Tamina

Happy with the email, I hit send and breathe in a shaky breath of air. Hopefully, it will be passed onto him, and I'll be able to get this sorted; until then, I've got to try and act normal. If the letters are serious, they'll see I'm not with Brandon when we don't see one another. Feeling happy about that comforting notion, my feet take confident strides toward the town where I'll grab some bits for the kitchen and make my way home.

Once at the shop, my eyes scan over each isle thoroughly until my basket is jam packed and signalling it's time to go home. The feeling of someone's eyes burning the back of my head has me whirling round, only to see a man picking at the ends of the isle, and as if sensing me staring, he meets it head on before resuming his task.

Chills run down my spine, and it doesn't take me long to buy my things and dart out of the shop. Taking a deep breath, my legs eventually slow down, and my phone vibrates in my pocket, startling me to a stop. Pulling it out with hopes it will be Brandon, my stomach falls at the unknown number until semi relief washes over me.

From unknown: Hi, is this the number for Tamina Rovers? Do not reply if not, or I'll have you banned from any technical device you can think of. Mr Aventail.

Shaking my head, I respond to confirm it's me with the proof of my address since who else would know it other than my parents, him, Brandon, and Mystery Letter person?

In his time of response, I change the contact number to his name.

From Lucius: Hello, tiger, how can I help you?

To Lucius: I was hoping we could talk if you're free? And thank you for getting back to me, I hope it wasn't an inconvenience for you.

My chest feels strangely warm when the next text consisted of 'not at all' and 'anything I can do to help.' Shooting off a quick message, asking if he could meet me at my house was the best route to go when his reply confirms he's in the area today and will be there in ten minutes. Building up the confidence, my feet stride toward my destination, only I enjoy the walk.

The sun is on show, no clouds, and the breeze is gentle and warm when it brushes against my skin. There are a few people scattered around and it's relaxing because the thought of groups of swarming the street doesn't do it for me.

Turning the corner, I'm about to take a step when strong arms curl around me, and the heat and firmness of another person behind me startles me until I'm turned to meet a chilling pair of blue eyes that I've come to terms with.

"Lucius, you scared me!" I exclaim, but he only pulls me into his chest. For a moment, we're silent and I lean away to find him staring hard into the distance. "What are you looking at?"

He murmurs under his breath, "Nothing, hopefully." Even though it was more to himself, I still heard it.

"H-how did you know I was here?"

He releases me and offers a strangely genuine smile. "I was walking to your place when I spotted you. Want to walk back with me?"

Nodding hesitantly, the two of us carry on, only Lucius liberates my shopping bags, which must've been uncomfortably squashed against him. Ignoring my protests to carry the bags, he asks how my morning was, and I'm more than happy to share the details of seeing my parents and letting him know it was my mum's idea for him and me to talk. . . and I left out the reason I went to see them. Judging by the look in his eye, he already knows.

"How are you holding up?"

Shrugging my shoulders, a small laugh falls from my lips, and it takes me a moment to shove the discomfort back. "As good as I can be, I guess. I miss him, but moping around isn't going to get me anywhere, but I don't think anything else has anything for me either. I've still got to wait for work to let me back since the whole Jasmine fiasco."

"What happened there?"

"She didn't like the fact I reported her, and I've been given paid time off until the air clears, but staying at home is boring, you know?" I ramble, but when our eyes meet, they're full of understanding.

"I have a job opening for my PA; it will be open for as long as you need it, and perhaps lead to a permanent role if someone pleases me in their interview and the hard work they put into their job along the way," Lucius confidently lists off, but if I'm not mistaken, I could swear his cheeks had the faintest pink tinge to them.

My eyes widen when his words sink in, and my mouth gapes. "Really? I mean, are you sure? Thank you, but I can't expect you to do that for me."

He chuckles. "Don't worry, I'll decide if you have the job if you pass the interview, I won't let our relationship override the aftermath."

Relationship. . .

My cheeks heat up, and I'm left to quietly nod in a grateful thank you.

"I'll message you a time that we can work around for the interview, and don't worry about dressing smart, you look stunning in baggy joggers and a vest."

The heat notches higher and his wink doesn't help it to cool down either, so I turn my head away in embarrassment.

Hopefully, this conversation doesn't blow up in my face.

When we finally reach my house, Lucius is kind enough to put my things away, occasionally asking how and where I want. It feels strange seeing him like this, when I'd expected him to have someone like a butler run around after him—just like Brandon's parents, not that I saw one. Maybe it was their day off?

"So. . . I explained everything to my mum, about us, and about Brandon," I blurt, catching him off guard and pausing mid reach to put away a can of tuna.

"What did she say?" he questions before folding the bags neatly inside the cupboard under the sink.

Taking a deep breath, I say whilst fidgeting with my drawstring, "She reckons you have a thing for me, but I said that was impossible and you just wanted to make sure I didn't fall for Brandon's games."

His eyes narrow but he doesn't say anything, and I feel stupid for admitting it, but at least it's out there.

"And what if I do?"

My head snaps in his direction so fast I'm surprised I don't have whiplash. "Excuse me?"

"You heard." He comes closer to stand in front of me, and my posture tries to remain upright to show I'm not wavering. "What do you think when I say that I like you, and I want more with you?"

Even though my cheeks are on fire, I curse my mum for this. I didn't expect him to say that, nor did I want to confront any of this. . . but if it's out in the open it can be sorted, and hopefully he can be spared.

"Lucius, I'm sorry but I don't feel the same way. . . I still care for Brandon—"

"Don't say his name," he states, inching closer.

"I still love him—"

"Or that."

Looking up into his eyes, my lower lip trembles. "I-I'm not over that man—"

"Shut up," he breathes, and in that moment, he cups the side of my face and crashes his lips against mine.

A gasp comes from me, and he swallows it, delving his tongue in and stroking it against mine. My hands push against his chest, but he's demanding, curling his free arm around me. "Kiss me, just once."

His voice sounds pained, and my heart aches for him, so unlike a rational person, I kiss back. He moans against me, and I'm unable to help myself from doing the same when he nips and sucks on my lower lip. My eyes finally spring open, and his are closed in a light manner to show he's into it, and that only makes the weird sensation in my chest worse.

Pulling away, my hands settle on his chest and my head lowers while his hands never leave my waist. "Why do you stop?" he whispers frustrated. "Isn't there a part of you that feels at least something for me?"

Tears come to my eyes because I know what I'm about to say to him is going to hurt him, but it's going to keep him out of whatever mess I'm in. There's no way we could have anything past friendship, it isn't right—especially after how things with Brandon went.

And like a lost puppy, I'm still waiting for him.

"Lucius. . . I'm sorry. You can't wait for me, especially when there's a chance I might not be there for you—"

"That's how love works, darling; if you love someone, you will wait for them to the end of time. And that's what I'm going to do because you've nestled into that spot of my heart."

With that, he pulls away and turns for the door. Tears finally trickle free, and I'm left alone once more with my own thoughts.