Departure II

The night was dark and the guards at the ancestral hall were already dozing off when Lucian sneaked in to see Mia after lurking around the whole day.

His heart pounding as he quietly prayed the guards wouldn't notice his presence.

As he approached, he saw Mia hunched over, her head bowed low, her hands clasped tightly together.

She was shivering slightly, and her face was pale in the dim light. He could see the red bruises on her knees and legs, evidence that she had been kneeling straight the whole day.

He felt his knees wobble and heart ache as he approached her.

He slowly knelt down beside her and gently draped over her the blanket in his grasp, careful not to make a sound to alert the guards outside.

"Why are you here ?". Mia whispered, her voice trembling as she finally opened her eyes,a small smile crossing over her features.

"Mia". He whispered palming her cold hands with his. "I'm sorry, I'm late. Actually, I believe you, I truly do.

"Yes, you do". She replied curtly.

" I really believe in you, a much lot than myself". He replied, gripping her shoulder firmly, eyes wide with confusion and sincerity.

" Then why didn't you . ."

" I don't have the power not status to protect my wife, aren't I horrible". He suddenly laughed out self deprecatingly.

"But believe me, we only have to endure this for a few more days and then things will be back to how it was before. I can't let him suspect me lest he heighten his guard and that would be worser than this".

Her heart went out to him and suddenly she burst into tears unable to contain them anymore as she embraced him and cried out her heart.

"I really don't want to do this any longer, it hurts so much. I only want to be with you, I can't . . I can't accept this nor bear it any more".

" I'm sorry". He kept mumbling whilst gently patting her head.

She looked up at him, hope shining in her eyes. "Are you colluding together with Levii ?". She suddenly asked.

He nodded affirmatively to her question. " Yes, I already sent him the necessary documents but his position isn't that stable either and things can't be rushed. We can only suffer for a few more days without arousing anyone's suspicion".

" Even grandfather knows nothing about this because I'm afraid his expression will let the cat out of the bag , I'm just telling you this to reassure you. After we're finally done, we'll punish Levii for being slow, how about that '. He added jokingly.

Mia smiled and rubbed her head on his chest coquettishly. "Only for a few more days". She pouted. "Any longer and I'll make you suffer".

"Yes , Mlady". He bowed and the duo burst into a round of merry laughter . " But in this few days, I might be especially intimate with Aubrey....". He began cautiously.

" As long as that isn't before me ". Mia interrupted him. " I know you have your reason but as long as you don't do that before me , I can't bear the sight of any woman close to you".

" Of course". He said, squeezing her shoulder.

" I'm sorry you have to go through all this". He embraced her. "It's all my fault".

"No". Mia silenced him, placing her slender fingers on his lips. "If we really are allocating the blame then I'm the guilty one, I initiated going to the honeymoon resorts or we wouldn't have crossed path with the obsessed Aubrey".

He smiled and ruffled her hair playfully. " You really are now getting better with words. This , I consider as a test but I'm glad you're totally by my side in this". He intertwined their palm, the heat sending a warm sensation through their heart steeling their heart for the days ahead and they stayed like that in the silence but comforted by each other's presence.

Early at dawn the next morning, the duo exit the ancestral hall one before and earlier than the other.

Both Mia and Lucian maintained their distance throughout breakfast, an action which thoroughly pleased Mr Wellington and Aubrey who was on the wheel chair as they couldn't contain their grin.

Aubrey was especially pleased as she watched the duo now acting like strangers, not only did Lucian avoided Mia he also attended to all of her needs, passing her the cutleries, napkins even pouring her juice in consideration of her wounded and bandaged leg.

"Indeed you're the best". Aubrey mouthed and grinned at her father, both exchanging a silent but charged glance.

After dinner, the trio headed back to Lucian's penthouse.

"You still aren't packing your suitcase and leaving". Aubrey scoffed at Mia's casual behavior of plopping down on the sofa immediately they entered as she was gently pushed in by Lucian.

"Oh, I forget you have nowhere to go. Poor and helpless little wretch". Aubrey mumbled on and on but Mia paid a deaf ears to her taunting words, her attention fully focus on the message on the screen of her cellphone.

Raising up her head, she flashed Lucian who was standing behind Aubrey a subtle grin which he also returned with equal vigor.

"Then I'll go get dressed for the date". She immediately replied his message before running up the stairs to her room.

"Ha". Aubrey exclaimed excitedly. "She's annoyed and running off now, well it's good she's clearheaded now".

Aubrey smiled and stood up placing a gentle kiss on his cheeks.

" Your injuries are healed ?". Lucian asked feigning ignorance, he had long knew the deep injuries and wheelchair were nothing but a show.

"Your careful gestures and action these past days is enough to heal even the deepest wound". Aubrey gushed and embraced him again and he gently patted her shoulder wishing he could get away from her already.

Leading her towards the room, he told her he had an emergency at work to attend to promising her a dinner after he arrived and she happily agreed.