Lucien's POV
Does she work at the Three Pigeons? Now that I think about it, she was the last person I expected to bump into here. I was trying to see if I could finish up quickly here at the Three Pigeons and head to that restaurant but it seems like the universe was in my favor today and I most definitely will not let this chance slip away.
The encounter back there felt like a scene that could only happen inside a fairytale dream but damn she was beautiful! Her hair was the perfect shade of blond, the type you could easily find in old movies. It was full but I could tell it needed more attention and it was pretty obvious from her situation that she might be trying to make ends meet.
Her lips were the ripe color of strawberries, it was so inviting and it took everything to control myself, her nose was small and fine, her overall features were just perfect in my eyes that even if she had insecurities, I wouldn't mind at all. What was it about this woman that made me feel this way? What was it about her? It doesn't matter anyway, I'm going to find out tonight.
The rain had finally stopped and I got out of the car. I entered back into the Three Pigeons and I went straight to Gonzalo's office, I tried not to search around for her because I knew I'd be distracted. I got there, the door was open and there she was. She held a tray and was answering some questions but it seemed more like a normal conversation.
Gonzalo asked her what she thought about the Three Pigeons and she delivered the most heartfelt description ever and all this while, none of them knew that I was there until I exclaimed and immediately I could tell that she recoiled. Gonzalo called out my name and I just had to announce my presence.
She suddenly made to leave after muttering a few words. Gonzalo told her to stay, that he had intentions of increasing her rank at the Three Pigeons and that was all I needed to know. She was a worker here and from their conversation, I could tell that Gonzalo fancied her, not in my type of way of course but in a way that seemed like he wanted to protect her the way a brother would.
But she refused and mentioned that it would be better to discuss it at a much later time, I really couldn't process all that was happening because my eyes would not look away. She seemed visibly fear stricken and it left me wondering if it was because I showed up and that was when I knew that I had to intervene.
"Indeed she's correct Gonzalo, I've got something for you and it would be much better to handle it in private, maybe next time."
Gonzalo seemed to understand and nodded as a sign. She held onto the tray and walked out of the room. I couldn't help but lean nearer towards her form just to give her enough space to pass but she reacted stiffly as though something I did triggered her and I genuinely felt confused. She left and I turned to Gonzalo.
"Such a fine miss, isn't she?" He said with warm fondness in his eyes.
"You mean the lady that just stepped out?" I asked pretending to not notice.
"Don't play dumb with my Lucien, we both saw how you were staring at her the entire time you appeared around the corner." I smirk knowing that it worked and he seemed to be in a lighter mood all of a sudden.
"I came here for business Gonzalo, not women, important business."
"I know, I know why you're here and you can guarantee that I won't be fighting you anymore, I'm finally ready to sell this place to you Lucien, better you than anyone else." He looked like he was about to cry.
"Tell me what's going on Gonzalo, I deserve to know as your friend."
"I can't tell you Lucien, it's hard enough that I cannot save this place."
"But we are friends Gonzalo, surely you do not think I'm a heartless monster like everybody else."
"Of course not Lucien, but it's not the right time to tell you either so till then, I'll accept your help so let's skip the formalities, hand me the pen and I'll sign."
He took the papers and signed them and handed them back to me.
"This doesn't mean you no longer own the Three Pigeons, it just means that we are both partners and whatever this is, you can be sure that we'll get through it together."
He smiled and I could tell it was from a place of gratitude.
"Her name's Lana Hart, poor girl is trying to keep her mom alive and is working multiple jobs to make ends meet."
I knew he was talking about her. And suddenly it all made sense why I saw her at the restaurant and why she's here as well. Gonzalo told me everything he knew about her and now I know her name at least and I'm going to claim her, one way or another. There was this sudden urge to want to protect her but I doubt if she would trust me.
"As much as I appreciate you filling me in on who she is, I didn't ask you, you know."
"Shut up Lucien, we both know what your intentions are, but just know she's not an easy one."
"That's precisely why I want her." I said while getting up. "I'll be right back."
It took a while but I finally found her, she was standing at the corner of the bar spot and she looked absolutely forlorn. Something about the way she was made me call out to her and she turned swiftly to where I was. Before she got any ideas of running, I closed the gap between us and there we were, face to face.
"Lana" I muttered and I knew that this time, nothing would hold me back.
"You know you've got a pretty name for a lady who likes to eavesdrop on people's intimate moments."
Her eyes gave her away and I could tell that she knew what I was talking about.
My apologies for bumping into you back there," she said to me with a funny expression that could pass for indifference and embarrassment and I was starting to get a hang of what was going through her head.
At this point, it was going to be extremely risky to immediately announce my intentions towards her and so I was willing to start slow. But deep down I knew that it may not be entirely possible because even at this very moment, I was slowly losing it. She looked so pale and forlorn it was triggering the protective instincts in me but at this point she was a wounded cat that wouldn't accept help even if it was offered on a platter of gold full of fish.
"There's no running away this time Lana but I need you to try and keep your defenses low. I'm not here to harm you nor do I have ill intentions towards you, at least not yet", that last part wasn't meant the way I came out but it was already too late now.
She asked me what I meant by my last statement and to keep myself from making an absolute fool of myself I had to try and think fast but the look on her face revealed she was thinking back to that restroom incident and I had to say something.
"Lana", it took a second to realize I had added more emotion to the way I called her name and I could see she was trying to withdraw.
"I'm sorry sir, but I need to get back to work now, I've got a lot on my mind and I wouldn't want to let that get in the way of my job but if there's something you'd like to have, I can simply just get it for you." But I didn't budge, I stood there still, I was going to turn this situation around and it didn't matter wether she wanted to talk to me or not.