Spoiled Sweetness

Chapter 10: The CEO's Favourite Distraction

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The morning started innocently enough. Or at least, as innocent as any day with Lily could be. Adrian had slipped out of bed early, determined to get a head start on his meetings at Blackforge Holdings. He thought everything would go smoothly. That was, until Lily caught wind of where he was going.

She stood at the front door in her favorite oversized pink hoodie, white shorts peeking underneath, and bunny slippers on her feet. Her arms were crossed, her pout firmly in place, and her eyes sparkled with stubborn determination.

"You're leaving without me?" she accused, her tiny frame blocking the doorway as if she could stop him.

Adrian adjusted the cuff of his crisp white shirt, which he had paired with a slim black suit. His outfit made him look every bit the powerful CEO he was. His dark hair was slicked back neatly, and the expensive leather watch on his wrist gleamed under the morning light.

"Baby," he said gently, kneeling slightly so he was eye-level with her. "I've got a lot of work to do today. I'll be back before you know it."

Lily wasn't having it. Her little fists balled at her sides as her cheeks puffed in frustration. "I want to come with you!"

Adrian shook his head, suppressing a smile at how adorable she looked. "You'll get bored, baby. It's all meetings and paperwork."

"I won't!" she insisted, stomping her bunny-slippered foot on the marble floor. "I promise I'll be good! Please, Adrian!"

He sighed, already knowing he had lost. There was no saying no to Lily when she was like this.

"Fine," he murmured, brushing a strand of her silky hair behind her ear. "But you have to behave, okay?"

She beamed, throwing her arms around his neck in victory. "Yay! I promise, I'll be perfect."

The moment Adrian let Lily follow him to his company, he knew chaos was inevitable. He had barely stepped out of the elevator before his employees began exchanging wide eyed glances. No one ever saw Adrian Blackwood, the fearsome CEO, with anyone outside of meetings and now here he was, escorting a tiny, pouty girl wearing bunny slippers and an oversized hoodie, looking thoroughly out of place.

"Adrian, do people have slides here?" Lily asked as they made their way through the sleek lobby, her soft voice filled with childlike wonder.

"No, baby," Adrian replied patiently, guiding her with a hand on her back. "Just elevators."

"Booooring!" Lily groaned, dragging her feet dramatically.

Adrian fought back a smile, his usually stoic expression softening. "I'll let you press the elevator buttons. Will that make it better?"

Her eyes lit up instantly. "Yes!"

Once they were inside the private elevator, Lily grinned triumphantly as she jabbed the button with exaggerated excitement. Adrian stood beside her, his large frame towering over hers, his dark suit pristine and polished. Even as the CEO of an empire, there was nothing more important to him than indulging Lily's whims.

---

When they arrived at his office, Adrian scooped her up without warning, earning a surprised yelp from Lily. He carried her to the large leather couch by the window and sat her down gently.

"Comfortable, baby?" he asked, brushing her bangs out of her eyes with a tenderness no one would believe he was capable of.

Lily squirmed, adjusting her bunny slippers. "I want snacks."

Adrian nodded, already expecting her request. He picked up his office phone and pressed the intercom. "Claire, bring up snacks, juice, a Nintendo, and some books. Whatever you find. Quickly."