When Love is a Question Mark
Chapter 54: Lily’s secret

Chapter 54: Lily’s secret

Lily Oceanic Industries had established itself as a titan in the maritime industry, dominating global transportation, shipping, and the construction of sea vessels. The company was known for its reliability and innovation, consistently ranking among the top 20 richest companies in the world.

Yet, the identity of its owner remained shrouded in mystery. The Aquila family had chosen to keep this secret, staying out of the public eye.

Few knew that Lily Aquila, Zinnia’s best friend, was the true heiress to this vast empire. To everyone else, Lily appeared to be an ordinary young woman, living a simple life. Even Zinnia had no idea about her best friend’s hidden inheritance, and Lily felt guilty for keeping such a big secret from her.

The name "Lily Oceanic Industries" held deep meaning for the Aquila family. Lily’s great-great-grandmother, who had loved lilies, inspired the company’s name. The name endured through generations, and when Lily was born, her parents gave her the same name, honoring both their daughter and the family’s legacy.

Lily’s family was unique in many ways. She held dual citizenship—her mother was from the country they now lived in, while her father came from a different nation.

It was in her father’s homeland that Lily met Zinnia during the search for James. They bonded over their shared love of art, spending hours together in art classes, unaware of the deep secrets Lily carried.

On the surface, the Aquila family seemed like humble apartment owners, quietly renting out units. It appeared to be a modest life. But behind the scenes, they controlled one of the most powerful maritime businesses in the world, with their vessels and yachts traveling across international waters.

Despite her family’s influence, Lily had been reluctant to embrace her role in the business. Her parents sent her abroad to train under her father’s guidance, learning the ins and outs of Lily Oceanic Industries, where the main office was located.

Her older brother had chosen to build his own airline company, so her parents turned to Lily, hoping she would take over the family empire.

Her training had been intense. She oversaw the yacht business and occasionally joined search and rescue operations. These experiences were meant to familiarize her with different boats and sea cargo.

But Lily resisted. Instead of focusing on her responsibilities, she spent her summer vacations relaxing, avoiding her tasks.

"I can’t believe you’re not taking this seriously," her mentor had said during one of her training sessions.

"I just need a break," Lily had shrugged, brushing off the criticism. The pressure was too much, and avoiding it seemed easier.

Her carefree summer came to a sudden end when news of a devastating tsunami spread through the region. The disaster struck without warning, leaving destruction behind.

In the aftermath, Lily met Zinnia, who was heartbroken by James’s disappearance. Listening to Zinnia’s tearful story, Lily felt guilt tighten in her chest.

That was when she learned the shocking truth: the yacht James and Zinnia had been on belonged to Lily Oceanic Industries. It had been caught in the tsunami, and James had gone missing as a result.

A wave of guilt swept over Lily as she realized the gravity of her negligence. She hadn’t been paying attention to safety protocols, weather reports, or her responsibilities.

"If only I had taken my job seriously," Lily muttered to herself, the weight of her guilt crushing her. She couldn’t bear to face Zinnia. "If I had been more responsible, maybe the yacht would’ve been prepared. Maybe James wouldn’t be missing."

Determined to make amends, Lily joined the search and rescue teams, eager to do anything to make up for her failure. She couldn’t stand by while others suffered because of her carelessness.

Each day spent searching for survivors felt like a small step toward redemption. She wanted to prove to herself—and to Zinnia—that she could be responsible, even if it was too late to save James.

"If we had paid more attention to the weather, if we had put better rescue measures in place..." she whispered during sleepless nights. The haunting thoughts of what could have been echoed in her mind, refusing to let her rest.

As the weeks passed, her guilt deepened. She became convinced that the company’s lack of preparedness had led to James’s disappearance. They were supposed to ensure the safety of their clients, and they had failed. She blamed herself for not stepping up when it mattered.

"If only we’d done more, James wouldn’t be missing," she repeated over and over, her mind replaying that tragic day. "If only we had acted sooner."

Lily carried this burden with her for years, silently blaming herself for James’s fate. She saw the grief in Zinnia’s eyes every time they spoke, and it tore her apart to know she had played a part in that pain. The thought of letting Zinnia down was unbearable.

In the years that followed, Lily dedicated herself to her work, determined to prevent another disaster like the one that had taken James.

She proposed new safety protocols and insisted on stricter measures for all their vessels. No yacht or ship under their name would ever be unprepared for a storm again.

It became her personal mission to ensure that every branch of Lily Oceanic Industries, no matter where it was located, followed the highest safety standards.

With each passing day, her resolve grew stronger. She traveled to all their branches globally, overseeing operations and making sure that every safety measure was in place. She made it her priority to prevent another tragedy.

But through it all, she kept her secret from Zinnia. She didn’t know how to tell her best friend about the company’s role in James’s disappearance.

The guilt gnawed at her, but she couldn’t bring herself to confess. Instead, she worked in silence, hoping her efforts would somehow make up for the past.

Yet, every time she looked at Zinnia, the weight of her secret grew heavier. How could she explain that the company she was set to inherit had failed the person Zinnia loved most? No matter how much she did, it never felt like enough.