The car spun for a moment as soon as Lucian pushed the brakes and Thea's head slammed against the window rendering her dizzy and disoriented for a moment. She saw Lucian reach out for her steadying her body even though she was wearing a seatbelt and wondered why he wasn't more concerned about himself.
Everything was blurry and fast for a moment and the only thing Thea could hear was Lucian cursing and the sound of the tires squealing against the ground.
"Damn it! Thea!" Lucian called as soon as the car stopped, "Thea! Are you okay?! "
"I-I'm fine…" She mumbled as she looked at him to see him taking a deep relieved breath as he removed his seatbelt and reached for her head.
"It doesn't look like you're bleeding," He said his eyes looking serious as he examined her.
"I'm fine. It was just a bump," She said pushing his and away, "More importantly, are you okay?" She asked and he gave her a slightly surprised look before smiling.
"I'm fine. Except for the fact that I almost had a heart attack when you slammed your head against the window…" he said softly.
"You worry too much. It's nothing," She reassured him.
Nodding slowly, he made his way out of the car and around it to open the door for her.
"Thankfully, we didn't slam into anyone," he said as he helped her out of the car making sure to keep one hand on her elbow.
"What happened?" She asked,
"Someone came out of nowhere at the crossroad." He explained, "They hightailed it out of here as soon as I slammed on the brakes,"
"That's insane… I'm glad nothing worse happened," she said.
"Sir! Ma'am! Are you okay?" She saw the police officer running toward them and Lucian turned around to talk to him. Apparently, he was sitting in one of the diners near the accident and saw what happened.
Before she knew it, the ambulance was already here, and Lucian had them look into her condition.
He was insisting on making her go to the hospital to get a full check-up but she refused. If she did, she was pretty sure that her grandfather would make a fuss about it which she hated even more.
"You won't let me even drive you back home…" He said with a worried look in his eyes.
"You have to head to the station to give your statement," She told him, "Besides, I called Professor Grace. She will stay with me tonight just in case. There is no need for you to worry too much about me," She told him and he gave her a deep sigh looking like he still had something to say.
That's when she heard her friend's voice calling her as she parked her car near them. Lucian sighed then realizing that he wasn't going to win this time around.
"Alright, But please give me your phone number and let me know how you feel in a few hours. Otherwise, I will tell your grandfather and we will both come barge into your house." He insisted making her wonder since when did he and her grandfather become such good friends.
"Alright…" She agreed and he made his way toward Pen's car with her.
"Hello, Professor Grace. Sorry to have to meet you under these circumstances. I'm Lucian Salvator." He said as he extended his hand for her to shake through the window which she took with a surprised smile.
"Nice to meet you, Mr. Salvator," Pen said stealing a glance at Thea who pointedly avoided her gaze.
She was never going to live this one down. Pen was never going to shut up about her prediction coming true. Maybe calling Pen was a mistake after all.
"I will be leaving Thea in your hands then," Lucian finally said after the two chatted for a little bit while Thea completely ignored the two of them.
Seriously, she was so tired of these kinds of situations.
"I will see you soon," Lucian told her as he leaned against the car to talk to her, "You still owe me lunch. And don't think about refusing because I still owe you three personal questions," He said with a grin as he stepped back from the car before she could protest.
Thea watched silently as the car moved leaving him standing there at the side of the road.
"Sooo… Lucian Salvator?" Pen asked with a barely restrained smile and Thea groaned making Pen release a chuckle at her expenses.
This day was far from over…
***
Unknown POV
His heart raced fast as he watched the car swerve around only to skillfully stop right before slamming into a nearby tree. He clenched his teeth and stepped on the gas driving away from the crossroad.
Damn it! He failed!
He should have been more careful!
Now he would need to get rid of the car. Good thing that he wasn't using his own. But he would need to be more careful next time.
Circling around the block, he left the car in an alley and walked back toward where he left the accident.
He watched carefully as he helped the woman out of the car carefully holding her elbow as he talked to her. They looked chummy, more than chummy, the pair looked like they were close enough to worry about each other.
Didn't they only meet today? Why were they like that?!
Clenching his fists tightly, he watched from the shadows as the ambulance arrived and the police came to question them.
He needed to get out of here before he gets busted. He could always make another try. After all, that person said that the first time would be very unlikely to succeed anyway.
He needed to bid his time and plan his next step carefully. And this time. He would hit his mark without failure.
He will make them regret the day they crossed his path.