Velia’s long-lashed eyes remained closed. Her breathing gradually returned to normal. It was no longer passionate and chaotic like it was ten minutes ago when Lucas ravished her with such lust.
Lucas held Velia close, creating a sense of tranquility after their fiery lovemaking. Now, the intensity had faded, replaced by a lingering dampness that slowly cooled. Thus, it was a gentle embrace that Lucas offered.
With great caution, not wanting to cause harm, Lucas was worried that Velia’s body might break under its weight. He planted soft kisses on Velia’s temple, slowly moving down to her jawline, then her cheek. Velia tilted her head to allow Lucas to kiss her neck.
A smile spread across Lucas’ face as he saw Velia savoring each kiss he bestowed upon her. Velia appeared enchanted and genuinely herself.
A little disheveled, with tousled hair and flushed cheeks, she was a sight that made Lucas more addicted than any addictive substance.
Lucas rose, wincing as he noticed Velia’s breasts in a slightly unusual position under her still-fastened bra.
Creating a suitable distance, Lucas propped himself up on both hands, undecided about leaving. He needed time to calm himself while his masculinity waned inside.
Velia opened her eyes. They appeared melancholic and tired. She sighed, mustering the little remaining energy she had and smiled faintly.
“Do you want to have dinner now?”
“Dinner?” Lucas asked in return. He blinked, then laughed. “You’re right. It’s time for dinner now.”
Velia’s smile widened. Soon, it turned into a small laughter.
“So, what’s on the menu for dinner? I feel like I’m really devouring you.”
Velia shook with laughter. She looked incredibly happy, reflecting a beautiful panorama that left Lucas in awe.
Her laughter was like the strumming of harp strings, a melody that echoed and filled the heavens. A joyous melody in the most exquisite taste of all time.
Lucas was certain he could spend his time just watching that laughter and never feel bored. However, at the very least, he needed to ensure that Velia did not catch a cold due to her exposed clothing.
For that reason, Lucas quickly adjusted Velia’s bra, making sure both breasts were back in place, and he tidied her shirt as well.
Now, Lucas truly withdrew. He stepped out and promptly adjusted his own pants before assisting Velia with the same. Afterward, he gently helped her down.
“Can you stand?”
Velia’s response was a weak pat on Lucas’ chest. It instantly made Lucas grin, but his reflexes kicked in as he held Velia.
“You’ve already cooked,” Lucas prevented her from making any moves to serve dinner. “Let me handle it now.”
Velia did not mind at all. She realized that opportunities to see a half-naked man serving dinner were rare and should not be wasted.
Lucas quickly prepared their dinner necessities. It did not take long for him to set the dishes on the table. As they sat together shortly after, he said,
“Now! This is what a real dinner looks like. Not like half an hour ago.”
Velia could not contain herself. Fortunately, she hadn’t taken the first bite yet. Clearly, her laughter resurfaced.
Dinner proceeded joyfully. After what had happened at the dining table, a satisfying meal was exactly what Lucas and Velia needed.
Moreover, warm conversations unfolded. Laughter punctuated the air.
“I almost forgot to ask you something,” Lucas said after setting down his spoon and fork. “Have you decided when you want to go see your new house?”
Velia pondered for a moment. “I almost forgot too. How about Friday? Maybe I can take a quick look with Carter. After coming back from the office.”
“Friday afternoon, after coming back from the office. That sounds like the right choice. I’ll let Carter know.”
“Thank you.”
Lucas nodded. He reached for his glass, intending to moisten his throat when his forehead furrowed.
“What’s wrong?”
He hesitated for a moment, placing the glass back on the table before answering.
“Carter contacted me earlier and said there’s an issue with your car.”
“My car is broken?”
“Seems like it,” Lucas nodded. “Tomorrow, Carter will take it to the repair shop, and you might have to use a taxi for a few days. Are you okay with that?”
It was not a big deal. Velia shook her head and had no objections at all. In fact, she thought there was something slightly positive about it.
Lucas squinted his eyes. Velia’s subtle change in expression did not escape his observation.
“Is there something? You look…”
Somewhat hesitant. Unfortunately, Lucas knew he was rarely wrong.
“… a little happy.”
Velia remained still for a moment. She blinked and finished her meal. Stiffly, she smiled.
“Not exactly happy,” Velia corrected, searching for the right words. “Just that I don’t think it’s a bad thing. Honestly, I thought you wouldn’t allow me to work because the car was broken.”
It was not without reason that Velia suspected that. Considering Lucas’ attitude and insistence that she needed to leave with the car and Carter in order to work, what else could Velia think when her car was broken? She did not expect Lucas to immediately offer a taxi as an option.
“It’s fine. Taking a taxi can be enjoyable.”
This time, Lucas took a drink. He relieved his throat with three big gulps.
“Enjoyable?”
“Yes. At least I get to see the streets in the morning. Walking and mingling with other employees. It feels…”
Velia did not finish her sentence. The words hung in the air, and her joy was interrupted momentarily. She looked at Lucas with an uneasy feeling.
“I didn’t mean it, Luc,” Velia quickly said. “I just… umm.”
Lucas returned Velia’s gaze. His gaze seemed gentle, calming Velia to finish her words.
“Sometimes, I feel a bit bored, and everything becomes monotonous.”
“Are you saying that I’ve been restraining you? Imprisoning you?”
Velia was taken aback. She bit her lower lip while Lucas pressed on.
“Is that how you feel? That I’ve been confining you?”
“I didn’t mean to say that. I don’t dislike being here, but honestly, there are times when I want to go out. Just take a stroll.”
Now it was Lucas who was taken aback. He remained silent with an unreadable expression.
Velia waited. It was a little longer than expected, making her think that Lucas might be offended by her words.
“Do you know that I’ve been doing all of this for you?”
A fleeting unfamiliar emotion crossed Lucas’ eyes, leaving Velia bewildered. The question itself evoked a strange sensation that made her hair stand on end.
“What do you mean, Luc?”
Lucas took a deep breath. He closed his eyes briefly, then smiled when he looked at Velia again.
“I needed to make sure that you wouldn’t see any other men out there. I needed to make sure that I’m the only man in your eyes.”
“Luc,” Velia gasped, her eyes widening. “You…”
“I deliberately confined you to make sure you wouldn’t run away from me again. To make sure no other man would touch you.”
Velia was stunned. That unfamiliar emotion reappeared in Lucas’ eyes.
“I just don’t want to lose you again, Ve.”
Velia blinked. To hell with the unfamiliar emotions that came and went in Lucas’ eyes. What he said squeezed her heart.
Velia’s emotions stirred. Warmth surged, wanting to appear in her eyes, and she reflexively changed seats.
“Forgive me.”
Velia sat next to Lucas and grabbed his fingers. Lucas’ words stirred a sense of guilt in her heart.
“Forgive me.”
Lucas shook his head with a thin smile. “It’s okay. That’s all in the past, and now I’ll do whatever it takes to keep us from parting again.”
The sincerity in Lucas’ words silenced Velia. It also brought forth an undeniable regret.
“I’ll never let you go again, Ve.”
Lucas’ words contradicted Velia’s hopes. She wanted to leave and escape once more, but Lucas melted her in his warmth.
Whispers were present and mocking. Another side of Velia taunted her. She shouldn’t have harbored such lofty hopes. How could she think she could leave Lucas for a second time?
Even if Lucas could not hold onto her, Velia doubted herself. Just like any ordinary person, greed emerged in their togetherness every day.
Velia realized she should not hope for more. However, she was just an ordinary woman. The deepest desire of her subconscious was to be with the man she loved.
“You know that, right?”
Velia nodded. With Lucas’ determined assurance, she should be able to glimpse the future.
“I know.”
The conversation ended. Lucas concluded it with a gentle kiss that made Velia close her eyes.
It seemed difficult to lie. Deep within the depths of her heart, Velia now wanted the same thing.
Don’t let me go, Luc. Please, don’t.
Velia’s unspoken desire was Lucas’ promise. He would not let Velia go, even if it meant risking his life. He would do his best to keep Velia by his side or at least within a trusted circle. One of them being Carter.
Unfortunately, it did not turn out that way the next day. Carter, who Lucas trusted as Velia’s driver, had to take care of the car. It was burdensome, but Lucas had no other choice.
“It’s okay,” Velia said with a smile. “I’ll be fine.”
Lucas reached for Velia’s hand, gently squeezing it. He looked at Velia with a gaze that could not be deciphered.
“Forgive me. I can’t take you with me.”
“I understand, Luc. Besides, I also don’t want anyone at the office to know about our relationship.”
Velia’s face unconsciously lowered. A reflexive action when sudden pain stabbed her emotions.
Lucas held Velia’s chin. “I promise, Ve. This will all be over soon.”
“Over soon?” Velia asked, furrowing her brow. Lucas’ words felt somewhat odd. “What do you mean?”
For the umpteenth time, Velia caught a fleeting unfamiliar emotion in Lucas’ eyes. Strangely, he smiled as if nothing had happened.
“The repair of your car.”
Lucas and Velia got out of the car. He escorted Velia to the waiting taxi. His face showed the weight of letting Velia go, but he composed himself.
Calm and back in control. Lucas raised the partition as the car drove away. He took out his phone and called someone.
“Make sure there’s no room for error.”
*
The bustling traffic in the morning was always congested. It was no wonder that Velia decided to stop just in front of the office, with only a distance of no more than ten meters remaining. Velia got out of the taxi and did not mind walking for a few minutes.
It was a bright morning. The sky was clear blue without a cloud. Truly a pleasant start to the day. Velia smiled and spontaneously greeted a familiar coworker. She seemed enthusiastic and stood out among the crowd on the sidewalk.
She stood out enough to make a pair of eyes peering through the car’s side mirror widen instantly. A mix of shock and excitement was implied in that gaze.
Boy stared straight at the mirror. Still slightly uncertain, he turned his head and looked directly for a clearer view. His focus fixed without blinking on the woman in the green shirt.
No doubt about it.
In front of the office gate, Velia waved. She waited for a moment until Mecca approached.
Finally, you’re free, Velia.
Boy grinned. He continued observing until Velia passed through the gate and disappeared from his sight.
Finally, my job will be finished soon.
*