Chapter 221: I can't stop

Alex turned the phone back toward himself.

"His name is Zenith."

Lucas repeated it quietly.

"Zenith..."

"So he didn't even tell you his name?"

"No."

Alex looked offended on Lucas's behalf.

"He cornered you."

Lucas opened his mouth.

"He hugged you."

Lucas sighed.

"He touched you. How dare he"

"Alex…"

"And then he tried to convince an amnesia patient that they had some epic romance together."

Lucas nearly laughed, because as Alex put it that way, it sounded ridiculous.

Alex shook his head. "I think it's time somebody addresses his nonsense."

Lucas immediately frowned. "What are you planning?"

"Nothing illegal."

"That answer makes me nervous."

Alex grinned. "Good."

Lucas groaned. "Alex…"

Alex leaned closer. "I'm serious, baby. He is a bitch."

His expression became more thoughtful. "If you genuinely don't remember him, then nobody should be pressuring you into accepting a relationship you can't recall. A relationship that was a lie."

Lucas's smile faded.That part was true.

Alex continued. "He’s not telling the truth."

Lucas blinked. "You think so?"

Alex shrugged. “I know so, he was trying to manipulate you.”

The answer surprised Lucas.

"But whether he's telling the truth or not doesn't matter."

Lucas looked at him.

Alex's voice softened. "You said you were uncomfortable."

The teasing disappeared completely. "And that's enough."

For a moment neither spoke. Lucas felt something warm settle in his chest. Alex always seemed to focus on that part. He didn't care whether the stranger was right, just how Lucas felt.

Then Alex suddenly smirked again.

"But if he starts calling you sweet pie a second time, I'm throwing him into a fountain."

Lucas nearly spit out his drink.

"A fountain?"

"The nearest available body of water."

Lucas burst out laughing. Several people turned to look. He didn't care.

Alex watched him with a smile. The tension from the restroom encounter finally began to leave Lucas's shoulders.

And for a brief moment, both of them forgot about Zenith entirely.

The night had passed far too quickly. Lucas and Alex ended up spending hours together. Neither of them seemed eager to leave.

At some point, the conversation had faded into comfortable silence.

They simply sat across from each other, their hands hidden beneath the table. Fingers intertwined.

Every now and then their eyes would meet, and neither would look away.

Lucas still couldn't explain why being around Alex felt so natural, and easy.  It was as though his heart remembered something his mind couldn't.

Alex smiled as he gently squeezed Lucas's hand. "There's somewhere I want to take you."

Lucas tilted his head. "Where?"

"Our place."

Lucas frowned. "Our place?"

Alex nodded. "The apartment we share."

Something flickered in his eyes.

"I've been thinking, What if seeing it helps?"

Lucas waited, then asked, "Helps?"

"What if being there triggers some of your memories?"

Lucas became thoughtful.

Alex continued carefully. "You don't have to force yourself to remember anything."

His thumb brushed across Lucas's knuckles. "But maybe being around familiar things could help."

Lucas considered it. The suggestion wasn't unreasonable.

In fact, it made sense. "Okay."

Alex blinked. "Okay?"

Lucas nodded. "We can go."

A smile immediately spread across Alex's face. "When?"

"Weekend?"

Alex looked absurdly pleased. "Weekend then."

For some reason, seeing that expression made Lucas smile too.

By the time they finally left Casa Lounge, neither wanted to say goodbye.

They lingered behind parked cars,

talking about nothing. Finding excuses to stay a little longer. One more minute. One more conversation. One more smile.

Eventually, Alex laughed. "If we keep this up, we'll still be standing here tomorrow."

Lucas smiled. "Maybe."

Their eyes met. The playful mood faded. For a moment neither spoke.

Then Alex stepped closer. Close Close enough to make his pulse jump.

"You'll text me?"

Lucas nodded. "Yeah."

"Promise?"

"I promise."

Alex smiled softly, and before either of them could overthink it, he leaned closer.

A brief kiss brushed Lucas's cheek. It was quick and warm. Gone before anyone could notice.

Lucas froze.

Alex grinned,

"See you soon, baby."

Lucas shook his head. “Not yet, escort me to the car”

“Isn't it risky? Someone might see us.

“I don't care, come on.”

Alex gazed around before following him.

As Lucas entered the vehicle, he told Alex to come in. He obeyed.

"You really need to stop calling me baby because it makes my stomach flutter."

"No, baby, I can't stop."

Without warning, Lucas cupped his cheek and kissed him lightly.

Alex mumbled, “Oh baby, I was going crazy at the bar. Thank you for this.”

He leaned in and captured Luca's lips savouring every second of it.

When they finally pulled back, Lucas hugged him tightly.

“I think I'm falling in love with you. Good night my Alex.”

Alex was overjoyed as he kissed him again and said almost in a whisper, "Goodnight my Lucas.”

He stepped down and walked backward toward his car.

Lucas found himself smiling long after Alex had gone.

Unfortunately, that smile vanished the moment he stepped into the mansion.

Derby was waiting.

The second she saw him enter, relief flooded her face.

"Lucas." She immediately stood.

"Oh thank God."

Lucas's expression hardened instantly. The warmth from the Casa disappeared.

"What do you want?"

Derby's face fell. "Can we talk?"

"I don't think there's anything left to talk about."

"Lucas…"

"No." His voice was firm, and dangerously.

Derby swallowed. "I'm sorry about yesterday."

Lucas laughed bitterly. "Sorry?"

She nodded quickly. "I made a mistake."

"A mistake?" His eyes narrowed.

"You put something in my drink."

"I know."

"You violated my trust."

"I know."

"And now you're apologizing because you got caught."

"That's not fair."

Lucas stared at her. Then shook his head. "No." His voice dropped.

"What's unfair is you thinking you had the right to test me."

The words hit hard. Derby looked away.

Lucas took a deep breath. Then delivered the sentence he had already decided on. "I've filed for divorce."

The entire room seemed to freeze.

Derby stared at him. "What?"

"I mean it."

"No." She shook her head immediately. Her voice rose. "You can't decide that."

"I already have."

Tears began gathering in her eyes.

"Did you get your memory back?"

Lucas frowned. "What?"

"Tell me the truth." She stepped closer.

"Did you remember someone?"

"No.

"Then why are you doing this?"

Lucas's patience snapped. "Because memory or no memory, this marriage isn't working!"

His voice echoed through the room.

Derby flinched.

Lucas continued. "You don't trust me. I don't trust you. We make each other miserable."

He shook his head. "I'm done."

The finality in his voice terrified her.

"No." She grabbed his arm.

"Lucas, please."

He pulled away immediately.

"I'm done, Derby."

"Please."

"I'm sorry, my mind is made up."

Tears spilled down her cheeks.

"Please don't leave me."

Something softened briefly inside him, but not enough. Lucas grabbed his keys.

"I'm leaving."

Derby's eyes widened.

"What?"

"I'm getting a hotel."

"Lucas…"

"I can't even get peace in my own so-called house."

He headed for the door.

Derby hurried after him. "Lucas!"

He didn't stop.

"Lucas, listen to me!"

Still he kept walking.