1 ~1~

Lucie's step-father was a punter, a malingerer. Her mother was a defeatist who held two income sources to support David as he remained at home, watching TV, drinking, and betting. Pathetic! She cherished her mother; however, Lucie hated how indefensible Nai was. She wasn't abundantly daring to tell her significant other to work as he was not ill. Nai wouldn't attempt to do so.

"Mother, please. Wake up, look at you. You are yet to be fifty, but you've aged so much," Lucie cried.

"I have to support him," Nai would say.

Lucie wondered how her mother turned into a medical caretaker with that level of understanding. Support him in what? Gamble? Support him in being languid? It wasn't that David could not find a job, but he just chose not to work.

"You will never understand."

"Help me understand, mom. Why must you suffer and endure like this? If he tried—attempted to find a job, I wouldn't utter a single word. David isn't sick. He's more healthy and younger than you. Why can't he look for a damn job and help you?" Lucie contemplated.

"Lucie—"

"Don't, mom! Are you going to tell me that's the result of love? People who genuinely love you don't cause their friends and family to endure. Also, kindly quit accusing your guilelessness and stupidity of love and affection. You don't try to understand me. If not for you, he could have done it for Jamie."

"Lu,"

"I care about you, mom. I am your daughter. I am telling you this because I love you. I am not saying that because David isn't my father, I am worried about your well-being, and— I don't know what else to tell you."

"Lu, listen to me," Nai tried.

"I have heard enough. I am tired of listening to your reasoning. I am exhausted. We won't ever talk about this issue; today's the last day I mention such a matter. It's your life. You choose what you do," Lucie breathed tiredly. "I'll see you later. Take care," she forced a smile.

~~~

"What's the matter, Lu?" Her boyfriend asked. "You didn't even touch your food."

"I am not asking mom to leave him, Dan. I want her to ask him to help. She's—" she sighed. "Why is she like that?"

"Maybe she isn't ready," Dan said.

"Ready? When will she ever be? After working herself to death?" Lucie furiously asked, hammering the fork on the table.

"It's not all that much for her."

"I am worried about her. What I give isn't enough. I can see it, Dan, she's drained."

"What can you do? She isn't listening to you."

"I know, ugh," Lucie groaned.

Dan gently caressed Lucie's face and said, "How about going to Rachel's party tonight? What do you think? It will help take your mind off things."

"I won't go."

"It's her birthday, and you all haven't seen each other of late. If you don't go, she will be mad."

"I know. I'm not too fond of Mike. He's—I don't get a decent vibe from him."

"He's presumptuous and egotistical. His mom is the CEO of Spence Corp, and his dad is the mayor. He thinks he can do whatever he wants," Dan said, feigning exacerbation." Isn't that why Rachel is going out with him?"

"Rache isn't like that. She likes him."

"Whatever you say."

~~~

"I would prefer not to go," Lucie whined.

"You don't have to stay long. I want you to go and loosen up a bit. Meet your friends and have a great time. Give Rachel the gift and go back to the apartment. I'll see you after work," Dann said, giving her a hasty kiss. "Return home!"

"I know. Thank you," Lucie smiled.

~~~

Lucie was reluctant to go to the party. She didn't want to be near Mike at all. 'Maybe he is not so bad. Maybe he was joking. Maybe he was testing me out.' That's what she thought. She took a deep breath as she stared at the huge house. How could he live here all by himself?

Lucie!" The devil himself. She cursed inwardly. The one person she wanted to avoid. Why did he come? "Are you not going in?" Mike asked, flashing her his million-dollar smile.

"Ah! Yes, I have just arrived," Lucie constrained a smile.

"I have a feeling that you are avoiding me," he said as he shot her another grin. His teeth were so white she took note. Lucie immediately turned away. She didn't want to give him the impression that she was checking him out. Furthermore, she wasn't.

"I don't have a reason to avoid you. Though Rache is my best friend, I still think it's best if we don't interact. You know how possessive of you she is. She despises it when others try to get close to you, even me," Lucie lied—well, it was one of the reasons.

"So, that's your explanation?" He chuckled.

"Should there be another reason?" Lucie glared at him. "I'm sorry. I am going to look for Rachel," she excused herself before he had the opportunity to offer another remark. The nerve of this guy!

~~~

Lucie didn't detest Mike. She didn't like that he thought if he offered her some money, she'd go running to him. And why would she sleep with her best friend's boyfriend? He was Rachel's man. Did he forget?

She had her boyfriend. How would she face Dann after doing that?

"Lucie, is that you?" Rachel beamed. "I thought you were going to give me another excuse. I am so glad you here."

"It's my best friend's birthday, how can I not be here?" She smiled.

"Thank you for coming."

"I am not going to stay. I told Dan I'd be home soon."

"You guys live together now?"

"Rache! No, he lives in the same building. He moved a week ago."

"Ah! I thought you guys were finally doing—"

"Stop teasing your friend, baby," Mike said. What is he? Why is he everywhere? "Can you stay to help me clean? The guys left." Left? Wasn't the party just started?

"Did it not just start?" Lucie asked confusedly.

"Baby, you are late, not surprisingly, considering that you always arrived last to every one of our meetings," Rachel commented. "Hang tight for me. I'll go to thank those people. Don't leave yet!" She said, leaving Lucie and Mike standing alone.

So..."

"Try not to converse with me," Lucie advised him. "Do not look at me. Do not breathe. Close your mouth, close your eyes. Pretend I am not standing here."

"You are one clever lady," he snickered. "I like you."

"I don't care for you."

The music halted, and everybody left. Rachel said thanks to the last individual as she shut the entryway behind her. The house turned out to be awkwardly peaceful.

"I am leaving, Rachel," Lucie said, handing her friend the gift.

"You came late, yet you want to leave early? Please, just five minutes. Today's my birthday."

"Rachel—"

Though Lucie didn't want to stay, she also didn't want her best friend to be disheartened.

"Five minutes."

"Thanks, I'll go get some bags."

~~~

Lucie started to clean, not thinking about Mike's essence in the room. She checked her cellphone; Rachel ought to have been back. She messaged her.

"I am not feeling well. I leave first, help Mike. Thanks, Honey," Rachel replied.

The nerve of this woman. She felt betrayed. Why did Rachel leave her there with him?

"I am leaving. Mike can have people clean for him."

"She left," Mike stated, breaking the harmony and quietness that encompassed the room.

"I know," Lucie rolled her eyes. "I am not going to stay. I promised my boyfriend to be home early. Besides, you can hire somebody to tidy that up for you. Have a goodnight!"

~~~

"Are you leaving?" He asked her.

Mike was attractive, pleasant, and polite to everybody, which was why most people loved and admired him. They didn't have the faintest idea; under that attractive face, and sweet grin shrouded a beast.

"I am returning home," Lucie stated, getting her purse off the couch. 'Did I come here to live with him?' She scolded.

"Are you?" He smiled bizarrely.

Lucie didn't mind him and walked toward the front door.

"You are not leaving!" He speedily followed behind her, slamming the door. "You're never leaving this house," he added.

"This isn't funny. What's the matter with you?" Lucie yelled, pushing him away as she grabbed the door handle.

"You didn't hear me. You're not leaving tonight," Mike repeated casually. "I didn't even go look for you. You came to me on your own, so why would I let you go?"

"Let go!" This crazy bastard, what is he talking about? He's mad!

"I want you," Mike whispered, pressing his body onto hers. "I wanted you for a long time," he smelled her hair, "I craved you—"

Lucie quivered in fear.