Chapter 137 The dinner
That was far worse and Alex felt it. Not just the confusion or anger but something colder and creeping.
Alex knew whoever this was, he
knew him and from the sound of it, he had come for revenge.
Alex forced himself to stay still.
He lowered the phone slightly, just enough to put space between it and his mouth, and took a slow, controlled breath. His pulse was already racing, but he didn't want his voice to show his anxiety, especially to whomever this guy was.
He brought the phone back up.
“What exactly did I do to you, hmm?” Alex said, his tone measured, almost calm. “Or at least, tell me how you want me to compensate.”
For a split second, there was silence. Then Mac chortled, clearly amused. “Wow, now you’re speaking my language.”
Alex’s heart skipped. That reaction wasn't a relief. It was the anticipation of the unknown. He held his breath without realizing it. Every second stretching tight like a wire. Somewhere in the back of his mind, he clung to one hope…that Dan and his team were already tracking this call, already locking onto a signal.
“Come on guys, pick it up…” he prayed within him.
“Well,” Mac’s voice slid back in, smooth and deliberate, "It's simple. You denied me happily ever after…”
There was a pause before Mac continued. “So I don’t want you to have one either.”
The words landed cold. Alex’s brows pulled together, confusion flashing across his face. “What the heck are you insinuating?” he asked, his voice sharper now.
Another killing silence followed, then, “Break up with Lucas.” Mac’s tone dropped, final and almost with satisfaction. “Do that and we’re even.”
Everything inside Alex stilled.
“What?” The word came out before he could stop it, his heart slamming hard against his chest.
Mac did not give any answer to that. Next, Alex heard a click and the line went dead.
Alex slowly lowered the phone, staring at the screen like it might explain something. But it didn’t, only silence as the echo of those words kept ranging on Alex’s head.
Then he muttered to himself, “What in the world did I do to that guy? “Break up with my Lucas?
A cold weight settled in his chest, heavier than before.
“Never, I'd rather die than do that.” He muttered again.
Within him, he knew this wasn’t just about revenge anymore.
Whomever Mac was, he wanted Lucas gone.
His thoughts swirled. The best would be to marry Lucas and move out of the country, away from this psycho of a man.
Alex was still staring at his phone, mind spiraling, when he heard soft footsteps behind him.
“Alex?”
He looked up and saw Lucas standing there, all ready. A light smile on his lips, but it faded almost instantly when he saw Alex’s face. Concern replaced it.
“Honey… what’s the matter?” Lucas stepped closer, his brows knitting together. “Who was on the line?”
For a split second, Alex said nothing. Then, he forced a smile.
“Don’t worry,” he said lightly, slipping the phone into his pocket as if it didn’t matter. “Are you ready?”
Lucas didn’t move. His eyes stayed fixed on Alex, searching, reading. “It’s him, right?” he asked quietly. “It’s Mac?”
Alex didn’t answer with words.
Instead, he stepped forward and wrapped his arms around Lucas, pulling him close, pressing a soft kiss to his forehead.
“Baby,” he murmured, his voice gentle, almost soothing. “Don’t think about him. He’s not serious yet.”
Lucas didn’t look convinced. He pulled back slightly, just enough to look at Alex again. “Did he say what he wanted?”
A pause followed, but a bit too long before, Alex smiled again, but this time, it didn’t quite reach his eyes. “Not yet,” he said.
The lie slipped out smoothly.
Then, before Lucas could press further, Alex lifted his hand. He brushed his fingers along Lucas’s cheek, his gaze softening deliberately.
“You’re looking really sweet,” he added, shifting the moment. “Come on, let’s go before they start calling us.”
Lucas hesitated for a second, but then he nodded slowly. “Okay.”
He leaned in and pressed a small kiss to Alex’s lips.
Alex returned it, but there was something restrained in it now. It was sort of careful and guarded.
They pulled apart, and together, they headed out.
Lucas walked ahead slightly, adjusting his sleeve.
Behind him, Alex’s expression fell.
The smile disappeared completely.
His jaw tightened, his eyes darkening with something heavy and conflicted.
Break up with Lucas. The words echoed again. And for the first time
Alex didn’t know what scared him more. Losing Lucas, or what would happen if he didn’t?
At Alex’s family house, the atmosphere was nothing like the tension they had left behind.
Warm lights, soft music, and the gentle hum of conversation welcomed them the moment they stepped in.
Lucas barely had time to take it all in before he was greeted warmly with smiles, handshakes, and even a light hug from Alex’s mom. The ease of it all surprised him.
Dinner started soon after. The table was lively, small talk flowing easily, occasional jokes breaking out, laughter filling the room. For a while, Lucas forgot about everything else. He felt comfortable.
Alex sat beside him, occasionally brushing their hands together under the table, a silent reassurance.
Then Alex’s father leaned forward slightly, his attention settling on Lucas. “So, Lucas,” he began, his tone calm but curious. “I heard you studied accounting and even graduated with honours?”
Lucas nodded. “Yes, sir.”
“And then you left it… for part-time culinary studies?”
Lucas smiled faintly, glancing briefly at Alex before answering. “Being a chef has always been my dream. But my dad insisted on accounting.”
He paused, then added with a small, almost shy smile, “So after graduating, I went behind his back and studied culinary to quench my taste.”
A soft ripple of amusement moved around the table.
Jason let out a chortle. “Wow, I love you, man. That’s awesome.”
Lucas chuckled lightly.
“And now,” Jason continued, leaning back with a grin, “you’re a chef just like you wanted. Nothing your dad can do about that, right?”
Lucas didn’t say much, just smiled, a quiet confidence in his expression.
There was a brief pause before Alex’s father spoke again. “So,” he said, folding his hands slightly, “what’s your plan with my son?”
Lucas’s head snapped up, caught completely off guard.
“Dad,” Alex cut in immediately, a hint of warning in his tone. “Come on, don’t make him uncomfortable. Besides, you should be asking me, not him.”
He turned quickly to Lucas, squeezing his hand under the table. “Baby, don’t answer that.”
A soft chuckle came from across the table.
“Caleb dear,” Alex’s mom said, shaking her head slightly, “That’s the wrong question.”
She turned to Lucas with a warm smile. “The right question should be, Lucas, how do you feel about Alex?”
“Mom,” Alex started again, a little exasperated now. “You guys should…”
“It’s okay, Alex.” Lucas’s voice was calm. He turned slightly, taking Alex’s hand properly this time, his fingers threading gently with his.
Alex looked at him, searching his face.