Chapter 9 Trouble Looming

Lucian's POV

For some reason, I am proud that I'm flaunting Lisa. She's drop-dead gorgeous and her outfit is revealing her beauty even more.

I'm elated as I proudly introduce her to the investors.

Mr Nakamura, the top investor I'm solely interested in, stretches forth his hand for a handshake. I gesture to Lisa to go closer and shake his hand. And she does.

"Namae da?" He asks in his elite language.

I can tell Lisa doesn't understand him so I help out and respond.

"Lisa, sir. Her name is Lisa." I say, and clear my throat.

"Oohh..risha datto?" He responds in pleasance.

"Hai," I respond cheerfully.

"Don't mind me. I know how to speak English. I just love to make a first impression with my language." He smiles warmly.

"At first, I asked your name. Second, I said 'Lisa, you say?' so...I hope I've helped your confusion." He smiles warmly again.

"Da-i-jou-bu, shinpachi." Lisa retorts and smiles warmly at him.

I'm surprised myself.

"Since when did you speak Japanese?" I ask with curiosity.

"Oh..you know...you signed me up for online classes, remember?" She chuckles nervously.

For a moment, I forget that Lisa and I are supposed long-time couples.

"Oohh... right..haha..haha," I laugh nervously.

"I had no idea you took them seriously. Well, that's sweet of you darling." I say, with genuine pride.

I can already tell that Mr Nakamura is impressed by all this and I can envision myself signing the contract already.

'hah, that serves you, Damian.'

The door opens again, and the devil I mentioned, walks in.

"Confound it all," I mutter under my breath.

"Ah, Damian-dono, good to have you here. Well then, let's proceed." Mr Nakamura's fond greeting with Damian gets me on edge.

'why are they greeting each other like that? Oh.. this isn't good.'

Lisa's POV

While the meeting is going on, I notice Lucian's uneasiness. He's also exchanging glances with the exceptionally handsome man who joined us before the meeting started properly.

I'm completely lost in all that I hear.

They're talking companies, hotels, banks, hospitals.

I just can't wait till the meeting is over besides I'm getting hungry.

I catch the man's eyes steadily watching me. This harassment gets me confused and uneasy.

Lucian's POV

I'm so pissed that Damian is here. I knew he would be around but I was hoping that it would be after I signed the deal.

I see the way he's staring at Lisa and I know that he's curious, interested, whatever.

Soon after the meeting ends Mr Nakamura tells me he is going to meet with me again to discuss the conditions for the investment. This response dissatisfies me.

I feel foul play has taken place and Damian is the puppet master controlling the strings.

"Alright then. It was good to see you, sir. Please keep me posted." I say to Mr Nakamura while stiffening my anger.

Everyone else leaves the room save me, Lisa, and Damian. What the heck?

"Well, well, well, if it isn't Damian Lillard," I say through my teeth.

"Hello, Lucian Trevor." He responds with sarcasm.

"You should call that name with respect."

I retort.

"And you should call mine with honor." He throws, gazing at me. The stare-down is so intense that I forget Lisa is with me.

Lisa's POV

I realize that this is the Damian Lucian gasped about. The intensity between the both of them is so strong, it could almost be clothes to wear.

I think of cutting through the stares so Lucian and I can get a move on.

I don't bother myself anymore because Damian shifts his gaze to me.

"And who's the lovely lady?" He asks, rather charmingly.

Lucian is disgusted.

"None of your business." He responds rudely.

I'm startled at his rude response, seeing that I was already being courteous by flashing a smile at Damian.

Lucian sees this and immediately, his eyes darken. He's pissed.

"If there's nothing else, we're leaving. Have a good day, Damian." He says coldly.

"Break a leg, Lucian. Literally." He smirks, and I chuckle. I quickly cover my mouth with my hand.

Lucian's gaze at me is cold so I'm scared.

'what is he going to do?'

I try not to think about it.

"See you around, lovely lady." Damian teases.

"Not in your wildest dreams," Lucian mutters.

* * * * *

Back at the suite.

Lucian's POV

"You couldn't just get a grip of yourself huh? Flaunting your stupid Japanese and stupidly trying to seduce that douchebag. What in tarnation is wrong with you?? Can't you just keep it together?? What, trying to let everyone know that you're pretty? Huh??"

I can't control my outburst. It burns my soul that Lisa even attempted to be warm to my sworn enemy. Well, the Japanese-speaking stunt was cool but I can't let her know that.

"Lucian. You said I should be on my best behavior. That's exactly what I was trying to do." She calmly responds.

"Uh-huh. You almost embarrassed me there! From nowhere, the Japanese words came flying out. And..and what's with embarrassment from you and that douchebag?? Oh, he tells jokes now and you laugh?? Do you even know him?? Okay. Okay. I'll give you something to laugh about!"

With that, I storm out of the room.

I'm not concerned that my prospective investors could hear me, or Damian himself would hear me. I just want to get away from Lisa and hurt her.

I want to hurt Lisa!

Lisa's POV

I'm confused. Is Lucian mad about the Japanese or my politeness to Damian?

Damian. "He sure is a good-looking fellow. He appears chivalrous too. I wonder what could be the problem between himself and Lucian."

I'm undressing as Scott barges in.

I'm shaking as I quickly draw my gown back up. I turn back to him in surprise.

"What are you doing here?! Can't you knock?!"

He simply scoffs.

"Don't tell me Lucian's bossiness is rubbing off on you. Heh, weren't those your words to me?"

"Seriously, what on earth are you doing here? Lucian is not here." I say, a little nervously.

"Oh..the lady is scared..well you don't have to be." He says and takes a step toward me.

I take a step back. He takes another step forward, and I take another step backward.

We do this until I'm pinned to the wall.

I'm utterly frightened. I've never been with a man and Lucian is the only man I've ever had proximity with.

My knees are weakened; not out of passion but anxiety.

'what is Scott going to do to me?'

"When...Lucian is gone, you are going to be mine." He says coldly. His eyes are locked on mine with so much intensity.

My life has become a rollercoaster ride of unpleasant events.

My eyes gaze at him pleadingly. I'm at a loss for words so all I can do is plead with my eyes.

"I'll leave now. Never forget what I just said. It'll become reality soon." He declares boldly, takes two slow steps backward, and scans me from my head to my toe.

"Bellissima" he gestures a chef's kiss before turning completely to leave.

'where is Lucian when you need him?!'

I break down in tears.

* * * * *

Later that night.

Lucian's POV

The woman I'm with is nothing compared to Lisa but I don't mind. I have to torture Lisa tonight so she doesn't think she's getting off, making me jealous.

We arrive at my suite and I knock on the door.

Lisa's voice calls out.." who is it?"

The lady I'm with opens the door and makes her way into the room. I follow right behind her.

"Get out. You're not sleeping here tonight."

I tell Lisa dismissively. I avoid her eyes so my resolve doesn't get weakened.

"Lucian... Lucian... what are you..." She speaks confusedly.

"No questions asked, just get out!" I raise my voice at her.

"Are you going to sleep with her?" She asks with a trembling voice.

"No, we're having a vigil where we'll pray really hard. What do you think?! I'm stressed out and you can't give me what I want. So go!"

I'm ashamed of myself but I can't help my actions.

"Get out now!"