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Eternal Bliss [OctopusPrince and gio-vanne]

Somewhere along their conversation, Lucian mentally thanked whoever it was doing the work of fate for letting them meet. He had been having a great night and he didn't expect it would be much more pleasant with the conversation they shared which he was sure he wouldn't be able to have with just any other random woman.

"You know your visual arts too, I see. I'm impressed. But such details need not be discussed over a good dinner. I imagine looking back at these splendid works of art would be best enjoyed in a museum of sorts, and yes, Helios, I would love for us to have a visit one day."

As the night came to an end, Lucian got up from his place and stood behind her to pull up her seat. "Thank you for a lovely evening, Helios. You are, indeed, a little sunshine." He then motioned to the exit but unlike the previous night, this time, he waited for her and held her hand. "Will you be alright tonight? On your own?"
 
Helios rolled her eyes a little at the mention of going to a museum- classic Lucian, asking not telling, but this time there was no loaded malice in it. Over the evening he'd shown himself to be a perfect gentleman, and while he was obviously the sort who was used to getting what he wanted, how and when he wanted it, it was clear to Helios that he was willing to have some patience with her, at least to appease their little game of chase. She noticed as she took his hand, that his skin was a bit cold, and she squeezed at his hand a little to warm it, heading out of the restaurant with him to the immaculate elevator leading down to the bottom floor parking lots.

" I'll be fine, yeah. Thank you again, for taking me out tonight. It's been really nice." She said, genuinely appreciative. She was full, and had enjoyed the company, and was just a tiny bit buzzed from the wine they'd been drinking. As she stepped into the elevator, she pulled out her phone, " What's your phone number? If you don't mind me having it-- so we can discuss going to a museum, if I feel like it," She said it playfully, because of course she'd enjoy doing that, but the whole point of their flirtation just then, was negotiating the power imbalance between them.
 
The elevator went past the 49th floor which made him feel quite proud of himself for not pressing that certain button and leader her to the only unit there. Instead, he gladly obliged to take her all the way to the parking lot where she bid her farewell in the kind of manner he expected.

"Well, if that's the case," Lucian produced his cardholder from his pocket, took out a business card and with all formalities handed it over to her with both hands. "I would love to hear from you again when you... feel like it." The business card was a simple off-white piece with foiled crimson text. No companies or position whatsover, just his name, a contact number, and an embedded illustration of a rose.

"Lucian Giovanni, at your service and disposal, milady." He took the liberty once more to take her hand, kiss the top of it while all the while maintaining his eyes fixed on her. "Have a pleasant evening and try your best not to think of me." Lucian gave her a playful wink and without even waiting for a response, he kept his hands back in his pockets and walked back inside the building.

As soon as he got inside, he went all the way back up to 52 Rosetta.

"Mr. Lucian, we've heard from the Chief. You wanted to hire someone to perform here every weeknight?"

"Yes, that is my plan. I will be sending you her contact number real soon. I believe I'll have it in no time."

With a pleased smile on his face, Lucian turned his heel and proceeded to go back home to the 49th floor.
 
~~~
Helios could hardly believe she'd gotten the gig. Lucian pulled the strings sure, that much she was sure of, especially when shortly after she'd texted him for the first time she'd received a phone call informing her she had an audition at 52 Rosetta. Sly thing, that Lucian. She'd gone to the audition and as she'd thought, she was fantastic-- it seemed like the people who had met to see her play were expecting this to be an indulgence on Lucian's part, that they'd have to put up with some half baked cellist until Lucian got tired of her. But she was a damn good cellist, and by the time she'd finished her audition piece, the people who had thought she was a side piece being humored were delighted to hire her.

She'd been given a full week schedule, and the pay was honestly ridiculous- a thousand dollars a night, just to show up, plus tips that were allocated by the guests. She'd have a new apartment in no time. Hell, in a few months, she could probably buy herself a new cello. She'd had the one she kept loyally for almost ten years, and it was a beautiful, perfect instrument, but any artist loved new toys, so she was already looking forward to buying another one, searching for deals on her phone when she was alone in her hotel room. She quit her job at the boutique, and the first night she was meant to play at the restaurant, she sent Lucian a text, letting him know she'd be there, and that'd she'd really be happy if he came to see her. She'd kept his business card even though she had his number in her phone, it was a beautiful, pleasantly simple card... he was very classy.

Helios arrived at the restaurant shortly before it opened to warm up and tune, her blonde hair bound up in a beautiful, braided up do and her dress for the evening appropriate for an orchestra performance, black, long, almost a ball gown but meant to look more on the professional side rather than the flamboyant side. it had thin black straps and a heart bust, and around her neck was a simple silver chained necklace with a single diamond pendant, matching diamond studs in her ears. She sat down with her cello at the stage as the restaurant opened, already allowing guests in, and deciding to go with something from memory, something she could relax into, she played Chopin's cello sonata, the beautiful lilting notes and expressive vibrato filling the restaurant pleasantly with soothing sound. She lowered her gaze, eyes almost closed, and let her hand glide over the cello neck, her bow held gently, elegantly in her fingertips. She knew this piece by heart, so she simply took in breaths, letting the music resonate through the instrument.

She hoped, absently, that Lucian would have time to show, she hadn't had time that day to check and see if he'd responded to her text-- she had no intention of asking him for anything monetary, but... he'd promised her. He'd promised he'd give her anything. And what she wanted then, was his support, for him to arrive and see that he hadn't wasted his influence by helping her.
 
That morning, Lucian had nothing planned. He made sure to keep his schedule free that day because, despite herself, Lucian expected her to ask him to come. To thank him, perhaps, or to simply boast her skills at him. He knew she'd get in, of course, but to see her swim through her own waters was something he greatly looked forward to.

On his wine glass that morning was another red liquid from a bag he purchased. Definitely not artificial but surely not as good as fresh. If he'd compare it a human's palate, it would have tasted like a week-old takeout reheated more than once compared to 52 Rosetta's freshly done steaks. Not that he was complaining, of course. He needed this sustenance and he'd have it in any form.

What would hers taste like...?

He shook the thought away.

As expected, around half past noon, Lucian received a text message asking him to come and see her opening night. It was her request at the time and he smiled at the thought of making it even more grand. He stopped by the shops at the ground floor of Rosetta and browsed through the elegant jewelry. He wasn't exactly sure what he was looking for but when his eyes landed on the simple musical note sterling silver pendant with small diamonds dotting it, he knew he had to get that one.

And flowers. He had to get flowers.

---

On her gala night, Lucian arrived fashionably late. One could say that because a trench coat tuxedo over his dress shirt and tie while holding a bouquet of flowers effortlessly on his right hand. She was already playing by the time he got there so he took a seat at one of the closest tables he can find and turned his chair so that he would be directly facing her. As she played her music from the heart, he watched her with all of his.
 
Helios saw the movement on the corner of her eye, someone sitting down as near to her as the tables had been organized to be, and when she glanced up, she recognized Lucian instantly. Her lips curled slowly into a smile and as she finished the piece she'd been playing, she raised her head, her eyes and jewelry all glittering in the spotlight. She looked upon Lucian with sincere gratitude, and mouthed, just for him to see 'this one's for you', before she adjusted her grasp on her bow.

Lucian didn't know anything about classical musics, so Helios decided to go with a basic, well known piece, something most everyone liked, and that was beautifully composed as well as challenging. Her fingers glided elegantly over the strings as sound swooned out of her cello, the first swooping, almost caress like notes of Bach's Cello Suite Number 1 in G fluttering into the air.

She watched his expression for a few moments, before she lowered her gaze, returning her focus to playing, because Lucian had promised her the best, and the least she could do was offering him the best of what she could give. This, she could give with full devotion. It was a nineteen minute piece, the most well known part only lasting three minutes, but she would play all of it, with its varying shifts and moods, and let Lucian sample the entirety of both Bach's renown composition, and her own hard earned ability to command her instrument into beautiful, sonorous harmony.


(( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mGQLXRTl3Z0 ))
 
As soon as she mouthed the words, Lucian raised his hand over his chest and gave her a slight nod of acknowledgement. He sat himself in place and ordered a glass of wine just as she was about to start. Her hands and fingers worked their way on the instrument and indeed, he knew the piece. Bach's music reminded him a lot of his childhood; his family long-gone, his hometown ceased to exist, his old life -- his human life -- a thing of the past. They were bittersweet memories yet he gladly welcomed them while savoring the new one this piece of music brought. Starting that night, every cello piece known or unknown would only remind him of her.

The 19-minute piece was long. After 3 minutes into it, everyone else proceeded to go about their business for the night. A few businessmen gathered in most tables while couples occupied some. Lucian, on the other hand, kept his attention fixed fully on her until every note had been played. He would have given her a standing ovation but he didn't want to embarrass her. Instead, after her entire exposure time was done, he congratulated her with a bouquet of flowers.

"You were amazing, Helios." He said. The arrogance and bickering can come back later but for now, he wanted to congratulate her sincerely. Once the bouquet was out of the way, he no longer stopped himself from giving her a quick hug.

"I'm impressed," Lucian then remarked when they pulled away. "How many times in a row would you happen to amaze me?" And with that, he took out the box from the pocket of his coat and opened it to reveal the shimmering necklace inside. "You have requested me to be here tonight, and I am here, and I want you to have this." He gingerly took the silver chain with his slender fingers and took a step closer to her so that he'd be able to lock it in place. He towered her quite remarkably, giving him an easy time to lock the chain properly. She would have teased her for going right ahead and doing what he wanted to do but for now, he wanted her to feel even more proud of herself.

"Now, may I have the pleasure of taking tonight's beautiful star out for dinner?"

---

On the 49th floor, Marius, Lucian's faithful servant, had just stepped out after preparing a candlelit dinner right at his place.
 
Helios would have teased him, he was right to think so, but just then she was intensely flattered by the thoughtfulness of Lucian's gift, the pretty music note a perfect gift for her, and she tipped her head welcomingly to let him put the necklace on her, replacing the simple diamond she'd had on before. "Thank you, Lucian... It's beautiful." She held the flowers curved into her arm, and smiled up at him.

" Dinner sounds wonderful... Thank you for coming, and for helping me get the audition." She said, feeling just as much as he did that this moment called for sincerity more than the playful rapport they had built up between one another. She offered her hand to him, twining their fingers, and let him take the lead to wherever he wanted to take her-- she wasn't sure where he'd want to have dinner, but knowing Lucian, he'd already planned the whole thing out, an at least for now, she'd let him get away with that.
 
The bold move of her iniative to hold his hand took him by suprise but he did not dare show her he momentarily lost his demeanor. They walked in silence down to the 49th floor which led to a hallway right after the elevator door. Walking through it was like walking through an art exhibit with paintings hung up on the wall and small yellow lights illuminating them a bit. Below each framed canvas was a short description of the piece and the artist.

At the end of the hallway was a metallic gate with intricate patterns contrasting the plain birchwood door at the other side. Lucian opened the gate first followed by the door. It was fairly a humble piece compared to what awaited inside.


They were right in front of a high ceiling split-level high-end condominium unit with floor-to-ceiling glass window that looked a lot like the one on 52 Rosetta. The windows were parted tonight, revealing nearly the same scenery of the urban skyline and right in the middle of it was a candelit dinner setup for 2. Nothing was on the table but two glasses of red wine, the bottle of Chateau Margaux on one side, two baskets of sliced bread and a platter of cold cuts and sliced cheeses. At the middle of the table was a menu of 52 Rosetta.

"Come in, love." Lucian took the bouquet from her and set it aside on the counter before leading her to her seat. "52 Rosetta's menu is right here. Choose your main course for tonight and let me know if there's anything else you'd need."

He then proceeded to take his own spot and pretended to browse through his copy of the menu. Once in a while, he'd steal glances at her.
 
Helios followed him in, admiring the condo until she needed to sit down at the table. She smiled at him from across the table and perused the menu, only glancing up to realize the wine on the table was the same as always. She chuckled, softly, and grinned over the menu at Lucian. " You love that wine. Can't get enough of the reds, hm?" She teased, her eyes falling back to the menu before she'd decided on what she wanted, setting it down on the table and plucking a piece of cheese from the dish between them.

" So, what did you think? Did you like my set? I picked some things I thought anyone new to classical music should know," She charmed, since she'd chosen those pieces for his benefit. She finished off the cheese and reached up, unpinning her hair with a sigh and undoing the braid, letting her hair fall in waves around her face before pushing the platinum hair back, massaging her scalp for a moment with a sigh. It made her head hurt, to keep her hair in such a tight style-- but it was professional and appropriate, so she'd endured it through her performance. Now that she was alone with Lucian, it was no longer needed. She pushed all of it over her shoulder, and smiled a little at Lucian, relaxed and trusting.

He was very handsome that evening- she could tell he had dressed up for the occasion even though that wasn't really necessary- she was playing at a restaurant, not at a concert hall, but she wasn't surprised by the gesture-- it was just like him, to go all out it seemed... he had a certain flamboyance about him, for all of his composed mannerisms. She reached for the bottle of wine, and poured glasses for them both, first Lucian's and then her own.
 
"Yes, I am fond of the reds," he responded without taking his eyes off fake-browsing the menu. He knew everything by heart already but the joy of listening to her talk to him as of asking for his attention became his little amusement. "I believe you were wearing a similar color the night we first met." He set the menu aside and gave her a smile.

When he told her she picked out an easy guess for him on her gala night, he couldn't help laugh. "Thank you for considering my lack of musical knowledge, Helios. I much appreciated that kind gesture." He sounded a bit teasing, sarcastic even, but his laugh gave away the fact that he was just kidding around with her. As he spoke to her, she let her hair down and he almost gulped at the sight. She was gorgeous. That much he knew. He must admit he had such impure thoughts of her on the first night but during their second date, he liked her more for... well... her. But kidding aside, he looked at her again and commended her performance wholeheartedly. "The piece was dear to me," He began. "It reminds me of memories of long ago, and you played it with all your heart. With that, I sincerely thank you. You were beyond amazing and I am beyond proud to be your... fair acquaintance."


Realizing that he was putting his guard down and becoming a little too sincere, Lucian cleared his throat. "So, you've taken your pick? I'll have them send it down here. Give me a moment." He excused himself and took out his phone from the pocket. "Yes, hello. I'd like to request for a waiter here."

When all that was done and he found his mood to play his little game again, he leaned against his seat and crossed his legs. "So, Helios, I'd like to congratulate you once again. And as a token of gratitude for not letting me down and making me even more proud of you, I'd be at your disposal tonight. We can have our dinner here and go anywhere you'd like afterwards. We can stay and talk more, if that's what you'd like, or you can ask me to get you one gift. Any gift."

He then leaned closer, rested his right elbow on the table and rested his chin on his palm. "Or... you can have me."
 
Helios felt a twinge of shyness almost, at how sincerely Lucian regarded her-- it was sweet, and to thank her for something he'd given her was once more, impressively kind. She had noticed that he hadn't attempted to take the credit for her success, and she knew any other wealthy man she'd met would have at least gloated. Lucian was... She didn't want to finish that sentence.

She recalled that yes, she was wearing red as well, when they'd met... when he'd decided to put all of this attention on her. She'd have to invest in more red, she thought absently, before immediately putting the thought aside as well. He wasn't her boyfriend, lord knew how many other women he did this with during the week. For now, she needed to enjoy it for what it was, a flirtation.

It was when he returned to the table with that little grin on his face that Helios could feel more herself again, smirking back at him and taking a long sip of wine. " That's a really long list of offers, Lucian, someone might think you want me to want something from you with a list like that," She drawled teasingly, raising her eyebrows at him in challenge. " I can have you?" She asked, knowing that was the one any other woman would leap on in a heart beat, and she let the words hang in the air for a moment before she sighed thoughtfully, " That doesn't really count as an offer- I already have you, as a friend." She charmed, smiling so sweetly just to provoke him.

" You've lready bought me a gift.... And if we're drinking wine, and this is a celebratory night, I think it'd be a good choice to get drunk, so no going out." She added, still speaking slowly, easily, just to tease it out. " So let's stay here tonight. On one condition--" She held up a finger, to emphasize it. " Once dinner is over, you have to wear pajamas. Or a t shirt-- something... casual." She wondered if he even had anything casual in his wardrobe, but if he did, she wanted to see it. She had her own bag of more comfortable clothes upstairs, and she'd go and retrieve it once dinner was over with.

It'd be fun, to see if Lucian could act less like an old, wealthy aristocrat for an evening. If he couldn't she didn't mind, in fact it would be more than entertaining to watch him with his elegant and reserved mannerism while wearing a t shirt and proper pajama pants, but she knew most of all that she wanted to spend the evening with him and that she had no intention of giving in to the obvious sexual tension between them until he was pleading for her, until he could ask, specifically, emphatically to have her, rather than coolly offering himself up.

She kept her grin, and when the waiter arrived she ordered, thanking the waiter as she offered over her menu and then, mimicking Lucian's positioning, she leaned against the table, resting her chin on her hands. She knew Lucian wouldn't turn her down, so far, it seemed part of the game that he couldn't say no to her, but she was incredibly curious now, what he'd come up with to try and one up her proposal for the evening.
 
He was once again taken aback by her odd request yet odd as it may be, he'd still keep his promise and give her what she wants. He expected so much more yet all he got was a simple request of getting drunk on wine in their pajamas. Not exactly the kind of night he imagined but it was definitely a change he gladly welcomed.

"It's your decision to make, milady, and not mine. Your wish is my command."

---

Dinner went by faster that it did a few nights ago. After having his table bused out and cleaned, Lucian escorted Helios to a guest room right across his own. The guest room had a queen size bed, flatscreen cable TV, and its own bathroom. He told her to make herself at home and that his home is her own now, she could use whatever it is she needed and wanted.

"Lavender and chamomile soap is right there by the shower," he said as he took her to a quick tour of the guest room. "I find the scent quite relaxing especially at night. Feel free to use as much as you please." His words didn't slur at all despite nearly chugging down an entire bottle of wine. "I will meet you back here in just a few minutes. Let me get changed."

Back at his room, Lucian entered his walk-in closet and figured out what type of sleepwear to use. It's not that he didn't have any casualwear at home but this vulnerability was almost too much. He wanted to keep an impression of mystery and elegance in her eyes yet here he was, unable to refuse the request of wearing pajamas for the night. In the end, he settled for a long-sleeved gray hoodie paired up with black pajama pants. That would do the trick.

Before heading back to the guest room, Lucian temporarily took off his contacts and washed his face. He also let his hair down and be as casual-looking as he can get. When all that was done, Lucian looked at himself in the mirror and wondered if, should there be anything happening between them tonight, there was a hint of what he truly was. So far, other than the pale skin, he figured he seemed... human.

Sighing to himself, Lucian wore back his contacts, straightened his clothes and went to meet his lady companion.

Three knocks against the wooden door. "Helios, may I come in?"
 
Helios was definitely drunk- too drunk to remind herself that red wine was a bad idea, and that she'd regret it in the morning. She was impressed to find her bag had been delivered in the guest room without her noticing-- dinner had been fun and she hadn't really noticed the waiters when they came in and out to bring them more wine or clean up their plates. One of them must have brought her bag down. How kind. She waved at him when he left the room, and immediately struggled out of the confines of her dress, laying on the bed with her legs up to pull off her stockings in a perfectly natural, unceremonious way-- he said her home was his, so she didn't behave at all differently than if she'd been completely alone. She showered, and had to admit to herself she did find the scent relaxing, giggling and humming to herself while she washed up and stepped out of the shower. She toweled herself down, and slipped into the clothes she'd brought with her, a pair of black, comfortable slacks and a v necked t shirt with some band logo on it, before laying herself out limply on the bed.

When Lucian knocked, she lifted herself up on her elbows and called out, " Come in~" The words slurred together and sing-songed. She waited for him to come in, and when he did, she couldn't help but laugh at his appearance.

"You wear hoodies to bed?" She asked teasingly, laughing easily because she was drunk, even the shower had helped cut through the buzz a little bit. " You're gonna sweat-- it's too hot for that, Lucian, you don't have a t shirt? No band shirt?" She asked between giggles, tugging at her own shirt and pointing at the logo while flopping out on the bed, laughing even more at her own self and curling in from that laughter. Somewhere in the back of her mind, she thought-- this is where he'll realize she's not right for him.

She was simple, and goofy, and drunk, and he was elegant and composed, even in a hoodie and pajama pants... Tonight would probably be the last night they saw each other like this, she realized, and that made her laugh a little less. She looked at him for a long moment then, her expression difficult to read. It had been fun... He had been so kind. But he probably would want a woman much more refined than she could ever be, and as fun as their little game was, she couldn't be a beautifully dressed, elegant woman of the night all the time. That was probably why he was attracted to her, and now, she was ruining the illusion. She put that thought aside, and decided to enjoy the evening as it was. As long as he wasn't kicking her out, maybe things would be nice.

" Come over here." She mumbled, patting the bed next to her before rolling to reach for the remote on the night stand. "Let's watch somethin'," she suggested, turning on the tv and pulling her weight up the bed to rest against the almost ridiculously soft pillows.
 
He was about to respond to the whole hoodie remark but eventually decided it would be best not to, considering how none of his words would mean anyway. He simply indulged in the satisfaction of watching her intoxicated like that, ironically it required so much alcohol for her to have the innocence of a child. She rolled around on the fresh sheets yet he noticed her mood rising and falling sporadically. She'd laugh at one point but would eventually laugh a little less, and then she'd go back to laughing histerically again. Something clicked at the back of her mind, he figured, and he wanted so badly to know what that was so that he can kiss it all away.

Kissing it all away... the thought almost made him join her laughter.

When she patted the empty space beside her, Lucian sat down and scooted closer. "Yes, watching something would be nice." He watched as she absentmindedly flipped the channels but none of it piqued his (or her) interest. She kept her gaze on the buzzing screen while he kept his gaze on her.

"Helios," He began, knowing she might not remember any of this anyway. "Have you ever been in love? In a relationship, perhaps?"
 
Helios glanced at him with a touch of amusement at that. What an innocent sounding question, coming from him. " Yeah, of course. Both a couple of times." She admitted, reaching to set aside the remote, and relaxing back into the bed, her hair spilling over the pillow and her hands clasped on her stomach, fingers laced together. " Have you?" She asked back, and then she snorted a laugh, " If you look off into the distance and tell me you've never been in love like some type of tragic hero, I'm going to punch you." She teased, since Lucian was just the type to be that dramatic, that cryptic.
 
She sounded proud of the fact that she had been in love and the thought somehow made him smile. Helios in love, he wondered how that would turn out to be?

When she turned the question back at her, he gave her the same pride. “Yes, I have been. But as you can see,” he gestured around the room. “None of them seemed to like me enough to stay.” Lucian shrugged the thought away. “And I wasn’t selfish enough to make them.”

Scooting closer to her, Lucian absentmindedly took her hand with his own and intertwined their fingers together. Flirting was good and all, but stealing this night to feel as if he had a lover was something he wanted to do, too. In the morning he was sure to get a hell lot of teases and bickering from Helios but for now, just for now, this was okay.

He took her head gingerly and guided her to lean on the crook of her neck.

“Your relationships,” he began. “Why did they fail? What did the men lack?”
 
Helios relaxed against him, sighing a little and shifting to be comfortable. It was obvious she wasn't interested in what was on tv, so she tipped her body so that she was on her side, pressed against Lucian's with her cheek rested against his shoulder. She looked down at their entwined hands and wondered why he was bothering with this, with this kind of sweet touch.

He certainly could've tried to kiss her by now, to try and take advantage of the fact that she was drunk, but instead, it seemed like he only wanted her close. That was just as endearing as the rest of his small kindnesses. She brushed her thumb over his slowly and shrugged a little, blinking slowly. He wasn't particularly warm, but his presence was comforting... it was ridiculous to say she felt safe, but she did-- it was probably the alcohol talking more than anything else, she tried to reason with herself.

" When I was younger, and right when I started college it was because my parents were still trying to get my to date a specific type of guy. As you know, I don't like being told what to do, but these guys, I swear, it's like the came out of the womb thinking the world was theirs, that they were owed something just for existing. When my parents stopped butting into my life, and I started dating people of my choosing, I suppose it was just a learning process. I knew what I didn't like, but I had no idea what I did like, so that took some experimentation... some guys that were nice, but not really all they cracked up to be, some guys that were bad, that were actually bad, some guys that wanted things I couldn't give them or that were not what I was looking for.... I think I've only had one or two relationships I completely regret." She shifted closer and pressed her forehead into the crook of his neck, relaxing her weight against his side.

" What about you? Why do you live in this big swanky condo all by yourself? Is it part of the mysterious millionaire mystic?" She chuckled mellowly. " You could have anyone you wanted, you know that-- you act like it too, sometimes." She teased him, because she couldn't help herself, but then her voice became a little more serious. " Why did the other women leave?"
 
Snuggling closer to him wasn't such a good idea. The impure thoughts flashed for just a split second before it disappeared she told him about her failed relationships. He didn't know what kind of family she came from and he was smart enough not to pry so he merely stroked her hair as she spoke. The question she then asked though, was something he wasn't sure how to answer. There were too many stories, too many old memories to sort out properly for a coherent response.

"Let's just say my life is here," he began, "while theirs are not. I have a life I need to maintain and I did not want them involved in any of it because..." he trailed off with a sad chuckle. "I am a monster."

With the most controlled force of strength he had, he twisted himself around so that he'd top her and he'd pin her down on the bed. "Would you believe that, Helios, that your friend may not be who you fully think he is?" He leaned closer until their faces were just inches apart. Their foreheads touched and as he closed his eyes to breathe in her scent, he felt that strong urge of hunger pulsating in every inch of his body.

I am too close.

Her blood is too sweet.

He could feel his fangs slowly protruding but with a simple click of the tongue and a swift motion to tighten his jaw, he managed to resist the urge and stop the fangs from showing up.

"I could have anyone I want, yes," he said, almost breathing out every word. As he spoke, he kept his close distance with his eyes closed. "But I no longer want to love, Helios, because love is not for me." Still breathing in heavily, he raised up his hand to stroke the side of her face. He dared not to open his eyes and look deeper into hers because he knew what he'd see: utter disgust or total weakness.

Still maintaining his position just inches away from her, he chuckled before pulling himself together and straightening himself up at the other end of the bed. "I believe we had our fun tonight," he said as he laid down on his side with his back turned to her. He scooted at the far end of the bed to give them both more than enough space. The night was young and gave them room for so much more, but Lucian knew he had to put a stop to whatever version of their game they played tonight.

"Good night, Helios." He murmured, still without looking at her. "I will see you in the morning."

With that, Lucian closed his eyes and faked his sleep.
 
Helios laid there in abject shock. He had so suddenly been on top of her, holding her down and then he had said something so... sinister. And now he expected her to lie in bed next to him? To just brush that aside? Her heart was thundering in her chest, and she looked to him without moving. What if he wasn't who she thought he was? What kind of question was that? She moved to get up out of the bed after several minutes, hoping, praying that perhaps he was asleep. She had to get out of here. He had frightened her in a way that there wasn't a chance in hell she was staying.

She gathered up her dress and bag as quietly as she could, and made for the bedroom door, hoping she could sneak out without disturbing him. He was so much bigger than she was-- he had held her down so firmly. How could she have been so stupid? Men like this weren't nice, they weren't good-- they took things and that was it. And he must have been basically telling her that, in what he did-- that he wasn't sweet, or patient, or kind. She remembered the door, the grate out, what if she couldn't get out? What if he got a hold of her? She dug in her purse for her pepperspray as she pushed the bedroom door open and moved to leave.
 
He kept his eyes closed as he felt her hurrying out of the house. The empty space right beside him felt heavy, even a lot heavier than when it held her weight. Footstep got farther and farther away from his until, finally, he heard the metallic clank of his gate.

She was gone.

And maybe that was for the best.

---

The following morning, Lucian sent her a text message figuring he owed her at least that. "I'm so sorry."

Throughout the day, Lucian busied himself with his business. He spearheaded Bistro Co., a multinational group of companies, which owned a variety of restaurants all over the world. Needless to say his company owned 52 Rosetta and one of the shareholders of Sky Bar hence he mostly got his way around things and his palate was definitely unlike anyone else's, having lived through so many centuries of food journeys. Bistro Co.'s restaurants are some of the most well-known because of their impeccable cuisines all thanks to his high standards and exquisite tastes in almost everything-- from the food down to the interiors.

Of course, he worked in secret. The employees at 52 Rosetta and in his company's restaurants all knew he was some sort of VIP, some sort of "Chief's Favorite", but none of them knew he was the chief. He spoke through Marius, mostly, a bachelor in his late 40's whose family served him for generations. Marius was a loyal servant and Lucian valued him greatly. Through Marius, Lucian managed to keep his human side.

Not once throughout the day did he check his phone and even attempted to call a person he knew was gone.

---

At 9:30pm that night, Lucian was still glued to his desk and buried under a pile of paperwork. He checked his watch and looked at the time. He knew, by now, she had been playing for about 30 minutes already.

"Marius," Lucian called out. Marius was at his door in no time.

"Yes, master?"

"The flowers, are they here?"

"Yes, master. I'm just waiting for your go signal."

"Yes, thank you. That's very much appreciated. Please send it up."

----

It was an hour later that he headed up to 52 Rosetta, not exactly sure what to expect anymore. Mostly, he knew he'd be spending the night in his usual corner, lost in his thoughts while sipping on the wine that, without her, had already lost its flavor.
 
By the time Helios had it made it back to her hotel room, she was shaking-- she had nearly put herself in so much danger, and for what? Why on earth had she trusted that man, after two dates no less, to do anything but be a fucking man. She sank onto her bed, and despite herself, despite all the strength she had and all the anger she felt, she wept, because it hurt, and it was frightening, and now she had a job where she would have to see the man who had frightened her, probably dining with other oblivious women. She thought over what he'd said, what he'd done, and it felt like it made no sense-- had all of his kindness been a rouse? Why put so much effort into being so playful, so sweet only to threaten to take what he wanted from her by force? She fell asleep even though the bed was worthless, and when she woke, it was with a terrible, terrible hang over.


It wasn't surprising that things just couldn't go her way. When she got the text from Lucian, she left it on read, almost angry that he'd sent it at all. Sorry for what? What exactly was he sorry for? As far as she was concerned he was saying sorry just so he could get under her skin again, another play at trying to make her do just what he wanted. She would not-- she would fucking not be the woman her parents had tried to mold her into, some rich bastard's pet, begging for scraps of affection only to be reminded she was an object, a trophy to be won. She refused to answer him, and when she arrived at work that evening, she had done all she could to steal herself, even though undeniably, it ached. She felt... betrayed.


She kept her eyes down the whole evening, focused on her playing. If he was there, she didn't want to see him- she didn't want to look across the dim, romantic lighting of the restaurant and see him watching her, probably calculating his next move to try and break her to his will. He had already revealed his hand. She played perfectly, but there was something missing to it, in her irritation and distraction, but thankfully, no one seemed to notice the lack of heart in her melodies, the way she moved her hands over her instrument without any joy.

When she was done, she moved to pack up her instrument, moving to one of the back rooms to place it inside of its case and take her hair down, the same she had on the night she didn't want to think about. She massaged her scalp and sighed heavily-- what an asshole, to even take something she loved, and ruin it. Men with wealth were like this... there was nothing that wasn't theirs to ruin. She felt like crying again, but she kept her composure, gently closing her cello case before reaching under the desk in the employee break room for her bag of clothes.
 
He knew she wouldn't want to see him looking at her. Hell, he knew she didn't want him. At all. And maybe that was okay, that was for the better. As Lucian sipped on his usual wine, he looked out the window on his side so was his head titled away from her direction. He watched the tiny cars passing by 52 stories below and, for a short moment, envied the people in them and how they were just going about their usual night. He didn't even know what his purpose was for that night. Maybe he wanted to see her? Maybe he wanted to give himself the assurance that she was okay enough to play her music and work. As she played flawlessly, Lucian smiled a sad smile against the rim of his wine glass before setting it down and discreetly heading out of the restaurant.

---

Marius looked around for Helios but to no avail. Without her in sight, he noticed she left her cello and its case on the side of the small platform. He decided to leave the flowers beside her precious instrument. It was a bouquet of deep red roses which held no note, yet it was prepared with utmost simplicity and elegance.
 
Helios returned to get her cello after changing out of her evening dress, and when she saw the bouquet of roses, her eyes went flinty. No. She didn't want them. She took up the bouquet and tossed them away from her cello like some how roses could do some sort of damage to her precious thing, and then hoisting her cello up, she moved to leave 52 Rosetta. That asshole wasn't going to get her back with flowers and cryptic texts-- her life was not his fun little chess game. She deserved to hear a frank, honest apology, she deserved for him to stand there and wait for her to come out for her cello, flowers in hand, to feel the anxiousness that naturally came with having to apologize to someone in person for being so predatory... For ruining what they had.


She made her way down to her car, and went back to the hotel, going to bed almost as soon as she arrived, her phone turned off so that no one, especially not Lucian, could bother her while she slept.

The next day she turned her phone on, expecting to see a text or call from 52 Rosetta about being fired. Helios was surprised she even got to work in the first place, the night before-- she wasn't Lucian's precious thing anymore, so why were they keeping her around? She wanted to believe it was because she was talented, that she had earned the spot even with her falling out with Lucian, but she wasn't sure. She went to go collect her mail from her old place, spent the day doing some filing and apartment shopping on her laptop and she went out to shop for a few more appropriate dresses for work. She didn't want to get ahead of herself she could be fired any day, but she did find some things she loved, and the shopping made her feel a little better.

That night she had come in a sparkling, pristine white gown with little diamonds embroidered all over it, her hair up in a different up do with a diamond laced head band tucked into her hair, the silver and gold of it molded to look like vines and the diamonds like dew drops. She wore three tiered diamond earrings to match, and her simple diamond necklace again, the gift Lucian had given her left on her dresser in the hotel. She just couldn't quite throw such a beautiful thing away.

She played, again that night, with her eyes down, avoiding looking at anyone in the restaurant, even though tonight at least, many eyes were on her, since her professional black being traded for an angelic white was certainly eye catching, and she looked truly heavenly. She thankfully couldn't hear some of the business folk talking about her, about how she was gorgeous and had a fantastic body, about how she ought to come home with them that night. All she could hear, blessedly, was her cello.
 
Nearly a week has passed since the incident in his condo unit but despite those 5 nights, Lucian sat down and watched her performance only twice -- first was the night right after to make sure she was okay and second was this night. This time, there were no flowers. Nothing grand or special, just him capping off a busy day with his favorite wine. Unlike the previous time, Lucian was at his usual table hours before her shift even started. He was slowly getting used to the idea that she was just some employee at 52 Rosetta who played in the restaurant every night. Well, at least, that's what he kept on forcing himself to believe. Tonight shouldn't have been any different.

The moment she entered, the room started buzzing with hushed murmurs. He partially expected that it would've been someone new, someone that perhaps Marius had arranged on his behalf but once he glanced to see what the commotion was about, all attempts of forgetting her went down the drain.

Her fair complexion matched her studded white gown that hugged her form perfectly. Lucian was never exactly fond of white and any other light color but this time, with every step she took towards the platform, he felt like he was growing to love the color more and more. He had seen her in reds and blacks and knew the dark colors accented her skin perfectly, but white? God, it was glorious. He took his time taking her in, basking at the sight of her beauty without even letting his gaze go up and down. He simply focused on her face and how absolutely perfect she looked that night.

And then, the thought hit him.

She could have been sharing a table at Sky Bar or anywhere else, smiling and teasing the guy and making it known that she's a strong, independent woman. She could be having a date tonight afater her shift hence the new look. She could be completely enjoying her life now that she is earning well and doing what she loves without having the monster in the picture.

The bitter thought made him smile a defeated smile.

------

The first hour of her shift went by smoothly. He managed to regain his composure again but just as he was about to leave, somewhere in the distance, he heard faint murmurs of drunken men in full business suits. They were the type of men highly respected in their own fields but now, perhaps intoxicated by too much alcohol, they were douches spitting out dirty words about Helios. There was an on-going bet, he overheard, about which one of them could win her tonight and how much they were willing to give. One even suggested that all three of them could share her for the night.

Lucian nearly broke his glass with his own hand.

Unable to keep calm, Lucian stayed put in his seat and looked out the window instead. All his senses were heightened as he observed everything inside 52 Rosetta without even having to look. As time went on and the restaurant neared its closing time, people left one by one until the two out of the three of them packed up and left.

He knew they were waiting right outside Rosetta's entrance while the other one stood up and wobbled towards Helios.

"Afineladyyouare..darling," he spoke slurring his words. He then took out one rim of dollars from his briefcase and started counting it right in front of her, one by one. "Ifyou'relonelytonight... you can come home with me. I can take good care of you and--"


"Pardon me, sir," Lucian's voice overpowered that of the drunken man's as he walked with poise and pride towards them. "But the lady is with me."

"Tch. With you? You haven't spoken a single word to her all night." He dared to grab Helios' wrist with utmost force. "Nowifyou'dexcuse us Mr. whoeverthehellyouoare, I've a got a girl to--"

"Sir!!!" From Rosetta's door, one of the drunken man's companions came rushing to them in panic. "Mr. Marius of Bistro Co. just called and--- and...!!"

"Goddamn it, and what?!"

"They will be formalizing the withdrawal of The Palace Wine and Dine from their group and---"

A small chuckle of triumph came out from Lucian's lips. "My sincerest apologies, Mr. McLeigh. We do not tolerate crude behavior at Bistro Co. I will be sending Mr. Marius your regards."

One thing led to another and the next thing they knew is all three of them were leaving Rosetta in defeat, screaming slurred words at one another about whose fault was it and how the hell were they going to find a new shareholder.

As the commotion subsided, Lucian turned to face Helios for the first time in days, took her wrist gently and examined it. "Are you alright? Are you hurt?" He ran his thumb delicately on her skin before daring to look at her eyes. He then closed his own and sighed in defeat.

Moving away from her, Lucian took his phone and placed a call. "Hello. Yes, good evening. I'd like to request a security guard to escort a friend out. Yes, yes everything is fine, thank you. I just need your assistance. Okay. Thank you."

Lucian took a deep breath and tried to act as casual as possible. An influx of emotions flooded every fiber of his being; worried, regret, anger, sadness... and the urge to hold her in his arms and tell her it won't happen again, none of it -- even his own lack of respect -- will ever happen again. He wanted to take her home that night, to make sure no harm would come to her, but all he did was turn to her and, almost in total defeat, said, "Please do not look at me with fear. I will leave, I promise, once they send the guard over."
 
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