"Why are you so lost?" Jen Han inquired as he observed Yanner's crestfallen face. She was munching on her favourite caramelised popcorn while dipping them in Nutella. The number of calories she was ingesting made him shudder. And the tense look on her face made him worry, Yanner was never expressive with her thoughts or at least in front of him she hid her real self.

Her eyes were red, he could see the veins on them as she threw in the popcorn in her mouth clumsily. Her eyes were not on the bowl, they were on the bookshelf. Han wanted her to lower her guards around him, but trust issues existed. Even though the two seemed like a sweet lively family, they were barely holding together the broken remnants of what people called family sentiments. And Jen Han was guilty in this case. He never behaved like a responsible father, it was always her who made the first move. He knew that Yanner looked up to him, she was proud of her father and often craved for his company.

"I *crunch* am *crunch* getting married to Luce", Yanner confessed casually amidst crunching the popcorn. There was silence from beside her, deadly silence. It stretched as her crunches got louder and louder in the silent room. She grabbed the hot and spicy Cheetos and dipped them in Nutella.

"Yanner eww. You have such a disgusting taste", He remarked while crinkling his nose in a disgusting expression making her frown. She thought back to Luce's spicy voice and sweet lukewarm eyes while dipping another Cheetos in Nutella. Her father couldn't bear it any longer and snatched the Nutella jar.

"Are you even listening to me?" He asked as Yanner grabbed the jam jar and opened the lid.

"Yes, I am *crunch* listening to you", She said sweetly while dipping the Cheetos in jam.

"Ahhh, what the hell Yanner! This is atrocious", Jen Han complained as he snatched all the snacks from her hand making her sulk. Her lips were outlined by Nutella stain as she pursed them.

"Nothing is wrong with my taste dad. Luce is...", She sighed and continued " the type of boy I always dreamed about, why are you calling him a disgusting taste?"

"Not that, silly girl. I am talking about the food you eat every day. How about we have a hotpot tomorrow with Wang's family?" He offered in a sweet voice. His black eyes were shimmering with happiness, as he ruffled her hair fondly. Then squinted his eyes when a popcorn fell.

"You mean, you are happy with me and Luce-", He cut her off.

"I and Wang were hoping for this to happen..." He trailed off with a guilty smile on his face. She didn't respond letting her father believe that they were indeed the ones who arranged their meet-cute. As she imagined Luce's father a question that kept popping in her mind flew out of her tongue.

"Dad, Is Mr Wang Luce's birth father? As Luce looks too American coming from a Chinese family"

"He is adopted", He erased Yanner's query quickly and gave her a meaningful look to not ask this question again. Adoption was a sensitive topic and questioning it further will make them uncomfortable. She brushed it off and smiled when her phone beeped.

It was Luce's text.

Are you in for a drink?

She replied with a yes.

I will pick you up in thirty minutes then.

Yanner whistled joyfully forgetting her father's presence. He glanced at Su Yan with a judgemental look then rolled his eyes.

She smiled awkwardly and rushed to her room.

***

Yanner waited outside her house clad in a woollen sweater under which a purple off shoulder T-shirt peeked through. Her bleached jeans were of course brought by her father with a chain hanging from the pocket.

She grinned as the cool winter air-kissed her cheeks, thinking about Luce. It wasn't his face that attracted her anymore, but the soft aura he exuded. His presence was so calming that even an insomniac like her felt drowsy. He was a nice guy, she could feel it. And the type of guy that only existed in books. Yanner wanted to announce to her readers, that she found Lucifer. Luce was her Lucifer.

It astounded Yanner how her real-life was now integrated with fiction. They were the same. Catarina, Luce and her father were far too perfect to be real. But they existed to her delight.

A car parked beside her, breaking her thought process. Luce exited from the car his hair loose as he walked towards Yanner with a sweet smile. He pecked Yanner on her cheeks and lips.

"It's cold outside", He expressed wrapping his arms around her and helping her in the front seat. She was blushing not with the cold but his sweet voice. Her heart was beating loudly, enjoying the attention he was showering her with. He put on the seat belt around her, his hands softly touching her waist as his face came closer to her face. Excitement made her close her eyes as his hand cupped around her cheeks.

"I love you", He said the sweet words again. His voice echoed in her mind as she opened her eyes to see him shutting the door and getting on the driver's seat. She shrugged off the disappointment and ogled him shamelessly till they reached the club where they first met. Her eyes lit up as she felt her cheeks blush with embarrassment. This was the same club where she shamelessly took pictures of the handsome man sitting beside her. She wanted to groan out loud but kept a blank face, to keep the guilt and shame to herself. Gathering her coat she quickly exited the car, following after Luce.

She took smaller steps to maintain her cool as her cheeks were flushed red. They entered the fancy club and headed towards the counter. As she sat on the long chair Yanner felt dejavu hit her. Luce's platinum hair was concealing the right half of their face, his blue eyes were visible which were shining brightly as he ordered the drinks. She could see his sharp jaw as well his smooth cheeks with a tinge of red. Her heart was beating loudly as she gulped. It was painful looking at his face, Yanner realised.

The drinks quickly arrived, due to the strange emotions Yanner didn't hesitate before downing the shot. Her eyes squinted as she felt the bitter taste itch her throat. Tears started rolling down from her eyes as she opened her mouth to reduce the taste. Just then she felt someone pinching her lips and squeezing lemon into her mouth.

She stared at Luce as he kept on squeezing the lemon on her tongue, Yanner swallowed and wiped her lips with her tongue. This shifted his gaze to her eyes. His fingers were still pinching her lips as Yanner swiped her tongue on them making him withdraw. He quickly turned back to his seat as if nothing happened, maintaining the heavy atmosphere as Yanner ordered another glass of shot with a pinch of lemon.

Luce casually downed his glass and whirled towards her. He smirked and brought her chair closer to him, which made her flush. And gently caressed her lips, his eyes were shimmering with an intensity that made her toes curl and then his lips descended on hers.

This kiss of his was playful. He was challenging her as he bit her upper lips making her frown. Yanner pulled him closer and intruded her tongue inside his mouth, sucking off the aftertaste of the alcohol. Her tongue tangled with his as they caressed each other one last time and pulled away breathing hard. The bartender served her the drink and after the second drink, Yanner lost her count. She was intoxicated by the drinks and the kisses they shared after each of them to wash off the alcohol. As the night progressed both of them became drunk. Or at least Yanner.

And her blabbering mouth began spewing out all her secrets.

"Luce, why are you moving?" She asked squinting her eyes as the blurred shadow of Luce danced. She spun her chair around trying to catch the fast-moving Luce with her chair.

"I am not moving", Luce replied with a sigh as he caught her before she could fall off the chair.

"Hey, you!" She pointed towards him, "Stop moving"

Luce flicked his nose in annoyance and lifted Yanner onto his lap so that his chin was resting on her shoulder. They sat in silence as Yanner wiggled around the seat disturbing Luce spiritually.

"Can I tell you a secret?" Yanner whisper yelled near his ears. Luce schooled his expression, his brain was roasting the drunk Yanner and was laughing at her.

"Yes", He said breathing in her ear, which made Yanner giggle as she stared at him seriously. Her lively expression changed as fast as lightning, scaring Luce a bit.

"When I was a kid my dream was to collect hands", She confessed as she massaged his long fingers. Her words made him shiver, it almost gave him psychotic vibes. He patiently let her caress his fingers and held in the shiver of terror when she bit him. A hiss escaped from his lips as Yanner tasted the blood.

"Your blood doesn't taste like a rapist", She giggled. Her eyes were shining with madness as she smiled at him. Then she shared the taste of his blood by landing her lips on him.

***

So this is chapter 27. I hope you all loved it.