TAKEN BY LUCIFER

CHAPTER 4

"Good morning, Dad," Adley greeted, her voice laced with the grogginess of a restless night filled with childhood dreams. Or maybe it was simply the jet lag. Mr. Evans was already pushing his chair back, a harried crease marring his brow.

"Are you going out?" she inquired, sensing the urgency in his movements.

"Yes, Ley," he replied, his voice apologetic. "I'm so sorry I can't spend the day with you. Something urgent came up."

A flicker of disappointment crossed Adley's face, but she quickly forced a smile. "That's okay, Dad," she assured him.

Her father nodded, his mind clearly elsewhere. Something was definitely weighing on him. "Dad, about tomorrow's party," Adley began, "can I help with the arrangements?"

He offered another absent nod. Adley longed to press him about his worries, but she knew better than to intrude. All she had to focus on right now was securing his blessing to marry Liam and continuing with the life she'd meticulously planned.

"By the way," Mr. Evans interjected, pausing abruptly at the doorway, "I'll have the party organizer reach out to you. She has a fantastic network of contacts in the city and can recommend some excellent restaurants or clubs. Just make sure you take the car, a driver, and a couple of guards whenever you go out, alright? And Ley," he added, his voice softening, "Joseph is a good driver. He's known for his caution and will happily accommodate your preferred speed."

Adley couldn't help but smile at her father's sweet protectiveness. Even though she wasn't in the car with her mother when the accident happened, enclosed vehicles still triggered a wave of nervousness within her. "Sure, Dad," she replied, her voice warm.

"By the way, Liam landed a few hours ago," Adley chimed in. "So can I go meet him?"

"Of course," he agreed. "But be careful, Ley."

_________________________________________

"Damn, I am falling in love with these streets," Liam declared, his eyes sparkling with amazement as he gazed at the streets. Adley, in a knee-length blue floral dress and brown boots that complemented Liam's brown jacket, squeezed his hand, their fingers intertwining. The familiar London fog swirled around them, a damp chill clinging to the air.

Adley couldn't help but laugh at Liam's wide-eyed wonder. She loved her city, even with its usual fogginess. "How are the party preparations going?" Liam asked, sipping his hot coffee. A tiny trace of coffee lingered on his upper lip. Adley reached out, a playful glint in her eyes, and took her handkerchief to wipe it off.

"I like the way you used to clean them back in New York," Liam said with a smirk, a playful reminder of their past moments. A rosy flush crept up Adley's cheeks at the memory.

"Stop being naughty, Liam," she teased. "About the party, the organizer seems to be handling most of it. I just give some input. By the way, there's this place I went to with Stella yesterday..." Her voice trailed off, a hint of mystery in her eyes. "It has a vibe unlike anything you've experienced in New York. Up for checking it out tonight?"

"Of course I'm free," Liam replied eagerly. "I wanted to explore London more anyway. What's the name of this amazing place?"

A sly smile played on Adley's lips as she replied, "Heaven of Nightingales." She remembered the huge board sign with neon highlights, promising a luxurious escape.

Liam's eyes widened as he scrolled through search results on his phone. "Fancy name," he remarked. "Most of the articles say 'Heaven of Nightingales' is the hottest spot in London, even cracking the top five most famous clubs."

"Sounds like people would sell their kidneys to get in there," Adley said with a playful edge.

"Very true," Liam agreed, leaning in to plant a peck on her rosy cheeks.