Alina didn't go back to the event.
She couldn't.
Not after that.
Not after the way he kissed her like he already knew she belonged in that moment… and then walked away like it meant nothing.
She left the building in silence, the cool night air hitting her skin, but doing nothing to calm the heat still lingering inside her.
Her fingers touched her lips again before she could stop herself.
And she hated that she did it.
Because it meant he hadn't left her.
Not really.
That night, sleep didn't come.
Not even close.
Alina lay awake staring at the ceiling, her mind refusing to obey her. Every time she tried to push him out. He came back stronger.
The way he held her chin.
The way he controlled the kiss.
The way he stopped first.
That last part haunted her the most.
Because it meant something she didn't want to admit.
He was in control… not just of the moment, but of her reaction to him.
"This is not normal," she whispered into the darkness.
But even as she said it…
Her body remembered him.
The next day felt worse.
Because Lucien did not call.
Did not appear.
Did not reach out.
Nothing.
And that silence
Was louder than everything else.
Alina checked her phone more than she wanted to admit.
Once.
Twice.
Then stopped herself.
"What is wrong with me?" she muttered, placing it face down.
But the damage was already done.
Because now she was waiting.
And she hated that she was waiting.
Three days passed.
No Lucien.
No accident.
No coincidence.
Just silence.
And slowly… frustration replaced confusion.
Then anger.
Because he had no right.
No right to step into her life like that
and leave her drowning in thoughts she didn't ask for.
On the fourth evening, she snapped.
She didn't even fully think about it.
She just found herself standing outside a quiet building she had no intention of visiting until her feet brought her there anyway.
Lucien's world.
She didn't know what she was doing.
Only that she needed answers.
Now.
Inside, the atmosphere was calmer, dim lighting, quiet conversations, controlled elegance.
And then She saw him.
Lucien.
Standing by a bar, speaking to someone casually, like nothing in the world had changed.
Like she hadn't been losing sleep over him.
Like she wasn't standing there trying to breathe normally.
Alina walked straight toward him.
No hesitation this time.
No fear.
Only emotion.
He noticed her before she reached him.
Of course he did.
His conversation stopped.
His gaze locked on hers.
And something shifted.
Not surprise.
Not shock.
Recognition.
Like he had been expecting this moment too.
"Lucien," she said firmly when she reached him.
His eyes stayed on hers.
"Alina."
That alone almost broke her control again.
But she held it.
Barely.
"You disappeared," she said quietly.
A faint pause.
Then
"I didn't disappear," he replied calmly.
"I stepped back."
Her brows tightened.
"Why?"
That question hung between them.
Heavy.
Finally
Lucien turned slightly, dismissing the person he had been speaking to, giving her his full attention.
And that was worse.
Because now it was just them again.
"I told you," he said softly, "this is not something you can control."
Her chest tightened.
"That's not an answer."
Silence.
Then he stepped closer just slightly.
Not touching.
But close enough to unsettle her again.
"You came here," he said quietly.
"That tells me everything I need to know."
Her voice dropped.
"I came for answers."
Something flickered in his eyes.
"Dangerous thing to ask me for."
Her pulse quickened.
"Why are you doing this to me?" she asked.
For the first time His expression changed.
Not playful.
Not teasing.
Something deeper.
More serious.
Because he didn't answer immediately.
And that silence told her this wasn't accidental anymore.
This was deliberate.
Finally, he spoke.
"Because you didn't walk away when you should have."
Alina froze slightly.
"That's your reason?" she whispered.
Lucien studied her for a moment.
Then
"No," he said softly.
A pause.
Then the truth, quieter… heavier:
"Because I couldn't."
That hit differently.
The air between them shifted.
For the first time, Alina didn't feel like she was the only one affected.
But before she could process it, Lucien took a step back.
Rebuilding distance.
Rebuilding control.
"You should go home," he said calmly.
Her eyes widened slightly.
"After everything"
"Alina," he interrupted gently.
Not harsh.
But final.
And that stopped her.
His gaze held hers one last time.
And then "Don't come looking for me again unless you're ready for what that means."
Silence.
Then he turned away.
Again.
Leaving her standing there.
Breathing uneven.
Heart unsettled.
But this time…
Something was different.
Because now she knew He wasn't unaffected.
And that changed everything