Underneath The Truth

Uncomfortable closeness

Unresolved tension, unsaid words, and memories neither of them wanted to confront were all evident in the crackling air.

Lucille was confident of one thing when the automobile backed away from the curb. This was not the end of it. Not even close.

The interior of the car felt oppressive. Ignoring the man next to her, Lucille continued to stare out the window, counting the blurred streetlights that passed. However, it was not feasible.

The smell of his cologne, a combination of something pricey and sinister, permeated the little space and crept into her consciousness like an unwelcome recollection.

With his mouth clenched and his fingers grasping the wheel with a bit too much power, Edward drove in silence. Between them, a dense and persistent tension crackled.

This was something she detested. resented her awareness of him. hated that the spots were his hands had touched her still burned.

She ought to have put up more of a fight. Despite her aching ankle, she ought to have refused to get into the automobile.

She knew it was pointless, though, Edward Einstein had always gotten his way, and tonight was no exception.

The silence between them seemed like forever until he finally said something.

"Where are you residing? " Lucille thought about lying. However, what was the point? Knowing she would later regret it, she sighed and gave him the address to her loft.

Edward simply stepped on the throttle a bit more forcefully without reacting. Between them, silence lingered once more, heavy with unsaid words. Lucille was at her breaking point.

"Why in the world are you back here? She turned to him and demanded.

Edward's eyes were fixed on the road, and his face was unreadable.

"Business."

She laughed without amusement.

"Company?" He didn't answer. Her chest erupted in anger.

She spat, "You mean your dynasty." "The one you left behind a decade ago? The one that you abandoned in ruin after

Her voice trailed off. following the death of her sibling. after he vanished into thin air.

Edward's hand gripped the steering wheel more firmly.

"I didn't leave anything behind."

Lucille squinted her eyes. "You left without turning around."

His eyes sparked with something sinister, but it passed too quickly for her to catch. Her fists clenched.

"You can't pretend to be a virtuous entrepreneur who is rescuing the empire. Edward, you went. You allowed it to decay. What comes next? You believe you can simply return and make everything right? "

Edward shook his head and let out a harsh exhale. "You have no knowledge of what transpired."

Lucille laughed. "So instruct me." Quiet. She chuckled bitterly. "I had that thought."

Before her building, the automobile skidded to a stop. Ignoring the sting in her ankle, she grabbed the door handle and swung it open without waiting for him to speak another word.

Edward was quicker. He was there, obstructing her path before she could move. His massive bulk loomed over her, his presence so overbearing that it caused her chest to constrict.

Lucille took a deep breath. "Go away." Edward remained still.

"It's not appropriate for you to walk on that ankle."

She yelled, "I don't need your concern," detesting the tinge of his proximity.

Something unfathomable lurked in the depths of his eyes as he studied hers.

"Lucille, you may despise me, but I'm not the bad guy you believe me to be."

She gasped. Something changed for an instant. Then she recalled. recalled her sister's suffering. recalled the icy void he had left behind. The moment vanished in an instant.

Lucille stepped back and raised her chin.

"Edward, you have no right to change the past. Furthermore, you absolutely do not have the right to pretend to care.

Unwilling to show him how her hands shook, she turned and hobbled toward the door.

Edward remained motionless, observing her.

However, when the door shut behind her, she couldn't get rid of the thought that they would cross paths again. By no means.

With desperate gasps of breath, Lucille leaned against the door for support and slammed it shut behind her.

She had a throbbing ankle. Her heart raced. And the unwavering awareness of the man still standing outside made her whole body hum.

Einstein, Edward.

Squeezing her eyes tight, she forced herself to forget how his speech chilled her and how his intense eyes gave her the impression that he could see right through her barriers.