"You have plenty of time to figure it out, so find out for yourself," he said, his words lingering in the silence. "Who am I to you? And why do you have to be with me? Ask within yourself and ask the familiarity you felt." The words seemed to echo off the walls, leaving Luzella's mind to wander through the possibilities. "Did you get it now, my little chick?"
"If I have to be with you every time, what about the orphanage I grew up in and the people who became my family, the work I'll have to do that I've studied hard for, and my life.... how will it all turn out?" Luzella snapped, voicing her sudden concern.
After finding out Luzella's concerns, Alaric's tone shifted to one of reassurance, "The orphanage is still your family, but you'll be with me from now on," his low, smooth voice rumbled, "If you want to visit them, just let me know, and I'll take you. But just to visit, not to stay." His eyes locked onto Luzella's, his gaze piercing yet gentle, as he continued, "Let's talk about your job and your life, once you've find your answers about me, little chick." Alaric's warm breath whispered against Luzella's skin as he spoke, his voice weaving a sense of intimacy and calm.
Luzella's skin prickled as his warm breath brushed against her, but her voice remained steady as she responded. "But I have an interview in two days. If I miss it, when will I get another good opportunity like this? When will I earn more, and how will I repay the orphanage for raising me?" Luzella told Alaric what was on her mind.
Alaric looked at her with the same gentle gaze and replied, "Just as the time has come for you to meet me, so too has the time come for you to repay the orphanage. Then we'll repay it together." Alaric's eyes were filled with shine as if he suddenly thought of their lives together from now on.
Hearing Alaric's words, Luzella's eyes widened in surprise, her gaze locked onto his. "Will... will you repay my orphanage together with me?" The next words that came out of her lips were barely audible, just like a whisper "But why?" Luzella's eyes remained fixed on Alaric's, her expression a mixture of curiosity and wonder, as she waited for his answer.
Alaric's smirk danced across his lips as he said, "Don't get too wonder, little chick. Stop questioning me now and let's go grab some food. You were so courageous and made quite a scene earlier, weren't you?" And a teasing smile glinted in his eyes with amusement as he said "Look at your eyes, they're all puffed up now."
Luzella's eyes flashed with indignation as she muttered, "It's all your fault, stupid." Her face scrunched up in a pout, and she huffed, her cheeks puffing out with the effort. Her lips jutted out, and her nostrils flared slightly, giving her a adorably indignant look.
Alaric was amused by her expression. He wanted to poke her cheeks but instead he narrowed his eyes and his gaze piercing as he said, "Now, you're daring to scold me ahh? Just because I'm speaking with you gently doesn't mean you can do anything you like." His voice took on a low, warning tone, a subtle edge creeping into his words as he tried to intimidate her.
Luzella's expression transformed, her face blanking into an innocent mask. She blinked big, round eyes and forced a awkward smile, her lips twitching upward in a hesitant curve. "Did I?" she asked, her voice laced with feigned innocence.
Alaric's eyes sparkled with amusement as he recognized Luzella's attempt to deflect. He smirked, his lips curling upward in a knowing curve. "Do you think I have deaf ears?" he asked, arching a brow. His voice was low and as he spoke, he subtly tightened his arm around her, the gentle squeeze a subtle warning that belied the gentle tone of his words.
Luzella met Alaric's gaze unwaveringly, her expression radiating innocence. "I always tell the truth, so maybe I did, if you want to hear, I'll say it again" she said, her voice steady and sincere. She blinked at him, as if genuinely believing she had done nothing amiss.
Alaric looked into her eyes, and again, he saw the same unwavering gaze that didn't falter under his intimidation. The same look he had seen in their two previous meetings. But after their encounter earlier and after her returned to the mansion, her eyes had held a hint of fear. Now, however, her eyes showed no trace of it again.
Alaric's warm breath carried the scent of mint as he leaned in, his voice low and husky. His eyes crinkled at the corners with amusement as he asked, "Where do you get so much courage, little chick?" His breath whispered against her skin, sending tingles over her skin as he awaited her response.
"Don't do it, it's tingling," she said, putting her hand on his nose to stop his breath from reaching her skin. But his warm exhalations tickled her palm instead, teasing her and rendering her attempt futile.
Luzella's felt embarrassed and her cheeks flushed as she pulled her hand away, her embarrassment momentarily overshadowing her caution. She looked away, trying to compose herself and replied "Why do I need courage to talk with you?"
Alaric's amusement deepened as she removed her hand. When her fingers brushed against his face, sent a spark of warmth through him. He watched her compose herself with embarrassment, her cheeks flushing in the soft light, a low chuckle rumbled in his chest.
Luzella annoyed by his chuckles and her voice trembling with a hint of fury, "Don't laugh at me, and let go," she said, as she tried to wriggle free, "I'll go to sleep." her movements causing the fabric of her dress to rustle softly.
However, Alaric's grip remained firm, his warm fingers wrapped around her waist, but his tone was gentle as he said, "Let's grab some food first. You didn't eat anything earlier." A smile still played on his lips, and the scent of his cologne wafted through the air.
"No, I'm not hungry. I'll eat tomorrow morning. Let go now, I'll go to sleep," Luzella said, her voice laced with fury, not convincing by his words.
"No? Then let's stay here just like this." Alaric's reply was firm, his brow frowning, his deep voice low and unyielding, sending a shiver down her spine as his warm breath caressed her skin.
Luzella's face scrunched up in irritation, and her voice laced with frustration as she said, "Fine then, let's be here," and puffed out her cheeks, her eyes flashing with annoyance.
For the first time in her life, unbeknownst to her, Luzella was arguing irritably, a stark contrast from her normally calm demeanor. Yet she didn't feel anything out of the ordinary, without even realizing the change in herself with Alaric.
Alaric's voice was low and commanding, his words piercing the air as he asked, "Are you sure, little girl, you don't want to eat now?"
Luzella's gaze met Alaric's, her voice steady and unwavering as she declared, "Very sure."
Alaric's eyes blazed with fury as he sighed, feeling helpless. Frustration etched on his face, as he released his hold on her. His voice was a low, menacing growl as he spat out the words, "Very sure? Aah? Fine, Go and Leave now"
Luzella sensed Alaric's growing anger, the tension between them was palpable. Silently, she stood up from his lap and headed towards the door. Before she could reach it, the sound of shattering glass made her flinch. She spun around to see shocking sight of the glass table lay shattered, and Alaric's hand was consumed by fiery, molten lava-like flames.
Luzella's glanced at Alaric, he was already stood up from couch and standing with his head bowed in apparent struggle with intense frustration. Her attention shifted to his hand, where a thick substance seemed to be spreading. A shiver ran down her spine as the liquid substance coating his skin was eerily reminiscent of molten lava and that orange and red hues worried her, but she didn't think it was blood, given the color. Concerned, she took a step forward to examine his hand closer, but Alaric's thunderous voice stopped her "Don't you dare come here. Just go now and sleep."
The sharp tone of Alaric's voice made Luzella flinched and momentarily stopped in her tracks. However, her concern for him quickly overrode her fear as she saw the liquid substance dripping from his hand. Disregarding his screams, she continued moving towards him.
Alaric watched her steps carefully as she approached him, worried she'd step on the glass shards. "Little girl, you've become so courageous, haven't you? Not even obeying my words now," Alaric said in a low, mocking tone with a cold chuckle dripping with sarcasm as he added, "So, why have you come back? Didn't you say you wanted to go to sleep?"
Luzella remained silent, her face etched with worry as she reached for Alaric's hand. Following her gaze, Alaric's eyes landed on his own hand, and he realized she intended to touch it. With a swift motion, he jerked his hand out of her reach, his voice low and sharp as he commanded, "Don't touch." The words hung in the air, heavy with warning.
Luzella's gaze snapped back to Alaric's face, her voice trembling with concern as she stammered, "Yo...your hand, what's that?" She looked back at his hand again, and her eyes widened in horror as she took in the full sight. The molten lava-like substance dripped from his fingers, sizzling and crackling as it landed on the couch near him, burning holes into the fabric. The air was thick with the acrid smell.
"What's happening?" Her voice cracked with worry and fear as she struggled to keep her composure.
Alaric's expression softened slightly as he tried to comfort her, his voice gentle as he said, "It's nothing to worry about, don't panic."
Luzella's voice rose in distress, "No, it's... it's burning! Yo-your hand, what should we do? It's... it's..." her words trailing off in panic as her eyes fixed on the molten lava-like substance.
Alaric felt a spark of warmth ignite within him, knowing that Luzella's concern was fixed on his hand, rather than shrinking back in horror from the molten lava-like substance that dripped from his palm.
Alaric's lips curled into a soft smile as he reached out her with his other hand, gently drawing Luzella closer. "Little chick, are you worried about me?" he asked, his voice low and soothing.
Luzella's eyes locked onto his, her face scrunched up in a worried frown. Ignoring his question, her voice laced with urgency as she chided him, "Stupid, let's do something about this now"