Chapter 247: My Man

MARITA

“Mi so excited to go to your house, Lucius!” I said, practically bouncing in the passenger seat of his sleek black car. My sundress kept riding up my thighs from how much I was moving, but I didn’t care. I was too happy.

Lucius glanced over at me, and the corner of his full lips lifted in that tiny, rare almost-smile I was starting to love so much. It made my stomach do little flips every time.

Ahhhhhh, I screamed inside my head. Since arriving in this country, I had done so many things I would never have done back in Vanuatu. My first kiss was with Mr. Lucius during that game… and now many, many more kisses. If Leitana was here, she would definitely call me a bad girl. Mi miss her already.

I turned back to Lucius and frowned a little. Since he came out of the restroom earlier, he had been quieter than usual. His jaw was a bit tighter, and his eyes kept drifting like he was thinking about something heavy.

“What’s wrong?” I asked softly, reaching over to place my hand on his thigh. “Yu look like yu carrying big big problem inside yu head.”

Lucius glanced at me, then back at the road. His hand came down to cover mine, giving it a gentle squeeze.

“It’s just work,” he said calmly. “Nothing for you to worry about, little bird.”

I nodded, but I didn’t fully believe him. Something felt… heavier. But I didn’t push. Instead, I looked out the window, watching the tall buildings and busy streets fly by.

Suddenly, my eyes caught something familiar.

A delivery motorcycle was riding right beside us. The rider turned his head slightly, and I saw his face.

“Theo?!” I screamed, pressing my hands against the glass.

Lucius jolted slightly in his seat, the car swerving just a tiny bit before he corrected it smoothly.

“Marita…” he started, voice sharp with concern.

“Plis plis stop the car, Lucius!” I begged, already fumbling with my seatbelt. “That’s Theo! From Leitana’s piano class!”

Lucius didn’t argue. He pulled over smoothly to the side of the road. The moment the car stopped, I yanked the door open and leaped out, waving my arms like a mad woman.

“Theo! Theo!!”

The motorcycle slowed and stopped a few meters ahead. Theo pulled off his helmet, his handsome face lighting up with shock and joy when he saw me.

“Marita?!” he called, grinning wide. “No way!”

I ran to him and threw my arms around his neck. He hugged me back tightly, laughing.

“Marita! I haven’t seen or heard from you since the concert day! Where have you been?!”

“Mi working now!” I said excitedly, pulling back but still holding his arms. “Look!” I pointed at the fancy black car behind me. “That’s Lucius’s car. Mi boyfriend.”

Theo’s eyes widened. He looked from me to the car, then back at me, clearly surprised.

“Your… boyfriend?” he repeated, eyebrows raised. “Wow. You really moved fast, huh?”

I laughed, cheeks warming. “Mi no plan am. It just… happened.”

Theo ran a hand through his messy hair, still smiling. “I've been trying to reach you but I don’t have your number. Do you have a phone now?”

“Ahhh yes yes!” I pulled my shiny new phone out of my bag. “Mr. Lucius got mi one. It’s iPhone… 6? No, 16!”

Theo laughed softly as he took my phone and added his number. “Yes It’s 16, Marita,” he teased, tapping my cheek playfully. “It suits you. Very pretty, just like the owner.”

I blushed harder. “Thank you…”

He handed the phone back. “So… is this Mr. Lucius really your boyfriend?”

Before I could answer, Lucius stepped out of the car. He walked over slowly, tall, calm, and radiating that quiet, dangerous energy that made people straighten up without even realizing it.

Theo’s smile faltered a little as he looked at him.

Lucius stopped beside me and placed a possessive hand on my lower back, pulling me gently against his side.

“This is Lucius,” I said brightly. “My boyfriend.”

Theo blinked. “Oh… nice to meet you.”

Lucius gave a small nod, his voice cool and polite. “Likewise.”

There was a short, awkward silence. Theo cleared his throat and smiled at me again.

“Well… I have to finish this delivery. But let’s catch up soon, okay? Text me.”

“Mi will!” I promised, waving as he put his helmet back on and rode off.

I turned back to Lucius with a big smile, still buzzing with happiness. As we got back into the car and he started driving again, I kept talking excitedly.

“Theo is so nice! He plays piano very well, you know? And he takes photography classes too. He even does delivery now, he is very hardworking!”

Lucius’s jaw flexed slightly. His hand tightened on the steering wheel, but his voice stayed calm.

“Hmm,” was all he said.

I kept chatting happily, completely unaware of the quiet storm building beside me.

The drive to Lucius’s penthouse was quiet on his end, but I couldn’t stop talking. I told him everything, how Theo helped Leitana with piano, how funny he was during rehearsals, how he always carried extra snacks for everyone like a big brother. I was still buzzing with happiness from seeing my friend again after so long.

Lucius listened, nodding occasionally, but his hand on my thigh stayed a little tighter than usual, fingers flexing against my skin through the thin fabric of my sundress.

When we finally arrived, the car descended into a private underground garage beneath a towering luxury building. The moment the private elevator opened straight into the penthouse, my mouth fell open.

“Oh mi God…”

It was breathtaking.

Floor-to-ceiling windows wrapped around the entire space, offering a glittering night city skyline and a sky full of stars that felt close enough to touch. The living area was huge and modern, dark wood floors, sleek black and cream furniture, soft warm lighting, and a grand piano in the corner that made my heart skip a beat.

I rushed forward like an excited child, pressing my hands and forehead against the cool glass, staring down at the bustling streets far below.

“Lucius! Look! Everything is so small from up here! The cars look like toys! And the lights… it’s so beautiful!” I kept pointing, voice full of wonder. “Mi never see anything like dis before. Mi feel like mi flying!”

No response.

I frowned and turned around.

Lucius was leaning against the wall near the elevator, suit jacket already tossed over a chair. His white shirt sleeves were rolled up to his elbows, revealing those strong, veiny forearms. He looked so tall, broad-shouldered, and dangerously hot standing there with his arms crossed, watching me with that intense, unreadable stare.

My heart fluttered wildly.

Then I noticed it, his jaw was tight, eyes darker than usual.

He was jealous.

I bit my lip to stop myself from smiling too wide. My big, scary Lucius was jealous over Theo.

I walked over to him slowly, swaying my hips just a little. When I reached him, I placed both hands on his chest and looked up with big, innocent eyes.

“What’s wrong, Lucius?” I asked sweetly, tilting my head. “Yu no happy mi saw mi friend?”

He didn’t answer right away. One big hand came up to grip my waist, pulling me flush against his hard body.

“You talked about him the entire drive,” he said, unable to hide the edge in his voice. “Theo.”

I tried not to giggle. Instead, I rose on my tiptoes, wrapped my arms around his neck, and pressed my body into his.

“Mi was happy to see him,” I whispered, brushing my lips against his jaw. “But mi no look at him like how mi look at yu.”

I kissed his neck softly, then his jaw, then the corner of his mouth.

“Mi only get butterflies like dis when mi see yu,” I murmured. “Only yu make mi heart go boom boom so fast. Only yu make mi feel hot all over. Theo is just mi friend. Yu… yu are my man.”

Lucius let out a harsh breath and suddenly spun us around, pressing my back against the wall. His powerful body caged me in as he kissed me with barely restrained frustration, like he needed to wipe Theo's name from my thoughts.

When he finally pulled back, we were both breathing heavily.

"Say it again," he demanded, like he was making sure he'd heard correctly.

I smiled shyly, fingers playing with the buttons of his shirt.

“Yu are my man, Lucius,” I whispered. “Only yours.”

He groaned and kissed me again, slower this time, lingering over every second. His hands slid down to grip my ass, lifting me so my legs wrapped around his waist.

“Good girl,” he rasped against my lips. “Because I don’t share.”

I giggled softly, clinging to him as he carried me deeper into the penthouse, still kissing me like he couldn’t get enough.

“Mi no want yu to share mi either,” I whispered between kisses, nipping at his bottom lip.