Dear Neveah,

19. Dear Neveah

With her legs crossed over each other, the band song playing from the radio fills her ears, mixing up with her thoughts. Her strength had been drained from her from all the grieving earlier and the pain weighing her down. Her mind drifts off to her last encounter with Jackson and compares it with the song.

The singer's voice drones on and on, easing the stillness in the car. Allison's gaze was set on the road, as she watched objects and people pass. It was more satisfying to have a distraction, especially when she knew it was the only thing she needed, aside from being with him. Whipping her face to her left, Lucas' face comes in full view and a sigh leaves her lips.

She closes her eyes dramatically, zoning out.

Lucas grips the steering wheel hard and takes a glance at her, he vowed to put some distance between them but seeing how she needed someone now, it ached his heart to imagine anyone taking her pain away instead of him.

He groans internally before entering the empty street where most of the rich people in the neighbourhood lived, driving past the well-trimmed hedges, red roses, white and gold gates being the same as the next. He remembered this lane as clear as day and could come here with his eyes closed. He shuts his eyes at the memory and pulls up in front of Alli's gates, noticing the well-trimmed hedges by the wall and the pure white gates that looked like no one had gone through it before.

"Wake up, we're here.", Lucas taps her shoulder, waking her up. He wishes he didn't but they couldn't stay in the car forever.  Squirming in her seat, she mutters incoherent words before shutting her eyes again, her head falling to the side of the driver's seat.

"Allison", he calls out more gently but she was already far gone. Releasing a frustrated sigh, he opens the door and steps out, cold air lashing at his face. It was quite cold after the rain but the least of his worries is holding a jacket around.

From the time he met her, things have been moving fast in a way he didn't like. Especially after all he had been through, he didn't want any attachment with anybody, he might be strong to take it but he didn't want to endure anything anymore, any more losses, to be precise. Which was why he decided to stay away from her. Alli made him feels things he never wanted, at least not anymore. Caring.

He walks over to the passenger side and pulls the door open, revealing a sleeping princess. Her perfect hair is covering parts of her face in a way that would even pass as fashionable. Light streaks trail down her cheeks to rest on her cherry lips deepened with some red lipgloss, the thoughts of running his thumb across her lips come to his mind but he's so quick to flush it away, a blush unashamedly gracing his cheeks. Did she have a boyfriend? He wonders ever so lightly before scoffing at the idea. Even if she has one, he's probably going to be as rich as her and that reminds him of his place near her.

Bending over a little, he throws one arm around her back and the other behind her knees, scooping her up from the car.

Her eyes snap open, taking in the environment and exhales slowly, trying to understand what was going on. The least she expected from Lucas was to have him carry her. She suppressed the urge to laugh and looks up at him through her lashes.

His eyes are sunken into their sockets and dark bags beautify under his eyes which showed he had been lacking proper sleep. His lips are set in a thin line which made her wonder why he seemed pissed but she just ignored it, inhaling his mixed scent of cigarettes and mint gum.

"This way, sir.", a voice startles Lucas as he holds on to Alli firmly while managing his shock at the same time, making her giggle in his arms, drawing his attention.

His eyes graze over her face and her eyes are lit in amusement, irking him slightly. He never enjoyed being made fun of.

The brunette maid walks ahead of them to open the front door, holding it open for them to go through. She eyes Lucas again, scanning him over before shutting the door gently behind them, a small grin breaking on her lips. Seeing a man around for the first time gave her hope of her young mistress getting healed.

"Why did he have to do that to her?", Alli cries out loudly before breaking down again. Finally, she had let everything out and the burden weighing her down eases, giving her space to breathe but it hurt even more thinking about it again.

Lucas draws her closer to himself and put his arm around her, comforting her with his silence, that was all she needed anyway. He could already feel her tears soaking his faded shirt but it didn't matter now, it aches his heart to have her carry so much pain inside her.  Why did her parents have to leave her? Wasn't she enough? He clenches his jaw before taking in deep breaths, if he wanted to be there for her, he had to keep his temper and his fists at bay.

Random images of the twins hanging out with their sister flash his mind and he sighs, his own eyes filling with tears. He knew how it felt to lose everything and now here he is being reminded of all the times he tried to hide his emotions and pretend to be strong. He holds her tighter and realizes all the sniffling sounds have toned down a little and he sighs gratefully.

No matter how much he tried to ignore, he knew deep down that he cares for her and nothing could take it away now.

Once he's convinced she's asleep, he uses the opportunity to stare at the over the expensive decor in the room. From the glistening diamond chandeliers hanging above their heads to the plush rug beneath their feet. Everything seemed expensive and like it was a showroom for the interior decorators and those expensive shops he'd seen around.

Why couldn't a girl who had everything have happiness? Was it too much to ask for or it has been overrated. He didn't want to feel pity for her but now, he wished he could take her pain away.

Sounds of footsteps echo around them and he cranes his neck to find the same maid sauntering towards them with a tray filled with two glasses of juice. He studies her face and her eyes is filled with worry and pain, probably for her mistress.

"She's asleep. Poor thing. Can you please carry her to her room?", she inquires in a pleading tone and he nods without reluctance.

Her face is stained with tears, streaks of mascara running down her cheeks. Her eyes are puffy and she looks worn out, she needs the sleep anyway. Supporting her weight in his arms, her hands fall to her sides and her head is thrown back, revealing the light freckles dotting her cheeks. 

The maid leads the way up spiral stairs to another floor with many doors, leaving him wondering if it was a guest house.  The well-polished tiles and the plain pristine walls gave away the fact she was too lonely.

His own home has crayon prints on every wall, fingerprints, pictures and frames he never appreciated.

The maid opens a door and he walks in, revealing another showcase of luxury. He ignores the maid and lays her down on the plush bed, covering her with her pale pink blanket. The sound of the door shuts behind him and he left deciding two things.

Going home and staying over to take care of her. What if the maid leaves? That's her job anyway, the last thing he wants is to meddle in the affairs of the rich people, he thinks to himself and did the only thing he'd never vowed to do to anyone else after his mum died.  It made him feel like he was marking his territory. He shuts his eyes for a second to get rid of the memory and marks his territory.

He plants a kiss on her forehead and disappears.

It's been long since I updated this story but I'll try to write often. Please tell me what you think and vote if you liked it.