Chapter 3 Home II

AVA

I took a breath and walked down the stairs.

I didn't see him yet, but I heard his voice. It was deeper than I remembered. He didn't even need to be loud to be heard.

"I've been busy," he said.

Seraphina clicked her tongue. "Busy is not an excuse, Lucien. You disappear for months and think visiting now fixes it."

"I call," he replied.

"Once in a while," she shot back. "You didn't even visit when Ava was still abroad."

I slowed my steps without meaning to.

Alaric sighed softly. "You two have been having this same argument for years," he said. "Let him breathe."

I reached the bottom step just as Seraphina looked up and saw me.

Her face softened immediately. "There you are."

Lucien turned, and for a moment, I forgot how to breathe.

He was taller, somehow impossibly taller than he was six years ago. I didn't even know how that was possible. I had seen him on screens, interviews and articles. The media loved him.

But none of it came close.

He was wearing black from head to toe, a fitted top tucked neatly into black trousers. I could see his muscles and abs popping out. His hair was slicked back, except for one strand that had fallen loose on his forehead.

He looked... unbelievably handsome. There was no other word for it.

Then our eyes met, and I froze

Seraphina cleared her throat quickly. "Lucien, Ava is back."

"I can see that," he said dryly. "Welcome back."

"Thank you," I said.

"Come," Seraphina said quickly. "Dinner is ready."

She guided us to the dining room.

I took my seat across from Lucien. Alaric sat at the head of the table with Seraphine beside him.

Dinner started quietly.

"So tell us, how was school?" Seraphina asked, glancing at me.

"It was good," I said. "Challenging, but good."

"And Stella?" she asked. "Is she coming back to Port Elam, or staying in London?"

"She'll be coming soon," I replied. "She's just waiting for her boyfriend to finish some projects so they can move together."

Seraphina smiled. "That's sweet."

Then she tilted her head at me, eyes bright with curiosity. "And what about you, Ava? Do you have a boyfriend?"

"No," I said. "I haven't really... explored dating."

Alaric looked at me, surprised. "Why not? A woman with a face like yours could have any man she wanted."

I laughed, a little embarrassed. "I don't know about that."

"Well," he said, "it's true."

I shrugged lightly. "I guess I'm just waiting."

"Waiting for what?" Seraphina asked, amused.

"My prince charming," I said jokingly. "Someone who would love me for me. Not because I look good or because I have money...well, your money. Just honest love."

Seraphina laughed. "You want a love story from a book."

I smiled. "Maybe I do."

Seraphina leaned forward a little, still smiling. "But surely there must be someone who has caught your attention."

I felt heat rush to my face before I could stop it.

I looked down at my plate, suddenly very aware of Lucien sitting beside me.

"There is... someone," I admitted.

Seraphina's smile widened instantly. "I knew it."

I laughed softly, nervous. "It's nothing serious."

"Why not?" she asked.

I hesitated, then said, "I don't think it would work."

"Why?" Alaric asked.

I shrugged. "I don't know. He's staying back in London, besides men don't really approach me much."

That part was true. People looked, admired me even but they rarely came closer. It had always been like that.

Seraphina looked surprised. "That's hard to believe."

I just smiled faintly and focused on my food.

Beside me, Lucien still hadn't spoken but when I glanced down, I noticed his grip on the cup had tightened. For a second, I wondered if the glass might actually crack. His face, though, gave nothing away.

Alaric cleared his throat.

"So," he said, setting his cutlery down, "what's next for you, Ava?"

I looked up. "Next?"

"Yes. Now that you've graduated."

"Oh," I said. "I'm hoping to start applying for jobs soon."

There was a pause, then I noticed the way both Seraphina and Alaric frowned, like they didn't quite understand what I'd just said.

Lucien, who had been mostly silent all evening, finally looked at me. It made me sit up without meaning to.

Alaric leaned back in his chair. "Apply for jobs?" he repeated.

"Yes," I said. "I want to work. You know...gain experience."

He exchanged a look with Seraphina. "Why would you apply for jobs when you're family?"

I blinked. "I'm sorry?"

"You could work at Hale Corporation," he continued. "There's no need for you to go elsewhere."

Seraphina nodded in agreement. "Your father is right. You don't have to start from the bottom elsewhere."

I opened my mouth to respond, but she kept going.

"Lucien would be glad to find you a suitable position," she added, glancing toward him.

I could feel Lucien's attention on me again. I smiled politely, but I shook my head.

"I appreciate that," I said, "but I'd like to work on my own. Build something myself."

I continued before anyone could interrupt.

"I was thinking of applying to Greenfield," I added. "They're expanding their strategy department."

"There's no need for that." Lucien finally said.

Everyone looked at him.

I frowned, confused by the certainty in his tone.

Seraphina, however, didn't look confused. She looked... anxious.

Lucien set his cutlery down neatly and wiped his hands with his napkin before speaking again.

"You won't be applying anywhere."

My brows pulled together. "I'm sorry?"

He faced me directly. "There's no reason for you to work outside,"

"I want to." I countered.

"That's unnecessary." The arrogance in his voice made my chest tighten.

"With all due respect," I said, trying to stay calm, "it's not unnecessary to me."

Lucien didn't look offended. If anything, he looked more serious.

"We're getting married." He declared.

For a second, I didn't quite understand the words.

"Sorry... what?"

Seraphina inhaled sharply. Alaric didn't look surprised. He just rubbed his temple like this conversation had been waiting to happen.

"You and I," Lucien said without breaking eye contact with me. "We're getting married."

My chair scraped softly against the floor as I leaned back.

I laughed, "That's not funny."

"I'm not laughing." He replied.

My heart started pounding. "Lucien," I said slowly, "I'm your sister."

He didn't even blink. "You live in my house," he replied. "That doesn't make you my sister."

The room went completely quiet.

I stared at Lucien, trying to figure out if he had lost his mind but his face was calm, and that scared me more than anything else he could have said.