POV Lucian

Akhyra doesn't make eye contact as she arranges her outfit, and I try not to panic immediately. The passionate moment of intimacy we just shared was unexpected. It's normal that she might need a few minutes of silence to gather her thoughts. 

Her phone rings, and I get the pleasure to eavesdrop on the conversation she's having with Charles Belmont. Akhyra tells him that she'll go home by herself. Therefore, it's unnecessary to wait for her. It's hard not to be happy about this clarification even though I know that it doesn't mean that I'm back in her good graces. 

Neither of us breaks the silence as we head over to the bathrooms, and I wait for her outside the ladies' room as I rehearse in my head the best way to tackle the topic of 'what are we?' After all, we've had sex when we're supposed to be broken up. This has to mean something. 

I'm perfectly aware that I should begin with a proper apology. However, I'm drawing a blank when it comes to the next step. Do I simply ask her to resume our relationship?

When Akhyra comes out, our gaze meets, and she frowns, seemingly confused that I'm waiting for her in the hallway. It's not a good sign at all. I do my best to appear composed as I lean against the wall with both hands in my pocket. Who am I fooling, though? My heartbeat is in such a frenzy that I'm almost certain it's close to combustion. 

"Why are you still here?" Akhyra asks. She remains standing far from me, with her arms crossed in front of her chest in a guarded posture.

Okay. Here goes nothing.

"I believe we need to have a serious conversation given this new, uhm, development in our situation."

She surveys me with critical stare, and I have to resist the urge to fidget under her scrutiny. 

Her response comes in a dismissive tone. "I'm tired, Lucian. The only thing I want is to go home and have a good night's rest."

"We can talk about it in the morning then. Maybe we could grab coffee..." 

"No way," she interrupts. "I'm gonna stop you right there if you think that what happened earlier was a 'let's-get back-together' kind of hook-up."

Damn. She's not going to make this easy for me.

"I understand if you need some time. I can wait until you're ready to talk."

Should I push my luck and beg her to unblock my number?

Before I make up my mind, Akhyra's voice resonates coldly in the air. 

"It's obvious that we both needed a last fuck for old time's sake," she says. My breathing comes to a sudden halt. "Now that we both got that out of our system it's best we part ways on a good note."

"You don't seriously think that." 

Even as I'm trying to convince myself that it's her anger talking to me, there's a nagging thought at the back of my mind trying to warn me that I need to brace myself for whatever is about to come.

"I'm not allowing you back into my life Lucian," she declares. "And you can't force me to change my decision, just like I couldn't force you to stay."

Her words might be devoid of emotions but it has enough power to knock the oxygen out of my lungs. Fuck, was this how bad she hurt when I broke up with her?

"Akhyra, I'm so sorry," I begin to apologize as I walk forward to reduce the distance between us but I stop abruptly when she extends her hand in front of her in a clear gesture signaling me to not come closer.

I'm frozen on the spot, my heart shattering in a million pieces as I realize that the woman I love doesn't consider me as a safe space anymore. 

"What we had was beautiful and rare," she says in a quivering voice. Her watering eyes are finally showing some emotion. "But you managed to make me feel as if I was a burden that you couldn't wait to get rid of."

"That's not what it was," I plead, my own tears threatening to spill. "Deep down you know it."

"The only thing I know is that you won't have the opportunity to ever hurt me again."

"Please, don't do this Akhyra." I shake my head desperately, unable to accept that this is how we end. 

"It's already done," she delivers the final blow.

The pain in her eyes is quickly replaced by steel determination. This is the last expression that I get to see on her exquisite face before she walks past and leaves me behind. I collapse against the wall, my breathing a ragged mess as the click-clack sound of her retreating heels echoes throughout the empty hallway like an omen doom.

***

3 Days until the Gold Cup Final

Coach Morel blows his whistle visibly irritated and motions for us to gather around. We all drag our feet off the field to join him on the sidelines. We already know that we're about to receive a verbal spanking.

"We're only three days away from the final and this is how you're playing?" He cuts me a deadly glare. "Moreno what the fuck was that shot? Were you even aiming for the goal post?"

"I'm sorry Coach," I mutter under my breath.

"I don't need you to be sorry," he snaps. "I need you to pull your head out of your ass and back in the game. You think you can do that?"

I'm about to answer when Samuel butts in. "Things went south between him and your daughter. That's why he's depressed and can't play for shit."

"Who the fuck asked you?" I snarl, charging for him before I'm held by two guys. Seeing me riled up only amuses this prick more.

"Not my fault you blew it pal, maybe look in the mirror if you need someone to beat up."

"I'll be seeing you outside dickhead."

"Why wait?" He retorts with a smirk. " We can do this now. Let him go boys."

"Enough!" Coach barks in a thunderous voice. "Both of you."

We all shut our mouths immediately and for a tense minute nobody dares to utter a single word. 

Coach takes a few steps forward until he completely invades my personal space and I'm obliged to lower my gaze under the weight of his furious glare. 

"I don't care about your personal life as long as you don't bring any of that clusterfuck to my field. Did I make myself clear?

"Crystal, sir."

"Good. Now let's run this drill again and this time act like you're actual football players."

He blows on his whistle again and we all scatter toward the field.

I try without success to turn off the volume on the part of my brain responsible for thinking about Akhyra every waking hour of the day. Even if I manage to play this drill better than the previous one I still carry the weight of her loss like a ball and chain attached around my ankle. It's slowing down all my movements. I can't escape it. 

If I play in the finals the way I played today, we're definitely fucked.

***

2 Days until the Gold Cup Final

The last thing I expect when I get back from the gym the next morning is to receive a call from Valentino asking to meet me at a nearby coffeehouse. He didn't give any details about the reason for this impromptu meeting and I didn't ask either in fear of jinxing it by getting my hopes high.

On my way there my mind juggled between different scenarios about what my encounter with Valentino could result in. I'm not delusional enough to dare hoping that Akhyra will also be there but I can't help wishing that she might be the topic of conversation. 

I arrive at the destination within fifteen minutes. I have to refrain myself from hugging Valentino when I approach his table, that's how happy I am to see his curly head. He politely waited for me before ordering and we both end up placing a command for lattes and croissants.

I allow some time to pass in exchanging small talk as we sip our caffeine beverages before asking the only question that matters to me.

"How is she doing?" 

I notice Valentino's smile that he quickly hides by taking a bite of his pastry. I can't help being annoyed at the fact that I'll have to wait until he's done chewing to answer my question.

"Miss Morel has been busy," he says at last. "Her schedule hasn't filled that much since before the London fiasco. We have to thank Madame Laroche for that. After she offered Akhyra to become the co-producer for the retirement show many big shots of the industry are now trying to get a hold of her."

An instant rush of pride floods my chest upon hearing that information. 

 "Wow, that's amazing news."

"It is," Valentino agrees. "Some dance schools even reached out to hire her to coach a few juniors for the Youth America Grand Prix. That's the biggest ballet competition of the country," he explains. 

"This is awesome! Does that mean the media is finally off her back?"

There's a smug look on his face when he answers. "They are eating right out the palm of her hands. And I'll make sure it stays the same."

"You're the man for the job," I compliment sincerely.

Once we've both finished our meal, Valentino slides a yellow envelope across the table. 

"This is why I wanted to meet you." 

"What's that?" I ask as I open it to take out its content. 

"To make it short, this is a signed settlement in which Patrick Juste agrees to drop his investigation about you and not disclose any of his findings that could potentially harm your reputation. Miss Morel's lawyer received it yesterday."

Wait, what? 

My heart drops as I begin to read the document. The header states that the two parties involved are Akhyra Morel, referred to as party A and Patrick Juste referenced as Party B. I stop reading before I get to the recitals. I have too many questions that need to be answered right away.

"I don't understand," I say as I meet Valentino's eyes. "Why would he agree to that? This dude was keen on exposing things about me."

"As it turns out, this journalist had a few skeletons in his closet. We only had to find out about those and let him know that he wasn't the only one with the power to end someone's career."

"What kind of shady secret could someone like Patrick possibly have to be scared enough to let go of a big scoop?" 

"A scandalous one for sure. Before he ventured into sports, he was a political journalist. Back in 2016 during the Haitian presidential race he received bribery from a candidate to run a smear campaign against an opponent."

Damn that's some big shit right there. He could get fined or even imprisoned if this gets out.

"How did you even find out about something that huge?"

"Oh, no it wasn't me." Valentino laughs. "That's way above my pay grade. I was only involved in finding out which journalist was threatening your career. That was easy since your agent was already keeping an eye on him."

"You found out about Patrick by spying on my agent?"

Valentino looks so offended that I almost find it funny. 

"Not my style," he rectifies with a glare. "I met him."

"You met Kevin?" I repeat dumbstruck. 

"Yes. Once I got the journalist's name from him the rest was out of my hands."

I still can't believe what I'm hearing. 

"You haven't told me yet about how this bribery thing came to light." 

Valentino shrugs. "Same way Patrick found out about whatever he had on you. Investigation. Except it was quick on our side because: a) Miss Morel is rich and b) In case you forgot, her father is literally the coach of the national football team. I'm sure you know that position has its perks like connections with some Haitian officials."

"Why didn't Kevin tell me about your meeting?"

"My guess is that he was waiting to see how it would play out beforehand."

For a brief moment we say nothing else. Valentino gives me time to go over the document. When I'm done reading, I can feel the burden that I'd been carrying for a while lift off my shoulder. 

"This is incredible," I finally say. "Thank you."

"I appreciate your gratitude but I'm not the one you should be thanking."

I'm well aware of that.

"Akhyra blocked me," I inform him. "I highly doubt she wants to hear the sound of my voice again." 

Without getting into too much detail I recount the last time I tried to fix things with Akhyra at the fundraiser and she shut me out. Valentino listens quietly and waits until I'm done to speak. 

"Look, I have no idea what that Patrick guy had on you but I know how resentful Akhyra can be. The fact that she went through such great lengths to make him leave you alone even after you both weren't together anymore speaks volume. You fucked up dude. Akhyra was a keeper."

"You're right."

"Looks like my work here is done." Valentino stands up ready to leave.

"If I stop by her place, do you think she'll be willing to talk to me?" 

He seems horrified at the idea. "I'd strongly advise against that. Carper is back working for her. Trust me you won't be treated kindly if you show up unannounced."

Well, there goes that.

Later that night before going to bed I take the settlement out of its envelope and to read the recitals one more time:

WHEREAS, Party B has threatened to expose potentially harmful information about Lucian Moreno's past ("Subject");

WHEREAS, Party A, on behalf of Lucian Moreno, seeks to protect the Subject's privacy and reputation;

WHEREAS, Party B has received a monetary bribe to conduct a smear campaign against a presidential candidate in the Haitian elections of 2016, as evidenced by an investigation conducted by the Haitian authorities ("Bribery Incident"); -See documentation annexed as Exhibit A.

WHEREAS, the parties desire to resolve all disputes and claims related to the aforementioned matters without further conflict or litigation;

I close my eyes as I hold the papers against me. Even after I let her go, Akhyra fought to keep me safe. I should've trusted her when she told me that she could handle whatever was coming our way. 

Akhyra Morel is a force of nature and I'm paying the price of underestimating her.

***

1 Day until the Gold Cup Final

I get woken up by incessant knocking on my bedroom door which pisses me off because I haven't been getting much sleep lately. I try to tell whichever of the boys who's getting on my nerves to go away but it's no use. I have to come out of bed and I swear that whoever is on the other side of that door is going to feel my wrath.

However when I finally come face-to-face with the disrupter of my peace, I stand speechless, unable to believe my eyes. She looks at me from head-to-toe with a disapproving look on her face. 

"Not to be mean or anything," she begins. "But you look like shit."

Recovering from my stupor, I hurry up and close the gap between us to sweep her off her feet in a suffocating bear hug that makes her squeal in delight.

"I've missed you so much, Genius."

"I know, big brother," Maëlla answers with a hint of sarcasm. "I'm the oxygen of your life, after all."

When I let her on the ground, she goes straight to my bed, yawning in exhaustion.

"Did you just get here?" I inquire as I close the door.

"No last night. I was too excited to get enough sleep."

I open the mini fridge to get a bottle of water and some cereal bars for her before sitting down next to her.

"Thank you, Champion. I had breakfast this morning, but I'm running low on sugar."

"How come I didn't know you were coming, by the way?" 

I wasn't aware that those managing the team had arranged for our family members to be flown in time for the final tomorrow. My little sister chews at a slow pace while looking at me with an enigmatic smile. The kind that means she knows something that I don't. 

"Akhyra arranged this," she clarifies. 

"You mean, you were with her last night?"

"And this morning, too. I'm staying at her place."

"How is she?" For the second day in a row, I find myself begging for crumbs of information about Akhyra like a hopeless groupie. 

Maëlla tuts as she shakes a finger in front of my face. "You're totally fishing for news, and I will not provide any."

"Come on," I shamelessly whine. "Are you not gonna help your big brother get his girl back?"

"Listen, I really wish I could be of help but while you'll be fighting for the Gold Cup tomorrow, Akhyra will be up in the air, flying over the Atlantic Ocean. That doesn't leave me much time to play Cupid. Maybe if I'd gotten here sooner-"

"Hold on. Is Akhyra going somewhere?"

She stops chewing to send me a strange look. "I thought you knew."

The immediate panic that starts to rise within me almost makes me want to jump on a treadmill and run until my legs can't hold me anymore, and there's no room left for anxious thoughts. 

"No Maëlla I don't know anything. Please tell me what's going on."

"Akhyra is supposed to leave for France to start working on a ballet production with this huge former prima ballerina. I forgot her name."

"Madame Laroche."

"Yeah, that's right. She was very excited about that. Apparently, this collaboration is going to propel her career to another dimension. Her flight is scheduled for tomorrow."

It's excellent news, of course, but I'd somehow hope that Akhyra would attend the final match even if not for me but to at least support the team. 

"I know it sucks," Maëlla adds. "I'm also going to miss her."

"I've lost her for good," I let out with a defeated sigh.

My sister gently places her hand on my knee. "Hey, don't say that."

"But it's true. Akhyra is not just mad at me, I hurt her badly. She made it clear the last time I tried to earn her forgiveness that she would never allow that to happen again."

"Damn. I didn't realize it was that terrible. She gave me no details about what happened. I understand that's between you guys, but I thought it could be resolved."

I'm forced to shake my head no as my vision gets blurry when tears gather in my eyes. "That's not the case."

"I'm really sorry, big bro."

Maëlla envelopes me in a hug, and I welcome her embrace, letting my head rest on her shoulders while she pats my back slowly.

"I was finally happy for the first time in years then I had to go ahead and ruin it."

"We all make mistakes. "

"This one cost me the love of my life."

"Well, you've always been the least smart sibling out of the two of us."

This gets a little chuckle out of me but it dies down quickly as I come to a frightening realization. 

"How the fuck am I supposed to live without her?"

᯽᯽᯽᯽᯽𑁍𑁍𑁍𑁍᯽᯽᯽᯽᯽

𝙰𝚞𝚝𝚑𝚘𝚛'𝚜 𝙽𝚘𝚝𝚎

🅂🄷🄾🅁🅃 🆁︎🅰︎🅽︎🆃︎

𝑭𝒖𝒄𝒌! 𝑻𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒘𝒉𝒐𝒍𝒆 𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒑𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒔𝒐 𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒅 𝒕𝒐 𝒘𝒓𝒊𝒕𝒆. 𝑾𝒉𝒚 𝒅𝒐  𝑰 𝒎𝒂𝒌𝒆 𝒎𝒚𝒔𝒆𝒍𝒇 𝒔𝒖𝒇𝒇𝒆𝒓 𝒔𝒐 𝒎𝒖𝒄𝒉??? 𝑰 𝒋𝒖𝒔𝒕 𝒄𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑰 𝒍𝒊𝒕𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒚 𝒔𝒑𝒆𝒏𝒕 13 𝒅𝒂𝒚𝒔 𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒐𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔!!! 𝑰'𝒎 𝒔𝒐 𝒈𝒍𝒂𝒅 𝒊𝒕 𝒄𝒂𝒎𝒆 𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝒂𝒔 𝒅𝒆𝒑𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒔𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒂𝒔 𝑰 𝒘𝒂𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒅! 𝑷𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒔𝒆 𝒅𝒐𝒏'𝒕 𝒉𝒂𝒕𝒆 𝒎𝒆!^^

ꪶꪮꪜꫀ, ᥴꪖᦓᦓꪗ♡︎