Maybe Velia is not feeling well. Lately, she seemed more tired than usual. At least that’s what Mecca noticed.
“Are you okay, Ve?”
Velia smiled and nodded. “I’m fine, just feeling a little tired. Well, maybe a bit low on energy.”
“Tired? Have you been working too much lately?”
Velia rubbed her neck and rotated it a few times. She considered that possibility, but she was not too sure.
“Maybe. It seems like I’ve been working more than usual.”
Mecca sighed softly. She gently patted Velia before returning to her desk, not forgetting to give her a piece of advice.
“You should get enough sleep, Ve. Don’t let yourself get sick.”
Enough sleep?
Velia paused. It seemed that she could not achieve that. Getting enough sleep was beyond her reach.
Isn’t Lucas acting a bit strange?
Thanks to Mecca’s words, Velia realized that there was something different about Lucas. These past few days, Lucas had been initiating intimate moments with her more frequently. Before, there would be breaks of two or three days, but now there were not any.
Velia felt a bit uncertain. However, it seemed to have started since that night when Lucas came home late. Since then, their intimacy had become more frequent. It could almost be said that it happened every day.
Velia let out a slow breath. If she could be honest, sometimes she felt so guilty about herself. Unfortunately, Lucas was a gentle and understanding lover. As a lover, he always made sure that Velia enjoyed it too. He was not a selfish man, quite the opposite.
Velia felt adored and pampered. Every touch Lucas gave her boosted her confidence and created a feminine happiness she had never felt before. That’s why she sometimes felt ashamed. How could this be?
I shouldn’t be thinking about Lucas right now.
Velia continued her work. She tried to finish that Thursday as best she could without falling asleep. That included the peaceful ride with Carter behind the wheel.
She could not bear it anymore. Velia’s eyelids grew heavier. She surrendered and yawned repeatedly. Consequently, it was no wonder that her bed became Velia’s destination as soon as she arrived at her apartment.
Fatigue and drowsiness were a perfect combination. Velia’s body could not hold on any longer. She lay down without taking off her shoes or placing her bag in its place. She fell into a deep sleep.
Lucas arrived at the apartment when the clock struck nine in the evening. He held a bouquet of red roses in his hand, which made his face light up. However, there was also a hint of confusion that furrowed his brow.
The elevator carried Lucas through the floors. He looked at his phone, filled with question marks in his mind.
Velia did not answer Lucas’s call. She did not even reply to his messages.
This is strange.
Lucas tilted his head to one side. He woul not forget what happened the other day. Velia hinted that he should let her know if he would be late.
Panicked? Of course not.
Lucas knew that Velia had arrived safely at the apartment. Based on the information he knew, he was sure that Velia was in the unit right now. So, this was purely confusion that made him wonder.
Lucas’s curiosity was answered about five minutes later, precisely when he entered the bedroom and witnessed an unexpected sight.
Velia was fast asleep. Her work bag was near her head. One shoe was still on her foot, while the other had been taken off and was lying on the bed. She looked so exhausted.
Lucas let out a long breath and smiled. He placed the bouquet of roses on the nightstand and happily enjoyed the beautiful sight for a few moments.
Velia looked peaceful. And as beautiful as ever.
Lucas’s smile widened as he realized that he could spend the entire night just gazing at Velia sleeping. He caressed her and then got up to make her sleep more comfortable.
Lucas took Velia’s bag and removed her shoes. He acted with great care, ensuring that Velia’s sleep remained undisturbed. Even if it meant picking her up and laying her down in a more suitable and comfortable position.
Velia let out a faint sigh. Her head landed on the pillow, and her sleep continued.
Lucas grinned. It made his lips curl and he shook his head.
You must be really tired.
*
Startled, Velia woke up and unintentionally glanced at the clock. The time displayed shocked her beyond measure.
“T-ten?”
Velia’s mouth fell open. She had initially mistaken it, but unfortunately, it was true. It was already ten in the evening.
“Oh, my goodness,” Velia murmured as she got up. “I slept-”
Her words came to a halt as she noticed something peculiar. She was taken aback by what her gaze landed upon-the bedsheet.
Velia looked around. There were no shoes or bags. Her thoughts immediately focused on one name.
“Lucas.”
Velia intended to get out of bed and search for him, but the red color on the nightstand held her back.
This was not the waking-up scenario Velia had imagined. She reached for the bouquet of roses and inhaled the sweet aroma that filled the air.
Velia’s smile bloomed. This time, she truly left the bed and exited the room.
Her steps were hurried. Unconsciously, she exclaimed.
“Luc!”
Velia headed to the kitchen when she did not find Lucas in the workspace. And there he was, wearing an apron.
“You… have you been home for long?”
Lucas forgot what he wanted to say. Velia’s question and smile left his mind blank. He momentarily left his work, which involved two servings of spaghetti. There was something more important than that.
“Quite a while,” Lucas nodded. “Maybe about an hour ago.”
Velia’s smile faltered. There was a red blush on her cheeks, and Lucas grinned mischievously while raising his hand to signal.
“How was your sleep?”
Velia approached him, allowing Lucas to embrace her and place a brief kiss on her cheek.
“Peaceful,” Velia shyly answered. “I felt tired earlier, but not anymore.”
“That’s good.”
Velia blinked. “The roses are so beautiful, Luc. Thank you.”
“Do you like them?”
“Very much.”
“I’m glad to hear that,” Lucas said with a meaningful gaze. “I bought them on purpose. As an apology for coming home late. I called and messaged you, but there was no response at all. Turns out, you were sleeping.”
Velia’s smile turned into laughter. Especially with Lucas’s hand moving up and down her waist, adding an unnecessary tickle.
Lucas’s eyes sparkled. Astonishment radiated from them.
“Are you hungry? I ordered spaghetti.”
Velia glanced at the kitchen island. “I love spaghetti. It goes well with the roses.”
“Sit down and wait for your rose companion to arrive.”
Velia did not refuse. She immediately pulled a chair and sat calmly. The roses were placed on the side table as she observed Lucas busy with the plates and other tableware.
A white shirt with rolled-up sleeves, black pants, and an apron-it was a combination Velia had never expected. But she had to admit, it looked good.
Lucas grinned. He clearly knew he was being watched.
“You’re not waiting for me to break the plates, right?”
Velia shook her head, amused. “No. I just enjoy looking at you.”
Two plates of spaghetti were served on the dining table. They enjoyed their belated dinner, but it did not matter at all.
Velia felt alive again. After sleep washed away her fatigue, now there was delicious food that gave her extra energy.
“How is it? Does it suit your taste?”
Velia reached for her glass. “You don’t need to ask for something you already know the answer to.”
The fork stopped moving. Lucas sighed with a funny expression.
“I just wanted to make sure that you’re truly enjoying it. I want to see you happy and content with me.”
The glass paused in front of Velia’s lips. Lucas’s words furrowed her brow. There was something peculiar about his statement, but he seemed perfectly normal.
“Is there something, Luc?” Velia could not contain her curiosity. “Your words sound a bit strange.”
Lucas chuckled softly. “Is it strange if I want you to be happy living with me?”
It did not sound strange, but Velia felt something different. Something that made her ponder for a few moments, filling her mind with possibilities.
“Aren’t you busy tonight?”
All thoughts vanished from Velia’s mind. “Yes.”
“Good. How about you accompany me in finishing up some work?”
“It seems like you’re the one who’s busy.”
“There are a few things I need to take care of,” Lucas nodded. “It won’t take too long, actually.”
“Of course.”
Lucas was certain that working overtime tonight would be more enjoyable than usual. At least there would be someone to accompany him, a pleasant conversational partner.
“Ah, but before that, I think I need to take a shower. I’m sweaty.”
Velia realized her own state, realizing she had not showered either. The fork slipped from her hand, and she quickly covered her open mouth, partially shocked by the newly realized fact.
“You’re right. I haven’t showered either.”
Lucas swallowed his last bite at the right moment. His narrowed eyes focused on Velia. The grin he formed seemed to convey a message.
“Is this an invitation for me?”
“Invitation? What invitation?”
Lucas set down his spoon and fork beside the plate, his gaze fixed on Velia without wavering.
“Do you want to take a shower together?”
*