Lucifer's Love: Fidelia

Lunch with Nick

We met amid the woods, I was running for an escape while you were hiding from the world. You were the devil they warned me of, I was the power you always dreaded. Who knew it would rain that night when my soul embraced your pain. 

Haze.

Harley

It's been a week already since everything. I was cleaning the counter and updating the menu of the Diner when Mr Hemsworth cleared his throat making me look up at him. He had his hands stuffed in his pockets before he slid the Menu from my arm. 

"You're going out for a delivery." He spoke as looked in his phone when it beeped indicating a message. My eyebrows furrowed in confusion. Our Diner never provided home deliveries. 

"But we don't do home deliveries." He glared at me as he shoved his phone in his right pocket. He never really liked back answering, especially from me. 

"He's a special customer, Harley. Now stop messing around and quickly get to the work. I'll give you the address. I don't want any complains regarding your sassy behavior or you could kiss your job goodbye." I clenched my teeth as I nodded my head. I needed the job more than anything. I quickly moved out of the counter and took the address slip from him. The address was of the town. I cursed mentally as I'd have to take the bus since he clearly denied any other transportation. 

"They made a special request, to send you for the delivery." He said with the look of disappointment on his face. My face scrunched in confusion. A special request for me? My fingers reached to hold the moon instinctively, an action I've been doing from a few days now. His eyes lingered over the necklace before he gulped. Something flashed in his eyes as shook his head. 

"Take the parcel from Sasha." With that he was gone. I didn't miss how his eyes widened at my neck piece. I frowned as things were so muzzy and unclear. Shaking the weird thoughts off my mind I walked over the other counter where Sasha was taking the call. As she saw me approaching her she took the parcel from the counter and handed it to me. She continued talking but not before mouthing 'go safely'. 

I sighed as I was waiting for the bus to arrive. I removed the phone my purse and sighed as it was already three. My stomach growled in hunger but here I was standing in the queue to wait for the bus. Soon I boarded the bus. It took nearly twenty minutes to reach the town. I walked towards the Hotel, where I had to deliver the food. There were huge restaurants and hotels and yet the customer had to order from the village's Diner. I was curious to know who asked me to deliver food to them, personally. 

As I walked into the Hotel, I was greeted by the beautiful interior of the Hotel. The Hotel had marble flooring. There were couches lying in the middle of the entrance for their customer and clients. The expensive curtains to the sides were only adding up the look. As I approached the counter, I saw a woman dressed in black dress typing on her computer. Her attention was solely on her work until I knocked over the counter. Her brunette hair were only complimenting her emerald eyes. The type of eye I had always loved. 

"How can I help you, Miss?" She asked with a polite smile. I cleared my throat as I showed her the parcel. The food must have gone cold by now. 

"I am here for the food delivery." I said showing off the parcel that read The Original Diner. I know it sounds cliche but for Mr Hemsworth, the name of his Diner was his pride. She nodded her head as he dialed a number using her telephone and spoke for about two minutes before she turned towards me. 

"You must be, Miss Harley Johnson." I nodded my head as another wave of curiosity hit me. I was too curious to meet the customer. It would be true to accept that I was a little scared too. 

"I'll have someone to escort you to Sir's office. Please give me few minutes, Miss Johnson." 

"Oh, That's not a problem." She smiled at me before she called up another staff member. 

Another woman dressed in the same uniform led me to his office. I didn't miss how her eyes kept gazing at the locket on my neck. I shook the same weird feeling off. The beauty of the Hotel still had me gaping yet everything felt so familiar. Like I had been here before. Soon we took the escalator before taking the left. We stopped at the first room that looked like an office. She left after she bowed a little. I was taken back by her gesture. I never in my whole life ever had anyone bowing for me. My fingers brushed against the locket before knocking the door. 

After third knock I heard the door opening. I never realized that the door worked on the customer's command. My eyes widened at the man sitting in front of me. He smiled knowingly making me swallow nervously. He made me nervous. His silver orbs looked amused as he stood up. He had his coat lying elegantly over his chair. I could see his muscles flexing through his white shirt making my mouth go all dry. I blinked my eyes, turning to get my attention off him. I didn't even realize he was standing so close to me until I heard him chuckle lightly. He had his ways to charm people. Even while he was chuckling I could feel electricity passing through my veins. 

"Breathe, Miss Harley." My eyes widened as I realized I was holding my breath. I didn't knew what was more embarrassing, that how often I forget to breathe around him or him pointing it out. I could practically feel my cheeks turning scarlet as I shifted on my foots miserably. 

"You seem to forget breathing around me." He said with amusement lacing his tone. Talk about second hand embarrassment. 

"So, you ordered the food from the Diner?" I asked instead. He took two steps back allowing me inside his office. I walked in as he closed the door making me swallow nervously. I was going to be alone with him in the very room. I shook my thoughts off as I looked at him for an answer. 

"Yes, I did. Please have a seat, Miss Harley." He said pulling a chair out for me. I looked at him oddly. I need to get back to the Diner soon or Mr Hemsworth would have my head for being late. 

"I'm fine, Mr Keres." He scoffed as he turned towards me. 

"But I won't be. Now, if you could please sit down." I sighed as I sat down, much to his satisfaction. He took a seat in front of me, his hands resting over the table. I felt too conscious to look in his eye. Though the aura around him wasn't much intense now but his mere presence was enough to turn a person insane. 

"The food's already cold, Mr Keres." I said pointing the parcel resting over the table. He nodded his head, his eyes still on me. I rubbed the behind of my earlobe, an action out of nervousness making him shake his head. 

Before any of us could've said anything, there was was a knock on the door making him press the button lying just below his table, allowing the brunette from before to enter in his office. 

"Please, re-heat the food and send the waiter on your way back." His tone was too formal and cold than the tone he used with me, soft, almost like a melted chocolate. 

"Of course, any thing else Sir?" 

"What would you like to drink, Miss Harley?" Nick asked, his eyes holding me still under his gaze. I shook my head in answer. 

"Nothing, Mr Keres. I need to leave for the Diner soon." His lips pulled in a frown as he turned to the brunette. 

"She'll have a peppermint shake and a lime water for me." She bowed before leaving his office. My eyes widened as I looked at him. Peppermint shake is my favorite drink and very less people know about that. Nick was looking at me too innocently, making me narrow my eyes at him. 

"You work here, Mr Keres?" I asked trying to cut the silence that was swirling inside the office. He looked at me, trying to control his laughter. I looked at him utterly confused. Was there something on my face? I didn't crack any joke. 

"My sweet,  sweet Harley." My heart thumped loudly against my chest as he caressed my name so smoothly and softly from his velvety voice. It was getting harder for me to breathe. There was something within him that lured me. I tucked a strand of hair behind my ear making him stare at me longer. 

The door was knocked again making me sigh in relief. A waiter walked in placing two plates in front of us. I didn't knew the parcel actually had steaks, mashed potato and croissants. I licked my lips as my favorite meal was being placed in front of me. But this wasn't for me. I blinked as he placed my peppermint shake beside the plate of steaming food. This was my work. I was the waitress here and I had to serve him. I sat there wide eyed while the waiter left. 

"That was my work, Mr Keres. And you must be having a meeting with someone. I'll just-" He cut me off by cupping my hand under his. My cold hands felt so small under his warm hands. I felt tingles spread through my body as I took a sharp breath. Why the hell am I behaving like a highschool girl? 

"There isn't any meeting here, Miss Harley." He answered slowly, looking straight in my eyes. His eyes held me captive while I just nodded my head. 

"I just wanted to have lunch with you, Miss Harley. That was the reason I made a special request for you." I looked at him astonished. He wants to have lunch with me? His hands were rubbing circle on mine, calming me. Surprisingly, I was calming down. His hands worked magic as I looked at him in surprise. 

"Why?" He looked at me confused when I should be the one confused here. He made me feel so many emotions in such a less time. And it was getting overwhelming. His presence was overwhelming. 

"What why?" 

"Why do you want to have lunch with me?" He smiled brightly as he stood up from him chair. His hands were still holding mine as he walked over to me. He stopped when he was standing just a few steps away from my chair. My eyes were following his every step. With me being seated, he looked so tall that it started to hurt my neck to look at him. 

He squatted down on his knees, trying to reach my level. He raised my hand and placed it under his chin. So many emotions were swirling in those silver orbs that it was almost impossible to get my eyes off him. His beauty intensified when he was close. So close. My heart was beating loudly. I could hear it and I was sure even Nick could hear how his proximity affected me. He kissed the back of my palm just like he did back in the Diner. I felt my heart would explode if he continued this for long. 

"Because I missed you." I almost forgot that we were in his office. I almost forgot that there was food which was turning cold. I almost forgot that I was getting late. I almost forgot the world. All I could focus on was, him. His voice, his tone, his words, his lips. All I could see was Nick Keres. 

"I missed you so damn much, Fidelia." This scene felt so familiar. Holding my hand under his chin, something I had witnessed before. I was breathing heavily. He kissed my knuckles before placing my hand back on my laps. I looked at him astound. He said my middle name again. And I wasn't dreaming this time or any other time.  

"You just said my middle name." I whispered. He sat back on his chair. He nodded. 

"I called you Harley." 

"No, you didn't." He rose a brow at me making me shake my head. I was getting insane. But I heard him multiple times now. What the hell was happening to me?

"I'm sorry." I breathed out. 

"Don't be, Miss Harley. And please eat your food, which has turned cold now, twice." I laughed as I realized the food had actually gone cold. I ate as quickly as I could with Nick eating so elegantly while I was trying not to mess up in front of him. I wonder if he gets nervous around me. Which I think, he doesn't. He is too proud to be nervous. Gosh! Control, Harley. Control. 

My eyes widened as I realized I never thanked him for standing up against Samuel. For helping me out. It's been a week and he hasn't really harassed me, just few stares and unintentional touching something. I took a sip of my shake before wiping my mouth with the tissue paper. 

"Thank you, Mr Keres." I said honestly making him raise his brow in question. I really hate it when someone can raise their one eyebrow properly, when I couldn't. 

"Please call me Nick, Miss Harley." I narrowed my eyes at him. 

"You call me Miss Harley, every single time." I pointed out, stressing at the Miss, making him laugh as he leaned closer. 

"Fair enough, Harley." He said proving his point again making me smile slightly.

"You're beautiful." He muttered, too lowly that I almost didn't catch his words. My cheeks heated up under his stare. 

"Well getting back to the topic. Why were you thanking me, Harley?" 

"For standing against Samuel. Nobody had ever shut him up." I surely never took his shits but I couldn't shut his mouth but he did, in the most scariest way, I must add. He chuckled lowly. His eyes weren't soft anymore and I cursed for ruining the moment. As soon as his eyes met mine he sighed lowly. 

"I didn't stood against him, darling. I stood up for you." His voice was getting soft with every word. I looked at him dumbly.

"What's the difference?" He laughed making me feel even more dumb. 

"I am not a good man, Harley. And when I say this, I mean not at all a good man. I stood up for you cause I couldn't see anybody harassing you. They should know whom they'll deal with when they even think about hurting you. I wouldn't have cared less if he would've harassed another employee. But not you, my Harley. And he understood that well." He smirked. The smirk that would want you to hide under your bed sheets. The smirk that scared me. There was something off about this statement. I suddenly felt the drop in temperature while there was an evil glint in his eyes.  

I swallowed as I stood up. I needed to leave. His eyes followed my action, he mimicked me taking his suit on his right hand.

"I should be leaving now, Mr Keres. Or I'll miss the bus." He frowned as he walked towards me.

"Bus? You took bus to come here?" I so badly wanted to answer sarcastically but refrained myself. Not a good time to do so. 

"I told that Hemsworth-" 

"I am fine, Nick. I can go by myself." He shook his head as he took his phone out of his pocket and dialed a number and whispered something in a foreign language, I failed to understand. 

"My man will drop you, Harley. I won't let you board a bus this late." I shook my head with a sigh.

"I lived my whole life boarding the bus, Nick. It's not a big deal." 

"I insist." He pleaded in a tone that left no room for argument. It was hilarious as his words pleads but his tone demands. 

Soon he walked me out of the hotel. In the way he got greeted by my many employees while all I got was stares. He looked at the man who was also dressed in a suit but much less expensive than that of Nick. They exchanged a few words with him in the same language he used before. I stared at the floor dumbly. I was sure they talked about me cause of the stare both of them gave me. It was annoying since I couldn't hear a word and I didn't want to pry.

"Harley, meet Astaroth. He'll be dropping you home." I shook my head. I still had an hour of the shift and God, Mr Hemsworth would kill me. 

"Don't worry, Harley. I already had a word with Mr Hemsworth. You can go there tomorrow. He won't a say word." The last statement was almost a threat though I slid it. 

"Take her, cautiously, Astaroth." Nick said seriously making him nod. 

"Of course, My Lord." He nodded as turned towards me. His hand reached to hold my shoulders as his eyes were penetrating mine. 

"Message me once you reach home." He said placing my phone over my hand. When did he got a hold of this? I was shocked. I don't even have his number. Just on queue he smiled knowingly at me. 

"You have my number in your phone." I nodded. As I turned back to leave he pulled me back by my arm making me hit his chest. He placed his arm over my waist to steady me. I coughed out loud at our proximity making him leave his arm immediately. 

"To answer your earlier question, Miss Harley. I do work here that's because I own this place, my Harley." Way to embarrass yourself in front of him, Harley. Well done. 

~~~~~~~

When I reached home, Sage was sleeping on the couch. I pulled out a blanket from the drawer and draped it around her sleeping frame. I quickly changed into an over-sized tee that reached just above my knees and slipped under my bed covers. I had an hour to kill before making dinner. I quickly reached out for a book that lied under my bed. I didn't even realize I had been already reading for an hour until Sage knocked on the door. 

"I saw your bag lying on the couch and the blanket over me." It's her indirect way to ask me why am I early.

"Yeah, there wasn't much work left so I came home." 

"What are you reading?" She asked pointing towards the book resting over my laps. I smiled widely before answering.

"Adultery by Paulo Coelho." She looked at me weirdly before shaking her head. 

"You're a total nerd, Ley. Always reading. I doubt if you even sleep." I rolled my eyes before placing the feather bookmark amid the pages. I slid the book under the bed before standing up and putting my arm around her shoulder. 

"What would you like to have for dinner?" I asked her as we walked downstairs. 

"Sandwiches?" She asked raising a brow making me shrug in response.

"Sandwiches it is then."