XX. January 6th, 1987

Mira's POV:

I didn't think the evening could get any more awkward and uncomfortable, but it did.

Unfortunately, Alaric's kind nature and handsome features aren't enough for me to stay with him.

Especially not with the daggering eyes of his family.

After I met Lucianus, who heavily questioned our relationship, we met Alaric's parents, who were surprisingly accepting. At least, that's what I thought at first until I deciphered his mom's strategic way of insulting me with compliments.

Now, I'm at Alaric's family table, trying to avoid eye contact with his parents, siblings, and other close families.

It's easier said than done.

"Uncle Lucian," Alaric says.

You got to be kidding me.

After Lucianus expressed his heavy disapproval of Alaric and me, he left us. Alaric apologized to me for ten minutes and attempted to convince me that his uncle is usually very accepting and kind. He said his uncle may be in a bad mood tonight.

If he is, he isn't the only one.

"Why are you here?" Alaric asked.

Lucianus sat beside me and smiled, "Am I not allowed to sit with my family?"

"Of course, you're always welcome," Alaric says.

"I prefer you over the rascal over there," Mrs.Desdemona says.

Lucianus smiles, "That's our brother you're speaking of-"

"And my statement stands."

When the auction started, I turned my head towards it.

Bite the bullet.

That's what I told myself the entire time.

After tonight, I can end my relationship with Alaric and move on. He's a wealthy and successful young man, and he won't have any trouble getting over a woman he dated for a few weeks.

I exhaled softly when they auctioned one item after another.

Quickly, my attention shifted when I felt a hand brushed against mine. I move my hands onto my lap.

If someone brushes their hand on you, that would be considered an accident.

Lucianus's hand brushed against the side of my thigh.

I glanced over and noticed how his eyes were fixed on the auction.

I ignored his touch and focused on what was in front of me.

Then, again, it brushes on my thigh.

Ignore.

His knuckles touch the side of my thigh.

Ignore.

The tip of his fingers.

Ignore.

I can feel his fingers inching closer.

I can't ignore it.

Lucianus' fingers wrapped themselves around my thigh.

"That's the-" Alaric was telling me something about the item being auctioned off, but it didn't reach my brain. So, instead of responding, I smiled and nodded my head.

This isn't the time or place to make a problem.

Now, Lucianus's hand is completely on my thigh.

I grip my dress as he caresses my thigh softly. When I inched my leg away, his hand went deeper. So, I was forced to stop.

I ground my molars and sucked on the inside of my mouth as his hand went deeper under my dress. Soon, he was beside my underwear.

I glanced over, and our eyes met.

My lips parted, but nothing came out except hot breaths.

His eyes are so beautiful.

Quickly, I looked away and swallowed. "I'm going to the restroom," I said quickly to Alaric and left before he could respond.

When I finally reached the bathroom, I closed the door and rolled off my underwear, only to find it entirely soaked.

"Oh my God," I mumbled to myself.

I'm certain what Lucianus did was sexual harassment, but why did I enjoy it? At one point, I think my body moved on its own and got closer to his hand. I smack my head on the wall to get rid of the thought.

After a few minutes in the bathroom, or more precisely ten, I left only to see the root of tonight's problems.

Lucianus was outside the women's restroom with one hand in his pocket and the other on a childish beaded bracelet. It doesn't seem to fit his style. When he noticed me, he slipped the bracelet into his pant pocket.

I didn't run away but rather stood there and waited for his explanation.

He didn't utter a single word.

Our eyes were in a heated battle where neither backed down.

"Why are you here with Alaric?" he asked.

I scoffed, "I'm sorry. Was I supposed to run this by you?"

I know I'm supposed to give the Grand Duke respect, but we're not in Bulteria and I'm upset about the sexual harassment from earlier.

"Break up with him," he demanded.

I folded my arms, "Your nephew was the one who chased after me."

"I know," he responded. He got off the wall and took two steps toward me, "Which is why I'm asking you to break up with him."

I was going to break up with Alaric tonight, but there was a part of me that wanted to stay with Alaric to spite Lucianus.

All because he's handsome, wealthy, tall, and has a high status, does he think he can push people around like that?

If he had acted like an adult and asked me nicely, I would've accepted his response and broken up with Alaric.

Instead, he's acting like a childish asshole.

"I'm sorry, but Alaric and I are adults, and adults can make their own decisions."

"You refuse to break up?"

"And what would you do if I don't?"

Lucianus's body was unbearably close to mine, and it seemed like my heels were glued to the floor because it refused to move. It's weird, but his presence made me feel a bit warm inside. I'm conflicted.

His molars ground so harshly that I could see a vein pop at the side of his temple. He took a steady exhale from his nostrils before whispering, "Please."

Well, that was a turn of character.

"Do you really not want me to be together with him?" I asked.

"Yes."

"Why?"

Lucianus didn't respond.

"Is it because I'm not in the same class as you guys?"

"That's not it."

"Then, why?"

Lucianus raises his hands and touches my cheeks. My body freezes completely as his thumbs rub against my cheekbones. Slowly, he raised one hand and covered my eyes.

I could hear him mumbling something, but I couldn't make sense of it.

It was weird.

"What are you doing?" I question.

His hands are covering my eyes.

After a few seconds, Lucianus removed his hand and stared at it.

"Are you okay?" I asked.

Lucianus looked at me, covered my eyes, and mumbled something again. Then, he removed it and stumbled back slightly.

I smacked my lips, "Okay. I'm going to go."

Of course, I get the hots for a crazy fellow.

"Mira." Lucianus chased after me.

I stopped and turned around, "Yes?"

He did the same weird thing.

When he did it for the fifth time, his face actually looked frustrated.

"Why is it not working?" He said.

Your brain?

"Why is what not working?" I asked.

"My powers."

I took a step back, "I'm sorry, but are you using your powers on me?"

"Mira-"

"Stop." I closed my eyes and inhaled a shared breath. "Let's stop this right there. I'm going to catch a ride home. Please tell Alaric I'm sorry, but I'm feeling unwell and have to leave early." It's not a lie because I feel unwell. If I stay here any longer, I may go insane with whatever Lucianus is trying to do.

Quickly, I walked away from Lucianus. I collected my coat and purse in the lobby.

"Mira!"

Oh, God. When will it end?

The woman hands me the items, and off I go. Lucianus was hot on my trail. Because of my handicap - heels - he caught up.

"Please," he said. "Please-" Lucianus blocked my path.

With my arms folded, I tapped the heel.

Lucianus stared at me and then mumbled something.

After ten seconds, I exhaled, "Are we done?"

When he didn't respond, I walked past time and hailed for a cab outside. By now, the excitement had died down, and the media was long gone. When a cab stopped, I opened the door.

I turned around and saw Lucianus on the top of the stairs. Unlike his put-together self from the party, his clothes and hair were in complete chaos.

I shook off the uneasy feelings and got inside the car.

When the holidays were over, it was time to return to school. The first day rolled around the corner, and Alaric insisted on talking to me privately. I didn't have any reason to decline his proposal.

In one of the cafes, we settled our items down. The moment my butt hits the chair, I let out a light sigh of relief. My ankles have been killing me these days.

"You haven't picked up my calls," he said.

I chuckled, "At least let me buy a drink first."

"I'd like to know why."

I exhaled softly. I guess I won't get a chance to get a drink from this place. "Alaric. You're amazing, but I don't think we should continue this."

"Is it, perhaps, my family?"

Yes.

Hard yes.

"No," I responded. "After the New Year party I remembered why I wanted to leave Bulteria."

"Because of...Immortals?"

"It's more than that," I said.

Alaric sighed, "I see."

"You're a great guy. You'll-"

"Find someone one day," he said.

My eyes widen, "Is your power...mind reading or something?"

Alaric laughed, "No."

"Just out of curiosity, what is it?"

"You dumped me, and now you demand to know my powers?"

"I didn't...demand."

Alaric's eyes glowed blue.

He lifted his hand, and an empty cup floated in the air. Every customer watched as the items lifted and ingredients came together to make a cup of tea. Two cups of tea settled in front of us.

His wallet appeared, and out came a ten-dollar bill. It made its way to the cashier.

"Telekinesis?"

He smiled, "Yeah." He grabbed one of the cups, "Mind manipulation is more of my uncle thing."

"Uncle?"

"Uncle Lucianus."

"Is that why he doesn't like me? He read my mind and knew all of my deep, dark secrets?"

"You have deep, dark secrets?"

I tilted my head, "Doesn't everyone?"

"His power isn't mind reading. I think. It's more of manipulation and control."

"Manipulation as in-"

"You know, manipulate their memories. Make it seem like events that never happened happen and vice versa."

"Should you be telling me this?"

Alaric shrugged, "Not like you can do anything with the information."

"Your powers look cooler."

He smiles, "It is, isn't it?"

"Why are you an Earl?"

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"I mean, telekinesis. Shouldn't you be higher ranked?"

He laughed, "It sounds great and all, but, unfortunately, I'm not as strong as others in battles."

"You move stuff with your mind," I clarified.

"Battles are more than powers," he said. "It's about experience, too, and I'm not as experienced as others. And unlike them, I only have one."

"Wait. Immortals can have more than one power?" That's not what I hear in the media.

He nodded, "Not a lot of them. Just a few."

"That's cool. What's up with your eyes earlier?"

"My eyes? Oh, yeah, powers have colors associated with them."

"Cool."

Alaric put down the cup and raised a hand towards me. "Friends still?"

I shake it, "Friends."

"Can I ask you something?"

"Sure," I said.

Alaric cupped his hands above the table and leaned in closer. "Be honest with me. When we kissed, did you feel anything?"

If I felt something, why would I break up with you? My face scrunches, "No," I said. "But, you're a really good kisser."

Alaric shrugged and moved away, "Tell me something I don't know."

I laughed and grabbed the cup.

"Another question?"

"Go for it." I sip on the tea.

"Are you interested in my uncle?"

The tea splatters out.

Alaric raises a brow.

"No," I said.

He leaned back and crossed his legs, "Really?"

"Yes."

"Truly?"

"Yes!"

"You sound quite anxious."

"Because you're accusing me of something that's not true."

"And defensive." Alaric crossed his arms, "You know when you left, my uncle followed not too long after. You never came back, and neither did he."

I imitated his body posture, "What are you insinuating?"

"You two were hooking up."

"Yes. When I saw the Archduke, I thought: Fuck the Earl. Go big or go home."

"You must be a mind reader because that's precisely what I'm thinking."

I smiled, "I'll save the mind powers and delusions for you, Immortals."

Alaric shakes his head, "I'd stay away from my uncle."

I scoffed, "I don't want him."

"Good. Because he's about to get engaged."

That sentence hurt me harder than I thought it would. "I don't know if you noticed, I'm pregnant. The last thing I need in my life is a complicated relationship. Going after a man who's about to be blessed by the king to be with another woman?" I shake my head.

"I like you."

I exhaled, "Do we really have to go through this process again? How many times must I break your heart?"

Alaric raises his cup, "To long-lasting friendship?"

"Until things get too bumpy." I click my glass against his.

Going from almost lovers back to friends with Alaric was much simpler than I thought. The atmosphere between us never changed. Then again, we barely dated and kissed a few times. If we went any further or longer, the roads may be rougher to travel.

It also helps that Alaric had been alive for quite some time. He never told me how old he is, and when I do ask, he says I'm rude for asking a man his age.

My response, on the other hand, was unexpected - according to him. Apparently, he has this natural charisma that gets women to fall on their knees and beg him to stay. If it's not that, then they typically turn bitter or unapproachable after the breakup.

He called me an old soul, which is funny because he is a lot older than me.

Other than that, the upcoming year is mostly the same.

Until Alaric asked me to come to his family dinner.