CHAPTER 82: A SURPRISE

Braelyn’s POV

He said he wanted my thoughts to revolve around him and that’s what he did. I blinked slowly before glancing at the window.

My head didn’t dart away fast, it was slow because my head wasn’t thinking straight. My face felt like smoke was coming off my ears.

Why did he say that?

How could he with a straight face?

Lucien didn’t say anything else the entire ride. His attention was focused on the road. There was a subtle smirk that remained on his lips. It wasn’t teasing one but something else

He was deep in thought, and I didn’t want to bother him. My eyes trailed back to the window, my forehead creased, noticing he wasn’t heading towards my home.

I didn’t know what to call the house anymore.

"Where are we heading?" I asked him. Lucien’s eyes didn’t leave the road, but he replied to me anyway.

"Genny’s place...I have something to pick up from there." He answered. It was a vague reply but it piqued my curiosity. Genny and Lucien actually got along pretty well compared to her and Joey.

I smiled remembering the last meal I had with them. They were pretty hilarious to watch never agreeing on anything.

The car drove into Genny’s apartment. It was a fancy building. An apartment here was as expensive as a villa in the suburbs, but Genny preferred it here..

It was closer to work and had a lovely view of the city. Lucien closed the door, then tucked his hand in his pocket, walking towards the elevator. He took some steps forward before stopping and glancing back at me.

"Are you not coming?" He asked. My eyes narrowed at him, still figuring out this mysterious thing he had to take from Genny, suspicious. I jogged towards him, my eyes narrowed at his face as we walked towards the elevator.

His eyes fell on me shortly before he looked ahead once more. We stopped at the elevator and he pressed the button. His hands slipped into his pockets.

Lucien released a long breath, and white mist formed under his nose. There was no heating here and the weather had started to get colder because of the approaching winter.

"If you continue staring at me that way, I would think you have fallen for me and can’t bear to look away." He said, staring straight at the elevator, waiting for it to arrive on this floor.

Maybe it was because I had started to get immune to his shark remarks after being stuck in that hospital room with him for days, or I was expecting him to make such a narcissistic remark, but I was flustered by his words.

My eyes narrowed further. A sharp scoff followed. "Like hell I would fall for you. You are so full of yourself." His brows twitched at my words.

Lucien finally spared me a glance. His eyes had this annoying mocking patient that ticked me off. "Yeah let’s pretend like she isn’t already falling for the hot uncle."

I laughed so hard at him that my stomach ached. "I didn’t know you were a Joker. A hot uncle in your dreams is more like the menace of society." I chirped. The elevator dinged and the door slid open. Lucien stepped inside first and I followed.

His eyes lit up with a sneer on his lips. "She finally acknowledges my second name." He said. The door slid closed. Lucien’s hands sneaked around my waist, and I was pushed against the elevator wall.

His fingers reached for the panel to choose Genny’s floor while he held me in place with the other. Did my heart race at that moment?

Yes, it did, but I wasn’t going to fall for his tricks. I knew Lucien had some twisted obsession for me but it wasn’t love. He was just chasing the thrill of getting something he shouldn’t want.

"What are you trying to do? These cheap moves won’t work on me." I smirked at him. He smiled with a strange fire in his eyes. He leaned closer, his hand snuck under my blouse crawling along my spine..

Time out

I screamed in my mind. He was crossing the line. His smile didn’t falter. Lucien leaned closer, nestling his face in my hair.

"You call me a menace. I am just leaving it up to the reputation." He taunted, his voice carried an unusual octave that made my toes curl. Sparks ran through my spine from his touch running to my stomach to form a pool that slowly moved lower to my fold.

Shit!!! He was doing it again

My breath hitched body pressed against the wall to get away from him recognising what he was doing by his subtle actions

Yet I didn’t shove him away as if I was trying to prove a point to him and myself. I laughed, a spark glinting in my eyes.

My hands wrapped around his shoulders. His body stiffened. I stood on my tiptoes and leaned closer to him. My face reflected in those hazel eyes. His hand moved to the back of my head, pulling me closer.

Our breath mingled, sparks flew around us erupting in the air. My face stopped just an inch away from his face our lips didn’t brush against each other but it looked like he wanted to kiss me and that look made my panties soak further

Attraction was normal. My body was a rebellious being who had needs, and he was attractive without a doubt, but....i smirked

My lips parted and my warm breath fanned his mouth. "If you want me to fall for you it takes more than this..." I said his gaze flickered surprised running through them

"This isn’t enough to call yourself a menace. It is either that they were lying or you are lying to yourself." I said before shoving him. He stumbled a few steps dumbfounded while I had a victorious smile on my lips

"Playing games, are we?" He smiled and I cried not my eyes. No, my lower lip cried at those perfect dimples. It was rare to see a genuine smile.

’ Dear Braelyn, get yourself together. He is just baiting you, ’ I warned myself.

My hands crossed in front of me. "This is a game, isn’t it? " I asked, then made something clear to him and myself...

"It is all an act to get to Raphael. Don’t forget that." I paused, glancing at the door. We were almost on Genny’s floor.

A soft laugh rang startling me. The door slid open and we stepped out. Lucien had an annoying grin on his face, like he had won a lottery.

"Sure, it’s an act, but aren’t we always performing a role to others?" He said. I ignored him marching forward

"Suit yourself with whatever you believe.." I snorted, eyes searching for the familiar number of Genny’s apartment.

"By the way, what do you want to get from her? I had no idea you guys had any dealings.." I asked curious. Also trying to change the topic. We both stopped at Genny’s apartment.

"Why don’t you find out for yourself? We are almost there." He knocked on the door.

"It’s Lucien, I am coming in." He announced his presence, and weirdly, the door opened. Something was definitely off. We entered the apartment and all the lights were off.

"Why is it dark in here?" I asked and as if on cue. The switch went on, a sparkle gun shot on cue with a chorus following.

"Happy birthday Lynn..." I froze, then slowly turned to him, dumbfounded.

It was my birthday, and I had truly forgotten, but they didn’t.