LIVIE'S POV. -
Fidgeting with my fingers, my eyes unknowingly roamed around the place to see numerous unfamiliar faces. But their attire and aura made me feel like I'm completely out of place.
Obviously, it had to happen, because they all were those high-class people who like to throw parties for every small occasion or even without any occasion. My guts were tightening just looking at their expansive clothes and style.
My hands were gripping my thighs when I felt like there was a constant gaze over my figure. I again look around but seeing those extra classy faces made me uncomfortable and I stood up abruptly.
Andy looked at me with a raised eyebrow. "You good?" He leans on the table making me stare at him and gulp a huge lump in my throat.
"Yeah. Just need to use the restroom." I didn't even wait for his response and dashed towards the exit, looking for the washroom. When I found one I automatically let out a sigh of relief and enter inside.
Standing in front of the mirror, my gaze fell over my figure and it made me wonder. "What's wrong with me?"
It's not like I've never been around high-class people or in a crowded place. But being here is uncomfortable for me. But why? I closed my eyes trying to stop all those thoughts running in my mind.
I splashed some cold water on my face and wiped it with a towel before again looking at my reflection. "Just relax." I took a few deep breaths before mentally preparing myself to enter the place again.
Exciting the bathroom, I came out but a sudden push from the front made me stumble. To avoid falling I grip the first thing coming in my hand and that happens to be someone's arm. The person also wrapped their hand around my waist and pulled me up, preventing me from falling.
For a second I felt grateful for the person to help me, but that feeling went away the moment I saw his face. Well, not actually I could see his face. It was covered under the mask and only his eyes were visible. But those eyes were enough to make me uneasy. My breath hitched when his eyes roamed over my face and then went down on my figure.
I hastily pushed him away with a slight force and saw his eyes twitching. I was able to see him smirk even under the mask.
"Sorry." I didn't feel the need to apologize, but still did. He just chuckles again coming closer to me. He stops at a little distance boring his pricing gaze through me.
"Be careful, pretty young lady." He said and went away leaving me dazed in my place with a high heartbeat and sweating forehead.
Realization hit me of what is happening and I turned around to see no one. The person just disappear in thin air making me even more confused.
"Am I hallucinating?" My hand clutched my head when I felt a sharp pain. "Agh!! What's happening?" My eyes shut with dizziness. But all I could see is those dark eyes staring at me.
When I came back into the dining hall, the food was already served and Andy was munching on it with great satisfaction. "This bitc-. I'm going to whoop his ass once we reach home." I walked towards our table while glaring at him. But he was busy stuffing his face with the food.
Well, the food wasn't that bad. But my mind kept diverting to the past incident which made me lose my appetite. I was just playing with the food on my plate.
"Eating at a place like this surely makes the food taste better." Andy took another bite from his plate and I just stared at him.
The feeling of someone staring at me wasn't going away. At this point, I was completely done with everything. All I wish to do is go home and take an hour-long nap. I was still feeling a light headache causing me to hold my head in between.
"Are you okay, Livie? Is it hurting?" Andy asked in a worried tone and I didn't waste any time before modding in yes. He looked around us and again looked back at me with slight concerning eyes.
"Do you want to go home?" He asked making me stare at him with a 'Are you serious' kind of look. He cleared his throat and thin his lips before bobbing his head.
"Yeah. We should go home." He said and called for a waiter to ask them for the bill. Once we paid, Andy and I came out of the main hall and felt the fresh breeze making my nerves relax.
That was pretty suffocating. I took a breath of relief and my body relaxed too. As we were standing at the front, someone bump into me again which made me irritated.
"Why are you standing in the middle?" The woman behind me spoke and I immediately recognised the voice. My head turned sidewise to see Ruby. Great, now I have to deal with her too.
"I'm sorry," I said and move aside giving her space to go but instead, she stood there only. Not seeing her move, I again looked back at her to see her giving me some unidentified looks.
'What's with her now?' I thought and raised my eyebrow looking at her as she moved forward and smirked.
"Didn't expect to see you here." She said and I forced a smile at her. Andy who was standing beside me came forward after seeing Ruby. Ruby's eyes widened with amusement as if she had never seen a boy before. "Oh. And that also with your boyfriend." She said with an extra excited voice.
"I'm not -" Andy tried to clear her misunderstanding but he didn't get to complete his words when another voice interrupted him from behind.
"Miss Livie?" My body froze upon hearing the voice and my hand automatically clutched my hoodie. I turned around and saw Lucian walking towards us with a slight smile on his face.
I was irritated just a few moments ago but now looking at his face I feel an entirely different emotion. But that didn't last long when I realised that he was here with Ruby. Maybe on a...date?
He came and stood in front of us with his eyes flickering between me and Andy. "What a surprise." His eyes wandered on Andy more as he spoke. I glanced at Andy who was looking at me, clueless.
"Yeah. Quite unexpected." I mumbled the last words while looking down feeling too intimated to look directly in Lucian's eyes.
Andy nudge me by the side and I gazed at him to see him signing me through his eyes. That's when I realised I should introduce them.
"Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't introduce. He's Andy my best friend." I said pointing towards Andy and emphasizing the word best friend to make it clear. Ruby just nodded with a smile.
"Hi, Andy. I'm Lucian, Livie's...friend." Lucian brought his hand for a handshake and Andy who was confused by now, looked at me with amusement.
"And I'm Ruby." The hyper-excited voice made me close my eyes in annoyance.
They both shook hands while I stood there with feelings I could not understand. "It's nice to meet you." Lucian said and I glanced at him only to divert my eyes on the floor when I saw him already looking at me.
"Livie, wait here. I'll bring the car." Andy said and walked away leaving me in the most difficult situation.
"Livie, are you okay? You look pale." Lucian asked making me look at him. When our eyes mate, I saw his eyes filled with worry. A smile crept up on my lips as I nodded my head.
"Lucian, let's go. We're getting late." Ruby tugged at his hand insisting him keep walking but Lucian just glanced at her and she left his hand. I wonder if she's really his girlfriend.
"Go ahead. My driver will drop you." Lucian said with almost an ice-cold voice sending shivers down my spine. How can be this man so attractive and dangerous at the same time?
I came out of my trance when I saw Ruby walking away without uttering another word.
When she left, Lucian took a step closer to me causing me to stiffen at my place. He stared at my face with a tender gaze erupting weird tingles in my stomach.
"Are you sure you okay?" He asked once again with the utmost softness in his voice as his finger traced my cheekbone. My eyes only focused on his lips when he spoke and that made me realise my actions.
Blinking multiple times, I step backwards feeling the distance between us forbidden. I tried to compose myself because it was hard at this moment. I'm sure my cheeks were bright red because I could feel them burn. In fact, my whole body was heating up. 'I must be having a fever.'
"How're you doing now? Is your wound healed?" Lucian asked with concern making me come out of my thoughts.
"Oh, um, yeah. It's better." I stutter while looking around to avoid his gaze. But his next words made me look at him.
"I was waiting for your call." His voice held disappointment which I couldn't understand. Was he disappointed because I didn't call him?
"I tried. But your phone was off." I right away said making him scrunch his face. But as if he realised something, he chuckle while letting out a sigh.
"Oh, yeah, right. My phone got crushed that day. I didn't realise that you have my old number. Wait..." He pulled out his phone and handed it to me. "Give me your number. I'll call you." He said causing me to do as he asked.
After dialling my number I handed him his phone and he typed something on it. I just kept looking at his face and then at his hands. The way his finger effortlessly glided into the phone screen made me lose my senses.
'Wait, Livie what are you even thinking?' I mentally scolded myself while shaking my head to get rid of my thoughts. 'Get a hold of yourself, girl.'
"Livie?" Lucian called out for me making me snap my head towards him but that was a mistake. I felt my head spinning. Lucian grabbed my waist when he saw me losing my balance. "Livie, are you okay?"
I was pulled into his chest when he held onto my waist. His hands securely wrapped around me as he held me close.
This felt so much better. My thoughts shuts off when his scent made me relax. His grip was tight yet gentle making me feel safe. His hand stroked my hair giving me a sense of affection.
"You need rest." He whispers holding me close and I just hum enjoying the way he was comforting me.
'I was liking the way I was all wrapped around him. It doesn't feel right. But it's not wrong either. Why does he makes me feel like this?'
I glance up to look at his face. His soft facial features were enough to make me feel thousands of butterflies. He gently smiles before brushing away my hair falling on my eyes.
The honk of the car startled me. With that, I realised our position and scooted away from him. I couldn't form words with the sudden awkwardness. "Um, thanks." I muttered before turning around to leave but a gentle tug on my wrist stopped me.
I looked towards Lucian and then at his hand which was holding my wrist. "Take care of yourself. And don't leave your house until your fully recovered." his voice was soft but it had a hint of desperation. I just nodded looking into his eyes.
He let go of my wrist and I, without glancing at him, sprinted towards the car where Andy was waiting for me.
I sat inside the car and saw Andy giving me a suspicious look. "Livie-" he tried to start a conversation but I stopped him before he starts.
"Let's go. I need to rest."
TO BE CONTINUED ||