Chapter 124 - Lucifer You Bully!

The large manor looked exceptionally beautiful, it had a minimalistic yet bold design, just like the roaring lion carved on the gates.

Few significant parts of the manor had the lion symbol, it looked ferocious and added a mystique charm.

Although the exterior of the manor was quite outdated it was well maintained, the interior may have been refurbished by Lucifer as it had a modern touch to it, just like the latest modular kitchen and equipments. Even the bathrooms had jacuzzis and rain showers.

Wandering around Sera found herself in front of a huge door, it seemed to be locked for a long time as a lot of dust had accumulated on it.

"What's this? Should I..", Sera looked around, not a single soul could be seen.

"Lucifer told me to look around, So it should be okay right?", mumbling Sera tried to opened the door, she was surprised when she discovered it was unlocked.

"Maybe it's not been used for a long time..", thinking about something Sera stopped, as she turned around, Sera stumbled, her leg hitting the door and it flew open.

"Oh no!", she whispered holding the painful toe, her eyes caught sight of a rare treasure that she was interested in.

Walking inside Sera looked around the room, it was covered with white curtains that had dust and cobwebs on them.

Picking a nearby stick Sera pushed back the curtains revealing a masterpiece, dumbstruck she stood gawking at the rare sight.

"ROSE's painting!!", Sera squealed in excitement, her eyes glittering at the rare mix of sea greens and emerald greens together on the canvas depicting a stormy sea and a mystical mermaid swimming in the tides of the sea.

"It is indeed a genuine ROSE' painting!", Sera exclaimed loudly as her eyes darted to the unique signature at the bottom of the picture.

"Wow! This is beautiful.. and this.. this!", Sera was getting crazier by the second as she tossed the curtains on the floor revealing the exquisite genuine pieces by ROSE.

"What are you doing..", an icy voice killed her excitement as she was about to pull the last curtain hiding the painting behind it.

"Lu.. Lucifer?", Sera had an apologetic look on her face as she lowered her head in shame, he was the host of the house and here she was snooping around shamelessly.

"I'm.. I'm sorry..", with a guilty expression Sera apologized for her misbehavior.

"It's okay now! The breakfast is ready..", Lucifer's eyes were still cold just like his tone.

- - - - -

"What? Why didn't you tell us before?", Francis Lu was worried about Sera who didn't come back home last night.

"I.. I thought she's at Su Yin's place", Jinan's was barely audible, he understood the gravity behind the situation.

"Hmm.. Did you contact Su Yin?", Francis knew that Jinan was already in a difficult position thus he softened his tone.

"Yes, but.. she's not picking up", Jinan's face had lost it's usual effortless charm, he looked a bit haggard.

"Let's look around without alarming anyone, especially the cops. Your sister is not familiar with the city yet and only a handful of people know about her..", Francis hurriedly went out.

As the family had their breakfast together everyone missed Sera, later the came to know about her being missing. Thus everyone's worried about her.

- - - - -

After their not-so-happening breakfast, Sera and Lucifer took a stroll by the pond to ease the atmosphere, they were walking hand in hand.

"Lucifer, you aren't mad at me, are you?", she could feel something has changed in him but couldn't point out exactly.

"I'm sorry for scaring you but you shouldn't have stepped foot there..", taking a deep sigh Lucifer said his words confusing Sera.

"What? Why? The place had no guns or bombs..", she couldn't get his logic and looked incredulously at him.

"You think I keep guns and bombs in my home, like the movies?", he chuckled, it greatly puzzled Sera when he attempted to smoothly change the subject.

"Of.. of course not! But..", she couldn't say anything afraid to offend him or hurt him in some way or the other.

"Look.. I apologize if you're feeling bad about this, if it helps you can ask two questions about that place and I'll answer you! Remember only two.."

Lucifer then held their entangled hands and kissed on the back of her hand, it actually comforted her and she began to rack her brains to ask questions.

"Hmm.. I know that they're genuine paintings.. and you have like half of the painter's original collection.. and that's really mysterious!"

Sera's small face scrunched up as she began her deductions, analyzing everything so keenly that Lucifer was regretting his words.

Lucifer was watching her intently, a glint in his eyes, she's so adorable but her brain was scary it went into the right direction and he was beginning to doubt his decision of answering her two questions. What if she asks something dangerous!

"But why? I know you don't like the painter..", Lucifer raised his eyebrow at her question as he halted and looked at her enquiringly.

"Oh! H City auction, I heard you getting peeved about something related to the painter. It was funny though, to see a grown man rant like that..", Sera looked at him sheepishly, then started laughing as she recalled his agitated expressions.

"Heh", Lucifer laughed wryly, his thoughts wandering to that red dress she had worn that day.

'I should gift her something in red.. she looks really gorgeous in that color..', his thoughts were interrupted by Sera's squeal.

"I know! You don't like the painter, so it doesn't belong to you and that's obviously true.. but who does it belong to? Ethan has such a big mansion, he'd definitely have a spare room to store those big beautiful things!.."

Sera then started thinking about other possibilities and her index finger was tapping the beautiful red rubies adored by Lucifer. He caught her slender finger, and rubbed her little mouth with affection.

Sera just rolled his eyes at him, Lucifer chuckled at her antics and hugged her enveloping completely.

"Are you that curious about those things..?", he asked as dotingly his hands rubbed her back soothingly.

"What if I say yes?", Sera raised her head at him, with the sun rays shining brightly and casting a shadow on his features, it softened his looks making him appear more gentle and ethereal at the same time.

Sera instinctively held his face in one hand, caressing it softly then kissed his chin making the man confounded.

"Is this you.. using your charms to extract information from me", Lucifer pulled her closer, with both their noses touching his subwoofer voice rang in her ears making Sera giggle.

"I really like the paintings by ROSE, you know my art gallery.. I've been wanting to collect the rare pieces from the painter's collection in my gallery ", as she spoke there was a hint of admiration and worship in her eyes, it disturbed Lucifer and he spoke in a gruff voice.

"He's not a good man! Man, woman, whoever that person is.. he's a bad person! Remember..", his voice had a note of warning but mostly care for her.

"Huh!", Sera was taken aback by his words and stared wide eyed at Lucifer.

"Nothing..", he pinched her nose lightly then resumed their steps.

"But the two questions are still valid right?", Sera's voice could be heard as they advanced to the manor.

"What do you think?", Lucifer's teasing voice was heard in the background as their backs receded.

"Ah! Lucifer you bully..", Sera cried as Lucifer's peal of laughter rang in the quiet estate.