Lucian’s Paranoia

JOHN and VIVIAN's engagement party was a success. It was even featured in a local newspaper with the caption 'A decade of love story'.

"An inspiring love story for everyone to read." Malena mumbles while reading through the newspaper.

Then an idea entered her mind, "What if I chose to be with Lucian instead of plotting revenge against him and his family? Would I be this happy?" She asks herself while staring at Vivian's smiling image in the newspaper.

She starts laughing at her own thoughts. "Of course not. I'm merely a substitute for Shirley and most likely I won't even meet him if I didn't plan everything from the start." She says, then folds the newspaper and hides it in the drawer. "This time I will make things right," she mumbles.

Then she started rummaging through her computer and soon began typing on her phone.

MEANWHILE, at Lucian's Villa.

Lucian was still having difficulty sleeping, even with Latton in his arms, he couldn't stop having nightmares about losing her.

On the other hand, Latton was sleeping soundly. Oblivious to the paranoia and mania that was slowly poisoning Lucian. Suddenly she felt his arms wrapping her tightly. So tight that she started coughing. She opened her eyes only to meet his gaze. Dark circles around his eyes. Showing obvious signs, he didn't sleep a wink.

She quickly got up and frantically held his hand. "What's wrong?" She asked worriedly as she touched his forehead, thinking he might have a fever.

He shook his head, "Nothing." He lied to her.

She frowns, "What are you hiding from me? You've been like this since yesterday. Tell me what's bothering you." She asks nicely while staring at him intently.

He felt uncomfortable. He didn't want to lie to her, but he didn't want her to worry about him. He knew that she'd been through a lot, and he also assured her that all his loose ends were finished.

He opened his mouth to say assuring words, but before he could speak his phone buzzed. A message notification was received.

He took advantage of the notification, took his phone, and pretended it was about work. In reality, he has no idea who messaged him.

He got up and moved to the balcony.

"What is happening?" She asks herself while observing his movements. She's about to follow him when her phone starts ringing. It's an unknown number. She hesitated to answer it but remembered that she had given her number to the mental health institute where Henri was kept. Thinking that it might be Henri, she answered the call, only to hear a familiar voice at the other end.

Latton couldn't even fully grasp the words she was hearing, but despite that, she agreed.

Concurrently, Lucian stared blankly at his phone. The notification he received was a spam message from an online site he used to visit. He wants to return to bed and hug her tightly, but he is afraid that she'll ask him about his weird behavior again.

He didn't notice how long he had stayed there. When he glanced back in the bedroom, Latton was no longer in the room. He immediately panicked and ran downstairs, only to see her preparing breakfast for them.

She sighed profoundly as she looked at him with scrutiny. Observing the fear in his eyes, "I don't know what's happening to you, but whatever it is... Please don't forget that I'm here for you." She mumbles as she smiles faintly.

He lowered his head in guilt, "It's... A bit complicated, I'll tell you about it soon." He mumbled as he sat on the dining chair.

She nods then starts serving the food.

CONCURRENTLY, Henri was reading in the library when a staff member told him that he had a visitor. His face beamed in glee upon hearing that.

"Latton visited me!" He yelled internally. He was smiling while he was ushered to the visitation room, only to be disappointed.

He frowns remorsefully, "What are you doing here?" He asks as he sits on the chair.

"My therapist told me that I might have Stockholm syndrome. Are you familiar with that condition?" Malena remarks.

He nods. "I'm sorry." He utters sincerely as his sight lands on her right arm.

Her gaze narrowed, "Don't be... What you did was awful but... It woke me up." She mumbles. "You did it because you blame me for hurting the person you love. You thought you needed to avenge her. In a way, we are the same," she says.

He glanced away. Unsure how to respond. He breathed deeply. "So. You have a bionic arm now," he stated jokingly.

She smiled, "Latton gave it to me. She probably felt guilty that I lost an arm." She explains. "But I deserve it. I cause her too much heartache."

He laughed awkwardly, "Everyone did." He uttered.

She inched forward, closed her eyes, and then grabbed his hands, "I forgive you." She mumbles as she slowly opens her eyes. She smiled faintly and heaved a sigh of relief. "I felt much better. I hope you can forgive yourself too." She uttered and soon left.

Henri was left dumbfounded in his seat.

LATER that day, after work.

Lucian invited Latton to dinner. He insists on picking her up at the Ripley manor, but she is persistent in meeting up in the restaurant.

He arrived early and sat at their table, patiently waiting for her, when suddenly he heard a familiar voice.

"Lucian..."

He glances at the origin of the sound. "Malena, why are you here?" He asks.

She sighs, "I want to speak to you."

"What else do we need to talk about? I already gave everything I could. I saved you from being sent to jail after you shot Latton. I almost lost her because I helped you. I already feel guilty. You need to leave." He remarked as he frantically, looked around, as Latton might arrive anytime soon.

"I'll make it quick. That's one of the reasons why I'm here. I want to apologize for blaming you and your parents for my misfortunes. I was left alone when my brother died. My parents said it's because of the accident you caused, and I believe them, but it's not..." She shook her head.

"When I got abducted, I began to accept that I might die anytime soon. It gave me time to reflect on myself and realize that the words my parents fed me were lies." She remarks in remorse.

Lucian's eyes narrowed in disbelief, "What are you saying?" He mumbled.

Her eyes turned scarlet as tears slowly rolled down her face, "My brother died because they neglected him. After the accident, my parents asked your family for money, instead of using it on us or the company.... They used it for drugs and gambling. My brother was doing well after you ran him over with your bicycle, but after a month he got a fever and died because my parents used all the money. Soon they also died because they had too many debts that they couldn't pay. They chose the cowardly way to fix their problem. I was left alone. I was angry and looked for someone to blame." She cried out and started kneeling. "I'm so sorry. I hope you and your family can forgive me," she sobs.

He felt pity for her, "You cannot undo what has already been done. Stand up." He demands as he helps her.

She clung to him for assistance, then accidentally stumbled and fell on his arms. At the same time, Latton arrived at her vantage point; they looked like a sweet couple, hugging each other.

Lucian's eyes widened instantly, and he was about to push Malena away.

Air escapes from his lips, "La..."

"It's okay, Lucian," Latton commented while giving him a faint smile.

She glances at Malena, "You're 15 mins is up."

Malena glimpsed at her. "Thank you," she uttered as she moved away from him.

"Do you feel better?" Latton asks.

Malena nodded, "As if the weight of the world is off my shoulder." She responded with glee and relief in her tone.

Soon Malena left.

Lucian stared at Latton in confusion.

Latton breathed out in guilt, "She called me earlier while you were on the balcony. She begged me if she could talk to you. She said she wants to start fresh and get everything off her chest before she leaves the country. I know you won't agree so..." She hadn't finished her sentence when his lips intertwined with hers.

"Thank you."

Her brows furrowed, "For what? Shouldn't you be angry I kept something from you?" She inquired curiously.

He shook his head, "It's hard to explain, but her words freed my conscience and so will my parents once I told them."

She gasped, "Did you talk about the incident with her brother?"

He nods.

She smiles. She was well aware that Lucian dreaded that day and no matter how he buried the guilt, it was still there. Now that she looked at him, he looked relieved.

"Maybe that's what's bothering him?" She thought, but to her disappointment, she could still see the tension in his face.