"Is that all?"
Outside his apartment in the morning, Lucian chuckled, entertained by the question.
"Hahaha, yes, this is all I need." He was pulling his medium-sized suitcase toward the car.
Confused, Nathan looked at Lucian's belongings as if trying to guess something. Before he could find an explanation, Lucian commented, "After all, I don't need much for a month." He said it seriously, wanting to emphasize that he would only be staying for that time.
For this reason, he kept reminding Nathan, who was starting to get annoyed by hearing the same words repeatedly. In his mind, he was regretting not having agreed to an indefinite period.
"You never know..." Nathan said subtly, his voice loud enough for Lucian to hear.
Turning to look him in the eye with an annoyed expression, Lucian replied, "I don't think we'll need more than a month."
He simply opened the trunk and effortlessly loaded the suitcase, which was by no means light. "I'm sure you'll remember something. Definitely!" His smile was forced.
Nathan felt a bit resentful at such a reaction, even if he didn't show it. However, he decided not to contradict him and stayed silent.
Once in the car, Lucian, who had been looking out the window, turned and asked Nathan in a serious tone, "I forgot to ask since I've been with my head in the clouds lately, but how are things going?" He said it sincerely.
He had sworn to himself that he would make sure to ask every day without fail if everything was going well, as if it were a protocol. It was his way of showing concern for a good friend to whom he owed many things.
Nathan closed his eyes and rested his head on the seat, beginning, "Besides the fact that I don't remember anything, everything is fine." He reassured Lucian.
"However, it would be even better if there weren't so many documents to sign." This time, his face had a mocking smile.
Although Lucian returned the smile, his expression immediately changed to a serious one again.
He could laugh at the comment for a bit, but after that, how Nathan was treated at work was important to him. It wasn't hard to expect them to push him to the limit to meet the expectations everyone placed on him.
He knew about the investors, the two companies trying to snatch their sales position, and the continuous complaints from clients, which couldn't be considered few.
Yes, lately Lucian had been studying and researching everything he could in his free time about Healman Pharmaceutical.
He was filled with articles and comments on social media about the company and never stopped learning everything he could to see how things worked. That was his daily bread.
"They shouldn't be overwhelming you with work. You're still a patient in a way." His gaze turned to the front seat where the driver was. A person Lucian already knew. "Isn't that right?" He looked as if he were complaining.
Secretary Chen, noticing Lucian's look, a bit uncomfortable, put on a face that screamed "I'm doing what I can," and Lucian understood that it wasn't his fault either. He also looked very tired, with well-defined dark circles under his eyes.
'No one has it easy right now... Well, we're all working hard.' Lucian, thinking wearily, sank into his seat when he looked back at Nathan, who, to his surprise, had been following him with his gaze the whole time.
Their eyes met, but neither said a word.
Lucian was starting to feel a bit self-conscious but didn't want to be the first to look away. It seemed a bit unfair to him how he was always the one who ended up embarrassed, so he just refrained from continuing to observe.
After a few seconds, neither gave in.
"The truth is, it's not just your name." Nathan muttered.
"?"
He leaned toward Lucian, gently holding his hand, and his eyes grew more and more intense.
He was appreciating more what was in front of him. He was contemplating it. Lucian was just impressed, not moving, but his body was completely rigid.
"If I'm being completely honest, I remember your general image. You're familiar to me, and I feel like you're an important part of all this."
'And WHAT exactly is "all this"?'
Lucian wanted to ask, but the handsome face in front of him wouldn't let him think.
"..."
"Lucian?" he called.
'Huh? What?... Aaa!'
' What am I supposed to say? How are you supposed to respond to something like that?!!'
"Um... Your perfume!"
"What?"
"Your perfume! You know, it's nothing like the one you used to wear." Now he was just blurting out whatever words came to mind.
He felt embarrassed, but what could he do? "You used to like stronger, more sour scents. Like fruit!"
Nathan, a little confused, just tried to respond, "Right... You work with perfumes, don't you?"
"Yes! I'm actually lucky because I work in something I love very much." He said with a smile on his face, his gestures now more relaxed as he looked at Nathan, who seemed lost.
'Haa... right, he doesn't remember.'
"As long as I can remember, I've always liked aromatic things. I would go through the gardens of the village where I lived back then to smell all the flowers I found along the way. I think I was a headache for my neighbors. ahaha"
Nathan listened attentively to Lucian as he recounted a part of his past. After all, this was the first time he was hearing more about him. And he was interested.
"My grandmother was the one who most encouraged my interest in scents and she would take me to incredible places to visit and appreciate beautiful gardens and fields of flowers." His face looked focused, busy remembering, "I still can't get one in particular out of my mind."
"Which one?" Nathan was quick to ask.
"Mm... I don't remember in detail because I was very young, but I'll definitely never forget the scent and the violet color of the flowers." He thought with difficulty.
In his memories appeared a small Lucian walking hand in hand with his grandmother through an immense field full of purple flowers with an unforgettable aroma.
His small hands were tightly gripping the edges of his shorts because of the excitement he felt at that moment. That day, he did nothing but run among the flowers, shouting at his grandmother to turn and look at him.
"Lavender?" Nathan added.
"Nope! I thought they were lavender too, but when I went to see a field full of them, they didn't give me the same feeling, and that definitely wasn't the scent. So I don't think they were those."
His face reflected melancholy and longing. His expressions did not go unnoticed by Nathan, who had a serious face, determined in an idea.
"I'm going to find them for you..." he whispered.
"What?" Lucian asked. He didn't hear what he had said.
"Nothing." He replied with a genuine smile.