Chapter 48 In The Silence, I Chose You
MAGDALENA saw Lucian as soon as she got home from work. He was sitting comfortably on the single couch. His legs were wide apart, and he was watching Angel as the little girl stroked her crayons softly on her sketch pad.
Angel was constantly glancing at Lucian, and she looked so serious.
It was like Lucian felt her presence, he lifted his face and their gazes immediately met.
He smirked and Lena rolled her eyes at her. Lucian chuckled as Lena walked towards Angel and kissed her cheek. "Hello, sweetie..."
"Mama! I'm drawing Uncle Lucian," Angel said, giggling.
"Let me see," Lena dropped her eyes on the sketch pad and then she smiled. "Hm! My sweetheart is very good at this."
"Really?" Lucian stood beside Lena. "You're right. I look hot and handsome."
"Uncle Lucian, I'm not done yet! Go back there!" Angel demanded and Lucian went back to his seat, laughing while shaking his head.
Lena just chuckled and went upstairs to change her clothes, leaving Lucian and Angel downstairs.
She went downstairs again after she was called for dinner. It was peaceful with a little bit of teasing between Lucian and Angel.
Lena enjoyed the dinner, the three of them did. Probably because they're comfortable with each other, or probably because Viktor, the person who brings tension, wasn't with them.
After dinner, Lena tucked Angel to bed and decided to take a shower. She just finished taking a quick bath when her phone started ringing. It was Viktor.
Lena had already thought about this thoroughly. She will talk to Viktor about their relationship when he gets home. She would...refuse his marriage proposal.
She can no longer put up with this.
She's very happy with Lucian, but whenever she thinks about Viktor, she gets really guilty. She can't marry Viktor when she has feelings for Lucian.
"Hello?" Lena answered the call after clearing her throat. She sat on the bed after opening the glass door of the balcony to let the night air in.
Angel was fast asleep on the bed, hugging her stuffed toy.
The curtains danced as the wind blew gently.
\[What took you so long to answer?\] Viktor asked.
"I was in the shower," Lena answered as she bit her bottom lip.
Viktor let out a sigh. \[How are you? I have to extend for three more days.\]
Lena's lips parted. "Why?"
She wants to talk to him as soon as possible, but how when his business trip was extended?
\[Just encountered some problems.\] Viktor answered with a hoarse voice. He sounded tired, and it made Lena feel even more guilty. \[But don't worry. I'll make sure to come home sooner. I missed you.\]
Lena nodded. "Okay..."
\[I said I miss you, Lena.\] Viktor said again, like he was demanding something.
Lena's chest tightens. "I..."
She couldn't say it. How?
\[Lena, I said I miss you...\] There was a warning in his tone.
Lena sucked her breath and squeezed her eyes. "I...missed you too."
The words tasted wrong. Bitter. Painful.
After the call, she stared at the screen for God knows how long until she heard noises outside the balcony.
Lena's heart skipped a beat when she saw a flower on the floor. There was no note, and the flower looked like it was dropped accidentally. One petal was detached.
She ran to the balcony and looked down. Her lips parted when she saw the garden stair lying on the bed of bermuda glass.
Then, she caught a glimpse of someone at the next balcony, his broad shoulders unmistakable even in the dark.
Lucian...
Lena went out of the bedroom after closing the balcony door. She didn't think twice to knock on Lucian's door. She was barefooted and was wearing her night dress.
She swallowed hard when Lucian opened the door. His eyes immediately found hers. They were emotionless and yet cold, like he was expecting it was her behind his door, and he wanted her to see that expression.
She lifted the flower in her hand, missing one petal. "This was from you, right?"
Lucian glanced at it, lazily, like he wasn't interested before he looked into her eyes again. "And?"
Lena swallowed hard. "Lucian..."
"Goodnight, Magdalena," Lucian said, shutting her down.
He was about to close the door but Lena pushed the door, forcing him to step back.
Lena didn't mean to step inside. But she did. Unconsciously.
Her eyes never leave his cold pair of orbs.
"Lucian, I-I will explain," Lena said. She didn't even realize she closed the door behind her.
Lucian glanced behind her. His brows furrowed before he looked at her again. "Explain what?"
"A-About what you heard," Lena answered, like a whisper. "The call...with Viktor."
"What did I hear?" Lucian stood before her, eyes unreadable, breath shallow, like he wasn't interested in her explanation.
The space between them stretched tight with the tension of unsaid feelings and pain. Lena could feel the pain in her heart. She doesn't want him to get mad.
Lena shook her head. "I-I'm planning to tell Viktor about my decision. Once he gets home, I'll tell him I won't marry him-"
He didn't move for a second. But something in his eyes flickered.
"You'll do that?" Lucian's expression slowly changed. He shifted his weight. "Why would you do that?"
Lena swallowed hard, sucking her breath. "Because...because I don't love him."
Lucian advanced to her once, eyes lingering like he was expecting something good. "Who do you love, then?"
Lena's lips parted. "I-I..."
Lucian stepped forward again, completely invading the personal space.
His palm caressed her cheek, and it made Lena close her eyes, feeling his warm touch.
It felt intimate. It felt magical.
Like he touched her heart. And she let him.
Lucian leaned down, closer. "Tell me, Magdalena... Who do you love?" His voice dropped, warm and dangerous.
She swallowed hard before opening her eyes and met his intense gaze. The sound of her heart was a mixture of love, desire, and danger. It was intense. It was consuming.
"Lucian..." She whispered his name like it was the answer to his question. Her eyes mirrored her feelings, her thoughts, her desire, her answer.
And slowly, he reached for her, slowly, like he wants every moment to be special.
His hand cupped her jaw, thumb grazing the corner of her mouth as the distance between their faces shortened.
Lena's breath caught. Her eyes fluttered shut.
Don't do this, a voice in her head warned.
But her body... It had been starved too long.
For tenderness.
For heat.
For him.
And then finally, Lucian's lips brushed against hers. Gentle, unhurried.
His lips felt so warm and sweet. It didn't taste as bitter as guilt. It tastes as sweet as true love and Magdalena likes it. She likes it so much.
She felt free. Like his kiss freed her. It's the kind of kiss that makes her question everything she thought was right for her.
She likes him. No... She loves him. She's fallen for him.