How To Love ✓

32.

Lucien

My father excused himself from the table when the announcer called him to the stage. I had no idea what type of act he was trying to pull off, but he was quite convincing.

I absentmindedly intertwined Amara and I's hands together, caressing the skin for her comfort. Tonight, I was excessively fixated on her. Mostly due to the fact that there were numerous well-groomed suitors who might have easily captured her attention and stolen her away from me. Under the brilliant chandelier light that shone down upon us, she was truly remarkable. Her dress fit her figure flawlessly, the fabric embracing her voluptuous figure, and her dark hair cascaded gracefully down her back. Her creamy skin radiated.

Both internally and externally, she was without a doubt the most gorgeous person I had ever encountered. 

Gosh the things I wanted to do to her, but I had to refrain herself myself from becoming wild.

"Lucien?" my father's voice pulled me out of my train of thoughts. She caught me staring at her, as had everyone else. She awkwardly casted a downward glance, but I observed flushed cheeks.

"Lucien," he called again. He beckoned for me to follow him, and I strutted onto the platform, pulling my sleeves up precisely the way I liked.

"As most of you may know my son, Lucien, wasn't the easiest on his feet, even when he was a baby. He was mischievous, as some may say. I would concur," he said, evoking laughter from all.

"But despite all of the difficulties he faced as a child, I still loved him. And I will continue to do so." He plastered an arrogant smile on his face as if he accomplished something tonight. In contrast, I found it quite difficult to keep my composure in front of Amara and all of his colleagues. Knowing that I would eventually lose my cool, I kept wishing that I could just walk away and never turn back.

"We also celebrate joy a great fortune tonight. Her name is Adelyn, and the absolute love of my life—quite frankly, she saved my life. Suddenly, I'm gifted with a new partner, a fresh start, and not one, but TWO brilliant sons: Lucien and Lucas. I recall a period of time in the past..."

Pathetic.

I guess this "amazing dad in the world" facade had no end. Disregarding the garbage emanating from his mouth, I diverted my attention to Amara, who was staring at me with a smile on her face. Immediately, my mood shifted, and I gave her my whole attention.

"-Adelyn and I are getting married in a couple weeks." Wait what?

I gave my father a disbelieving stare. I wish I could have slapped that fucking grin off his hard face. He was unbelievable. I couldn't look at him. Such a big disgrace. I felt an arm rest on my shoulder. I turned quickly, almost knocking the person down, only to discover it was Lucas's mother, smiling widely beside her pathetic son.

I turned to face everyone and slowly moved away from them, racing to the large glass doors to get away from it all. I paced the grass angrily, my head in my hands.

Her little voice reached out to me, "Lu?" I wiped my face with the back of my palms and brought them away, only to realise that I was crying. Although I was tough, my mother was my greatest vulnerability, which frequently revealed my sensitive side. I had no idea what the future would have brought for this family, but I knew I did not want to be a part of it. They were only trying to include me because they have no other option.

Her expression softened at seeing me in this state, and she briskly approached me to give me a hug, pulling my head in and putting her arms around my neck. I gave her a firm squeeze, and that was it.

I let it all out. The vexation, the pain, the sorrow, the agony, the thought of losing the first most important woman in my life. Everything that I held in for years, I let it all out.