Lucia settled into her luxurious car, not letting her eyes fall back on her bodyguard. Hugh was like a breath of fresh air, for her, even though she had been very sad, minutes ago, he alleviated her sadness. She turned around when she heard Hugh, settle into the driver's seat.
"Do you want to go back home?" Hugh asked her. He treated Lucia like a little sister, acting oblivious to her feelings. Lucia pouted her lips, and Hugh chuckled, seeing that she looked nothing like the decisive woman, she was. Hugh waited patiently, for her answer, not starting the car.She sighed seeing that Hugh, was waiting for her reply. She composed herself, the sad emotions, and embarrassment she had gone through, gone from her face. "Let's go back, to the ancestral home, I need to see grandpa," Lucia said, in a steady voice. Hugh nodded and started the car.Lucia looked out the window, as Hugh drove out of Veteris street. She knew, that she wouldn't be coming here until everything settled until she had caught her mother's killers. She always wondered why her neighbor was so gullible, to think the little girl she was, could kill her mother.Lucia sighed, hoping to bury herself, in her grandpa's embrace. Staying in her dark apartment will only worsen her sad emotions. "Lucia, we are here," Hugh said, bringing her, out of her thoughts. Lucia nodded, not even looking at Hugh, as he drove on the driveway, to the front door.She didn't wait for Hugh, to open the door for her, she hurriedly stepped out of the car. She hoped her grandpa wouldn't be asleep yet, it was only 7 pm, but grandpa James liked to retire early to his bedroom. Lucia rushed into the house, which was antique-looking and wide.Lucia could see the silhouette of grandpa James, sitting on a reclining chair, in the dark. She was initially surprised, that he wasn't in his room yet, but she brushed off the thought, thinking it was just her luck, to see grandpa there, at that time. "Grandpa." She called out.Lucia didn't want to startle him, since it was dark. But grandpa James, already knew when Hugh drove in, with her. "Brat, I'm right here." Grandpa James, said in a croaky voice, giving out his old age. Grandpa James, took a remote, by his side, and put on the lights.Lucia walked to stand before Grandpa James, she wanted to dive into his embrace, but stopped, seeing his weary and tired face, after he put on the lights. Lucia planted a fake smile on her face, not wanting to worry about the old man. "Grandpa, why aren't asleep yet?" Grandpa James observed Lucia, no matter how Lucia tried to hide her gloominess, she couldn't hide from grandpa James, who took care of her, for ten years. "Brat, come here." Grandpa James, said, ignoring Lucia's question, as he didn't want to tell her, that he knew where she had visited.Grandpa James, opened his arms, silently telling Lucia, to dive into his embrace. Lucia immediately dived into her grandpa's embrace, dropping her feigned smile. Her shoulders shook as if she was crying, but Lucia fought the tears, back. Grandpa James, only patted Lucia's back, continuously, giving her his silent company.After a few minutes, Lucia unwillingly withdrew from her grandpa's embrace, because she knew grandpa needed to rest. Lucia hadn't forgotten the question she asked earlier, "Grandpa, why aren't you asleep yet?" Lucia asked, her face morphing into a worried frown. Lucia chose not to talk about why she was sad.Grandpa James sighed, hearing Lucia's question. He didn't know what to tell her, he respected Lucia's silent decision, not to tell him what was wrong. Though he knew why he couldn't bring it up. "I got back from the company, a little late today." Grandpa James wound up a lie.Grandpa James, couldn't tell her, that he was waiting for her. Lucia frowned, knowing Grandpa James, never got back from the company late, because he liked to retire early. Grandpa James also didn't attend late-night dinners, even if they are important. Alix Enterprise could afford to skip important meetings."I think you should sleep now, grandpa," Lucia said, standing up, as she was kneeling beside her grandpa. Lucia took grandpa James' left hand, helping him stand. Grandpa James, patted Lucia's hand, telling her that he was okay, to go back to his room, himself. Lucia nodded and stepped back.Lucia looked at grandpa James, lonely and frail back, as he moved away from her. From what she knew, grandpa James, used to live alone, before he adopted her, as his family all perished in a crash. Lucia knew it was time, to take grandpa James' burden, off his shoulders. Lucia sighed, and sat on the couch, just beside grandpa James' reclining chair. Lucia closed her eyes, as the silence in the big ancestral house, enveloped her. Lucia opened her eyes, when she felt a light tap, on her shoulder. She opened her eyes, dazedly, to see Hugh, before her. Lucia's lips parted, as she took in Hugh's handsome appearance. Hugh's eyebrows, furrowed, "Do you want to stay here or go back home?" Hugh asked and Lucia snapped out of her daze. She nodded her head, knowing that she was okay, and could be by herself. Lucia stood up, steadily.Hugh who was initially confused, about whether Lucia wanted to stay or not, followed Lucia out of the house. Lucia got into the car, and Hugh settled into the driver's seat. As Hugh drove out of the house, on the driveway, Lucia thought about how she was talking to Grandpa James.Lucia decided to take over Alix, she could not continue to run away, seeing her grandpa was suffering. She had been given the necessary education, for taking over a huge enterprise, like Alix. Lucia turned to look at Hugh, who was driving with a serious look, on his face.Lucia noticed how the muscles on his arms, ripped, slightly, as he turned the steering wheel. She couldn't help, but ask, "What do you think about taking over Alix?" Lucia asked, even though she had feigned a nonchalant front, at him, a while ago, Lucia couldn't help but talk to him.Hugh turned, to Lucia, while keeping his other sharp senses open, because his eyes weren't on the road anymore. Hugh was thankful, that he was driving on a straight path, with a small number of cars, in sight. "It's a good idea," Hugh said, keeping his reply, short and precise. Lucia nodded her head, with pursed lips. She wasn't satisfied, with Hugh's answer, to her question. But she would not pester him, to talk to her. She noticed he tried to keep his distance from her, and she had her pride to protect. Lucia stopped talking and looked out the window.Thirty minutes later, they got to Lucia's apartment. It was an apartment complex, with eighteen floors, with Lucia's apartment, being the only penthouse, in the entire apartment complex. Hugh drove into the underground parking lot, it was a bit dark, but Hugh could see clearly, due to his inhumane vision. Lucia got out of the car, not bothering to wait for her bodyguard, as he would always find his way up. Lucia walked to the elevator, pressed the elevator button, and got in, tapping on the 18th floor. Lucia let out a sigh, as she got to her penthouse.The penthouse, had a view, of the city. Lucia fell in love with it, at first sight, when she was here, at first. She stopped to admit the lights, from the city, which formed a beautiful view, for Lucia. Lucia could hear, her bodyguard's subtle footsteps, as he walked in."Good night," Lucia said, she walked towards her bedroom, not bothering to get a reply from Hugh. She opened the door to her bedroom, with her fingerprint. Lucia got in and slammed the door shut. Walking into her walk-in closet, she changed into comfortable pajamas, deciding to sleep, early.Hugh was still standing, at the same spot. He looked towards where, Lucia had disappeared, with his narrowed eyes. Lucia's decision, to take over Alix, bothered him, knowing it could spell danger for her, not because she would become the CEO, but because of her identity, as Isabelle's daughter.Hugh tried to think of how to keep Lucia safe, as he had promised Lucia, when she was five years old, that he would protect her. Lucia was just a little, naive girl, then, and didn't take his words of promise, as important. Lucia did not even remember, that she met Hugh.But Hugh didn't take it as a flimsy promise, as soon as he had the chance, to leave his pack. He came back, just to fulfill his promise, just like a big brother, to her. Hugh turned around and walked towards his bedroom. He had to stay, wherever Lucia was.Lucia turned in her sleep, as the rain splattered, loudly, on the window. Lucia shivered subconsciously, as thunder, struck, in the sky. In her sleep, she could see her hands, stained in blood, her mother's blood. Lucia continued to turn uneasily, on the bed.Still, in her sleep, Lucia desperately tried to get the blood off her hands, but she could not. Dipping her hands, and washed thoroughly in water. But, Lucia could still see blood, like it was fresh. It was frightening, for Lucia in her sleep. Lucia heard a voice, behind her.'You killed her.' Lucia heard the voice and turned. It was like a whisper to her soul, sinking into her subconscious. Lucia shook her head, desperately, trying to tell the owner of the voice, that it was not true, but Lucia could not see anyone, she only continued to hear the voice.As Lucia shook her head, in her sleep, she was turning all over the bed, squeezing the bed sheets. Lucia opened her eyes suddenly, her eyes were misty and dazed. It took two minu
Lucia stood up, and swayed, a little. Her legs, were stiff, due to the long hours of sitting at the same spot. Lucia looked up to the clock, hung on the wall, she gasped, seeing it was 6:30 am already, surprised, that she worked for so long.Lucia walked out of her study, with dark circles, around her eyes. She looked drained, but Lucia didn't feel like that at all. As Lucia, walked out of the study, she heard Hugh come in. She stared at him, because he looked so manly and sweaty, after his morning jog.Lucia gulped, as she could see the outline, of his toned abdomen, through his body-hugging shirt. She wasn't the slightest bit, ashamed that she was staring at Hugh, while he was looking back at her. Hugh, on the other hand, couldn't stand her gaze, he coughed to get her attention.Lucia frowned at Hugh, for interrupting her, with his sudden cough. She shamelessly said, "I was checking you out, and you interrupted me." Lucia said, walking past him, to go to her bedroom. As she walked p
Hugh stepped out of the car, first. He scanned the area, for any threats or persons. When it was clear, he opened the car door, and Lucia stepped out, gracefully. The duo walked to the private elevator, that led to the highest floor, of the company building. Lucia brought out a key card, from her bag, and swiped it. The elevator opened, and they both stepped in. Again, Hugh was near Lucia and subtly looked at her. Lucia was tapping her foot, on the floor of the elevator, waiting to get to the top floor.As they got to the top floor, the elevator creaked open, and Lucia was quick to spot, the five secretaries, working for her grandpa James. It was also not Lucia's first time there, and the secretaries knew better than to comment or stop her, from going into the CEO's office.The secretaries were three females and two males. One of the two males, working also as grandpa James' assistant. None of them had ever seen Lucia's face. As Lucia and Hugh passed by them, a nosy secretary whisper
Time was ticking, news was flying around. A reporter caught sight of Grandpa James being wheeled out of the building. Grandpa James' pictures, were all over the internet. People speculated that grandpa James was on his deathbed. This news spread widely, more than the original news that was released.The shareholders of the company were going into an uproar. They didn't care about grandpa James but profits. They knew that grandpa James didn't have an heir, to take over the company. They thought that it was their chance. The shareholders quickly got to the hospital, to see grandpa James.They could easily coax grandpa James to give up the company, to one of them. The one with the sweetest mouth would win. Lucas, grandpa James' assistant, had caught on to the shareholders' plans. But, he could not divulge that grandpa James had an heir, he hadn't seen, clearly, before.Lucas arrived at the hospital earlier, he could see a few reporters lurking around the hospital grounds. Some of the repo
Hugh walked into the elevator, on the top floor. Grandpa James' ICU was on the top floor, and also Lucia's resting ward. Pressing a button, he rode the elevator, to the last floor of the hospital's lobby, which was noisy. He took out his phone, to call grandpa James' assistant. Grandpa James had provided Hugh, with his assistant's phone number. Just in case, there was an emergency. Hugh dialed the number, as soon as he got to the last floor, at that time. Lucas on the other hand, took out his phone, tiredly, hearing his phone ring, in his pocket. He noticed it was an unsaved contact, and Lucas put the phone back into his pocket. It was unreasonable for him to do so. But Lucas had his fair share of the reporters' disturbance. He wondered who had leaked his private number, to the public. Hugh frowned, as he walked past Lucas and the shareholders. His eyes were glued to the phone, not noticing Lucas, who was a few feets away from him. On the other hand, Lucas noticed Hugh, but he did n
Hugh sighed tiredly, he felt X was a disturbance to him, but he couldn't even hang up the call on him. He quickly cut X off, "I know what I'm doing. I prefer it here than to stay with those hypocrites over there." Hugh explained, keeping his words subtle.The driver was looking at Hugh through the mirror above him. X sighed over the phone, deciding to drop the topic, but he said, "I would not be there when anything happens. I will dump you fair and square." X sounded like a lover to Hugh now. Hugh chuckled amusedly.X snorted back at Hugh, deep down in his mind. He knew he couldn't abandon Hugh when anything happens. He had always been helping Hugh, even though he was way older than Hugh. "What do you want to inquire about?" X asked, curiously, since Hugh had not brought it up.Right at that moment, the driver stopped before an apartment building. Hugh got out of the car and paid the cab driver and walked into the parking lot. He didn't pass through the lobby, preferring to use the el
Hugh got into the elevator, with Lucas who squeezed into it. When the elevator was about to close. Hugh had his back to Lucas. Lucas stared at his back, and couldn't help but wonder who Hugh really is. Hugh was carefree with him, a while ago, now, he was cold.Lucas tapped his feet, on the elevator floor. He watched as the number changed as they pass through floors. The familiar sound of the elevator rang out, as they got to the top floor. Hugh walked out and led Lucas to Lucia's resting ward. He took out the ward key.Lucas raised his brows in surprise when Hugh opened the door. 'Is she caged?' Lucas thought inwardly. They walked in and Lucia who was sleeping soundly in bed opened her eyes suddenly. She felt the presence of people in the ward. She felt the bed she slept on, for her mask. Lucas looked at Lucia on the bed intently. Her face was facing the wall. He could see her side profile, but he couldn't make anything out of it. As Lucia had hurriedly put on her mask, hiding her fa
"You want some?" Hugh asked. Lucia looked at Hugh but shook her head. Her eyes were fixed on the egg-fried rice. Hugh ate his food, slowly, taunting Lucia. He expected Lucia to grab the food, from him. As it was only a little left. Hugh was surprised Lucia did not.Hugh finished his food and put the used plates in the dustbin. They weren't reusable, so he had no need for them. Lucia was still sulking and Hugh moved closer to her. "Are you upset?" Hugh asked softly. His tone of voice surprised Lucia and she looked at him, skeptically. Hugh noticed the question in her eyes. He had always been cold towards her. Even though he cared about her, he wouldn't actively show it, as how he did now. Hugh wanted to hug Lucia. He knew she would gladly hug, but he didn't want to take advantage of that.Lucia looked at him, with a sly smirk on her face. The surprised and questioning gaze was gone from her eyes. She wouldn't exploit this rare side of Hugh, to her satisfaction. She didn't know that th