Pastel Dreams || editing

three - the other side

He really didn't want to be here.

It wasn't the chair that was uncomfortable, but rather him really. And as he looked out the large, smooth window panel, New York City's beautiful skyline smiled back at him. He longed to be outside, to study the architecture of the buildings he walked by, to feel his feet stepping on the auburn leaves, to inhale the cool October air... But instead, his father called him right in the middle of an important meeting. He was having dinner with the Greysons this evening.

It certainly explained the annoyed expression he was sporting, at least. Lucca typed away on his phone, a sudden smile gracing his sullen face.

I can get all the girls I want, you twat, Chris had written. And just because I have a girlfriend doesn't mean I can't get them.

Christopher was a good friend of his, and a solid womanizer at that. Nina, his year-long girlfriend, had tamed him, and it was no secret he was whipped. Lucca mentally shuddered in disgust. No way was he ending like that.

Yeah, yeah, keep talking, you're practically married, Nick answered. Nicholas Benedict Matthews was the 'big brother' of the group. Married, neurosurgeon, with a kid on the way, he was the figure of success.

I almost want to smash both of your heads with a book. Key word: almost. You're that annoying.

Last came Alexander. His best mate. They had met at college, and his shy roommate had turned out to be one of the most affluent editors in the business. It hadn't always been like this. Xander was shy, and between odd jobs, he wrote pieces for newspapers. They were good. Really good. So after two years as an exceptional journalist, Alexander founded his own publishing house, and despite its struggles at first, he was a remarkable editor who'd been the first to publish his books. He couldn't be happier, apparently, and Lucca was proud of him.

As Lucca walked up the steps of the famous Greyson household, he couldn't help but let his mind flicker back to his saved Word documents and how he still had mountains of things to write. He loved writing, and it had come as a surprise to many when he finally decided to pursue it. He had always been a dreamer, after all.

He knocked carefully, and couldn't help but smile when Camellia's mother, Rosalind 'Rosa' Greyson opened the door with a bright red smile. She was bubbly, and motherly and Lucca loved her like his own mother. Which was why they saw each other rather... regularly, despite Camellia not knowing. Rosa was a science fiction writer and always helped him with his writer's block.

"How are you, love?" She asked warmly, inviting him in.

"I'm alright Mrs. G, and you?"

"My daughter's home," Rosa bluntly said. "And it looks like it isn't getting any better. I wish I could help," she said, pulling her auburn shoulder length locks into a ponytail.

Lucca followed her into the dining room silently. Rosa Greyson was constantly worried for her youngest daughter, but would never tell her she was. Lucca admired the fact that she respected Camellia enough to let her live her life, even if it costed her to do so. Her father loved her to bits, too, despite being slightly more overprotective. 

His parents and godfather greeted him warmly as well, exchanging jokes and laughs. Until Camellia made her apparition from the kitchen, holding a steaming dish, eyes downcast.

He saw her sadness first as he took in her eyes. It startled him, how different she seemed now. She oozed power and confidence despite a timid smile that screamed charm, but she was thinner than she'd been before. Camellia settled the dish on the table, brushing past him as she avoided his gaze.

He hadn't always known what it was, that sickening, happy feeling in his stomach whenever he saw her, but it had been too late.

During her teenage years she'd been haughty and unattainable, and truly, it was puberty that had driven them apart.

Before that it was sleepovers, pizza, food fights, hot dog contests and swimming competitions where they would cheer each other on.

When he joined the football team - to make his father proud- in Freshman year, he knew she'd be devastated. She retaliated by joining the field hockey squad. Gradually, he had stopped speaking to her, and the resentment turned into angst. She found a new best friend and became higher on the social ladder. 

He wasn't much of a hypocrite, and had always carried himself proudly. He refused to be a stereotypical, brainless jock, and most of his close weren't either. They were in the middle, and preferred focusing on their studies rather than losing brain cells every weekend. That didn't make him less cool. Leaving for college early was the decision he hadn't regretted, and as time passed, he forgot about her. Until now.

Gone were the braces. She was magnificent. Her hair was up, and she wore a blouse and black slacks. She was simply dressed, but somehow it felt like she was wearing a much more fancy attire. But the scent that followed her was the best thing about her, absolutely enthralling. He frowned, intrigued.

Dinner was awkward, because Camellia wasn't saying a word. She picked at her plate, something Lucca had never seen her do, ever, and was clearly tuning out the conversation. He also saw her glare at him, even though she did it discreetly. So his presence annoyed her. Rendered her annoyed, angry even.

He was shamelessly staring at her, and only heard snippets of the conversation.

"... Crack the shell you're so keen on keeping..."

Crack that shell? Camelia's glare hardened. He hid a smile, secretly happy to know Camelia Greyson's infamous glare hadn't disappeared.

"What do you mean?" she finally spoke. "What I do with my personal life is none of your concern, father."

"And you, Lucca, you're going through women like tissue and not only is it distasteful but you're not getting any younger." His mother addressed him sternly.

Yet his parents knew exactly why.

Lucca's eyes narrowed.

"...common interest... You two got married. " He had been in such a deep state of anger that he was unconsciously zoning out. But that certainly caught his attention.

"Excuse me?" He finally spluttered out.

Admiring the iron lady in front of him from afar was one thing, but marrying her fell into a completely different category. It had been two years since he fell in love, but he wasn't capable of falling in love just like that, on command. She was one of the most complicated person he had ever met. They were polar opposites, and even if somehow they fell in love, he hardly believed it would ever work. Sure, she was exquisite, but her personality held a whole other side of her he didn't exactly want to explore. He was only twenty five, for goodness' sake! He wasn't even mature enough to get married. He wanted to laugh at how ridiculous this was.

Camellia stormed off after hearing what her father suggested he do if she didn't comply, and Lucca took his leave soon after. But Rosa pulled him aside before he could walk out the door.

"You have to do this, Lucca. I'm sorry, so sorry to have come to this. But she needs you, now more than ever."

"Do you honestly think marriage is what we both need, right now? Marriage is about trust," he bit out bitterly, "and love. And friendship. And a million other things I could say but we barely know each other. We haven't talked in eight years. And suddenly you want us to be popping babies and exchanging vows? What are we in, the 19th Century?"

"You don't have much of a choice," Rosa remarked. "Please, just this once. Trust me. She has always loved you, and always win. And I think we both know where your feelings stan-"

He slammed the door on his way out, furious.