AUTHOR'S POV. -
Sitting at the dining table, Livie chirped in happiness as she informed her father and Andy about the news. They both were happy and somewhere really proud of her. Looking at Livie's smile, her father forgot for some time that he was angry at her. Her smile and happiness were everything he needed. He gently stroked her head while she stared at him with her eye smile.
At that moment he only wanted to cherish her smile and wish to see her always smile the same.
"Congratulations Livie. You know I'm going to buy all the magazines." Andy joked while munching on his food getting a chuckle from her.
"First earn that much money." Livie's father replied in a mocking tone causing Andy to glare at him with his cheeks puffed up.
"Um-hum." He spoke through his mouth full but Livie lightly smacked him on the back of his head making him whine. "Don't talk while eating. You'll choke."
Focusing on her food, she took a few bites before again looking at her father. "Dad." Her voice cached her father's attention. "I need to go to the company tomorrow. It's urgent." She said while scrunching her face knowing very well that he'll not like what she was saying as her condition was still not good. Her father, in response just gazed at her for a while before looking back at his plate and bobbing his head.
"Fine. But I'm going with you." He said after gulping down some water and looking at Livie to let her know that it was an order. Livie nodded her head knowing she don't have any other choice. "Ok."
AT LUCIAN'S PENTHOUSE -
Lucian was sitting on the couch, going through some files piled on his table. His eyes were focused on the words, but his attention was diverted towards his phone when it blew up with multiple notifications. He tried to ignore it but the annoying sound made him grunt as he throw the file on the table and picked up his phone.
"Who the..." He frowned at his phone screen when he saw multiple messages from an unknown number. He opened and read them as his frown soon turned into a furious expression.
'Heard you find out about your mate.'
' Whish you congratulations, brother.'
'And don't worry. If you didn't get her, I'll take very good care of her.'
'Trust me. She'll be more than happy with me. My brother.'
Lucian stood on his feet while clutching his phone tightly in his hands. His knuckles turned white as he glared at his phone screen with his burning eyes. They turned red in an instant as his possessive side took over. He blocks the number before calling Ryan.
After a few rings, Ryan answered the phone and spoke in his sleepy and groggy voice. "Hello? Alpha?" Confusingly looking at his watch, Ryan didn't understand the purpose of Lucian calling him at this hour.
"How the fuck Damien got to know about Livie?" Lucian's growl made Ryan stir up in his place and sat straight on his bed as he rubbed his eyes harshly to get rid of sleep. "What...?" He asked now getting to his senses but Lucian was running low in patience.
"Ryan, didn't I tell you to keep it a secret until I find a way to approach her." This time Lucian's voice was low but the anger was still visible. His wolf was snarling at the thought of anything happening to his mate.
"Wait, alpha. I didn't tell anyone." Ryan said in a defensive tone causing Lucian to realise what his words made him think. He sighs while ribbing his forehead while walking back and forth.
"Ryan. I didn't mean that." He stopped to take a deep breath understanding that his words in anger can hurt Ryan. "What I want to say is, how in hell did Damien find out about Livie?" This time Lucian arranged his words properly making Ryan close his eyes and think deeply.
"Honestly, I don't know. No one knows about it except me and..." Ryan paused in his words making Lucian steady. He waited for Ryan to complete his sentence but not hearing his voice, Lucian got impatient. "And?" Lucian's voice made Ryan flinch as he stared at the black walk in front of him.
As if realization hit him, Ryan's eyes widen as he jumped out of bed. "I'm so sorry alpha. I didn't realise that someone could hear me. Oh god, what I did. I'm so sorry alpha. Please forgive me." He kept rumbling until Lucian sighed and stopped him.
"Ryan!!" Lucian's call made Ryan go silent as he felt the guilt engraving in his heart. "Just tell me what happened?" There was silence for a time until Ryan got a hold of himself and started to speak.
"In the morning, when you called me to ask about her condition, I was in the meeting room. Maybe someone eavesdrops..." Ryan's voice trailed off making Lucian close his eyes and took a deep breath. "How come you're so sure?" Lucian asked while trying to keep his cool.
"I'm not sure, but I felt a presence in the meeting room. And I didn't realise at that time that I was talking about your mate." Hearing Ryan's response, Lucian couldn't help but groan. He rubbed his forehead and looked out of the window.
"Look out for Damien's whereabouts. And also keep an eye on Livie. Make sure that she's not in danger." Lucian spoke and cut the call after he heard Ryan mumbling a few apologies. He knew that Ryan didn't do it on purpose, but now he have to be careful and handle everything smoothly.
"Oh, moon goddess." He saw the half-moon shining in the sky and giving him a sense of relief. "Please keep her safe."
NEXT DAY -
Livie took her bag and came into the hall to see her father all set, waiting for her. As he saw her coming into the hall he smiled a little and stood straight. "Wow, Dad. You look awesome." Livie gave him a thumbs-up and a wink causing him to chuckle and nod. "I know." He replied while walking ahead as Livie followed him behind.
They both sat in the car and Livie's father drove towards her company while playing some music. The ride wasn't long as the company was nearby. They both reach after a few minutes as Livie looked at her father who was already looking at her. "We could've walked too, you know." She said while removing her seatbelt while her father ignore her comment.
"Come fast." Her father said while waving at her making her chuckle and nod. She went inside and he waited there for her.
Livie entered the company and was greeted by the over-excited receptionist who squealed and ran towards her. "Livie!!" Livie went stiff as she got pulled into a tight hug. "God, how are you?" The girl pulled out from the hug but frown seeing the bandage on Livie's forehead. "Hey, what happened? Are you okay? What's all this?"
Going on with her questions, the girl made Livie scrunch her face and held her shoulders to stop her blabbering. "Calm down Riya. I'm fine." Livie giggle looking at Riya. "I'll go and meet sir." Livie left after Riya nodded at her and went to reception.
Livie entered the elevator and pressed the third-floor button. As the door of the lift closed, Livie saw her reflection in the mirror of the elevator door and her mind drifted back to when she first time saw Lucian in the lift. Her lips tucked in a small smile unknowingly as she stared at herself.
She still remembers his gaze which was tender yet full of passion. The red hue in his eyes is still foreign to her. Her thoughts broke when the door opened making her realise her actions as a tint of blush appear on her cheeks. She shook her head and cupped her heating cheeks before exiting the elevator and walking towards the CEO's cabin.
"May I come in sir?" She asked while knocking and hearing her boss's voice. She enters the cabin and saw her boss who was a male in his early 50s, busy reading something. "Good morning sir. You wanted to see me?"
The male looked up from his papers and smile seeing Livie. "Good morning Livie. How're you?" He asked removing his glasses and giving a good look at her face. His smile fades a little as he examines her face. "What happened?" He asked pointing towards his forehead referring to her injury.
Livie shrugged her shoulders and shook her head. "Nothing. Just got in a little accident." Livie walked further and stood in front of his table. He just nodded and looked down before opening the side drawer of his table.
He pulled out an envelope and slide it in front of Livie making her look between the envelope and then at him. "This is for you." He said making her confusingly pick up the thin envelope and open it.
As Livie opened the envelope and pulled out the paper inside it, her eyes widen as she looked at her boss and then back at the paper again and again until she believed it. "Sir..." Livie stutters not knowing how to respond to it.
"You earned it, Livie. Congrats." He smiles widely before standing up and forwarding his hand for a handshake causing Livie to do the same. "Thank you so much, sir." She politely bows her head causing her boss to laugh. "Don't be so stiff. And I'm hoping to get more good work from you." He continued and sat back on his chair as Livie nodded her head vigorously.
"Yes sir." The happiness was dripping from her voice as she thanked her boss multiple times before she exited the cabin. While walking in the hall she stumbles with her manager and as soon as she saw him, she squealed in happiness making him stare at her confused. "OMG!!! Sir. Thank you so much." She jumped like a little kid who got their favourite candy.
"Chill girl. What is it?" Her manager asked making Livie get a hold of her emotions. She looked at him with the widest smile on her face.
"Guess what? The biggest organization in Paris wants to keep my photos for their exhibition based on wildlife. They even send an invitation." Livie's manager's eyes popped open as he looked at her in disbelief but soon smiled as widely as her.
"For real? Wow. That's great Livie." He excitedly hugged her as she return the hug. They both talk a bit before Livie exited the building with a wide grin on her face.
Livie's father, who was waiting in the car. saw her approaching him while beaming. As soon as she sit in the car, she looked at him and threw her hands around him making him chuckle and hug her back.
"What's happening?" He asked being clueless while Livie just hugged him for a long minute. After a comforting hug, she backed off and looked at her confused father and chortled seeing his expressions. "What is it?" He again asked making her take a deep breath and handing him the envelope. Her father took it and carefully read it while Livie studied his expressions.
After reading it, he looked at her with wide eyes and when she nodded her head in confirmation, this time he pulled her for a tight hug. "I'm so so proud of you Livie." He caressed her back while she snuggle in his chest. "Thanks, Dad." She said and parted from the hug as they both looked at each with the widest grin.
"Your mom must be so proud of you." Livie's smile faded as she went deep into her thoughts as her father sensed her change in expression. "So, what special dish do you want to eat today?" He asked while changing the topic as the smile returned on Livie's face making him smile too.
'Always keep smiling squirrel. That's all I want.'
TO BE CONTINUED ||