Happy Together

Start Wearing Purple

The room fell silent, the weight of Lucius’s words hanging in the air. The faint sound of DJ’s breathing was the only noise as the three men prepared for what was to come.

It was late in the evening when Victoria returned to her apartment after her shift. The day had been busy, her mind bouncing between Francois’s calming words and the growing knot of emotions tied to Alistair—and Lucius. She set her bag down, sighing deeply, as the dim glow of her phone screen caught her attention. A new text had come through.

She unlocked the screen and stared at the message, her heart skipping a beat when she saw it was from Alistair.

"Hey, Victoria. I was thinking... would you like to go out with me tomorrow night? Just us. I’d like to make it special."

She read the words again, and while the text was signed by Alistair, there was an edge to it—a certain boldness that she couldn’t help but attribute to Lucius. It wasn’t just the words; it was the tone, the confidence.

Her thumbs hovered over the screen as her thoughts raced. Was she ready for this? Could she trust him—not just Alistair but Lucius, too?

Her heart conflicted with her mind. She’d seen sides of both men, sides that confused her and intrigued her in equal measure. Lucius had been dark and dangerous, but in moments, he’d shown her a vulnerability that tugged at her soul. And Alistair… he was the kind of steady she craved but wasn’t sure she could believe in.

Finally, she typed her reply.

"I’d like that. Where and when?"

The response came almost instantly.

"I’ll pick you up at 7. Wear something that makes you feel amazing. Trust me—you’ll love it."

She felt her cheeks flush, a mix of excitement and unease flooding her. What was Lucius’s idea of "special"? She reminded herself that Alistair was still there, somewhere inside, and it was him she was choosing to trust.

The next day at work, Victoria couldn’t stop thinking about the upcoming date. Manny, sharp as always, noticed her distracted state.

"You’re smiling way more than usual today," he teased, elbowing her lightly as they restocked syrups. "What’s going on? Spill."

Victoria laughed nervously, shaking her head. "It’s nothing. Just… plans tonight."

"Plans, huh? Hot date?"

Her cheeks flushed. "Maybe."

Manny grinned. "Well, whoever it is, I hope they know how lucky they are."

She smiled at his comment, though inside, her nerves continued to grow.

When she got home, Victoria stared at her closet, debating what to wear. She finally settled on a black dress that hugged her figure without being too flashy. It was simple yet elegant, paired with her favorite heels and a necklace her mom had given her years ago. The Maria’s cover of Hit Me babyplayed in the background.

At exactly 7 p.m., a knock came at Victoria's door. She smoothed her dress one last time and took a deep breath before opening it. What she saw on the other side made her pause.

Lucius stood there, not Alistair—she could feel it in his presence. He was dressed impeccably in a black and white three-piece suit that fit him like it was custom-made. The sharp contrast of the crisp white shirt against the deep black fabric only highlighted the intensity in his piercing eyes. A thin black tie completed the look, along with polished shoes that gleamed in the hallway light.

In his hands was a bouquet of Black Dahlia's, their delicate petals a striking mirror to his dark aura.

"You look incredible," he said, his voice smooth but carrying that unmistakable edge that told her this wasn’t Alistair speaking.

Victoria blinked, trying to find her words. "You, uh… you clean up well."

Lucius smirked, stepping closer. "You deserve someone who puts in the effort."

Her heart raced as she accepted the flowers, their fragrance soft and comforting. "Thank you. They're beautiful."

"And so are you," he said, his eyes trailing over her with an intensity that made her cheeks flush.

Victoria hesitated before stepping out and locking the door behind her. When she turned back to him, Lucius offered his arm with a slight bow, a theatrical gesture that made her smile despite herself.

"Shall we?" he asked, his voice rich and deep.

She looped her arm through his, feeling the strength beneath the fabric of his suit. As they walked to his car, she stole a glance at him, marveling at how effortlessly he commanded attention—even in the way he moved, there was an elegance and confidence that was hard to ignore.

His car, sleek and black, was parked just outside. He opened the door for her, a gesture that felt both old-fashioned and oddly charming.

"Thank you," she said softly, sliding into the passenger seat.

As he rounded the car and got in, she caught the faint scent of his cologne—spicy and warm, with a hint of something darker.

The engine purred to life, and Gol Gol Bordello’s Start Wearing Purple played as Lucius adjusted the cufflinks on his sleeves before gripping the steering wheel.

"Where are we going?" Victoria asked, unable to hide her curiosity.

"You'll see," he replied with a cryptic smile. "But I promise, tonight is all about you."

As the car glided through the streets, Victoria couldn't help but feel a mix of excitement and unease. There was something about Lucius tonight—something magnetic yet dangerous. But instead of pulling away, she leaned into it, choosing to let the night unfold however it would.

The restaurant Lucius had chosen was elegant, dimly lit, and exuded an air of exclusivity. Chandeliers hung low over polished mahogany tables, and the quiet hum of conversation filled the room. Lucius, in his immaculate black and white suit, looked entirely at home in the sophisticated setting.

Victoria, dressed in her black dress and delicate necklace, felt simultaneously out of place and captivated. There was something about the way Lucius carried himself tonight—commanding and magnetic. Yet, as they settled into their booth, the flicker of candlelight dancing between them, she couldn't shake the subtle tension in the air.

Their meal began with casual conversation—discussions about the holidays, her work at the coffee shop, and lighthearted jokes about Manny. But as the main courses arrived, the tone shifted.

“So,” Lucius said, swirling his glass of sparkling water, his eyes fixed on her. “Tell me, Victoria… if you could take justice into your own hands, would you?”

Victoria blinked, caught off guard by the question. “That’s… a heavy topic for dinner.”

He smirked, leaning forward slightly, the candlelight casting shadows across his sharp features. “I think it’s a fair one. You’ve been wronged. Hurt. Betrayed. Haven’t you ever thought about what you’d do if you had the power to make things right?”

Her fingers tightened around her fork as memories she tried to keep buried rose to the surface. She hesitated, her voice barely above a whisper. “I have. But… I don’t know if I could go through with it.”

“Why not?” he pressed, his voice smooth but laced with intensity. “You’ve told me what happened. What that man did to you. Doesn’t he deserve to pay for that?”

Her heart raced. She hadn’t expected the conversation to take this turn, but there was something in his tone that both unnerved and intrigued her. “Of course, he does,” she admitted, her voice trembling. “But I don’t want to become… like him. Consumed by hate.”

Lucius leaned back in his chair, studying her. “You think revenge makes you like them?”

“I don’t know,” she said, shaking her head. “I think it changes you. And not for the better.”

“Maybe,” Lucius said, his lips curling into a faint, almost sardonic smile. “Or maybe it sets you free. Maybe it’s the only way to truly move on. To take control of what was stolen from you.”

Her breath caught in her throat. “And what about you? Do you think revenge is worth it?”

He chuckled softly, though there was no humor in it. “I think revenge is as natural as breathing. If someone hurts you, the only logical response is to make sure they never do it again.”

“But where does it end?” she asked, her voice firmer now. “If everyone sought revenge, wouldn’t it just create more pain? More victims?”

Lucius tilted his head, his gaze narrowing slightly. “Sometimes, pain is necessary. It’s how we learn. How we grow. How we survive.”

Victoria stared at him, a chill running down her spine. “That’s… dark.”