Chapter 40

ELORA'S POV “I'II have whatever you're having.” That was all I said when Lucas asked me what I wanted. I didn't even go through the menu. My head was throbbing from the noise in the restaurant but the warmth of his body close to mine kept me calm. Maybe I shouldn't have sat so close to him, but his cologne smelled so good and was oddly calm enough. The dinner was an after-event gathering, arranged by the organisers to give us the chance to breathe after all the chaos and adrenaline from the successful show. Almost everyone from the event was here—designers, mentors, sponsors…even my own so-called family. Alicia's laughter echoed from across the room, my father was already halfway into his wine, and of course, Lucian sat across us with Maya curled up beside him like she owned him. I didn’t let myself stare. I wouldn't. Instead I focused on the menu Lucas held in his hands and the sound of his voice beside me. “Are you sure? Some of the things on this menu might not be to your liking.” I