[ A love story 2 ]

Chapter 2

[A love story 2]

Selene p.o.v

One year later [present day]

I applied my lipstick one last time before leaving my room. Then I stopped mid-step, my eyes returning to the mirror, astonished at my own beauty.

I wore a red dress that hugged my body like skin. My hair fell effortlessly down my back, and my heels clicked with every step I took, followed by the cinnamon scent of my perfume lingering in the air.

The sweet smell of fresh bacon welcomed me. A smile spread across my face.

For a second, I felt the gentle breeze from the windows and hugged myself. I frowned when I heard the noise from my stepbrother’s video game. Just as I thought, Mom was setting the dishes on the table.

“Where are you going, dear?” my mom asked, spotting me.

“Come help me with dinner. You know your uncle is coming today,” she said sweetly.

“You’re going to meet your dumb boyfriend again,” Xavier smirked, stretching his arm out. His eyes sparkled. He gave me a grin that silently screamed another teasing war. I knocked him on the head, and he winced.

“He's not dumb, and he's not like you, messing around with every girl in school,” I scoffed, rolling my eyes. Xavier’s smile dropped, replaced by annoyance. He leaned forward and dropped his game console.

“What did you say? You li…tle brat,” he warned, glaring daggers at me. But I wasn’t afraid. He had always been such an asshole.

“Mom, tell Xavier to stop bullying me,” I whined, pouting.

“Don’t tease your sister, Xavi. And Selene, you know today is supposed to be a family dinner. If you really have to go, then come back early,” my mom said.

“Okay, I will, ma,” I said, giving her a hug. I looked back at Xavier and stuck my tongue out at him. He hissed.

“Jerk!” I yelled, laughing knowingly.

“Menace!” he yelled back.

“Xavier, language” my mom half yelled, and I rushed out before she changed her mind. I knew Xavier would be fuming, but I didn’t care. He had always been a joy killer. I loved him, but he was protective and annoying at the same time. Even when we fought, he wouldn’t let anyone bully me.

Xavier was a few years older than me. He and his dad moved in with us when my mom remarried, after my dad passed away. Back then, he wouldn’t let me date, even when I turned eighteen; he chased all the boys away. After pleading with my parents, they finally let me date. Soon after, I met Jace. He was the perfect boyfriend. Now I’m twenty-one, and we’ve been dating for a year.

I stepped into my car with a smirk.

“Morning, John,” I greeted my driver.

“Morning, Miss Selene,” he responded, and we zoomed off.

Our family is one of the richest in town, which is why they are so protective. They weren’t around much when we were kids, but I still cherish the moments they were. They even suggested I should have a bodyguard. Considering I have a boyfriend and Xavier’s craziness, I definitely couldn’t keep up with all that.

“Where are you?” I read the text that just popped up on my phone from my boyfriend.

My eyes sparkled, and I tapped back on my phone. “Will be there soon, pumpkin,” I replied, adding a smiley face.

Soon after, I got to the restaurant and saw Jace. He was wearing a blue t-shirt and white trousers. His hair fell to the side, giving him that cool, boyish look. I flushed again, like a little girl who just met her crush. His neck was slightly exposed, and his posture was straight. He was busy with his phone until our eyes met, and those deep brown eyes held nothing, but he smiled warmly at me.

I took my seat, smiling softly before asking, “What do you want us to talk about?” I blurted it out before I could stop myself.

He narrowed his eyes at me, then lay back. “Don’t you miss me?”

Or

“Can’t I have lunch with my girlfriend?” he asked, still staring at me like I’d said something absurd. I pressed my lips together before speaking.

“Of course you can, I didn't mean it that way,” I quickly defended myself. He chuckled lightly as if seeing my resolve. “What do you want to eat?” he asked, calling a waiter.

“I'll eat whatever you want,” I replied softly.

He nodded slowly, wiping his mouth with the cloth next to him. He didn't say much, and his shoulders heaved as he stared into the distance, almost a flicker of pain. I was confused until he caught me staring and smiled brightly at me. He gave the waiter our orders, and the waiter nodded and left.

I bit my lower lip before clearing my throat. “Are you mad at me?” I asked calmly, keeping my voice neutral and casual. He didn't say anything at first, then he sighed.

“No, I'm not. What makes you think that?” he asked, raising his brow. Then his lip curves up slightly.

“In fact, I have a surprise for you” he added, with that he tucked a strand of my hair. 

My pulse rate spiked and he gave me one of those looks he knows that makes my knees go weak. Then he placed his hands on mine. Squeezing them tightly and I blushed; Hiding my admiration. My breath caught and I could feel my skin hair standing. I gulped then stared back. “So, where is it?” My voice came out tinier than I expected. “You'll see it soon,” he  answered, returning his usual smug look. I was still unsettled but I erased it, coming to a conclusion that I'll ask him later.

The waiter later came back with our dish and I ate slowly, enjoying every bite. He knows I love this restaurant food, yet he still remembered. And warmth spread across my heart.

“How was your holiday,” he asked cooly after some minutes of silence.

“It was great, if not for my annoying brother. My holiday was fine; I went hiking and swimming with Julia" I said lightly. He nodded “hmm…did you go to any clubs?” He muttered between his food.

“Nope” I lied, I swear I could feel my chest thud. My breath hitched and my eyes darted everywhere except his. I went to a club during the holiday even when I didn't want to, but I made sure I stayed safe. Because he knows how careless I am when I'm drunk. I went to one last week, and I can't tell him now. Not after what happened. “So you enjoyed your holiday without me?” he asked, bringing me from my train of thought. I turned to look at him and he was pouting with those puppy eyes. I laughed and held his puffy cheeks.

“Stop that…such a baby” I tease. He smiled at me then leaned in. “Keep calling me one then I'll make sure I put one in for you” he whispered with a smirk. I gasped heat reaching my cheeks. I tried covering my face but he grabbed my chin placing a light kiss on it. “Okay come along” he said still wearing that smug look. I nodded like a baby already flushed. He knows how to bring this side of me.

*********Lucan mansion****************

Lucan was sitting in his chair with a straight face. His breath was steady and his hands on the cigarette were precise. The place was quiet except from the gushing of water from his fountain nearby. His right hand man was standing next to him, not close yet calculated. His head was bent down and Lucan stayed stilled like nothing bothered him. His eyes were fixated on the photo that was taken a few hours ago. His hand clenched on the phone screen until it broke. His eyes diluted seeing Selene and her boyfriend. Within a blink of an eye he flung the phone on the ground. His face no longer calmed and collected again. His breath caught his throat and he swallowed. The thought of losing her was driving him nuts.

“Did you send that picture to him?” Lucan asked one of his men, his face unreadable.

“Yes I did sir. I also told him to stay away” the guy said sternly.

“I thought after I sent those photos, he would leave her. But he is still persistent…”

“To take what's mine” he growled, whispering the last words to himself. “I'll have to teach him a lesson myself,” he said darkly. 

“But boss, don't you think you're taking this a   little too far. She's your niece and she's now an adult…” he didn't finish his last words when Lucan grabbed his neck, choking the life out of him. If eyes could kill then he would have been 6ft under. “Who allowed you to speak?. He yelled. “I decide who she will be with!” He uttered through gritted teeth, his nails dug deep into his neck, before letting him go.

“Get the car ready. After all, we have a family dinner to attend” he said. A smile suddenly spread across his face. His eyes almost softened then he muttered. “I know it's wrong. I don't care. Watching him with you makes me lose my mind everyday. If I can't be with you then no one can.”

************Jace suite***************

Selene 

I followed him to his suite and my eyes kept scanning the room for the surprise. “Babe, where is the surprise you got me, I'm tired of waiting” I said grabbing his arm. 

The room was neat and clean. There was a kitchen and a balcony nearby. I couldn't help but admire the room. 

Jace turned to me, smiling weirdly at me. Then he whispered. “Well, the surprise is….you. Now get on the bed.”