Chapter 207: Well connected

The office door closed softly behind them. Immediately the outside noise disappeared.

Lucas slowed. His eyes moved around the room. He had expected paperwork, computers, and cold office lighting, since they said it was an office.

Instead, one side of the office had been transformed. Near the sitting area stood a dinner table set for two. Soft warm lights, simple flowers, and dinner already arranged.

It was nothing extravagant or loud; it was just something intentional.

Lucas stopped walking. His fingers loosened slightly in Alex’s hand.

Alex noticed and his voice softened. “Do you like it?”

Lucas looked at the table for a few seconds before speaking. “You did this?”

Alex smiled. “You said somewhere Derby wouldn’t see us.”

Lucas turned to him. His chest felt unexpectedly warm. He laughed quietly. “This doesn’t look like somewhere people hide.”

Alex smiled. “Then let’s pretend we’re not hiding.”

Their eyes met.

Lucas looked away first, smiling.

Alex pulled out a chair.

“Please, sit.”

Lucas obeyed. Then he watched Alex move around the table and sit opposite him.

For a moment, neither of them talked. They looked at each other smiling.

Suddenly, it felt strange, like this wasn’t their first dinner. Like they had sat like this before somewhere.

Lucas blinked. His chest tightened.

Alex noticed immediately.

“Baby, you okay?”

Lucas nodded quickly.

“Yeah, let's eat.”

Dinner started slowly, followed by small talk.

At one point Alex served Lucas without asking.

It was too natural and too familiar making Lucas pause.

Alex gazed at him and then smiled awkwardly.

“Sorry.”

Lucas stared at the plate. Then quietly said, “No…” His brows pulled slightly, “It felt normal.”

The dinner continued quietly after that. It wasn’t awkward or heavy…just softer.

The warm light from the office lamps made everything feel distant from the rest of the world.

Lucas sat with his elbows lightly resting against the table while slowly moving food around his plate.

His eyes drifted to Alex. Then away. Then back.

Alex noticed and smiled.

“What?”

Lucas looked embarrassed but smiled shyly. “Can I ask something?”

Alex leaned back. “Yes baby, you can ask me anything.”

Lucas hesitated. Then quietly asked, “What were we like?”

Alex went still.

Lucas quickly looked down.

“I mean…” He swallowed.

“I keep hearing people say we were close.”

His fingers traced the edge of his glass. “But I want to hear it from you.”

Alex stared at him quietly. Then smiled. “You really want to know?”

Lucas nodded.

Alex looked down at his plate for a second before answering.

“At first…” His lips curved.

“You didn’t understand what I wanted.”

Lucas looked up immediately.

“What do you mean?”

Alex laughed. “You were polite.”

Lucas frowned. “That sounds like me.”

Alex smiled. “You were too polite and naive.”

Lucas stared at him feeling shy.

Alex continued. “You treated everyone equally.” His eyes softened. “But with me…”

He smiled. “You act carefully.”

Lucas looked confused.

“Why?”

Alex laughed quietly. “Because you’re innocent.”

Lucas blinked.

Alex nodded proudly. “But, you’re very charming.”

Lucas laughed.

Alex grinned. Then continued

“You tried to avoid me but I didn't give you a chance because, I loved you at first sight.”

Lucas smiled shyly, “Ooh, Alex…”

Alex looked at him warmly. “Yes baby, I remained focused until one day…”

His expression softened.

“You called me, my Alex.”

Lucas looked away, smiling. His heart was pounding in his chest.

Alex continued quietly. “We started sneaking into the office.”

Lucas watched him, enjoying the chat.

Alex smiled faintly. “And from then…” His eyes softened. I couldn't get enough of you and luckily, you kept coming back.”

Something moved inside Lucas.

He looked down. Then asked quietly, “Who confessed first?”

Alex smiled immediately and decided to trick him into making an important connection.

“You did,” he said.

Lucas nearly choked.

“What?”

Alex laughed.

Lucas stared at him. “No way.”

Alex nodded.

“Well, you showed you love me first. Is that not another way of confessing?”

At first, Lucas looked surprised. Then he smiled. “No, that’s not the same. So I didn't confess at first.”

Alex leaned forward. “You did, baby. Action speaks louder than voice you know.”

Lucas shook his head, a smile plastered on his face. “No, I disagree with that.”

Alex smiled faintly, eyes soft with memory. “Let me tell you how it happened. You stood by the door that day… staring at me like you wanted to run and stay at the same time.”

Lucas blinked. “What?”

Alex’s smile deepened. “You were nervous, but you tried so hard to sound fearless.”

Heat crept into Lucas’s ears.

Alex lowered his voice. “Then you said, If I were you, I’d use that knife to enjoy the apple instead of using it on your wrist.”

Lucas froze.

The words crashed into him all at once. The hospital room, the pale man, the apple on the saucer, and the cold fear in his chest.

Lucas's eyes widened. “What did you just say?”

Alex reached across the table and gently took his hand.

“Yes, baby.” His thumb brushed over Lucas’s knuckles. “You heard me right. That day… that was the beginning for me. You thought you were only saving someone, but every little thing you did after that stayed with me. Your kindness. Your concern. You gave me reasons to keep going.”

Lucas stared in disbelief.

Then suddenly he stood. He circled Alex so quickly that Alex looked up in surprise.

Lucas’s eyes moved over his face, searching.

His hands reached forward before he could stop himself. First, it was Alex’s shoulder. He turned Alex to face him.

Then his hand went to touch Alex’s chest.

Alex inhaled quietly, not thinking straight yet.

Then Lucas’s fingers found the pendant resting beneath his shirt.

Alex’s breathing changed especially with Lucas's hand still on his chest.

Slowly, carefully, Lucas loosened the button covering it. The pendant appeared.

Lucas looked at it and stopped.

His eyes lifted back to Alex. He couldn’t believe who was before him.

His fingers closed around the pendant still hanging against Alex’s chest.

“Oh my God…” His voice cracked. “It’s really you.”

Alex swallowed but nodded.

Lucas stared for another second before laughing softly under his breath in disbelief.

“So your name is Alex Benson.”

Alex nodded again.

Lucas looked away briefly, blinking fast. “I came back that evening… before my grandma passed.”

His voice softened.

“They told me you’d already gone home and that you were recovering.”

His fingers still held the pendant.

“I was relieved… but I was worried too.”

His eyes returned to Alex.

“So I prayed.” His voice dropped lower. “For days.”

A tiny smile touched his lips.

“I kept hoping you stayed alive… and that somehow… someday… I'll see you again.”

Slowly, Lucas reached up and pushed his fingers through Alex’s hair. His touch lingered. His expression turned softer and warmer.

“It’s really you… My Alex.”

That did something dangerous to Alex’s heart. He couldn’t stay still anymore. His hands rose and settled carefully at Lucas’s waist.

His gaze never left him.

“Thank you for saving me, baby.”

Lucas smiled. It was small, emotional, and beautiful. Without hesitation, he wrapped his arms around Alex’s neck and leaned into him.