Underlying Problem

ALBERT'S eyes enlarged.

"The audacity of this cunt," Albert thought as he stared malevolently at the man in front of him.

He leaned forward and held Lucian's collar.

"Hey!? Cut it off." The police officer nearby yelled. Albert immediately let go of Lucian.

Albert scoffed," Your words are more of a declaration than asking for permission," he remarked.

"How sure are you that my daughter will accept your proposal?" He added while crossing his arms.

Lucian nodded, "She's the one who proposed to me." He muttered proudly.

Albert laughed, "She did?" He spoke in surprise, and his gaze softened momentarily. He visualizes his daughter wearing a wedding gown, but soon sorrow creeps into him. The reality that he might not have the chance to walk his daughter down the aisle entered his mind.

Soon his gaze darkened when he stared at Lucian, "If that's her decision... But... If you hurt her, assure yourself I won't take this lightly." He warns.

Lucian smirked, "I know what you mean, and I would never do anything to hurt her. She's terrifying." He uttered playfully.

Albert grinned, "She is. If she could send me... Her own father to jail, what do you think she'd do to you?" he stated.

Shortly, their conversation ended when another prison guard entered the room to notify them that the visitation time had ended. To Lucian's relief, it turns out way better than he ever imagined. Now he only needed to speak to Thalia, who at the time was out of town.

Feeling jovial, he marched to his car gleefully, and then in the corner of his eyes he saw a black motorcycle. Briefly, a wave of fearful memories engulfs him.

Fragments of the incident from his accident return. He was about to hide in fear when he saw the motorcycle drive near him, but before he could react, the driver stopped then yelled at someone to hurry up. Soon, a girl wearing a high school uniform emerges from the sea of parked cars.

"Wait, Brother. Why are you in such a hurry?" The girl yelled as she wore her helmet.

Lucian felt at ease instantly.

But still, he regarded the severity of the fright he felt and hastily entered his car and, with a trembling hand, called Alex to get more information about his car accident.

He is afraid that the unknown assailant might hurt him and Latton again. He is clueless that the person that caused the accident was Henri and Latton was already aware of it. A piece of information that will soon be important to their relationship.

The next day.

The most awaited time of John and Vivian finally arrived. It was their engagement party and John made sure to splurge on everything he got. He hired Vivian's favorite band as a surprise for her. The moment she heard them play her favorite song, she sobbed in glee and almost destroyed her expensive makeup.

Being the center of attention, Vivian wore a long white high-slit satin dress that showed off her long legs, her hair was styled in soft curls, giving her a Roman goddess's appearance. John, on the other hand, wore a custom-tailored black tuxedo with a pair of gold cufflinks with his initials. The well-tailored garment emphasized the month-long preparation he did to lose weight for the event. Aside from that, his hair was clean-cut, and he was clean-shaven. The way he projects himself shows how confident and happy he is.

Shortly after, important guests started arriving from Caldwell Incorporated managers, Mr. And Mrs. Caldwell. Lucius, Latton, and Lucian.

Not wanting any attention diverted to her. Latton, as she mentioned before, did not wear the 13.1 diamond ring Lucian gave her and, since her hair was dyed red, it was already noticeable. That's the reason why she wore a simple dress. A plain black dress an inch below the knee that doesn't accentuate her figure.

It was not the best dress for her, but Lucian loved it, as he didn't want others to see her curves. He was holding Latton's hands firmly, not wanting to let her go.

She smiles while looking at his arm wrapped around her. "I wonder how I made you become obsessed with me." She mumbles to him while waving at Vivian, who is busy accepting gifts from the guests.

Lucian grinned and leaned close to her, "I love every inch of you." He whispered flirtatiously as he nuzzled her neck.

She then playfully punches him on his shoulder, "Not here you horny bunny."

-

Shortly, the lights in the room dimmed and the event soon started with a simple presentation created by the event's coordinator showing how Vivian and John met. Showcasing a decade-long relationship that grew from love at first sight in the train station, to their first date, their first job, and their first time moving in together.

The couple felt surreal and all the attention was on them while they did their first dance as officially engaged.

Latton was preoccupied watching John and Vivian dancing cheek to cheek.

Lucian took advantage of it and discreetly walked to Alex to speak to him about his car accident.

"I know this is not a good time, Alex, but I need to know," he remarked.

Alex glanced at Latton who was a few feet away from them and Lucian knew too well what Alex's gaze meant.

"No. Don't let her know anything about this," Lucian requested while speaking in a low voice.

Alex lowered his head, "I... I have mentioned it to her before." He mumbles.

Lucian gasped, "What did she say?"

"She told me to investigate it thoroughly, but it hindered nothing at that time. Some of the CCTVs at the place that night were undergoing maintenance and only captured a few glimpses of your car driving into the incoming traffic and a motorcycle slowly driving to your car. " He explains then heaves deeply. "A lot of things happened, and she got busy taking care of you. She did not follow up afterward." He added as he patted Lucian's shoulder.

Lucian nods, "Good. That's good. Don't tell her anything anymore. We need to find this motorcycle. If my memory is correct, the reason why I drove into that incoming traffic was because the rider was holding a gun and was planning to shoot me. Aside from that, there's a car that is following me. Find who these people are before they strike again." He demanded.

Alex nodded in agreement.

"I don't want anyone or anything to come between us," Lucian mumbles while staring at Latton's location.

He soon walks back to her as the couple's first dance ends.

"Is there a problem? You are frowning while talking to Alex." Latton asks as she wraps her hand around his arm.

Not wanting to answer her question, he smiled, "Am I the obsessed one or you?" He inquired playfully. Trying his best to hide his uneasiness. As of yesterday, he is on edge and doesn't have enough sleep, adding to the paranoia that is slowly poisoning him.

She sensed his subtle frantic movements but didn't want to push him to spill the beans, at least not tonight, as this belonged to Vivian and John.

After the couple's first dance, the floor was open for everyone to enjoy and Lucian took advantage of it to set his mind off things.

"Let's dance!" He says while already pulling Latton onto the dance floor.

She giggles as she gently places her left hand on his shoulder and her right hand on his chest while she leans close to him, and he firmly encases his arms around her waist. They dance cheek to cheek in the mellow music.

"I wish we could stay like this forever," she whispered in his ear.

He grins, "Dancing?" He asks as he stares at her.

She shook her head, "Happy and in love." She uttered, her eyes shining in glee.

He blushed and was about to say something, but his parents danced beside them and suggested that they exchange partners.

Latton's face turned crimson instantly. She still feels embarrassed due to the hospital incident where they saw her naked and in bed with Lucian.

On the other hand, Lucian gladly gave Latton's hand to his father while he gently bowed his head to his mother.

Soon Lucian was dancing with Alicia and Latton was with George.

George clears his throat, "My son is not perfect, but I know he is a good person." He mumbles.

Latton's ears burned red. Her hands were sweating and George could feel it. Their left hand was clasped to each other while George's other hand was gently touching her back.

"Are you okay?" He asks seeing how red her face is.

She nods.

"I know a lot of things have happened between the two of you... and... I'm not saying this because he is my son but... I never saw him this happy before and Alicia and I are elated to know you two are engaged despite everything." He explains.

His words stunned her and she was rendered speechless. "He already told them?" She thought to herself.

CONCURRENTLY, Lucian was staring at them the whole time.

"What do you think Dad was telling her?" He asks nicely.

"Probably some embarrassing things you did as a child," Alicia muttered jokingly.

Lucian's gaze widened.

Alicia then patted her son's back. "What are your plans? Have you spoken to her parents?" She asks.

He nodded, "I spoke to Albert Ripley. He gave me his blessing but I haven't spoken to Thalia. She's out of town." He sighs deeply.

"I want to marry her as soon as possible, but she said we need to let John and Vivian have their moment. After their wedding, we'll plan ours."

He smiles faintly, "She didn't even wear the ring I gave her. She is afraid it might take the attention away from the couple." He added, his eyes still glued to George and Latton. He sees them laughing, and it frightens him a bit that his father might be telling her embarrassing things.

Alicia gasped in awe, "That's nice of her to think of others," she remarked.

She stared at her son. She witnesses how his sight is fixed on Latton. She saw how his eyes shone in delight.

"I'm happy you found her," Alicia added as she hugged him tightly.

Instead of being overjoyed by his mother's remarks, Lucian felt a pit in his stomach. As if something sinister was about to happen if his unknown assailant remained at large, "And I won't let anyone take her from me." He yelled internally.