Spoiled Sweetness

Chapter 4: A Tender Love

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Lily Mei sat in the middle of her massive bedroom, surrounded by a sea of plushies, porcelain dolls, and unopened luxury shopping bags. Her waist-long dark brown hair shimmered under the soft lighting, and her pouty pink lips curled into an annoyed frown. She poked at the new doll her father had brought from Paris. A limited edition one, dressed in lace with delicate glass eyes but even that wasn't enough to lift her mood.

"Ugh! It's ugly," she huffed, tossing the doll carelessly to the side.
Her mother peeked in from the door, sighing softly. "Lily, darling, that doll was specially made for you. Can't you at least say thank you?"

Lily gave her a glare, crossing her arms. "No! I didn't ask for it! I want a new dress, not this stupid doll."

Her mother shook her head, used to these tantrums, but too tired to argue. "We'll talk about it later. Adrian is here."

At the mention of Adrian's name, Lily's eyes flickered with momentary interest. She loved how Adrian spoiled her, but she would never admit it out loud. She knew how easily she could get her way with him, he never said no. And though she was used to being adored by everyone in her family, Adrian's obsession with her felt different. It made her feel... untouchable.

When Adrian entered the house, his presence was impossible to miss. He was tall and broad-shouldered, exuding a quiet authority that demanded respect. His sharp features and deep-set of grey eyes gave him a look that was both intimidating and captivating. But when those cold, calculating eyes landed on Lily, they softened in an instant, filled with something dangerously close to devotion.

He set down his work briefcase and greeted lily's mother politely before walking upstairs to find his favorite person. As soon as he opened the door to Lily's room, his expression shifted completely. A rare warmth spread across his face, and a small smile tugged at the corner of his lips.

"There's my baby," Adrian murmured, his deep voice unusually soft, as if the weight of the world lifted just by seeing her.

Lily shot him a petulant look. "You're late!" she complained, twisting the hem of her dress.

Adrian chuckled lowly, stepping closer until he towered over her. He knelt down, careful not to disturb her cluttered space, and gently tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear. "I'm sorry, baby. Got caught up with work. But I'm here now."

Lily's scowl deepened, but it wasn't from real anger.  It was the way she always played with him, testing how far she could push. "Hmph. You should've been here earlier. I'm bored!"

Adrian leaned in closer, his gaze so tender it made her heart stutter for a brief second, though she quickly masked it with her usual arrogance. "What do you want to do, baby? We can do anything you like. Shopping? Ice cream? Or do you want to stay home, and we'll play with your dolls?"

His patience with her was endless, and that infuriated Lily. No matter how spoiled or bratty she acted, Adrian never seemed annoyed. He indulged her every whim with the kind of dedication that made her family shake their heads in disbelief. He was terrifying in business, her father's most ruthless partner but when it came to Lily, he was like a different person.

She huffed, tapping her chin as if in deep thought, knowing full well what she wanted but enjoying making him wait. "I want the new purse from Chanel."

Adrian smiled, the corners of his eyes crinkling slightly. "Consider it done. Anything else, baby?"

Lily pouted, pretending to think harder. "And... i want to eat ice cream and you have to carry me all the way there. My feet hurt!"

Adrian's expression softened further, a quiet chuckle escaping him. "Of course. Anything for my baby."

He stood and scooped her effortlessly into his arms. Lily let out a small squeal of delight, wrapping her arms around his neck. She could smell the faint scent of his cologne. Something musky and expensive.

"Comfy?" he murmured, his voice a low rumble against her ear.

She snuggled closer, resting her head on his shoulder, a little smile tugging at her lips. "Hmm, better."

Adrian's heart clenched painfully. Moments like this, when she let her guard down even a little, were everything to him. He didn't care that she was spoiled or that she threw tantrums. He loved her exactly as she was. Entitled, bratty, and utterly herself. And every second spent holding her in his arms only made his obsession grow stronger.

As they descended the stairs, Lily's mother shook her head, a small smile playing on her lips. "Adrian, you spoil her too much."

Adrian glanced down at the tiny girl curled against his chest, his expression softening once more. "She deserves to be spoiled."

Lily's mother gave him a knowing look but said nothing further. Everyone knew how hopelessly in love Adrian was with Lily.  It was an open secret. And no matter how unreasonable Lily could be, he never wavered. If anything, her behavior seemed to make him love her more and her family is very grateful towards him for loving her unconditionally.

They reached the front door, and Adrian carried her out to his sleek black car, his heart full, already wondering what else he could do to make her happy. For Lily Mei, Adrian Blackwood would do anything.  No matter how unreasonable or extravagant. Because to him, she wasn't just a spoiled little princess.

She was his entire world.

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