Chapter 5 : A Temporary Guest

Elara

The house looked nothing like a home yet.

Boxes covered the living room. Some were stacked against the walls, while others sat in the middle of the floor, waiting to be opened.

I looked around and sighed.

"We're never finishing this."

Marcus dropped onto one of the unopened boxes.

"Speak for yourself. I'm done."

Caspian looked at him.

"You haven't done anything."

"I supervised."

"You sat there and complained."

"That's part of supervising."

I laughed.

Caspian shook his head.

"You know what? I already regret bringing you."

Marcus grinned.

"Too late."

He stretched his legs.

"Besides, I have an announcement."

Caspian folded his arms.

"What now?"

Marcus pointed at himself.

"I'm staying with you two."

Caspian stared at him.

I blinked.

"You're what?"

"My apartment isn't ready yet."

Marcus shrugged.

"So I'll stay here until it is."

Caspian gave him a long look.

"You're not staying in the main house."

Marcus frowned.

"Why not?"

"Because this is my house."

Marcus looked around.

"Our house."

Caspian sighed.

"There is a separate guest apartment at the back of the property. You can stay there."

Marcus looked interested.

"There's a guest apartment?"

"Yes."

"Then why have you been hiding this information from me?"

"I wasn't hiding anything."

Marcus picked up one of the boxes.

"Fine. I'll take it."

He started walking away.

Caspian called after him.

"And you're leaving as soon as your apartment is ready."

Marcus turned around.

"Of course."

He smiled.

"But until then, you're stuck with me."

I laughed.

"At least he won't be lonely."

Caspian looked at me.

"You're supposed to be on my side."

"I am."

"Doesn't look like it."

Marcus pointed at me.

"See? She likes me."

Caspian shook his head.

"Don't push your luck."

Marcus laughed and disappeared down the hallway.

I watched him go.

Caspian came closer.

"You find this funny?"

"A little."

"He's going to be a problem."

"He's your friend."

"Unfortunately."

I laughed.

He placed his hand around my waist.

"Maybe I should be worried."

"About what?"

"He's already stealing your attention."

I smiled.

"You're jealous of Marcus?"

"Maybe."

I shook my head.

"You're ridiculous."

"Probably."

He leaned closer and kissed my forehead.

For a moment, everything around us faded.

The boxes.

The mess.

The unfamiliar house.

This was still our new beginning.

Caspian pulled back.

"We'll make this place ours."

I looked into his eyes.

"We will."

Marcus suddenly shouted from the other room.

"Are you two planning to unpack or just stare at each other?"

I burst out laughing.

Caspian closed his eyes.

"I'm definitely throwing him out tomorrow."

Lucien

I left the hotel without looking back.

The moment I stepped outside, the cool evening air hit my face.

I buttoned my shirt as I walked toward the entrance.

My driver was already waiting beside the car.

The moment he saw me, he opened the rear door.

"Good evening, sir."

"Office."

"Yes, sir."

I got into the back seat.

The car pulled away.

I stared through the window as Ravenmere passed by.

I wasn't going home.

Not yet.

I needed answers.

Three years had passed, and somehow hearing Elara's name again had unsettled me more than I wanted to admit.

I leaned back against the seat.

I wasn't going to chase memories.

I wanted facts.

By the time we arrived, the building was quieter than usual.

My driver opened the door for me.

I stepped out and walked into the lobby.

My security man followed a few steps behind as I headed straight for the private elevator.

When I reached my office, the man who had called me earlier was already waiting.

He stood immediately.

"Boss."

I walked behind my desk.

"Tell me what you saw."

He nodded.

"I saw her."

"Where?"

"At the new house."

"Who was with her?"

"A man."

My eyes narrowed.

"Who?"

"I don't know his name."

I stared at him.

"But you said he's her fiancé."

"That's what I heard."

"From whom?"

"Someone nearby mentioned it."

I leaned back.

"What else?"

"They had just arrived. There were workers unloading their things."

"Did you speak to her?"

"Only briefly."

"What did she say?"

"She confirmed they had just arrived."

I was silent for a moment.

"Anything unusual?"

He shook his head.

"No."

I nodded.

"Find out who the man is."

"Yes, Boss."

I stood.

"That's all."

The man cleared his throat.

"Boss..."

I stopped.

"Yes?"

He shifted awkwardly.

"About my payment."

I turned slowly.

"For what?"

"The information."

I stared at him.

He rubbed his hands together.

"I thought there would be something."

I looked toward one of my men.

"Settle him."

The man's face immediately brightened.

"Thank you, Boss."

I walked toward the door.

Then stopped.

"And next time, don't interrupt me for money."

His smile disappeared.

I looked at my employee.

"Make sure he understands."

"Yes, sir."

I left the office.

Lucien

My driver was waiting downstairs.

I got into the car.

"Home."

He nodded.

The car moved through the city.

I leaned back against the seat.

I had spent three years convincing myself that Elara belonged to the past.

Now she was back.

In my town.

In my sight.

And apparently with another man.

I looked out the window.

I hated how much that thought bothered me.

When we reached my estate, the security gates opened immediately.

My driver pulled into the driveway.

I stepped out.

And almost immediately, another convoy approached.

Two black vehicles.

Then a third.

I recognized them.

My father's security detail.

The first vehicle stopped.

One of the bodyguards stepped out and opened the rear door.

My father emerged.

Alistair Vale.

A well-known politician and one of the most influential men in Ravenmere.

He looked at me.

"You nearly hit my car."

I glanced toward the driveway.

"You were in my way."

He gave me a look.

"Still arrogant."

"Still interfering."

He shook his head.

"I came to collect the document."

I remembered.

"The one from my office?"

He nodded.

"I have it."

He held up the folder.

I looked at him.

"Then you're done."

His eyes remained on me.

"What's wrong with you?"

"Nothing much."

"You look irritated."

"I'm tired."

My father studied me for another moment.

He knew better than to force an answer out of me.

"All right."

He turned toward his car.

Then stopped.

Without looking back, he said,

"You know where to find me when you need me."

"I know."

He got into the waiting vehicle.

His bodyguards followed.

The convoy slowly disappeared through the gates.

I stood there watching it leave.

Then my phone vibrated.

I pulled it out.

A message from my office.

We're still working on the man's identity.

I stared at the screen.

Then another message appeared.

We'll let you know as soon as we find out.

I locked my phone.

I didn't know who this man was.

I didn't know what kind of relationship he had with Elara.

But I intended to find out.

I slipped the phone into my pocket and walked toward the house.

For the first time in three years, Elara wasn't just a memory.

She was back.

And this time, I wasn't going to let myself remain in the dark.