Chapter 183 New Man In Town (2)

Lukas didn't know where to look for Junia at first. She might have went to her job, but there was also the chance that she was at the hospital… and if not, then she was at the Atticus residence.

Lukas went for the hospital first and actually hoped that she wasn't there.

Or rather, for Chaerin's grandmother to not be there.

"Even after everything… all one can really do is hope that she's in a much better state than before." Lukas muttered.

Though he didn't care much for other people, which was a normal thing for him… he knew that Chaerin cared. And that someone like Lily or Stacy, or maybe anyone really would have cared.

It was the fact that these people cared that Lukas was concerned.

Not because of the fact that Charlotte Atticus was someone who seemed kind and thoughtful when she wasn't undergoing through her inability to accept the past.

Lukas frowned when he arrived at the hospital and found the old woman in bed. And compared to when Chaerin and Lukas met her for the first time, this time, the age showed in her face.

The onset of years was reflected not only in the wrinkles and creases on her features, nor was it in the now hue of grayness in her once bright red hair but it was evident the look in her eyes as she stared dully at the ceiling. It was a look that made Lukas want to step away and pretend that he didn't see it.

His nails dug into his palm and yet the pain was not enough for him to take his eyes away from the scene before him.

"Lukas?" a soft voice called out.

Lukas glanced over his shoulders and saw Junia standing in the hallway, there was a tired smile on her face and she had a can in her hand that looked exactly like one you'd get from a vending machine.

"Ah, Junia."

"Where's Chaerin?" Junia asked.

Lukas almost expected her to panic and check if Chaerin had visited her grandmother, but instead, there was a searching look in her face that said she wanted to see her cousin.

"She's… she wanted to come visit but I don't think she's ready yet. After what happened."

"Did you come here to check on us for her sake then?" Junia asked.

Lukas blinked. The reason why he came here was for the travel passes, and yet the words that came out of his lips was something else.

"Yeah. I came to check on you guys." Lukas said.

"Oh, my grandmother is fine now. She's a little lost after what happened last night when people from the Carmilla House came looking for Chaerin Atticus… but she's not pretending that it didn't happen. At least, I don't think she is. That's why she's like this right now." Junia said, knowing that Lukas had been looking.

"No. Not only that." Lukas shook his head and looked at her seriously. "How are you and your parents faring? I'm sure that none of you wanted this to happen so how are you holding up?"

Junia blinked and stared at Lukas in surprise. She didn't know how to respond to it and knew that she was making a strange look on her face… but she hadn't expected this out from him.

It was clear to Junia that Lukas cared deeply about Chaerin, enough to antagonize her father and mother during dinner from last night, and not only that… but despite their initial meeting where he greeted her with a warm smile, that seemed like an act to her.

Someone who did things because it was expected out from him.

That it was a lot more convenient to be easygoing and relaxed.

Junia did her best to be approachable and someone who could be depended on in her job, and somehow, Lukas' demeanor almost seemed to be like that to her.

However, this interaction was genuine.

As far as she could tell, and that was everything.

"Stressed, worried and terrible. I… I can't help but think that maybe it was wrong for me to want to meet Chaerin when I saw her at the entrance yesterday, and even worse to bring her to the family. Everything that happened is my fault you know?" Junia coughed. "I really shouldn't have held the travel passes hostage like that. Which actually reminds me that I've yet to give them to you guys. That's probably why you're here right? Ahhh, sorry let me get them right away."

She didn't want to be a bother, since she could have given a calmer response.

Junia quickly tried to find them and checked her pockets, her grip on her blood can loosening.

Lukas caught it with ease and held it out for her.

"Thank you, Junia. I appreciate it… but you shouldn't pin the blame on yourself." Lukas said. "It's kind of hard to know what would happen when people all meet up together, you know? I don't think treating yourself harshly will help anyone, much less yourself."

Junia weakly smiled and offered the passes. "I know, it's just easy to wallow in pain I suppose. It's comforting in the fact that blaming yourself for things that you couldn't control makes you believe that maybe you can control them? Or that you deserve to be in pain? It's ridiculous isn't it?"

"It's a little strange how you and Chaerin can somehow both give the same vibes when it comes to stuff like this. Does this run in the family or something?" Lukas joked lightly.

"Eh? More people are probably like this, not only us." Junia responded with a pursed lips but then glanced at the door to her grandmother's room.

"Hmmm, I shouldn't take too much of your time then." Lukas followed her line of sight. "Thank you for the passes, and we're not actually leaving right away, so maybe I'll nudge Chaerin to come by here when the time is right."

"Really?" Junia asked.

"Yes, really." Lukas smiled and waved in encouragement. "For now, I'll see you around, Junia."