The topic of death. That was what Evee both feared and hated. Death felt like the beginning of her misfortune. Her brother died, then her grandmother fell ill. Not too long after that, she also met her demise. Then, her grandfather....
Death was just unpleasant. A curse she despised above all.
The man before her dared to take it all so lightly. Going as far as to say it would br best to die. What exactly did Lucien think death was? What was so miserable that he chose death over it? Life? That just wasn't possible.
Lucien answered her question. But for some reason, she didn't care about it. She could see him speak, but his voice was just inaudible. His words failed to reach her by all means.
Then he walked past her. And stood by the elevator after pressing for it. It opened soon and they walked in side by side. When her eyes snapped, she could sense that the atmosphere in the elevator was suffocating.... or rather, uncomfortable.
"Why were you on the rooftop? You looked pretty scared of heights, you barely managed to stand." Lucien asked her, his words breaking the weird silence and tension she felt.
"I don't know." Evee looked down with a look of disappointment. She couldn't say she was going after her sister, who walked away with a possible stranger.
"Evee. Did you go up there to clear your head. Or to do what you thought I was going to do." Lucien asked her in a low voice without turning his head to her.
Lucien's question caught her off guard. The truth is, even though she has never said it, she once thought of it. Once or twice at a certain point in time. How easy it would be to just... end it all.
Her brother was dead. He couldn't suffer and couldn't cause problems for other, unlike her. Her grandmother suffered and died before she could be of any use to relieve her pain. Her job which she loved, was starting to feel tedious. Slowly, everything around her was falling apart.
But she couldn't. Her family gave her their all. The best life any individual out there would ever wish for. For her to let a few hardships that didn't deserve such an honour to claim her life. It would be an insult to their sacrifices amd gifts towards her. For that one reason, Evee intended to live. Live life for what it was worth.
"I see." Answered Lucien as if he understood her response. His hamd moved to her head, patted and brushed ber head in a slight assurance. A simple gesture followed by a smile was enough to soothe her broken heart. Maybe in life the smallest gestures can be more sincere than expected.
The elevator opened and Lucien waa about to walk out. Unconsciously, instead of walking out, Evee clutched at his shirt and pulled him closer. She couldn't lie to herself. His actions definitelymoved her heart.
When she came to her senses she was aware of her involintary action. Evee seemed to be in deep thought. Even though it was just for a moment.
"Hey. Are you okay? It's time to get off now." Lucien held her hand and pulled her out of the daze.
She was startled and snapped, quickly looking forward. Realizing she was holding onto Lucien tightly, Evee dropped her face in embarrassment apologetically.
"Sorry. I didn't mean to--"
"Don't worry about it. Can you let me me go now?" The man said nonchalantly, cutting her off.
Evee wasn't offended. But she just walked past him and he came after her, heading to the exit. Suddenly she was reminded. She had to leave, but everything was with Marianne. She gritted her teeth and just kept going. Hesitantly, she came to a conclusion, only Lucien would borrow her his phone. It was safer to ask him for help than anyone else anyway, even if he was still a stranger.
"Can I---"
"Of course you can borrow my phone. The is no password. Just make the call as quick as you can, okay?" The cut her off once again. She was unpleased by the fact that she couldn't finish her sentences. But beggars can't be choosers, it was meaningless to complain. About every little thing.
Either way, he gave her his phone amd she dialed in Marianne's number. She kept calling over amd over but she didn't answer. She called home but no one picked up too. It wasn't surprising because it was long past midnight anyway. Her phone rang without being attended too. Marianne must have left it far.
They walked out with her trying multiple calls. She was beginning to get worried. There was no way of leaving this place. And she knew no-one here. She didn't even have her phone with her. Displeasure slowly overcame her face.
Well, it can't be helped. As they say, 'Desperate Times Call For Desperate Meausres'. She turned ro Lucien.
"Can I stay with you tonight." She asked. The man was perplexed. It was a rather an unexlected and peculiarrequest. And from a stranger at that. Lucien seemed frozen until a cool breeze of wind blew over.
"Hahahahahahahah..." Lucien laughed like he was feigning a laughter. He was hidingit, but he was obviously flustered and looking for a way to reject her.
"You've got some jokes. I have never in my days thought you would---."
"I'm not someone like this usually. But my sister has my phone and isn't answering it. I don't know the address I live. And now that no one is coming to get me, I will probably get lost." She cut him off. She explained sincerely. Stopping to look at him with a pleading look. Somehow he seemed uncomfortable. It was almost as if he was cursing this day and the very moment they met.
"Asking a stranger for a sleeping place. You're rather daring Miss Evergarden." Lucien said, flashing a serious look.
"You are trying to dissuade from comming with you?" She asked with a low voice.
"I wouldn't be asking you if I had another option. I came to this party because of my sister. But now I can't find her. Please.... I really need your help. I can tell you are a good person." She said with her voice lowering and rising. Hopefully, flattery will work. But she was unlucky, Lucien completely overlooked it and responded to her.
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