TERESA'S P.O.V.
The silence in Lucian's office could have been cut with a knife, and yet, here I was, rooted to the spot like some kind of awkward plant, pretending I couldn't feel his gaze on me. The warm, earthy scent of the leather chairs combined with Lucian's cologne, filled the room and made it almost impossible to think straight. I could've sworn my heart was beating loud enough for him to hear.
Why was I here? I needed a break. I couldn't stand being near him anymore without being able to live out even a fraction of my fantasies. God, even the simple dream of holding his hand again—like we did on my first day here—was becoming too heavy to ignore. I seriously didn't know what was happening to me. Why the hell was I so drawn to him?
Gathering up some courage, I took a deep breath and blurted it out before I lost my nerve, "I'm, uh, going to visit my brother. Just for two or three days."
Lucian's expression didn't change immediately, and for a split second, I thought maybe he hadn't heard me. But then he cocked his head, one eyebrow lifting as he surveyed me from his side of the massive mahogany desk.
"Alone?" His voice was so flat and casual that it took me a moment to catch the slight, unamused glint in his eyes.
"Well, yes. I mean, it's just my brother. I'll be safe," I said, trying to sound confident while avoiding his intense gaze. "Unless you think my brother might turn out to be some villain who'll hold me ransom." I added, forcing a small laugh that even I could tell sounded…nervous.
To my dismay, he didn't crack a smile. Instead, he leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms with a look that could only be described as…skeptical amusement. "Teresa, I'd love to be spared the suspense of hearing another barely plausible story of how you accidentally wandered into trouble."
I blinked at him, thrown off. "That was just a couple of times! And besides, I haven't gotten into any trouble lately, well except for that one time I got lost in the market. In my defense, I thought Juliette was following me like she always did, and that's why I let myself wander off." I muttered, feeling my face heat up.
He sighed dramatically, rolling his eyes. "The point is, Teresa, you're going with Juliette. Or your bodyguards. I'd hate to have to rescue you again."
I couldn't help but let out an exasperated groan. "Lucian, it's just my brother! I'll be fine for once," I said, crossing my arms in what I hoped was a convincing stance. But in reality, I was nearly shaking under the weight of his steady, almost calculating gaze.
For a moment, I thought he'd keep arguing, but then he just shrugged, his tone as dry as ever. "Alright then. Go ahead and inform Juliette that you'll be making this little adventure."
I bit back a sigh of defeat. Of course, he wouldn't budge. At this point, I was used to his overprotectiveness, though I still couldn't understand why he insisted on sending a bodyguard or, more often than not, Juliette, wherever I went.
Just as I was about to leave, he cleared his throat. "And, Teresa?"
I paused, turning to face him. For the briefest second, he looked…well, almost uncertain, as if he were choosing his words with the same precision he used when aiming one of his sarcastic jabs.
"Yes?" I managed, blinking at him.
He hesitated, his gaze flickering away before he said, "Don't…spend too much time with him." His voice was softer than usual, and he seemed to be studying his hands instead of looking at me.
I stared at him, feeling an unexpected warmth spread through my chest. It was as if he was hinting—no, there was no way. I was just being delusional. But the idea made my stomach do a ridiculous little flip anyway.
"Didn't know you'd miss me so much," I teased lightly, hoping he'd let out one of those rare, almost-smiles. Instead, he scoffed, the slightest smirk pulling at his lips.
"Don't flatter yourself, Teresa. I just don't have time to clean up whatever mess you'd inevitably make with your brother."
Despite his tone, I thought I saw a flicker of something else in his expression, something I couldn't quite place. "Well, I guess I'd better not be too long, then," I said with a small smile.
"Good." He seemed to be wrestling with some internal struggle, but before I could decipher it, he let out an exaggerated sigh. "Now go before I change my mind."
And with that, he waved me off, muttering something under his breath that sounded suspiciously like, "Unbelievable." As I turned to leave, I fought to keep the grin off my face, my heart racing a little faster than it should have been.
********
The city lights twinkled outside my old cramped apartment as I sprawled across my couch, wrapped in my favorite old hoodie. Somehow, I felt more at ease in this worn, tiny space than in the sprawling estate where I'd spent the last few months with him.
It was only supposed to be a quick visit to catch up with Luke, but the tension that had coiled between me and Lucian had made it feel like I was suffocating. I needed a break—a tiny gasp of air. Not that he made it easy.
Still, as I looked around my cozy mess of an apartment, I felt a sense of relief. Luke and I were chatting on the couch, Juliette nestled in the armchair with a bowl of popcorn that she'd almost finished off on her own. I couldn't help but smile. "Teresa, how do you even fit in here with all this stuff? I feel like I'm surrounded by… I don't know, some odd vintage shop display." Juliette asked with a smile.
I raised an eyebrow, stuffing another handful of chips in my mouth. "Vintage? Juliette, it's called personality. And for the record, this stuff is all carefully curated, thank you."
She rolled her eyes, throwing a popcorn kernel at me. "You're so full of it."
"Hey!" I grinned, looking over at Luke. "See what I have to put up with? She shows up out of nowhere and immediately criticizes my excellent decorating taste."
Luke chuckled, adjusting the blanket draped over his legs. "I don't know, Juliette, I think she has a point. This place is… cozy in a creative way."
Juliette threw her hands up in exaggerated despair. "Et tu, Luke?"
I laughed, sinking back into the couch. It felt good to laugh like this. Free from expectations, from… well, the constant, almost magnetic pull I felt in Lucian's presence. Not that I let myself think too hard about that.
We settled into our usual late-night routine, sharing stories, gossip, and a completely unhealthy amount of junk food. I leaned my head on Luke's shoulder, almost as though we were kids again.
"So," I asked, glancing over at him, "have you… heard anything from the sperm donor?"
Luke shook his head, a flicker of annoyance crossing his face. "Haven't heard from him in years, and I'd like to keep it that way, thanks." He shivered dramatically, muttering under his breath. "The man has the charm of a cactus."
I felt a knot in my chest loosen. Knowing our father, no contact was a very, very good thing. Although I still believed Lucian did something to earn us this silence even though he refused to come out right and admit it.
We stayed up chatting long after midnight, Luke recounting the recent success of his in-laws' business, a sly smile on his face. "The bakery is selling bread faster than we can bake them. Seriously, Teresa, I'm on top of the world. Who knew this was possible?"
Juliette and I shared a knowing look. Only Luke didn't know that Lucian, the king of mysterious generosity, was quietly helping him out. But I kept that secret locked tight because he did want to know why; it was better this way.
By the second day, I'd forgotten about my looming return. Luke's laughter, the familiar clutter, and Juliette's teasing felt like the escape I needed. But, of course, Lucian didn't do things halfway. When Juliette's phone pinged with a message from him, she grinned, holding up her phone like a trophy.
"Well, Teresa, looks like your boss wants you back. Apparently, two days is an unacceptable amount of freedom for you."
I blinked. "Wait, really? He… actually said that?"
Juliette shrugged, barely holding back a smirk. "Not in so many words. More like, 'It's been far too long, Juliette, bring her back.' But we both know what that means."
I felt my cheeks warm. "Oh, come on, it's probably just… I don't know, the whole 'contract' thing. He's obligated to make sure I'm safe, that's all."
Juliette raised an eyebrow. "Uh-huh, sure. Just 'safety.' He has absolutely no other reason for wanting you back. It's completely professional."
Luke leaned forward, grinning like a cat. "What contract thing? Wait, wait. Teresa, is there something you're not telling me about your incredibly mysterious, private, and insanely wealthy boss?"
I sputtered, practically choking on a sip of soda. "No! It's—he's—Luke, he's… Lucian is…"
"Obviously enthralled by you," Juliette finished, shaking her head. "But for some reason, you don't see it."
My cheeks were practically burning by now. "He's not enthralled by anything except his coffee and his… I don't know, cryptic meetings or whatever he does. Trust me, I'd know."
Juliette snorted, an amused glint in her eyes. "Please. That man can't go a day without making sure you're within five miles of him."
The thought hit me harder than I wanted to admit. But before I could say anything, Luke cut in with a snicker. "Well, Teresa, looks like you've been adopted by this dark prince of sarcasm you keep telling me about on the phone. Just remember me when you're sipping champagne in his haunted mansion."
"Oh, trust me," I said, grabbing a pillow and smacking him with it, "I'm already sipping champagne in that house, and it's only as his employee—nothing more."
"Sure, Teresa," Luke smirked, raising his hands in surrender. "Whatever you say."
As we all burst into laughter, a warmth settled over me. I didn't want to leave, but a part of me knew that Lucian's sarcastic comments and cryptic expressions had snuck under my skin. And maybe, just maybe, I wouldn't mind going back to see him again. Even if he'd never admit that he wanted me there, either.