Chapter 2. Fascinating

The scent of old books and cinnamon clung to Elias like a comforting shroud. His life, a tapestry woven with the threads of routine, was comforting, predictable. He worked at the local bookstore, his days filled with the gentle rustle of turning pages and the hushed whispers of stories past. Evenings were spent curled up with a novel, a steaming mug of coffee his constant companion. He was content, a quiet observer in the bustling world around him, his heart a tranquil garden untouched by the storms of passion.

Then Lucian arrived.

It was a Tuesday afternoon, the sun slanting through the bookstore window, painting the dusty shelves in a warm, golden light. Elias was shelving a new delivery of poetry anthologies when he heard a voice, a low rumble that vibrated through the air like a distant thunderclap.

"Excuse me," the voice said, and Elias, startled, turned to see a man standing near the counter, his gaze intense, like burning coals. His features were sharp, sculpted, with a hint of something predatory in their angles. Dark, unruly hair framed a face that seemed both beautiful and unsettling.

Lucian. That was the name he gave, his lips curving into a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes. A smile that sent a shiver down Elias's spine, a prickle of unease he couldn't quite explain.

Lucian didn't browse like the other customers. He didn't ask for recommendations or search for particular titles. He simply stood there, observing Elias with an unnerving intensity. The air around him seemed to thicken, charged with a strange energy that Elias found both fascinating and terrifying.

He lingered long after the other customers had left, his presence a subtle yet undeniable disruption to Elias's usual tranquility. He lingered, his gaze never leaving Elias, and in that gaze, Elias saw something dark, something that hinted at a world far removed from his own quiet existence.

Days turned into weeks, and Lucian became a regular fixture at the bookstore. He would appear at the most unexpected times and, with a mere glance, disrupt Elias's carefully constructed routines. His visits were always brief, but their impact was profound. Elias found himself drawn to Lucian, his fascination a strange and dangerous mix of curiosity and fear.

Lucian's words were like poetry, dark and seductive, whispering promises of a world Elias could only dream of. Yet, every touch, every look held a hint of danger, a chilling reminder that there was a darkness lurking beneath the surface of Lucian's captivating charm.

Elias's carefully cultivated world was crumbling. The quiet comfort of his life was being replaced by a thrilling, terrifying uncertainty. He was falling, inexorably, into a world where shadows danced and secrets whispered, a world ruled by Lucian, a man who promised him both ecstasy and oblivion.

And Elias, despite the fear that gnawed at his heart, found himself eagerly anticipating the next time their paths would cross.

Elias started observing Lucian.The time he would visit.The way he spoke,his accent,his expressions,his clothes,the books which he held,his cologne,his eyes.Elias was drawn to him and Elias being single from the very start of his life never knew the existence of a feeling like this. The want and desire,mixed with fear and nervousness,yet he desperately wanted to know more about this mysterious man who he had never seen before until he started regularly visiting the bookstore.One thing which Elias never failed to notice is that Lucian always came from the Cafe opposite to the bookstore. Cafe Rutham.He has never been there but now he was curious to go there. Maybe the coffee or dessert is Lucian's taste.

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***