CHAPTER TWO

                     He seems different. He wants to meet me for breakfast, not late-night dinner or at a club. It doesn't matter. It's not a date. He'll walk away like others. 

     I glance around. The clock is showing, it's going to be nine in the morning. I don't know his name. When I attended lunch with my dad and uncle this weekend. Dad insisted that I should meet him. I couldn't deny him. 

     I blink my eyes, still looking at the clock, hanging far on the top of the wall. So everyone could see it. 

     "I didn't make you wait," A smooth, deep, and sexy voice reaches my ears. 

     I look up to see. My heart starts to race as my gaze meets his dark blue eyes. I never thought to compare Louis' blue eyes with anyone. 

     Looking into his eyes makes me feel. I'm looking in Louis's eyes.

     He's gorgeous. His silky locks fall over his forehead, his skin is of wheat color and glowing, his muscular body fills out the tight white shirt and black trousers he is wearing. His black coat is unbuttoned. 

      “May I join you?” He says, looking down at me. 

       I nod my head, still looking in his blue eyes. He smiles at me and pulls the chair out. 

      Before sitting, he removes his coat to make himself more comfortable. It's one of Louis' habits.

      I force my eyes down on the table. I can't compare him with Louis. It can be... I'm missing him. It's not a particular habit of him. Many men do it to make them comfortable. 

      I picked up the menu. I feel like I can’t take my eyes off him. As I'm still looking at him from behind the menu. 

      "Luce Edwards," He extends his hand with a smirk. I forward my hand and open my mouth to say my name. My tongue seems to freeze me. when he takes my hand in his and squeezes it softly. 

      A jolt runs down my body. Only Louis makes me feel like this. 

     "I know, Sarah Green." He smiles again and withdraws his hand. 

     He grabs the menu while I'm still holding my hand. I swallow. My gaze darts around. I feel a few gazes on me. A cold sensation prickles through me. I couldn't ever understand this. I'm nervous too. 

     My breathing turns shallow. I climb out of the chair. Luce looks at me over the menu. 

     I look at his eyes. I can't believe I'm looking in Louis' eyes. No! I shake my head. My chest feels tight to me as breathing comes in my lungs with difficulty. 

      "Are you ok?" He politely asks me. 

      Something about the situation scares me. The cool wind moves around me, making me shiver. It's warm inside. 

       "I... " I step back. I don't know what to do. Run away or stay here. 

      My body jolts when I hear a blast. A wave of heat and unshaped fire rushed at us. I feel the dread I felt three years ago, seeing Louis dead body. My hands shoot up to block the fire rushing at me. 

      I scream as it becomes unbearable. Luce's chair is closer to the kitchen door. I move forward to ask him to move away. 

     He is already on his feet. His expressions are much more controlled than mine. I'm frightened. He strides at me. But his body flew away with another blast's impact. I fall back away from the table. More fire, more heat begin to trouble me. People are shouting around me. 

     Pain shot through my back where I hit the ground. I push myself up. My face contorted in pain. I look at myself. 

     I gasp. The pupils of my eyes turn large in disbelief. Fire couldn't hurt me. Impossible! Everything is burning around me. Fear clenched me. Sweat drips down my spine. 

     Goosebumps ripple through my body as I see Luce lying on the scorched looking marble floor, "No!"

     I move forward. Dread clenches me as the fire begins to move away from me. Shock engulfs me. Shock freezes my feet to the spot. Tears burn in my eyes and begin to run down in fright. Impossible. I'm hallucinating. The smoke begins to throttle me. 

      "Luce!" I cough, moving forward. He's enclosed by fire and smoke. The dark smoke and waves of fire are whirling around him. Terror grips me. 

      "Luce!" I panic, "Please, don't die." My voice breaks. Tears slither down my cheeks. 

      The hair on my nap rises at ninety degrees. My breathing echoes in my ears. The dark smoke covers his body. Luce isn't moving. Fear rises, making my body shake. I couldn't see the burning fire. It's not properly dark, the red glow from the fire making things visible. Everything is scorching, burning to ashes. 

     My body shudders in fear when I hear loud and clear footsteps. The footsteps sound like heavy boots smacking against the stone, each step punctuated by the next until a figure stops at some distance. I bat my lashes, blinking the tears. Horror claws me. I take a step back expecting another danger.