Chapter 18 Eighteen
Elara's POV
The place I was supposed to meet up with Lucas was a secluded place. He texted me the address. An abandoned basement in the lower phase district.
The abandoned basement reeked of rot and decay.
Its faded walls were cracked with its paint peeling off. Cobwebs filled the entire space clinging to its crumbling corners.
The air was thick . Dusty and smelly with stench. Flickering fluorescent lights hung from the ceiling casting eerie shadows.
Dust and debris littered the floor, and a sense of neglect was heavy in the air.
My gaze drifted to my Louis Vuitton watch strapped around my wrist.
12:13 PM.
Fucking Lucas.
The agreed time was 12 noon sharp and despite that I came a bit late, Lucas was yet to show up.
Was this how he attended to appointments or was he messing with me?
I walked deeper into the basement, my sense on high alert.
I then came across a room. Neat. I blinked in surprise as I stepped into this small room.
My eyes scanned the room, taking in every detail.
It was so different from the rest of the basement.
Unlike the other rooms, the walls of this room here were freshly painted like it was done a day before. It was clean and smooth.
At the center of the room stood two comfy leather seats that faced each other. A small round table stood between them.
On top of the table was a chilled bottle of grape wine, with two shiny wine glasses resting beside it.
To the side of the room stood a water dispenser. It is tall with clean cups neatly arranged on it.
The air smelled fresh. I took in a sharp breath. Inhaled. Exhaled. The room smelled like roses mixed with fresh oak.
A soft yellow bulb hung above the table giving the room a warm, cosy feeling.
What was this?
A date?
I hissed, taking a seat opposite the window. I glanced at my watch for the umpteenth time. A scowl etched on my lips.
“Lucas, where are you?”. I thought out loud. My teeth gritted.
“I am right behind you, Elara. Have some patience.” a voice suddenly uttered behind me.
I almost jumped to my feet in fear. I sprang to my feet, turning around to meet Lucas unbothered gaze.
“Your freaking startled me, Blackwood.” I said, my fingers molded to a tight fist.
“Weren't you supposed to be on alert? What kind of a syndicate leader are you? Just a little sound and your heart jumped?.” He smirked, his lips twitched.
“Is that what you are supposed to say? You think I am less of a leader?”
Lucas's lips stretched to a smile. He shrugged.
“Maybe?”
“You must be kidding me. I am always on high alert and besides I know I am not in harm's way because you would definitely make sure this venue is safe before calling me out to meet me. I can guarantee you that I know your men are lurking around here. Somewhere.” I said, a smug expression on my face. I made sure to make him understand that I knew he wanted me badly for himself for reasons best known to him.
“You are getting ahead of yourself, Elara
I narrowed my eyes at him, not bothering to hide my irritation. “It’s 12:18, Backwood. Is this how you show up for important meetings? Late and smug?” I shot at him. My tone rude and distorting.
He gave me a lazy shrug, his lips curled into a half-smirk. “I don’t think you are in any position to blame me. You came late tas well, Elara. That makes us even.”
I scoffed.
“I came at 12:05. While you on the other hand, arrived at exactly…..”
I glanced at my watch.
“12:17 probably. You came late walking in here like I had invited you to a tea party. Do you even take things seriously?”
“I take everything seriously,” he replied, walking past me to the wine table. “The only difference between us both is that you panic because over time. But I don’t panic over time. I take my time. So relax.”
“You don’t even feel remorse do you?” I snapped.
He turned, pouring wine into both glasses. “Do you want me to be remorseful? You want my apology? Well I am not here to say sorry. I’m here to talk about business. To strike a deal.”
His tone was cold, emotionless. No guilt, no apology. I stared at him. The same old Luca. Always selfish. Always proud. Full of himself.
But this time, I wasn’t backing down. This meeting was on my terms. Not his.
“Whatever.” I snarled. Picking up the glass of wine. I took a sip.
Fresh. Cold. Thirst-satisfying.
Luca watched me closely. His eyes steadily observing me.
I looked up at him, cocking my head.
“So…. What is it that you want to discuss? What deal do you want to bring to the table?”.
Luca leaned back on his chair, swirling the wine in his glass like he had all the time in the world.
His stare was sharp, focused only on me. “Relax, Elara. I did not drag you out here for nothing. ” he said, his voice calm and deep. “ you have all the time don’t you?
“Blackwood?.’ I queried.
“Okay….. okay… I have something to offer. Something that will benefit the both of us.”
I raised a brow, unimpressed. “ Something to benefit us both? Go on.”
He smiled, leaning forward to me.“I want us to work together. To collide. To join forces. Lets be allies, not enemies.”
I let out a dry laugh. “Allies? Since when did you become the friendly type? Since when do you think we should work together?”.
“Since I realised we both gain more by joining forces.”
“Gain more?”. I inquired, curiosity piqued.
“Yes. We'll join forces together. I have something that you might want. Something you carved for.”