Chapter 196: It begins

Emily turned back toward them before leaving.

“From my side, they won’t suspect anything,” she said confidently. “I’m not going to tell Lucas anything for now. As long as Mavis and Jerry do their jobs well, no one will find out.”

The tension around the table eased slightly.

“Oh… one more thing,” Emily added casually. “The marriage hasn’t been consummated.”

“What?” Jason nearly blurted out.

For the first time since the disastrous wedding, a genuine smile curved across Alex’s lips.

“Is that actually true?” he asked, unable to hide the hope in his voice.

Emily nodded. “Yes. Lucas said he feels nothing for her.”

“Yes.” Alex made a hop up slightly before he could stop himself. A relief washed over his face. “That’s the best news I’ve heard today.”

Jason chuckled softly. “Looks like Derby’s perfect plan isn’t so perfect after all.”

Emily smirked faintly before looking at Mavis and Jerry again.

“Anyway, the reason I brought it up is because of the bodyguard assignment.”

Her tone turned mischievous.   “You guys could try your luck with her. Derby looks like the crazy careless type.”

Mavis and Jerry exchanged confused looks.

Emily shrugged lightly. “Come on guys, you're not babies. What I mean is show off your handsomeness but be cautious. If she flips or gets involved with either of you… then fuck her if you can.”

“Emily!” Alex muttered in disbelief while Jason burst into laughter.

“What?” she said innocently. “It could help Lucas during the divorce.”

“Wow,” Jason said between chuckles. “You’re actually a genius.” He pointed jokingly at the two guards. “But guys, tread carefully. That woman sounds dangerous.”

Mavis scratched the back of his neck awkwardly while Jerry simply sighed. “Understood, free fucks are not that bad.”

With that, Emily picked up her bag and turned to leave. Alex immediately followed her.

Outside the café, the evening breeze brushed lightly against them as they stepped onto the sidewalk. Alex looked at Emily with genuine gratitude in his eyes.

“Thanks a lot Emily,” he said sincerely. “You’ve done more than I expected.”

Emily gave a small nod before suddenly remembering something.

“One more thing,” she said. “I’m having dinner with Lucas tonight.”

Alex’s eyes instantly lifted to hers.

“How about you show up too?” she suggested. “Maybe seeing your face often might trigger something in his memory, you know.”

For a second, Alex simply stared at her before his face brightened completely.

“Of course,” he answered immediately. “I’d love that.”

His voice softened slightly. “Since the shock at the registry office, I haven’t seen him again.”

A mixture of longing and excitement filled his eyes. “I’ll be really happy to see him,” he admitted quietly. “Thanks a lot, Emily.”

“Fine then,” she replied with a smile. “I’ll text you the venue later.”

When Alex got back to the table. He was all smiles.

Hey big guy, what brought about that beautiful smile on your face?” Jason asked.

He responded, “Nothing.”

After he capped it up with his men and left with Jason, the smiles remained there.

So the instant they stepped into the office, Jason couldn't bear the suspense anymore.

“Alright, I can't bear this anymore. It's only a madman or a lost man that can smile like that. So big guy, spill it. What did Emily tell you?”

Alex chuckled, then gazed at him and said, “Tonight, I'm finally going to see my Lucas again. He is having dinner with her sister so I will be there to take a peek and talk to him if I get a chance.”

“Wow, that's cool, Annie and I will come along, so it will be like a coincidence.”

“Yeah, that will be cool.

Dinner time

Later that evening, Alex stood in front of his mirror adjusting the sleeve of his dark shirt for what felt like the tenth time.

He had dressed far earlier than necessary, unable to calm the nervous excitement building inside him.

His phone rested on the table nearby, and every few seconds his gaze drifted toward it. Then finally, his phone buzzed. The message from Emily had come in.

Alex grabbed the phone instantly. The moment he saw Emily’s text containing the restaurant location, his entire face lit up.

“Baby… I can’t wait to see you again,” he whispered with a smile.

Without wasting another second, he grabbed his car keys and hurried out of the apartment.

The drive to the restaurant felt longer than usual for Alex.

His fingers tapped lightly against the steering wheel while anticipation burned inside him.

On the way, he had stopped to pick up Jason and Annie just as they had planned earlier.

The instant Annie entered the car, she noticed the unusual brightness on Alex’s face.

“You look happy and nervous,” she teased lightly.

Alex exhaled with a faint smile. “I haven’t seen him since the registry office.”

Jason leaned back in his seat. “Just don’t scare the poor guy when you see him.”

Alex shot him a look. “Very funny.”

The rest of the ride passed with occasional jokes, though Alex’s attention remained fixed on the road ahead.

Finally, they arrived at Mountview Restaurant.

The warm lights from inside spilled beautifully through the glass walls, and soft music drifted faintly into the night air as they stepped in.

Alex’s eyes immediately searched the room. Then he saw him.

Lucas sat across from Emily near the window, laughing softly at something she had just said. His expression was relaxed, lively, and happy.

For a moment, Alex simply stood there staring.

Lucas looked healthier than the last time he saw him in the hospital. The sadness and confusion that had clouded his face then were gone. It was replaced by genuine warmth as he smiled during the conversation.

Alex felt his chest tighten painfully and warmly at the same time. He was just happy to see him smile again.

“He looks happy,” Annie commented quietly beside him.

“Yeah,” Jason agreed softly. “He really does.”

Alex nodded without taking his eyes off Lucas. “And that’s enough for me.”

They chose a table not too far away but distant enough not to attract attention.

Soon their orders arrived, and they began eating.

However, Alex barely paid attention to the food before him.

His gaze constantly drifted back toward Lucas’s table.

Sometimes a soft smile appeared on his face when Lucas laughed. Other times he smirked faintly at Lucas’s animated gestures while talking.

He couldn’t hear a single word from their conversation, yet somehow it didn’t matter.

Seeing Lucas alive, smiling, and enjoying himself again already felt like a blessing.

At some point during the meal, Alex quietly pulled out his phone beneath the table and typed a message to Emily.

Please…I would like to talk to him for a bit, okay.

Almost immediately, his phone vibrated with her reply.

Of course you will. That’s why you’re here.

A small smile touched Alex’s lips.

Another message came in seconds later.

Before dessert, I’ll excuse myself to the restroom. Then you can come take my seat and talk to him. But don’t rush him… he still can’t remember you yet.

Alex stared at the message for a second before typing back.

Thanks a lot, Emily.

His heartbeat became uneven after that.

Five minutes later, dessert was served at Lucas and Emily’s table.

Emily glanced briefly in Alex’s direction before setting down her spoon.

“Excuse me for a moment,” she told Lucas with a smile. “I need to use the restroom.”

Lucas nodded casually, completely unaware of what was about to happen.

From across the restaurant, Alex slowly tightened his grip around the edge of the table as anticipation flooded through him.

“Alright guys, let me have a little chat with my baby,” Alex said happily and headed towards Lucas.