Chapter 40 - An Unlikely Conversation 

Ayra’s phone buzzed on the nightstand, jolting her out of her quiet thoughts. For a moment, she considered ignoring it—it was probably another useless notification. Nothing important.

But curiosity got the better of her, and she reached for the phone, unlocking the screen to reveal a message from an unfamiliar number.

Unknown: Still awake?

Her brows knit together as she stared at the message, her thumb hovering over the screen. After a moment’s hesitation, she typed back.

Ayra: Who’s this?

The reply was almost immediate.

Unknown: Lucian.

Her heart skipped a beat. She blinked at the screen before carefully typing her response.

Ayra: I am. Awake, that is. What do you want?

Lucian: That’s not very friendly. Can’t a guy check in on you?

Ayra rolled her eyes, unable to suppress her irritation.

Ayra: You’re not exactly my favorite person.

Lucian: Oh, but I should be.

A scoff escaped her lips before she could stop it. She could practically hear the smugness in his tone.

Ayra: Bold of you to assume that.

Lucian: I don’t assume. I know.

Her lips quirked into a reluctant smile despite herself.

Ayra: Alright, Lucian. What do you actually want?

Lucian: Nothing much. Just checking in on you. How’s life at the manor?

She paused, staring at the message. The truth? Lonely. Suffocating. Dull. But admitting that to Lucian felt too vulnerable.

Ayra: It’s fine. Quiet, as always.

Lucian: Let me guess—you’ve been pacing around, thinking of ways to escape again.

Her fingers froze mid-reply. Then she erased her initial response and typed back furiously.

Ayra: Do you make it a habit to bother people late at night?

Lucian: Only when I think they need the distraction.

The simplicity of his answer caught her off guard. She stared at it for a moment, her thumb hesitating over the keyboard.

Ayra: What makes you think I need a distraction?

Lucian: Just a hunch. I’m good at reading people. Thought our game of cards would’ve proved that.

Her lips twitched at the memory, but she refused to give him the satisfaction.

Ayra: That’s debatable.

Lucian: Ouch. You wound me.

A soft laugh escaped her before she could stop it. His lighthearted banter was disarming, pulling her out of the gloom she hadn’t even realized she’d been sinking into.

Ayra: Well, I’m not pacing. And I’m definitely not plotting another escape.

Lucian: Sure you’re not. Let me guess—you’re lying in bed, staring at your phone, wishing you had something better to do.

She frowned, the accuracy of his guess both unnerving and irritating.

Ayra: Are you stalking me?

Lucian: I don’t need to stalk you. I just know you.

Her fingers hovered over the keyboard. Something about his words felt teasing, but there was an undertone of sincerity she didn’t know how to process.

Ayra: If you know me so well, then tell me—what am I thinking right now?

There was a pause before his reply.

Lucian: You’re wondering why I’m texting you out of nowhere. And you can’t decide if you’re annoyed or amused.

Well, yes. Now she truly was trying to decide if she was to be annoyed or amused. 

Ayra: You’re absolutely wrong.

Lucian: I’m not. I’m a genius.

Ayra: Or you’re just lucky.

Lucian: Call it what you want. Either way, I win.

She bit her lip, staring at the screen. His texts threw her off balance, but in a way that felt... surprisingly normal.

Lucian: So, what are you really doing?

Ayra: Staring at the ceiling. Exciting, I know.

Lucian: Sounds riveting. I’m jealous.

Ayra: And you? What’s the mighty Director doing at this hour?

Lucian: Thinking about lunch.

She frowned, confused by his response.

Ayra: Lunch?

Lucian: Tomorrow. To be specific.

Her curiosity piqued.

Ayra: Why are you even awake? Shouldn’t someone like you be drowning in work?

Lucian: Someone like me?

Ayra: You know what I mean—busy, important.

Lucian: Busy, yes. Important? Debatable. But even 'someone like me' needs a break sometimes.

Her smirk grew despite herself. She found her fingers moving without much thought.

Ayra: And you decided to spend your break texting me? I’m flattered.

Lucian: You should be. I don’t text just anyone at 1 a.m.

She rolled her eyes, though the faint smile tugging at her lips betrayed her amusement.

Lucian: About that lunch I mentioned. Are you free tomorrow?

Her heart skipped.

Ayra: Why?

Lucian: Why not?

Ayra: That’s not an answer. Is this some kind of trap?

Lucian: Do I look like the trapping type?

Ayra: Yes.

Lucian: Fair. But this isn’t a trap. Just lunch. What do you say?

Ayra stared at the screen, her fingers hovering over the keyboard. She wasn’t sure why she hesitated. It was just lunch. 

But the thought of spending more time with Lucian, of being seen with him, made her stomach churn with a mix of nerves and distaste.

Ayra: I’ll think about it.

Lucian: Don’t overthink it. Just say yes.

Ayra: Why do you care so much?

Lucian: No reason in particular. Just lunch and some talk. 

Ayra: And what’s in it for you?

Lucian: Company.

His words were simple, but there was an unexpected sincerity to them. She didn’t know how to respond, so she opted for deflection.

Ayra: You’re unusually chatty tonight.

Lucian: Guilty as charged. So? Lunch?

He was not falling for it. 

She stared at the screen, biting her lip. The logical part of her wanted to say no, to keep her distance and avoid getting drawn further into... Whatever it was Lucian was spinning. 

But another part of her, the part that was tired of the constant tension and loneliness that had accompanied her in recent days, considered saying yes.

Lucian: That’s not a yes.

Ayra: It’s not a no, either.

Lucian: Fair enough. I’ll take what I can get.

There was a pause before another message came through.

Lucian: We do have things to talk over though. And I know a good place for a break. 

She sighed, tapping her fingers against the edge of her phone. The thought of a break from everything, even just for a little while, was tempting.

Ayra: 

You’re persistent, aren’t you?

Lucian: One of my better qualities.

Ayra: Debatable.

Lucian: You wound me. Again. So, is that a yes?

She hesitated, her thumb hovering over the keyboard. Finally, she typed her response.

Ayra: Fine. But you truly are annoying. 

Lucian: I’ll take that as a compliment.

Ayra: Don’t push your luck.

Lucian: Never.

Ayra shook her head, a reluctant smile breaking through her usual guarded expression.

Lucian: I’ll pick you up tomorrow. 

Ayra: Aiit. 

Lucian: Goodnight, Ayra.

Ayra: Goodnight.

She set her phone down, her smile lingering despite herself.