As they drove, Celyn and Lucian sat in silence, lost in their thoughts. Suddenly, Lucian spoke up, "Did you have a good time, Celyn?"
Celyn's gaze snapped back to reality, and she glanced at Lucian before nodding. "Yes, Mom and Emma... they're such good people!"
Lucian raised an eyebrow. "Oh... yeah, they are."
Celyn turned to Lucian, her expression serious. "Mr. Olivares, please be aware that I won't tolerate any more of what you did back there in the future!" Her voice was firm, but to Lucian, it sounded like a kitten's cry.
Lucian chuckled, stealing a glance at Celyn's face. "Well, that wasn't intentional... Miss Santos. As you can see, it was to convince Mom that we're serious about each other."
Celyn's eyes widened slightly as understanding dawned on her. She breathed a sigh of relief, realizing she had nothing to worry about.
But she wasn't going to miss this opportunity to scold Lucian. "Whatever, that wasn't enough reason for you, Mr. Olivares... to press me!" She looked into Lucian's eyes, her voice firm.
Lucian choked on his breath, his eyes widening in surprise. "What?! When did I press you... Miss Santos?" he asked, his voice cold.
Celyn nodded. "Yes... you don't remember. You pressed me, and now you're denying it!"
Lucian, feeling misunderstood, chuckled. "Look who's talking... you started it when you told my family that we were so much in love and that I was keeping you busy." He winked. "Who's to blame, Miss Santos?"
Celyn's eyes narrowed, feeling defeated by Lucian's words. She shook her head, scolding herself inside.
Lucian winked again. "What happened... not talking again?"
Celyn's eyes dropped, feeling ashamed. "So what, I didn't say anything bad there. Unlike someone who's a pervert!" she murmured, but Lucian heard it.
Lucian's voice turned cold. "What... did you just call me?"
Celyn shrugged, trying to appear innocent. "I didn't say anything... what can I say?" She surrendered her hands.
Lucian's eyes narrowed, but he remained silent.
The rest of the journey was quiet, with neither of them initiating a conversation.
As they arrived at Celyn's apartment, she quickly got out of the car without even looking back to say goodbye. Lucian watched her back, a smile breaking out on his lips before he drove back home.
.....
Celyn closed the door behind her and placed the box Mrs. Florencia had gifted her on the coffee table. Feeling exhausted, she threw herself onto the couch, heaving a deep sigh.
As she lay, her mind began to wander. A gentle smile broke out on her face as she thought about meeting Emma and Lady Florencia. They were kind and genuine, Celyn felt grateful to have met them.
As the silence continued, nostalgia hit in, and Celyn's thoughts drifted back to her hometown. Memories of her parents and stepbrother flooded her mind, and she remembered the happy times they shared. Her family had been her definition of perfection. Her mother, Mariam, and father, Mauro, had been so in love, and her stepbrother Shawn had been like a sibling to her.
But all that was gone now. The pain of losing her parents and being separated from Shawn still fresh, and Celyn felt great sadness wash over her. She rubbed her temples, trying to calm the migraine that was brewing.
With a heavy heart, Celyn dragged herself to the bathroom. She removed her clothes and slid into the bathtub, letting the warm water soothe her tired muscles.
....
Lucian drove back to his mansion, the silence welcomed him from the earlier event. As he stepped into his study room, his phone beeped, He glanced at the screen – an incoming call from Zack, his assistant.
"How did the meeting go, boss?" Zack asked, his tone detached.
Lucian's expression remained neutral. "Why are you calling me this late?" he countered, his voice firm, Shoving Zack's question away
Zack chuckled softly. "Yes... boss, remember you asked me to investigate those mysterious men?"
Lucian's gaze narrowed. "Yeah... so?"
"I found out that they aren't just armed robbers, actually they're following orders, sir!" Zack said in a low tone.
Lucian's eyes narrowed, his mind racing with questions "How exactly did you find out?"
Zack sighed. "I managed to track their whereabouts that night through their car, using the help of surveillance footage... and where they parked."
Lucian's expression remained unchanged, but his eyes gleamed with intensity. "Address?" His voice was cold and detached.
Zack paused for a second. "A Hotels, boss."
Lucian's eyebrow shot up, his eyes widening in surprise. He was familiar with A Hotels – it was the same place he had been that night. This could only mean that they had been watching him ever since.
Lucian hung up, his movements fluent. He reached for the cigar on the nearby table and lit it, the flame casting shadows on his face. In a few minutes, his eyes turned bloodshot, his face devoid of any emotions. But somehow, there was an invisible smirk dancing on his lips....
...
The next morning, Celyn woke up early, feeling a sense of freedom. She made herself breakfast, enjoying the quiet moment alone. Gladly, today she wasn't going to meet Lucian.
Speaking of Lucian and the argument they had the previous night, Celyn shoved it away, determined to enjoy her day without stressing about Lucian.
As she sat down to watch her favorite TV show, accompanied by a bucket of popcorn, her phone beeped.
_An incoming call from Amaya
Celyn's eyes lit up with excitement as she quickly answered, "Hey, Amy!"
Amaya's voice came through, filled with excitement. "Surprise!!!!!" Celyn's eyes sparkled as she asked, "When are you coming back to Mexico?"
Amaya's response sent Celyn's heart racing. "Well, I'm at the airport... Can you come over?" Celyn's eyes narrowed slightly, but her excitement took over. "What? Now.... Okay, I'll be there soon!"
She hung up, and Celyn quickly got ready. She slid into a pair of jeans and a crop top, accompanied by white sneakers. She tied her hair in a ponytail and left her apartment.
With the help of a taxi, Celyn reached the airport earlier than expected. As she glanced around, not seeing Amaya anywhere, she decided to call her. "I'm here at the airport... where are you standing at?"
Amaya's response made Celyn smile. "Right behind you, with a bunch of luggage, sweety." Celyn turned to look behind her and saw Amaya walking towards her, clutching her luggage.
The two friends couldn't hide their excitement, they hugged each other tightly. Celyn glanced at Amaya, tears threatening to flow. "We have a lot to talk about... first, come with me!"
Amaya, with her reddish hair and slim figure, was slightly taller than Celyn. She tilted her head, "Yes... oh, and there's my taxi... help me carry these!" She pointed at the taxi.
The two friends carried the luggage and got in the taxi. "B Buildings, sir," Celyn said, referring to her address.
After a short drive, Celyn and Amaya reached her apartment. As they entered, Amaya's eyes sparkled. "Wow, Celyn... I love your apartment... it's so pretty!" She toasted herself on the sofa.
Celyn laughed, "Well, that's what I can afford as of now..." She made her way to the kitchen. "I have to find a job ASAP... otherwise, I'll have to live on the streets!"
Amaya rolled her eyes, following Celyn to the kitchen. "What nonsense are you saying? You know I'd never let that happen... speaking of a job!" She sighed. "Have you found any yet?"
Celyn handed Amaya a glass of water, forcing a smile. "Not yet... Amy, I'm sure I'll find one soon!" Her tone dropped, and Amaya studied Celyn's face, concern raging inside her.
"Hey, sweety... is something the matter?" Amaya asked, her voice filled with empathy.
Celyn chuckled, trying to appear alright. "Of course not, Amy... what should I make for you?"
But Amaya sensed that something was off.