound again, he seems sincere.

Her heart beat faster now but she tries to calm her rising heart and turn to her.

She rises her eyebrow, having a skeptical look.

“Really?” she smirked.

“It doesn’t look that way to me.”

Eric’s smile fades for a moment but he quickly recovers it and flash another smile.

“I know I hurt you, and for that, I’m truly sorry. I already reflected on my mistakes many times and I realize how foolish I have been to let you go. I want a second chance Lilly.”

Eric let out everything he has been keeping in his mind to say to her, he has practice how to say those words to her for a million times and now they just come pouring out.

Lilly laughs bitterly.

“A second chance? You think you can just walk back into my life anytime and expect me to embrace you?” she scoffs.

“Lilly, I...” Eric wanted to explain but he could not find the word.

At that moment, Lilly’s eyes fell on him, the hottest guy in the hall standing by the bar, sipping a drink and looking like a piece of art.

She knew she has seen him around before, but she couldn’t remember where.

“Oh! Him.” Lilly smiles as she now remembers.

He is the popular basketball player, Dave Charles.

If she remembered correctly, he is in her class and every girl wanted him.

"Perfect!"

Wanting to let Eric knows that she is over him, she made her way to Dave and pulls his shirt from behind drawing him towards her without warning, surprise at Lilly’s behavior, Dave wanted to react but Lilly kissed him before he could react.

Her lips closing up his mouth.

Dave looked shocked.

He blinked several times to understand what was going.

Dave was not the only one who look shocked, but Eric and everyone around them.

Eric’s blood boils at Lilly suddenly kissing another guy in his presence, his face turns ugly and he look enraged.

Lilly looks at Eric who was watching her with side eye, she loves his expression of anger and shock.

She knew what he must be thinking, that she had moved on and was over him but she sense that Eric must have not believed that she had moved.

Wanting to prove more to Eric that she had really moved on, Lilly leaned in closer to Dave, her lips brushing against his ear.

"Kiss me," she whispered.