C22 Love Again, Need To Breath

Sophia's mind was flooded with questions and the recollection of the menacing call.

“You're in over your head,” what did the caller mean by that? Did this have to do with Lucas again? First, it was cryptic warnings; now, threat calls?

She needed to speak with Lucas again. Maybe he'd change his mind and tell her what was going on this time.

She took her phone and dialed his number but it wasn't connecting. She typed a message instead: “We need to talk, call me when you see this.”

But she didn't get his call till it was late. Another worry began troubling her. Was he ignoring her now that they'd had sex? Mentally chastising herself for being thoughtless, she heaved a sigh. He was probably just busy with work.

She still couldn't help but feel worried though.

She hardly slept that night. Whenever she dozed off, she was plagued by dreams—seeing the scenery that was drawn and left on her studio desk the previous week.

When morning finally came, she felt relieved, took her bath, got dressed, and thereafter headed to Lucas's estate.

The housekeeper showed her into the conservatory, where she found Lucas; a quiet intensity had taken the place of his customary serenity.

His hands were clasped behind his back as he gazed out at the grounds. "Lucas," she called as she entered.

His gaze swept over her face as if looking for something as he turned to face her. "Sophia. Why are you here so early? Is everything all right? You look…. troubled.”

With a harder tone than she meant, she answered, "Troubled doesn't even begin to cover it. Last night, I received a call. The caller said I'm in over my head. I couldn't sleep because I was so worried.”

Lucas's face instantly became serious. He took two steps across the room and stopped short of her. "Who made the call? What did they say specifically?”

She remarked, "I don't know who it was, the number was unregistered," and stepped aside. “But, the person sounded grave. And It's not only the call that bothers me either. Everyone warns me—that reporter, Shirley. Even you, in a mysterious way. Why won't you tell me what's happening?”

Lucas shut his eyes tight and heaved a sigh, clearly frustrated. He hesitated for a moment before saying, “I assured you that you were safe, Sophia. Nothing bad will happen to you as long as you're with me. Try as anyone might, they can't do anything to you. This is just to scare you away from me.”

She stated firmly, "That's not good enough. I don't need ambiguous guarantees. How about you tell me who ‘they’ are? I thought since we're together now, you should be able to share personal stuff with me. Shouldn't you?” When he hesitated again, she added slowly, as if afraid of what his reply may be. “Or are we not?”

His jaw tensed, and she briefly feared that he was going to reply in the negative or cut her off for good.

But then, he inhaled deeply, his eyes softening a bit. "We are Sohia,” he said to her relief. “But, there are things I've done that I'm not proud of, they're trying to use them against me. However, they won't dare touch my woman, they're just scaring you," he added softly.

Sophia gave a nod and looked at her toes, trying to hide her glee at hearing him refer to her as “my woman.” When she looked up, she asked softly, “Who are they?”

“I'm a businessman, Sophia; I have my share of adversaries.” He responded in an evasive manner.

“Do you love me?” Sophia asked out of the blue, surprising Lucas. But he answered nonetheless.

"Yes," he answered profoundly, taking another step forward. "You've entered my life like a tornado, pushing me, making me vulnerable, and reminding me of what it's like to love someone. I didn't think I'd be able to care about anyone else after my late wife.”

Even though Sophia's heart skipped a beat, she made herself concentrate. "That doesn't explain why I'm being warned to avoid you or why there are threats."

Lucas paused, his hand fluttering at his side as if he wanted to grab her but was afraid. "I can't give you all the details. Not quite yet. However, I swear to you, Sophia, that I would never allow anything to happen to you.”

"But I'm curious," Sophia said, with a hint of frustration lacing her tone. "When you're constantly hiding things from me, do you realize how difficult it is to trust you?"

For the first time, she noticed genuine rage in Lucas's eyes as they blazed. "And do you realize how difficult it is for me to keep you safe when you are constantly seeking answers that could endanger you even more?"

Their words hung heavily in the room, and the tension between them boiled in the air. Her voice was shaking as she said, "Lucas, this isn't about protection." It has to do with control. You can't tell me you love me, then ignore me and expect me to follow without question.”

"Damn it, I'm trying to protect you!" He retorted, raising his voice. Why are you unable to see that?"

She said, "Because safety is meaningless if it is accompanied by lies and secrets!"

Both of them were breathing heavily as they stood there gazing at one another. Suddenly, their argument's intensity appeared to change into something else entirely, something unquestionably electric.

Lucas reached out and drew her to him before she had a chance to resist. His lips slammed against hers in a kiss that was equal parts rage and passion.

Sophia’s first response was to pull away and insist on the answers she'd come to get, but the heat of his touch, the raw emotion behind the kiss, dissolved her willpower.

As the world around them vanished, she found herself kissing him back while her fingers tangled in his hair. Their faces were only a few inches apart, and they were both panting heavily when they finally split apart.

Lucas remarked in a gruff voice, "This is what you do to me, Sophia. Even though you make me crazy, I can't avoid you."

With her heart thumping in her chest, Sophia gazed at him. She was at a loss for words and emotions.

Taking a step back, Lucas combed through his hair. "I didn't intend for this to happen, to be in love again but I simply care more about you than I ought to.”

She began, "Lucas..." but her words became stuck in her throat.

His look was troubled as he shook his head. "I need to breathe." He then turned and left, leaving Sophia standing there, still in shock over the kiss and all it signified.