Time Stone

{So Lily's really going through with her plan? Is this her rebellious era, or is something else brewing?}

_

Lily spent her morning and afternoon making a lot of calls. Calls that would play huge roles in the upcoming get-together.

By four PM that afternoon, she was more than drained. Luckily for her, Remy decided to pass by and keep her company, and maybe he conduct a small interrogation.

"Are you sure about this Flower?" Remy asked disdainfully, taking a sip of orange juice she'd offered him.

"You already know the answer to that Rem," Lily countered.

"You do know Valerie's not going to like this one bit right? I mean, you decided to cancel the wedding without telling your assistant and friend." He argued.

"Look Rem, in my defense, I tried talking to her about it yesterday...But she just refused to listen to me!" She grumbled.

"And anyway, if she's really concerned about my happiness, then she'll understand," Lily surmised.

"If you say so flower." Remy told her.

"But what I really want to know is, what exactly is going on with you?"

"What do you mean?" Lily asked, getting nervous on seeing his sudden severe look.

"What do I mean?! You've been acting strange lately Flower." Remy stated, his gaze never leaving her. "Since when do you defy your parents, and on such a huge matter as well?"

"I could just be in my rebellious era Rem," Lily commented, a small smile tugging at her lips.

"And that weird-looking watch? I don't think I've ever seen you with it..." Remy retorted.

'The time stone.' Lily thought, then almost instantly recalled Darien's words.

'As long as you're thinking of it, or maybe need it, it will be with you, no matter where you'd left it.'

Right at that moment, she felt the cold crystal object's weight on her chest. Luckily, she was wearing a brown turtleneck sweater, so Remy wasn't able to see the time stone appear out of thin air— or so she thought.

"Flower?" He called out, seeing as she'd zoned out for a minute.

"Mmh? Oh... sorry. Did you mean this?"

She asked pulling out the time stone.

"Yes... pretty sure there's nothing else identical to it."

"It's... my time stone," Lily said certainly, as if she herself believed that. As if it wasn't the first time she'd said it.

"What would you say if I told you, that I'm from two years in the future?" Lily said said all in one breath, giving Remy a look that unexplainably sent chills through him.

Lily couldn't help but subconsciously feel better, after finally telling someone the truth. Her truth.

She felt as though keeping that information buried within might have driven her crazy, if she didn't tell someone—anyone at all— about it.

The deafening silence that had ensued, was intruded by the sound of the door swinging open.

"Her, Flower! Are you ready to—" Riel's eager voice rang out, only to grow quiet on sensing the tense atmosphere she'd randomly walked into.

"Oh, hey Rem, I didn't expect to see you here... Uhh, are y'all okay?" Riel inquired closing the door behind her.

"Yes, everything's fine." Lily smiled sweetly, standing up to hug her. "What are you doing here anyway? The event doesn't start until seven."

"Well, I came here so we could get ready together," Riel said excitedly, holding up the bags she'd brought with her. "Seon's picking us up at exactly six thirty." She informed setting the bags down and taking a seat next to an oddly quiet Remy.

"So tell me, what exactly are your plans for tonight? And what is that fancy pendant around your neck?" Riel queried turning her full attention to Lily.

Riel had only so rarely seen that look on Remy's face, and when she did, she knew better than to try and speak to him.

"Oh, that's just a gift from an acquaintance." Lily fabricated, as she couldn't bring herself to tell Riel the truth as of now...

"Well damn, this acquaintance of yours must be really rich and sophisticated," Riel remarked gazing at the object.

"About tonight," Lily said steering the conversation away from the time stone.

The two friends chatted for quite some time, seemingly ignoring the momentous look Remy was giving Lily all through.

"Oh my gosh!" Riel said after looking at her phone. "We've been talking for a whole hour now... We only have like three hours to get ready, come on!" Riel said, a bit panicked, then grabbed her bags, and headed upstairs.

Lily stood, and looked at Remy not knowing what to say to him. She watched him stand, that grave look still plastered on his face.

"I believe you." He stated solemnly, taking a step toward her.

"You do?" Lily asked, a bit surprised. "Why?"

"Your... Time stone..." He said, staring at the area above her chest. "It's now gone...Yet, I never saw you take it off." He explained, and Lily didn't bother confirming, as she could no longer feel it's weight on her chest.

"Plus, I saw it appear right after I asked you about it." He admitted, making Lily smile knowingly.

How could she have thought that Remy, of all people, wouldn't notice?

"So... you don't think I'm crazy?" She asked, her hope-filled eyes gazing up at him

"That, remains to be seen Flower," Remy replied jokingly, making her lightly giggle.

She then unexpectedly and randomly wrapped her arms around him.

"Thank you." She whispered, sounding a bit volatile.

"For?" He asked, hugging her back, a bit perplexed.

"Being you." She told him, tightening her grasp.

"Alright, I have to get going now." He said a few seconds later.

"I don't want to be late for your uhm... ceremony?" He inquired unhurriedly pulling away from her.

"'My new— hopefully, better— life begins ceremony'." She smiled and finally let him go.

"You better bring Shelly." Lily winked mischievously at him, causing him to roll his eyes, as he walked out.

"You do realize you're gonna have to tell me everything at some point, right?" Riel asked immediately Lily walked into the room. Lily gave her a clueless look, which made Riel roll her eyes irately.

"I'm not dumb, Flower...well, most of the time anyway. I know something's going on with you and you're gonna have to tell me about it whether you like it or not." Riel spoke, perilously staring at her.

"I will El, I promise. Right after tonight's event, okay?" Lily asked pleadingly.

"Fine, fine." Riel finally conceded, taking two beautiful dresses in each hand.

"Now would you please come here and tell me which one of these dresses is going to look best on me."

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