Chapter twenty-eight : Everly

What was I doing? I was acting like a spoilt brat. Lucifer had just told me the truth but I was being mad at him for no specific reason. The efforts he was putting in were evident, but I still refused to acknowledge them. And when he spoke his mind out at the dining table I was on the brink of crying, but I gathered myself and walked away. I could very well see how distressed he was just because I wasn't speaking. Did he really care this much? If he did, I didn't deserve it.

I was now in the room staring at the wall for who knows how long. I looked down at my phone when its screen lit up, it was a message from Lucifer – Are you okay?

There was another text – The food is in the refrigerator. Heat it up if you feel hungry. This was from an hour ago.

Why was I doing this to him? He was probably one of the few people who cared for me, and the way I was treating was unacceptable. I got out of the room and rushed downstairs. I walked through the house looking for him and then spotted him out on the terrace. He was looking at the sky and did he look godly under the moonlight. It was the first time I had seen him out of his perfect suits. He was wearing navy blue sweatpants and a white T-shirt which fit snugly across his muscled torso. I pulled myself out, I wasn't here to ogle at him. I stepped outside on the terrace and finally spoke, "Lucifer." He turned around almost immediately. I took a calming breath and continued, "Can I talk to you?"

He nodded and motioned me to join him at the banister, I went and stood beside me. "Finally in the mood to talk?" He asked looking at the beautiful view in front of us.

"Lucifer, I–"

"If you're here to apologize then there's no need for it. I did go overboard a little, as for that girlfriend suggestion, just forget it. I'll see what else I can do to help you out. You don't have to force yourself." He said and turned to leave.

Wait, this wasn't how I thought it would go. I was supposed to apologize and he could've forgiven me. But right now he didn't sound like himself, was I responsible for this? I couldn't let him go just like that. I had to do something. He was already at the door when I looked up at him, "Lucifer," he stopped, this was my chance. "I'm sorry I didn't mean to do that."

"Even if you didn't mean to, you still did." He said without facing me.

He was right I did. "I know and I'm sorry about that. I was so mad and I didn't realize what I was doing. I didn't mean to hurt you, really, please believe me." He didn't move an inch, and I couldn't see his face, I had no idea what he was feeling. Was he angry? Was he upset? "Please turn around," I choked out.

"Why? Few hours ago you couldn't even stand being in the same room as me let alone seeing my face." He spoke coldly.

"I, I," I didn't know what to say.

"Never mind just go sleep, I'll drop you off tomorrow morning." He started walking again.

No I didn't want this, I wanted him to listen to me but... "Lucifer I'm sorry okay. I know what I did was wrong. I know you're upset but please don't do this, please don't act like this," before I knew my tears started falling down. Oh no, not again. I wiped them away. "I was scared that I would end up saying something hurtful to you when I was angry, so I shut up. But I ended up hurting you nonetheless. I'm so sorry for not eating the dinner with you and I–" I choked but continued speaking, this was my only chance, "I knew you were trying to help me but I still continued to act like a brat. Now if you wanted me to be your fake girlfriend I'd do that too. I'd do anything to make you forgive me because you're one of the few important people I have in my life and I don't want to lose you. Please just, this once–" I sniffled.

It was all the truth, over the last seven years of my life I'd taught myself to never trust someone easily. But with time I learnt to trust, even if it was a little and Lucifer was one of them. Even though I still didn't have anyone whom I could trust in completely and believe in, I wanted to protect those few people I had and made my life bearable.

I wrapped my arms around myself and stood there while the tears continued to fall. I didn't even understand why I was crying. The tears just fell on their own. That's when I felt it, the same warmth I did earlier. Strong arms wrapped around me, "Shhh, it's okay," a hand went on my head and caressed my hair while the other rubbed my back. "I'm sorry," he whispered in my ear, and the stupid tears fell again. I felt him smile, "Come on stop crying already, you're breaking my heart, love." He held me more tightly.

He pulled back and looked down at me. Of course I knew how I looked, I wasn't an ugly crier but I wasn't the sophisticated one either. He cupped my face and kissed my wet cheeks. "Was I too harsh?" He asked.

I nodded.

"I'm sorry," he wiped my tears with his thumb. "Do you forgive me?" I nodded again. "Oh god Everly enough with your nodding I need to hear your voice."

"You're an idiot," I wiped my eyes. He laughed and embraced me again. "Don't do that again. Don't ever do that again. If you're mad just vent it out on me, don't give me the silent treatment."

"Okay," I said. As my head rested against his chest I took in his familiar scent, warm honey and amber.

"Now let's get you something to eat. You must be starving," he smiled, dimples on full force. I looked up and smiled myself. I made it, I was able to save a person important to me.

"So how is it?" Lucifer asked as I took a bite of the chicken parmesan. "It's good. You're a good cook." I said, "but why are you sitting beside me?" Instead of sitting across me he was beside me with his arm resting on the back of my chair while his fingers lightly stroked my arm.

"I wanted to be close to you." He shrugged. I kept down my fork and got up. "Is anything wrong?" He asked.

"No, I just wanted to talk." His eyes followed me when I went across and sat down. He arched his brow. "Okay," I began, "today you said that this was the second time this happened. What did you mean by that?"

He straightened himself and sighed, "Back in East Coast we were photographed outside the hotel but the news was easily suppressed."

Oh I didn't know that. "Now, why are you refusing to clear up the misunderstanding with your father?"

"Everly I'll get this straight. Believe me when I say the safest option for you is to be with me. These reporters can be ruthless at times, they won't care how you feel or how it would affect your life, if the news gets them a break they'll publish it. But if you're with me the likeness of something like that happening reduces. They'll keep they're distance."

"How are you so sure?"

"You see I have a kind of reputation so you wouldn't have to worry about that."

"Fine I get all of that, but why would you go to the extends of asking me to become you're fake girlfriend?"

He laughed a little, "Ah about that, I said that in the heat of the moment. I did not mean that completely. What I meant was you act like one. You know showing up at the public events with me, being photographed with me and stuff like that would give them their answers and they'll step back. Moreover my father has been pestering me about getting into a serious relationship, so I offered that to you. Act like we're in a relationship outside these four walls and we live normally in here."

Whoa, where was this man's mind getting at. "If I were to agree to your plan, what about my life?"

"It won't affect your personal life. You will continue working and prepare for your exams. Your life will be the same except for one thing, you'll be living here with me. And a few other things would change too but we can get them to later."

I nodded at his explanation, to think about it he did have a point, and a solution too. But it came at a price, I'll have to live with him for who knew how long, and that would bring about a huge change in my simple life.

"I am serious about this Everly. I don't want this to affect your life in any way possible or the ones surrounding you. And with your exams approaching you absolutely cannot afford to lose your focus. Just think it over once, and if you happen to refuse I'll find another way out." He said softly.

"Thank you for helping me," I murmured. He got up and crossed the table to stand behind me, "You don't have to thank me for anything," he tousled my hair.

I sighed in relief, but then everything he'd said crossed my mind. I still had to think it over. I had to think about Peyton, Mr. James and everyone at the Starlight café. I couldn't let my personal problems trouble them. I sighed, this was going to be one long night.