26

LUCAS' POV.

I decided to wait, and listen to whatever it was that Stephanie had to say. She finally got to me, and laid her hands on her knees, panting.

She looked as if she had chased after me immediately I left. She was in an apricot satin shirt, and shorts. The design made me aware it was her nightclothes. Then, she wore a long red coat over it.

Finally, she raised her head, and looked at me, still breathing hard. Her eyes shone with tears.

"I'm sorry. Okay?" She swallowed. "I'm truly sorry. I admit I was cheap, brazen, and… disgusting, but… I don't know. I just… I'm really sorry." She said, still breathing hard, and her tears became larger bubbles in her eyes.

I had to admit I was taken aback. Was she really apologizing?

"I took some time to reflect on myself, and discovered the reason for my short-term relationships. Maybe I needed someone like you to tell me the harsh truth. No…nobody bothered to tell me, you know. It hurts to hear it from someone I really like, but perhaps it's for the best." She continued, looking like she wanted to rush her words, and say everything she needed to say before my time to listen ran out.

She continued, "So… can we please erase everything that happened, and start on a new page? Let's just imagine I never chased you, and never disgusted you." She said, with the hot tears finally streaming down her face, slowly.

I moved closer, and embraced her, as she choked on her own tears.

"I don't hold grudges." I said softly, and just then, the announcer over the speaker, announced that it was time to board the plane.

I had no time left.

I squeezed her shoulders lightly, with a little smile, and she returned it slightly.

She had probably felt like trash, after thinking about all her actions, and taking note of my harsh words. Hopefully, she became a better person, and would be patient enough for a guy to chase her in the proper way.

After boarding the plane, and sitting, the whole thing suddenly felt funny to me.

She had been thinking hard on my words, and had been unable to face me, after accepting my words as the truth. But she didn't have the nerve to let me go like that. Not when I was still seeing her in a bad light.

Ladies were funny creatures, but they were better than men in the aspect of listening, and changing for the better.

It would be challenging to get a stubborn man to think on his actions, and change, but there was still hope for a stubborn lady. It was all about the right words.

Luckily, I didn't get disturbed on my flight by any strange language-speaking seatmate, and most of the time, I slept all through the thirteen-hour flight.

When I got down, my muscles felt sore, and cramped. I had been sitting for too long.

I wanted to stretch badly, but unfortunately, it looked weird for me to start stretching with all the people around in the airport.

My hands found my phone in my pockets, and I dialed John's number.

"What's up?" He asked, cheerily.

"What are you doing?" I asked.

"Eating." He replied, and I heard the scrape of cutlery on a dish.

"Eating what?" I asked, with a smile, as I dug my other hand into my pocket.

"Why do you want to know? It's not like you can come over here, and eat with me."

"I'm in L. A already."

"What? You are? Are you serious? Why's it when I'm about to leave that you're returning?" He asked, and I chuckled.

"I can see you spitting out food. Where are you going?"

"Of course, for the sculpture. It's almost ready. I'll have to go through all those insane processes to have the power it had, bestowed on it once more. Damn Tradition. I wish I didn't have to do it, though." He said, and I could picture the annoyed look on his face.

"I'm sorry about that. When you're back, you'll meet me here, waiting."

"So, you're coming right now?"

"No, Johnny, I'm just going to find myself a nice hotel to settle in. It's too late to make the journey home." I replied, looking out into the street buzzing with racing cars, and people talking and laughing.

It was pleasant to be back home.

John and I talked more on the phone, until I hailed a taxi, and it drove me straight to a nearby hotel.

When I got into my room, I decided to call Tray, and let him know about the success of the contract, and that I was back in L. A.

"Hey…" He said.

"Hey?" I asked. "I just returned from a long thirteen-hour flight, and all you say is Hey? You can't even ask how I am? Hey, Lucas, how was the flight? Are you okay? Have you eaten? Where are you sleeping?"

He chuckled.

"You're talking like I'm supposed to be your lady." He replied, and I couldn't help laughing.

"Are those things only a lady is allowed to say?" I asked, sitting on the bouncy bed.

"Yup, yup, so how was your flight? I'm asking because I want to, and not because you want me to." He replied, and I smiled, as I pulled off my socks, and shoes.

"My flight was fine. I slept all through, but was sore all over. Sitting for thirteen-hours is not a simple feat." I said, taking off my shirt. "I'm about to take my shower, so…"

"Who's there?" I suddenly heard Tray say in a wary voice. "Hold on, Lucas. Who the hell is there?" He asked, again, and I stopped.

"Is someone in your house?" I asked, but he didn't reply.

"Woah! Woah!!" He suddenly shouted, "Agh!" I heard him exclaim sharply, then heard a loud noise.

"Tray? Tray??" I called, but there was no response. My heart rate shot up, and began to beat madly against its rib cage, making my imagination go wild.

"Tray!" I called, sharply.

Then, the call ended.