The ship rocked violently in sync with the harsh ocean beneath us. Concerned yet confident, I gripped the ship’s wheel tightly until my knuckles turned white.

“Avast you mateys! Batten down the hatches, we’re going to ride this nasty thing!” I yelled at the top of my voice as I planted my feet firmly on the plank boards beneath me.

“Aye-aye Captain!” my crew responded before scattering about from below me.

“Jimmy! Get that Jolly Roger down! We can’t risk losing that!” I screamed as I pointed to our black pirate flag. The white skull and crossbones flapped aggressively at the top starboard yardarm.

Once everything and everyone was in position, I accelerated the speed of the ship. With all my might, I steered the Old Black Savvy through the storm, the saltwater drenching me with each rough wave we rode over. Usually, I detested having to sail through a storm, especially when the briny deep was that aggressive and could sink us down to Davy Jones’s Locker at any given time.

However, whenever he beckoned, there was no refusing him. Admiral Vance always got his way, no matter what. So when he sent a letter calling me to meet him at Rusty Cove as soon as possible, there was no time to spare. Rain or shine, or in this case, a violent storm, I had to get there on time. After all, I was the captain of the ship. 

"You know, Lily, I've heard so much about your work from Jonathan. He speaks highly of you and nothing I do seems to reach the standard you have set," Will said, his eyes locking onto Lily's with genuine admiration. "I can see why he values you so much. You're incredibly talented."

This time a faint blush crept across Lily's cheeks at his words as she smiled gratefully. She found herself surprisingly at ease with Will, and they clicked together like old friends, breaking the tension she anticipated.

Lily let out a soft sigh and nodded at him. "Thank you, Will. I'm here to help so if you need help with something or if you want me to explain anything to you, feel free to let me know."

As the days went by, their blooming friendship grew stronger. Lily took on the role of mentor, guiding Will through the intricacies of the job. Their conversations evolved beyond work-related matters, delving into personal aspirations, dreams, and shared experiences.

A week after they first met, the two of them grabbed coffee before standing at Will’s desk outside Jonathan’s office. They had just finished discussing a few pending tasks, and Will couldn't help but praise Lily's work.

"Lily, you've been a great help to me. Your direction and knowledge have been priceless," Will said, a warm smile spreading across his face.

Lily blushed slightly at the compliment, feeling a connection with Will that she hadn't expected. It had been only a week, but they clicked together effortlessly, and she found herself appreciating his positive energy and genuine interest in her work.

The sound of their laughter vibrated through the floor as they shared a funny story. However, they were too engrossed in their conversation to notice the presence of someone else watching them from afar, eavesdropping on their conversation.

Jonathan Bennett’s fist wrapped tightly around the briefcase handle in his hand as the sound of Lily's laughter mingled with Will's, echoed in his ears, sending a surge of uneasiness through him. His heart tightened as he noticed the ease with which Will interacted with Lily, his compliments sounding almost flirtatious.

Ever since the day Lily had cooked his favorite dishes for him, waited for him to come home where later he carried her up to her bed, he couldn’t seem to get her out of his mind. In the days he had been away in Tokyo to negotiate the Japan deal, he couldn’t help but miss her and all he looked forward to was seeing her again so that his restlessness could be calmed.

The sight of Lily dressed in a navy-blue pantsuit with her usually tied-up hair flowing down her shoulders made his breath hitch, but when their conversation reached his ears, a flicker of jealousy ignited within him. He couldn't help but feel threatened by the bond developing between his wife and his new assistant. Jonathan’s jealousy was baseless, but the possessive side he hadn't known existed took over, and he couldn't bear to hear Will flirting with Lily, even if it was harmless banter.

The possessiveness within Jonathan surged, and before he could think, he stormed towards them, boiling in rage, his jaw set and his eyes dark. Without a word, he wrapped his arm possessively around Lily's waist, pulling her closer to him while his gaze fixed on his assistant.

"Will, it's wonderful to see you and Lily getting along so well," he said, his tone laced with a mix of subtle warning and sly tactfulness. "But please remember, Lily is my wife."