Challenging a Cold Heart

Chapter 27: Restless

Vincent's POV

A week has passed since I woke up in the hospital in Luc and my home. I was surprised at first to know from the others that Luc had been sitting beside me and taking care of me from the day he managed to take me out the FBI prison. It still bewilders me that it wasn't all a dream. I remember how happy I was to see that Luc had come for me. At first I couldn't even believe he was there for me. But then the FBI agent beside me asked me to go to him and I ran towards him like my life depended on it. My legs that could barely hold myself up appeared to suddenly gain wings as I ran towards him. He had run towards me as well and held me tightly in his embrace like I meant something to him.

The walls of the dam containing my emotions crumbled as he held me and I broke down, sobbing like a child in his arms. I felt certain that I could crumble in his arms and he could contain the devastation I was feeling. Whether he knew it or not, I've always looked up to him as the person to turn to when I felt like a mess. Perhaps I was conditioned to be that way. Luc had always been quick to embrace me when I was crying and I felt safe with him to show my insecurities. I thought the years of separation from him would make me more wary of letting down my guard completely with Luc but I guess I was wrong. I didn't need to pretend with him and he didn't let me down at all, despite all his beliefs about my betrayal. Then again, he said he knew about everything now. I was worried that he was being nice to me out of gratitude. I didn't understand the anxiety I was feeling. Shouldn't I be feeling happy because he was being kind towards me now? Yet, over the course of the week, I've been trying to avoid Luc every time he approached me.

He told me he had something to discuss with me and I would find any excuse to run away from him because I feared I knew what he wanted to discuss. I feared he was going to discuss about sending me away from him or stopping our relationship. It's just the way he looks at me I guess. There is some element of pity in his eyes and that made me extremely uneasy.

"Earth to Vincent!" Someone exclaimed and I blinked my eyes to look up at the guy in front of me. I looked warily at Azul wearing a dark navy blue sweater and ice blue jeans that was ripped in many places. This was my other surprise. The royals and even Luc's phantoms had suddenly become very kind towards me. That's everyone except Mairi. She never came to see me but everyone else did. The royals especially seemed very fond of me. Zevlon and Jax had gone home but Azul still remained and he kept bugging me every day.

Hugo had come to me and apologized to my surprise and I told him he had nothing to apologize for since he had always been fair in his dealings with me. But he still told me, he underestimated my importance to Luc and for that he was regretful for not knowing better. I guess I really liked Hugo. He was extremely loyal and in my opinion very fair. I could understand why Luc made him his second in command.

That wasn't all. Lorraine had for the first time in weeks moved out of bed to come and see me. It seemed like she was traumatized after what the FBI did to her. They didn't electrocute her but they had pulled out a couple of her finger nails and beaten her. Since we went through something similar, I guess we got closer than ever. Meanwhile, I came to know about what Luc decided for Rose. I wanted to intervene on her behalf but Emilio stopped me. He said he deserved Luc's anger and he wanted to serve his punishment. He said it would upset Luc to see him around and that wasn't something he wanted. Now that was something that surprised me too. Luc's phantoms truly loved him. They would go to any lengths to protect Luc from hurt and I wished Luc knew how much he was loved by the people around him. As for Lisa and Niles, I was pleased that they were actually getting along in a way. Although Lisa never admitted to it, she seemed pleased by Niles possessiveness over her. She seemed to show her appreciation in a very contrary way though, by irritating the hell out of Niles. It made even the depressed Lorraine laugh.