Timeless

1

"So what the Opium treaty was signed last month! We still have all this product. What the hell are we supposed to do with it? Sell it, like normal." Lucian Havers is an influential man and the owner of the largest underground Opium Den in the entire United Kingdom. It was his job to sell product and to keep people happy. Especially the people who had the funds to pay for the cut he sells.

"We've done this for years, gentlemen. It's not like laws and morals have ever applied to us since we started." He rolled his eyes. "Selina get the client list. I'm afraid that we're going to be working overtime tonight, so you might want to make some coffee as well." Lucian murmured and turned back to his men. "Go you dogs! You had better have half of the product sold by morning." He growled and walked over to the warped oak table and sat down with an unenthusiastic thud.

"Lucian." Selina smiled softly and set a coffee and the file of clients in front of him. "You work too hard and I'm afraid you're too lovely to stress this much." She whispered gently and removed her gloves and rubbed his shoulders softly. "Darling, there are still men all over the country wanting your product. They'd pay to just look at it." She encouraged and kissed his cheek gently.

"Selina you needn't flatte-"

"I'm not flattering you if it's the truth." She laughed heartily. Selina moved to crouch in front of him and looked at Lucien square in the eyes. "I would never lie to you, Lucian Havers. We are to be married no? A mutual trust. You trust me with the paperwork and I trust you to make the plans and make the money, etc. etc."

"Have I ever told you how deeply I am in love with you?" He murmured and tilted her chin up with the pad of his thumb and kissed her lightly.

"Countless times." Selina breathed against his open lips.

A deep laugh escaped Lucian's throat as he slid a hand to her cheek. "Thank you, Selina. You always do put my mind at ease." He hummed in thought. He straightened himself out again and pulled the list, Selina brought, close to him. "Since the Opium Treaty has gone through so flawlessly like I hoped it would not, I think it's best that we speak to some of our clients. They'll need a little encouraging to stay with us. Specifically Mr. Orante. I know that he has been eyeing another dealer and we cannot be having that." He said and stood from his desk to pace. "Draft a letter please, Selina." He said.

Selina quickly grabbed her quill, ink, and parchment. She sat where Lucian did only moments ago and started a correspondence to Mr. Orante, reciting to Lucian what she wrote.

"Mr. Orante.

It has come to my attention that our deal is not the only deal that you have been exploring. The contract that we hold together states that our business is the only business that you have. Should you decide to try to sever your ties, I will make sure that all of your purchasing information will be sent, anonymously, to a judge of my choosing where they can review your betrayals and remove you from your judgeship. If you tell any living soul about our arrangement, your toes will be the first to go.

Burn this letter once you've read it.

Fire Den."

His face twisted into a smirk. "Eloquent as always Ms. Worthen." He hummed and grabbed the seal and heated up the golden wax over a candle before folding the letter and stamping his company's signet.

"Thank you, Mr. Havers." Selina said slyly. "Would you like me to hand deliver it, or will mail suffice?"

Lucian tsked lightly and grabbed her wrist. "You know better, my dear. No one can know you're associated with this business, or they'll have something to catch us with." He cooed, kissing her knuckles.

"How silly of me." Selina said with a grin.

Suddenly the world and time slowed as little as it could without coming to a full halt. It was almost glistening as if a film was wrapped around them, encasing them in this moment. Selina turned back to look at him, knowing exactly what was happening. "A moment to remember." She said gently. "A moment to lead us to our future. This was the confirmation that we wanted. The proof that we were meant to be together." Selina said, moving to touch his shoulder as he stood still, looking towards the door. "Lucian, is everything okay?" She inquired.

Lucian put his hand over hers and nodded with a sad smile. "Yes, Lina. But, I'm quite sure the moment is just now beginning. Quickly, grab everything you can that has anything with our name on it. Anything that can connect us to this business." He said and quickly moved as the moment started to speed up.

Selina tensed and her eyes widened as she flashed towards the file cabinet and pulled the files out as fast as she could, tossing them into the fire. The slow sound of running was heard from the halls of the small concrete building. Lucian and Selina grabbed their most important files and headed out towards the back, opening a window and sliding into the bushes just as the world snapped back into real time.

Lucian grabbed Selina's hand and pushed her against the alley wall and kissed her swiftly as the guards stormed through the alley and around the building, where they had just escaped. The point was to look like any other couple sneaking around behind an unaware parent's back. They hid their files, pressed between the both of them until they were sure that all the guards were passed.

"That was too close." Lucian whispered against her forehead. "We must never come back here." He murmured and took all their files under his arm, leading her away from the building by the hand. "I will take you home. Tomorrow we will meet at my flat. We can discuss what must be done then. I will need to gather the men when they try to come back in the morning." He explained quickly as they walked back to Selina's family home. 

It was a lovely night, sitting on the cusp of autumn. It was not too hot nor too cold. As they walked, Selina looked towards the stars.

"The moment," She murmured shyly. "Wasn't something to rejoice for, was it?" Selina asked, looking up at him. 

Lucian shook his head solemnly. "No. I don't know what it means. The world wants us to remember the moment where we were almost caught. That cannot be a cheerful sign." He grumbled a bit. "Whatever happens though, I'm here for you first. The business is just a way to make money." He promised. "You are my first priority." 

Selina smiled and kissed his hand gently. "Two months, then we will be man and wife. I can't wait to move into your lovely home. I feel as if I belong already."

"Oh, Selina, you do." He promised. "This time is for us. We'll take a break from the company once we are married, so we can enjoy our new time together." Lucian stopped them in front of her family's townhouse. "This is where I leave you. I will come get you tomorrow, same time." He promised and kissed her cheek.

"Everything will turn out okay." She swore and squeezed his hand before ascending the fire escape to quietly situate herself in her room, retiring for the night.