The Goodluck charm

"Go away!!" Lucas' tone was harsh but I ignored his order as I slowly walked into the room still looking for him. 

"Lucas… it's me" I said gently.

"I said go…—" he paused then suddenly, his voice softened coming back to the normal Lucas that everyone knew and Loved. 

"Navi?" His voice, mature but soft now coming from behind me. I turned to see him, his dark hair now messy and his beards untrimmed, his eyes swollen like he had been crying, and his undershirt covered in sweat. He was in his underwear which made me somewhat uncomfortable but caused my cheeks to flush. I gasped as he pulled me into a tight hug causing me to barely breath, then I heard silent sobs. "Navi!" He said again sobbing like I had just died.

"It's fine Lucas" I said, patting his back. "I'm here now." 

I didn't mind being his safe haven, whenever Lucas needed me, I was always there. 

"Please stay Navi" He muttered under his breath, his hands still wrapped around me but loose enough for me to breathe.

"I can stay till night time" I said, ready to sacrifice the rest of my day for him.

"No,--" he began, then paused as he released his embrace and stepped back to look straight at me. "I want you here, Navi," he said, his gaze flaring with a mix of determination and longing.

For a moment, I stood frozen, caught between shock and uncertainty. I searched his eyes for a trace of truth and certitude, and it was all filled up in his eyes.

"Why?" I whispered, the question trembling on my lips more for myself than for him. His eyes flickered with uncertainty before his resolve returned. "Because I can't face another day without you," he admitted softly, his voice burdened by vulnerability.

"You know it's not that simple," I murmured, half in protest and half in disbelief and fully unprepared for the life changing situation this would bring.

He stepped forward again, closing the distance carefully. "I know it's not simple," he said, "but I'm willing to try—if you are" he stated, tucking my hair behind my ear. "And i also think it makes sense you know…, regarding the fact that we are now engaged"

"Falsely engaged– and I didn't get a ring or anything" I voiced, now taking a step back to breathe my own air. 

Lucas's eyes softened as he watched me, a secret smile playing on his lips. He slowly walked to a nearby drawer and retrieved a small box making my heart flutter. 

Opening it slowly, he revealed a silver plated–violet diamond ring that sparkled with an unusual hue—. It was, unmistakably expensive and undeniably, my favorite color. How did he know? 

"Will you be my fake wife, Navi? And stay with me until my CEO situation with Mateo is resolved?" he asked, his tone both playful and earnest, as if proposing a temporary lifeline we weren't sure we were ready for.

I couldn't help but chuckle at the absurdity of it all. With a playful but reluctant nod of my head and a smile, I said yes, now accepting my newfound fate.

For a moment, Lucas's eyes lit up with unmistakable delight, and probably from the euphoria that had come over him, he leaned in as if to steal a kiss. Frozen in place watching his full almond lips now searching for mine.

 I gently pulled back not sure if I was ready for the intimacy "Hold on," I said, laughing softly hoping I didn't hurt him by my current action. "Let's not get ahead of ourselves Lucas." —Now avoiding eye contact and scratching the back of his neck, his face flushed red from embarrassment. "Im sorry navi– um, you should go downstairs, i'll meet you there." he said, changing the topic as he dashed to his bathroom leaving me alone in his room.

******

Walking down the stairs of this mansion—my soon-to-be home—I couldn't help but notice how quiet everything had gotten. I made my way to the living room, where Zara was comfortably settled on the couch, eyes fixed on the TV. I walked quietly, or atleast i tried to, my curiosity pulling me toward the dining room and kitchen, where a chaotic mix of voices caught my attention.

"Two men, huh?" Zara called out, making me stop in my tracks. "I can see you're a lady who's into trouble," she added with a teasing snare.

Not entirely sure what she meant, I decided to ignore her and headed toward the kitchen. The door swung open, and Jane stepped out, her face a mix of surprise and a forced smile.

"Navina, my dear, how are you?" she greeted, a hint of nervousness in her tone as if she were hiding something.

"What's happening in there?" I asked, ignoring her vague greeting and letting my curiosity push me forward.

"Kitchen drama, nothing to worry about," she said, though her nervous tone said otherwise. The sounds inside—a mix of raised voices, both male and female, and the unmistakable sound of a woman crying.

Before I could protest, Lucas's familiar voice came from behind me. "We should go get your things from your apartment, Navi."

The topic shifted immediately, and Jane's face brightened. "Her things?" she asked, glancing between Lucas and me.

Lucas explained that I'd agreed to stay, showing her the ring that was a seal of our fake marriage. Jane couldn't help but squeal like a sixteen year old with an undying crush. Clearly, she loved the idea of me staying, and in her excited charm, I sensed a relief that somehow made this unexpected turn feel a little more like home.

*

"OMG!!" Petra squealed, bouncing on her toes like a kid receiving gifts on Christmas morning.

River, who'd been deep in her daily meditation, froze mid-pose on her mat. Her eyes were wide, mouth hanging open like she'd just seen a ghost or like she would say "duppy".

I shook my head with a silent chuckle, slipping past the chaos and walking into my room. Letting them fawn over Lucas. I had packing to do.

I lifted my dark brown suitcase from my closet, placed it on the bed, and unzipped it. One by one, I began neatly folding my clothes and stacking them in. My hands moved automatically, but my mind zoned out in questions.

What was I even doing?

Moving in with Lucas?—it sounded like a plan, but it felt like walking straight into a storm I wasn't prepared for. That one sentence—"I need you, Navi"—kept echoing in my head. It wasn't just about Lucas,It was about Jane, too.

I couldn't unsee the bruises I'd noticed on her arm earlier that were caused by Lucas. I didn't ask, but I knew. And maybe, just maybe, being closer would mean I could help. Somehow.

And then there was the fake engagement. Living together would make the whole thing more believable to the press I think.

I exhaled slowly, deep in thoughts and confusion, until a sudden scream shattered the silence. I rushed out of my room.

Petra was on the floor, her face frozen in fear. Her phone lay nearby on the floor, screen shattered like glass. River sprinted to her side, helping her up as she tried to steady herself. Lucas stood a few steps away, breathing heavily. His entire posture was tense, his face shadowed by something between anger and... defense. There was something different in his eyes. Something darker.

"What's going on?" I asked, though I already had a feeling this was between Petra and Lucas.

"I just wanted to make a video," Petra whispered, her voice trembling with fear.

"I told you not to take pictures of Lucas!" he snapped, his tone low and dangerously sharp.

 Lucas? He was speaking in third person…

I stepped closer to him cautiously. "Lucas…" I said gently, reaching for his hand.His eyes met mine—and for a split second, I saw something else. Someone else.

One of his personalities?

Before I could peer further, something in him shifted. His shoulders eased, and his eyes softened. "Navi," he said, softer now, his voice laced with remorse. "I'm so sorry. I…"

He turned to Petra, who was now sitting on the couch beside River, still shaken. "I'll get you a new phone, Petra. I'm sorry."

"You totally should," Petra snapped, glaring at him.

"Petra!" River scolded, giving her a sharp look.

"What?" Petra shot back. "He broke my phone! It's only fair that he replaces it."

"I will. I promise," Lucas said, his voice soft but certain.

Then he turned to me. There was a quiet sadness in his eyes, filled with remorse and something that felt like regret.

"I'll be in the car, Navi," he added, before walking to the door and shutting it gently behind him.

But the silence Lucas left behind didn't last long.

"Don't tell me you're actually moving in with him, Vivi," Petra said, rising from the couch. The fear she'd shown earlier was now long gone, replaced with sass and disbelief.

I stood still for a moment, trying to find the right words. 

"It's only temporary, Petra. And it's mostly for work. Nothing more," I explained. The words finally came out of my mouth.

River, who'd been quiet, finally spoke up. "So what's the engagement... and that other Mr. Fine Ass story about?" she teased, referring to Mateo as "mr fine ass".

"I'll explain soon, guys. It's... a long story," I said with a half-smile uncertain of where to start from, before turning and walking back into my room to finish packing. They stayed behind in the living room, lost in thought, while I gathered my things—my medium-sized dark brown suitcase and the matching hand luggage. I carried them to the front door, heart heavy but steady.

"I'm leaving!" I announced.

Petra and River popped out from the kitchen almost instantly.

"Text me every minute!" Petra dramatically said, throwing her arms around me in a tight hug.

When she let go, River stepped forward and slid a beaded bracelet onto my wrist— glimmering amethyst stones strung together.

"It's for spiritual protection," she said softly. "Against negative energy."

She pulled me into a hug, as she whispered in my ear. "Basically... a good luck charm."

She stepped back, her eyes shimmered with tears—and suddenly, mine did too.

I was going to miss my two best girls!