21- Fatal Meetings

A jeering suppressed laugh reached Lucifer's ears, irking him as he was busy working. "Why are you even here?" He asked April who was indulging her champagne while sitting across from him. "I am your shrink." She smiled, taking a sip of her drink. He narrowed his eyes and sighed, switching off his laptop and turning to her. "Congratulations, Business Partners." She said, putting her one leg over the other. "Who told you about this?" He asked. "You certainly didn't come here without any intentions of making it unsuccessful, aren't you?" She asked with a smirk. "What do you want?" "I wanna tag along." "Where?" "To the party. I am sure Erich would host a party for such an important guest... or perhaps to show him he has lost Red." April said, vexing him but he glared at her to refrain talking about it. "I am not taking you anywhere." Lucifer muttered, rolling his eyes. "Aw. That's not fair. Do you want me to tell Erich and Red about your intentions?" She asked. "I am going anyway." "Because all you need is a glimpse of Red. All this desperation, suffering... to behold one sight of her." She said softly, looking at Lucifer, wondering why he desired this. April noticed Lucifer looking down, not meeting her gaze. "Why such hopelessness?" She asked. "We are not close enough that I will open up to you." "Neither was Red when you made her your wife." She retorted. "It has nothing to do with you." "Then take me with you." She argued. "No." Lucifer said sternly. "Huff... Okay." She uttered. "Why do you even want to go?" Lucifer asked. "It's been two years since I last saw Erich. Wanted to say hi." She shrugged. "Anyways, Let's see what you can do." I didn't want to do it, but couldn't resist either. Lucifer thought and replied to her. "Time will tell." April sighed, putting the glass back and getting up to leave. "Ah, Before I go, I need to ask you a question, Mr Grave." "What?" "Can you break seven skies to get Red?" She asked what Erich told her, wanting to know his way of loving her. An unnoticeable smile came to his lips as Lucifer shook his head and looked at her, "If I want to possess her, I wouldn't let her go." April smiled to herself. You are crazy. She thought and left. ~~•~~• God, what upheaval you have thrown on me! How will I avoid Lucifer? What if something happened? What if it invoked wrong thoughts about me in Erich's heart or if he came to know about Lucifer's last words? Someone help me please! Red thought, pacing around the room while holding an anklet in vast consternation and worry, gritting her teeth in exasperation, wanting to relax but couldn't along with her heart which was beating as if it's about to burst. "Red... You okay?" Erich asked, entering. She stopped and turned to him. "Yeah... Everything is fine." Passing him a faint smile. "Shall I help you to wear it?" Erich asked, noticing the simple yet beautiful silver anklet in her hand. "No. I would never wear it." She said, putting it back. "Why?" he asked. "Because It's not mine like I am not his." She whispered to herself. "Has everyone arrived? Shall we go?" She asked. "Yeah..." "Come, let's go." "Uh. Red." Erich called her. "Hmm?" Erich came closer and hesitantly put his hands on her shoulder, observing her elegant form, how alluring she looked no matter what the dress or form. "I don't know whether I am lost in your beauty or attitude." "It requires love to get lost." She said, removing his hands. "What you certainly do not own." She hissed, moving back and taking his hand. "Come. Let's show the world we are a flawless pair." "With endless flaws." Erich said to himself as they left. At the grand party a pair of silver gems were seeking the one which could provide solace to the ferocity of his heart. And his eyes finally stopped at hers, watching her coming with her partner, embedding the lost long sensations and the whispers of sweet nothings, increasing his heartbeat. "There she is, Harry. Look at her, after two years.... She is still pretty. Everything is the same. Except those eyes I worshiped all this time." Lucifer said. Sadly with a sigh and breaking the gaze which didn't bother to heed him. Lucifer smiled painfully and gulped. "It's not there. She is not my Red." He whispered. "Sir..." Harry called him but at that time, Erich came with Red. All three of them are proficient in hiding their true emotions and tone of voices. Even being burned, their voice was nonchalant. "Hello, Mr Grave. Meet my wife Red." Erich said. With envy, Lucifer replied charmingly. "Hello, Mr and Mrs Black...It's deviant that even being partners, we are meeting today for the first time." He said politely. "Call it fate that we met at my husband's party." Red responded in the same voice, hiding the fear in her heart. "All three of us are connected in this way." Erich added. "We are four... but anyways." Lucifer muttered. "There were four of us." Erich was infuriated when he mentioned four while he clearly put the fourth one behind two years ago. "How four?" Red asked, not apprehending. "It's a matter of moments, Mrs Black." Lucifer said. "Because the table of destiny could turn any time." Erich replied. "All we could do is to be precautious and not cry over the spilt milk." Red mumbled, turning away. Erich's heart boasted and he said, "Because no one could change what's going to happen." "At least we could choose our way." Red said. "Which path did you choose?" Lucifer asked. With an anguished heart, Red replied, "The one which leads to success." Her words pricked Lucifer's heart as well as not so fortuitous memories came to his mind. "Anyways. Congratulations to this partnership." Red smiled forcefully. "To all of us." Lucifer raised his drink a little as they clicked theirs against his. 22- His Heartbreak Lucifer excused himself and left with Harry, cursing in his mind as the smile faded and was replaced by a scowl over his handsome features. "How dare he? What does he think of himself? Did you see how he showed Red as if she is a belonging." Lucifer snarled. "Sir, You are losing yourself." "Shut up." "No. Sir you are becoming a person you never was. And if you are that desperate why did you let her-" Lucifer cut him off by hiss, "You know why I let her go." "What's the point of it now? She is his wife now." "I have said some things to her before leaving, now it's the time to make them true." Lucifer scowled. Turning to look at them again and the moment where he saw her like this, tormented him. Watching how Erich was holding her, how they were talking merrily- killed him. He hurriedly called April knowing she has to do as he says and help him and went to a corner. "Oh, Lovely awakenings. Did you see Red with Erich?" April's voice came mockingly. "I need a favor, April." Lucifer said quickly. "You didn't take me with you." She said, faking sadness. "Okay, I will do whatever you want next time but right now, help me." He said, knowing he was vulnerable. "Hmm?" "I need to talk to Red. Distract Erich by calling him. When I'll give you a missed call, call Erich. I need ten to fifteen minutes." "How desperate you are.." She chuckled. "Okay. I will do it. That way I will have the opportunity to talk to Erich after a while." And with it, she cut the call. Back to Erich and Red. With a scoff, she was about to leave and provide lull to her racing heart but Erich's grip on her waist tightened, pulling her close as he hissed, "That's how he introduced you to me as Mrs Grave... like a possession, remember?" "So what? You took your revenge." She shrugged. "Did you see the way he looks at you?" Erich asked, calming his tone, loosening his grip and removing his hand. "You are imagining." She said, narrowing his eyes. "It's a fear, Red." He said honestly. "The fear of losing you." He confessed. "I am your wife, Erich. I am not going anywhere, I am with you." Red said, turning to him. Watching how worry glistens on his face. "Erich, There was nothing between me and Lucifer. It never was, and never will. So please stop mentioning him." "I am sorry." Erich lowered his head in shame. Red put her hand over his, passing him a faint smile. "It's okay..." Soon the dance started as Red and Erich was watching it, talking but then Lucifer came speaking temptingly, "If you don't mind, Mr Black. May I have this dance with Mrs Black?" Why the fuck are you here? Leave! Red thought but smiled decently. "I apologize, Mr Grave but except for my husband, I don't dance with anyone." Her tone was cold as she wrapped her arm around Erich's, smiling at him while he was astounded. "I see." Lucifer hummed, moving away. Waiting for April's call which could help him to get some alone time with Red. And it came when Erich's assistant Gracia came and told him about the call, Erich's expressions changed into a scowl blended with stress of why is she calling him now. "What happened, Erich?" Red asked. "No, Nothing. I had an important call, I have to attend it." "Shall I come along?" She asked, certainly not wanting to be alone with Lucifer. "No, It's fine. I will be back." Erich passed her a smile and left her alone with Lucifer. Red spared a glance at Lucifer, heart pounding along with some unwanted sensations as ravaged storms in her mind and increasing her worry more. Just the fatality of his presence is frightening her. Securing her arms around her, she lowered her head and was about to move away from him but Lucifer spoke up, hurting to see her actions for him, "Hey..." "I believe we have already greeted Mr Grave." Her tone was icy. "Such coldness doesn't suit you, Red." Lucifer said sadly. Curling her hands in a fist, knowing she cannot hide her emotions from him, she scowled frustratedly, "Then tell me what should I do?!" Lucifer's lips formed a thin line. A brief silence came between them as a smile crept upon his lips, "You didn't even bother to invite me to your first fashion show. You said you will." Lucifer said, looking at Red affectionately. Red raised her gaze and stared at him for a few second and the facade she put up disperse in the air and she responded in a whisper, "I was afraid. Afraid of seeing you again." "Maybe that's why even if you invited me, I wouldn't come." "Stop this Lucifer. We both know why you are here." Red said in a low depressed tone. "I only want the indemnification of a broken promise." He said genuinely. "Which promise?" Lucifer took a step closer, giving her a dire gaze which increased the intensity between them. "You cried." He whispered. An empty smile came to Red lips as she lied, "I didn't..." Giving him a painful gaze, "Just like you." Her voice broke because of her lie. Lucifer's heart shattered, and burst from agony by her maltreat words. Tears brimmed in his eyes to hear these words from her. A heartbreaking smile escaped his lip, holding back the tears which threatened to fall, "I didn't cry..." Biting his lips to contain his overflowing emotions of sorrows. "I didn't..." He sniffed, putting his hand over his mouth, at the verge of breaking and ending his laugh. "Right.. I didn't cry." He mumbled to himself, wondering how she could speak such sufferable words without thinking twice. All of his smile faded as he grabbed her arms, staring intensely at her, hissing, "Then why do you avoid me?" "You also avoid me." Lucifer let go of her gradually lowering his head, "I don't have enough strength." "Me neither, Lucifer. Especially after hearing your last words to me." "It wasn't my intention, Red. Just the condition of my heart." "Conditions control your intentions." Lucifer looked at Red and asked, "Are you happy?" "Huh? Of Course I am." She said, taken aback by his words. Lucifer gave her a compassionate look and said slowly. "Red, You promised me that you will never lose the shine of your eyes." Moving closer he asked desperately. "Those eyes, Red, which have the power to overcome every obstacle with a smile. The shimmer which attracted me to you unwillingly. Where are those eyes you promise to keep dedicated?" Lucifer gulped, controlling his emotions. "At least, I could have fulfilled your one promise." A tear sting in Red's eyes when she heard it, heart ached in misery. "Those eyes...?" Lost in the depth of turmoil she pointed her finger at him in contempt and continued with a hoarse voice. "All of them died the day you let me go..." She sniffed, trying not to cry and continued. "That desire to live, the connection of hearts, that light... you took all of it." A tear fell on her cheek and she moved back. Exhaling to not cry. "You emptied me, let me go..." She whispered. Lucifer was on the verge of breaking into loud sobs a tear shone like crystal in the corner of his eye, "By which right, I could stop you? Who were- no who are you to me that I show right over you?" He asked, breathless, anguished, broken. "Then why are you here?" "I have some uncertainty that you are not happy.. Now I know you are not." He said, wiping his eyes, not crying. "I am his." "You were never mine in the first place." He told the bitter truth. "What do you want?" Red asked. With another tear and a smile, Lucifer replied, "I wish I could be selfish enough to say this- you." His answer shocked Red to no extent, "Then why are you here?" Lucifer abruptly hugged and whispered, "Be happy." And pulled away without saying another word with tears he couldn't hide anymore streaming down his face which reflected his devastation and torment. The point of his life where he lost his track and now stood alone in a crowded place with a shattered heart. As the last tear which fell from his eye showed how and when their bond turned into such a destructive and memorable relation, continuing the past. 'My life was never yours, my heartbeats never had your name... then why does my soul belong to you?'