The Last Tomorrow

Chapter 4

ELISE’ POV

Out of curiosity Elise asked if Lucas had agreed to marry her willingly. It had been on her mind since she heard about the marriage but never found an opportunity to ask.

“Did Lucas agree to this marriage willingly?”

Her father looked at her, tired.

“Of course he did.”

“Without hesitation.” Elise sounded genuinely curious as she wasn't totally expecting her father's answer.

“Why are you asking too many questions about a man you've agreed to marry. When you see him bore him with all these instead.”

And with that, she stormed to her room.Elise stayed up all night. Wondering why Lucas has willingly decided to marry someone he barely knew. Wondering what her future husband looked like. She had seen him a couple of times when they were younger but never paid full attention.

“If I wasn't going to marry someone my heart picked then he should be at least extremely handsome.” Elise said to herself as there was no one else around to joke with.

She eventually slept off from all the exhaustion and over thinking.

And honestly, she needed that. She woke up the next morning looking better, her eyes weren't puffy anymore, she wasn't as grumpy as she was anymore, and she felt relieved.

She immediately went to shower and spent time getting ready, not because she wanted to look good for Lucas. She always wanted a reason to “extra-dressup”. Since Nathan died she had been indoors since. Elise saw this as a chance to come back to reality and do what she actually liked doing for once, before a stranger takes that.

Elise put her hair in a ponytail, with a no make-up, make-up look and her lips did the rest of the talking. She wore a red fitted long sparkly dress that complemented her skin so well.

“Elise, we're leaving!” Her father shouted from downstairs.

“I'll be down in a jiffy father.”

She grabbed her purse and went to meet him.

Her father paused for a moment, looking at Elise like he had just seen a diamond but tried to hide it. Elise noticed this and for a moment she got super emotional.

“You look wonderful darling.” Her mum said, patting her back.

Before she could respond, the driver walked in.

“Wow, an angel decided to bless us with her presence today. Anyways, the car is ready Sir.” He bowed his head and walked out.

“Shall we?” Her father said pointing towards the door.

They all followed him and the drive was somewhat awkwards. Silence filled the car, no music or anything. Elise' mother tried talking to her husband and Elise but neither of them were interested.

By the time they had arrived Elise had already prepared a thousand questions she was going to ask Lucas. She didn't care if he'd get bored of them or not. All she knew was that she had questions to ask.

A housekeeper welcomed them and led the family into a private dinner room where Mrs Reed was already standing.

“Vivian!, it's lovely to see you, hope the ride here wasn't stressful.”

Before Elise' mother could complete her reply Mrs Reed turned to Elise.

“Elise darling, you look wonderful!”

“Thank you Mrs Reed.”

“Oh please call me Margaret, we're practically family now!”

Elise forced a smile, already feeling irritated.

*Practically family, how comforting.*

“Lucas will be joining us shortly,” she continued. “He's just finishing up a few things in his study.”

The maids came and served honey biscuits with some wine. Mrs Reed wasn't so nice with her staff. Elise noticed this and wondered how the both of them would cope.

A few minutes later, the door opened. And there he was.

Lucas Reed.

He was different from what she had heard, and expected not in a negative way.

He was taller, looked nicer and had a soft aura. His expressions were composed, almost calculated as his eyes moved towards the room.

“Elise.”

“Lucas.”

He pulled out the chair opposite hers and sat.

As they locked eyes Elise suddenly forgot everything she had wanted to ask. She seemed lost, in awe and hoped it didn't show on her face.

“Do you perhaps want to go somewhere quieter?”

*Oh Lord, what was that voice* Elise thought, fighting the urge not to smile so hard.

For a moment she stared at Lucas, which left Lucas wondering if anything was wrong with what he had just asked or how he looked.

“Sorry, are you still here?” He asked, waving to Elise' attention.

“My bad, what did you say?”

He repeated himself and they both went out to the garden.

For about 10 minutes there was total silence while they were both just walking till Elise finally broke it.

“Can I ask you something?”

He paused, “you're already asking.”

Was that supposed to be a joke?, or…

“My apologies.”

“Did you want this marriage?”

“Would it make a difference if I said no?”

“Yes.”

“How?, why?”

“Then I'd know I wasn't the only person being forced into something I didn't want.”

“No then.”

Something sounded off about his response and Elise wanted to ask further but they were interrupted by the maid.

“Sir, Ma…the meal is ready. Mrs Reed is calling you two inside.”

“After you.”

Elise walked past him and then he followed from behind. She slipped and almost fell. Luckily, Lucas caught her just in time.

With his arms around her waist and her hands on his shoulders they sure did look so cute together.

“Awwn.” The maid squealed.

The two of them quickly let go of each other.

“What's wrong Emily?”

“Nothing Sir.”

“Then why are you smiling?”

“I just think the two of you look good together.”

Elise' eyes widened, waiting for Lucas to scold the maid. But he didn't, he just shook his head. Apparently, Lucas is so chill with the houseworkers.

“Go tell them we'll be there shortly.”

“Yes Sir.”

Emily hurried away.

And that small interaction made Elise realise Lucas wasn't as cold as she thought he was. He was calm, easygoing, a soft talker and nice with the house staff. He was way different than what she had expected.

“Are you always this clumsy?” Lucas asked, trying to tease Elise.

Elise turned sharply, interrupted from her thoughts.

“Excuse me?”

“You almost fell.”

“Yes Lucas, and I appreciate you saving me.”

He let out a faint laugh.

“Come on,” he said. Pointing towards the house.

She followed him, determined to ignore the ridiculous thoughts in her head.

“Elise focus, remember why you're here.”