Stealing Hearts.

Fourteen.

Text fifteen.

When Zara woke up, she was in an unfamiliar room but, from the usual high ceilings she knew she was in Lucien's room. She got up and went to freshen up and went out in search of Lucien.

When she reached the living room, she saw Lonera sitting and eating pop corn.

"Lonera." She said surprised some worth stunned to see her. "Where's Lucien?"

She sighed. "He went out." She said in a bitter tone.

She was about to leave but stopped and asked her a question instead. "Are you displeased with me?"

"No, why would you say that?" She said sweetly as she faced her but Zara believed she was being sarcastic. "It's just jet-lag. That's all."

Zara turned to leave but not before hearing Lonera mumble. "I would keep him close if I were you."

She left immediately not looking back or challenging Lonera's statement.

*******†*********†*******†
Zara was reading a novel trying to forget what Lonera said. She still hadn’t figured where they were and now she was getting antsy since she hadn't seen Lucien all morning. She hadn't even eaten yet and though she wouldn't admit it out loud to Lucien, something was up with his perfect daughter.

Just as she was about to start pulling her hair in frustration, the door opened.

"Hello, sunshine." Lucien greeted cheerfully. When he saw her face his scrunched up in a frown. "Bad timing?"

"No, just stressed and I have been holed up in here for a while." She answered as she crawled to the edge of the bed. "Where have you been or better yet where are we?"

"Stace will soon arrive with everything you need. Don't stress out till then, Zara."

"Where are we? Stop avoiding the question."

"It's a surprise I promise you'll love it, trust me."

"Fingers crossed." Lucien came and sat beside her after taking of his coat to expose his black tank top.

Her head swarm with thoughts which he interrupted by handing her a glass of wine. "Stop being a worry wuss. Calm down, you'll find out at the end of the day."

She sighed. "Can't drink, I haven't eaten anything yet."

"Oh, I'll ask Lonera to make you some coffee then."

He turned to leave but she stopped him. "Wait!!!"

"What is it, want some crackers to go along with it?" He teased.

"Can you make the coffee instead?" He brows creased in a frown. She knew what he was thinking. "Lonera, doesn't really know how I take my coffee. I prefer that you make it."

"Sure." He gave her a slight nod and left for the kitchen.

In the kitchen, Lucien fished for a mug, milk and coffee beans which he had had stocked up for their stay by Francis.

He switched on the gas and when he looked up, Lonera was entering the kitchen.

He smiled. "Nera, how are you?"

"Fine. What are you doing?"

"Making coffee for Zee. Want one?"

"Yeah, thanks."

"You alright?" He asked as he stared at her worriedly.

"Yeah, I am." She sat on a bar stool. "I am just worried about you, are you sure you want to marry her, does she feel right, is she the love of your life?"

He chuckled slightly. "Why the sudden questions?"

"I am just worried because I thought you were just friends and now you just don't want to date her but, to marry and bound with her. That stuff is permanent, Lucien."

"Lonera, I know what I am doing. I understand it's permanent but, I don't mind spending the rest of my life with her by my side. I like her and that's what you should know."

Tha doorbell rang before Lonera could counter his statement.

"I'll go get it."

Lonera nodded. She thought about everything before making her decision knowing it was for the best for her and for Lucien.

Her gaze found Zara's coffee cup.

…
Lucien walked in with Stacey to see Lonera by the gas.

"You made the coffee?"

"No." She said. "I know what a perfectionist Zara can be. I just turned off the stove."

"Let me get to it then."

Lucien walked over to the gas and made the coffee for Zara and Lonera. "By the way Nera, this is Stacey. She is a friend of Zara. " He said as he poured the hot water into each cup. “She’s my daughter.”

"Here is yours. Please excuse me, I'll catch you later though."

"Sure."

Lucien headed straight to his room, Stacey in tow. He barged in not bothering to knock. His eye scanned for Zara to see her by the mirror.

Zara faced up to see the intruder, her eyes locked with Lucien’s. "We are in India."

He grinned. "Should have known you'd figure I out."

"The dress was the huge give away." She said as she showed him the Indian traditional attire. "Next time, buy modern clothes to stock up if you want to leave me in the dark."

"Noted. I brought you your coffee and someone…" He handed her the coffee and faced the door to see Stacey walk in.

"Stace." She said surprised to see her friend here. "What are you doing here?"

"I feel the love, BFF." She joked as she walked in further grinning from ear to ear. "However silly, I am here for your marriage."

"What marriage?" She asked shocked. She looked between Lucien and Stacey.

"Time for me to get going, I'll leave you two to chat and get ready. See you at the altar, gorgeous." He said and winked at her and turned to leave.

She was too stunned to speak as a familiar memory came to her mind.

I'll give you my all and make you the happiest I can. You won't regret marrying me and dare I say, loving me in the nearest future.

She was confused. She told herself she can't be in love with Lucien Emiliano Sinclair but her heart said otherwise.