Thirty-Nine
THIRTY-NINE
LEORA
A s the following days pass, we slip into a routine. The rhythm brings a comforting stability as each day is painted with shared laughs and intimate moments. There’s a sense of security and belonging, like I’ve passed the point of no return with him.
He doesn’t know it yet, but in a way, Lucas is healing everything broken inside of me, and I’m finally starting to feel like a whole person again.
Never had I thought that I would feel this way about him, or that he would feel anything other than annoyance against me. Ever since our argument, that led to us finally expressing what we felt, everything has been like a dream. It’s like a switch has been turned on. With every tender gesture and every stolen glance, he shows me something I never thought possible. It's as though our connection runs deeper than words can express, like he's mending the pieces of my soul that were fractured long before he came into my life.
He has a way of making me feel cherished, seen, and valued. Not just for who I am in his eyes, but for who I am becoming with him by my side.
But will this last? Should I be happy in the moment and not think about the agreement and the ticking deadline?
I have so many questions. I wish I had my girls here; I need them to push me, to help me, and to tell me what to do. So I pick up my phone and text them.
Me
I miss you.
Adeline
I miss you more, babe.
Sophie
I miss you too, hun.
How are you?
Adeline
Yeah, how’s it going with the husband?
Still annoying?
Me
Well, actually…
Adeline
DID YOU SLEEP WITH HIM?
My phone immediately starts ringing and I laugh when I see Adeline and Sophies name pop up in a group call.
"Hello!" I answer with a smile.
"Spill it," Adeline quickly says, and I do. I tell them everything that’s happened, starting with the events in Paris and how John showed up and Lucas found out. Then I tell them about our argument and how it finally pushed us to be together. I finish with my name on his lips: Leora Ayoub.
Nobody speaks for about ten seconds.
"I knew it. I knew this would turn into something more after I saw how he looked at you during the reception. I knew it was only a matter of time," Sophie says, and I can hear the smile in her voice.
"How did he look at me?"
This time Adeline speaks. "As if you were something conjured up by his dreams."
That’s impossible. During the wedding, it seemed as though I was a burden he couldn’t wait to get rid off.
"Have you fallen for him?" Sophie asks. I don’t answer for a few heartbeats, and I think that is what gives the truth away. I know I have, but can’t bear to say it out loud.
"Oh, Habibti ," Adeline starts, her voice so soft it makes me shaky. "Have you told him?"
"No, not yet," I finally whisper. "I don’t know how to. We still have the agreement. What if this is only until the one-year deadline hits us? Also, there’s so much to do before the opening and his uncle is really sick. I don’t want to add to his stress."
Both of them sigh, but seem to understand. "I understand, and you do it at your own pace, but from what I’ve heard, this man is completely in love with you. How can he not be? You are incredible Leora. When a person truly gets to know your heart, there’s nothing not to love."
Adeline’s words make my whole body warm. I’m so lucky to have the privilege to call them my best friends—I don’t know what I would do without them.
"I love you," I tell them, because I really do.
"We love you too," Sophie replies before changing the subject. "Now, tell us the details. How big is he?"
I’m too shocked to answer immediately. I never thought Sophie would be the one to ask this question; I had expected it to come from Adeline.
Before I can answer, Adeline chimes in, urging me to answer the question which I do.
"Huge."
The hotel opening is in three days and I have nothing to wear.
I’ve moved into his room, but I’ve kept some of my clothes in my old room, this way I have two wardrobes. I rummage through my wardrobe, filled with incredible items, yet nothing seems good enough for this event.
Lucas leans against the doorframe, his signature smirk playing on his lips. After I moved into his room, he helped me move my everyday clothes. I guess I should say, our room—he gets upset every time I use the word "your ." We relocated his fancier suits to hang next to my dresses in the guest room, leaving us with two walk-in closets."
"I don't know what to wear," I grumble, my voice tinged with a mix of frustration and anxiety.
He chuckles softly, clearly amused by my panic. "Leora, you have more clothes than most people. I made sure of that myself. I'm sure you'll find something."
I huff, throwing a rejected dress onto the bed. "That's easy for you to say, Mr. I-Have-Everything-Under-Control."
"I don’t have everything under control, didn’t I tell you? Apparently, Michel convinced the whole board that the perfect time for the vote would be during the long awaited opening." I’ve never hated a man as much as I hate Michel.
Lucas has been telling me he’s alright, and not stressed at all. But every time I catch a glimpse of him working, his knee is bouncing up and down and he’s always fidgeting with something.
"How are you feeling about it?" I ask as Lucas pushes himself off the doorframe and strolls toward me.
"There’s nothing I can do at this point. Whatever they decide, that is how it will be. I’ve done my best," Lucas says, but his words don't match the tension etched across his face.
I reach out and take Lucas's hand, pulling him closer. "Lucas, you've worked tirelessly for this. Your best is more than enough, and everyone knows it," I reassure him, trying to convey the strength and confidence I have in him through my touch.
His eyes meet mine, and I can see the doubt that still lingers. His shoulders, burdened with the weight of responsibility, slump slightly. "I just don’t want to disappoint you."
I gently lift his chin with my finger, forcing him to look directly into my eyes. "You will never disappoint us. I’m more than proud of you, Lucas. We all are."
A warm, grateful smile spreads across his face, and he pulls me close. "While I can't do anything about their opinions of me," Lucas continues, his voice lighter now, " I can at least help you. I have something for you. In fact, I've had it for about a week now." His eyes sparkle with mischief.
My curiosity piqued, I stop my frantic search and turn to face him. "What are you talking about?"
He grins. "You'll see. Just wait here." He leaves the room, and I'm left to wonder what on earth he's up to.
A minute later, Lucas returns, holding three boxes. One is larger than the others. He sets them down on the bed and starts handing them to me, one at a time.
"Open," he urges.
I tear into the first small box and find a beautiful diamond necklace. This must have cost a fortune. My heart flutters, and I look up at him in surprise. Lucas nods. "That's for you to wear at the opening." He hands me the second of the smaller boxes and I open it, revealing a pair of elegant silver earrings that match the necklace perfectly.
"Lucas, these are stunning," I whisper, touched by his thoughtfulness."But it’s too much, I can’t?—"
"You can," he says matter-of-factly, and I must have a funny expression on my face because he chuckles again.
"Do you like them?"
"I love them."
"I’m glad, but we're not done yet." He gestures to the large box, and I eagerly lift the lid.
Inside, I find the most beautiful evening gown I've ever seen. It's a deep, blood red, with intricate lace detailing around the chest and a flowing, ethereal skirt that shimmers in the light. I'm rendered speechless by its beauty.
Lucas grins proudly. "You'll wear this," his voice soft and filled with affection. "You know what I think about you in red," he says, and I feel my face flush. I'm so overwhelmed with gratitude and love that I can't hold back my tears.
"Lucas, you didn't have to do all this."
He takes my hands in his and looks into my eyes. "I wanted to. I wanted to make sure you felt like the most beautiful woman in the world—exactly the way I see you."
I wrap my arms around him in a tight embrace, my heart bursting with what I can only describe as love. "You're amazing, Lucas."
He kisses the top of my head. "I try."
I sigh and press myself against him further, and he turns rigid for a second before he leans down and whispers in my ear, "After the opening, I’m going to take you back home and I’m going to rip that dress off of your body."
My breath hitches when he kisses my neck. "Then, I’ll remove the lingerie you’ll be wearing—using only my teeth—until the only thing you’ll be wearing is the jewelry and your heels." He licks the shell of my ear and my breathing ceases.
"And then?" I ask with a shaky breath.
"Then, I’ll—" His phone interrupts the moment, and when he looks at it, he swears under his breath. He angles the phone so I can see the name on the display, Ammo Antoine .
"I have to take this," he says as he leaves me standing in my room, all hot and bothered. But not before I got a good look at him; he was also all hot, bothered, and hard.