Chapter 41 - Lunch with the Director

Lunch with the Director does not start by noon, Ayra discovered. 

The next day arrived in a haze. It was as if Ayra's entire world had been compressed into a sleepless limbo of apprehension. She could barely recall collapsing into bed the night before with her mind too preoccupied with Lucian’s final words to truly rest. 

The morning was still young, with the faintest streaks of dawn painting the sky, when Ayra heard a knock at her bedroom door. She groaned, forcing her eyes open even as she pulled the blanket over her head. 

The knock came again, more insistent this time.

“Ayra,” Lucian’s familiar voice filtered through the door. “We’re leaving in ten minutes. Get up.”

Her eyes snapped open. Leaving? She’d agreed to lunch, not... whatever this was. She rolled out of bed begrudgingly, her movements sluggish. Her legs felt like lead as she trudged to the door and yanked it open.

“What are you doing here at - ” she glanced morosely at the clock, “ - seven in the morning?”

Lucian leaned casually against the doorframe, dressed impeccably as usual. His charcoal button-down shirt was rolled up at the sleeves, his black slacks perfectly tailored. 

He grinned. “It’s not my fault you don’t know how to prepare for a date.”

She frowned at him. “I agreed to lunch. Not a date.”

“Semantics,” he said with a shrug, turning on his heel. “Hurry up. I’ll wait in the car.”

Ayra grumbled as she threw on the first semi-decent outfit she could find - jeans and a lightweight sweater. She didn’t have the energy to argue or even question why they were leaving so early. 

Still half-asleep, she climbed into the passenger seat, her movements sluggish and mechanical. As she settled, she barely noticed Lucian draping a blanket over her lap. 

She didn’t even flinch when the door clicked shut and sealed her in. The last thing she remembered before her eyes closed again was the sound of the engine purring to life.

The next hour passed in a blur for Ayra. Exhaustion overtook her the moment they pulled out of the driveway. 

She barely registered the faint hum of music playing on the radio or the smooth motion of the car as it glided down the road. 

When Ayra finally stirred, the warmth of the blanket cocooning her was the first thing she registered. She blinked groggily and squinted against the harsh glare of sunlight streaming through the windshield. 

Her head lolled to the side and with a start she realized that they were in motion. They were no longer in the driveway but rather speeding down a near-empty highway. 

She blinked, momentarily disoriented, before remembering where she was. The sleek leather seat beneath her, the gentle hum of the car, and the steady figure of Lucian in the driver’s seat brought everything back.

“You’re finally awake,” he remarked. His voice was as smooth and sharp as freshly honed steel.

Ayra sat up straighter and the blanket slipping to her lap. “What time is it?” she asked groggily, her voice hoarse from sleep.

“Eight fifteen,” Lucian replied without taking his eyes off the road. “You’ve been out for nearly an hour.”

Ayra rubbed her eyes, groaning softly. This was all his fault. “And why am I under a blanket?”

“You looked cold,” he replied simply. “And I figured you’d fall asleep. Consider it my good deed for the day.”

She pulled the blanket tighter around her. She suddenly became self-conscious for no reason. 

“Where are we?”

Lucian gestured vaguely toward the skyline ahead. “Headed into town. Thought we’d make a day of it.”

“A day?” Ayra frowned. “I thought we were just having lunch.”

“Plans change,” his lips turned up into a small smile. “Trust me, you’ll have fun.”

His words unnerved her a bit. 

Lucian’s silhouette filled her peripheral vision. One hand rested casually on the steering wheel, the other on the gearshift, his profile carved from stone against the backdrop of the rising sun. 

His dark hair gleamed faintly in the golden light, and his expression was unreadable, though the faint upturn of his lips suggested he’d been waiting for her to wake.

Despite the unwelcome answer, Ayra found herself easing into the seat. The car’s interior was unsurprisingly comfortable and the hum of the engine was oddly soothing. 

She watched the scenery blur past. Endless stretches of countryside punctuated by flashes of small estates. The world felt... distant, as if she were caught in a dream - and not a particularly bad dream either. 

The town came into view as they approached, streets bustling with the morning rush. Lucian weaved through the traffic easily, his expression calm as he navigated the narrow lanes. 

Then, without warning, Lucian pressed his foot down on the accelerator, flooring the pedal. The car surged forward and Ayra gripped the edge of her seat, her heart leaping into her throat. 

“What are you doing?” she yelled, though perhaps she had a vague idea of what it was. 

Lucian shot her a sideways glance, his smirk widening. “Relax. I’ve got this.”

The world outside became a dizzying blur as the car picked up speed. They zipped past other vehicles, Lucian effortlessly maneuvering through gaps that were impossibly tight while Ayra’s knuckles turned whiter and whiter as she clung to the armrest.

“You’re going to get us killed!” she yelled.

He chuckled, clearly unbothered by her panic. “You need to learn to live a little, Ayra. Trust me.”

“No, no, no! I don’t trust you! Slow down!”

“Oh relax. I’m in complete control.”

“Complete control? You’re driving like a maniac!” she shot back, her voice high-pitched with panic.

The road blurred into a dizzying kaleidoscope of colors. Ayra’s knuckles turned whiter and whiter as she gripped the armrest tighter, her breaths coming in rapid bursts.

Lucian pushed the car even faster, the scenery flashing by so quickly that Ayra could barely make sense of it. Her heart pounded in her chest, each beat echoing maddeningly in her ears. She squeezed her eyes shut, bracing herself for the inevitable crash that never came.

After what felt like an eternity Lucian eased off the gas and the car slowed to a more reasonable speed. Ayra’s breathing was ragged, her pulse still racing as she opened her eyes.

“There, there,” he said calmly. “All better.”

Ayra glared at him. “You. Are. Insane!” she spat. 

Her face was flushed; a mix of fear and fury.

“Possibly,” Lucian said. His tone was maddeningly nonchalant. 

She opened her mouth to argue further but snapped it shut upon reasoning it would be a futile endeavor. Instead, she crossed her arms and stared out the window, willing her pulse to steady. 

And it wasn't like she absolutely hated the thrill. It had just been far too surprising - not to mention that she had no idea if Lucian was a good enough driver to pull off things like that. 

Apparently he was.

Their next stop was a high-end spa where Lucian insisted they freshen up. Ayra begrudgingly went along with it, if only to wash off the stress of their harrowing drive. 

The spa’s luxurious interior, with its marble floors and soft lighting, was a stark contrast to the chaos of the morning.

Lucian disappeared into one of the private rooms while Ayra was ushered into her own. She spent the next hour being pampered, her nerves gradually unwinding under the expert hands of the staff. By the time she emerged, she felt like a different person.

Lucian was waiting for her in the lobby,

looking as composed as ever. “Better?” he asked.

“Marginally,” she grouched.