Free Web NovelChapter 96: Good night, Lucian.
"Miss Starling, two minutes."
The said call came soon,
The group nodded and reached the backstage area.
Beyond the curtain, Lucian heard the audience, hundreds of people, talking, laughing, waiting for Evelyn to make an appearance.
Nolan was already there, making the crowd laugh, then, once things calmed, once it was time—
"Ladies and gentlemen, tonight is special. Our next guest is a voice that has carried millions through heartbreak, joy, and long nights, I believe you all know her already, so let’s welcome—
Evelyn Starling!"
The audience erupted in joy, the excitement was so loud, sudden and overwhelming that even Evelyn was surprised for a moment, but then, she smiled, she looked at Lucian for a moment and—
"Stay where I can see you."
She spoke softly.
"As my lady commands."
Lucian bowed dramatically, the superstar rolled her eyes and then—
Evelyn Starling walked through the curtains and the audience’s roar became even louder. Lucian watched everything from the small gap in the curtain, he saw as Evelyn walked in, smiled, waved at the crowd, then sat on the couch like she belonged there more than anyone else in the room.
Then—
The show started.
It wasn’t much, people were concerned about Evelyn’s health, that was the reason she agreed to the show, to tell them she was alright now. The interview was gentle and humorous, Evelyn’s presence alone was more than enough to carry the entire show, Nolan’s wittiness made it even better.
He asked more and more questions, Evelyn answered them all, the audience laughed and after about 20 minutes, it was over.
The band played, the audience stood again, Evelyn waved, smiled, and walked off stage. The moment she crossed the curtain and returned backstage, she ignored everyone else and walked towards Lucian—
"How was I?"
She asked playfully.
"I was mesmerised."
Lucian answered.
"Be honest."
"I feel offended that you think I wasn’t." free𝑤ebnovel.com
Evelyn rolled her eyes, at this point, she had already accepted she wouldn’t be getting any direct answers from this man.
A few studio staff nearby watched their exchange. One of them, a young assistant with a headset, stared at Lucian like he was trying to place him.
"Are you... part of Miss Starling’s team?"
He asked.
"Of course not, I am her young lover that she’s been hiding from the world."
"!!!"
The assistant widened his eyes in shock.
"Oh you wouldn’t believe the things she does to me."
Lucian wiped his tears.
"W-What...?"
"Will the world accept me?"
Evelyn facepalmed. Clara’s mouth twitched in annoyance as well.
"He is from Security."
She spoke as she glanced at the assistant, and the assistant...
"Y-Yes..."
He just nodded, he had no idea what else he was supposed to say.
"We would prefer if you do not start any baseless rumours."
Clara looked into his eyes and the assistant flinched.
"O-Of course not! We would never do that!"
Clara nodded, then she looked specifically at Lucian and—
"We are leaving."
She spoke in a stricter tone as she began walking.
"What happened to her...?"
Lucian wondered out loud.
"Is she jealous?"
"Why are you like this...?"
Evelyn shook her head.
"Hmmm? Loveable? I have always been like this."
"Haaahhh..."
Evelyn sighed, then, she started walking with Lucian and the rest. There were still a few formalities left, soon, Nolan came to say goodbye as well.
"You were wonderful there."
He smiled at Evelyn.
"Thank you for making it easy." frёeωebɳovel.com
Evelyn nodded.
"Of course, that’s the least I could do."
Lucian watched the exchange quietly, Nolan glanced at him then he leaned closer to Evelyn and whispered lightly.
"Your new guard has very intense eyes."
"I hear very well too."
Lucian smiled as he gave him a small wave.
"Good to know."
Nolan cleared his throat and nodded.
Then, once the formalities were complete, Evelyn left with Lucian and the others, again, the routes weren’t shared with Lucian.
He simply remained with Evelyn.
"So? How was it?"
Once they were inside the car, Evelyn turned towards Lucian and questioned curiously.
"Hmm? How was what?"
"Your first experience of a show."
"Exhausting."
Lucian answered honestly.
"What? I thought you were having fun."
Evelyn was surprised.
"You can leave me alone with a stone and we will have fun."
"That sounds... oddly refreshing."
"What can I say? I am good company."
Lucian shrugged.
"That you are..."
Evelyn nodded with a small, genuine smile on her face. A smile that made Lucian look at her with a solemn look, of course, that disappeared the very next instant, no one in the car noticed it.
Lucian continued talking to her, ignoring Alaric again. By the time they returned to the hotel, it was already close to midnight. The cars entered through the private basement entrance, the same way they had left.
Then, the group stepped out, Lucian was the last, then once he did his own check, he turned and extended his hand to Evelyn.
"My lady~"
"You do that every time."
Evelyn chuckled as she held his hand.
"Getting the chance to hold Evelyn Starling’s hand? I would take it every damn time I can!"
Evelyn laughed again as she stepped out.
By now, the team was already used to the way the two interacted with each other, so they didn’t bother. They moved through the private elevator, up to the protected floor, all the way to Evelyn’s suite.
Once they were here, Alaric turned towards the others and—
"Night rotation begins in ten minutes. Sarah, you watch the first hallway. Elise will check the inner ward, Clara prepare the report and Lila focus on your medical notes."
The team nodded.
Then suddenly—
"Cross. You are off active movement for now. However, you are not to leave the protected floor without informing me."
Alaric spoke as he looked at Lucian.
"You remembered I exist."
Lucian blinked.
"How touching~"
He placed a hand on his chest. Evelyn chuckled at that, Alaric completely ignored him and walked away.
"I will be leaving now."
Evelyn spoke with a light smile.
"Have a good rest."
Lucian smiled at her.
"I will try."
Lucian wanted to joke, but for once, he held back.
"Good night."
He smiled, this time for real.
Lucian smiled.
"Good night, Lucian."
