novelxo Chapter 861
Selena glanced at Aveline, concerned. "Are you sure you're okay with this kind of environment?"
Aveline nodded. "It's fine. Once we find him, we'll leave."
"Right," Selena agreed and then led the way into the bar.
Finding someone in the midst of a crowd wasn't easy. The place was packed, and with Aveline not having her phone, they couldn't split up to search faster.
In one of the bar's shadowed booths, Lucas sat slumped over, surrounded by empty bottles. He tugged at his collar in frustration, his entire demeanor filled with despair and confusion.
His usually sharp eyes were bloodshot, and though the lights flickered and flashed all around him, none seemed to reach the dark corner where he sat.
Lucas stared blankly at the revelers around him, his face twisted in frustration.
He couldn't find her.
He had lost Aveline.
Where could she be? Who had taken her? Why?
Endless questions swirled in his mind, his head throbbing with the weight of it all.
He grabbed another drink and downed it, the burning sensation offering little relief. The pain in his chest wouldn't ease, no matter how much he drank.
Just then, out of the corner of his eye, he saw a familiar figure.
Slender, graceful, her long hair falling gently over her shoulders. Under the shifting lights, her silhouette appeared in flashes.
"Aveline!" Lucas abruptly stood up, his shout drowned out by the blaring music. Without thinking, he shoved through the crowd, pushing toward the familiar figure.
She didn't hear him. He watched as she turned, heading up the stairs toward the second floor, disappearing around the corner.
His eyes, wild with desperation, stayed locked on her as he hurried to follow, driven by the hope that he hadn't lost her again.
At that moment, in the bustling crowd, Selena caught sight of Lucas heading up the stairs. Without hesitation, she shouted, "Lucas!"
Aveline heard her and turned, spotting Lucas' figure just as he disappeared upstairs.
"There he is. Let's go!" Selena urged.
Aveline nodded, and they both made their way toward the second floor, pushing through the crowded bar. By the time they managed to reach the staircase, Lucas had already vanished from sight.
The second floor was quieter than
the first, with most of the space taken up by private rooms. Standing at the end of the hallway, Selena looked around, bewildered. "There are so many rooms. Which one did he go into?"
Aveline frowned, her frustration mounting. "We'll have to check each one." Selena shrugged. "I guess that's our only option."
The two split up, checking each door. Some rooms were empty, while others were filled with people drinking and celebrating. They apologized and quickly moved on whenever Lucas wasn't there
al.ne
QUMS
Meanwhile, in one of the rooms at the far end of the hallway, Lucas stumbled into the darkness. His brow furrowed as the alcohol duffed his senses, making him dizzy. Be shook his head to clear it, calling out, "Aveline, is that you?"
But there was no answer.
Feeling his way through the dark, Lucas fumbled for the light switch. "Aveline, why aren't you turning on the lights?"
Suddenly, a soft body pressed against him, and his entire body stiffened. Instinctively, he started to push the person away-until a familiar scent reached him.
It was the scent of Aveline. The fragrance he had been obsessed with for so long.
Instead of pushing her away, Lucas pulled her into his arms. "Aveline... I finally found you..."
A sudden heat coursed through his veins, and he guided her toward the couch.
At that moment, the door to the room cracked open slightly. The faint light from the hallway illuminated the scene inside, and what was happening became clear to the two figures at the door.