Chapter 48 Top-secret
Ralph's eyebrows rose and fell, a subtle movement that didn't go unnoticed by Lucinda. Her heart skipped a beat as she walked back to her desk, coffee in hand, contemplating whether to wake him or not. Perhaps reaching out to her husband would provide a distraction from the peculiar situation. She closed her eyes, focusing her thoughts on him, and called out to him telepathically.
"What do you need me for now?" came Lucifer's cold response.
Her smile widened as she replied, "I don't need anything from you. I just wanted to hear from you."
The unexpected question followed, "What are you doing now?"
Lucinda's gaze remained fixed on Ralph as she muttered, "Nothing."
Lucifer persisted, "Can you come to me now?"
A hint of frustration crept into her voice as she bluntly replied, "Hell no, I can't leave work now. Ralph will get angry if he finds out I'm not here." "Just two minutes, I want to talk to you," he insisted.
Reluctantly, she acquiesced, saying, "Okay, I will be there." Lucinda approached Ralph cautiously, waving her hand in front of his face, hoping he would remain asleep for at least the next few minutes. "I hope he doesn't wake up for the next five minutes," she whispered under her breath. With a swift motion, she turned invisible and descended through the floors of the company, passing each level until she reached the extreme end and found herself in the depths of hell.
Flying swiftly, she made her way to her husband's throne, landing in front of him with a touch of style. A smile curved on his lips as he greeted her, "My queen, you're here?"
Drawing closer, she took her place beside him on the throne, settling into her role as the queen. Her hand rested on her chin as she observed him, her thoughts momentarily drawn back to Ralph. Was he awake? Was he searching for her? Had he consumed the coffee?
Lucifer's voice broke the silence, his breath brushing against her face as he asked, "Lucinda, my dear, what's troubling you?"
"Nothing," she replied curtly, her mind still preoccupied with the lingering concerns.
"I called you here because it's been a long time since you last came to hell. I miss you every passing day," he confessed, a tinge of longing in his voice. "I wonder why it's taking so long to eliminate that human. You assured me you would dispose of him swiftly, but he seems powerful," he continued, a grin stretching across his face.
"Yes, he is indeed powerful. He has turned me into his sidekick. I think he trusts me now," Lucinda admitted reluctantly, unable to hide the truth from her husband.
"That's good. You can use him to your advantage. I've heard he plans to create an antidote, a potion that can temporarily render demons powerless," he revealed, eliciting a gasp from Lucinda.
"How did you know? He told me it was their top-secret project," she murmured, surprised by her husband's knowledge.
"I have my ways," he chuckled coldly, his eyes gleaming with fiery intensity.
Curiosity sparked within Lucinda as she inquired further, "Why are you laughing? What's so funny?"
He didn't answer her directly but instead posed another question, his gaze unwavering. "How does he intend to acquire that missing ingredient?"
"He said we would obtain it from any demon we come across now that I'm his sidekick," Lucinda shrugged, her eyes locked with her husband's, their connection palpable in that moment. "Even if you have the chance to get the horn of a demon for him, will you?" he asked, looking serious. What was he trying to get from asking her this? Lucinda wondered, biting her lower lip. "Why are you asking?" Lucinda mumbled, her voice barely audible as she bit her lower lip. The seriousness in his eyes sent a shiver down her spine, making her question his intentions. His voice carried a hint of anger as he pressed her for an answer. "Answer my question, will you!"
Lucinda hesitated, her mind racing to grasp the gravity of his words. "It depends on the situation," she finally replied, her voice wavering with uncertainty. She watched as his frown deepened, his eyebrows furrowing together in a display of displeasure.
"I hope you don't give him the chance to make such an antidote. You can go now that he is awake," Lucifer said dismissively, waving his hand in a dismissive gesture. In an instant, Lucinda found herself transported to the company's bathroom, bewildered by the sudden change in location and the lingering weight of the conversation.
Her thoughts still reeling, she heard her name being called from outside the bathroom. Lucinda stepped out, finding Ralph waiting curiously for an explanation.
"Where were you?" Ralph's curiosity was evident in his tone, his gaze fixated on Lucinda as if searching for answers.
"I was in the bathroom," Lucinda replied, her voice tinged with a hint of distraction. She glanced up at the ceiling, momentarily lost in her own thoughts.
Ralph's impatience got the better of him, and he snapped at her. "Why did you take so long to make coffee? Don't you know how to make coffee!"
Lucinda's surprise was evident in her eyes as she looked down at Ralph, their gazes locking momentarily. This sudden outburst from him caught her off guard, as he had never acted this way before.
"I know how to, sir. I am sorry for the delay. We were out of hot water, so I needed to refill the hot water fridge," she explained, her voice trailing off. Lucinda's posture conveyed a sense of vulnerability that momentarily softened Ralph's demeanor.
He peered into the coffee and sniffed, seemingly dissatisfied. Lucinda's mind raced, wondering what had caused this sudden change in Ralph's behavior. She held her breath, awaiting his next command.
"Go and make me another one," he commanded, thrusting the coffee mug back into her hands. Lucinda's heart sank, feeling the weight of his expectations bearing down on her.
"Am I his assistant or his secretary?" she muttered under her breath, a hint of frustration lacing her words. With a mix of resignation and determination, she turned to leave the office, clutching the coffee mug tightly.
Ralph's voice cut through the air, his curiosity piqued. "Wait, what did you just say?"
Lucinda's heart skipped a beat, realizing her slip of words. She quickly composed herself, mustering a composed facade. "Nothing, sir," she replied hastily, not wanting to delve into further explanations.
With that, Lucinda hurried out of the office, desperate to escape any additional questions. Confusion and self-doubt swirled within her mind, leaving her wondering what had come over her. As she walked, her steps quick and purposeful, she couldn't shake the feeling that something was amiss.
Meanwhile, Ralph stood in the office, contemplating Lucinda's peculiar behavior. He sighed, unable to comprehend why she would want him to drink that cold coffee. The thoughts swirled in his mind, questioning her delay and her unusual response. He couldn't fathom why making coffee seemed to be such a challenge for her.This content is © NôvelDrama.Org.
In that moment, he realized that there was more to Lucinda than met the eye. A tinge of curiosity sparked within him, making him eager to uncover the secrets she held. But for now, he set aside his thoughts. Lucinda returned, coffee in hand, breaking the silence that enveloped the room once more.