Lily's POV - 14

"Thinking about your choices?" Someone tapped my shoulder, and I turned to see Lucien's heavy gaze.

"No," I denied, looking away from him. "It'll be fun." There was no way I would be leaving the bowling alley without playing one game, at least. Before he could say anything more, I shrugged and walked to the ball pit.

I was so concentrated in finding a free spot to play that I didn't notice the person walking towards me until our bodies collided. "Ouch!" I yelled, as cold water splashed my shirt.

"Hey, watch it!" The person responded, and I instantly froze. No… it couldn't be. In less than a second, my hand started to tremble and I kept my head down. Of all the people I had to run into, why did it have to be–

"Wait a minute. Lily? Lily Evans!" the girl called out with childlike excitement as she put a hand to my chin and forcefully raised it. "I can't believe it! It's been, what, five years?"

Six, actually, but not long enough to get away from you.

"Hey! It was nice to see you. I would love to catch up, but I've got to go," I said in one breath, and stepped to the side to go. However, she pulled my arm back and cocked a brow.

"Oh, wow. You're walking away from me now? Someone's grown up," she responded with a chuckle, and I clenched my hands. Of course, she would do this. Find a way to rile me up. However, I desperately wanted to stay cool so, I gave her my most convincing smile.

"Yeah, guess we all have. What are you doing here though? Last I heard, you travelled to Spain for studies."

"Done with that. I've got a clothing line now, and a man too," she responded, flashing a silver ring on her third finger. My first thought was how Stacy managed to get a guy to marry her with her attitude, but then again, boys always flocked around her. Ever since middle school.

More importantly, maybe she had changed.

"What about you?" She threw back, still brandishing her manicured nails. "Still stuck in this small town as a tour guide?"

The fake smile vanished from my face. "What? How do you know?"

"Come on, Lily. You don't think I'd not know how everyone turned out, do you? Besides, I'm not surprised. I always knew there was nothing up there," she said and motioned to my head. "Always made for the small town life, you and that poverty-stricken friend of yours."

I looked away for a minute as beads of sweat dropped down my chin. I couldn't allow this girl bully me again, this wasn't high school.

"Really? Says the girl whose parents shipped off to Spain after she was caught cheating."

Her face turned a bright shade of red, as she quickly looked sideways. The guilty expression remained as she advanced towards me. "Don't you dare talk about that! Besides, my parents could afford it. What does your mom do again?"

She pretended to think, while I shot her a furious look. "Don't you dare!"

If she heard me, there was no indication because the next thing that escaped her lips were, "Oh yes, I remember. She's an amputee who can't do anything for herself, or her poor, brainless daughter!"

"That's it!" I yelled and lunged towards her, but just before my hands could grab a fistful of hair, someone held my hand. "What the–"

Lucien stood beside me with a frown on his face, but it wasn't directed at me. "Stacy Owens?" 

My ex-bully turned to him with a mixture of apprehension and nonchalance. "Who's asking?"

"Such information doesn't need to be privy to you, but look it up if you like," he paused and brought my still hanging hand down. In a flash, he pulled me close and wrapped his hands around my waist, and in my daze, I watched Stacy's eyes follow the movement.

More sweat pooled on my forehead. What was he doing?

"I'll have you know that the only reason I held my girlfriend's hand is because I'd rather not be involved in the police squabble over here. However, I won't let you insult her or anyone close to her. Not when you have far worse issues to deal with."

A shadow passed over her face. "What do you mean?"

"I happen to know your husband, William Owens, and we've had some interesting discussions. Like your impending divorce, or your deportation from Spain." He smiled at her open-mouthed gasp, and drew me tighter to him.

I fought hard to keep a neutral face and keep up the act. "The very things you bragged about to my girlfriend are figments of the past, so I'd advise you to stay away away. For your own good."

The cocky grin wiped off her face, as her eyes rapidly moved between me and Lucien. "Wha-what do you mean? You…don't talk to me like that!" When we said nothing and just continued to stare at her, Stacy stomped her feet on mine and walked away. "Ugh, I hate this town."

"Ouch!" I grimaced for the second time, as I bent to rub my foot. Beside me, Lucien cleared his throat and pulled my arm up. People were starting to stare, and with the way he hurriedly walked out of the bowling alley with me in tow, I couldn't help but wonder who was more embarrassed.

He didn't stop walking till we got to the driver's seat of the car.

"Do you really know her husband?"

"Yes, I met him once during one of my random trips to the club. He spilled a lot, that one, and I suspect she'll badger him over my words tonight." His lips twitched for a moment, and I raised a brow.

"Is there something else?" I asked as he opened the passenger's seat and led me inside. Then, I watched as he turned around to the driver's side.

"How's your leg?" His eyes were trained on them, and I slowly rubbed the spot. Stacy had always been very immature when things didn't go her way, but it still felt odd that she would do something so childish now.

"It'll heal. I've seen worse." I shrugged and glanced back at the building. The cheers of teenagers winning and losing filled the air, and a sigh escaped my lips.

Beside me, Lucien started the car. "When last did you come here?"

"What?" I turned to him. "It's been a while."

"Hmm. I'm starting to believe bowling wasn't the plan for today, Lily."

I raised my brows and brought out my phone to show him the plans for each day. "See the date right there? I might want to come here, but I won't lie for that."

"Sure thing, Stephanie."

I felt my cheeks instantly flush. "It's…it's not the same thing. That wasn't supposed to happen, and besides, I didn't think I would see you again."

A smirk formed on his lips, as he started the car and drove out of the parking lot. "Now that you've seen me, what changes?"

I looked away as the spot where he held throbbed again. "Everything."

"We'll see about that," he paused to give the security guard the driving tag back. "Also, never bend like that in front of me again. Except you want a repeat of that night."

"Oh God," I mumbled, using my hair to cover my face. Did he really have to sexualize everything?

But you like it.

"Thank you for defending me in there," I said suddenly, but he scoffed and adjusted the rear view window.

"That was a one-time bonus. Next time, I'm leaving you to the dogs. You're no longer a child that can be bullied, so act like it."

His frown should have annoyed me, but I could still feel his hands on my waist and his warm breath fanning my face as he fought for me. So, I nodded and stifled a smile.