C27 Safety First

Tension permeated the air as Lucas stood near Sophia, his gaze sweeping over her face with a mix of worry and something more profound—something that, despite everything, made Sophia's heart accelerate.

After speaking to the team leader of the firefighters, they got the same message –the possibility of arson. They were going to consult law enforcement agents to open an investigation into it.

Sophia blamed herself for taking the commissioned sculpture away from the studio at Lucas's mansion to her just because she had a fallout with him. Now, after all the painstaking work she had put into it, she would have to start again.

Lucas was unwilling to leave her alone, even for a few minutes; he insisted she return with him to his house instead of going to her.

They both picked up the pieces they could salvage from the burnt studio and returned to Luca's mansion after they had spoken with the firefighters and answered a few questions.

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Lucas knew he had to use all means necessary to be by Sophia's side following the fire. She was being targeted, as evidenced by the threat of arson, and Lucas was committed to keeping her safe at all means.

He had yet to decide who would make that kind of bold and life-threatening move, so he contacted the services of a private investigator without Sophia's knowledge. But in the meantime, he had to keep Sophia safe.

If his archenemy, Damien Cross, had been in the country, it would have been easier for him to have a suspect, at least, but the loafer was still studying in England.

Although he wouldn't be surprised if Damien had made arrangements for him to be tortured even while in England, it was as if he was pulling the strings from there. The son of a bitch has the means, and he had always been one obsessed fellow from their college days, and his hate for Lucas ran deep.

But whatever the case is, he needs to investigate first and figure out the facts. Although, it would be chaos if he now has to deal with Damien's antics with everything that's going on with him. Even without Damien's trouble, Lucas was in a shit.

He didn't know for how long he could keep Sophia from finding out the truth about him and what happened with her father. He didn't know how to prove to her that his love was genuine either, should she find out the truth before he was ready to tell her.

He decided to take one step at a time, focusing on the most important thing for now–her safety.

They sat down in his living room, and Lucas whispered in a low but determined voice, "I can't let you out of my sight. Not when someone is attempting to hurt you on purpose."

With her thoughts racing, Sophia nodded. Given their recent breakup, the sensible part of her realized she should avoid him.

However, the emotional side, which was drawn to Lucas, was unable to resist the comfort of his proximity.

Sophia tried to speak in a cheerful tone, but her voice faltered, as she replied, "You're acting like my bodyguard now."

Lucas's eyes were serious, yet his lips formed a tiny smile. "Yes, if that's what it takes to protect you."

For a minute they sat silently, the air between them brimming with unspoken words. It was difficult for Sophia to breathe because of the pressure of their unresolved feelings.

"I ended our…relationship," she muttered, almost to herself. "But here we are."

Putting his elbows on his knees and leaning forward, staring into her eyes, Lucas remarked, "You felt you couldn't trust me. Therefore, you ended our relationship. However, Sophia, love doesn't simply go suddenly or vanish regardless of whatever problem, neither is what we have.”

In an attempt to gather herself, she closed her eyes for a moment. "I have no idea what we have left now."

Lucas extended his arm and touched her hand tenderly. She was startled by the contact, which served as a reminder of their continued connection despite everything. "We are fighting for something worthwhile. I see it even if you don't at the moment.”

Sophia's defenses began to wane. Feeling the warmth of his hand against hers, the intensity in his eyes, and his words all caused her to second-guess her choice to end things with him.

She knew she couldn't stop thinking about him, and the more she tried, the more he appeared to be invading her mind.

“I was certain that I needed to break things up.” She muttered, her voice barely audible. But I'm not so sure now."

Lucas leaned in and gave her hand a light squeeze. “You're not alone in this, Sophia. Together, we can resolve any doubts you may have. Please allow me in again. One more time. Please.”

As she gazed at him, her resolve waning, her heart thumping. "Is it possible that I'm falling for the wrong man?" She asked, more to herself.

Lucas's face softened, his eyes became sincere, and he cocked his head slightly. "Then, I'll use every means to prove you wrong."

Sophia's throat tightened with each breath. There was an irresistible need to get closer to him and lose herself in him. She couldn't resist the magnetic pull that pulled her to Lucas despite her uncertainties and anxieties.

She leaned in before she could change her mind, and their lips met in an electric and inevitable kiss. Their surroundings blurred as the kiss grew deeper. It was simply them, engulfed in an emotional tornado they were unable to control.

Both were breathing softly, their eyes fluttering shut until they eventually separated. "Lucas—" Sophia muttered, her voice shaking with a mix of anxiety and want.

"Shhh…I understand," he interrupted in a similarly quiet voice. “However, we'll work things out. Together.”

Unknown to them, a lone figure stood outside the door, concealed, while they sat there, entangled in each other's company.

The figure's gaze was riveted on Sophia as it watched. The apparition was always there, waiting, lurking, whenever she went outside or went to her apartment. The storm developing around them was far from over, and neither of them recognized how near the danger was.