Mr. Hephephobias

CHAPTER 122 - My World is With Him

The next day...

Rayn goes to Lucia's hotel room to pick her up, both of whom today have an appointment to go see Rayn's father, Mr. Charles Dean Anderson according to a schedule that Mickey has arranged. Rayn is now standing at the door of the Presidential Suite, although she has direct access to enter, but Rayn respects the privacy of Lucy's mother who also lives there. Rayn waited for Lucia to open the door for her.

Lucy's mother opened the door and immediately broke down a smile welcoming Rayn's arrival. However, soon the smile disappears and his facial features instantly become confused when Rayn says that she has come to pick up Lucia.

"Didn't Lucia go with you?" ask Ms. Lucy.

Lucia's mother said her daughter was not inside at the moment. Lucia had already left the hotel room from morning and she said that she was going somewhere with Rayn.

Being aware of the strange situation made Ms. Lucia become worried. Then where does Lucia go and who is with if Rayn herself is currently coming looking for her.

Rayn confirmed that they would go somewhere, but it was scheduled to be 1 hour ahead, which is why she has only come now. Rayn was silent, she still seemed to be thinking for a moment. Rayn did not want to make Lucia's mother worried, saying it was likely that Lucia wanted to breathe the morning air and wait for her somewhere.

Rayn asks Lucia's mother not to worry because she will contact Lucia directly, she knows where Lucia is right now. Rayn tells Rayn's mother to go see Lucia. Rayn left the hotel room with a face so very calm as if no one was anxious. This Rayn did because she did not want Ms. Lucy to be worried.

After leaving Lusia's hotel room, Rayn immediately contacted Mickey with a different look on his face as he bailed with Lucia's mother. He seemed anxious mixed with anger that was held back during being in front of Lucy's mother.

"Is he with her?" rayn asked without further ado as Mickey answered his phone call.

"Don't worry" said Mickey who seemed to understand Rayn's short question.

"Are you crazy? Don't you worry you said?" rayn asked, shouting at Mickey.

Rayn's screams caught the attention of every hotel guest and some hotel staff who ran into her. Rayn stopped her steps and spoke in a soft tone of voice but sounded threatening, she seemed to know exactly where Lucia was at this time.

"Mickey, I might be able to forgive you for something else, but never will if it concerns Lucia. So, stop acting behind me" Rayn said, then continued to leave the hotel with quick footsteps.

...***...

At a Penthouse, a luxurious residence sits on the top floor of a classy apartment building in Quebeq. The habitation of the millionaires that made Lusia can only swallow its saliva. The private residence is so spacious and open presents all the luxuries and also 360-degree views with a very beautiful and amazing view.

It was clear from the look in his eyes that was like being drugged by the luxury of the place he had come to at this moment. Lucia sat guarded by three men who were standing not far from her. Even so, he looked calm and enjoyed the view that was presented in front of him.

"Is this your real world, Rayn?" inner Lucia saw the splendor and all the luxuries she saw at this moment. He felt that Rayn's world was very different from his own.

Not long after a neatly-looking man full of prestige walked towards him. He asked the guards who had not let go of his gaze from Lucia to leave the room. Lucia could see if the man had any power that made her feel so minuscule.

The man was Rayn's father, Mr. Charles Dean Anderson. This is not the first time Lucia has met Rayn's father, a father who has been estranged from her own son for years.

"Don't look at me like I'm going to commit a major crime against you" said Mr. Charles, then sat on the sofa right in front of Lucia.

Lucia got up from her seat and bowed to greet Rayn's father. "I'm sorry if my reaction has offended you" Lucia said after a man named Mr. Alex gestured her to return to her seat.

"I'll get straight to the point. That wedding, are you sure you're gonna do it? Do you know what decision you made? But, despite all that, have you assessed your own worthiness?" asked Mr. Charles, as if he had no feelings.

Mr. Charles did not even answer Lucia's greeting but directly poked her with a heart-slicing question without a word of pleasantry. Which woman would not falter immediately upon hearing such a question from someone who would become her father-in-law later.

Lucia sighed slowly, she tried to keep looking calm. Lucia answers each question directly, without filters or strings it up first. He thought he didn't need to answer the question in contempt or in conflict with his heart just to get Rayn's father's confession.

Lucia firmly said that her decision to accept Rayn's proposal was entirely a decision from her heart. That qualification, he did not need to judge it because only Rayn was more entitled to assess its worthiness. Rayn is the one who will live life with her, so Rayn will decide how worthy she is as a companion.

"What's just for this you call me? Is this what you're worried about? Or... maybe this is the first time you feel worried about him? After a long time he was born as your son" said Lucia.

Master Charles threw a cynical smile. "Are you still not aware where you are?" rayn's father asked after hearing Lucia dare to ask him that.

"I know very well where I am at the moment. Even this place made me realize how much different the world I had was from his world. But, I don't need to worry about the world's differences because we will build our own palace and world" Lucia replied.

Lucia looked around and looked back at Mr. Charles. "However, regardless of you worrying about a lowly person like me being with him, have you never once worried about his suffering?" ask Lucia.

"And you're the one who took advantage of that suffering by continuing to make it stick to you?" cut Rayn's dad.

"Paste.." said Lusia lirih speak alone hold anger about the hurtful words that Rayn's father.

Lucia clenched both of her hands to contain her anger. He was not angry and hurt at what Rayn's father had told him, but how he could say that about his own son.

"It seems you are wrong about something, what Rayn did was not stick, but fight to survive" said Lucia with a firm look.

"When Rayn shut herself away from other people without anyone by her side, why would she do it? Why was he treated differently? Maybe no one even knows of existence. Is not it the same as life but death. Have you ever thought about it from him?" ask Lucia to Rayn's father.

Lucia still keeps replying to Rayn's father with all the words she wants to say. "Worthy or not like myself in your eyes, I will just stick to my decision. I will stay with him and will never leave him" Lucia said.

"If you're so aware of where you are now, then you also know who he is. He was the only son and only one who would become the heir to the Anderson family. Do you think you can do it just because you want it?" ask Rayn's dad.

"Son? Are you currently calling him the sincere son of your heart as a father? Not just as a puppet who will only carry out his role on the stage of your business? Will the wedding be part of your business?" ask Lucia.

"Dragon your words !!!" snapped Rayn's dad. "You are a brave woman, even you dare to say that with the look of your eyes" continued Mr. Charles.

Lucia bowed, she closed her eyes for a moment and then ventured back to look at Rayn's father. "Then....why did you do it? Why are you doing this to him? Why did you make him have to endure the suffering himself? Till when? How long are you going to do this to him? What you think by isolating him away from your life is the best path. You did nothing for his recovery and chose to give up. And now you're saying he's the heir to this family. Wahh... After all you did to him, you still want to say if you are a father?" asked Lucia who had already reached the peak of her anger.

"Please kauuu." Rayn's father said.

Lucia resumed her words after sighing. "You're wrong big time.., he's the perfect guy, he's a guy who has such a warm, innocent and caring heart. Perfection, I am sure you will not be able to see him so you never know if he is a precious and proud son, even more valuable than all the noble heirs who have a normal life out there."

Lucia raised her one hand "While only this hand can Rayn hold, then I am willing and will let her hold it for the rest of my life. I will be the one to protect her at every difficult time. I'll take him to see the world. Do you ever know what Rayn wants? He says he wants to do what is best for the people he loves. I'm sure he still thinks you're part of the people he loves. It is his desire, I will make it happen even without your support. "

Lucia stood up from her seat, she bent her body and then straightened back and continued, this time the last before she would leave the place.

"So, I'll never leave it. How hard you try to separate, I will never waver and give up. I don't care, even if you're going to make him go away from my life or make him hate me. I will love her, protect her and never leave her. Just enough one of us does not waver, then all will be fine" he said firmly.

Mr. Charles grinned. "Are you the one who made him think that way about this father of yours?" ask Mr. Charles.

The question was not that he asked Lucia, his eyes staring intently at the person who had been standing behind Lucia. Lucia suddenly turned around and was surprised to see Rayn's presence who had been there for some time.

"Rayn.." call Lucia.

"Do you know what she said to marry you?" asked Rayn's father, this time the question was addressed to Lucia

"Dad.." said Rayn to ask her father to stop.

Rayn walked up to Lucia to get closer and stood right next to her. Rayn grabbed onto Lucia's hand and held it tightly.

Sir Charles did not care about Rayn's orders to stop suppressing Lucia, but continued to say to Lucia.

"I asked him, what is so great about you? If she's cured, then you won't have any meaning anymore. He won't need you anymore. I can promise you that healing without you. And do you know what he said? He dared to threaten me that he would refuse all treatment. Just because of a woman like you, she doesn't care even if she has to have that phobia her whole life. It's ridiculous, it makes me want to laugh" he said.

Master Charles looked at Lucia with a serious look. "I think there's no point in talking to that kid, so I'll ask you. Why should he?" then asked Charles to Lucia.

"I don't need excuses, just follow the feelings we feel" Lucia replied.

Sir Charles sniffed violently. "It seems, from your attitude you came not to ask for blessing but to spread needles" Rayn's father said and stood up from his seat.

"Didn't you come to pick her up? Go" Lord Charles ordered Rayn.

"Did you get an answer that satisfied you?" rayn asked his father.

Rayn's father did not answer, leaving the room after asking Mr. Alex to report his schedule. Rayn simply stared at the father's back, her hands clasping onto Lucia's.

...***...

Rayn and Lucia left the room. Inside the special elevator that became a direct personal accent, Lucia let out a long sigh and leaned back.

"Did it all end like this?" said lethargic. "If I think about it again, your father is very scary. If it's another woman, I'm not sure if she can deal with it" she said.

Rayn smiled looking at Lucia who was trying to console herself. Rayn knew that Lucia was already holding back her fear. Rayn clasped Lucia's hand and leaned Lucia's head on her shoulder. "My dad is scary, but I think you're scarier. I can't believe you're going to attack him with such confidence. I think you'll win" Rayn said.

"Then, do you think your father approved of us?" asked Lusia with a curious look on her face. "I don't understand why your father just went out after hanging his blessing" said Lusia listless but also annoyed at being played by Rayn's father.

Not until Rayn answered, the sound of the clanking elevator showed the elevator would open. "We'll find out later" Rayn said briefly and then took Lucia out of the elevator.

"Yes, do you think this is fair, how could your father end the conversation without giving an answer would approve of us or not. And also, does your father have a grudge against me, why only attack me compared to you" continued Lucia. Rayn simply responded with a smile.

Rayn escorted Lucia back to the hotel room, she accompanied Lucia only to the door. "You've done something big, so take a break. I asked him not so you could prepare yourself for tomorrow. But, I don't want you to worry about anything at that special moment" Rayn said.

Rayn kissed Lucia briefly. "Thank you for being my wonderful woman" she said, then invited Lucia to come in.

Lucia disgusts her legs, returns Rayn's kiss by kissing Rayn's cheek and escapes and leaves Rayn. Rayn also laughs anxiously at the adorable attitude of Lucia who looks embarrassed.

...***...

Once inside, Lucia approached her mother. "Mother.." call Lucy to see her busy mother tidying things up in front of her.

Lucy's mother looked over. "Isn't this very pretty and suitable for you, son" she said.

Lucia was surprised to see such a beautiful and luxurious dress already inside her hotel room. A white dress that will make the beauty of Lucia until perfectly wrapped tomorrow.

Lucia unraveled a happy smile looking at a dress that was very familiar to her. This dress was the dress that Lusia saw in a boutique while walking alone without Rayn.

Rayn had really prepared all for her, even she knew the dress that Lucia wanted.

"Beautiful.." said Lucia fingered the dress while shedding tears of joy.

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*** to Be Continued ***