WHEN HEARTS COLLIDE
CHAPTER 5.
Liora stood in front of the mirror, her fingers trembling slightly as she adjusted the strap of her dress for the tenth time. Her reflection stared back, hair freshly brushed, a soft gloss on her lips, and eyes full of anxious energy.
"Girl, why are you shaking like a leaf?" Imani said, flopping on the bed behind her. "It's just a date, not a proposal."
Liora shot her a look through the mirror. "Easy for you to say. You didn't wake up in a stranger's hotel room and then agree to a date as repayment."
"Stranger?" Imani scoffed. "More like a tall, fine, mysterious man with the voice of a god and the jawline of sin. If anything, you're doing charity and turning up cute."
Liora groaned, running her hands down the fabric of her dress. "Do you think this is too much? What if I look like I'm trying too hard?"
"You are trying too hard," Imani replied bluntly. "But you also look stunning. So shut up and go give Mr. Dazzle Eyes a reason to lose sleep tonight."
As Liora smoothed the hem of her dress, nerves jittering in her fingertips, a soft car horn echoed from outside.
She blinked. "Did you hear that?"
Imani, sprawled on the couch with popcorn, peeked through the window. Her eyes widened. "Oh. My. God."
"What?" Liora asked, already panicking.
Imani turned slowly, a sly grin forming. "There's a black car outside. The black car. Mr. Hotel Guy is outside. Girl, he came to pick you up."
Liora's heart did a backflip. "But… we didn't talk about where. How is he even?"
"I don't know," Imani said dramatically, "but if I ever go missing, I want him at my search party."
Outside
Liora stepped out slowly, clutching her small bag, breath hitching when she saw him.
Lucian stood beside the open passenger door, dressed in a soft navy shirt, sleeves rolled just enough to show his watch. No smirk. Just that same unreadable expression: calm, assured, quietly waiting.
"You're… early," Liora said awkwardly.
"I didn't want to keep you waiting," Lucian replied gently. "I hope it's okay. I asked one of your coworkers when your shift ended yesterday."
She blinked in surprise. "You did?"
He gave a slight nod. "I wasn't sure you'd come if I didn't show up myself."
A pause.
Liora's shoulders relaxed. "I guess I really am going on a date, huh?"
Lucian opened the door for her, and for the first time, the corner of his lips curved into something real , something soft.
Just as Lucian reached for the car door, the apartment door burst open behind her.
"Hey! Don't think you can sneak out without introducing me," Imani called out, slipping into her sandals as she jogged up to them.
Liora sighed, already red in the face. "Imani, please don't…."
Too late.
Imani gave Lucian a once-over and nodded, clearly impressed. "So… you must be Mr. Hotel Rescue."
Lucian raised a brow, a faint amused smile touching his lips. "I suppose I am."
"Well," Imani said, standing on tiptoe to pat his shoulder, "bring her back in one piece, yeah? No stress, no drama, and no midnight trauma."
Liora groaned, covering her face. "Imani!"
Imani leaned in and whispered in her ear, "Have so much fun. But not too much fun."
Then, with a wink to Lucian, she turned and sauntered back inside.
The soft click of the car door shut out the rest of the world. Liora sat quietly, tugging nervously at the edge of her dress.
Lucian noticed, glancing over as he started the engine. "You're nervous."
Her eyes widened. "Is it that obvious?"
He gave a soft smile, eyes back on the road. "Just a little."
She let out an awkward laugh. "I have never been on a date."
Lucian nodded once, voice low and calm. "It's okay. I didn't plan anything overwhelming. Just... something peaceful."
He looked over at her briefly. "You're safe with me, Liora. I'll make sure you're comfortable."
That made her heart skip. She looked out the window, smiling just a little. "So… where are we going?"
Lucian's lips tugged again, this time into a more playful smile. "You'll see."
The hum of the engine faded as Lucian parked the car. Liora looked around, confused. There were no fancy buildings, no flashy restaurants, just the soft sound of waves crashing in the distance.
Her heart skipped.
"Wait… is this the beach?"
Lucian stepped out and moved to open her door. "Yeah. I didn't know if you'd like it, but I figured… peace and salt air might be better than loud music and candles."
Liora blinked, visibly touched. "I love the beach."
Lucian paused, surprised. "Really?"
She nodded slowly, eyes scanning the moonlit shore ahead. "It's my favorite place in the world."
He smiled gently. Instinct, he thought. Weird.
They walked along a narrow trail that opened up to a tucked-away stretch of beach, lit with soft lanterns planted in the sand. A small wooden table stood nearby with two folding chairs, a picnic basket resting beside it.
Lucian gestured shyly. "I didn't know what you liked… so I got a bit of everything. Sandwiches, fruit, wine. Nothing too heavy."
Liora couldn't hide her smile. "You didn't have to go through all this trouble."
"I wanted to," he replied simply.
Liora sat down quietly on the edge of the boardwalk, her bare feet brushing the cool sand. The breeze played with her hair as the sound of waves filled the silence between them.
Lucian stole a glance at her. "You seem comfortable here."
She gave a soft smile. "The beach has always been my escape. I used to come here with my mom. Before she got sick."
Her voice cracked at the end of the sentence. She blinked quickly, turning her face slightly away. "It's silly, but the waves… they made things feel okay for a while."
Lucian's expression softened. He didn't say anything at first, just looked out at the horizon beside her. "It's not silly," he said finally. "It's… human."
She sniffled and let out a shaky laugh. "Great, I'm crying on a first date."
"That's alright," he said, gently. "I forgot to mention, tears are included in the prix fixe."
Liora laughed this time, a real laugh, wiping her cheek. "You're such a weirdo."
Lucian smirked. "Take one to know one."
"You know…" she said, her voice barely louder than the wind. "I really want to run in the sand. Let the water hit my legs."
Lucian turned to her, watching the wistful look in her eyes.
"I used to do that a lot as a kid," she continued, smiling faintly. "Danced in the wet sand like it was the only place I could breathe."
Lucian didn't hesitate.
"Then do it," he said simply.
She blinked, looking at him. "What?"
"Go," he urged, his lips curving into that quiet smile of his. "Run. Dance. Let it hit your legs."
Liora hesitated for a second. Then, without overthinking it, she slipped off her sandals and took off toward the shore with a soft laugh, her dress fluttering behind her.
Lucian stood back, hands in his pockets, watching her. Her laughter blended with the ocean breeze, and for a moment, it was as if the weight she always carried had lifted if only for the night.
He smiled to himself.
Beautiful, he thought. Absolutely beautiful.
Lucian stood there, smiling to himself as he watched Liora twirl in the shallow waves, the moonlight brushing her skin like silver dust.
Then
Riiing. Riiing.
His smile faltered as the sound snapped him out of the moment.
Liora's phone was buzzing on the bench where she'd left it beside her sandals. He walked over, glancing at the screen: Special Victims Hospital.
His brows drew together in concern.
He picked up the phone, the screen still lit, and made his way toward her.
"Liora," he called gently.
She turned, breathless and smiling.
Lucian held out the phone. "It's the hospital."
Her face fell.
The joy drained from her eyes as she took the phone. She pressed it to her ear with trembling hands.
"Hello?"
There was a pause.
Then: "What? Relapsed? But….."
Lucian couldn't hear the other side, but he didn't need to.
He saw her shoulders tense. Her jaw tightened.
"I….I'll find a way to sort it out," she said quickly, voice cracking. "Please don't stop her treatment. Please…"
The call ended. Liora stood frozen, staring down at the phone as tears welled up in her eyes.
Lucian stepped closer, his voice soft. "Is it your mom?"
She nodded slowly, unable to speak. Her lips trembled.
"She's relapsing," she whispered.
"I need to go," Liora said urgently, already grabbing her sandals. "I need to go to the hospital"
Lucian stepped in calmly, his voice firm but gentle. "Breathe. I'll take you there."
She nodded frantically, slipping on her sandals with trembling fingers. Her mind was spinning. She followed him in a rush as they headed for his car.
The ride started in silence, save for the sound of Liora's shallow breathing. She sat stiffly, hands clenched and fidgeting in her lap. Murmured words escaped her lips.
"Please let Mama be okay… please…"
Lucian glanced at her from the driver's seat, heart tugging at the sight. He reached over, his hand gently covering hers.
"Hey," he said softly, "She'll be fine. I promise."
Liora didn't speak, but the tension in her shoulders eased ever so slightly. Her breathing slowed. She let the silence fill the space, holding onto his touch like an anchor in the storm.