Chapter twenty-three : Everly

My phone pinged again and I almost knew who it was. I gathered my stuff and made my way out of the library and just as I thought it was Lucifer. Over the last month, this man had managed to get a strong foothold in my life. Usually when I had my lunches alone, I now had a company most of the times. He used to just pop up in the café and then drag me along with him. He did what he wanted, there was no stopping him. But what surprised me the most was, I felt happy about it.

The first week sure was awkward and I always wanted it to end, but he on the other hand enjoyed every second of it. There was a time where I started feeling guilty about it. Soon I realized I was starting to wait for my lunch break, and without any falter that man showed up. But if he were not able to I surely received a take out and a small note. I now had a few of them stacked in my journal.

I smiled looking at his message – You're not at the café?

How he knew that I had no idea but I texted him back anyway – No, had some work at the university.

I immediately got a reply – Good. I'm in the neighborhood I'll pick you up in ten.

I knew even if I refused he'd show up anyway and wait until I was done which would only put me under pressure. So I finished up with my work and headed to the main gates, I immediately saw his car across the street. It still seemed weird though, in the past Lucifer would've been a man I would've avoided all times, but in the present it was the complete opposite. Even I surprised myself when I allowed someone like him into my life.

I crossed over and made my way to the car and opened the door and slid in. "Good afternoon Miss Everly," Alistair smiled politely.

"Good afternoon Alistair," I smiled back. Alistair was the coolest man I'd seen and he actually had the patience of a saint.

"You got your end terms schedule?" Lucifer leaned in and kissed my temple. It seemed so natural now that it's hard to believe that earlier I used to flinch every time he touched me. I turned to him, like always he was in one of his perfect business suits. It was damn good when a man had a sense of style. "Yes," I nodded, "they start next month."

"So you'll be graduating within a few months." I knew what was coming next, before he could say something I spoke, "I still need to think about it."

He sighed, "Okay."

This was something he'd been trying everyday. Out of all the job offers I received one of them was from Adler Enterprises, and everyday Lucifer tried to persuade me to join. As much as he knew I hated being favoured, he was aware about one thing. I received the job offer long before I got to know him. But I still needed some more time to sort my mind."So what is it we're having today?" I tried to change the topic. He smirked knowing I was too bad at it, "Anything you want."

"Good, it's just down the street."

I stepped out, Lucifer stood beside me looking at the restaurant in front of us, it was one of my favourites, I always ended up here whenever I bunked my classes. And not to mention this place served delicious food. "This is it," I looked up at him.

We were immediately greeted by a waitress, whose face sported a huge sexy grin, "here you go," she handed out the menus and left after a quick glance at Lucifer. This wasn't the first time he caught female attention, and I could not blame it on him. "Help me out," he closed his menu. I knew exactly what he would like. The waitress was back soon, "So what would you like to have," she leaned down toward Lucifer, his eyes met mine and I spoke, "One spicy barbeque chicken sandwich and pesto pasta with sun-dried tomatoes and roasted asparagus." She wrote it down and then turned to him again, "I'll be right back," she winked.

"She's getting on my nerves," he murmured and I couldn't help but laugh, "it's not the first time anyway." He looked at me and shook his head.

"Everly!" I turned my head at my name, "It's been a long time." It was Jason, he was at the university for his business major. I met him in the library and helped him out with a few questions and after that we've been seeing each other much more. "Jason, how's it going?" I smiled.

"It's good, you done with your classes?" He smiled at me but his smile disappeared when he his eyes met Lucifer. I looked in the direction and saw Lucifer was practically throwing daggers at him with his eyes. Oh god this man. I looked back at Jason, "I'll see you back at the university." I smiled. He nodded and smiled back, and within seconds he was gone.

Lucifer's face was still stiff. "Easy, he's gone," I waved my hand at him, "Anyway he's a good guy." I slumped back in my seat. He really got hyped up whenever a guy approached me. Moreover I didn't even know how I was supposed to react to it, should I be upset or should I just ignore it.

"No he isn't," he snapped, "while I was waiting for you I saw him make out with another girl in the alley in front of your university."

I straightened myself, "Really?" He nodded. "I didn't see that coming." I murmured.

Soon our lunch arrived and we dug into it and as I thought Lucifer liked the pasta. We talked about our day. I told him about Jason, so he could calm down and about my exam schedule and my graduation, and a lot of different stuff. Then it hit me, all this time I was the one speaking while Lucifer just sat there listening. I bit my tongue realising it, "I'm sorry I spoke too much." And it was true, I wasn't a talkative person. I preferred keeping to myself but with him my mouth just ran off on its own. It was strange, really strange.

He seemed to be taken aback by my words, "Oh no, you don't have to be sorry for that. I love hearing you talk. To be honest it lightens up my day when I listen to your voice. So please don't ever apologize for it."

"Huh?" That was all I could manage. I was dumbfounded, no one had ever said that to me. My brain went on a full strike and couldn't find a reply, so I decided to concentrate on the food in front of me, the best way to make my brain function again.

The waitress came back with the check and placed it before Lucifer. I glared up at her but her eyes were fixed on him. Good heavens, what was so great about this man. Well okay he was good looking, like really handsome and had a nice body, but still. I huffed and Lucifer looked at me and arched his brow. "I'll be paying today," I put my hand on the check. He looked up at the waitress, she took the cue and left. "Everly there's no way I'll let you pay. You save that money for your future." He easily took it away from under my hand.

Now I was frustrated, every time we went out to eat, he ended up paying and gave the same excuse. I could very well pay for myself and today I wasn't giving in, "Lucifer, I brought you here, so I'll be paying. No matter what happens." I announced. He leaned back in his seat, "What if I don't allow it?"

"I'll bite your hand."

His brows shot up and I realized what I said. Oh god what was wrong with me. Bite him? Seriously what was I a mad dog? He burst out laughing, it was deep and rich and in turn it made him look younger. I looked at him mesmerized, when he finally calmed himself he spoke, "You keep surprising me Everly. Fine but just this time." He pushed the check to me. I took it with a huge grin, I won.

As we were leaving the waitress from earlier bumped into us, she gave a side glance and then disappeared inside the kitchen. Lucifer turned around to look at her and then down at his hand which had a crumbled piece of paper. "What's that?" I asked. He started opening it, it had something written on it. As he straightened it the words became clearer, it had a phone number on top and a 'call me' under it with a heart. Now it was my turn to laugh, Lucifer glared at me but it was useless. He crumbled the paper and threw it away and made his way out while I followed him trying to control myself.

Lunches with him were really great and now I eagerly waited for tomorrow, who knew what might happen.