Chapter 39 Alex’s mystery guy
Lucas’s eyes hardened as their eyes locked. “But if you try anything like that again, I will press charges. That’s a promise. Are we clear on this?”
A tense heat passed between them.
Zenith nodded quickly, relief flooding his face. “Yes. Yes, we’re cool.” Then, softer—almost hesitant—he added, “But please… don’t shut me out completely. Let’s at least be on talking terms, okay? Like normal colleagues.”
Lucas studied him for a long, searching second, weighing every word that had just been spoken. His heart thudded hard against his ribs, loud enough that he prayed that Zenith wouldn't hear it. He never imagined he would be brave enough to face the man like that, to hold his ground instead of shrinking back. Zenith’s apology sounded sincere, too sincere. But the memory of that threat still lingered like a shadow at the back of his mind.
Suddenly, fear slid up Lucas’s spine as he noticed where Zenith’s gaze had drifted to and seemed stuck…his lips. The intensity of it made Lucas’s stomach tighten. Instinctively, he dropped his hand from his chin, breaking the moment before it could spiral into something else.
“We’ll see,” Lucas said at last, forcing his voice steady despite the chaos pounding inside him. His eyes never left Zenith’s face.
“Come on, please,” Zenith urged, a mild smile curving his lips, soft but dangerously persuasive.
“Of course,” Lucas replied evenly. “Like normal colleagues. If that’s what we’re doing, then let’s do it properly.” He paused, then added, clipped and businesslike, “What do I do next?”
Relief flashed across Zenith’s face, quick and unmistakable.
“Thank you, Lucas.”
And just like that, he told him what to do next, and they fell into a routine. They worked side by side without incident, movements smooth, words clipped and professional.
On the surface, everything looked normal. Orders were being called, pots simmered, knives flashed. But inside Zenith’s head, the gears were already spinning—quiet, sharp, relentless.
His thoughts circled one obsession after another, all landing on the same question. How do I get Lucas to myself first… before Alex does?
He knew Alex’s type all too well. Brown, curly hair, good looking with pretty eyes. And just his luck, Lucas fit that part perfectly. Worse still—those blue eyes were striking and unforgettable. Exactly the kind Alex had always fallen for. Then the thought hit him hard.
Zenith stilled mid-step, his mind snagging on the memory of blue eyes. His gaze snapped to Lucas, who was focused on stirring a pot of soup, sleeves rolled up, movements calm and practiced.
“Damn it,” Zenith whispered to himself. “He was the living definition of the guy Alex once said he had been in love with.” Instantly,
a chill slid through Zenith. “Could he be the one?”
Restlessness crept in, tightening his chest as his eyes lingered longer than they should have. Then, as if sensing the stare, Lucas turned.
Zenith looked away instantly, heart jumping, pretending to focus on the counter. He tried—really tried—to shake the thought loose, but it clung stubbornly to his mind.
In the end, he gave up and walked over to clear his doubt.
“Lucas,” he said casually, masking the tension in his voice, “May I ask you something personal?”
“Sure, shoot,” Lucas replied without looking up.
“Did you know the boss before getting this job?”
“No,” Lucas answered easily. “Nathan, a friend from the same culinary school, was the one who recommended me.”
Zenith’s chest tightened. “Oh… is Nathan close to the boss?” he asked, his voice carefully neutral, as he quietly searched for confirmation, wondering if he was the same Nathan he knew.
Lucas paused, thinking about why he wanted to know, but waved it off and nodded. “Hmm, he says they were very close friends.”
“Oh. Okay.” Zenith smiled… a bright, relaxed, and convincing one. Then he turned back to the soup. “It’s almost ready. Let me taste it.”
He dipped the spoon, tasted, and his smile widened. “Wow. This is nice. Very nice.”
Outwardly, he was all praise and professional but inside, he was grinning.
So it was Nathan who had recommended Lucas. Which meant one thing—this wasn’t the man Alex had been searching for. Nathan would never be careless enough to bring in someone who could replace him, never. He smiled happily.
When Lucas’s turn for a break finally came, he was told to take thirty minutes.
He nodded happily, wiped his hands, and, before leaving, asked Henry for directions to the boss’s office. Henry pointed him the way, and Lucas thanked him before heading off.
With every step down the corridor, his heart picked up speed, thudding faster than it should. A stupid, smile tugged at his lips as anticipation bubbled up inside him. He couldn’t help it—he was looking forward to seeing their gorgeous boss and inhaling his sweet scent.
Reaching the door, he stopped short.
His chest tightened. Anxiety crept in, sharp and sudden.
“Damn it,” he muttered under his breath. “Get a grip, Lucas. What's the matter with you?”
He put his hand on his chest as if to calm his racing heart. Then another thought slipped in, unwelcome and persistent.
Why does he look so familiar?
Like I’ve seen him somewhere before…
The question lingered, refusing to leave, as Lucas stood frozen before Alex’s office door—heart racing, mind spinning, hand hovering inches from the knock.
As he stood there, he never knew that someone had walked up, standing behind him, until he said, “Should I knock?”
Lucas jerked in surprise. Then turned and stammered, “Oh, I..I'm..”
“Hey, it's okay,” Jason said and knocked on the door. “My big bro is a good guy. Just apologize that you're sorry and will not do it again, that's it.”
“I think I will go and come back later,” Lucas said as Jason opened the door. Well before Lucas could make a full turn to leave Alex had seen him.
“Lucas, please come in,” Alex’s voice rang like a sweet tune to Lucas's ear. His heart skipped a bit yet again as he turned back and stepped into the office like someone being remoted.
On hearing Lucas, Jason rushed to Alex’s side. “Big bro, did you just say Lucas?” He whispered to him.
“Hmm, that's what I said. I've found him at last. Now you need to go, no time for gossip.” Alex whispered back to Jason.
Jason smiled, dropped the file he brought, and walked over to Lucas, taking a good look at him.
“Hey, relax, as I said, he is a good guy.” Extending his hand, “I'm Jason Benson.”
“I'm Lucas Westman.” He responded by shaking his hand forcing a mild smile.
“Nice to meet you Lucas, hope to see you again soon…” he was still on when Alex started walking over to them.
“Jason, you can go now, haven't you delivered your message?”
Jason smiled and left, closing the door behind him.
Lucas seemed frozen where he was standing, and Alex stood mesmerized at the pretty one before him, a smile tugging at his lips.
“Lucas, it seems you don't really remember me. Did I change that much?”
“I'm sorry sir.” Lucas managed and found his voice. “You looked familiar but I couldn't place it”
Alex walked closer to him. “Lucas,” his voice dripping like honey, leaving Lucas with mixed emotions…sweet and anxious.
“I don't know which one to do first, remind you who you are to me, or give you a hug first.”