Chapter 24 All I could give

Chapter 24 All I could give
MAELIS ARDENT POV

“Lucien…” I uttered his name as I continued to take a step back when I saw a smirk on the corner of his lips.

“You look scared.” He said, and looked away.

“Me? Scared? Why would I?” I said confidently and was about to walk past him when he grabbed my arm and. “I…I don’t…i…_

“What? You forgot how to speak?” He said, smirking, which made me glare at him and kick him on his knee. “Damn it!” He said as she stepped back and touched his knee.

I smirked as I watched him massage it, i walk pass by him and sat on the sofa, and turned to raise my eyebrow.

“How did you know I’m here for Gabriel Valdez? I never said I was.” I said.

“La Vida is not the only org his parents paid to hunt him and bring him home, Velatrium too. That’s why Basil is not here.” He said that made me frown.

“Then why is he not with you? I know you also know that Gabriel is here.” I said, and he nodded and walked towards the kitchen counter and grabbed two glasses of wine.

“Of course, I sent Basil away to redirect other organization asset. But of course, you’re different. I expected that already.” He explaina s he poured wine.

“Redirect? Why? Do you understand his family order? They said to bring him home, now hide him.” I said, I pushed my hair behind me as I looked at him with disbelief.

I don’t know if he already lost his mind or if he’s just doing something here to make himself look better than anyone.

“Who said I’m here to capture him?” He said that made me stand up.

“What?” I asks.

“Gabriel is my friend, I’m here to help him escape,” He said as he walked towards me and handed me one of the glasses.

“What? So, what are you here to stop me from bringing home?” I asked as I sat and looked at him with disbelief all over my face.

“No, I’m here to help you bring him home…well, not really him, but a story about his death.” He explains.

“Lucien, his family is powerful. They won’t believe my story.” I said as I put down the glass of wine. “They will kill me if they knew I let him go.”

“Do you think I will let that happen?” He said, and for some reason I don’t know why, I felt happy, and I felt relieved like something was lifted inside my chest.

“Lucien…” I said in frustration.

“You won’t just tell a story, you will have a body to present to them. His family has a lot of enemies. It won’t be a problem to make them believe it.” He explain. “If you want to save your friend, you have to save Gabriel too.” He added.

I sigh and put my face in my palm in frustration, “So, what’s your plan?”

I WAS SITTING Beside Lucien in the car when he suddenly lean to me, making me hold my breath for a moment.

“Seatbelt,” He said as he put it on me.

“A-ah,” I said and fixed my seat. “Where are we going?” I asks.

“To Gabriel,” He said and started the car.

I could feel the soft breeze of the air, and I couldn't help but close my eyes as I felt it. It’s been a while since I felt this kind of peace. I was used to always in the edge of death or pain. I forgot that life could have this feeling.

I was raised to be the way I am. No emotion should be seen because if you do, they will know when you’re lying or telling the truth, and with Arcana, there is no room for lies, even if it means to protect the people you love. Death is the twin of loyalty and truthfulness in my world. I never felt I would be able to escape that, even just for a moment.

“Finally,” I heard Lucien say beside me, which made me look at him.

“Finally? What?” I asks and he looked at me. This is the first time I saw him with softness in his face, a small smile on the corner of his lips.

“It’s the first time see you genuinely smile,” He said, which made me chuckle.

“What do you mean? I smiled at you before. Remember when we first met? You just rolled your eyes at me and ignored me.” I said, he shook his head, and looked at me.

“But those smiles are not real,” He said, which made me stop and stare at him for a moment. “This smile suits you better. I like to see it on you more often.”

“Whatever,” I said smile shaking my head, and looking away, I felt my eyes start to water and made my vision blur a little.

He knew, he saw it right through me. For the first time, I felt happy…I felt happy that someone made me feel like he knew me, that someone saw how I truly felt. There is no fear, no hiding, I didn’t know that it actually felt good because all my life I have to be strong….I didn’t know that can also be vulnerable even just for a moment.

I looked at him, and I felt a tear roll down my cheek.

How? Why him of all people? How can Lucien Allard make me feel safe? When he’s the person, I must feel anger and nothing else…

“Lucien…” I called him, and he immediately looked at me, smiling. “I…I was…”

I was sent to kill you…I was sent here to destroy you, but how can you smile and look at me like that? How can you make me feel like you cherish me…when…when I was here to harm you…

“Yes?” He asks. “You’re hungry?” He asks, but I didn’t respond, I couldn’t respond… “We should make a stop first before we meet them. We have plenty of time.”

“I’m sorry…” I whispered to myself and looked away.

I know sorry is not enough, but that's all I could give.