47- Maintain your distance, Mr Grave

The rest of the party went monotonous except for those who stole glances from each other and avoided crossing ways. After the party, Red and Erich were about to sleep but Erich asked, "Red... didn't you feel bad?" "No, It was just a business party." Red lied, sighed and turned off the lamp on her side. "I should have understood that you were trying to move on and I did this..." Erich mumbled, lowering his head and turning to her. "You just wanted to show him I am yours, don't you?" Red asked, climbing on the covers and turning to him. Erich nodded in embarrassment. "It's fine. He should know that I am not his anymore." Red shrugged, plopping on her elbow. Her words surprised Erich, "Really?" "Yeah.." "Red.. can I ask you something?" Erich asked hesitantly. Red hummed, motioning him to continue, "Did you get hurt... after seeing him?" "What did you think after seeing me as Iris Grave?" Red asked. "I was too late." Erich replied honestly, curling his lips in a sad smile. "That's what Lucifer felt, I am what you felt?" Red asked. Erich lips quivered slightly as he remained silent, unable to reply. "That's what I felt. I hope you can get what I felt." Red said, covering herself and going to sleep as Erich knew exactly what she was going through but he chose silence as they both went to sleep. But, there's also someone who was extremely restless after the party. Lucifer took off his tie, opening a few buttons of shirt while throwing his coat, not in his senses, furious. "Now I am absolutely sure Erich has forced Red." He growled, turning to Harry, who was concerned to see his Boss like this. "What are you saying Sir? If Mrs Black didn't pay heed to you, that doesn't mean-" Harry was shut by a glare from Lucifer who was in no mood to hear this but he need to make his Boss understand, "Her anger was right, Sir. Where were you in all these years? You can't meddle in her life like this now. Let her move on." Lucifer exhaled his rage and whispered in a broken tone, "How can she do this to me?" "You were too late." Harry spoke the harsh truth. Lucifer lowered his head, emitting a dolorous aura. "Harry, I feel ashamed to think she came back and I wasn't there. That I couldn't even stop her. She was so desperate, I couldn't apprehend so I did this." "You were scared, Sir. Frightened that your little lie might not get caught if you get into a relationship with Red, that's why you wanted to wait so everything could calm down and you get back to Red. You acted like a coward who let his love suffer." Harry's words were true that's why they hit Lucifer right in the chest, making him speechless as Harry continued, "You have lost her and now when she is starting her new life, you are planning to ruin it. Love doesn't work this way, Sir." "But what if she was forced?" Lucifer asked desperately. "You are no longer a part of this story, Sir." Harry said direly. "So is April but she is still present in everything." Lucifer reasoned, ignorant of the fact April is the core of everything. "Please stop whatever you are thinking of doing." Harry tried but his efforts were in vain. I can't go back now. "Leave. I am tired." Lucifer ordered, scowling, not sure about his intentions which could wreak havoc. The next day, Red went to work and saw the most undesirable person for her right now, Lucifer there but she couldn't disregard the fact he is her customer and partner at work. Forming a forced smile Red walked to him, "Ah, Mr Grave, what brings you here?" "I had my flight tomorrow so I thought about getting something for my mother." "I see." Lucifer looked around. "So you fulfilled your dream. It's even bigger than Kylie's outlet, Ms Bennet." "Mrs Black, Sir." Red corrected him. "So cold." Lucifer mumbled. "I don't think work requires unnecessary smiles." "Can I talk to you alone, Red? Please." Lucifer said hopelessly. "Sure. Come with me." Red took Lucifer with her. They went to her cabin. Red closed the door behind her, leaned on her desk, giving him a cold gaze. "So, what do you wanna talk about?" "Red... was I too late?" Lucifer asked, depressingly. "Too much that now neither your obsession nor words can do anything." Red replied, closing her arms at her chest. "Did Erich force you into this marriage?" Lucifer asked, hoping to hear what he wanted. "Who are you to meddle in my private matters, Mr Grave?" "Please Red don't talk like this." "Who are you anyways? When you have made this bond of rights, what do you expect from me? Kindly don't mention heart in this now." Red's voice was becoming outraged by her sentence, tightening her grip over her and not bursting. "Red please." And Lucifer was at the point where Red was and he neglected her. "Mr Grave you have lost me and now you cannot enter the life I am hoping to start." "And what about the dream you stole from me!?" Lucifer asked, raising his voice and his words evoked inexplicable wrath in Red. This was the last thing she could bear hearing. Red mouth gaped, not believing his words, she was furious, "Huh? I stole? You are the one who didn't come back! You are the one who refused to even recognize me and I stole them? Stop spouting nonsense.You have no part in my life anymore. Lucifer." Red snarled, glaring at him. Fisting her hand to not cry and show him how vulnerable and heartbroken she is. "Red please-" She interrupted. "You can leave Mr Grave. Your relationship was restricted to Iris and now she is no more, forget us as well. Leave." "Just one question.. Please." Lucifer barely said, almost crying. "Let's believe neither me, nor you cried. Didn't you feel anything for me?" He asked, losing his breath. Red's gaze turned heartless as she lied, "No." 'My everything was connected to you but you devalued my emotions Lucifer, what can I ask now?' Red thought. "I cannot live my emotions on the shore of hope." Lucifer whispered, lowering his head. "I don't care. Besides, having hope is irrelevant for both of us." Red rolled her eyes. A tear rolled down Lucifer's cheeks as he turned to leave. "Lucifer." Red called him again. Lucifer stopped and turned, the screen of tears shining like crystal couldn't go unnoticed by Red but it surely helped her to suppress her tears and make her next words, "Don't come in front of me again. Whenever I see you, great detest arouses in my heart." ...The words which were too difficult for her to speak were too much for him to take... Lucifer couldn't speak further, devastated in despair to hear word detest for him on those lips which used to say I love you. Lucifer swallowed the lump in throat and left without saying anything with tears rolling down his cheek as Red also shredded a few tears covering her mouth after saying this to him. It took Red too long to come back to her senses and when she did, her time to leave came as Erich came to pick her up. Red acted as if she was fine and walked out. "Hey," Erich smiled, offering her a rose. Red took it and hummed, "Is there an occasion?" She asked. "No. Just wanted to take you out for dinner." "I don't like fancy dinners." Red replied coldly. "I know, We can-" "Can we go home?" Red asked, annoyed. "Sure." He smiled in return as they left.