Silenced Temptations.

...The winds of love embraced their fragments with the purpose of crumbling them again...

At the airport, A certain raven-haired woman awaits her flight to California. After hearing the plane had boarded, she stood up to leave with a faint smile over her lips.

Her sapphire gaze glimmered in happiness to meet her family after a year.

When Red was about to leave, a hand grabbed her elbow and pushed her back.

Before her mind could comprehend what happened, soft lips were placed upon hers, taking her into a passionate kiss of desires and unspoken melody of affection.

Effusively welcoming the warmth of Lucifer, she wrapped her arms around him, intertwining her heartbeats with him.

Their lips moved in rhythm, glistening with the caprice blend with remorse of choosing this painful path.

Turning oblivious of the surroundings and letting out the buried emotions, they burst their emotions through their actions as they gradually pulled away.

Staring intensely at each other, Lucifer's breath synchronized with Red's who was left with the inability to speak but still feeling the sweet affliction stirring her mind.

Breathless, Lucifer leaned down, brushing his lips over her neck and began to say huskily,

"Today, I am letting you go, Red. But, If we ever met in this life again. Nothing in this universe can stop you from being mine."

And with that, He took a step back as a tear fell from his eye, gritting his teeth to contain his heartbreak, he wore his glasses to hide his tears and left her all alone at the airport.

Her smile turned into a sad one and her heart ached to hear his heavy words as they were too much for her to swallow.

She lowered her head, crushing her feelings and whispered to herself.

"I wish you could have stopped me."

~~•~~•

Coming back to the present day from the memory of 2 years ago. Red saw herself in the mirror, looking no less than an angel with beguiling looks, enhancing her features more in the wedding dress.

The divinity was as if she was a maiden, a smile crept upon her lips. She knew she was looking alluring enough to grasp any heart in her charm but she desired none.

Only upholding her stone cold heart and the compromise.

"Oh my, you are looking gorgeous, love." Her mother came, grinning

. Kissing her forehead and placing the veil over her head.

"I know you were going to wear this for the wedding." Her sister Bertha said, pointing at the wedding dress.

The best and only piece from her outlet, made for her.

"I told you, my name will revolve around the world one day." She said with a smirk, standing up and getting her bouquet of white roses and lilies.

"You are elegant." Bertha said.

"I know." Red grinned.

"Take care." Bertha hugged.

"Take care of yourself and Mama." Red said, pulling away.

"Okay. Come on, let's go." Her mother said as they left.

"Red, Today you are going to start your life anew. Forget what happened 3 years ago and make your future mesmerizing." Mrs Bennet said, holding her hand tightly.

"I know. That's why I have taken this step." Red said sadly.

"This would have come sooner or later."

"What do you mean?"

"Nothing..." She spoke in a barely audible tone.

"Bless you." Mrs Bennet smiled.

They walked down the aisle, Red slowly lifted her gaze and met with Erich's who was waiting for her at the altar.

Giving her a profound gaze of endearment, impatient for this day to come and fulfill his desires.

"Please take care of my daughter." Mrs Bennet said, handing her precious daughter to Erich.

"Don't mention, Mrs Bennet. She is more precious than my life to me." Not removing his eyes from Red, he replied. Knowing the deception of words, his voice came out smooth.

But to Red's ignorance-

His words were pure, not a fake consolation.

They stood at the altar and he complimented, "You are looking so graceful yet tempting."

"Thanks. But don't forget the reason for our marriage." She replied coldly.

"I will keep you happy." He said sincerely, holding her hands.

"Just fulfill your obligations." Red swallowed hard, lowering her gaze.

The priest cleared his throat and asked, "Shall we start?"

They both took a deep breath, looked at each other and said at the same time, "Yes."

Red heart pained as tears brimmed in her eyes, indicating her new life, trampling her past. The start, initiated by burying every fake memory.

An agonizing tear fell from her eye in which the reflection of an etched memory from 3 years ago was clearly present, showing what circumstances led to this day.

~ 3 Years Ago ~

"Just look at this sexy piece of paper." Red tittered, holding her fashion designing degree in her hands. Standing on the couch, elated.

She received her degree in fashion designing and her delight was limitless.

"Just you guys watch, I am going to make my presence firm. Red Bennet, World famous fashion designer."

"A new morning glory' will be our motto and one day, I will be entailed with Black Fabrics. I have heard they only work with famous figures."

"This is the first step, I shall reach my dream and you will see celebrities wearing my brand. Filthy rich people will die for it. My dream will be fulfilled." She went on and on.

"Of course you will succeed in life and everything you said will happen, Sweetie." Mrs Bennet clapped for her along with Bertha.

"Congrats, Red!"

"And my grand outlet will be in New York-" Bertha cut Red off,

"Hey, Hey, We have listened to your speech Red, now come, we have to cut the cake, or else I will eat it all alone." Bertha whined.

She was two years younger than Red, doing CA. Her degree depends upon the number of papers left for her to clear.

"Hey! Here I am telling you my ambition and you are not listening." Red clicked her tongue at her.

"We have been hearing it since the very first day you were enrolled in the University."

"Listen one last time, who knows I will become arrogant after becoming famous." Red chuckled, getting down from the couch.

"Stay well and become successful in life. I will pray for you two." Mrs Bennet smiled mesmerizingly at her daughters.

Red hugged her and they cut the cake to celebrate this memorable event.

They were eating the cake and Red said, "When I will become famous, Bertha. You will handle my accounts."

"Nah. I have another place in my mind to work... but.. Um.. Yours is fine as well." Bertha shrugged.

"Where do you want to work?" Mrs Bennet asked.

"At Graves Shipment. They are the world's largest Road shipment company. But I can't work there." Bertha explained.

"Why?" Red asked.

"Because it's in the UK. And I have no intention of leaving America." She sighed.

"Still.."

"Nope. I am fine besides, if we ever have to ship your clothing then we will surely contact them." Bertha grinned.

"Yup!" Red nodded. "Then show them what you can do but it will be too late because you will be our finance manager." Red snickered.

"Okay.. okay." Bertha chuckled at her sister's words.

As the rest of their night is spent with a family conversation, laughter and celebration for a new start where Red shall make her dreams come true...

NYC

At the pomp of the next morning in NYC, a certain couple was sleeping on the bed of a hotel room and was woken by the sound of an alarm.

The man in the bed turned it off and sat up with a sigh, naked- not to mention. He spared a glance at the woman sleeping next to him and went to take a bath.

The alluring woman beside him also woke up with a smirk, tracing her fingers over the lips he kissed vehemently last night and made her espy paradise.

Long black hairs dyed sapphire from the edge, a perfect body of a model but too bad, she is a therapist.

Her persuasive obsidian eyes cascading to her left wrist which have 'April' written in a fancy font.

The man with a flawless body, piercing green eyes, and dark brown hairs accompanied by his french beard to enhance his features more, walked out with a towel around his waist and began to wear his attire.

"Morning... Erich." April said, turning to him.

Erich hummed, stoic as usual. His eyes were always void of every emotion as if something treasured yet inscrutable resides in them.

His icy gaze penetrated April's heart as she wanted to explore his emotions but his maze isn't easy to solve.

A scornful laugh echoed in the hotel room along with a seductive voice of April staring intently at Erich who was getting ready.

"For how long are you going to consider your love as lust and come to me?" She asked with a smirk.

"Shut up." He frowned.

"I can see a fierce fire in you." She chuckled, winking at him, while sitting up.

"Don't be absurd. Neither you nor Red mean anything to me." Erich's voice lacked any skeptic, pure cold.

"Then what are we?" Her voice abruptly became dire. He spared a glance at her while taking his stuff.

"You are an addiction while she is a need."

He walked out of her suite and waited for her. She washed herself and walked out after getting ready.

"I can understand I am an addiction but how can a person you didn't talk with be considered as a need."

"I don't know." He said, leaning back on the couch and putting his one leg over the other, rubbing his temples.

April walked to the kitchen and made herself a cup of coffee.

"Okay now tell me why you have called me here... if you need to fulfill your addiction.. you can get any girl to do it." Her charming voice taunted him.

"Red has received her degree in fashion designing." He said.

"O~ Stalking."

"Shut up and come here." Erich demanded. April giggled and came with the usual smirk plastered on her lips and sat in the opposite direction.

"Okay.. now tell me."

"She is going to start her startup. It's her first step and to start creating clothes, she will need fabric." He explained.

"So? She could get it from the market at a low price easily." April took a sip of her coffee and put her legs over him.

"You are not getting the point." Erich said, irritated.

"I am. You want to help Red."

"Yeah. So?" He shrugged.

"Do you have any idea how much your fabric's worth is in the market?" She asked.

"I could give her a head start." He reasoned.

"No you can't, Erich. You just wanted to be close with her, that's why such thoughts are roaming your mysterious mind. What excuse will you give to the media if they ask.

"Why are you aiding them?" " She gave him a logical explanation for his desperation.

"What's wrong with that? I will tell them I saw potential in them and wanted to help them." Of course, he is quick at making excuses.

"There's nothing wrong, but a problem." She shook her head.

"What?"

"That you love her and do not want to accept it." She said firmly.

"Oh please, don't start with this. I don't love her. She is a need, I want her in my life, that's all." His brows furrow in exasperation.

"And if that's not love then what is it?" She asked with a smirk, brushing her foot over his thighs, trying to provoke him.

"I don't know, call it obstinacy but not love."

"Why are you not accepting it? You have known her for four years and she is not even aware you exist." April said calmly while drinking her coffee.

Erich narrowed his eyes in anger, losing his patience with her persistence as her words irked him.

He removed her legs and glared at her.

"Listen April. I. Don't. Love. her."

"You are so stubborn." She pouted and stood up.

"I just want her close to me." He muttered.

"And are you willing to do anything for it?" She asked, smirking. He hummed and nodded in approval.

"Believe it or not, Erich. But you are in love with her. You have collected all the love for her in your heart and taken the lust for her on me." April hissed.

He smirked and looked at her with dark amusement.

"Then stop this illicit therapy. 'You' have the authority to do that."

"If I wanted to stop, then I wouldn't have started." She smirked back.

"Anyways, Go to your Red and tell her. You saw her for a year in university. She was a freshman and you were a senior and were instantly attracted to her ever since."

"Time will tell about it, but remember one thing, April." Erich stood up, unbuttoning his jacket, "What?"

"Red is retained to Be mine and if I have to break seven skies for it- I will."

He declared and left with his resoluteness.

After he left, April laughed and shook her head.

"That idiot still denies the fact he loves her."

In a prestigious household of England, an old couple was savoring their tea while trying to calm their anxiousness.

"Mr Grave, your child has no traits like you." Mrs Grave sighed.

"Our child has no traits like us, Greta." Mr Grave corrected his wife.

"Then kindly teach him that there's a life after work and club." She said, worried about her son's constant neglect for life.

"Greta. To be honest, I doubt Lucifer has his first kiss," Mrs Grave gasped at her husband's absurd words.

"Don't talk like that, Mr Grave!"

"I am telling you, marry that stone to someone at least this way he will have a girl in his life." Mr Grave sternly.

"Marry which stone off?" A deep, dominant voice of Lucifer Grave came.

His exquisite gray eyes, slowly making their way to his parents as he took steady steps, narrowing his eyes in irritation.

Water dripping from his raven hair with a towel around his neck, shirtless and flexing his hot body, he asked.

"Who are you talking about?"

"Ah, Lucifer, my child... We... We are talking about Rick. Your cousin." His mother chuckled nervously.

Even being a calm and collected person, Lucifer has a firm presence in every aspect of his life which never fails to elicit intimidation.

"It would be better if it's him." He warned.

"Oh from his wedding, I remember, You are thirty years old." Mr Grave tried to mention the topic.

"So what?"

"Don't you have a girlfriend?"

"I don't." He replied in a strained voice, handing the towel to the young maid whose face was red to see him shirtless.

"Why are you getting angry?"

"I am not angry, I am vexed because this is the 149th time you guys are talking about this topic." He sighed, taking a seat.

"Honestly, if you continue this, I will stop visiting home." He mumbled.

He even counted! The couple thought.

"Then find a girl for you before we do!" Mr Grave was getting aggravated by the lack of interest.

"I don't want to get married or fall in love, if I do, I will tell you." He sighed, closing his eyes.

"At least keep a girlfriend for reassurance." Mrs Grave said, hopefully. He looked at her mother, fazed.

"Mother, if I desire, you will never know how many girlfriends I had."

"So you have..?" Their faces lit up in happiness when trailing off by the expectation that their son might have a lover but he trampled over them with his reply.

"No." They frowned.

"Why are you guys so desperate? Do you want me to get any girl who tries to seduce me?" He asked, distressed.

"No, we-"

"Then I don't want you guys to mention it again. If I want to marry, I will tell you." He was beyond annoyed by this perpetual nagging.

"Also, Rick has a girlfriend and he was asking for ideas to propose to her from me. So-"

He was cut off when he got a call from his assistant Harry, "Hello?" He answered the call.

"We have great trouble, Sir. Larry betrayed us!"

"What the hell are you talking about?" His tone suddenly turned from firm to furious. He stood up and left for his room.

"Instead of dolls from America, he shipped girls. It has become a human trafficking case." His eyes widened in stagger as unprepared tribulation knocked on his door.

"Are you out of your fucking mind!? Larry was one of the most trusted employees and you are saying he did this?!" He yelled over the phone.

"That's why we don't doubt him and signed the papers to let the shipment come. What will we do now? If the police or media get the news of it, we will be ruined."

Lucifer cursed and exhaled deeply to clear his mind and asked, "How many girls are there?'

"Seems like they came from afar and weren't given any food or water. All of them are dead except one."

"Did you take her to the hospital?"

"Yes. She is in the ICU."

"Okay, you stay by her side, keep it out of the Police and Media. Shut the doctor as well. Send me the Address, I am coming."

Lucifer quickly got ready and rushed to the hospital to apprehend the situation and find a solution for it.

"What happened?" He asked, walking to Harry.

"The girl survived, Sir, she got the devil's luck." Harry said.

"Fuck. Why didn't she die as well, this could make it easier." Lucifer scowled.

"And what about that motherfucker?"

"We have caught him. He is where he should be. He told us he did it for money." Larry told him.

"What!? Money? Why would he run after money? He was the warehouse manager."

"He said it himself, he did it for money."

Lucifer sighed and shook his head, "I will see him."

"And what about this girl?"

"Tell me when she will wake up. Don't let anyone else go near her. Keep it out of the media and if there was any need to bribe the police to shut them; then do it but I don't want to be in any undesirable situation because of this girl."

"I will take care of it, Sir. You don't have to meet her."

"I do. She is in this situation because of my fault. It's my responsibility to apologize to her and redeem my mistake by sending her back."

Lucifer said sincerely and went to one of the 'secret' warehouses and saw Larry tied to a chair, his face bloodied from non-stop beating, barely in his senses.

Lucifer took a chair and sat in front of him. He motioned his men on his side to stop and ordered.

"Five questions. Five Answers, Larry." He said.

That's the heartless part of him where he asks five questions and one wrong answer could lead you to your worst nightmare.

"Number one. Why?"

"For money..."

"Listen, Larry. You have been working here for a decade now. You have your family and you have the consequences of lying now."

Lucifer's voice was low but held a glint of malevolence in it. Larry gulped and nodded hesitantly,

"Let's try again. Why?"

"They... they kidnapped my wife and children." Larry broke into sobs.

"Number two. Why girls?"

"Just a random way to stain your name..."

"Why didn't you ask me for help?"

"He... He killed my eldest son and warned me not to let you know.." Larry was letting out his buried wails with his blurry vision.

"Where is your family?"

"They are imprisoned at home and won't let me come. They have surveillanced our activities."

"Lastly, Who did this?"

"Felix..." He told the name of his enemy.

He wanted to sell drugs with the help of Lucifer but he refused and now he is doing this to destroy Lucifer as a lesson for refusing him.

Stuck in a very disturbing situation, Lucifer had to deal with this affliction now. Swearing, Lucifer paced around.

"Please Sir, take my life but please save my family. I have lost my son already. I don't want to lose anyone anymore."

Lucifer stopped as Larry's words gave rise to an atrocious plan to get out of this situation.

Concealing the existence of the girl was no problem for him- the counterattack is and he will do it.

"Wait...Wait," Lucifer said, taking a seat,

"Listen very carefully." He began to tell them the plan.

"Larry you are going to make an audio recording in which you are going to say the truth that Felix forced you to do this to degrade me. We will fake your death and I will convince your family to support us as well. You will be sent to Mexico to live your life with your family peacefully later after this will be over."

"And what will you do about the girls, Boss?" His guard, standing beside him, asked.

Lucifer smirked and turned to him.

"The original papers stated it was for dolls. We will ship dolls. The shipments came from America and there were dolls in them, not girls. The shipment of the dolls has been made. Let's get the dolls from the third party." Lucifer explained.

"Genius. We will be cleared this way from any suspicion."

"Treat Larry, record the audio. And fake his death and send him to Mexico, your family will come there later. I shall avenge your son's death." Lucifer said assuringly.

"Thank you, Sir... you are very kind." Larry cried grief mixed with assurance.

Lucifer passed him a smile, he might be an embodiment of dominance but from inside, he was like a gentle breeze of affection- seen by a few people and left.

Two days later, acting as if nothing happened and calling Larry's wife to a business party, making everything fine so no one could suspect anything.

He managed to convince her and the girls have vanished from the world as their bodies were buried in unknown grounds.

Not before gaining information about each girl to inform their families so they won't seek their daughters.

One girl each month just to play on the safe side.

The next day, Lucifer received a call to let him know the lone survivor had woken up and shifted to a room.

He bought a basket filled with chocolates for her, turning his charming mode on which can sweep anyone off in a mere instant and knocked on her door before coming,

"Hello Miss," He greeted with a soft voice and smile.

"Where... am I?" She asked vaguely.

"You are in the hospital." He replied, putting the chocolates on the side table and offering her one while asking.

"How are you feeling now?"

"Better." She responded with a faint smile.

"Would you like to eat it?" He gallantly offered her a bar of chocolate with his heart throbbing smile.

"I don't think I can... Right now." She said nervously.

"Oh yeah. I thought flowers would wilt so why not give something essential. But it seems like you can't utilize it as well."

Unlike before, his voice was low, tender and pleasing to one's ears and exceptionally manipulative.

She smiled and took it, "Maybe later. Thank you... Uh..." She took the chocolate and paused to hear his name.

"Lucifer. Lucifer Grave. And you are?"

"I am Red. Red Bennet."

"Red... it's a beautiful name." He complimented, taking a step back.

"Where am I, Mr Grave?" She asked tentatively.

"We are in London, Ms Bennet."

"What? How did I come here? I.. I live in-"

"America. I know, don't stress yourself. Ms Bennet, would you like to tell me how you came here?"

"Uh... I.. was drunk that night.. I don't remember. I just woke up in a truck with other women... and all of them died one by one... before I passed out as well..." Her voice became faint and sorrowful.

"Don't stress, everything will be fine," Lucifer assured.

"Are you an officer, Mr Grave?" Her question came as quite a shock to Lucifer.

"Huh?... Ah, Yes. I am."

"Can I talk to my mother to let her know I am here?" She asked innocently.

"I am sorry. Not right now. But soon." His words were so soothing that she couldn't persist and agreed.

"You take a rest, I will pay a visit later." He said politely. She nodded as he walked out.

The moment he took a step out, his pissed look came back and the enthrall no longer lingered in voice nor aura as he ordered Harry.

"Come with me." They went to a corner. "What happened to the police?"

"Don't worry, Sir. I have taken care of that matter."

"Good." Lucifer nodded and told him about the plan they are going to execute.

"-And I don't want any hindrance in it."

"Understood, Sir."

"We need to keep this girl's existence concealed. She came from America, no one should know about it."

"Then what will we do about her? How are we supposed to send her back then?" Harry asked.

"Do you have space in your home?"

Harry's eyes widened in horror when he heard it.

"Sir, My girlfriend will kill me if I let her live with me. I am sorry, I can't do it."

"Shit." He sighed and rubbed his temples.

"Okay, You stay with her, don't let anyone meet her. If she needs anything, give it to her and send her to my place when she discharges and let me know."

"Y-Y-Yours?" The word surprised was an understatement to know Lucifer is going to have a girl at home.

Lucifer and the girl are two different connections.

"Why? Do you have a problem with that?" He snarled.

"No... You and having a girl at home sounds weird."

"Then take her to your home."

"No. It sounds perfect." Harry then looked at his Boss's face, knowing he had to tell him what he did and prayed in his heart that he wouldn't kill him.

Harry called Lucifer, "Sir..."

"Hmm?" He hummed, motioning him to continue.

"I.. uh... Need to tell you something."

"What?"

Taking a deep breath Harry began to say hurriedly.

"I am sorry, Sir. But I have to stop doctors from calling the police or involving the media so I need to give them a solid name which can seal their lips and I told them the story that the girl was kidnapped but everything is fine now and her name is... Mrs Iris Grave."

"Understandable, you have to- wait a minute, what?" Lucifer asked, thinking he might have heard him wrong.

"The wife of Lucifer Grave... Iris Grave."

"ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR MIND!?" Lucifer shouted, infuriated.

"Shh. Sir. Please lower your voice." A nurse came and scolded him. He curled his hands in a fist and gave a death stare to Harry.

"I am sorry, Sir. I had to or else they were informing the police." He was on the verge of crying.

"Harry, I want to choke you to death right now. You will pay for it after this ordeal ends."

"Uh... Sir, with your permission can I say something?"

"What else do you have to say now!?" He whisper-yelled, barely controlling his rage.

"You can make it true as well... Mr and Mrs Grave want you to marry. You can fake this for a limited time and if she came to the world as your wife, no one will know about her. We will create her fake identity. Or else leaving the country with her current one might be difficult for her." Harry explained.

"And why would I marry her?" Lucifer asked, putting his phone back in his pocket.

"Oh, Sir. It won't be a marriage."

"Then?"

"A bargain... for her liberation."

"And why will she agree to this?"

"Money. What else?"

"And how long will it last?" He inquired, furrowing his brows.

"I'd say about a year or less. After your divorce, it would stop Mr and Mrs Grave from forcing you to get married and we will be cleared as well. She will be known as Iris Grave. rather than... umm.."

"Red. Red Bennet."

"Yeah, Than Red Bennet."

Lucifer took a long exhalation after listening to his ridiculous idea and shook his head, "I don't want to get married, even if it was fake."

"You can kill two birds with stone from this-"

"Shut up." And he left furiously, disquiet about his stupid words.