Flash Marriage: In His Eyes-Chapter 239: Lore and Alyssa

–Livana–

I watched my mother as she arranged the guest room with deliberate care, smoothing the sheets, aligning the pillows as if precision could soften the truth we were about to reveal. This week. After so long, Laura and Damien would finally be brought here. This house—quiet, hidden, breathing with secrets—would become the place where the dead returned to life.

Laura would break. I knew that much. Her emotions had always lived close to the surface, like glass warmed too quickly. I had prepared her, gently and cruelly at the same time. Hints woven into my Will and Testament, clues tucked into gifts she never questioned. I could never tell her directly. Knowledge, in our world, was a loaded weapon. If she knew too much, she would become a target.

But she needed to know this much: that her mother and her sister were not ghosts.

"So Damon will bring them here?" I asked, leaning against the doorway as I watched my mother step back to inspect her work.

"Yes." She exhaled, rubbing her palms together. "Everything’s cleared—the routes, the vehicles, the blind spots." Her voice softened. "I just want to hug Laura."

"So do I," I murmured, the words settling heavily in my chest.

I left her in the room and mounted my electronic bike, the quiet hum of its engine carrying me through the tunnel to the other wing. The air smelled faintly of oil and metal as I entered the garage, where our strongest machines slept like armored beasts.

Sophia was there, of course—straddling chaos as easily as she straddled her oversized bike. She was checking the customized devices welded discreetly into its frame, her movements sharp, confident.

"So," I said, parking beside her, "this is the one Kai gave you?"

"Yup." She grinned, pride flashing in her eyes. "Isn’t she beautiful?"

"She is," I admitted, running my fingers along the cool metal.

Sophia straightened, wiping her hands. "What’s on your mind?"

"I have a request." I let my palm rest on the bike, grounding myself.

She arched a brow. "That tone never means anything good."

"I want you to be touchy with my husband," I said calmly. "Pretend you’re having an affair."

Sophia recoiled like she’d been slapped, one hand flying to her stomach. "You’re disgusting," she muttered. "You’re actually making me sick."

I smiled. Damon was everything she despised—too controlled, too calculating, too obsessed with me. "Tyrona will move the moment she sees it," I said smoothly. "And I know you’d enjoy provoking her."

Her lips twitched. Then she laughed, sharp and delighted. "Oh. Oh, I like that. Fine. I’ll do it just to piss her off. But don’t get it twisted—I still hate Damon."

"Just try to look affectionate," I teased.

"I am not kissing that bastard," she hissed. "And Kai needs to know. When does this circus start?"

"Later this week. And we’ll be picking up Laura soon."

Sophia sighed, already mentally rearranging her schedule. "Then I need a spa day. Hair, nails—everything." Her grin turned wicked. "Actually... I’ll spend his money."

I laughed softly. "Be my guest."

She grabbed her leather jacket and helmet, energy crackling around her. "I’ll make it worth it," she called before revving the engine and disappearing down the tunnel toward the exit house.

I headed to the control room next. The lights were dim, screens glowing like constellations. Lore was sprawled on the sofa, dead asleep. Commander White—Gareth—stood at the control table, issuing calm, clipped commands as if chaos were merely another language.

I nudged Lore with my foot.

He jolted awake instantly. "What—what?" He snapped into a defensive stance, wild-eyed.

"Aren’t you supposed to be stalking Alyssa today?" I asked mildly.

"Stalking?" He scoffed, running a hand through his hair. "That girl’s impossible. She can handle herself."

"Isn’t today your orientation day?" I tilted my head.

His face was drained of color. "Shit. Shit—why didn’t you wake me up, Gareth?" he yelled.

"I tried," Gareth replied flatly.

"Fuck!"

Lore bolted for the door, swearing all the way down the hall.

I exhaled and looked at Gareth. "I think Lore’s losing his mind from staying underground too long."

Gareth shrugged, unfazed. "Better for him to spend some time above ground. The world keeps people human."

I watched the screens flicker, strategies shifting like chess pieces in motion. Everything was moving. Quietly. Precisely.

And soon, the dead would come home.

—Alyssa—

It’s my first day in college, and I’m taking fashion classes. Lore said it was useless—but whatever, I also took business classes, so balance. It’s orientation day, and one of my friends is taking the same mixed program as me. Fashion, business, or whatever they want to call it.

The loud growl of a big bike echoed the moment we stepped out of my very not fancy car.

"Whoa, that kid is cool," Gina said.

I didn’t even glance—until the bike parked right in front of us. The rider pulled off his helmet, and I immediately noticed the Jurassic phone. I froze when Lore casually secured his helmet to the bike.

My friend tugged my arm.

"Damn, he’s handsome," Gina squirmed. I rolled my eyes.

Lore glanced at me as he slipped his Jurassic phone into his pocket, swung his massive backpack onto one shoulder, and stared—only at me.

"L—" I was about to call him. I hadn’t seen him for three weeks.

"Alyssa!"

I nearly rolled my eyes at the overly persistent guy who kept courting me. This time, he brought huge flowers. Embarrassing. I’d rejected him countless times already. I grabbed Gina’s arm and turned away, walking faster.

"Thank you!"

I stopped cold.

When I turned around, Lore had already taken the bouquet from one of the richest heirs around—Paul Johnson—like it was nothing. He walked straight toward me and wrapped an arm around my shoulders, pulling me close.

"Ow! Lore!" I hissed.

"You know him?" Gina hissed back as she hurried after us.

I didn’t answer. Lore just kept pulling me along.

"Alyssa, wait!" Paul shouted.

I looked up at Lore. Pale complexion, sharp features—still ridiculously handsome. Vampire handsome.

Okay. Stop. No fantasies.

Lore shoved the flowers into my hands.

"I hate this," I muttered.

Without a word, he took them back and handed them to Gina.

"Then it’s for your friend, since you hate it."

I glanced at Gina, who looked completely lost.

Lore dragged me toward the orientation hall. I noticed his hand was still holding mine—soft, warm, with a few callouses. He pushed me gently into a seat, then gestured for Gina—still holding the bouquet—to sit on my other side. Total gentleman. He placed his backpack neatly on the floor.

"By the way," Lore said casually, handing me his Jurassic phone, "your boyfriend is cheating on you."

On the screen—Paul. In a club. With my bitchy bullies. Kissing. Laughing. Living his best trashy life.

"He’s not my boyfriend," I hissed, scrolling through the photos.

"Oh. Still, if you release this, his parents will be disappointed," Lore said calmly. "They’ve been targeting a marriage into the Blackwell family. Paul’s courting you so your families can arrange something with the Johnsons."

"Oh." I nodded. "The Johnsons are a big empire, but Paul’s not my type."

"Why?" Gina asked.

"He doesn’t have muscles."

Lore snorted.

"Paul is cute," Gina said thoughtfully. "But if he’s with Tracey and the other assholes, then nope—instant downgrade." She started handing out the flowers to random girls nearby. I smiled at her.

"I’m starting to like you," Lore said, extending his hand. "I’m Lore."

"Gina," she giggled, shaking his hand.

"Well, Gina," Lore said, "if Paul approaches Alyssa again, what would you do?"

"Punch him?"

I snickered as Lore raised his thumb.

"Hundred points. I’ll treat you both to lunch."

"Oooh! Can I choose the place?" Gina squirmed.

Lore nodded.

Orientation dragged on for another hour before we finally received our brochures and dorm options.

"Oh, by the way," Lore said, tapping my arm. "Livana already set up an apartment for us."

I frowned. "Livana?"

He looked confused. "Yeah. She set it up a long time ago. You don’t remember?"

I didn’t.

And Livana is dead.

So why was he talking about her like she was still around?

"She arranged it two years ago," he added.

"Okay," I nodded, even though my chest felt tight.

"Apartment?" Gina asked. "Just the two of you?"

I looked at Lore.

"We have two maids, a butler, and three guards," he said casually. "You’re welcome to stay sometimes."

"Oh," Gina nodded. "I have a condo nearby too."

"I’m starving," I groaned, rubbing my stomach.

"That’s because you didn’t eat breakfast," Gina laughed. "You’re rich, but you don’t eat breakfast."

"I woke up late," I muttered.

Lore’s brow lifted. "You woke up late?"

"Hey," I said quickly, "I did what you told me to do—I just did it at night."

"Hm." He gave me a strict look. I pressed my lips together.

"Ohhh," Gina teased, "what did he tell you to do?"

I told her to shut up.

"I’ll be staying at the mansion tonight," Lore said, smirking.

I hadn’t even packed for school, and he was already planning my torture.

We headed to the parking lot. My driver was gone.

"So how are we getting to the place Gina chose?" I asked.

Lore paused. "Uh... car."

"Where’s your bike?" I asked.

"I borrowed someone’s car," he winked, raising the keys to a Jeep Wrangler.

He tossed his bag into the backseat, opened the passenger door for me, then opened the other side for Gina like a real gentleman. I pressed my lips together to keep from grinning—and blushing.

Once inside, Lore pulled out his wallet, probably checking his license.

"So... this place is pretty expensive," Gina murmured.

"Sure," Lore replied casually.

We arrived at the upscale restaurant—steaks, lobsters, everything. My mouth watered just thinking about it. Chef Wally always made magic.

"So this restaurant..." I glanced around.

"Chef Wally!" Lore stood up as the chef came out. My eyes widened. They hugged like family.

"They want a feast," Lore said. "And Alyssa needs more protein." He pointed at me.

I stood and hugged Chef Wally.

"I’ll bring everything," he said warmly. "Make sure you finish it." He patted my head before heading back to the kitchen.

"You know the chef?" Gina whispered.

"Yeah. He’s my sister-in-law’s personal chef."

"Wow."

We settled in as appetizers arrived—before we even ordered. I looked around at the restaurant that had become an instant hit.

"So Chef Wally has his own place now?" I asked Lore.

"Yeah," he said, eating casually. "Livana’s gift."

I gaped.

"She’s generous like that," he added. "Now it’s up to him if he wins a Michelin."