Whispers in Secret

9- Surprised

Lucien stepped quietly into Ella’s house, the familiar scent of her shampoo lingering in the air, mixed with the comforting aroma of her home. After the grim task he had just completed, he felt a sharp contrast between the darkness of the warehouse and the warmth of Ella's space. He needed this moment with her more than anything.

As he moved through the house, he caught sight of Blake lounging on the couch, engrossed in a late-night action movie. Lucien paused for a brief moment, taking in the sight of the young man, who was too busy admiring the intricacies of Lucien’s tattoos to notice him at first. The intricate designs told stories of battles fought and victories claimed, a testament to the life Lucien had led before meeting Ella.

“Hey, Lucien,” Blake finally said, breaking out of his reverie. His voice was casual, but there was an underlying tension in the air—an unspoken acknowledgment of the connection between Lucien and Ella.

“Blake,” Lucien replied, his voice steady but his heart racing slightly. He moved further into the room, the light from the television casting shadows across his face. “What are you doing here so late?”

“Just catching up on some movies,” Blake replied, still a bit taken aback by Lucien’s imposing presence. “Ella asked me to hang out while she studied. She should be back any minute.”

Lucien nodded, his mind already racing with thoughts of Ella. He wanted to be with her, to hold her and forget the darkness he had just left behind. “Good call,” he said, his voice smooth, attempting to keep things light. “You know how intense her study sessions can get.”

“Yeah, she’s been really focused lately,” Blake remarked, his curiosity piqued by Lucien’s sudden appearance. “She’s got that big exam coming up. You know how she is.”

Lucien could sense the admiration in Blake's voice, but also the subtle protectiveness that came from a good friend. It was clear that Blake cared for Ella, but Lucien's heart clenched at the thought that he was competing with her friends for her affection, especially considering the bond he shared with her.

“Is she studying in her room?” Lucien asked, trying to keep his tone casual.

“Yeah, she’s in there,” Blake replied, gesturing down the hall. “I think she’ll be thrilled to see you.”

Lucien didn’t waste any time. He walked down the hallway, his heart pounding with anticipation as he approached her door. He could feel the energy between them calling him, urging him to be near her. Taking a deep breath, he knocked softly before entering, ready to embrace whatever awaited him inside.

As he stepped into her room, he found Ella sitting on the floor, surrounded by her books and notes, her laptop glowing softly in the dim light. The sight of her, so focused yet beautiful, took his breath away. She looked up, and her expression shifted from concentration to pure delight.

“Lucien!” she exclaimed, a bright smile breaking across her face. She jumped up, her books momentarily forgotten, and rushed to him, wrapping her arms around his waist.

He enveloped her in his strong embrace, savoring the warmth and softness of her body against his. The weight of the night slipped away, replaced by the intoxicating sense of belonging he felt with her.

“I missed you,” she whispered against his chest, her voice soft and sweet.

“I missed you too, Ella,” he replied, pulling back slightly to gaze into her eyes. In that moment, all the complexities of their lives faded away, leaving only the undeniable connection that had drawn them together.

Blake watched from the doorway, a mix of emotions swirling within him as he observed their interaction. He admired Ella’s happiness but felt the need to protect her from the potential dangers that surrounded Lucien’s world.