Twelve

E V E L Y NI sat nervously in the room, waiting for Alex to arrive. I had spent hours getting ready, carefully choosing my outfit and doing my makeup. Alex wanted everything to be perfect.

I wore a simple yet elegant black dress that hugged my curves in all the right places. It was a classic look that I knew would never go out of style.

As I looked around the room, I couldn't help but feel a sense of guilt. I had been looking forward to all this coming to an end.

I want to go home.

These past few days, Alex has become extra sinful and ruthless. It's been two weeks for goodness sake.

I felt caged and suffocated, I want to be far away from this, from all of it.

Alex said he'd wait for Lucas to come for me, cause according to Alex, he's certain Lucas would come for me.

Funny he couldn't tell what was possible and impossible. Lucas must probably be at ease, I mean having me as a burned is enough to keep him on the edge.

My stomach churned as I waited, and I fidgeted with my hair to try to calm myself down.

Finally, I heard a knock at the door. My heart raced as I got up to answer it.

He was dressed in a sharp business suit, and he looked incredibly sophisticated and stylish. His suit was tailored to perfection, and it hugged his broad shoulders and muscular frame in all the right places.

His hair was neatly styled, and he had a well-groomed beard that added to his ruggedly handsome appearance. His eyes were a deep shade of brown, and they sparkled with intelligence and wit.

If only his looks could match his attitude.

He smirked, "Like what you see" he spread his arm exuding confidence.

I had to fight back the urge to churn my nose forcing a smile.

He leaned in kissing a kiss on my left cheek, his cologne hitting my nostrils.

I gulp down a numb sucking in a harsh breath.

He pulled back, "Shall we" he ushered.

As we sat in the back of the car, I couldn't help but feel suffocated by the silence. The tension between us was palpable, and it felt like I was drowning in it.

He stared out the window, lost in his own thoughts, and I felt like wiping off that smug look on his face.

The ride felt like an eternity, and I was relieved when we finally arrived at the business gala. As soon as we stepped out of the car, the paparazzi descended upon us like vultures.

Flashbulbs exploded in my face, and I felt like I was being blinded by the sudden onslaught of light. I tried to smile for the cameras, but it felt like a grotesque caricature of myself.

As we made our way down the red carpet, I could feel the eyes of the crowd on us. I knew that they were judging us, analyzing our every move, and I couldn't help but feel self-conscious and exposed.

Once we made it inside, I tried to relax and enjoy the evening, but the tension between us was still there, simmering just beneath the surface. I felt like I was walking on eggshells, afraid to say or do anything that might set him off.

As the night wore on, I found myself growing more and more anxious. I couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong, that we were on the verge of a catastrophic meltdown.

When it was finally time to leave, I couldn't wait to get back to the safety of the car. As we drove away from the gala, I felt a sense of relief wash over me.

The silence was still there, but it felt different somehow. It was no longer suffocating, no longer overwhelming. It was a silence that I could live with, a silence that I could endure.

And as we drove back to our hotel, I knew that no matter what happened between us, I would be okay. I would find a way to survive, to thrive, to make it through the silence and the tension and the suffocation.

The sound of the car engine was the only thing that broke the silence as we drove back to the hotel. I couldn't help but feel a sense of disappointment that the evening had turned out the way it did.

I had been looking forward to this business gala for weeks, so it'll come and pass and maybe he may decide it's time to leave. we had spent the entire evening avoiding each other, and it felt like we were more distant than ever.

And that gave me a feeling of satisfaction.

As we pulled up to the hotel, I felt a sense of relief that the ride was finally over. I couldn't wait to get out of the car and away from the suffocating tension that had been building between us all night.

But as I stepped out of the car, I was greeted by the same barrage of paparazzi that had been waiting for us earlier. Flashbulbs exploded in my face once again, and I felt like I was being suffocated all over again.

I tried to smile for the cameras, but it felt like a hollow gesture. I knew that the pictures would be all over the tabloids the next day, and I couldn't help but feel like I was being judged by the entire world.

Maybe, just maybe if Lucas sees it, he may ---Well you know---

As we made our way into the hotel, I felt like I was walking on eggshells. I didn't know what to say or how to act, and I was afraid that any misstep could send us spiraling into another night of tension and silence.

But as we stepped into the elevator, something shifted between us. He reached out and took my hand, and suddenly the silence didn't feel so suffocating anymore.

We didn't say anything as we rode up to our room, but it didn't matter. The silence was different now, softer, more comfortable. It was a silence that I could live with, a silence that I could even enjoy.

And as we stepped into our room, I knew that everything would be okay. We might still have some things to work out, but we were in this together, and that was all that mattered.

We walked in, and the minute the light went on my heart dropped.

Lucas?

But how?

Alex smirked clasping my waist, "Told you he'll be here"

Just like a blink of an eye, Lucas pounced on his face in contact with his fist.

His fists clenched tightly at his sides. His eyes were narrowed in anger, and his chest heaved with each ragged breath.

His fists flying forward in a flurry of punches. The sound of his fists hitting Alex echoed through the room, a sharp staccato beat that seemed to match the pounding of his heart.

He attacked him with a fierce intensity, his punches coming faster and harder with each passing moment. Sweat dripped down his face, and his muscles bulged with the effort of his exertion.

Alex groaned in pain trying to fight back yet he was no match for Lucas. Lucas didn't let up, didn't slow down, didn't stop until he was completely spent.

Finally, he stepped back from him, his chest heaving with exertion. He wiped the sweat from his brow, and for a moment, he just stood there, catching his breath.

"You fucking bastard"

He raised his fist to the air yet again.

I screamed, "Stop!"

He paused, sending a glare my way that sent shivers crawling.

His eyes burnt with fury, it was a version of him I had never seen.

But why?

"P-please" I pleaded, my lips trembling as a lone tear slipped.

His eyes began to soften, dropping his hands down.

"She belongs to me Moore, not even your alignment could change that"

His fist clenched suddenly, getting a hold of Alex's collar.

"She's my wife." He stayed laying emphasis as he gripped tighter on his shirt. "I'm warning you Rodriguez, I could be your fucking nightmare" his tune soaked with power.

He flingef him to the ground walking towards me. With each step he took, my heart skipped.

I shivered in fear as he stood a few inches from me.

I looked down on my heels avoiding his captivating stare awaiting my own share but to my utmost surprise he got a hold of my hand pulling me with him.

"Luc---"

"Don't!"