Consumed by you : Whispers of devotion

Chapter # 1 : In the grip of the unseen

The soft click of heels echoed through the narrow hallway of the software company as Elara Vance made her way to her office. Her presence was commanding, not because she was loud, but because of the sheer force of her composure. People described her as focused, even intimidating, though that was never her intention. At twenty-eight, Elara had climbed swiftly up the ranks, becoming a manager known for her sharp mind, relentless work ethic, and a certain untouchable air. Yet, beneath her professional exterior, there was a different story—one she kept locked away.

Elara had never been the type to engage in small talk or meaningless social interactions. Kind, yes, but never one for forced warmth. Colleagues found her polite, even helpful, but distant. She didn't indulge in office gossip or after-work drinks. Her boundaries were clear, her attention always seemingly elsewhere. If anyone noticed the way her gaze lingered outside her window in moments of quiet, or how she seemed to retreat into herself as the sun dipped low, they never mentioned it.

Her thoughts, however, rarely strayed from *him*.

Lucas Hale. Her next-door neighbor since childhood, and her quiet, one-sided obsession for over a decade. Lucas was everything she wasn't, and everything she longed for. His beauty was almost unreal, with an ethereal quality that made her feel small and insignificant whenever she looked at him. He had jet-black hair that contrasted starkly with his pale skin, always slightly tousled as though he'd just run his hand through it. His eyes—those stunning, bright blue eyes—shimmered like ice in the sun, soft and warm when he smiled, but so intense when his gaze lingered just a little too long. And his hands, large and veined, told the story of someone who worked with care, strong yet gentle. Tall and broad-shouldered, he had the physique of someone who could move mountains, but his face—his face was like that of a doll, almost angelic.

To Elara, he was flawless. A vision of masculine beauty that only made her more painfully aware of her own imperfections.

She didn't think of herself as unattractive, but she was nothing compared to him. Her long, wavy hair, a deep brown with hints of black, often felt wild and unruly, much like her emotions when she was near him. Her big doe-like eyes were expressive, but they betrayed her too easily, always giving away her hidden feelings when Lucas smiled her way. She stood at a modest height, her small frame just adding to her self-consciousness, especially when she imagined herself next to someone as tall and striking as Lucas. And her body—she couldn't help but feel insecure about it. She was a little chubby, not exactly the slim, model-like figure she imagined Lucas would be drawn to. She carried herself confidently, but in her private moments, she couldn't shake the feeling that someone as breathtaking as Lucas would never truly see her in the way she wanted.

To him, she was just a kind neighbor. A reliable friend. A constant.

For Lucas, Elara had always been important. She was the one person he knew he could count on. Ever since they were kids, she had been there for him in quiet ways—when his father passed away five years ago, it had been Elara who brought meals, who checked in on him when he hadn't asked, who seemed to know what he needed without ever prying. He appreciated her strength, her independence, and her no-nonsense attitude. But what he admired most was that despite her serious, composed demeanor, she was soft underneath.

Elara was cute, though she probably didn't realize it. Her round cheeks had a certain softness to them, a contrast to her sharp personality. Her short height only added to the endearing quality Lucas had noticed over the years. He liked that about her, how her petite frame seemed at odds with her powerful presence. When she furrowed her brow in thought or tried to act tough, he couldn't help but find it adorable.

To Lucas, she was a best friend. A person he always felt compelled to care about, even though he couldn't fully explain why. He'd always looked out for her in small ways—offering her advice, making her laugh when she was stressed, helping her decompress when life became overwhelming—all without ever really thinking about it. Lucas was sure that what he felt for her was simply a deep friendship, the kind where you just *had* to be there for each other. What he didn't realize was that, in doing so, he had been her quiet anchor, supporting her in ways she hadn't even asked for but desperately needed.

It was evening when Elara finally pulled into her driveway after another long day at work. The fading light bathed the neighborhood in a soft, golden glow, and as she stepped out of the car, she saw him—Lucas, standing near the front of his house, watering the plants by the steps. The sight of him never failed to make her heart skip a beat.

He looked up at the familiar sound of her car and immediately smiled, his beautiful blue eyes lighting up. "Elara!" he called out, his voice soft and warm, sending a ripple of warmth through her chest.

Her heart raced, but she kept her face calm, trying not to let her emotions show. "Hey, Lucas," she said, her voice as steady as she could manage, though her pulse thudded loudly in her ears.

As she approached, Lucas set the hose down and wiped his hands on his jeans, turning to face her. He towered over her, his tall, strong frame making her feel even more small and delicate than usual. His black hair caught the last rays of sunlight, and for a brief moment, she wondered how someone could be so impossibly beautiful.

"You're just getting back from work?" he asked, his tone casual, though there was always something about the way he looked at her that made her feel seen, even in her quietest moments.

"Yeah," she nodded, tucking a strand of her wavy hair behind her ear. "It's been a long day."

"You work too hard," Lucas said with a chuckle, shaking his head. "You're always pushing yourself. I don't know how you do it. You're amazing."

Elara felt her face warm at his words, but she forced a small smile. "I'm just... organized."

Lucas studied her for a second longer than usual, his gaze lingering on her with an intensity that made her heart race even faster. "You're always there for everyone, you know? For me. You've been... really important in my life, Elara. I don't think I've ever thanked you properly."

His words hit her like a shockwave, and for a split second, her mask cracked. *Important?* Did he really mean that?

But she couldn't say anything. Not when her heart was aching so much. She simply nodded, forcing herself to stay composed. "You don't have to thank me. I'm just... here."

His lips curled into that soft, angelic smile she loved so much, and he reached out, patting her arm lightly with his large, veined hand. The touch sent a jolt through her, but Lucas didn't notice. "You're cute when you're all serious like that, you know?" he said, his voice playful.

Elara blinked, caught completely off-guard by his words. *Cute?* Lucas thought she was *cute*?

Her mind raced, trying to process the compliment, but before she could react, Lucas chuckled and stepped back, his eyes still shining with that gentle warmth. "Don't work too hard tonight, okay? You deserve a break."

She managed a small smile, though her thoughts were swirling in chaos. "I'll try," she replied softly, though she knew her mind would be consumed with thoughts of him for the rest of the night.

As she walked back toward her house, her heart pounded in her chest. His words—*you're important*—echoed in her mind. Did he really mean it? Could someone like him—so beautiful, so kind—really see her that way?

And yet, as Lucas watched her walk away, a flicker of something deeper passed through his mind. His gaze lingered just a little too long on her retreating figure, his thoughts trailing after her in a way he couldn't quite explain. *She's my best friend, right? That's why I care so much... why I keep thinking about her.*

But even as he tried to brush it off, there was something about Elara—her quiet strength, her softness underneath—that tugged at him in a way he couldn't ignore. Maybe it was more than just friendship. Maybe it always had been. But Lucas remained unaware, convincing himself it was just his natural instinct to look out for her, as a best friend should.