Chapter 55 Love Should Be Simple
MAGDALENA couldn't move as she stared at Terrence Blackwood and Lucian talking in the distance. She couldn't hear what they're talking about but a doubt suddenly rushed in her.
When Lucian walked back towards them and sat beside Lena now, she looked at him. "Why didn't you tell me that you knew Mr. Blackwood?"
Lucian's lips protruded a little as he looked at her. "I didn't think it mattered."
"It matters," Lena answered. "He's my boss, Lucian."
He smiled. "I know."Her brows furrowed. "You knew?"
"Yeah." Lucian scratched his brows and gently wiped the side of Angel's lips. Lena glanced at what he did before she looked at him again.
"How did you know him?" Lena asked curiously, trying to make her tone as light as she could.
"He's my friend's brother," Lucian answered, now staring at her. "What's bothering you?"
Lena took a deep breath. "Did you...talk to him? About me?"
Lucian stared at her. "Did you think I paved the way for you? That I used my connection to give you this job? Are you thinking that way?" His tone was so gentle, not offended that she's accusing him.
"Did you?" Lena asked softly.
Lucian moved closer and swiftly caressed her cheek. He slowly nodded. "Whatever you have now, you deserve it. You got this job because you deserve it."
She bit her bottom lip and swallowed hard. "But I still couldn't believe it. Blackwood Shipping is a large company. And I know my lacking. I don't have the strongest resume. I have a stained and shameful past. I know that it's not easy for me to get into this company and I thought..."
"You thought I talked to Terrence to hire you?" Lucian smiled. "Baby, don't doubt yourself too much. Your past is not shameful. It might be stained, but not shameful. You fought a good fight, securing your ground and future. What's shameful about that?"
Lena bit her bottom lip, staring into his loving eyes. She was completely drowned in his stares and was definitely affected by his words. He wasn't just kind, he also knew what to say to make her feel better.
"Why are you calling Mama your baby?" Angel asked, now done eating and staring at them.
Lena's lips parted as she looked at Angel. "Uhm..."
"Because she looks like a baby," Lucian answered, grinning.
Angel pouted. "But she's a grown up. She's not a baby! I am the baby."
Lucian's laughter broke. "You're no longer a baby."
Angel and Lucian started teasing each other while Lena just watched them. After lunchbreak, she immediately went back to the company and was greeted by Clara, who seemed to be waiting for her in the lobby.
"Lena," Clara waved at her happily.
Lena bit her bottom lip. She knows Clara would ask questions.
"That's really Lucian Moretti, right?" Clara asked, smiling as they walked towards the elevator.
Lena nodded. "Yes..."
Clara snapped her fingers. "He's still a student, but he looks more mature than his age. Gosh! What's your relationship with him?"
Lena swallowed hard. Clara hadn't realized the situation. They entered the elevator. They're alone, but Lena knows Clara won't stop asking.
"And the girl," Clara giggled. "The girl looked exactly like you, so I know she's your daughter. Tell me, are you secretly married to Lucian Moretti?"
Lena's lips parted and before she could answer, the closing elevator door paused. Someone entered, and Clara didn't speak again after that.
Lena stood frozen. In front of them was a tall man in a suit. Terrence Blackwood, surrounded by snobbish and risky cold aura. His back and shoulders looked so broad, making him look more masculine up close.
He saw her and Lucian, and he probably knows who she is. She's starting to feel uncomfortable around her boss now. She doesn't know what he's thinking.
"I'll go ahead," Clara whispered to her after the elevator stopped at her floor.
Lena just nodded and watched her as she left, too careful to not bump into Mr. Blackwood.
Trying to breathe calmly, Lena bit her bottom lip. She kept on glancing at Mr. Blackwood, waiting for a question, or a possible accusation. But there was none.
The elevator slid open to the executive floor without a word from the man of few words.
Lena stared at him as he walked straight to his office. She sat on her swivel chair and shut her eyes tight, trying to forget about her negative thoughts.
Maybe Mr. Blackwood doesn't care.
Hopefully.
After work, Lena rode a taxi to go home. The drive was silent and peaceful when her phone started ringing.
Viktor.
How can one name make her feel suffocated when the owner of that name isn't even physically present?
"Hello?" Lena answered the call.
\[Are you home now?\] His tone sounded calm.
Lena sucked her breath. "Almost. I just got off work."
\[Hm! Okay. I just want to check on you.\] Viktor paused. \[How are you? How's the mansion?\]
Lena felt like he was trying to squeeze something from her. Or, maybe she was too paranoid.
"Everything's fine," she answered, turning her head to the blurry picture of the city outside the taxi's window. "We're okay."
\[What about Lucian? Did he try to mess with you?\] His tone suddenly became stiff upon the mention of his own son's name.
Lena felt the tension. "He's not," she answered, eyes shutting tightly. "He's not...messing with me."
\[Alright.\] Viktor sounded satisfied. \[Text me when you're home. I still need to read some files.\]
After the call ended, Lena massaged her temples. She promised herself that she'll tell Viktor about her relationship with Lucian. But it's so hard to tell him on the phone.
Back at the mansion, Lena entered quietly. She checked Angel in their bedroom and saw her doing her homework. She's already wearing her pajamas, so that means she's eaten her dinner. The door wasn't closed, and she's not alone. Lucian is with her, teaching her.
"Let's say I gave you five dollars and your Mama gave you another five, what's the answer?" Lucian asked, patiently.
"Ten," Angel answered excitedly.
Lena crossed her arms and watched them from the door. That's when the middle-aged maid came, carrying a glass of milk for Angel.
"Uh... Where is Eva?" Lena asked, worried. Eva brings Angel's milk sometimes, and this was the first time she didn't.
"She went home, Miss Lena. She was sick, so she took a one week vacation," the maid answered politely.
Lena nodded and grabbed the glass. "I'll take it from here."
After the maid left, Lena bit her bottom lip. Eva is sick and took a vacation. She feels like it wasn't just because of her condition. It was because of her. It was because of what she witnessed.
How can she fix this? Everything is becoming more complicated.
Why can't love be just simple?