Lily's POV - 9

Everytime I turned back to look at Lucien, my heart skipped a beat. Before, he had been so charming and eager to listen to what I said, but now, he was either pressing his phone or quiet. Usually, I tried to engage the guests and advise them to put away their phones, but with him, I didn't dare. Apart from the fact that I was still feeling guilty about what I did, his reactions scared me more.

Not that he hit me back or even tried, it was just chilling. It was like he had gone from hundred to zero, especially with how he all but insulted me at the lobby. Up till now, my mind still reeled. What did he mean by I was slow? Sure, I could be clumsy and take some time doing certain tasks, but it wasn't being slow. I was so absorbed in my thoughts that I didn't notice he had stopped moving beside me.

I had already neared the market stalls when I turned back and saw him making a call nearly twenty feet away. He seemed to be pacing around, and I briefly wondered if something was wrong. Still, I waited for him to turn towards my direction before raising a hand. Either he didn't see me or just chose to ignore because he just glanced at my raised limb and turned away. Ouch.

Maybe he didn't want me to listen in on his conversation. With that in mind, I just waited under one of the trees and scrolled through Instagram and by the time I raised my head again, he was still on the phone. I glanced around for a place to sit, but it was far away and I didn't want to leave Lucien on his own yet. It was still the second day, and as it was almost growing dark, the streets could be unsafe.

Saying that made me feel motherly, and I shook off the thought. Just then, he finally dropped the phone and I waved again. This time, I was certain he saw me but again, he looked away and started to type something. Was he really ignoring me? I shook my head and moved towards him.

"I didn't know you stopped a while back. Sorry."

"Of course, you wouldn't," he responded, still looking at his phone. "I've noticed you aren't very observant with your guests."

My brows furrowed. "What do you mean?"

"First, you talk and explain like you're so bored of it, no life or excitement there and you want us to feel that? Now, you basically wandered off with your own thoughts, forgetting there was someone walking with you. What if it had been an underage teenager or a little child, or even someone who didn't know their way around?"

The first thought that entered my head was that all teenagers were underage, but I didn't voice it. Instead, I looked away and sighed. "I'm sorry."

"What else can you say?" Before I could respond, he tuned away and threw me a side glance. "Where next?"

I swallowed my words and fell into step with him, even as my mind tried to process his attitude. Was this because of the slap? I was torn between guilt and annoyance. Simply because I rejected his advances didn't mean he had to give me attitude.

After some minutes of walking, he glanced at his watch and stopped again. "Let's turn back. I'm bored of this.

"But,–" I was literally in the middle of showing him around the market, so his words stung. However, I nodded and turned back. "Sure. Some other day, then."

He said nothing, and we walked back in silence with him pressing his phone most of the time. Would it be defiant if I picked up mine and did the same? It wasn't worth it though, and besides, one of us needed to see. When we got to the hotel, the other guests were already back from their sightseeing so they mingled. Within seconds, Lucien left my side and I breathed out in relief.

Still, I couldn't stop myself from watching his retreating form as the memory of his strong hands filled my memory. "No, I can't do this." I mumbled, and shook my head as I walked back to my desk. Before I got out of their listening range though, I heard Lucien talking to one of the other men.

"She took me to the market, like I wanted to buy fish or something," he started and they laughed for a moment. "Of all the places in this city, and that's where the tour guide chose."

"Maybe, she doesn't know the place well. You think she's a local?"

"She is. I researched her well before picking her as my personal guide. I'm beginning to regret it though."

"Why did you pick her?"

"Don't know. For the fun if it, I guess. She looked like someone I knew for a while, so I wanted to have fun. Turns out she's too rigid though."

My eyes widened at that, and I quickly walked away before he said more things. There was no mistaking his voice, and my eyes stung as I ran to the bathroom. I knew he didn't really like the market, but why did he need to embarrass me like that? There was no doubt that the other man, who I had never spoken to, would think I was incompetent.

As I leaned against the door, a part of me felt like going to confront him and letting them know how his attitude suddenly changed because I refused his dvabces. However, a tiny thought swam in my head. Wouldn't they insist that I was rigid all the more?

"Who does he think he is? Even if he's the president of Italy, does that give him the right to insult me like that? Calling me boring and rigid?"

As usual, I was talking to my reflection but it didn't matter. Lucien was acting like a sore loser, and it rubbed off on me. Who knew what else he was spreading about me, and to think I was already cordial with some of them. I cleaned my eyes and tried not to think about his words, but more just rolled down my cheeks. It was so annoying, and there was no way he didn't know that I was hearing him badmouth me.

Maybe his aim was to make me look and feel bad, and I raised my cheeks. Sure, it hurt, but it wasn't enough to make me break down. I cleaned my eyes again and rinsed my face as I glanced at my wristwatch. It was already time to go home, so I took a deep breath and stepped outside. Against my better judgement, I glanced around for any signs of him but it seemed like the guests had dispersed.

The few that remained were just mothers and their children, who were getting ready to enjoy the evening pool attractions. So, I went to my desk and picked up my bag to go before Ateg called out. "Lily, you looked really nice today." A big smile crossed my features and I waved a good night

at him. Well, it wasn't such a bad day at the end.