In the shadow of Lu

Luxian’s POV

It’s been a week since I started working under Mr. Damien, and he hasn’t missed a single chance to make my life miserable. Just yesterday, he sent me downtown three times in a row to get coffee—just because he didn’t like the barista’s face that day.

But when his eyes turn red… he becomes a completely different person. Last night, he nearly drowned me in his pool. Just as I was slipping under, his eyes shifted back to black—and he saved me. The only words he muttered were:

“You made me this way.”

I sat quietly in a café waiting for my order when Mr. Damien walked in.

“I’ve been calling you. Why didn’t you pick up?” he asked coldly.

“I didn’t see your call… I’m sorry, sir.”

“Just shut up and follow me.” He turned and walked away.

“But… I came to get your coffee—”

“If coffee’s more important to you, stay and lose your job,” he snapped, not even looking back.

I sighed and hurried after him.

⸻

We arrived at an abandoned building, and he led me into a dark, grimy room. A man was tied up inside, bloodied and barely conscious. My stomach twisted.

I looked up at Mr. Damien, horrified.

“Pick up the gun and kill him, Lu—Luxian,” he said calmly, almost bored.

“What…? I-I can’t do that!” I stepped back, but he grabbed my arm, stopping me.

“Leave me alone! I can’t kill someone who’s done nothing to me!”

“If you want me to leave you and your father alone—kill him.” His lips twisted into a cruel smile. “After all… you’ve killed me before.”

His eyes blazed red. His teeth… sharpened, almost beast-like.

“And I know your little secret. Your toxic lifestyle, your ticking clock,” he hissed. “Kill him—or I make your life even worse.”

“F**k you! I’m not toxic, you crazy bastard!” I yanked my arm free. “I’m not whoever you think I am—I’m not this ‘Lu’! I’m a guy!”

“Don’t lie to me, Luxian!” he growled, running a hand through his hair. “You remember. I can see it in your eyes.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about! I quit! Do whatever you want—tell my dad, I don’t care anymore!” I stormed out of the room.

⸻

Outside, I cursed under my breath. I had no signal out here, no car, and no clue where I was. My only option was to walk toward the town I saw on the way here.

A gunshot rang out behind me. I flinched.

He actually did it.

“I wonder what that poor guy did,” I whispered bitterly and kept walking.

⸻

Damien’s POV

I chuckled darkly. “He actually walked out on me…”

Maybe I’d pushed too far—but part of me didn’t care. Since the day I almost died, something’s been… wrong. Voices in my head. Rage I can’t explain. I’ve learned to live with it. Even embrace it.

I left the building, expecting to see Luxian gone—but I found him sitting by the roadside like a lost puppy.

I laughed loudly. “Should I leave you there or—want a ride?”

He ignored me.

I drove off… but only for a moment. Then I reversed back, just as he stood up, glaring daggers at me.

“Where did you think you were going?” I smirked as he got in.

“Home.”

“You’re so stupid, you know that?”

“At least I don’t make people do my dirty work.”

“Dumbass. I wish I’d found you dead. You’d save us all the trouble.”

I looked over at him.

“You know what, Mr. Damien? Whatever Lu did to you—it’s not my business. I quit. I never want to see you again.”

“You don’t have that luxury,” I snapped. “Leave, and I’ll ruin you. I’ll ruin your father. I’ll make your life a living hell.”

He didn’t reply. He didn’t need to. His face told me everything.

⸻

Luxian’s POV

I stared at him, numb. How did it come to this? Just a month ago, I was celebrating graduation. Now I have one year to live… and a maniac boss thinks I’m the ghost of his dead ex.

When we arrived at my house, Damien smiled.

“Take tomorrow off. We’re going on a business trip after that.”

I watched his car disappear before dragging myself inside. Dad was cooking.

“I’m almost done,” he called cheerfully. “Go freshen up. Dinner’s ready soon.”

I barely made it to my bed before falling asleep, fully clothed.

⸻

Dream

I opened my eyes to find a girl standing in front of me.

She looked exactly like me—only… female. Same hair. Same eyes.

“Nice to finally meet you, Luxian,” she said with a soft smile.

“You must be Lu,” I muttered. “Where am I?”

“Come,” she whispered, grabbing my hand.

Suddenly, we were in a room. I saw a younger version of Lu talking to a woman—her mother?

“Lucy, give him the poison. We’ll take care of the rest,” her mother said, handing her a small bottle.

“I can’t, Mother. Damien’s a good person. I love him. I can’t betray him,” Lu cried.

“You’re a fool. He’s a demon. He doesn’t love you—he’s using you.”

“He’s not like them. He’s never hurt me.”

“Your loyalty belongs to your kind. Not some bloodsucking freak.”

“But I—”

“Choose: your people, or him.” Her mother stormed off.

Lu collapsed onto the bed in tears, shaking.

⸻

I turned to her, the real Lu, as we stood there watching the memory.

“So you really did it?” I asked her coldly. “You poisoned him?”

“I had no choice…” she whispered.

“There’s always a choice. You say you loved him—but you betrayed him. That’s not love. And now, I’m paying for what you did.”

I looked away from her, disgusted.

“You betrayed him, Lu. And now he’s turning your hell into mine.”