chapter 190

Lucy quickly opened it and read,'Lucy. I am so sorry that I couldn't contact you all this time. But I was really busy with my mission and things were pretty serious at one point. I couldn't afford any mistakes. But I just want to let you know that I am fine and safe. I know you must be really worried about me. I am really sorry for that. The mission will take a bit more time and so I cannot guarantee when I would be able to send you a message again. It's also wise for you not to contact me for everyone's safety. Just know that your sister is safe and loves you a lot. Don't stress out because of me, okay? Take care, Lucy.'Lucy brightened upon reading her message and her heart was overwhelmed in relief and happiness.Sis...it's really sis! She finally sent a message! Sis is safe!Lucy felt as if a huge burden lifted off her shoulders. She felt so much lighter than before now that she got some news about Song Luca."Thank God…" she pressed the phone to her chest and shut her eyes.But then what about that anonymous letter that said sis was in danger? Shouldn't I ask sis about it? Lucy wondered.But in the message, Luca told her not to contact her for safety purposes."No, no! I will not take the risk! What if my message gets her into trouble?" She shook her head. "Sis Luca is safe and that is enough for me. Wait! I should tell this to Mark too! He should know such big news!"Lucy dialed his number, but it didn't connect. She tried many times again, but she got the same result. She frowned.Strange. He usually picks my call by the second ring…*Ding*The doorbell rang and Lucy left it at that.I will try later.Lucy walked up to the door and as she opened it, she stiffened on seeing the familiar figure. Her heart skipped a beat, but then a dull pain also tugged it as she thought about kathy."Boss…?"Eric stared at her and quietly asked, "Can I come inside?"Lucy lowered her head and bit the corner of her lip. "That…En."Eric smiled and walked in. Lucy shut the door and wondered what he wanted to talk about. There was silence for a while. She fidgeted with her fingers and shifted in her place from her left foot to right.Eric tilted his head. "Did something good happen? You were smiling when you opened the door.""O-Oh!" Lucy said, "Boss you won't believe it!" She got eager and excited. "Sis sent me a message after a long time!"Eric stared at her and slightly narrowed his eyes. "Is that so?""En! Sis said that she is safe. She was in a little trouble so she couldn't contact me. But sis is fine! Boss, you don't know how relieved I feel…I was so worried about her."Eric nodded. "That's good to hear. What did you say?"Lucy pouted. "I couldn't reply. Sis said not to contact her as much as possible. So I don't want to put her in danger.""En. Indeed. You shouldn't contact her for a long time," a glint of cunningness flashed past his eyes. "I should say that you don't interfere in her work."Lucy slowly nodded.Eric silently watched her and took a step towards her. Lucy straightened up. She couldn't meet his gaze so she looked away while her heart thudded in her chest. He gently cupped her left cheek that startled her. Confusion marred her face, but she couldn't move away. The warmth of his big palm and long fingers threatened to spill tears from her eyes.She cleared her throat. "Boss I-I don't think-""Tomorrow is a special day," he spoke that made her stiffen. "I want to take you somewhere with me."Luct looked at him, stunned.Does he still want me to attend his engagement ceremony? Boss, how could you be so cruel?Lucy held his hand and shook it off her cheek. "Sorry, Boss. I cannot come with you. I have already made plans with Molly."Eric pursed his lips.After keeping Mark locked up in his base, he wanted to surprise her with tomorrow's arrangement for their one-month anniversary. Now that he was gone, there was nobody who could interfere between them. But if she didn't agree to come with him, everything would go to waste."Please Lucy. It's really important. Tomorrow will hold no meaning without you."Lucy trembled. Her lips quivered and she clenched her fist."Boss-""Please?"As she raised her head, she saw his brows tense up. There was the desperation in his gaze that didn't go unnoticed by her. Eric's pleading tone and his pitiful expression tugged her heartstrings.Hesitation and confusion filled her heart as much as the pain that stabbed it mercilessly. She faintly smiled, trying to hold back her tears. "O-okay…"This is for the best, Lucy. You will get your closure once you see him put the ring on her. It will hurt, but it will end everything once and for all.The distress on his face finally faded away with her agreement. "En."He pulled her into his embrace and whispered in a hushed tone near her ear. "Thank you."Lucy stood rooted like a log of wood. "You-you shouldn't do that."Eric blinked his eyes. "Why?"Lucy couldn't come up with any words to refute.Shouldn't it be kathy you should be hugging?"T-This is just not right."Eric wondered about it but left it at that. For now, he had another important task to do. For that, he needed to drive Lucy away for a few moments."I am thirsty.""Huh?""Can I get some water?""Ah...ah yes. One minute Boss…" Luct scurried away to the kitchen.Eric saw her phone lying on the table. His gaze darkened as he picked it. First, he deleted Mark's number from her contact list. Then he removed the sim card out of her phone and snapped it into pieces just like he did with Mark's card.