Another Love Story

Chapter Eighteen

After discussing it for a little while, Lucas headed back home, and so, the plan commenced. Step one was figuring out which spell had been placed on Delilah. It would be difficult though, as there were so many different possibilities. Many spells were capable of having this effect on someone and, to narrow it down, Aria would have to get close to Charlie somehow. Well, that or Lucas would have to take an item of his to give to her. Figuring the first option would be the easiest, a week later, Charlie was invited over to the Prince home for a meal, Aria too. Sure, it'd be super awkward and seeing Delilah happy with him would be hard, but it was what needed to be done.  Lucas knew that. As the sun began setting on the day of the first phase of the plan, Dee entered the house, followed by a smirking Charlie, their fingers were laced together as they held hands.

"We're here. Is the food almost done?" she called out as she slipped her shoes off.

"It'll be done in 15 minutes." said Lucas, sat on the couch with a book in his hand.

Charlie looked at Lucas, annoyed at his cold attitude towards him. He didn't like that his girlfriend's ex was still living in the same house as her, not because he was jealous, but because the two of them living in close proximity to one another was a threat to him and his plans to steal Delilah away from everyone. He was scared of the spell being broken.

"You know, if you have a problem with me, just say it. I know you're bitter about Dee ending things with you and getting with me, but you need to get over it. Seriously, just move on. She's mine now."

Clenching his fists, Lucas got up and stepped closer to the 'happy couple'. He glared at Charlie, full of hatred and anger.

"If it wasn't for the fact that Delilah is under some sort of spell which is making her love you, I swear you'd be dead. I'm holding back because I don't want her to hate me, but let me tell you something... no one owns her. No one ever could. I'll break the spell, then I'm going to kill you. And I'll make sure I do it in the most slow and painful way possible."

"Lucas..." Dee said quietly, a frown on her face.

He looked at her, opening his mouth to speak but not getting the chance to because Aria arrived. Sighing, Lucas walked over to welcome her. Dee apologised to Charlie for that interaction.

"Sorry I'm a bit late. Though, fashionably so, which means you have to let my tardiness slide."

Lucas chuckled, rolling his eyes. He hugged her, then led her to the dining room where Virgil was, setting the table.

"Everyone's here now. Even that asshole-"

"Hey. None of that, Lucas. You and Aria are going to fix everything. You can't let him get to you. You can't let him win..."

The room went quiet apart from the whispers coming from Delilah and Charlie as they entered the room. They were clearly at the end of their conversation, the room quickly falling silent again. As Roman brought in the plates of food, everybody began to sit down. Soon enough, they were all seated around the mahogany dining table. Despite everything, the meal went by smoothly. Well, for the most part. Charlie had gone to the bathroom while Virgil, Roman and Aria were in the kitchen together, leaving Dee and Lucas alone together in the dining room. They sat in complete silence for a while before it was broken.

"You shouldn't have spoken to Charlie like that... He's a good person who doesn't deserve to be threatened in that way. I think you should apologise..."

Lucas scoffed, shaking his head. He looked at his ex, noticing that she still wore the necklace he'd gifted her when asking her to be his girlfriend.

"I won't apologise to him. I owe him nothing, he's a bad person, Delilah. I know you're under his spell, but love can't be forced. Whatever it is you think you feel for him... it's not real. So you must be able to see that he's not a good person. What we had, that's what real love feels like. Deep down, you know I'm right, that's why you're still wearing the necklace I gave you..."

Charlie entered the room at that moment, he'd been stood outside, listening in for a few minutes. He walked straight over to Delilah, grabbing the necklace and ripping it from her neck. She gasped lightly, hand going to her neck, tears filling her eyes at the absence of the jewellery.

"You really think this proves your love was real? It's just a stupid necklace. It means nothing to her. Right, Dee?"

She gave no response, tears slipping down her cheeks and trembling.

"You're such an asshole." Lucas seethed.

"Can't you see you're scaring her?"

In response to this, he just rolled his eyes, shoving the piece of jewellery into his pocket before turning to leave. He stopped in the doorway and looked back at Delilah, telling her to get up and follow him.

"You really think I'm going to let her leave with you? Are you stupid?"

"Like I said earlier... she's mine now. Delilah, come on." he ordered, walking over and grabbing her arm, pulling her up.

Lucas glared at Charlie, then swung his fist at him, hitting him square in the jaw. The impact sent him backwards, his head hitting the wall with a thud, disorienting him.

"If you ever lay your hands on her again, you're a dead man, got it? That's whether the spell is broken or not."

He sighed, taking the necklace from Charlie's pocket and setting it down on the table.

"It's your choice, Dee... and, if you decide you want to be with me, I'll be waiting for you. I'll wait as long as it takes."

After saying that, he grabbed Charlie and took him outside, dumping him in the middle of town before returning home. He went to his room and got into bed, falling asleep after a few hours of tossing and turning.