Indeed, it is normal for Velia to wake up feeling tired. Since she entrusted her life to Lucas, there has not been a truly refreshing sleep for her. Especially after last night. She had a terrible and horrifying nightmare.
Not only did Velia’s body feel exhausted, but her soul was also shaken. Apparently, Lucas’s caresses did succeed in putting her to sleep. However, they were not powerful enough to banish the terrifying images from her mind upon waking up.
“Luc?”
Rising and holding the blanket to her chest, once again Velia did not find Lucas by her side. She glanced at the clock and realized it was still early in the morning.
Velia put on her nightgown and got out of bed. She searched for Lucas’s whereabouts until her steps led her to the kitchen.
“Are you awake?”
Lucas was already dressed neatly, complete with a white shirt and tie. He looked fresh as he prepared breakfast.
“Yes,” Velia nodded awkwardly. “Y-you prepared breakfast.”
“Just sandwiches. It’s not difficult.”
Lucas took off his apron and served two plates of sandwiches on the dining table. He looked at Velia as if he was waiting.
“Don’t you want breakfast?”
Velia hesitated. “Y-yes.”
Upon reflection, this was not the first time Velia sat together with Lucas to enjoy breakfast. However, it could not be denied that an awkward atmosphere still enveloped Velia.
Lucas noticed Velia’s demeanor. He cleared his throat and moistened it with a glass of water to ease the tension. Then he asked to lighten the mood.
“How are your parents?”
Velia froze at Lucas’s sudden question. Her chewing stopped, and she stared at Lucas with an expression that could not be deciphered.
“Why?” Lucas asked, his forehead slightly furrowed. “Did I ask something wrong?”
It was not wrong because Lucas did not know. However, for Velia, it was an unexpectedly sensitive question. After the nightmare disrupted her sleep, there was another thing that made her uncomfortable.
Velia bowed her head, avoiding Lucas’s gaze as she answered.
“My parents have passed away.”
It was not just Velia’s breakfast that paused, but Lucas as well. His face changed with a shocked glimmer in his eyes.
“They’ve passed away?”
Velia nodded without lifting her face even a bit. “It was about nine months ago, maybe.”
That provided an explanation for some of Lucas’s confusion. Perhaps to some extent, that was why Velia needed a large sum of money.
“I’m sorry.”
Lucas apologized as he moved to sit beside Velia. He reached for her fingers, and Velia’s gaze reflexively lifted.
“It’s okay. That’s all in the past.”
It was not that simple. Although Velia said it with a smile, Lucas could sense her sadness. Not just in the dimness of her eyes, but also in the emptiness of her voice.
“So, all this time, you’ve been living alone?”
Velia nodded again. “I’ve been living alone and managing everything by myself.”
Lucas was not exactly sure what Velia meant by ‘everything’. However, he could perceive the weight implied in her words.
“I’m sorry.”
This time, Lucas did not just squeeze Velia’s fingers, but he also pulled her into an embrace. Velia did not resist. Instead, she closed her eyes as gentle strokes caressed her back.
“We should have met sooner,” Lucas said. “I truly had no idea what happened to you all this time.”
A wistful smile appeared on Velia’s face. She shook her head softly. In her slight movement, she nestled closer to Lucas’s chest.
“No, Luc,” Velia whispered. “We always meet at the right time.”
Indeed, Velia did not want it any other way. Unfortunately, she could see the reality.
“At the time when I needed you.”
*
A similar scene took place in Lucas’s office that morning. Andreas was sitting, waiting for him, accompanied by a cup of coffee.
“Good morning,” Andreas greeted, furrowing his brow. “Are you feeling unwell?”
Lucas placed his bag down and sat with Andreas. He simply nodded in response.
“Perhaps you’re just sleep-deprived,” Andreas thought to himself when he noticed Lucas’s unusual state. He seemed tired and lacked enthusiasm.
“It seems like you’ve been working too much lately. You should take a vacation once in a while.”
Making a comment while taking another sip of his coffee, Andreas did not anticipate what Lucas would say next. He ended up choking on his drink.
“Velia’s parents have passed away.”
Andreas hurriedly placed the cup on the coaster and grabbed two tissues. For a moment, he struggled to suppress his cough.
“W-what did you say? Velia’s parents have passed away?”
Lucas nodded. He let out a long sigh.
“I’m sorry,” Andreas said, wiping his mouth. “I didn’t know.”
“I didn’t know either. I just found out a little while ago when we were having breakfast.”
Silence fell. It was clear that it was not the right topic to initiate a conversation.
“I didn’t know she had been living alone all this time.”
Andreas muttered. His facial expression indicated disagreement with Lucas’s statement.
“Technically, she’s not living alone anymore.”
Lucas raised his face, and the gleam in his eyes made Andreas smirk. He quickly defended himself.
“Hey! You were the one who said it a few days ago. Velia is in your bed. That means she’s living with you now, right?”
Andreas clapped his hands once. He almost missed something.
“Just now,” Andreas continued excitedly. “Just now, you said you had breakfast together. So now you live together, and Velia isn’t living alone anymore.”
Lucas decided not to argue with Andreas’s conclusion. Especially since a moment later, Andreas accused him with a question.
“So, can it be said that you two are back together?”
Lucas gave up. He stood up and retorted.
“I never thought you could be this annoying, Reas. Sitting with you for five minutes feels like 30 minutes with journalists.”
Andreas burst into laughter. Lucas’s frustrated expression amused him. It was no wonder that Lucas chose to move to his desk rather than stay on the couch with him. However, that did not stop Andreas’s curiosity.
“Have you decided what you’re going to do with Velia?”
Lucas grabbed a folder from the table and turned around. “What do you mean?”
“You know what I mean.”
Andreas also stood up. This time, he acted like an investigative journalist who would not let his object escape. He approached Lucas, who had already sat behind his desk.
“Listen. Velia once left you without any reason at all. It was sudden, and she didn’t contact you for seven years. Now that you’ve met her again, aren’t you curious about the reason why she left you?”
“It’s not important. What’s important is that she’s with me again.”
Andreas expressed disbelief. “Love truly blinds you, Luc. Remember, if she could leave you once, she can do it again.”
It sounded logical and reasonable. It was not surprising that Andreas felt a little puzzled. How could Lucas, who usually weighed his options carefully, overlook such a possibility?
“That’s why I’ll make sure Velia has no reason to leave me. I will make her stay with me.”
There was a determination implied in his words. A promise that did not require further questioning from Andreas.
“You mean…”
Nevertheless, Andreas could not hide the doubt in his voice. He was not sure, but who could predict?
“… you want to marry Velia?”
Lucas grinned and threw the folder he had briefly read back onto the table. He responded to Andreas’s question with an unreadable look.
“What’s wrong with marrying Velia?”
Andreas struggled to find words. “Marriage is not a simple matter.”
Indeed, it was not a simple matter, but for Lucas, that’s what made it special. Marriage would bind them, and it was the only bond that would not give Velia a chance to escape.
“Does that mean you’ll introduce Velia to your family again?”
The image of marriage instantly disappeared from Lucas’s mind. More potent than ever, Andreas’s question made Lucas raise his face.
“Why?” Andreas asked casually. “Is there something wrong with my question? It’s a common thing, isn’t it? That’s what people do when they’re getting married-introduce their partner to their parents.”
Andreas successfully left Lucas speechless. For that reason, he adjusted his sitting position slightly and expressed his opinion again.
“I’m just saying, but I still remember clearly what happened before. It doesn’t seem like a good idea.”
Lucas let out a long sigh. “Do you think my parents still dislike Velia?”
“I don’t know.”
That’s all Andreas could say. He did not dare to comment further when it concerned parents and family.
“Okay. I think it’s time for me to leave.”
Andreas stood up. He straightened his suit, and Lucas asked.
“Where are you going?”
“Anywhere that can make me happy,” Andreas replied casually. “Thanks for the coffee and the short conversation.”
Lucas did not say anything else afterward. He simply watched his friend leave. As Andreas walked out and thanks to the door that was not fully closed, he managed to hear what Lucas said.
“Vlora, good coffee. Would you like to make coffee at my place?”
Lucas shook his head. Apparently, Andreas intended to approach his secretary. There was nothing Lucas could do if it concerned Vlora’s personal life. At least he was confident that Vlora would continue to work professionally. Besides, there was something else more important for him to ponder.
Will Mom and Dad accept Velia this time?
*