"Who kicked you out?" Lucifer asks, walking beside me.

"My dad. He's mad that I broke it off with David."

He scoffs. "The pathetic wanker that held you at gunpoint? Why in hell would he be on his side?"

"Because he doesn't know anything. Besides, he'd never believe me."

"Well, if that's the case..." He stops suddenly and takes both my arms. I stare back at him, wondering what his next move is. We're standing in front of a large red brick building. "How about you stay with me?"

"Oh, no. Very well appreciated but the last time I moved in with a guy he-" I cut off, not wanting to reveal so much to Lucifer.

"Aniela, whatever happened will not happen here. I promise you will be safer than you have ever been while you're around me."

His face has gone from cold stone to warm, inviting blue eyes. It makes my heart flutter a bit. His hands leave my arms. "Come on."
He grabs my hand and leads me inside.

The hallway we end up entering is long and narrow, lined with doors all on the same side.  We walk through a series of rooms before we reach a very spacious door. "Here's your room," Lucifer says proudly.

It seems like more than an ordinary room. The floor is made of polished wood. There is a king sized bed in the middle of the room. It's covered in soft sheets decorated in white and silver flowers.

"Who's room was this?" I ask, turning to see his face turning to stone.

My hand comes up to rest lightly on his forearm. I try to smile encouragingly at him, hoping to ease any tension in his expression. But he only looks away.

"I'm sorry. I should go." I turn to leave but he stops me immediately.

"No, don't go. I just don't want to talk about it."

I nod, understanding.  As usual, I'm too nosy. "You can talk to me. Whatever happens."

He hesitates for a moment before sighing heavily. "Well, I think it's time to call it a night." He shows me where the bathrooms are and the kitchen. "Are you alright, by the way? I never asked."

"Oh, uh yeah. I am now." I say. He furrows his eyebrows but smiles slightly. "Thanks, for the um, place to stay, Lucifer. Good night."

Dammit. I left my bags in Zach's car. I'll have to call him tomorrow. I hope he had fun tonight. At least one of us did.

●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●

By the time I wake up, I feel hungover and nauseated. But next to me is water and a bottle of aspirin. I smile to myself. I down the water and take two pills, immediately calling Zach. It's 8:12, he should be up by now.

"Hey Ani, what's up?"

"Hey, I left my bags in your car last night. Could you drop them off or can I come get them?" I ask, making the bed neatly.

"Sure, I'll go ahead and drop them. Just send me the address."

I smile. "So how was it?"

"How was what?"

"You know what I mean. You left me last night after you met that guy." I say, looking around the room at the color and design.

"Oh, Jared? He was a one-time thing. No biggie."

"Okay? Thats not at all what I thought you'd say."

"See you later, Ani."

"Later."

That was odd. I shake it off though, making my way into the bathroom and then the kitchen. I decide to make us both breakfast since he's letting me stay here. I work tomorrow morning so I'll have to skip breakfast then but it'll be okay.

By the time I plate it all, Lucifer walks in and stops abruptly. "Oh dear. Waffles, eggs and sausage?"

"Yeah," I smile. "To say thanks for the offer."

"No need to, but this is definitely appreciated as well." He takes a seat and digs in immediately. I hear a moan escape his mouth.

"Did you just moan?" I giggle. He gives me a look and goes back to eating. "So I told you my name, when are you going to tell me your real one?"

"It is my real name, love. Not my fault you won't accept it."

I stop eating. "It's not even legal to have that name. That's like being named 'God'."

He shutters. "I'd better not be. He's no help."

"Oh, hey. What's your address? I have someone dropping of my stuff soon." I ask, finishing up and cleaning my plate. I try taking his but he grabs seconds. I laugh.

He tells me the address and I send it to Zach. "So how does your mom think about all of this? Her husband kicking her own daughter out?"

I freeze. "She's. . .dead."

There's silence between us. "What?"

"Dead," I repeat slowly.

"Sorry...are you sure?" He sounds unsure but doesn't seem shocked by this information.

"Yes. She died six months ago."

"But...why? And how?"

"I don't know." I shrug.

He narrows his eyes. "You're lying. I know when someone is lying to me."

"She was killed." I admit.

"By?" I stay in silence. "Who?"

I take a deep breath. "I did. She came after me and I had to-"

"No," he stands up, coming towards me. "There's no way I'm believing that you killed your own mother, Aniela. She wouldn't hurt you." I stay silent again. "Question is, why are you lying?"

A knock is heard at the door and he walks over to open it, allowing me to breath heavily, realizing I was holding my breath. He calls me to the door telling me someone is asking for me.

I walk over, peeking out the door to see, a frightened but seemingly sexually frustrated, Zach. "Oh, hey Zach. Thanks for bringing my stuff. This is Lucifer. He's letting me stay with him."

"Hoooly shit, Ani. He's-" Zach begins but is interrupted by Lucifer.

"Tall? intimidating?" He turns to me. "I'm sorry, who is this bloke?"

"This is Zach." I notice tension so I try allivating it. "He's gay, Lucifer."

This seems to make his body relax and he asks if I need help grabbing the stuff. I tell him sure and we take off, bringing in the three bags. Well, more like Lucifer took all of them.

He drops them into my new room and we all come back out to the living room. "So are you two friends, then?"

I nod. "He's the friend I was with last night. Remember? The wingman thing?"

"You left her alone at the bar? Do you even know what happened to her last night?" Lucifer's voice raises in volume.

I grab his arm lightly. "Calm down, please. It's not his fault." His body relaxes and he backs away from Zach.

"Wait, what happened last night, Ani? Are you okay?" I see the concern in Zachs face.

"Nothing to be worried about. Lucifer handled it. It's over with." I lie, trying to brush past the subject.

He looks at me carefully but doesn't push further. "Well, thanks for taking care of her. Nice to meet you Lucifer." Zach says and then leaves, closing the door behind him.

Lucifer turns to me.  "Aniela." His tone isn't angry anymore but rather disappointed and concerned.

I shrug. "I didn't want to worry him."

"Yes but how did you calm me down?"

I shrug again. "I just asked you to, I guess. Why?"

"Ask me to kiss you. Something I wouldn't do." He sounds desperate.

"What?" I question him.

He waves me off. "Please, just do it."

I sigh. "Kiss me." Nothing.

"This is impossible! I've never been more confused." Lucifer runs a hand through his hair.

"Kiss me," I demand again, humoring him.

Lucifer's jaw twitches. "I don't get it. I feel so powerless for once."

I lay a hand on his leg. "Maybe you should just come to terms with the fact that I'm just persuasive." I laugh. He says nothing and actually looks in a trance. Maybe I should try again? "Kiss me."