While wrapping up everything, Livie didn't realise that it was already 9 PM. Until her eyes diverted towards the clock, she realise that she was late. "Oh god..." She whispered while hurriedly picking up her bag and walking towards the exit. "Livie!!" A voice calling out for her made her stop in her tracks. She turned to look at Avian walking toward her. "It's late. Should I drop you?" He asked making Livie shake her head with a sweet smile. "No need Avian. I'll manage. Thank you for today." After they both bid goodbye, Livie came out of the building and stood near the main entrance while starting on her phone. She tried to book a cab, but there weren't any available at the moment. She noticed that there were so many missed calls from her father which made her bite her tongue as she forget to call him back. She sighs and thought of calling Andy to pick her up as until now he must be free. As she dialled Andy's number, she heard a car screeching sound and looked up to see a black lavishing car standing in front of her. The window rolled down and she could see the person sitting inside which made her stop functioning for a second. "Mr. Mitchell?"
Lucian gave out a soft smile before opening the door of the passenger seat while sitting in the driver's seat. Livie looked at him dumbfounded as he motion her to get in. When she realised what was happening she immediately took a step back and shook her head multiple times. "No no Mr. Mitchell. I'll manage." Her hands moved vigorously making Lucian chuckle. "It's ok Mrs. Livie. It's already late. And it will be so rude of me if I let a girl travel alone at this hour. Don't make me look bad." The way Lucian said those words made Livie stop her protesting as she thinned her lips and sat inside the car. Lucian smiled in victory without looking at Livie as he start the engine. "Thanks," Livie mumbled while fiddling with her fingers. Lucian couldn't help but beam with happiness while looking at her.
Livie waited for Lucian to start the ride but he didn't move to which she slightly tilted her head and stared at him but to her amazement, he was already staring at her. Her breathed clamped seeing his eyes gazing at her and then him decreasing the distance between them. Her eyes widened with slight fear and curiosity as Lucian came closer to her until his breaths were tinkling her neck. Her eyes closed with the sudden intimacy, while Lucian's lips twitched in a smile. But that didn't last long when her scent made his wolf realise their closeness with his mate. Lucian's eyes got stuck on her neck which was tempting him to mark her. To let the whole world know, to whom she belongs. To tell HER who she is for him. His lips parted to suck in a deep breath before he entangled his fingers with the seatbelt and pulled it over Livie. Her eyes opened upon realising what he did and her cheeks flushed seeing the smug smile on his face. She cleared her throat while looking at the opposite side and scolding herself for thinking whatever she thought a few seconds ago. "Safety first," Lucian said and started the engine.
The ride was silent but it felt peaceful. The atmosphere between them was relaxing and quiet, which made the outside scenery more attractive. "Thank you once again, Mr. Mitchell." Lucian glanced at Livie for a moment before resuming his attention back on the road. "Don't be so formal Livie. Just call me Lucian." He said bringing a small smile to Livie's lips but her eyebrows crushed in confusion and her head splintered towards Lucian. "Mr- I mean Lucian. How did you know my name?" Lucian's eyes flickered between the road and the staring wheel before he brought them to look at Livie in such a way that made her inside burst with butterflies. "Because I don't remember introducing myself to you." This time Livie's tone went a little down as she felt intimated by his gaze. "You were in my company for a whole day Mrs Parker. I should know everything about you." The teasing smile on Lucian's face brought back the tint of blush on Livie's cheeks and the wink he throw at her made her turn her gaze to the other side to save herself from any more embarrassment.
After Livie told Lucian her address, he drove silently. Livie's phone buzzed a few times throughout the ride and Lucian didn't fail to notice the distress on her face. "Something wrong?" He asked after deliberating his thoughts. Livie looked at Lucian before heaving out a sigh. "Nothing. It's just my dad. he must be worried." Lucian nodded with a smile while going towards the destination as Livie started to tap her feet in nervousness. After a whole 20 minutes ride, finally, the car stopped in front of Livie's house. Lucian saw how Livie's face brighten as she took a breath of relief removed her seatbelt and looked at Lucian with her lips stretched in a wide grin. "Thank you so much, Mr. Mitchell." Lucian raised his eyebrows giving her a look to which Livie closed her eyes and chuckle. "I mean Lucian. Thank you." "Well, I'll appreciate it if I get something more than just a thank you." Livie looked at him with her bambi eyes, and Lucian could hear his heart skipping beats. "I..." Hearing her stutter, Lucian let out an audible chuckle making Livie's already thumbing heart come out of her ribcage. "I'm just kidding Mrs. Parker. And if you want to give me something, then consider giving me a call. I'd like to make a nice friend." Lucian forwarded his business card with his infamous smile which Livie couldn't ignore. She took the card, flashing a small smile towards him and came out of the car and closed the door. Lucian waved his hand making her mirror his action unknowingly. When she realised her actions, she abruptly put her hand down and turned around to leave as her cheeks flushed more and more. Lucian waited there until she reached her door and glanced in his direction one last time before opening the door and disappearing behind it. Lucian heaved a deep sigh and rested his head on the seat with his eyes closed. His eyes open to gaze at the full moon in the sky. "She made my heart such a beautiful mess."
As soon as Livie stepped into her house, she heard her father's voice practically echoing in the walls. "WHAT DO YOU MEAN BY SHE'S NOT ANSWERING?" Livie frowned while walking into the living room and saw her father standing in the middle with his hand gripping his hair, while Andy paced here and there with his phone in his hand as he dialled a number and placed it on his ear. Not a second later, Livie's phone buzzed in her pocket gaining their attention as they both snapped their heads towards her. "Livie!!" Her father almost lost his balance as he sprinted towards her and embraced her in a bone-crushing hug which made Livie confused and looked at Andy. She tried asking him with her eyes what is happening but Andy just shrugged his shoulders. "Dad," Livie whispered when she felt her shoulder getting wet and she realised that he was crying. Her eyes widen as she rubbed his back trying to calm him down. Andy also came forward not knowing what happened suddenly. "Uncle, she's home now. And she's perfectly fine too." Andy said to which He parted from the hug to stare at his daughter. Livie's heart churned seeing her father's red eyes staring at her with worry and fear. "Dad, I'm fine." She whisper while caressing his cheek to which he leaned in her touch with his eyes closed.
Calming down her father, Livie made him sit on the couch as Andy went to bring water for him. Livie knew that he was quite sensitive and protective of her, but it was very rare for him to behave like this. And it wasn't like she never went out at night or stayed out late. "Dad, what happened?" Livie asked once she saw her father was completely calm. He just stared at her few seconds with his moist eyes but they turn furious in a jiffy. "Where do you think you were at this hour?" His sudden outbreak made her flinch as she opened her mouth to say but nothing come out. "Tell me Livie. Why were you out at this hour? You know that I don't like when you stay out late at night. Then why?" He stood on his feet as Livie stumbled and stood up too. "Dad..." Her voice got wobbly as she tried to figure out what is happening. Andy who came in with a glass of water saw the scene and immediately rushed to stand between them. "Uncle, she just came. She must be hungry. We can talk later. Please." Livie's father looked at his pleading eyes and huffed while glancing at Livie. He closed his eyes and rushed towards his bedroom, leaving Andy and Livie alone in the living room. "What....happened?"
Livie played with food on her plate as Andy sat opposite her, examining her expressions. He sensed that she was sad because no matter what, her father never lash out at her like today. He sigh catching Livie's attention as she looked at him and decided to ask what happened. "Andy, I know you know what happened before I came. Please tell me." The agony in her voice made him numb as he looked down at his hands while narrating the whole incident to her.
A FEW HOURS BACK -
"Why isn't she picking up the call?" Your father grumbles while going back and forth in the living room. He continuously dialled your number but every time you didn't pick making him worried. At last feeling helpless he call Andy in the hope that maybe he knew something but that hope came crashing down once Andy told him that he know nothing about you. That was the moment he got panicked and started to call all her friends. Andy came to your place rushing knowing how much worried your father must be. "Uncle, calm down. She'll be fine." Andy kept trying to calm him but everything was in vain.
Eventually, he calms down when Andy called Cassie to find out that you were at a company for a shoot. After that, he was silent for a few hours, until the sun set down and his worry raised. He again started to call you but you again didn't respond. Making his thoughts go wild as he imagined everything that could happen. "Uncle." Andy tried to console him but he was fast enough to shut him up with his glare. It all went on and on until one last time Andy dialled your number and your phone buzzed inside the house. That's when your father's heart felt at peace and all his worry flow out of his eyes through tears.
PRESENT -
Livie sighed rubbing her face and feeling so stupid and guilty for not answering his calls. She got too engrossed in her work that she forget about everything. But now she regrets it. Standing up and leaving her plate behind, she went towards her father's bedroom and knock silently. There was no response, so she pushed open the door and saw her father standing on the balcony. Waddling towards him with her baby steps, Livie stood behind him and circled her hands around his waist before snuggling her face in his back. "I'm so sorry Dad." She whispered letting her tears fall and drench his shirt. Even though he was angry but after all he was a father. Trying to stay cold, but he melts at his daughter wiping and turned around to face her. Her tear-stained cheeks made his heart shattered as he brought his hands to wipe her tears. "I'm so sorry Dad. I made you worried. I didn't mean to. I was just so engrossed in my work that I didn't realise the time. Please don't be angry Dad." Livie kept mumbling while her father stroke her back in a comforting manner. He let her speak before holding her shoulder and making her sit on the bed. "Livie. Calm down. I'm not angry with you. I was just worried for you and that's why I lashed out at you. I'm sorry squirrel. Please forgive your dad." Livie shook her head vigorously and hugged her father while he did the same. They both shade some tears in each other's embrace. Andy smiled looking at them through the door and closed it after to give them some time.
Livie's father hugged his daughter but his heart wasn't at peace. His eyes stared at the full moon shining brightly in the sky. The worry he has held inside his heart for years is now again peeking up. And he couldn't help but try his best to keep his only precious daughter safe.
TO BE CONTINUED ||