Chapter 86: Love In The Air
Chapter 86: Love In The Air
“I would admit that I was thinking about everything that happened yesterday. It was sudden and I did not see you yesterday night…so I was worried. I just came to check if you’re fine.” She said, sensing her feelings tripping over each other—fear, confusion, and longing.
A shadow crossed his face as he processed her words. “I was also about to check on you and as about yesterday's incident don’t think much about it, you should be safe away from all this chaos.”
“Safe? How?” She asked. “You know that it’s impossible. You’re involved and I feel like I’m in a dangerous whirlwind. Everything is happening so quickly, I’m overwhelmed.”
Lac stepped closer, his presence almost enveloping her. “If you listen to me and don’t make any escape plan, you’ll be safe. I can protect you.”
Elora stood her ground, his eyes bore into hers, intense.
“What if that’s not enough lac? What if I don’t want to stay? What if…..
“Just listen to me, Elora. Please.” He cut in, stepping even closer. “I need you to understand something.”
Elora kept quiet, watching as he looked away for a moment, as if collecting his thoughts then turned his gaze back to her.
“I have never wanted any woman as much as I want you, Elora. Not just as my mistress, I want…more. I’m shamelessly in love with you.” His confession hung in the air, a palpable weight between them.
Elora felt her heart skip a beat. The world seemed to stop and get breathless. She stared at him, trying to process his words. Did she hear wrong?
Did he really say he loved her?
“Lac….
“I don’t know how.” He interrupted, his voice softening. “You mean this world to me and I can’t watch something bad happen to you. About the kidnapping and the shooting, I’m already working on it.”
Elora’s heart raced, her emotions collided. The unexpected confession stirred something deep inside of her, a flicker of hope mingled with uncertainty crossed her face.
“But.., I did not choose this life. I don’t belong here and you know it.” She answered back.
Lac moved closer and she could feel the warmth radiating from him. “It doesn’t matter, Elora. I want to keep you by my side, away from Jaxon and other threats. I can’t let go, please.”
The way he sounded sent a shiver down her spine, and the surge of emotions she had been trying to suppress stirred.
“I don’t want your love.” She let out. “You made me your mistress forcibly and now you’re claiming you want more than a mistress? What if I can’t live like this? It is too much for me to handle.”
“Let me help you.” He urged, taking her hands in his.
Elora pulled away from him reluctantly. “I am sorry, Lac. I can’t do this..I just can’t.”
“Let’s take one step at a time..
“I don’t want to take any steps!” She cut in, pointing her finger at him. “I have no feelings for you!”
Her heart ached instantly, as if suspecting her lie.
Lac’s expression shifted and he stepped back allowing the space between them to grow, though his eyes never wavered from hers.
“Even you don’t believe the words coming out from your mouth..your eyes say a different thing.” He said, his voice barely a whisper.
Elora’s thought raced as her back touched the door. The truth to her was tangled in fear and confusion. She wanted to push him away, forever but her heart wants the opposite.
“You ruined my life, Lac. My life is turned upside down!” She declared firmly.
Lac's expression remained the same but he took a breath, steadying himself. “I can’t change what I’ve done but I can change how we will move forward. I can give you anything you desire—wealth, love, and loyalty.”
“What about freedom?” She questioned, feeling the anger in her surge.
“Elora…
She scoffed. “Freedom is not even included and you claim you love me? Well, isn’t it obvious? You have no family nearby so you can’t know how it feels. You don’t miss or yearn for your family and friends! How did you even develop feelings?”
Lac’s expression softened, still fierce. Her words struck a chord deep within him.
“I am out of here!” She affirmed and then stormed out of the room. She headed to her room quickly, her head reeling with different thoughts. As she entered her room, she locked the door immediately.
Inside her room, Elora pressed her back against the door and caught her breath. The weight of Lac’s sudden confession rested on her chest and it made her weak.
She paced through the room, running her hands through her hair. She tried to wrestle the feelings he had unleashed, the feelings she had buried deep. Falling to her knees, the walls of her room felt like a sanctuary.
Family gatherings, laughter, and Emma's friendship surged as they stared at the wall. He was determined to take that freedom from her, making her feel miserable. What was life without those precious connections?
“No. I won’t let him take that from me.” She said to herself.
Yet as she said it, self-doubt crept in. She knew Lac had woken something in her, he had sparked something deep in her. A yearning she’d never felt before.
A knock on the door jolted get back to reality and she got up from the floor.
“Who is it?” She inquired curiously.
“Elora..it’s Nico.”
Elora felt disappointed, her heart wanted someone else. She walked to the door and opened it then beamed lightly at Nico even though it was not genuine.
“Good morning, Nico.”
“Can I come in?” He asked and Elora moved away from the way, closing the door as he entered. “I am so sorry that I did not come to check on you yesterday…I was quite busy. Are you okay?”
Elora nodded, hiding her pain. “I am okay. What about you?”
“I am fine ... .I won’t be around throughout today so I want you to take care of yourself.” He declared calmly.
Elora nodded as she paused as she processed his words. “You don’t be around throughout today…why?”
“It is Lac’s birthday..
“What?”