Chapter 236: I wish

“Yeah, you heard me Luc. You're puking like my neighbor's pregnant wife.

To his surprise, Lucas laughed.

A genuine laugh. "Oh my goodness."

He shook his head. "Honestly... I wish I'm pregnant."

The masked man blinked. Then he burst into laughter too.

"Come on, Luc." He pointed playfully at him. "You almost sounded serious."

Lucas shrugged with a grin. "But I'm serious."

The answer caught the masked man off guard.

"I've read stories about pregnant men before." Lucas said and leaned back as much as the ropes allowed.

"So I wouldn't exactly be the first."

His smile widened. "In fact... I hope I get that chance someday."

The room fell quiet.

The masked man stared at him for several seconds. Then he smiled beneath the mask.

"In that case..." His voice softened.

"I'd be happy to make that dream come true by being the father."

Lucas's smile disappeared. He studied the stranger carefully. That voice...Why does it sound familiar?

The way he said Luc like he knew him very well. The tone he used.

It tugged at something buried in Lucas's memory.

Zenith?

No…That couldn't be right. He pushed the thought aside and forced a dry laugh.

"You can't."

The masked man folded his arms.

"Why not?"

"You know why?”

“No Luc, you tell me.”

“You can’t because you'll collect your ransom..."

Lucas met his eyes. "...and disappear."

The masked man slowly shook his head.

"No, sweetheart." His answer was calm. "You're mistaken."

Lucas frowned.

"You're not just for a ransom." The masked man stepped closer.

"When this is over..." He stopped in front of Lucas. "...you're leaving town with me."

Lucas stared.

"And we're going to be together as one."

For the first time since waking up, genuine shock crossed Lucas's face.

"What?"

He let out a disbelieving laugh. "What the heck are you talking about?"

His voice hardened.

"You think I'll just smile and go with someone who kidnapped me?"

The masked man crouched until they were eye level.

"Not today." His tone remained oddly gentle. "But one day."

Lucas shook his head.

"Never."

The masked man reached out and lightly brushed Lucas's cheek with the back of his fingers.

Lucas immediately turned his face away. "I'll shower you with love and kindness," the man said quietly. "I'll take care of you."

His eyes lingered on Lucas. "And eventually..." He smiled beneath the mask. "...you'll see me differently."

Lucas looked back at him with a mixture of disbelief and pity.

"You're confusing love with control."

The words landed harder than the masked man expected. LFor a brief second, he said nothing.

Lucas took the opportunity.

"What is your name?"

The masked man chuckled again.

"Oh..." He touched the edge of his red mask.

"I almost forgot." He tapped it lightly. "Hidden identity."

Lucas held his gaze. "So you do have something to hide."

The masked man pecked his forehead, stood, and took a step back. "For now sweetheart but it won't be for long."

His voice echoed through the quiet room.

"And as for my name, you can just call me..." He paused deliberately, gazing at him. "My love."

Lucas didn't answer, instead, he silently watched every movement the man made.

Every habit, every gesture, and every word, because beneath that mask there was something hauntingly familiar.

And Lucas was determined to remember who it was before it was too late.

From Alex’s side, they were expecting Baddie any minute. So in seconds a sharp knock echoed through the conference room.

Dan glanced at his phone and smiled. "That's him."

He hurried to the door and opened it.

The moment the visitor stepped inside, a cheerful voice filled the hallway.

"Hey, Danny boy!" Baddie blew him an exaggerated kiss. "You're looking even more breathtaking today."

Dan laughed despite the tension in the room.

"Come in, Baddie."

Baddie adjusted his jacket with a dramatic flourish.

"I can only imagine how handsome your boss must be if his assistant is this..." He stopped mid-sentence. His smile slowly disappeared.

The room was packed with security personnel and family members.

Computer screens displaying surveillance footage. Maps pinned to the walls. Phones ringing nonstop.

The atmosphere was nothing like he'd expected. Baddie's eyes moved from one serious face to another.

"Danny..." His voice lost its playful edge. "...what's going on here?"

Dan gently closed the door behind him.  "You'll understand in a minute."

Baddie looked around again.

"Oh, come on." He forced a nervous laugh. "I thought I was here to give someone a happy ending."

He gestured toward the room. "Why does it feel like I've just walked into some police robbery investigation?"

A faint smile tugged at Alex's lips for the first time in hours. "Come in, Baddie."

Baddie hesitated before walking farther into the room. Despite the heavy atmosphere, he couldn't resist making an entrance.

He strutted confidently across the floor with exaggerated elegance.

"Hello, everyone." He lifted one hand and waved dramatically.

A few people managed tired smiles.

"Hello, Baddie," Jason replied, while others greeted him with quiet nods.

Jason walked over and rested a friendly hand on Baddie's shoulder.

"This way."

He guided him to the chair directly opposite Alex.

Baddie sat down carefully. Now that he was closer, he noticed Alex's appearance.

His eyes were bloodshot. His tie was loose. His face looked exhausted. He looked more than worried.

Alex managed a small smile.

"You're looking even more dazzling than the last time I saw you."

Baddie chuckled politely. "Thank you..." But then his smile faded again. "...but I have to admit, I'm feeling really uncomfortable."

Alex leaned forward. "Relax."

"I'll try."

"No one's here to hurt you."

Baddie looked around once more. "I sincerely hope not."

Alex folded his hands on the table.

"Tell me something."

Baddie raised an eyebrow.

"What's your usual fee for a private booking?"

"What?" Baddie blinked. Then he laughed once. A short, disbelieving laugh. Then he leaned back in his chair.

"Okay. I'm many things, but I'm definitely not stupid." His gaze swept across the crowded room again.

"I'm clearly not here for a romantic evening." He looked directly at Alex.

"So..." He folded his arms.

"With all due respect, what do you people really want from me?"

The room fell silent.

Alex exchanged a glance with Dan before taking a slow breath.

"We need your help."

Baddie's playful expression disappeared completely. His eyes narrowed.

"My help?"

Alex nodded. "It's about someone who's been kidnapped."

The color drained from Baddie's face. "Kidnapped?"

He looked from Alex to the others.

"What does that have to do with me?"

Baddie looked around the conference room once more. His playful smile was gone.

Alex leaned forward. "We have a suspect."

Baddie nodded slowly, listening.

"We're trying to find out where he is." Alex pointed toward one of the monitors displaying phone records.

"We believe he'll answer your call."

"My call?" Baddie asked.

"Yes." Alex slid a piece of paper across the table with a phone number written on it.

"This is all I need you to do."

Baddie picked it up and started entering the number in his phone, it brought out the name.

Baddie froze, “Zenith?”