Lucy sat with her family, still trying to take everything in.
"You mean… he did all that?" she asked softly.
Her father nodded.
"He got me a stable job," he said.
"A good one. Better than what I lost."
Her mother smiled gently.
"And this shop," she added.
"He set everything up for me. I didn't even ask."
Lucy's eyes widened slightly.
"And Ruben's school fees," her father continued.
"He cleared everything."
Lucy slowly turned her head.
Adrian was standing at the corridor.
Leaning slightly against the wall.
Smoking.
Calm.
Like none of it mattered.
She stared at him for a moment.
Then a small, unexpected smile touched her lips.
"…He didn't tell me," she whispered.
"Of course he didn't," her mother said.
"He doesn't look like someone who talks much."
They all laughed softly.
"You're even getting chubby," her mother added, touching Lucy's cheek.
"Mom…" Lucy said, embarrassed.
Ruben folded his arms.
"I still don't trust him," he said.
The room went quiet for a second.
Lucy looked at him.
"Ruben…"
"I'm serious," he continued.
"Something about him… I don't like it."
Her father sighed.
"But he has helped this family," he said.
"That doesn't mean we should trust him," Ruben replied.
A small tension filled the room.
Lucy looked down.
Then her mother clapped her hands lightly.
"Enough," she said.
"Today is not for arguments."
She smiled warmly.
"Let's not let sadness take over our joy."
Lucy looked at her and nodded slowly.
"Come," her mother added.
"Let's prepare something together."
Lucy followed her into the kitchen.
For a moment—
Everything felt normal.
They cooked together.
Talked.
Laughed.
Lucy felt something she hadn't felt in days.
Peace.
After they were done, she carried the food to the table.
She looked at her family.
Smiled.
Then turned and walked outside.
Adrian was still there.
She walked up to him.
"Come inside and eat with us," she said.
He didn't even look at her.
"I'm fine," he replied.
Lucy frowned.
"I'm not asking," she said.
"I'm telling you."
That got his attention.
He looked at her.
"And if I don't?" he asked calmly.
Lucy crossed her arms.
"Then I'm not going back with you."
Silence.
Their eyes locked.
Adrian let out a low chuckle.
"That's not your decision to make," he said.
Lucy stepped closer.
"Please," she said softly this time.
"Just… eat with us. For once."
There was something different in her voice.
Not anger.
Not fear.
Something softer.
Adrian looked at her for a few seconds.
Long.
Careful.
Then he dropped his cigarette.
Crushed it under his shoe.
"Fine," he said.
Lucy's face lit up slightly.
They walked back inside together.
At the table, they sat close to each other.
Closer than expected.
Her mother quickly served the food.
"Eat, eat," she said warmly.
They started eating.
At first—
No one spoke.
Just the sound of cutlery.
Then her father cleared his throat.
"What are your plans for my daughter?" he asked.
Lucy paused.
Adrian didn't.
"Marrying her," he said.
Silence.
Lucy turned to him immediately.
"What?" she whispered.
Her father looked at him seriously.
Then her mother spoke.
"You can't just marry her like that," she said.
"You have to build something real first."
She looked at him carefully.
"And we don't fully trust you yet."
Adrian nodded once.
"That's what I'm doing," he replied.
Ruben leaned back slightly.
"I'm starting to like you a little," he said.
They all laughed.
But Lucy didn't.
And Adrian didn't.
The tension lingered quietly.
After some time, Adrian dropped his cutlery.
"I should go," he said.
Lucy looked at him.
"So soon?"
"I have something to handle."
He stood up.
Lucy stood up too.
Then he looked at her.
"Stay with them," he said.
"I'll come back for you."
Everyone looked surprised.
Lucy blinked.
"…Okay," she said softly.
She followed him outside.
They walked to the car.
The air felt different again.
Lucy stopped.
"Adrian…"
He turned.
"Thank you," she said.
"For what?"
"For bringing me here… and for everything you did for my family."
Her voice was sincere.
"I may be angry about yesterday," she added quietly,
"but I still have to say thank you."
Adrian looked at her.
Then a small smile appeared on his face.
He turned slightly toward his car.
But Lucy reached out and held his arm gently.
He paused.
"Do you want something?" he asked.
She nodded.
"Yes."
"What is it?"
Lucy hesitated.
"Will you do it for me?" she asked.
Adrian looked at her carefully.
"If I can," he said.
Lucy took a small step closer.
"Please… don't kill anyone again," she said softly.
His expression didn't change.
"Don't let your hands be stained with blood again," she continued.
"I'm begging you."
Silence.
Adrian looked at her.
"What if someone gives me a reason?" he asked.
Lucy shook her head.
"Then don't let it get to that point," she said.
"Control it."
Adrian let out a quiet breath.
"That's not how it works," he said.
Lucy moved even closer.
Her fingers tightened slightly on his arm.
"Please, Adrian…" she whispered.
"Don't hurt anyone today."
Something in her voice—
Soft.
Real.
It caught him off guard.
For a moment, he didn't speak.
Then he smiled.
"Not today," he said.
Lucy looked at him.
"…Promise?"
He didn't answer that.
Instead, he pulled her gently into his arms.
Lucy stiffened for a second.
Then slowly—
She relaxed.
She hugged him back.
Adrian leaned closer to her ear.
"If I'm not going to hurt anyone," he whispered,
"then you owe me something."
Lucy pulled back slightly.
"What?"
"A real kiss," he said softly.
Her heart skipped.
"When I come back."
Lucy stared at him.
She didn't even realize when she nodded.
"…Okay," she whispered.
Adrian smiled.
Then placed a soft kiss on her forehead.
He stepped into his car.
And drove off.
Lucy stood there for a moment.
Her hand slowly moved to her chest.
Her heart was beating fast.
Not from fear this time.
But something else.
Something she still didn't fully understand.