Unbothered

Vivienne looked at the woman in front of her, frowning.

“Who are you?” She asked, gritting her teeth.

Never in her life was she ever intimidated by someone, yet with only one look from this woman, it was enough to send her over the edge.

“You will know me soon enough.” Selene stepped inside without waiting for an invitation.

Vivienne was making a ruckus behind her, but Adrian shut her up immediately.

The luxurious suite overlooked the city skyline through floor-to-ceiling windows.

The air smelled of tobacco, the stronger the smell the closer Selene was to Lucien.

As she turned to a corner, her gaze landed on the man seated comfortably on the leather sofa, with his one leg crossed over the other.

A crystal wine glass rested lazily in his hand. His shirt was unbuttoned at the collar, and his sleeves rolled to his forearms.

He looked leisure and unbothered by everything that was happening. 

When their eyes met… A captivating smile slowly curved across his lips.

“You are finally here.”

Selene ignored what he said and walked to him, snatching the tobacco on his hand and putting it away.

“Get dressed, we are leaving.” She instructed.

Lucien simply looked at her in pure amusement. She has not seen this wife of his for quite some time. 

And not because he didn’t want to, but because she simply never returns to their house.

“Aren’t you being too cruel? Not letting me enjoy simple delights when you are the one who pushed me to find other women to warm my bed?”

Selene stared at him, those annoyingly pretty eyes of his that easily get women.

She hated it! She hated his charm! She hated how he was so immature and a playboy. Now he even dares accuse her of being the one at fault!?

Vivienne, hearing their conve, immediately spoke up. “I don’t think that’s a good idea. He can’t leave here. The media outside is—”

[SLAP!] Selene spun her heels and her hand landed straight on her face.

It’s a good thing this woman likes to run her mouth, now she was able to vent her anger.

“I’d appreciate it if you don’t interrupt our conversation.” She looked at her calmly, masking the simmering anger in her.

But Lucien, who knew her too well, could clearly see that his wife was terribly pissed off right now. The more calm she was, the angrier she truly was.

In fact, she could pass as an actress.

Selene then returned her attention to Lucien and seeing the grin on his face, she wished she could just get rid of him right then and there, that way she can finally have her life again.

“Get up Azrael.”

Azraael snickered. “I’m not going.”

Selene’s face darkened, “I wasn’t asking.”

They stared at each other hard, not one was willing to yield.

Across the room, Vivienne’s expression twisted. 

She can tell this woman was someone important to Lucien. If this keeps up, he might lose interest in her.

The actress suddenly hurried toward Lucien before wrapping both arms around his shoulder,  acting cute to catch the man’s attention.

“Lucien…” Her voice turned sweet. “Please don’t leave.” She rested her cheek against him. “I’m scared of being here alone.” Her voice broke, as if she was about to cry.

Adrian, who was on the side, almost pitied her. But then he realized that the true pitiful person here was Selene.

If it was him he would have scratched that woman already!

Every woman who clung to Lucien usually received the same response. A gentle reassurance, some sweet words of comfort, But instead… Lucien sighed in defeat.

“You heard her.”

Vivienne froze.

“What?”

“I need to go.”

Her eyes widened.

Since when… had Lucien ever listened to anyone?

He gently removed her arms before standing. His tall figure crossed the room until he stopped before Selene.

A teasing smile played on his lips.

“Tell me.”

He leaned slightly closer.

“Did you come all this way because you missed me?”

Selene met his gaze without the slightest ripple in her face.

“I couldn’t be less bothered.”

His smile widened.

“Then why are you here?”

“Every executive refused to touch this scandal of yours.” She folded her arms. “Vivienne is under my division. So they called me.”

For several seconds… Lucien simply watched her. As though trying to read something hidden beneath those calm gray eyes but found nothing.

He doesn’t know why she turned distant. Before, she has always smiled at him, he can even say they were close back then, but why… Why did she suddenly detest him? 

Lucien’s expression darkened. Every woman in the city liked him, everyone would desire to be in her place. They haven’t even consummated their marriage because she left him alone.

And now, she has the nerve to come to her and fix his affairs!? He wouldn’t have done this if it wasn’t because of her.

Selene, oblivious of his glare, checked her watch, “You have approximately ten minutes.”

“Hm?”

“Before someone breaks through hotel security.” She looked toward the windows overlooking the crowd below. “They’re getting impatient. Those reporters want to see you go down, and I can’t let you drag me down with you.”

Lucien blinked his eyes hearing what she said, then suddenly, he burst into laughter.

“Fine. This time, you win.”

He said, but before he walked away, he pinched her chin and kissed her temples. He doesn’t know why he did it but he feels like he owed her that.

The door clicked shut behind him. 

However, Selene still didn’t move an inch from where she was standing.

That guy! How dare he kiss her with that filthy mouth of his that he used ti kiss other girls!

Slowly, she clenched her hand, 

Her eyes then traveled to Vivienne… taking a closer look at her this time around.

She had to admit, she was very pretty and innocent looking. A woman that men would surely fight over to win.

Unfortunately… Beauty often mistook itself for power.

“If you know what’s best for yourself,” Selene said evenly, “you’ll stay away from Lucien.”

Vivienne’s expression hardened. She stood abruptly. “And who are you to tell me that?!” 

“Who am I?” Selene took one step forward, then another, and another.

Vivienne instinctively stepped backward.

Selene stopped only when they stood an arm’s length apart.

“I am someone…” She looked directly into Vivienne’s trembling eyes. “…you can never afford to offend.”

The room fell deathly silent.

Vivienne’s heartbeat pounded against her ribs.

For reasons she couldn’t explain… She suddenly felt impossibly small.

As though the woman standing before her belonged to a world she could never enter.

Her knees weakened. She stumbled backward until the couch caught her.

At almost the exact same moment… The bedroom door opened.

Lucien stepped out, impeccably dressed in a charcoal suit, fastening the final button of his cuff.

He looked toward Selene. Then toward the silent, pale-faced Vivienne.

“What happened while I was changing?”

“Nothing important.” Selene answered, looking away.

[RINGGG!]

Lucien’s phone rang. He fetched his phone and his brows creased seeing the person calling. 

It was his father. 

His father never called him unless it involved serious family matters.

He answered immediately, glancing at Vivienne who looked like was about to pass out.

A deep voice came through the speaker.

“Where are you?”

Lucien glanced toward the door where Selene is.

“Why?”

There was a brief pause. Then came the reply that was calm but unmistakably stern.

“Come to the manor immediately.”

Another pause.

“And make sure Selene comes with you.”

The call ended before Lucien could respond.

He lowered the phone and pinched the bridge of his nose.

Something told him this wasn’t going to end with a simple lecture.