The gangster.

Lucy wandered down the street, her steps uncertain, as it had been quite some time since she'd left Diceta. She glanced around, trying to recall the way back to either her home or the hotel. Everything felt unfamiliar, but she was determined to find her way.

A road caught her eye, it looked familiar, almost nostalgic. Her heart lifted as she remembered the path her dad used to take when he carried her and her little sister on the way to school. A soft smile crept onto her face.At least if I can't find the hotel, I might still find my way home, she thought, her pace quickening with a sense of hope.

She followed the straight road, then took a right turn, her memories guiding her. But as she walked further, the surroundings began to change, little by little. The streets looked different, more modern, and for a moment she hesitated. Maybe the government's developed this area since I was last here, she reasoned, pushing forward. Despite the changes, a part of her felt that home was close, and that thought alone gave her the comfort to keep going.

The road Lucy took along was quiet and unusually narrow, filling her with a subtle unease. The silence pressed in on her, making her wish for the familiar sights of her neighborhood. She wondered briefly, Where's Mr. Shi's bakery? It used to be just around the corner from home. But she shook off the thought and kept moving forward, trying to stay focused.

Suddenly, a voice cut through the stillness. "Hey, beautiful, what are you looking for? You seem lost." Lucy's heart raced as she turned to see five rough-looking men standing behind her, their eyes gleaming with bad intentions. She could feel their menace even before they took a step.

Without saying a word, Lucy instinctively took a step back, her mind racing. Then, without hesitation, she spun around and bolted, her legs pumping as she ran as fast as she could, desperate to escape.

"Don't just stand there, get her!" the leader barked. "Catch her, now!"

At his command, all five gangsters took off after Lucy, their footsteps pounding the pavement as they closed in.

****

Diceta settled into the sofa, his eyes focused on the delicate blue hairpin in his hand. He turned it over carefully, as if examining every detail. After a moment, he stood and moved toward the door. Before closing it, he glanced down the hallway to ensure no one was around. Satisfied that the coast was clear, he quietly shut the door and returned to the sofa, sinking into the cushions.

His gaze returned to the hairpin, and he brought it closer to his face, breathing in its scent, Lucy's scent. He closed his eyes, letting her familiar fragrance fill his senses. With deep concentration, Diceta called upon his demon powers, using the connection to track her whereabouts.

In his mind's eye, a vision unfolded. He saw Lucy, her face tense with fear as she ran through the streets. Behind her, a group of gangsters was in pursuit, their steps quickening as they closed in. Diceta eyes widening for the sight, she escape and ended up in trouble. he thought, his focus sharpening as he prepared to act, knowing Lucy needed him now more than ever.

****

Lucy's heart raced as she spotted an old, abandoned building up ahead. Without a second thought, she dashed toward it, pushing the rusted gate open and slipping inside. Once in, she quickly scanned her surroundings. Her eyes landed on a pile of old boxes stacked in the corner. She hurried over and crouched behind them, her breath coming in heavy gasps from all the running.

Just as she tried to calm her breathing, a chilling voice cut through the air. "Boys, check every inch of this place, including the building. She can't be far. We can't let our golden ticket slip through our fingers," the gangster boss barked, his voice growing nearer. "Spread out!"

Lucy's heart leapt into her throat. She covered her mouth with her hand, trying to stifle her breathing. She could hear the sound of footsteps approaching, getting closer with each passing second. One of the gangsters was near.

I have to move, or they'll find me, she thought frantically. Gathering her courage, Lucy began to sneak away as quietly as she could, her movements slow and deliberate to avoid making a sound. She was just about to slip out from behind the boxes when a hand grabbed her wrist.

Fear shot through her like lightning. Her mind raced with terrifying thoughts,They've caught me. What are they going to do to me?

Slowly, she turned, expecting to see one of the gangsters, but instead, she found herself staring into the face of a stranger. Her breath caught in her throat. He wasn't someone she had ever met before, yet something about him felt oddly familiar. Her gaze flicked to his hair vivid blue, unlike anything she'd seen and his piercing silver eyes. There was a calm intensity about him that made her pause.

Who is he? she wondered, her heart pounding. There was something about his presence that reminded her of Diceta, but it couldn't be him. Diceta had black hair and blue eyes, not this striking appearance. But there was something else, a feeling, a connection deep inside her that made her think she might know him.

The stranger's grip tightened as he pulled Lucy toward him, spinning her around and pressing her gently against the wall. Her heart pounded in her chest, her mind racing with confusion. "Who are you?" she demanded, her voice shaky but firm. But he only looked at her in silence, his silver eyes unreadable, offering no response.

Suddenly, the sound of the gangsters' footsteps echoed, dangerously close. Panic surged through Lucy. She tried to push the stranger away, desperate to escape before they found her. But instead of stepping aside, he began running his fingers through her hair, gently but deliberately, as if he were rearranging it.

"What are you doing?" Lucy hissed, her frustration mounting. She tried to push him off again, but he continued, his hands moving through her hair like he was preparing her for something. She had no idea what his intentions were was he helping or trapping her?

Before she could question him further, the stranger pulled the cap off his own head and placed it carefully on hers, tucking her loose strands beneath it. Then, without a word, he removed the jacket from his shoulders and wrapped it around hers, his movements swift yet strangely protective.

Lucy stared at him, bewildered, her mind struggling to make sense of the situation. Just as she was about to protest, he did something that took her completely by surprise, he pulled her close, wrapping his arm around her waist. Her breath caught in her throat.

"What are you..." she started, but before she could finish, he leaned in, his lips brushing against hers in a soft, unexpected kiss.

Her mind went blank for a moment, overwhelmed by the sensation. It was a kiss that felt oddly familiar, like a distant memory resurfacing, stirring something deep within her. Lucy's body froze, torn between the instinct to push him away and the strange warmth that spread through her. This kiss... why does it feel like I've been here before?Her thoughts swirled as she tried to place the feeling.

She had never kissed anyone, except for that one stolen moment with a musician she despised, the man who had taken her first kiss without consent. But this was different. This kiss wasn't forceful or intrusive; it was gentle, yet carried a weight of familiarity that she couldn't explain.

The kiss lingered, Lucy's mind raced back to her question: Who is he? Her heart knew something her mind hadn't caught up with yet. There was a connection here, something beyond what she could grasp in that fleeting moment.

****

Diceta's fingers tightened around the blue hairpin as he concentrated, drawing on his powers to keep Lucy's scent anchored in his mind. His black hair shifted to a deep blue, and his blue eyes transformed into a striking silver as he focused. Slowly, his fangs extended, sharp and menacing, giving him an almost vampiric appearance. But he quickly retracted them, pushing aside any monstrous instincts. He had to remain calm and collected.

With a determined resolve, Diceta vanished into his room, where he swiftly freshened up, changing into a look that screamed bad boy, a black leather jacket, fitted jeans, a white T-shirt and black boots. Once he was satisfied with his appearance, he reappeared in the shadows, right behind Lucy, just as she was about to bolt again.

Reaching out to grab her hand before she could escape. She turned, her eyes wide with shock, as if she were staring at a ghost or a monster. Diceta felt a pang of confusion. Why didn't she recognize him? He hadn't manipulated her memories; their encounter from last night, he noticed that the mate mark was still on her neck. The uncertainty gnawed at him, but there was no time to dwell on it now.

He quickly pulled her closer to the wall, gently scattering her hair with his fingers, trying to calm her. With deft movements, he placed his cap on her head and draped his jacket around her shoulders, wrapping her in the warmth of his presence.

Before she could protest or run again, he slid his arm around her waist, pulling her in for a kiss. It was soft and surprising, sending a jolt of electricity through both of them. Diceta deepened the kiss, wanting to make it feel real, to reassure her amidst the chaos surrounding them.

He pulled her closer, he sensed the danger drawing nearer. The gangsters had begun pushing aside the boxes, their voices growing louder. "Check over there! She has to be hiding somewhere!"

Diceta felt Lucy tense in his arms, and he whispered against her lips, "Stay calm and play along ." The warmth of her body against his steadied him, grounding him in the moment despite the chaos. He could feel her heart racing, mirroring his own.

Just then, one of the gangsters glanced their way, narrowing his eyes. "I see something!" he shouted, alerting the others.

***

The gang returned to their boss, looking defeated and empty-handed. They had scoured every corner of the building, but the girl had vanished without a trace.

"Boss, I think she's escaped," one of them said, trying to keep his voice steady despite the growing tension.

"Useless!" the boss snapped, frustration etched across his face. "How could you let a little bunny slip through your fingers like that?"

The boss paced, a gang member near the pile of boxes called out, "Boss, you might want to check this out."

The boss turned, disappointment radiating from him like an aura as he strode over to investigate. But just as he approached, Lucy and Diceta were caught in a moment that felt like a world of their own.

Lucy, sensing the danger around them, wrapped her arms around Diceta's neck, pulling him closer as they kissed, their lips almost melding together in a fervor of desperation and longing. It was as if the chaos around them faded into nothingness, leaving only the heat of their connection.

The boss glanced over at the pair, his brow furrowing in confusion. "What's this?" he asked, a mixture of disbelief and annoyance in his voice.

"Maybe we should check these lovebirds," one of the gang members suggested, his curiosity piqued. "She could be the girl we're looking for."

"Are you crazy?" the boss hissed, lowering his voice. "You think she'd be foolish enough to hide here while we're searching for her? Do you have any idea how much we could make if we find her?"

His words were meant to be quiet, but the intensity of the moment drew Lucy and Diceta's attention. They exchanged glances, a silent understanding passing between them as they realized how precarious their situation truly was.

The boss, realizing they might be overheard, turned sharply and walked away, signaling to his gang member to gather the crew and leave. As they retreated, Lucy and Diceta remained entwined, their hearts racing from both the thrill of their kiss and the danger that lurked just beyond.

The place was finally clear, Lucy pushed the stranger away, her eyes blazing with frustration and confusion. "Who are you to kiss me and hold me like that?" she demanded, glaring up at him, her breath still coming in sharp bursts from the chase.

The stranger met her eyes with a casual, unbothered expression. "That's how you thank someone for saving your life?" he replied smoothly, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

The second those words left his mouth, Lucy's eyes widened in shock. That voice, it was unmistakable. "Diceta?" she whispered, taking a step back, her mind racing. How could it be him? She scanned his features, the blue hair, the silver eyes. It was all so different from the Diceta she knew. When did he change so drastically? And how had he found her? Her confusion only deepened when he grabbed her hand, pulling her forward as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

"Where do you think you're taking me?" she protested, digging her heels into the ground. "You're the reason those gangsters were chasing me in the first place!"

Diceta stopped, clearly annoyed. He turned, his gaze sharp as it locked onto hers. "You know what? Fine. Stay here," he said, his voice cold. "I don't care anymore. If the gangsters come back, don't cry to me for help." He dropped her hand and started walking away without another word.

Lucy stood there, watching him retreat toward the gate. His words echoed in her head, cutting deeper than she'd expected. She hated admitting it, but he was right. She had no idea what to do next, and the thought of being alone in this abandoned place terrified her. She needed him, whether she liked it or not.

"Dizerta, wait!" she called out, the urgency in her voice surprising even herself. Without thinking, she rushed after him, her footsteps pounding against the pavement. When Diceta heard her call his name, he stopped, raising a brow in confusion. But when she reached him, what she said threw him off completely.

"Dizerta, please wait," she had said.

Diceta blinked, his mind racing. Dizerta? He turned to face her fully, his gaze questioning. "What did you just call me?" he asked, his voice low and curious.

Lucy, still catching her breath from the run, looked up at him, puzzled by the sudden change in his demeanor. "I called you Dizerta, that's your name, isn't it?" she said, trying to make sense of why he seemed so bothered.

Diceta's eyes narrowed slightly as he studied her. "No, it's not," he corrected, his voice cool. "My name is Diceta. Not Dizerta."

Lucy blinked, momentarily thrown off by his correction. She glanced at him, trying to piece things together. "Okay… Diceta," she muttered, still feeling a bit disoriented. "Fine. Can we just go now?"

Diceta rolled his eyes slightly, though his irritation had softened into something more playful. "Let's go then," he said, turning to walk again.

But Lucy groaned, holding up her hands. "I need a minute. I can't walk any further right now. I swear, if I take another step, I'll collapse." She bent over, catching her breath, her body still recovering from all the running.

Before she could protest further, Diceta turned back and, without warning, scooped her up onto his back in one swift motion. "What are you doing?" Lucy gasped, wrapping her arms around his shoulders instinctively.

"You said you needed rest. Now you can rest," he said, sounding entirely unbothered. He adjusted her on his back, his steps steady and sure as he started walking again.

Lucy, despite herself, couldn't help but feel a small sense of relief. The exhaustion that had been weighing her down was now fading, and she let out a small sigh. However, her stomach chose that moment to grumble loudly, and she felt her face flush with embarrassment.

Diceta smirked, not needing to turn around to know what had happened. "You're hungry," he said, his voice teasing but with a touch of concern.

Lucy rolled her eyes, though her cheeks burned. "Yeah, well, being chased by gangsters tends to ruin your appetite until you realize you haven't eaten all day," she mumbled.

Diceta chuckled softly, the sound surprisingly warm. "There's a café nearby. We'll stop there," he said as he continued down the street, his pace unwavering.

They approached the café, Lucy felt a strange sense of calm. She still had a thousand questions about how Diceta had found her, why he had changed so much, and what was really going on with the gangsters. But for now, she was content to rest on his back, feeling oddly safe for the first time that day.

Lucy remained quiet throughout the ride as Diceta carried her, lost in her thoughts about his sudden kindness. It puzzled her. When they finally stopped in front of a cozy café, they both stepped inside, and a gentle warmth greeted them.

One of the waitresses quickly approached with a friendly smile. "Welcome to Dechi Delicious Café. I'm Olivia, and I'll be your server today," she said.

Diceta helped Lucy down from his back, while Olivia led them to table number 9, which was positioned right in the middle of the café's lively yet peaceful ambiance.

After seating them, Olivia returned with menus in hand. "Here are your menus, Mr. and Mrs.," she said, sliding them on the table. Lucy's face froze for a second when Diceta casually let Olivia refer to them as a couple, but she said nothing. Olivia smiled brightly seeing the most beautiful and lovely couple in front of her. "What would you like to order today?" she asked cheerfully.

Diceta glanced over at Lucy, a playful smirk forming. "We'll take sushi and pasta with black coffee for me and orange juice for my wife," he said smoothly, emphasizing the word "wife" just enough to catch Lucy off guard. Her eyes widened in shock, her mind swirling. Wife? How dare he? she thought, but the fire in her eyes was hidden as she kept her mouth shut for now.

Olivia left, Lucy couldn't help but glance at Diceta from the corner of her eye. Why was he playing this little game? She turned her head, determined not to create a scene, and focused on anything in the cafe except of him.

Moments later, Olivia returned with their meals, placing the sushi, pasta, and drinks in front of them. "Enjoy your meal!" she said warmly before stepping away to serve other customers.

Diceta, unfazed, picked up his fork and began eating, occasionally glancing at Lucy. She was nibbling on her food delicately, making sure not to draw attention, but it was clear she was starving. She didn't speak a word, focusing solely on her meal.

****

They finished eating, and Lucy stood up to approach the counter. She had ordered extra food and ice cream earlier to take with her, just in case. She waited for her items to be packaged, Diceta appeared behind her, watching curiously. "Are you not full already?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.

Lucy didn't look at him as she replied, "I just want to be prepared in case of an emergency."

Diceta rolled his eyes and shook his head in mock disbelief. After paying the bill, he headed for the exit. Meanwhile, Lucy waited for her packaged food. When it was ready, she collected everything and went out of the cafe, expecting to see him waiting outside.

But when Lucy stepped out of the café, Diceta was nowhere to be seen. She scanned the street in confusion, her eyes searching for him. Suddenly, she spotted him standing at a distance, eight blocks ahead. How had he moved so quickly? It was almost as if he had disappeared and reappeared further down the street.

Her curiosity piqued, and she felt a little flare of annoyance. Why did he always have to make everything so complicated? With a determined sigh, Lucy began walking toward him, her mind swirling with questions.

"Diceta, slow down! Why are you leaving me so suddenly? Please wait for me, you're too fast, Diceta!" Lucy shouted, trying to catch up, her breath ragged as she hurried toward him. When she finally reached him, she stepped in front, blocking his path. Without warning, she pushed him lightly, but her frustration was clear. "You're leaving me alone again! First, you take me to an unknown place, lock me in a room, and now, you're leaving me here, too. Why, Diceta? Why?" Her voice cracked, tears welling in her eyes as she broke down into sobs.

Diceta didn't respond, his face unreadable, and Lucy, unable to bear the silence, turned around, walking forward as she crossed the street, her sobs making her oblivious to her surroundings. She didn't notice the car speeding toward her, the headlights growing brighter in the dim light.

Diceta's gaze shifted, and in an instant, his eyes widened. A car, too fast to stop, was bearing down on Lucy. His heart pounded as his demon instincts kicked in. With a speed that blurred reality, he used his powers to close the distance between them, racing toward her in a heartbeat.

Before Lucy could register what was happening, she felt herself being yanked from the road, her body lifted as though time itself had slowed down. The world around her became a blur. Was she dreaming? It all felt surreal, like something out of a fantasy. Within moments, they were deep within a dense forest, the air around them cooler, quieter. Lucy clung to Diceta, her head spinning from the rush, as he gently lowered her to the ground. They stood now in the heart of Lorva Forest, a place forbidden to demons for centuries.

" You are the that's did that?" Lucy asked in a daze, her tears still fresh on her cheeks, her voice barely above a whisper. "Where are we now?"

Diceta remained silent for a moment, his eyes scanning the ancient trees towering around them. He had no choice but to bring her here, away from human eyes, away from the danger of being seen. This forest was sacred, a place where no demon dared tread, Thanks to a law that had been broken long ago by a demon named Adeel Mahaz, In that instant all the scene place in front of him.

Lorva Forest had been ruled by Romina Adesewa, the powerful queen who established the law that no demon should ever fall in love with a human or claim them as their mate. The law was ironclad, etched into the very fabric of demon society, for humans, she believed, brought curses upon them, in other for its to remain frim she use her power on this place making it's cursed.

Centuries ago, in her grand throne room, Romina had stood tall, her fingers gently tracing the ornate armrest of her throne as she decreed her law. Her voice had been commanding, leaving no room for doubt. "From this day forth, no demon shall approach a human, male or female, no matter how enticing their scent. Vampires, sirens, and demons alike, you will resist the urge. There will be no exceptions. Do I make myself clear?"

The room had been filled with tension, but none dared to speak, except for one. A young demon, Adeel Mahaz, had stepped forward, his brow furrowed in defiance. "Queen Romina, how can we reproduce our offspring if we are forbidden to approach humans? I speak not only for myself but for the others, for the sirens, the vampires, the sex demons... all of us rely on human interaction."

Romina had listened patiently, but her decision was unyielding. "I understand your concerns, Adeel, but my law stands. This is for the survival of our kind. We must not be tainted by human emotions but for only our kinds. Dismissed!"

Her words echoed through the hall as the demons, one by one, rose and left the room. Adeel had lingered, his frustration visible, but he knew better than to challenge Romina further. With a final glance back at her, he had turned and left, leaving the throne room eerily silent.