Fate's Unwritten Path

Chapter Fifteen

Sasha's POV:

Lucas was punctual, arriving exactly at eight, as promised. I heard the knock on my door and took a deep breath, smoothing down my dress before opening it.

He stood there, looking every bit as polished and commanding as always. His black suit fit him like a glove, and there was an air of effortless power in the way he carried himself. But tonight, there was something softer in his eyes, a hint of warmth that I hadn't seen before.

"You look beautiful," he said, his voice low and sincere.

"Thank you," I replied, feeling a blush creep up my cheeks. "You clean up pretty well yourself."

I locked my apartment door before he offered me his arm, and I took it, feeling a strange but pleasant flutter in my chest as we walked down the hallway.

As we stepped outside, the cool evening air brushed against my skin, making me glad I'd brought the sweater. Lucas led me to a sleek, black car parked at the curb. A driver was already waiting, and as soon as we were inside, we were off.

"Where are we going?" I asked, genuinely curious. It wasn't like Lucas to be this mysterious.

"You'll see," he said with a small, knowing smile, his gaze flickering over to me. "I wanted to take you somewhere special tonight."

I didn't press further, letting the anticipation build as the city lights flashed by. After a short drive, we pulled up in front of a grand, imposing building that I instantly recognized.

"The Plaza?" I said, my eyes widening in surprise. "You're taking me to The Plaza?"

Lucas chuckled, clearly amused by my reaction. "Only the best for you, Sasha."

I couldn't help but laugh, shaking my head in disbelief as we stepped out of the car. The Plaza was one of the most iconic and luxurious restaurants in Manhattan, and I'd never imagined I'd be dining there with Lucas of all people.

We were greeted at the door by a host who immediately ushered us to a private table, tucked away in a quiet corner of the elegant dining room. The chandeliers sparkled overhead, casting a warm, golden glow over everything. It was breathtaking.

"This is incredible," I murmured as I took my seat, still in awe of the surroundings.

"I'm glad you like it," Lucas said, his eyes lingering on me for a moment before he picked up the menu. "Order whatever you want. Tonight, we're celebrating."

I raised an eyebrow at that. "Celebrating what, exactly?"

He smirked, leaning back in his chair. "How about celebrating us both surviving the week?"

I laughed, feeling some of the tension in my shoulders ease. "I'll drink to that."

We both ordered a glass of wine and soon enough, our conversation flowed as easily as the wine. Lucas was surprisingly easy to talk to, his usual stoic demeanor softening as we shared stories about our lives.

"So, you have a sister," Lucas said at one point, swirling his glass of wine. "You never mentioned her before."

I nodded, smiling at the thought of Sarah. "Yeah, her name's Sarah. She's younger than me by a few years. We're pretty close."

"I didn't know," he said thoughtfully. "What's she like?"

"Sarah's amazing," I said, warmth flooding my voice. "She's got this energy about her that lights up any room she walks into. She's tough too, been through a lot, but she doesn't let it show. I'm really proud of her."

Lucas watched me closely as I spoke, his expression softening. "Sounds like she's lucky to have you as a sister."

"Thanks," I said, a bit flustered by the compliment. "What about Ashley? She seems like she's got a good head on her shoulders."

"She does," Lucas said, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "Ashley's strong, independent. She doesn't take crap from anyone, including me."

I laughed, imagining the dynamic between the two of them. "I can see that. She's been through a lot too, hasn't she?"

Lucas's smile faded slightly, and I could see the weight of whatever was on his mind. "Yeah, she has. But she's a fighter. Always has been."

We fell into a comfortable silence, both lost in our thoughts. It was nice, being able to talk like this without any pretense or walls. It felt...normal, in a way that I hadn't expected.

The waiter came by with our food, and as we ate, the conversation shifted to lighter topics. We laughed about small things, and shared stories that had nothing to do with work or the dangerous lives we were entangled in. For a brief moment, it felt like we were just two people enjoying a meal together, nothing more.

I noticed how relaxed Lucas seemed, how the lines of tension that usually creased his forehead had softened. And as the night went on, I found myself smiling more, the wine helping to ease the remaining nerves I'd had.

"You're different tonight," I said, half-jokingly as I took a sip of my wine. "I'm seeing a side of you I didn't know existed."

He raised an eyebrow, his gaze locking onto mine. "And how do you like this side of me?"

I smiled, feeling a warmth spread through my chest that wasn't just from the alcohol. "I like it. It's...nice."

Lucas leaned in slightly, his voice lowering. "I could say the same about you, Sasha. I don't think I've seen you this relaxed in a while."

I chuckled, looking down at my glass. "Maybe it's the wine. Or maybe it's just nice to not have to think about work for once."

"Or maybe it's just nice to be with someone who understands," he said quietly, his words hanging in the air between us.

I looked up at him, feeling a strange connection in that moment, something deeper than I'd expected. He was right. For all our differences, we understood each other in a way that few others could. And that was...comforting.

When the bill arrived, I opened my mouth to protest, but Lucas cut me off before I could even get a word out. "I'm paying," he said firmly, his tone leaving no room for argument.

I laughed, shaking my head. "You really don't have to."

"I insist," he said, a playful glint in his eyes. "Consider it my way of thanking you for your company."

I rolled my eyes but couldn't suppress the smile that tugged at my lips. "Fine, fine. But next time, I'm paying."

"We'll see about that," he said, a smirk playing on his lips as he handed the waiter his card.

As we left the restaurant and headed back to my apartment, the night air was crisp, a reminder that summer was truly over. The city was alive with the usual hustle and bustle, but for once, I didn't mind it. I felt lighter somehow like a weight had been lifted from my shoulders.

When we reached my building, Lucas insisted on walking me to my door. I couldn't help but feel a little flutter of nerves as we stepped into the hallway, the memory of our dinner still fresh in my mind.

But as we approached my apartment, something felt off. I stopped in my tracks, my eyes narrowing as I noticed the door was slightly ajar.

"Lucas," I said quietly, my heart rate picking up. "The door...it's open."

And just like that, the night that had started out so perfectly took a turn into the unknown.