Velia arrived at the apartment just before the sun completely set. Her hands were full of shopping bags, and she politely declined the help offered by the apartment staff. The elevator ascended, giving her time to reflect on everything that had happened that day.
Velia’s two objectives for going out had been accomplished. She visited Herry and paid off her debt to the loan shark. Despite what she was going through, she should feel relieved now. If only that encounter had not happened.
Sandra’s warnings and threats echoed in Velia’s mind. Just echoes, but strangely enough, they triggered the tremors once again.
Believe me, only God knows how much I didn’t want to meet Lucas.
Unfortunately, fate had other plans. It did not just bring them together; it bound Velia to Lucas once again. It was pathetic, but he was the only one who could support her. She was dependent on him and could not let go.
Despite that, Velia was certain that Lucas would not let her go. The luxurious apartment was the first proof. Lucas had trapped her in a special way.
Velia entered the password and stepped inside. Just as she closed the door, a pair of arms suddenly trapped her. Lucas appeared out of nowhere.
The shopping bags fell. Velia exclaimed in surprise.
“Luc!”
Lucas’s embrace was slightly painful. He held her tighter than usual, almost making it hard for Velia to breathe.
“Where did you go, Ve?” Lucas asked, his voice husky. “I came home and didn’t find you.”
Velia tried to push Lucas away, struggling and whimpering.
“I can’t breathe, Luc.”
Lucas loosened his grip, but he did not completely let go of Velia. “I’m sorry.”
“No, I should be the one apologizing. I didn’t tell you that I was leaving. I…”
Velia took a deep breath, her gaze falling to the floor. Lucas followed her line of sight.
“… went shopping.”
Lucas’s face hardened. There was a sense of discomfort that made his chest tight for a moment. He felt trapped and needed to free himself.
Lucas cupped Velia’s cheek. It was a sudden and startling move that made Velia’s eyes widen. However, Lucas’s kiss was something that made her heart skip a beat.
Did Velia feel it? That for a fleeting moment, there was a tremor in Lucas’s fingers?
“Luc.”
Velia was taken aback, whether it was due to the kiss or Lucas’s next confession.
“I missed you.”
“I’m here, Luc,” Velia said. “We haven’t been apart for a few hours.”
Lucas’s gaze felt distant. Velia could clearly sense it. There was something that made her hold her breath and remember the risks she had to take.
Lucas must not know what happened. He must not know the reasons behind everything Velia was doing. Velia reminded herself not to act impulsively so as not to arouse Lucas’s suspicion or, worse, anger.
There was a role Velia had to play. A safe position that made her realize Sandra’s threats would never become a reality.
Just a mere mistress. Nothing to lose, right?
“You don’t need to worry.”
It was not just the comforting words that made Lucas freeze. It was also the touch on his cheek. A gentle touch from Velia’s delicate fingers, cupping and caressing lightly. He smiled.
“I won’t leave.”
It seemed like time had momentarily paused for Lucas. He stood still, raising questions in Velia’s mind.
“What’s wrong?”
Lucas blinked once. “You’re smiling.”
“T-That…”
Velia’s words were interrupted by another deep kiss from Lucas. For a moment, she blinked. But in the next second, she closed her eyes.
Velia suppressed the remnants of her pride. She ignored all the reasons that existed. Whether it was sadness, heartbreak, or pain, she set them aside to let everything flow as Lucas wanted.
Softening. Yielding. Just like slowly melting cheese.
Lucas could feel something different as his lips moved. There was no tension, so he opened his eyes. He saw Velia’s closed eyes, her face tilting back as if surrendering, and Lucas was enchanted.
Velia’s moan echoed in the kiss. Lucas pulled her closer, and Velia drowned in his embrace.
Lucas’s hands trapped Velia’s body. They landed on her back, rubbing and exploring every crevice without pause.
Their breath became erratic when the kiss ended. They both took a moment to catch their breath and remained motionless for a while. When Velia opened her eyes, the radiance emanating from Lucas’s dark eyes froze her in place.
Lucas smiled faintly and caressed Velia’s cheek.
Was that tenderness Velia saw in Lucas’s eyes? The glow that she had not seen in a long time?
“What did you buy?”
Velia did not answer immediately. She was still captivated by the radiance she saw there.
“Ve?”
Velia blinked. “W-What?”
Lucas’s eyes narrowed. “What did you buy? You went shopping, right?”
It took a moment for Velia to fully comprehend Lucas’s question. She hurriedly answered.
“Broccoli, carrots, radishes, potatoes, and-”
“Vegetables?” Lucas interrupted, cutting Velia’s explanation short. “You bought vegetables?”
“Yes. I thought I wanted to cook.”
Lucas knew that setting up a complete kitchen was the right decision. Velia seemed enthusiastic about using the utensils there, but a moment later, her expression changed.
Velia touched her nape, looking uncertain.
“Actually, I’m a little tired.”
Lucas could see the weariness on Velia’s face. Along with the magnanimity to admit that he was the cause. So, it was not strange that he assumed a little responsibility there.
“You can cook tomorrow. Let me order food for tonight.”
Velia accepted Lucas’s decision without any objections.
“Okay. While waiting for you to order food, I think I can take a shower. I feel sticky.”
Lucas nodded. Velia took back the shopping bags, but something crossed her mind and made her hesitate before leaving.
“Oh, Luc. What about work?”
“Do you still want to work?” Lucas asked, teasingly. “If you work, how much should I pay you?”
Velia was confused. “What should I do here if I don’t work? I might get bored.”
“I’m sure there are one or two tasks that I can assign to you. Summarizing and typing, for example.”
It was not the kind of job Velia had hoped for. She wanted a real job with working hours and actual tasks.
“You can be my personal assistant.”
Lucas’s voice sounded close. He kissed Velia’s jawline.
“Luc,” Velia whispered. “I want to take a shower.”
Lucas grinned. “I’ll order food. I’ll also take these groceries to the kitchen.”
The shopping bags changed hands. Lucas left before Velia could say thank you.
Lucas went to the kitchen. He took out various vegetables from the shopping bags and started organizing them. As he did, a question echoed in Lucas’s mind.
Why did you suddenly change?
Lucas could not deny that he was mesmerized by Velia’s smile and surrender. However, that did not mean he could not feel something amiss there.
If this was really happening as it should, of course, Lucas would be happy. Unfortunately, his memories were still fresh. Judging from Velia’s attitude since they met again, he thought it would not be easy to gain her acceptance.
I’ll follow your game, Ve.
Lucas glanced at the broken egg in the shopping bag. He discarded it and washed his hands before leaving the kitchen.
*
Velia was startled as she stepped out of the shower cubicle. To her surprise, she found Lucas standing not far away, gazing at her.
“Y-you’ve been there all this time?” Velia stammered.
Lucas nodded, his gaze fixed on Velia. The woman took a deep breath before finally taking a step forward.
Velia approached Lucas, allowing water droplets to fall from her wet hair.
“What are you doing?” she asked.
Lucas’s gaze lowered. He briefly glanced at the bathrobe enveloping Velia, but then returned his gaze to her eyes.
“I was admiring the view, I suppose.”
Velia swallowed her saliva. The lingering warmth of the water slowly dissipated, replaced by a gradual chill.
“I hope you enjoyed the view.”
Lucas did not have much to see. The glass in the shower cubicle was fogged up. Practically, Lucas could only see Velia’s face.
Velia headed towards the dressing room and opened a closet. Many nightgowns hung there, confusing her.
“Which one do you think I should wear?”
Lucas embraced Velia from behind. “What if I told you that you shouldn’t wear anything?”
Velia’s eyes closed, and a hearty laughter escaped her lips. Briefly sensing the situation, she could feel Lucas changing. The man no longer exuded fear like before.
“I don’t want to catch a cold, Luc.”
Lucas cleared his throat and gently kissed the curve of Velia’s neck. “Same here. I don’t want you to get sick.”
“So?”
Lucas continued playing with Velia’s gentle scent. “So what?”
“Clothes, Luc,” Velia replied, laughing again. “We were discussing clothes.”
“Ah, you’re right. Clothes.”
It only took a short while for Lucas to choose a white nightgown. Velia accepted it with an uncertain look.
“I can’t say I’m wearing anything with this nightgown.”
“That’s the intention.”
Lucas’s honesty made Velia curl her lips into a meaningful smile. She stood up and briefly made Lucas think that she would wear the gown in the bathroom.
But no.
Velia did not return to the bathroom, but instead went to her vanity table after placing the nightgown on the bed. She combed her hair and applied makeup. Not forgetting to powder her face and apply red lipstick.
Lucas froze as wild speculations started flooding his mind. His breath slowly heated up, and his heart began to race.
Velia rose after spraying perfume on her neck. She reached for the knot of her bathrobe and let it fall to the floor.
Lucas’s breath caught in his throat. Velia walked with innocence, displaying all her beauty as if she wanted to torment Lucas.
Velia put on the nightgown. The beautiful sight was gone, but the sensual allure remained.
“Does it suit me?”
Lucas swallowed his saliva. The nightgown could not be called actual clothing. Its thin material only fueled Lucas’s imagination further.
“It suits you.”
Velia approached. “Am I beautiful?”
More than beautiful, causing Lucas to growl. He suddenly pulled Velia towards him, gripping her buttocks.
“I’m sure you don’t want to see the evidence of my words now,” Lucas said with a heavy voice. “At least there’s food waiting to be eaten.”
Velia smiled softly. “You’re right.”
“After that, we can reconsider.”
Lucas stared at Velia. His gaze was intense and piercing.
“I can prove my words, and you’ll never be able to escape me.”
Lucas withdrew. He smiled and left Velia after saying, “I’ll be waiting at the dining table.”
Velia could not move. Lucas’s words made her legs lose strength. Cold sweat splattered on her forehead.
The gentle smile and intense gaze of Lucas filled Velia’s mind. The deep impression she felt seemed contradictory to the implicit signals.
Was it just Velia’s feeling? Or was it a hidden warning?
Does Lucas know?
*