Page 41 of My Sunfall

“Cara, dear, it’s good to see you. Come in, you came at the right time, you won’t believe who’s here.”

Oh, I think I have an idea, I ponder sourly, gritting my teeth.

I can barely stammer out a greeting before I am ushered into her living room. I immediately spot Lucas sitting on the sofa, relaxed and without a care in the world. He is smirking at me as he gets up and stalks toward me like a hunter on the prowl. I stand rooted on the threshold, not understanding what is going on.

Edna seems unharmed, that much I can see, she even seems giddy. I look up in confusion as Lucas reaches me to pull me into him and kisses me before I can dodge him.

What is going on?

“Hello, cara mia,” he says cheerfully, but his eyes are warning as he narrows them, unseen by Edna. He brushes his lips to my ear as if to kiss the spot, but he whispers low enough only for me to hear. “Play along if you don’t want her hurt.”

I pull back with a sharp breath intake, and he is wearing the same sunny smile again.

“I wanted to surprise you,” he says loudly.

“You young people are so charming,” Edna coos. “Come closer, have a seat, dear. I’ll get you some tea.”

Lucas takes my hand to lead me to the sofa and pulls me down to sit beside him.

My mind is reeling. “What did you do?” I whisper angrily at him once Edna is out of earshot.

“Surprise.” He smirks.

Just as I am about to ask further, Edna comes back and Lucas leans nonchalantly back on the sofa. Edna puts a cup of tea in front of me, and I thank her with a faint smile, studying her face for any sign of distress. But she is all motherly kindness and warmth. Lucas extends his arms over the headrest and places his hand on my neck as if massaging it, but the underlying threat is unmistakable as his fingers curl into a vise at the base of my neck.

“You should have told me, Cara, that your fiancé wanted to buy the building.” Edna sits on the armchair to my left with a fond frown.

Fiancé? Building?

“W-what?” I stammer. “I didn’t—”

“It’s my fault, Ms. Summers.” Lucas falls in smoothly. “I wanted to surprise Cara, I haven’t told her about my plans.”

“Well, you could have told me that you were her fiancé when you made the offer.” She tuts.

“I didn’t want to pressure you into selling it to me.” He beams his megawatt smile at her and she actually blushes.

My jaw almost hits the floor. Then his words hit.

He bought the building, and I don’t even have to guess which one. My blood turns to ice.

“Um… Edna, it really is a bit sudden. Don’t you have second thoughts about selling? You… mentioned that this place was your retirement plan.”

Lucas’ hand tightens in warning around my neck and I straighten, heart racing.

“Yes, it was, indeed.” Edna laughs happily. “But the young man here made an offer I couldn’t refuse. With the money I will be able to enjoy my retirement with travels and comfort. He also assured me that the building and the coffee shop will stay as long as I want, even though I no longer own them. He even offered me a managing job if I get too bored from retirement.” She cackles loudly, followed by Lucas who plays his role to perfection.

My stomach turns, I’m pretty sure I might throw up on Edna’s carpet. After two long steady breaths, I am able to talk again. “And…what about the…letter?”

Edna laughs harder, wiping a tear of mirth from the corner of her eye. “Oh yes, the eviction letter! That was Lucas’ idea, and I must say, this boy is full of mischief.” She looks fondly at him, and I am certain that I have been transported into the Twilight Zone. “He was sure that you’d come here right away, so he came to wait and surprise you.” She leans over and takes my hand with a warm smile. “You should have told me that you were moving out into that beautiful cottage out of town.”

“What?” I breathe.

Lucas locks his arm around my shoulder to pull me into him and presses a kiss on my hair. “I just finished the last of the updates and the furniture arrived today, sweetheart. I wanted to surprise you, so I haven’t told you that it’s ready. I took Edna there for a visit earlier.”

“And I have to say that your little love nest is absolutely beautiful,” she chimes in. “I am so delighted for you two.”

At this point, my mind shuts down and their jaunty chatter is drowned out by the loud pounding of my pulse in my ears. The facts keep spinning in my head. Lucas bought the building with the coffee shop and my apartment. He evicted me. To move in with him into the cottage. Suddenly I can’t breathe. I jump up with the intention of bolting to the door, but Lucas is faster, he stands and grabs me to pull me flush into his side.