Her Exodus, His Regret.

1. Alone...It was their anniversary night — hers and his. She'd prepared everything. The cakes, waffles and his favorite dishes, just the way he liked them. And she waited, at the dining just like she's always done in the past years. Eight. Nine. Ten. He wasn't yet back. Dahlia gave a start. Did he forget? But even if he did, she'd called him earlier to remind him and he'd told her to wait. Anxious, she stood from the dining and quickly ringed him up. However, all she got was the automated voice of the female robot. She tried again and again but only the robotic voice answered. Dahlia felt her heart turn cold with dread. She clenched her fists tightly as though that would squash the ominous feeling brewing in her chest. Just then, the front door clicked. Dahlia felt her heart skip just a beat, her eyes lighting up and without thought, she rushed to the door. "Hey honey--" but her voice faltered when she saw who it was. It was just the butler, Ma'am Camille. "Camie" she caught h

3. The ghost of her absenceFrom the floor to ceiling window of his study, Lucien watched as Dahlia walked out through the huge black gates of Voss manor. She didn't look back. Not once. It was as if she'd erased him from her world long before this morning and that seemed to punch him in the gut. "Did she take the alimony?" He asked his assistant— Jace, tone icy. "No sir. Mrs Voss didn't take anything. Just her suitcase and handbag" he replied. Mrs Voss. Lucien's jaw tightened at the way Jace still addressed her. Like she still belonged here. Like she was still his. It scraped something raw inside of him and he hated the way it unsettled him. "Jace...Dahlia and I are divorced. And you know what that means..." he said. Jace picked up immediately and quickly apologized. "I'm sorry for the slip sir. I will take note in the future". He heaved a deep sigh, trying to gather his emotions and focus. "What's my schedule looking like for the rest of the day?" he asked"You have a luncheo

5. The figure in Burgundy.In the backseat of his luxurious car, Lucien sat with a cigarette in between his lips. He took slow drags as his mind shifted to what his mother had said. This whole event was making him despise marriage deeply. "Boss, we got word from that investor" Jace reported. Lucien plucked his mind immediately from his seat of thoughts. His work was his only sanity now. "What did he say?" he asked, taking a sharp drag from his cigarette. "There's someone else in the picture now" Jace replied, his voice a little hesitant. Lucien paused mid-smoke, and looked at Jace fully. "What?" "Yes"."We almost had it Jace. How come...? What's the name of that company?" His eyes blazed with rage. He already had enough on his plate, the last thing he needed was an upstart company challenging him. "DAH Global" Jace replied. Lucien stubbed the cigarette butt into the ashtray beside him. He clenched his jaw tightly. "What the hell is that...?" Lucien growled lowly.Jace swallo

7. When the Past sits Across the Table. Lucien collected himself and leaned back into his chair, exuding the kind of quiet dominance that swallowed a room. "Interesting choice Mr Fisher, bringing her into this" he said, his gaze piercing Dahlia. "I never knew this was a meeting for amateurs"."And I wasn't aware arrogance was now a negotiation strategy" she said, looking at him fully, her gaze unflinching. She raised her hand and Gaux quickly placed the folder in her hand. Dahlia slid it forward to the investor, her actions calm and measured. "Perhaps, times have changed".Mr Fisher's eyes flickered between them, his lips curling into a smile, obviously intrigued.Lucien let out a short, humorless laugh. "Cute. But business isn't a fairytale. Deals aren't won by charms or daydreams"Dahlia pouted faintly, one which Lucien caught unknowingly. "True. They're won with vision and the ability to deliver what others can't" she paused, allowing her smile to turn into a soft grin, "Something

9. Just him..."What?!" Diane hissed, eyes blazing.Sasha inhaled calmly, watching the older woman unfold. "That's it mom" she said. "What an insect she is! Not dying. Not disappearing" she heaved. "Choosing now of all times to appear". "Maybe..." Sasha said standing, her face shifting to something sad and aggrieved. "Maybe it's not Lucien and I after all. We are not fated together mom"Diane scoffed. "What do mean by that? She walked to Sasha and held her hands, squeezing it gently. "I won't allow that. It's you or no one for my Lucien. Do you hear me?""Mom..." Sasha teared up, her voice slightly shaken."You have me behind you. Just go and prepare for the engagement party" Diane pressed."Mom, you know Dahlia is---" Sasha tried to refuse."Stop it" Diane cut. "Unless you don't want to marry Lucien""No mom, I want to marry Lucien. I really love him!" she sobbed."Then show it. Love makes people do things. Show me what your own love can do. Or I will bring someone else who will" D