AUTHOR'S POV. -
Sitting on the couch, Livie flipped the pages of the magazine in her hand. But all she did was stare at the blank screen of the TV while flipping the pages carelessly. Her mind was diverted towards the weird behaviour of her father.
Livie's father was a very calm and open person. He never had anything to hide or to keep secrete. Livie knows everything going on in her father's life. Or maybe that's what she thought.
Her chain of thoughts broke when a loud shrieking voice echoed in the room. "Livie?!!" She flinched before turning towards the source of the voice to see Andy standing at her doorframe while eyeing her suspiciously.
Andy's eyebrow raised as he took a few steps towards Livie's sitting figure and eyes her expression. "Are you dumb?" That was the first question he asked before moving his head from side to side to show his disappointment. "You know for how long I've been calling you in the entire house?" He plopped himself beside Livie and rested his head on the back of it.
On the other hand, Livie calmed from the sudden appearance of Andy, but her mind was still clouded by her father's worry. "Yeah. Sorry." She mumbles while resuming to stare at the TV which made Andy look at her. His eyes soften as he analyzes her lost face.
Placing his hand on her shoulder, he turned his body towards Livie. "Hey, everything fine?" He asked with concern and that all took Livie to heave a sigh. She closed the magazine before placing it beside her and turned towards Andy, now sitting face-to-face with him. She opened her mouth a few times trying to arrange her thoughts in words but couldn't find the exact way to do so.
"It's ok. Take your time." Andy reassured Livie while patting her shoulder to which she just stared at him. Seeing her zoning out Andy assume that it was something personal. And he unknowingly thought of something or someone. "Is it about Lucian?"
Livie's dazed expression changed into a baffled one as she looked at Andy with unknown emotions. "What?" She asked thinking maybe she heard something wrong as there was no reason for Andy to bring up Lucian at this moment.
"No, I mean, you were being hesitant to talk. So I thought maybe it was about Lucian." Andy said further making Livie even more confused. Livia shook her head making Andy stare at her.
"No, Andy. Why would I talk about Lucian? It's not about him. It's about Dad." She said while looking down at her hands making Andy curious. His face scrunched at her words.
"Wait, uncle? Why? What happened?" He asked now paying full attention to Livie. Taking a deep breath, Livie looked at Andy. She couldn't form the proper words to make him understand her mind.
"It's just that, Dad is behaving quite differently. He's being suspicious. I don't know how, but his actions are...not normal." Livie stuttered and paused every few words causing Andy to gaze at her with worry. "I mean..." Before she could blabber more, Andy hushed her by placing his palm on her mouth. Her eyes opened widely as she stared at him.
"Livie, I know you're worried for him, but I don't think it's necessary." He said while removing his hand as now he could see her full face which was looking like a lost puppy who was desperate to find his mother. He chuckles before continuing.
"See. All I'm saying is, maybe there's something he doesn't want you to engage with. It can be possible, right? And you don't have to worry about it. He'll be fine." Andy tried his best to ensure her with his words and it worked at some point.
Livie thought about Andy's words as now she could see where it was coming from. There were many times when her father didn't tell her about a few serious matters because he didn't want her to get involved. Maybe it was the same this time.
"I guess you're right." She murmurs trying to soothe herself with those words. But deep down there was still a storm going inside her, which she couldn't stop.
"Great! Now should we talk about the treat?" Andy's aura changed in a jiffy as he grin while looking at Livie making her all baffled. She crooked her eyebrow giving him a look to which he grinned wider. "Oh c'mon. Don't behave like you don't understand. I'm talking about the treat for you getting such a great opportunity." He said now bringing the envelope of invention she got from her company.
Livie's lips parted as she rolled her eyes before sitting comfortably on the couch and ignoring Andy making him pout. "Hey. Don't be like that. You can't ignore me after not telling me such bomb news." He complained like a toddler causing Livie to chuckle and looked at him.
"Oh really? and how did you find out?" She asked now resting her elbow on the headrest and tilting her head with the support of her hand. Andy shrugged his shoulder making her scrunch her face.
"Well you left it in the hall and my Eagle eyes caught it. But you're so bad. Like, girl, I'm your best friend. I should be the first one to know about it." Andy raised his tone in an offending manner making Livie chortle.
"Yeah. And you should be the one to give me a treat." She said getting up from the couch and heading out of the room. Andy stared at her disappearing figure with a perplexed face. When she vanished behind the door he also got up and followed her to the kitchen.
"Oh c'mon. Don't be so rude now. I at least deserve a treat." Andy whined making Livie halt in her actions to glance at him and he didn't fail to give her his best puppy face causing her to heave a defeated sigh.
"Fine." She agreed resulting in Andy jumping in excitement. She just chuckles seeing him so excited and forgets about her worries for some time.
TIME SKIP -
Standing in front of a lavishing, tall building, Livie's mouth agape in disbelief. "Are you kidding me?" She snapped her head towards Andy while keeping her hands on her waist.
"What?" Andy asked innocently proceeding to enter the building leaving her behind bewildered. Livie ran toward Andy to pull his jacket stopping him from entering. "What happened?" He asked side-eyeing Livie earning a scoff.
"What happened?!" Livie repeated his words with an offending tone while Andy was busy peeking inside the building. She jerked him towards her making his eyes to fell on her and that's when he noticed her expressions. "You want me to treat you HERE?!!" Livie pointed her fingers towards the building which looked like it will cost her a whole year's savings just to get dessert there.
Andy sighs before holding Livie's shoulder. "Don't worry sweetheart. It's not that expensive. And I won't order much. I promise. " He said giving his best smile making Livie gulp. She again glanced at the building and nodded her head slightly making Andy burst with joy for the second time in a day. "Yay!! Let's go then." He said excitedly walking inside while Livie followed him while cursing herself for agreeing to this in the first place.
Settling on the table, both Livie and Andy thanked the waitress while she bowed and left them with the menu to decide their order. Livie hesitantly grabbed the menu, but the first page had her eyes popped out. "WTF!! It's so expensive." She almost yelled but thanks to Andy who pushed his hand on her mouth causing her voice to get muffled.
Andy signalled her to keep quiet and pointed to the second page of the menu. Livie flipped the pages to see the cheaper options for the meals and breath in relief. "Oh. I thought you were about to rob me." She said with a chuckle making Andy smirk.
Leaving on the table, Andy grabbed Livie's attention. She looked at him suspiciously making his smirk grow wider. "Be careful. I can still do that." He whispered and rested back on his seat while going through the menu as if nothing happened while Livie glared at him to the fullest.
MEANWHILE,
Lucian opened the door of his car and stepped out with the most uninterested and unbothered expression. He step ahead and started walking towards the hotel leaving Ruby inside the car. The guard opened the door for her as she step out and hurriedly followed Lucian's steps.
"Lucian. You shouldn't be so rude with your date you know." She tried to cling on Lucian but he was fast enough to dodge her.
"Don't you dare. Just know that you're here only because of my mother. Otherwise, I know very well how to keep people like you in their places. And trust me it wouldn't take me a second to do it. So you better mind your own business and don't disturb me. Understand?" He spat angrily making Ruby flinch and took a step back. She just stared at him with a hurtful expression which Lucian cared less.
He glared at the person standing behind them at some distance who was sent by his mother to keep an eye on them and started to walk again. Ruby followed him silently but hastily while keeping some distance but her hand fisted in anger.
Both of them entered the lavishing hotel and were welcomed by the waiters and waitresses. They all bowed towards them, specifically Lucian. Lucian just nodded his head already done with all the drama and followed the person who was escorting them to their table.
As they entered the main dining hall, Lucian's nose immediately picked up the familiar scent. His heartbeat quickened as his eyes roamed around the hall to confirm his assumption. As he was looking through the people the voice of the waiter brought him to his senses.
"Sir and ma'am, this is your table." He said and left as Ruby waited for Lucian to sit first. But when she saw him looking around, her eyes scrunch in confusion.
"Lucian?" She hesitantly placed her hand on his shoulder but retrieved it back instantly when Lucian turned to look at her. He stared at her for a second before looking back at their table. He sighs and went to sit on the chair.
Ruby eyed him suspiciously before her eyes also roamed the crowd to see whom he was looking for. But seeing no familiar face, she shrugged her shoulders and sat opposite him. Lucian looked up to see the guard looking at them through the distance making him curse inaudibly.
Soon, the waiter came and asked for their orders. As Ruby was talking with the waiter, Lucian's eyes caught a glimpse of a familiar figure. His eyes sparkle as he stared at the person. "Livie."
Unknowingly Lucian's lips twitched to form a crescent smile as he stared more. "So that's why we smelled her. She's also here." His wolf said in his mind making his smile widen. His eyes flickered when he heard the waiter calling for him and waiting to take his order.
Lucian straighten his posture before giving his order, as the waiter left. Lucian again looked towards the direction of Livie only to have his smile fade and his face fall with discomfort. Not only his but his wolf's blood also boiled when he saw another male sitting with his mate. He unwillingly grabbed the fork in his fist while shooting daggers at the male.
"Who the f*ck he is?"
TO BE CONTINUED ||